Vision Adelante 

Paulina Abigail Guevara Carrión was born and raised in Ecuador and now resides in Peekskill, NY. She just graduated from Monroe College with a bachelor's degree in Accounting and a minor in Technology. Paulina joined Visión Adelante in the summer of 2023 as a counselor for the Summer program. She completed her internship this winter and has since remained active, participating in activism and workshops provided by Adelante Student Voices.

I'm Senior at Hunter College majoring in Accounting. I have been active in advocating for undocumented students' rights for four years. Growing up, I realized that there is a lack of resources for undocumented students to navigate the college process and gain financial literacy skills. I am envisioning and creating a campaign with Vision Adelante for schools to provide those resources. Currently, I have been very involved in learning about my roots and U.S History to be able to come up with a plan that can change the history of undocumented students to a more socially accepted community that will have all the resources to thrive in this society.

Valeria Nataly Luna Mendez was born and raised in Ecuador and now resides in Putnam Valley, New York. She holds an associate degree in Marketing and is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in Communications at the University at Buffalo. Valeria has been actively involved with Vision Adelante since 2021, engaging in activism and participating in workshops. She is a past recipient of the Adelante scholarship and served as a counselor in 2023.

Paula Davila is from Quito, Ecuador. She graduated from SUNY Westchester Community College with an Associates Degree in Social Sciences with a concentration in Honors. She is now a rising junior pursuing a major in Political Science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Paula has been an active member since 2020 as part of Adelante’s Summer Program. But it wasn’t until 2022 that she joined Vision Adelante, which experience contributed to the journey that allowed her to become a fierce advocate for Undocumented students. She believes in the power of advocacy and education, and is currently serving as the President of Vision Adelante, in which she has been actively involved in bringing more awareness to the challenges of accessing higher education and supporting the rights of undocumented students, sharing a unique perspective as an undocumented student herself.

Oscar is a sophomore at SUNY Albany, majoring in Political Science. Born in El Salvador, he moved to Rockland County, New York, at a young age, where he quickly became an active member of his community. As a first-generation college student, Oscar is deeply committed to supporting immigrant communities, especially undocumented students seeking access to higher education. Inspired by his own journey and the sacrifices of his family, he dedicates his time to advancing resources and opportunities for others, working tirelessly to promote education equity and advocate for underrepresented voices. Oscar’s passion and leadership reflect his commitment to his family and to paving the way for future generations.

Meet Panchito, a beloved stuffed animal with a heart as big as his soft, plush belly. Panchito is the ultimate cheerleader for undocumented teens, filled with love, encouragement, and endless hope for their future. He's on a mission to remind them that their dreams are not just valid—they’re essential. With every cuddle, Panchito whispers words of strength and undocujoy, reminding his friends to keep pushing forward. His purpose is clear: he won't stop fighting until every undocumented child has the opportunity to thrive in a fair and just world. Panchito believes deeply in a future where equity and justice are for everyone, and he’s here to make sure no dream goes unfulfilled.