First there were six.

   Then there were four.

   Sophomore Nicole Medina, her mother, and two siblings were all that was left.

   At the age of eight, Nicole’s family experienced a tragedy which ended in her dad being deported back to Mexico from the United States and her brother being sent to juvenile prison years later due to the decisions they made.

   For Nicole, family is an important part of her life. She spends most of her time with her siblings and parents.

   “We stay in the house …. and go out and eat” together as a family.

   Nicole would spend time with her siblings, particularly her older brother, in the living room watching their favorite show, El Chavo del Ocho, in which Nicole spends time laughing at the comedic show and enjoying the time they had together.

   “We would often spend time together having dinner,” Nicole said.

   Nicole and her family ate at Don Nicos eating Mexican food as they reminisced about their day to each other. So, when she lost her family, it absolutely wrecked her.   

   “It all happened in the span of four years,” Nicole said.

The catastrophe occurred when her father was being dragged out of their home by deportation officers back to Mexico and her older brother also being taken away by two police officials, but instead, it was to the juvenile detention center at sixteen.

    “Everything kind of crashed down… I was really horrible in school…. it was affecting me a lot,” Nicole said.

   Her bond with her older brother is a strong and profound one due to him taking care of her since she was little because their parents had to work the majority of the time.

    “I know he made some really stupid decisions,” Nicole said.

   But he still tried his best to keep her on the right path, he wanted the best for her. This sense of dejection continued for two and a half to three years until the day that Nicole was able to meet again with her brother.   

   “When I met with him again, it was the happiest moment of my life,” Nicole said.

   When Nicole’s brother finally got out, he reestablished the relationship he had severed with her due to being away. As for her dad, they still are separated, but they keep in contact with one another.

  “Now I just try to spend as much time with my brother as I can,” Nicole said.

    Nicole and her brother spend their time talking with one another about their interest in business and how they want to get more into it to help each other. They both have the goal of starting their own business one day.

   “After all, he is the one who made me into who I am,” Nicole said.