Name: Diego

School: MCNDHS

Graduation: June 2025

Post-graduation plan: I want to go to college and study chemical engineering. I’m interested in the chemicals that go into things. They don’t usually teach chemistry in my country, so I was so excited to learn it. I love the periodic table.

How he got here: I came here from Lima, Peru, with my family to search for better opportunities. We went to a family welcome center and I learned about MCNDHS there.

College Now – and work now: I’m taking a College Now course in math. I’ve had several jobs in New York: I worked in a Peruvian restaurant, I did landscaping in Queens, and now I’m working for a catering company. I cook and deliver food.

How CYD helped: My CYD advisor told me about a program at Cooper Union called Cooper Next Scholars. I applied and got in, so this summer I’ll be taking a STEM class there and I’m so excited for it! CYD also helped me with my résumé and next year they will help me apply to college. I also work with the student support staff to talk about my emotions, and the Legal Information Clinic.

Dream: I want to work in a laboratory one day, maybe in a hospital.

Fun fact: I play table tennis and basketball at school. In my free time, I like to walk in Manhattan, especially in Times Square. I love it here.