The following story is from the January 2025 Greatness Update magazine, featuring our 2024 annual report. For the full issue, visit plcschools.org/our-district/annual-report. 

“Appreciating our cultures makes us realize that everyone feels the same way about their own culture. For me, it made me realize how beautiful their culture is and how similar we all are.”

When Nataly Barragan Chavez first joined the Papio PROUD club, she had knowledge about her heritage but didn’t have the outlet to celebrate it. A student at Papillion La Vista High School and in the PLCS Health Systems Academy Biomedical track, this active senior now serves as the President of Outreach for Papio PROUD, a club at the high school dedicated to “Promoting Respect, Opportunity, Understanding, and Diversity (PROUD).”

“I found ways to embrace my culture,” she said. “It made me feel like I had a purpose here and a voice, so it definitely helped with my self confidence.”

The club serves as a way for students to celebrate their culture while also learning about the cultures of other students. From first generation students to those who may be further removed from their traditions, the club provides the opportunity to express and learn about their cultures. For the last two years, students in Papio PROUD have organized a Multicultural Fair in the spring as an educational celebration of the cultures represented in the school. 

“The multicultural fair allowed us to embrace those cultures and allow [students] to see that their culture is a part of them and it’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” Nataly explains. “It gave students an outlet to explore their culture and see firsthand how beautiful it is.” 

Nataly, a first generation student herself, explained, “When you first come to this country, you want to kind of blend in and not stand out. The Multicultural Fair was a big opportunity for me to explore [my culture] and also make my parents proud and show them that there’s nothing to be afraid about. It’s actually something very beautiful, and I’m proud of them, and I love our culture.”

Connecting to her culture has been more than just  a celebration. Through Papio PROUD, Nataly visited La Vista West Elementary to read to English Language Learner (ELL) students. She and other Papio PROUD members talked with the students about their own experiences, spoke with them in Spanish, and connected over cultural touchpoints. Even in their short time together, she could tell that the simple activity made a big impact on the students.

“It was very emotional, because in those little kids I saw myself. And I really wish that I had something like that. I felt like the role model that I always wanted. It really opened up my eyes and it made me feel proud of what I was doing, how important bilingual role models are for students.”

Nataly’s perspective on her school and academic studies is shaped through these diverse experiences. Through the Health Academy, she met new people and was exposed to occupations in health care beyond being a doctor or a nurse. She gives back to the community through volunteering at Bergan Mercy and the local nonprofit Foster Love, and plans to volunteer with UNMC in the spring. She found social connection in another club at school, Empower HER, that creates opportunities for girls to create friendships and lift each other up. 

Grateful for the diversity of experiences and the people she has met, she reflects, “The opportunities I’ve been given are definitely a big part of me and how I’ve grown as a person.”