Student Spotlight: Nayla Torres Ruiz

 

Majors: Anthropology, Spanish
Hometown: Grand Island, Nebraska

Nayla’s education is a major milestone—but not just for her. As the oldest in her family, she has little sisters who look up to her, and as a first-generation American and first-generation college student, she knows that her experiences can inspire others who come from similar backgrounds.

After moving to the U.S. from Cuba at age 10, Nayla quickly adapted to her new life in Grand Island and eventually became a part of the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy (NCPA). There, she was able to form a community of fellow future Huskers who would support her as she worked her way toward college. As a first-year student in the Honors Program, she still leans on her NCPA family and considers the program’s office a second home on campus.

NCPA connected Nayla to college, and now she’s using her education to help others. This fall, Nayla voiced Spanish translations of campus news for radio broadcast spots during Husker football games. While she doesn’t see herself stepping behind the microphone and becoming a full-time broadcaster one day, she was excited to have the opportunity to create accessible content for Spanish-speaking people across Nebraska.

“I am thankful that they did that, because it shows that they are interested in others and trying to include everybody,” Nayla said.

Nayla is also using her experience as a Husker to show other Latina women that college is something they can do. When she’s in her residence hall or in classrooms on campus, she often looks around and doesn’t see many people who look like her—but that doesn’t stop Nayla. She hopes that one day her much younger sisters will be able to look to her as an example and know that if she can thrive in higher education then they can, too.

“I am pretty proud of who I am and who I will become, but it’s also like, I don’t need to try to conform to other people,” Nayla said. “I just need to teach them how to treat me just like I let them teach me how to treat them. If everybody was the same, the world will be really boring, and there would be no transaction of knowledge.”

See the original article posted on the UNIVERSITY of NEBRASKA–LINCOLN website here.

NCPA Mid-Year Report

NCPA Mid-Year Report has been released and we are pleased with the outcomes the program is achieving. It shows how our efforts are having significant impact on student success. The Trenchard Foundation and it’s supporters are key partners that are helping make the dream of a college degree possible for some talented students.

Click on the link below to download the report onto your device:

1.31.20 – NCPA Mid-year Report

The Passing of Dr. Robert Mastin

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a truly great man, Dr. Robert Mastin of Hastings, NE. He was a fine doctor, much loved and respected in the community, and a devoted Husker. The family has asked that memorials be sent to the Foundation to help deserving, first generation scholars at the University of Nebraska. We are humbled by this gesture and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family.

You will be missed Uncle Bob!

Please click the Paypal Button below to donate online and follow this link for the obituary.

Fundraiser in Austin, Texas Honoring Trey Trenchard

Join friends and family to celebrate the life of Trey Trenchard and raise funds for the Trenchard Foundation.

  • When: Saturday, May 14th at 9pm
  • Where: Stubb’s BBQ (Indoor) 801 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701

Purchase tickets here or click on the poster below.

Head over to this page to upload your favorite pictures of Trey.

TreyMemorialAustin resized