Yilman Pineda
Myself Third Spirit of New York 2005 Scholarship Winner
Newcomers High School
LaGuardia Community College
"I have known Yilman for two years since he first entered my class as a shy but extremely diligent student in art. Since that time I have seen him blossom into a mature young man who is an exceptionally deep thinker about a number of varied subjects. Whenever I think of the word responsible, Yilman comes to mind."
—Anne Kornfeld, College Advisor
Work, Volunteer, and Extra-Curricular Activities
- Volunteer, N.I.C.E. (New Immigrant Community Empowerment)
- Participant, Rails to Trails Project
Excerpts from Yilman's Essay
The first project I worked on was called "The Voting Rights Campaign," in which the organization N.I.C.E. (New Immigrant Community Empowerment) was involved. The project creates awareness in the community about how residents of New York are being discriminated against if they are not U.S. citizens— they cannot vote, but they still have to pay taxes. Allowing legal residents of the state to vote in the regional elections is what the project is basically trying to achieve. The work that I did in the campaign was outreach, translating, petitioning, updating brochures and convincing influential people from the community to speak in our street fair, which was documented by NY1 News during October 2004.
The other project that I?m working on is called "Rails to Trails," which encompasses the transformation of an abandoned railroad into a greenway in central Queens. This project inspired me greatly since I love to ride my bicycle and I am always complaining that there are no places in Queens where people can ride bicycles without being afraid of traffic. For this project I?ve been writing letters to the senators. I also have been attending community board meetings to show my support.
Through these projects I have become more aware that there is a world outside that I am part of and that everything that happens to it, affects me as well. Working to make a difference in my community has taught me to become a better person but, more importantly, to become a person that is now able to take action when I believe something is not right.
