Bryana Quintero, a high school senior at Archbishop Molloy High School in New York, is already making her mark as an inspiring young leader. With a passion for law, history, and community service, Bryana has the spirit of a driven achiever who is set on making a difference.

Her dream of becoming a U.S. law attorney is fueled by her work with Senator Joseph P. Abbado and a professor at NYU, where she’s conducted research on immigrant experiences. She is committed to tackling real world issues with compassion and curiosity. 

Inspired by her Ecuadorian and Colombian heritage, Bryana founded "Summer Success," a project designed to provide low-income families with educational tools to prevent summer learning loss. 

“My mother frequently talked about how difficult it was for her to apply to colleges on her own, without much help or access to necessary tools. I am so lucky that I have been able to access the same resources and more information than she had, as a result of this, my path is made much easier.” 

This initiative earned her the Girl Scout Gold Award and includes workshops, pamphlets, and an online resource bank to ensure that children have the support they need to thrive. Working with the Queens Public Library, Bryana has extended her impact, aiming to expand her resources through webinars and collaboration with government agencies.

“I know there are plenty of families still grappling with the same issues of finding things for their kids during the summer to keep them busy. That’s why I’m passionate about helping close these gaps and ensuring that every child has the support they need to succeed.”

Beyond academics, Bryana shows a strong connection to her heritage. As Vice President of the Spanish Club, she is committed to promoting cultural awareness and has taken on a mentoring role by tutoring low-income Hispanic students. 

“Coming from a family greatly connected to our culture, I’ve always admired my grandparents, who were immigrants and had to figure everything out on their own to provide a better life for their children. ”

Bryana has faced her fair share of challenges, from managing her time to staying motivated. She also struggled with balancing her academics, extracurriculars, and starting off her Summer Success project. Nevertheless, she continues to draw strength from her mentors and her vision of building a brighter future for others. Her message to those wanting to start their own impact projects is clear: find something that you’re passionate about, aligns with your values, speaks to your identity, and always stay committed.

Bryana’s story is one of hard work, compassion, and a desire to uplift her community. As she prepares to take on the next chapter of her life, there's no doubt that she will continue to be a positive force, building brighter futures for those around her.

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