NAF Student Speaker Reflection – Benefit 2023

Good evening, my name is Ariana Peña Ramirez, a senior at the Business of Sports School – right here in New York City, in the NAF Academy of Finance. And, I’m excited to share that in the fall, I’ll be attending Monroe College and majoring in sports management and minoring in marketing.

If you would have asked me to do the same four years ago as a freshman, I would have flat-out said, “No,” if I’m honest. Even in my family, as the second youngest of four girls, speaking up for myself and finding my own voice was a little challenging. So many opinions and strong personalities in my family. While I couldn’t express myself yet, I hoped that one day, I would. I was looking forward to starting high school but instead of meeting my classmates in person and building friendships the old-fashioned way; COVID changed all that. I found myself in front of a computer all year. Not exactly what I expected from high school. It was very isolating.

Sophomore year was approaching, and I was determined to break out of my shell. I was shy and insecure but was up for the challenge. My parents and sisters instilled the power of education, and I knew that school was the key. Both my older sisters attended college and I wanted it for myself too. I signed up for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, who is a partner with my high school, I joined the soccer team – serving as captain of the varsity team for the last three years, and I enrolled in NAF.

Being a part of the NAF academy really opened my eyes to new opportunities and helped me with time management, financial literacy, problem-solving, and helped better decision making – which really has come in handy, balancing a part-time job, prioritizing my schoolwork, and playing soccer – it’s not easy.

I’ve had so many memorable experiences through my NAF academy. I consider my NAF teachers, Ms. Rodriguez, and Mr. Tennell, as mentors. They have so much passion for what they teach and it’s very inspiring.  Just how I want to live my life – with passion and purpose.

We toured Twitter and that’s where I learned more about marketing, and it intrigued me. And I already loved sports, so it became clear. Combining my budding interest in marketing with my love for sports – like soccer, hockey, and basketball – would be a great career path for myself.

Because of the classes, activities, and connections to the Advisory Board, today, I am confident. I’m a leader. And, can you believe it, the quiet, shy girl is a Peer Mentor at school – helping guide 9th graders figure out high school for themselves.

I have a vision for the path I want to take, and even if I don’t have it all figured out, I have no doubts that I will. I graduate in a few weeks, and I cannot wait to walk across the stage. I start college in the fall and what I’m most looking forward to is living away from home and getting started on achieving my career goals. And, the best part is that because of a partnership between my high school and Monroe College, I’ll be attending with a scholarship for free tuition for four years.

Thank you to all my teachers for believing in me, my family for keeping me grounded, my classmates for making it fun along the way, and to NAF and everyone here tonight, for supporting students like me in reaching our goals.

In a few years, I’ll be a successful sports agent or leading the marketing department at your favorite sports team, and last but not least, as a proud NAF alumna giving back to my students like me.