White House Author

The child of a hard-working single mother who immigrated to the United States from El Salvador, Bertha Castaneda is a senior at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C. She maintains a 4.0+ GPA in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, one of the toughest college prep curriculums available world-wide. She is involved in almost every facet of school life, taking advantage of co-curricular activities as diverse as lacrosse, stage crew and National Honor Society. She began her own summer program for neighborhood children as a tenth grader, and she continues to be a “pied piper” to her fellow students. Bertha almost never participates in an activity without inviting a few friends or classmates to join with her, and as a result she has expanded participation in the school’s peer ministry group, diversified its basketball program, expanded our volleyball team, and inspired other students to get involved in everything from service to improving their own grades. A recipient of the Opportunity Scholarship Program, Bertha exemplifies all young people who inspire their friends and classmates to succeed and get involved.