Joicy Marlen Pena, 16, has long, black hair and a shy smile and has a true passion. She wants to become a psychologist.
“Seeing people hurt bothers me even though I’m not the one hurting,” Pena said.
Sarah Williams
Because of her empathy for others, Pena knew at a young age that she wanted to enter a professional field where she can help others.
“When I was in the 6th grade, my grandma had a mental breakdown,” Pena said.
She wanted to help her grandma but because she was so young, there was little she could do.
Now, as she is closer to becoming an adult, she wants to learn how to help people, give them guidance and improve their lives.
After high school, Pena has her sights set on attending college. She plans on working hard to get good grades in high school. She would like to go to Wesleyan University in Middletown. But if that doesn’t work out, she will apply to the University of Connecticut.
Pena hopes to earn not only a bachelor’s degree — but a doctorate so she can achieve her goal of being a psychologist.
“I want to be able to help the ones that’s struggling.”
Pena lives with her grandma, Lola; her dad, who is a construction worker; a stepmother, and three brothers, Roy, Ronny and Ronald.
Sarah Williams is a student at Achievement First Hartford Academy.