Lilyan Prado Carrillo - Yes You Can/ Si Se Puede
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
By Prudence
April 7, 2015
Have you ever wondered why some students are more motivated than others and why some youth even against all odds seem to be successful? What drives these kids to be successful when kids facing the very same obstacles give up after the first few obstacles in life?
Lilyan Prado Carrillo is an example of the student who never gives up. Lilyan Prado Carrillo has been able to achieve both a successful family and career. Lilyan is from a single parent home, raised by her father; they immigrated from Guatemala when she was four years of age. Lilyan has never forgotten her roots and always understood the importance of education which her father instilled in her. All Latino parents should instill the importance of education in their children. Education is the difference between living in poverty or having a good job and providing for oneself and family. Lilyan’s father instilled in her the importance of an education, hard work and perseverance.
Lilyan worked alongside her father cleaning houses and doing yard work. Parents should not be afraid to make their children work. In high school, she juggled work, schoolwork and playing sports, however she dropped out of school during the first semester of her senior year. Fortunately, encouraged by family, friends, and programs like Upward Bound, Lilyan returned to school and graduated with an advanced diploma with her class. As Latino Parents we should always encourage our children to stay and finish school.
Her father’s dream for Lilyan to attend college was always present, however, making it a reality proved more difficult. Lilyan attended a junior college. She funded her own education by working and going to school part time because of her immigration status. She transferred and graduated from Texas Woman’s University where she had received a full scholarship. In 2002, Lilyan was one of 30 students nationwide, awarded a congressional internship with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in Washington, DC.
Lilyan’s accomplishments since college include: ESL teacher, a second-grade bilingual teacher, team leader for Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD in Texas, and a facilitator for Monster Worldwide Diversity Leadership Programs, nationwide. She worked with the National Council of La Raza, empowering Latino youth to become active members of their respective affiliate organizations. In 2006, she was selected as The Sallie Mae Fund’s national spokesperson for its “Paying for College Bus Tour”, which included workshops that provided students and parents the tools needed to apply, attend and pay for college. In that capacity, Lilyan presented this message in more than 55 cities, 35 states and to more than 40,000 people. In 2007, Lilyan, relocated back to Denton, TX. In 2007 she joined SLiCK, an innovative and interactive series of student leadership workshops inspired by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch, and then facilitated the Family Leadership Program, as well as created curriculum for a brand new all girls program called iSHINE. iSHINE is meant to inspire, prepare, motivate, and develop educated, healthy, and happy young women across the country.
Lilyan continues to works toward making college a reality for students who might find it difficult due to limited financial resources, right here in her hometown of Denton. After serving as a university program administrator for seven years, she now serves K-5th grade students and families, as a bilingual specialist and coach at a Title I school. Lilyan is giving back to the community that helped her achieve so much. She received a Master’s degree in Public Administration at the University of North Texas in 2013. Lilyan resides in Denton with her husband, three boys, and two girls.
Moral of this story: Parents encourage your children to be all that they can be. Children: work hard, seek an education and persevere. Parents: you are the light that guides your child to success. Let it shine!!!! Que brille!!!
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