Heidy Herrera-Garcia, a graduate of New Bern High School in Craven County, will attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte this fall, where she plans to major in political science.

A leader on the debate club, varsity soccer team and Beta Club, she is the recipient of four NCCF scholarships: the Humphrey-Ragsdale Scholarship Fund, New Bern Breakfast Rotary Todd Denson Memorial Scholarship Endowment, New Bern Civitan Club Inc. Scholarship Endowment, and New Bern High School Hall of Fame Scholarship Endowment.

At age 11, Herrera-Garcia dealt with significant loss and tragedy during a six-month period and turned to education to help deal with her grief. She says her experiences during childhood shaped her into who she is today, inspiring her to pursue an education in immigration law.

“The fear I experienced during my childhood — of not knowing where I’d live, who might care for me, or whether I’d be able to eat that day — is the same exact fear many immigrant families face every day,” Herrera-Garcia said. “Children are being ripped apart from their mother and father. Families worry about deportation. I want to be that person who can stand beside the families and help guide them.”

“I’ve discovered what my purpose is: to turn my childhood trauma into change and to help out people who need it most,” she said.