Sarai Rivas

Senior Sarai Rivas learned Spanish from her parents and only began learning English when she started Kindergarten at 5-years-old.

“Knowing both English and Spanish is very exciting,” Rivas said.

Both her and her brother struggled to learn English and often practiced with each other to build their speaking skills.

“Once seventh grade year hit, I believe [speaking English] was a little bit easier for me.” Rivas said. “Now I’m fully fluent in both Spanish and English.”

Even now, speaking both languages can have some challenges for Rivas. She often struggles to switch between both languages quickly.

“Once I get the hang of English, then it’ll be fine, but then I switch to Spanish and it’s harder to transition back to English,” Rivas said.

Rivas often uses her multilingual abilities to help those around her. Whether it’s translating for other students, translating for customers at work, or translating for her mom at doctor appointments, she’s always willing to help.

Rivas uses Spanish at home around her family, but mostly uses English at work and school.

“I do have to manage how to speak both languages,” Rivas said.

Rivas has had some hateful things said to her when speaking Spanish. She’s been told that she’s supposed to speak English in America, has been called an alien and more.

She often reminds herself she has a greater advantage and rants to her mom to combate some of the hate.

“The more you ignore them, the more they get tired of trying to get your attention,” Rivas said.