Published On: October 21st, 2015By Leticia Fehling

Eisenhower High School’s Kimberly Lerma Receives PASF Cultural Trip Scholarship to Visit Puerto Rico

Studies show that learning a foreign language makes you smarter, more decisive and even better at English.

The [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Pan American Student Forum of Texas selected six students from across the state for scholarships. One recipient hails from Eisenhower High School. Student Kimberly Lerma is a recipient of the Cultural Trip Scholarship. She and the other students will have the opportunity to visit Puerto Rico in November. During the five-day trip, the group will visit San Juan, the capital of the island.

Each year, PASF sponsors a trip to a selected destination. The purpose of the trip is to give students an educational and cultural experience.

Ann Crick nominated Kimberly. She is Kimberly’s Spanish teacher.

“When I heard that PASF named her as a recipient, I jumped with delight for her,” said Crick. “I had the privilege to travel to Mexico City when I was in high school, and it was an experience that changed my life. So it gives me great joy to be able to see one of my most deserving students get this opportunity. She is going to a Spanish-speaking island and will see a different part of the world.

“Kimberly is an ideal candidate and a well-deserved recipient of the scholarship. She is responsible, hard-working, bright, inquisitive, and persistently pursues knowledge. She is a joy in class.”

To qualify, students have to provide several documents. These include an application form, a letter of recommendation, and an official transcript. Only juniors and seniors can qualify. The students also have to be active members of PASF as well as belong to a chapter. And they have to have at least one year of Spanish as a foreign language under their belt.

Recipients Must Meet Certain Criteria Including:

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]A standard of high academic achievement (A or B average)[/li] [li]An interest in the culture of Latin American nations[/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]A desire to practice Spanish at every opportunity[/li][/ul]

According to Crick, Kimberly is more than qualified. Kimberly is currently in her fifth year of studying Spanish. At the moment she is reading and analyzing literature from Spain’s Golden Age (1500-1640). She is also an International Baccalaureate student in the Diploma Program. Kimberly is president of the Spanish Club at the campus. She is also a member of the Pan American Student Forum of Texas.

Myriam Palacios

This is not the first time an Eisenhower student has received this scholarship. Five Ike students have benefitted from the scholarship.

Past Eisenhower HS Scholarship Recipients

2014 — [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Myriam Palacios visited Washington, D.C.
2013 — Noemi Villarreal visited Washington, D.C.
2012 — Damari Espinoza visited New York City
2009 — Allen Duong visited Mexico City
2008 — Rocky Phommachanh visited Mexico City
2006 — Pedro Bueno visited Mexico City
2004 — Trevor Jones visited Mexico City

Learning a foreign language in a global economy increases job opportunities and financial gains. [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Research shows that there are also many academic and cognitive benefits.

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]You become smarter.[/li] [li]You build multitasking skills.[/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Your memory improves.[/li] [li]You become more perceptive.[/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Your decision-making skills improve.[/li] [li]You improve your English language skills.[/li][/ul]

While on the trip, students will have to communicate in Spanish. This doesn’t just include the native speakers they will encounter on the island. They will have to speak Spanish with their fellow peers and PASF board members. They will also have to practice and use Spanish skills whenever and wherever possible.

Kimberly is grateful for the opportunity to travel abroad.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

“It still feels unreal,” said Kimberly. “This is one of the greatest opportunities I have ever received. I cannot express how thankful I am to all the people who made this possible. I am especially grateful to my one-of-a-kind Spanish teacher, Señora Crick.“