Yasdeli Chavez Chilel is the very definition of the American dream. Born in Tajumulco, Guatemala, her childhood was disrupted by the harsh realities of life under the control of cartels. At age 8, Yasdeli was forced to work in the poppy fields. Driven by the need to protect her family and seek a better future, Yasdeli bravely crossed borders, facing the heartache of leaving her mother and young siblings behind in Guatemala. In the U.S., she found a second family at the International Academy at Blair High School in Pasadena Unified School District. In May, Yasdeli earned her high school diploma and now plans to pursue a career in marketing and graphic design.