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Jade Smith - Original Estrella |
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Written by MiApogeo Staff
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JADE SMITH, CONTRIBUTOR AND MI APOGEO ESTRELLA
My name is Jade Smith and I'm from Mitchellville, MD which is a suburb outside of Washington, D.C. You're probably wondering what type of Latina I could possibly be with the last name Smith. Well, here's my story. My grandmother, whom I call Wuela, pronounced as gringo-like as possible (Wella), because I couldn't say Abuela as a child is from Panama. My Wuela came to the U.S. in the 60s with my grandfather (which is where Smith comes from) who is from St. Croix Virgin Islands and served for the U.S. Military. Unfortunately, my grandmother never spoke to me in Spanish, but I have always taken pride in my Panamanian roots. My father is African-American, so I also have had a strong affinity with the Black American community. Coming from such a multicultural background of Panamanian, West Indian, and African-American influences ultimately culminates into my Afro-Latina-American identity.
Currently, I am a junior at Barnard College in New York City majoring in Africana Studies and Human Rights. My focus area within my major is on the African Diaspora in Latin America and the Caribbean. My aspirations for the future are to attend business school and becoming involved in international business and development. I love traveling and exploring new people, cultures, and learning new languages. I'll be studying abroad during spring semester 2008 in Brazil and will be working for the State Department in the Dominican Republic over the summer! I can't get enough of Latin America! Since childhood until recently, I was an avid runner and ran competitively on my local track team in Maryland and for my high school. Although I am nowhere close to being a professional dancer nor have I had any formal training, I take full advantage of any opportunity to dance whether at a party or a school dance performance. I'd say that I'm a pretty easy going person who likes to chill, party, read, watch movies, and take on new adventures in any destination!
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