Rayshonda Mitchell, Carver’s Future Readiness Coordinator and Alinson Morales, a student at Brien McMahon High School
Carver is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Alinson Morales, a student at Brien McMahon High School, who has been named the Optimum East High School Winner of the Optimum Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest. This competitive, multi-state program recognizes exceptional student writing, reflection, and cultural insight.
Open annually to students in grades 6–12 across Optimum’s service area, the Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest invites young people to write about how a person, cultural experience, celebration, or tradition connects them to Hispanic culture. Winners are selected for essays that demonstrate strong writing, authentic personal reflection, and a compelling connection to heritage and identity. This year’s submissions came from across the region, with runners-up representing states as far away as Texas, underscoring the significance of Alinson’s achievement. Now in its 18th year, the program received more than 1,500 entries.
Alinson’s essay stood out for its thoughtful exploration of the meaningful aspects of her background, family, and community—experiences that have shaped her values, sense of responsibility, and aspirations for the future. As the Optimum East High School winner, Alinson received a $3,000 Hispanic Heritage college scholarship, and her accomplishment is now prominently recognized on Optimum’s Hispanic Heritage Month website.
Here is an excerpt from the Brien McMahon High School website:
Alinson’s essay explored her Guatemalan roots through her family’s tradition of hair braiding. Throughout her life, her grandmother and mother braided her hair with practiced, loving hands. Yet Alinson herself never learned the art. For years, that gap made her feel distanced from her culture.
Over time, she realized that her identity and connection to her heritage aren’t defined by any single skill or tradition. While she may not braid like her mother and grandmother, her family relationships and the time spent enjoying this shared activity with them firmly tie her to her culture.
A student of Brien McMahon High School, within Optimum’s service footprint, Alinson plans to pursue a career in pediatric nursing—a path deeply aligned with the themes of service, care, and commitment to future generations that often define winning essays in this program. This regional recognition signals that she is already distinguishing herself academically and personally, strengthening her college and scholarship applications well beyond this single award.
Alinson is currently a paid Carver intern working in Carver’s After the Bell program.
Throughout her high school journey, Alinson has been supported and mentored by Rayshonda Mitchell, Carver’s Future Readiness Coordinator, who has worked closely with her to navigate academic goals, internship opportunities, and long-term planning. Their partnership reflects the power of consistent mentorship and encouragement—ensuring that talented students like Alinson not only find their voice, but are prepared to use it with confidence and purpose.
Alinson’s success is a powerful reminder of what happens when young people are supported, challenged, and given opportunities to reflect on who they are and who they hope to become. Carver congratulates Alinson Morales on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to all that lies ahead as she continues her journey toward a career rooted in compassion, service, and community impact.