At just 14 years old, Brithney Isidore arrived in the United States from Chile with her mother and sister, stepping into a new country, culture and language. When she enrolled at Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, she spoke little English, often relying on Google Translate just to get through class. “It was hard for me to go through classes and just communicate in general,” she shared. But even then, Brithney refused to settle.

Over summer break, she took matters into her own hands – signing up for English classes, watching movies and listening to music in English. By the time school resumed in the fall, Brithney astonished her teachers by communicating fluently.

Indianapolis Met, a school for students experiencing circumstances that may create barriers to education, provided more than academics. Brithney received help with clothing, food and transportation. “I was scared to ask for help,” Brithney said. “But when I did, they were willing. If it wasn’t for that support, I wouldn’t be here right now.”

Brithney quickly began paying it forward. Fluent in Haitian Creole, Spanish, French and English, she helped other students who were just beginning their English journeys – students who, like her, might be too afraid to ask for help.

At Indianapolis Met, Brithney also joined JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates), excelling in competitions that tested her employability skills. She placed first in a statewide contest that included resume writing, cover letters and interviews, an achievement that helped her see herself the way others always had.

Even when a life-threatening medical emergency forced her to undergo surgery and miss two months of school, Brithney’s determination never wavered. With the support of school staff, she maintained straight A’s, graduating with an outstanding GPA.

Now, with multiple college acceptance letters – including a full-ride scholarship to the University of Indianapolis – Brithney is on her way to fulfilling her dream of becoming a pediatric nurse. Her motto is simple yet powerful:

“Giving up is always an option. But the answer has to always be no.”

Watch Brithney’s Story