My name is Heyra Avila, I’m 16 years young and a high school student at Larry A. Ryle in Union, Kentucky. I’ve unfortunately lived in Florence, KY for nearly 12 years now; ever since my parents brought me from Veracruz, Mexico at the age of 4. I was pretty much always aware that I was undocumented because my parents would tell me, but I am a positive person and I never really thought that was a problem.
My breaking point was when I went to a LULAC Convention at the Duke Energy Center in downtown Cincinnati. I was sitting there with a group of friends, listening to people talk about internships and other possibilities for us in high school and for college. They also shared with us their stories of success and they told us we could be succesful as well. Me, being the nerd that I am, was just absolutely ecstatic and overwhelmed at all the things I could do and I wanted to sign up for everything. It all sounded too good to be true. It was.
One of my friends raised their hands and asked if we needed to be US citizens and they said we did. Since most of us were undocumented, we found no point in being there anymore. I didn’t like being told I couldn’t do something. It built up a sudden rage inside me, and I wanted to just give up, not to mention punch something in the face. My 5 year, straight-A honor roll was ruined for a couple months because there came a point when I thought I just shouldn’t try anymore. What was the point? Apparently I am an alien in this country, I thought, unwanted for the fact that I don’t have a set of numbers to identify me as a person.
But that same fall brought me back up again, with even more strength. It took me some time and many tears, but I managed to get myself together and I got involved. The first time I spoke publicly was when I was 14, in middle school. For some reason I have never been afraid to say that I was undocumented and I love to speak in front of people willing to hear my story. I’ve spoke in all sorts of places, from universities to churches to schools. I’m part of the YES group and former member of the CIWC and now also member of Kentucky Undocumented Youth Alliance!
In February, the National Immigrant Youth Alliance came to Kentucky for a day-long training, and after 8 hours I came out of there as a better, stronger, more motivated individual. I learned more than I could have in one week in school. The thing that will stick with me the most is when we split up in groups to share our stories of self. I found myself in tears after hearing the story of a 10 year old undocumented child. He cried when he talked about his dreams, and about being undocumented. He spoke only a few words, but that was all I needed. Now I am motivated even more thanks to him and all the other indivuals at the training. I learned that together we can make a difference. And we will.
I want to keep fighting for the rights we deserve. ‘We’ being all the undocumented immigrants in this country who want a better life and are willing to shed blood, sweat, and tears for it. And whenever I want to give up, I just remember that there are people out there who don’t think we can do it. And trust me, I love proving people wrong so I will not give up. I refuse to. I want to do this for my family, myself, and the others who aren’t as strong (or just lazy) to stand up and do something about it. This may sound ignorant, but being undocumented is seriously the best thing that could have happened in my life, because I am truly blessed and privileged now. It has motivated me to become a better person and work harder than those who are documented. It has also taught me that we can make a difference. I love being a part of something big. I am Heyra Avila, Undocumented, Unafraid, and Motivated and I will make a difference.
