Jenny Milena Bernal is on her way to a career in law and politics after graduating from Broad Run High School two weeks ago.
Jenny, 17, of Ashburn, plans to become the U.S. ambassador to the South American nation of Colombia. Usually, a new graduate might say she "hopes" she'll get the appointment, but Jenny isn't like most teenagers. She already has testified on Capitol Hill and is now an intern for Circuit Court Clerk Gary Clemens in Loudoun County. She does not "drink, smoke or party" or talk back to her parents. "I don't think I ever could. Never have," she said.
Her values stem from an appreciation for the sacrifices her parents made so that she and her brother, Giovanni, could pursue the American dream. They moved from Colombia to Washington, D.C. when Jenny was four years old. The Berlin wall had collapsed, marking a new beginning for people around the world, "including my family and me," she said.
"Luckily my brother and I have been grateful and smart to take advantage of that," she said. "There is so much we want to do for ourselves and show how much we appreciate them and not throw away everything that we have been given."
"This country was the best opportunity for my son and my daughter," her mother, Yolanda Bernal, said.
JENNY PLANS to major in international affairs and minor in Latin American studies or linguistics at Elon University in North Carolina.
Elon University is about 45 minutes from the school her brother attends, High Point University. Giovanni, 18, is on an athletic and academic scholarship there, majoring in international business. He also plays center midfield for the school's soccer team. Like Jenny, he had to learn to English when they started school.
"I want to travel all over the world, but the actual dream is to become U.S. ambassador to Colombia," she said.
When Americans hear or read about her native home, they have a picture of a drug-infested country, she said. "Basically, what you hear is the negative news. People who actually visit, Americans, native Colombians, know how beautiful the country is and how warm and wonderful the people are," she says.
Her goal is to minimize the negative perception. "I want to get into international law and put the bad guys in jail through government affairs and diplomacy," she said.
That ambition started in 10th grade. "I decided to join the Government and History Club at Broad Run and became more involved in government and politics."
She was the club's president this year and its public relations spokeswoman last year. She also served on the Student Council Association (SCA) advisory board for three years. In addition, she was a member of the Key Club, providing community service, throughout high school. She was in the Broad Run Advancing Character Education Club (BRACE), promoting character and good values, for two years.
Principal Edgar Markley described Jenny as an unselfish student who gets along with everyone. "She has done a lot to help other kids," he said. "If you talk about the special friendly climate here at Broad Run, she certainly exemplifies that."
She was on the school's swimming, tennis and soccer teams, and served as captain of the swim team. She also joined the wrestling team on a dare during 10th grade. "My biology teacher was mentioning that women couldn't handle it," she said. "I took the challenge."
Jenny loved the sport, but developed back problems after a couple of weeks and resigned, she said.
SHE HAS VOLUNTEERED for the SCA and Key Club's monthly babysitting evening for a parents' night out, as well as at flower and garden shows and a retirement home. She also raises money to fight cancer. She worked part time, four days a week at Wegmans, during her senior year.
Jenny carried a "B" average throughout high school. She said she was capable of better grades, but she wanted to have time for her family and activities.
"I've always been a driven person. I could have done better with my grades. I could have gotten straight A's," she said. "But family is first."
She plans to attend Northern Virginia Community College one year before transferring to Elon University, in keeping with Colombian culture. It's nearly impossible for her to leave home at 17, she said.
"In Colombia, you don't leave home until you are 25, and then you just live down the street," she said. "Girls in my culture are the ones who are going to stick around for a longer time than the men."
She said she is very happy to spend another year with her parents. She appreciates the sacrifice they have made so she and Giovanni could have a good education. When she is finished pursuing her degrees, her father and mother plan to return to their native country.
"We are thinking that when we retire, we don't want to go to the nursing home," Yolanda Bernal said. "All my family is in my country. One day we will leave for Colombia."
Yolanda Bernal is self-employed and Jorge Bernal works as a welder for a construction company.
"THEY WORKED very hard to offer us all the opportunities they never had in Colombia," Jenny said. "The only way we can pay them back is to do well for ourselves and take advantage of all of the opportunities and everything that is offered to do."
In April, Jenny testified in the House and Senate in favor of Title V funding to keep teens from turning to drugs, violence, gangs, sex and vices. "It was an amazing experience," she said. Title V provides funding for community-based prevention programs.
She plans to use the contacts she made to possibly get congressional internships when she studies law. She is not sure whether she will run for an office. "That could be an option," she said.
This year she participated in Youth in Government Day and shadowed Loudoun Commonwealth Attorney James Plowman. During lunch, she met Circuit Court Clerk Clemens, who offered her a summer internship. She will process and record land records, serve as an English-Spanish translator and observe courtroom proceedings. "I was impressed with her energy and enthusiasm," Clemens said. "In the first week, she has demonstrated all those traits I thought she would have."
Jenny said she looks to God for guidance. She believes in a Spanish saying that translates as, "Help yourself and I will help you."
"If you help yourself and work hard, then He will help you as well," she said. "Taking advantage of everything offered to you is extremely important."
She also abides by the adage, "Everything happens for a reason."
"There is a reason I've moved to this country. There's a reason why I'm not shy, why I enjoy talking to people. I love languages and I love learning."
She plans to become fluent in French.
Her father, Jorge Bernal, said his daughter is very responsible. "She surprises me," he said. "She always tries to do her best by herself. Sometimes I cannot help her, because my English is not very good."
Jenny said her father is constantly helping his family back in Colombia. "A lot of people [in Colombia] think if you live in the United States, you are rich," she said. "They don't know how hard you have to work."
The United States is the land of opportunity, she added. "That is why everyone comes here. That is why everyone wants to work for the American dream."