Greta Cortez, a student at McAllen ISD’s Memorial High School, has been selected into a program to study Korean this summer.
Recently, she was awarded a National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Scholarship. This is a program of the US Government through the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Originally, the program would have sent Cortez to South Korea but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all trips have been canceled. However, the State Department is implementing a Virtual Summer Intensive Program that will allow her to join a cohort for five weeks beginning in July. She will undergo intensive Korean language study and cultural lessons online with the same teachers she would have had in South Korea.
Cortez, who speaks multiple languages, is already well-versed in Korean. In recent weeks, she has hosted a Korean Club that meets online with some students from Milam Elementary. She has also hosted an English/Spanish Club with some students from Mexico.
She thanked all her teachers and mentors who have helped her.
“It has been fun building new relationships through language learning,” she said. “I am grateful for being part of this amazing district that treats you like family.”
In the photos at right, Greta can be seen working with elementary students in her Korean Club and holding up her letter of acceptance into this prestigious program.
Greta was profiled by MITV in January when she became a semi-finalist for this program. See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuChoseJv2Y&t=3s