Adriana was born in Manizales, Colombia, South America. When she was young, her parents came to the United States on a work visa, settling in Miami, Florida with Adriana and her younger sister. Because her mother had a strong accent, the family encountered a lot of discrimination. From a young age Adriana interpreted for her mother and acted as a sort of advocate. She often felt like an outsider and experienced discrimination based on her ethnicity. “I learned to develop a thick skin and a quick wit to deal with comments made to my mother,” she said.

The family relocated to Boone, NC, where Adriana and her sister were the two only Hispanic students attending Watauga High School. After graduating, Adriana attended Appalachian State University where she completed a bachelors degree in Social Work (BSW).

She has been a social worker for thirteen years now, working with many local agencies including the Burke County Public School system. “It was one of my hardest jobs,” she said, but she considered the work very rewarding. Because she has the privilege of being a United States citizen, she doesn’t have to worry about her immigration status and can actively advocate for the children and their families. The fact that other Hispanics must deal with immigration issues saddens her, and she feels that the community still struggles to see the value of the Hispanic community.

In addition to her employment, Adriana has served the community on the board of directors for the Health Department, Burke Literacy, and Morganton Housing Authority. “I was only asked to be a part of these organizations because I am Hispanic and well known in the community,” she says candidly, but she considers the opportunity to serve a privilege.

Adriana says, “My hope for the future is simple, treat everyone as you want to be treated. Not how you think someone should be treated based on their color, race, ethnicity, [or] legal status.”