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Palomino spends Wednesday evenings overseeing the clinic. As student manager, Palomino signs patients in at the front desk, guides new student volunteers, handles emergencies and makes sure the clinic is flowing smoothly. She's also taken patients' vital signs, assisted in the examination room and served as an English/Spanish translator between doctors and patients. She wants to continue helping the low-income, working poor because she says that's the community she sees, not only through her volunteer work but also at home. Her parents are Peruvian immigrants. Her father is a gardener. "They are the hardest working sector in our community. It's so unfair," Palomino said. "They work so hard and are at such a disadvantage. They're just trying to survive." Her interest in helping others extended to her school activities. As a writer and editor for her awardwinning school newspaper, Palomino covered the growing need to help students deal with such issues as self-mutilation, drug use and eating disorders. A member and officer of the Latino Connection club, Palomino reveled in the variety of students involved who were all different yet connected through their common heritage. She hopes her accomplishments show others the many opportunities in life. "I'm one of many," Palomino said. "All you have to do is reach out to people." With a 4.3 GPA, Palomino has been recognized for her volunteer work and academic achievements, earning a variety of awards. Palomino credits others for her success. "I didn't consider myself to have potential. I had amazing adults in my life to encourage me," Palomino said. Palomino is the first in her family to attend college. She'll attend Wellesley College in Massachusetts on a full scholarship and may pursue social work, possibly working for a nonprofit or starting her own organization.
Palomino spends Wednesday evenings overseeing the clinic. As student manager, Palomino signs patients in at the front desk, guides new student volunteers, handles emergencies and makes sure the clinic is flowing smoothly. She's also taken patients' vital signs, assisted in the examination room and served as an English/Spanish translator between doctors and patients. She wants to continue helping the low-income, working poor because she says that's the community she sees, not only through her volunteer work but also at home. Her parents are Peruvian immigrants. Her father is a gardener. "They are the hardest working sector in our community. It's so unfair," Palomino said. "They work so hard and are at such a disadvantage. They're just trying to survive." Her interest in helping others extended to her school activities. As a writer and editor for her awardwinning school newspaper, Palomino covered the growing need to help students deal with such issues as self-mutilation, drug use and eating disorders. A member and officer of the Latino Connection club, Palomino reveled in the variety of students involved who were all different yet connected through their common heritage. She hopes her accomplishments show others the many opportunities in life. "I'm one of many," Palomino said. "All you have to do is reach out to people." With a 4.3 GPA, Palomino has been recognized for her volunteer work and academic achievements, earning a variety of awards. Palomino credits others for her success. "I didn't consider myself to have potential. I had amazing adults in my life to encourage me," Palomino said. Palomino is the first in her family to attend college. She'll attend Wellesley College in Massachusetts on a full scholarship and may pursue social work, possibly working for a nonprofit or starting her own organization.
