For some students who have lived in a single town their whole lives, attending West Chicago Community High School may seem ordinary. But for students whose lives completely change by moving to another country, high school in America can feel like a daunting challenge—a chance to rebuild a life in a place where they know no one.

Meet Gabriela Marin, better known as Gabi. She is a senior at West Chicago who moved from Venezuela and is now preparing for her future after high school.

“I feel really welcome. [West Chicago] is a big change for me,” Marin said. “I almost feel like I’m at home now.”

Marin has already left a significant mark on her peers and teachers. Her dedication and willingness to speak up for what is right stand out to those who know her.

“She is one of the most selfless and hardworking people that I know, and her drive to see her future dreams come true is unwavering and passionate,” Michelle Walters, Marin’s former AVID teacher, said.

But Marin is more than just an exceptional student; she is a proud Venezuelan who has experienced the cultural contrasts between her home country and her new life in America.

“The government did not support the schools, regardless if it was a private school or public school—it was all the same,” Marin said. “People in the community would raise money for schools, but the government wouldn’t give anything.”

One of the biggest differences Marin noticed was the relationship with teachers.

“In Venezuela, teachers didn’t give their whole heart into teaching,” Marin said. “It was hard to build relationships with them. But here, my teachers check on me, make sure I’m okay, and help me outside of school too. That’s been really impactful.”

Growing up in Venezuela, Marin witnessed her family endure challenges under the country’s dictatorship. Despite these difficulties, she fondly remembers the warmth of its people and the beauty of its culture and landscapes.

“I think people in Venezuela [could] be described as outgoing and welcoming before it [became] problematic. We [were] a country that received everybody with open arms,” Marin said.

Marin treasures memories of Venezuela’s natural wonders and traditions.

“I really enjoyed the dunes, especially in the summer,” Marin said. “We also [had] places where there [was] only one specific place where it used to snow, and it [was] really nice. Everybody wanted to go there at Christmas to see the snow because it [was] the only place in the whole country where it snowed. There [are] a lot of jungles, like the Amazonas. It [has] a lot of animals. It’s scary but really nice.”
She also highlights the cultural diversity in Venezuela, with communities from Cuba, China, the Dominican Republic, and other countries contributing to its rich heritage.

At West Chicago, Marin strives to leave a positive impact by helping others.

“I want to help people, and I want to get into law to defend people’s rights and make them feel like they have someone supporting them,” Marin said. “Especially when it comes to kids, I want them to know they’re not alone.”

She believes children hold great potential to grow into good citizens and hopes to guide them toward that path, but she has also worked hard to impact her own academic path.

When she first arrived, Marin was placed in general education classes but soon realized she wanted to challenge herself more.

“I [pushed] myself to move to AP classes,” Marin said. “It [wasn’t] easy at first because my teachers and counselors thought I wasn’t ready, but I wanted to show them I [could] do it. Seeking help and retaking tests when I struggled helped me succeed, and now I feel proud of what I’ve accomplished.”

Her efforts to excel academically have not only earned her personal pride but also the admiration of her teachers, who appreciate the unique perspective she brings to the classroom.

“I love having Gabi Marin in class, especially since she brings the unique perspective of being a Spanish speaker from Venezuela. Traditionally, in West Chicago, we have a lot of students that come from Mexican heritage, so I welcome that extra perspective in my AP Spanish language and culture class,” Michael Princer, Marin’s teacher, said.

Marin’s final advice to students who fear embracing their roots or taking a bigger step is to take the risk and move forward.

“They should risk it,” Marin said. “It’s better to try than to die asking yourself, ‘What [could have been] if you [had] tried?’ I think it’s valid that people [are] scared, but I don’t think fear is something we should embrace. We should embrace our roots and everything we do should go toward something better.”