Astry Peguero Santana is a educators dream student original from Dominican Republic. she was born there, and legally immigrated to the United States at the age of five years old. She’s a Boston University Freshman with a 3.95 GPA that sought out a degree in Computer Science following my participation in the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program in 2016 at MIT Beaverworks which sparked my interest in the field. This summer I also gained a stronger interest in Economics and Business which influenced me to (attempt) to pursue now a dual major in Computer Science and Business Administration or if not tangible a major in Computer Science and minor in Business or Economics.

Some of the organizations she’s involved with are Girls Who Code Program Alumni Network, we have an application called “Loop” for alumni where we discuss debugging methods for computer programming, possible internship opportunities, any future advice relating to college or high school, and planning future meet-ups. I am also an American Red Cross volunteer. I am currently a Blood Donor Ambassador, and it will be my second year working with the Red Cross. I am also beginning my participation in several ethnic groups as well as clubs at Boston University. Such as Alianza Latina which is BU’s largest Latino organization. There is also a Girls Who Code BU I will be participating in, Girl Develop It Club, Women Who Code Club, Global Brigades club which entails traveling to third-world countries such as Nicaragua and aiding in their sustainable development. Sisters United BU which is which works on empowering BU women of color. Her Network which is for BU women in business. Finally, I plan on joining Amnesty International at BU. Astry also says that mentor-ship is very important to her.  She says, one of my mentors is Sarah Perlman who has been my Big Sister through the Big Sisters program since I was seven years old. To this day we still remain in contact and she provided me with endless support throughout the college application process.

Here are just a “few” awards Astry’s received throughout here academic career:

• New England Chapter Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship for Academic Achievement •Dominican Foundation of Arts and Culture Boston (FUNDOARU) Scholarship and Academic and Community Service Recognition 2016 •Massachusetts House of Representatives, Representative Bruce J. Ayers- recognition of Academic Success and wish for continuing success at Boston University •City of Boston and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh Academic and Community Service Recognition 2016 •National Honor Society Member- 2015 to 2017 •Graduate/ Alumnae from the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program 2016 Hosted at MIT •High School Honor Roll 2013-2017 •Student of the Month at LMCHS 2014 •Student of the Month at LMCHS 2015

Some of the organizations Astry’s involved with are:  Girls Who Code Program Alumni Network, we have an application called “Loop” for alumni where we discuss debugging methods for computer programming, possible internship opportunities, any future advice relating to college or high school, and planning future meet-ups. I am also an American Red Cross volunteer. I am currently a Blood Donor Ambassador, and it will be my second year working with the Red Cross. I am also beginning my participation in several ethnic groups as well as clubs at Boston University. Such as Alianza Latina which is BU’s largest Latino organization. There is also a Girls Who Code BU I will be participating in, Girl Develop It Club, Women Who Code Club, Global Brigades club which entails traveling to third-world countries such as Nicaragua and aiding in their sustainable development. Sisters United BU which is which works on empowering BU women of color. Her Network which is for BU women in business. Finally, I plan on joining Amnesty International at BU.    

Her future plans are to be employed in a Biotech, Tech or Business company in Boston or any other major city. I aspire to become a Big Sister in the Big Sister program and mentor my own little sister. I want to be as involved as possible in clubs that motivate young women of color in public schools in the area and be an asset to them providing them with someone to reach out to for any assistance and support. Breaking racial and gender barriers is one of my biggest motivations and I hope to be able to represent the Dominican communities of Boston and work with young girls and motivate them to explore STEM, specifically the field of Computer Science. Also I asked what her favorite songs are and words to live by are? And she said The following quote comes from one of my mother’s favorite songs. “ Platano maduro no vuelve a verde, el tiempo que se va no vuelve.” This is a song lyric from the Merengue song “Platano Maduro” by Nelson Cordero. The quote translates to, “Ripe plantain does not revert to green, time that passes, does not return.” This quote is one my favorites because it essentially highlights how one cannot take back time.

Songs are:“La Vida Es Un Carnaval” -Celia Cruz favorite song lyric: “la vida es una hermosura, hay que vivirla.” which roughly translates to: “life is a beauty, one has to live it.” “From Eden”- Hozier favorite song lyric: “ There’s something tragic about you, something so magic about you.” “Middle of Things, Beautiful Wife”- Sango favorite song lyric: “cause there is a whole world just waiting for us.”