Mentorship through youth

While growing up around her loving and supportive family in Colombia, Zharick Retamozo moved with her family to the United States around the age of 11. She describes how her first language was Spanish, but she and her aunt were determined to help perfect her English. Her aunt would spend several hours practicing verbs and helping her learn the language until she mastered it herself.

Zharick was always up for a challenge as she was involved in various sports. In Colombia, she was on a roller skating team. In high school at Chicago Hope Academy, she played volleyball and softball. “I believe that if you don't challenge yourself to grow then nobody else will do it for you more than you will,” said Retamozo. 

Through Zharick’s work and church experience, she has always engaged with the youth in her community. “As a daycare teacher, and [growing up] in the daycare environment with kids of all ages, I found the experience very beautiful. I am also a Sunday school teacher and work with ages four to six. I feel like that age is an age where you can make an impact on kids and be a part of their education. They're easier to mold, and whatever you do with them it’s going to stick with them and build their character. In education, it’s easier to retain and start adding on from there,” said Retamozo. 

Now, Zharick is attending Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights as an elementary education major with minors in Spanish education, bilingual endorsement, and business. By being in an educational environment, Zharick has always been inspired by her mom and aunts who are educators. “My mom [inspired me to Pursue a higher education] because my mom is very hardworking and she’s an educator as well. So I was always surrounded by that educational aura and atmosphere because everybody in my family, the women specifically, are educators. I grew up around that, and my mom and my aunts have created a safe space for kids and they have shown me what hard work looks like,” said Retamozo. 

Growing up around hard-working women in her family, Zharick has also challenged herself academically this year more than last year. “Freshman year I was just trying to get a feel of the  college experience and see how much I thought I could handle. But now, [in] my sophomore year, I feel like I got the hang of it, I’m pushing myself harder and I have acquired more responsibilities. I am very grateful because my family has been a huge support for me, and I can feel safe in challenging myself and doing more. For example, last year I was taking 15 credits per semester, this year I’m taking 18 credits which is a lot more work. But I have the confidence to challenge myself because I know that I can do it,” said Retamozo. 

Not only does the support from Zharick’s family boost her confidence in a challenge but she has also received support from Pursue Scholars that encourages her journey. “From Pursue I have learned unity and what it means to be supported. As an immigrant I believe a lot of doors were closed for me. And to find myself being received and feeling so welcome, Pursue has made me understand that I am loved and cared for. It doesn't matter that I am an immigrant, I am still welcome,” said Retamozo. 

Through support and her experience thus far, Zharick encourages the next class of scholars to thoughtfully plan out their goals. “A lot of people take college as only a space to socialize and get to know themselves, which is good to get involved in the community. But I feel it’s very important to analyze your goals and once you do that, see what's the best plan moving forward and how you can get your education successfully at the same time as making a social life. Don’t make the college experience only about exploring socially, said Retamozo.

Stories like Zharick's are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.