Meet Natalie Balladares

By N'agelie Lazo, Senior

Natalie, a former Breakthrough Miami student since fourth grade, has dedicated over 350 hours to teaching at Breakthrough.  Also dedicated to Miami Country Day’s Cancer Walks and Breast Cancer Awareness, Natalie is a true iPrepian: Vice-President of Model United Nations/Social Studies Club, Member of National English Honor Society, Senior Senator of Student Government Association, Co-founder of the Spanish Honor Society, Treasurer of National Honor Society, and Breakthrough Miami intern.​

​Thank you for interviewing with me today. Let’s get right into it.
What was your reaction to the nomination for Silver Knight ?

Nat: At first, I was honored. This will give such an enormous recognition to Breakthrough Miami; however, I was truly pleased that I received this nomination because by giving me this oppt, it’s giving other underprivileged children such as myself, an opportunity to access greater education.

Awesome! What spark the idea for your major community service project at Breakthrough?

Nat: My community is filled with underprivileged and underserved low income minorities..that have been robbed of education and hope. I was once a breakthrough miami scholar, and I know without this program I would of not had the opportunity or the encouragement to finish high school and go to college. I wanted to share this amongst others with similar struggles.

Do you think your community service project sets yourself apart from other projects ?

Nat: Yes..due to it being a personal project, I feel like many other projects do not deal with major issues that are prevalent to the community, such as race, gender, and diversity.

Sounds good! Do you dedicate your volunteer time to other places as well ?

Nat: Yes, I volunteer at Book Fairs, Cancer Walks, iPrep lower academy (PLC), and many school clubs such as: SGA, Model UN, NHS, and NEHS.

You’re stellar! Where do you see your project going in 5 years from now, do you think it will continue once you graduate ?

Nat: It will definitely continue after I graduate because the focus of the project is in correlation with my major in college “International Relations.” With this degree, I will work with Non-For-Profit Organizations that focus on race and culture, whilst breaking down the gender binary one day at a time.

Super! Sounds like a plan! Thank you so much for taking time out for this interview! Best of Luck!

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