“Celebrating Our Backgrounds” is a column written by Victoria Velazquez, a senior who has helped form and run LFHS’ EmbRACE club, which helps champion students of all backgrounds at LFHS.
Nayeli Vaca is a junior at Lake Forest High School. She transferred from Zion-Benton Township High School during her sophomore year and, with her passion for make-up in tow, welcomed LFHS as her new school. Nayeli enjoys meeting new people and has the personality to be the most outgoing and sweetest of friends. Being friends with her personally for almost two years, she’s grown to be the crazy one of the group, but we all share love for Nayeli’s infectious personality. Not only will she go out of her way to meet new people, and say “hi” to everyone in the halls, she goes above and beyond to make sure her loved ones are happy as well. Aside from her obsession with make-up, Nayeli is the most down to earth, sassy, and confident girl you can share memories with.
You can find Nayeli spending most of her time practicing different make-up looks, perfecting each and every one of her outfits as she is also a fashionista, and championing social justice as an active member of LFHS’ EmbRACE club, where she shares her open-minded thoughts. I sat down with Nayeli to get her thoughts on all that is happening with her throughout the many different aspects of Lake Forest High School
Where are you from originally?
“I am from Zion, Illinois–around 30 minutes from here. I had been there all my life up until last year when I moved to Lake Forest. I was attending Zion-Benton High School where I spent most of my time with friends who weren’t really looking for an education; rather, they were at school to socialize. I can say Lake Forest and Zion-Benton are completely different in many ways. I will always admire where I come from, but I do appreciate how I’ve been able to experience a new environment which has helped me learn more about myself and helped me gain more confidence.”
What’s your family like?
“We come from a Hispanic background. Both of my parents were born in Mexico so all of my family is super close and well, I would say we’re really fun to be around. We all have extremely strong personalities, so there is sometimes drama, but at the end of the day we’re a family and we will always be there for each other.”
If you could describe yourself in 3 words, what would they be?
“Outgoing, confident, open-minded.”
What’s your favorite thing about being at Lake Forest High School?
“Definitely the education, I do learn a lot here and when I first got here I began to realize how important school was. I really try when it comes to my grades and having everything organized and together instead of being all over the place. Passing school is what I really want to focus on right now because I feel like my freshman year was all over the place. In coming here, I learned that schoolwork and everything else will get me where I want to be in my future. Other than education, I really like how easy it was to make friends here. I enjoy coming to school knowing that there are students who had to go through the same struggle I went through when it came to getting used to being in a new environment, but we all stick together and we are always open to being friends with everyone and anyone.”
How do you think LFHS could improve when it comes to racial equality?
“Sometimes I do feel like I get shut out because I’m a minority, but that’s understandable and I know it’s not intentional. I know it might be intimidating for people to expand their bubble, and also meeting new people and sharing different experiences can be hard for someone and that’s okay–I understand that. I don’t ever feel like people are racist towards me, which makes me feel confident and I know I can be myself. At times, I do get people looking at me differently but that’s everywhere; it’s just something that I look past because I know everyone has their opinions and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I think Lake Forest High School is doing well when it comes to racial equality. Teachers and students of all different backgrounds are working hard to make this an accepting place. I feel like all the teachers I’ve had treat me equally and that’s the most important thing.”
What do you think LFHS does well when it comes to advancing equality and breaking down would-be barriers?
“Well, like I said earlier, I think the teachers do a really great job when it comes to making everyone feel equal. I also believe starting the EmbRACE club was an awesome idea because it gives me a chance to share my thoughts and actually learn more about different races and cultures. It also gives us students a venue to talk about the issues that might be happening in the school. It has opened my mind and made me even more confident. Everyone I’ve met through the club has treated me just like anyone else and I really do appreciate that.”
