Occupation: Student

Country of Birth: Mexico

Current: Chicago, IL

“I want to tell everyone to never give up, because there are always opportunities.”

Aranza was born and raised in Puebla, Mexico, the fourth-largest city in Mexico, which is known for its culinary history. She lived with her father, mother, and two younger siblings. In her free time, she enjoyed cooking different foods, such as tamales, chilaquiles, spaghetti, milanesas, and pozole. However, it was not safe for her family to stay in Puebla, and they decided to move to America in February of 2024. 

The journey was long for Aranza and her family. They flew from Mexico City to San Luis Río Colorado, where they stayed for a month, living in tents on the border waiting for immigration to let them pass. They were able to get to Phoenix but had to stay at the airport for three days, asking friends and other people for help getting money to board a flight to Chicago. 

When they first arrived in Chicago, Aranza and her family had no money and did not know anyone. They also were not able to understand English very well. Aranza felt sad because she left everything to go to Chicago, but she also felt angry because of all the insecurities that had forced her family to move. However, with time, she realized that Chicago brought more opportunities and safety for her family. 

She started going to high school in May of 2024. She plays sports and goes out with her new friends. In her free time, Aranza likes to visit places and sometimes go shopping. She also enjoys spending time with her family, but it is hard since her parents work long hours. In the future, she wants to work as a flight attendant to help support her parents as a way to thank them for giving her a better future.