“I was born in California to my father who is Hispanic and my mother who is part of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. After my parents divorced, I moved with my mom and two older siblings to South Dakota on the Yankton Sioux Reservation for several years, then moved to Larchwood, Iowa.

Growing up I saw the struggles of Lakota and other Native Americans. Many had never even graduated from high school and started working because that was what they needed to do for themselves and their families. I also saw a lot of high-risk behavior that stemmed from so much adversity and challenge. I knew I wanted to go to college and do something that could show kids coming from all of this hardship that they mattered to the world.

Though I knew I wanted to go to college, I never planned on running. For some reason I decided to meet with the track and field coaches at Morningside and it was the best lunch I have ever had. They really saw me for me. It wasn’t just about my PRs and running goals for them. They wanted to know who I was and connected with me as a person to make sure I could accomplish whatever I wanted to do after Morningside. I honestly didn’t even realize how successful the program has been until much later. That feeling of family and being cared about was what mattered to me, and I have had so much opportunity being at a small school where I am welcomed as a part of the community.

I recently got a tattoo that says CANTE TINZA, which means ‘brave heart’ in Lakota. I was super fearful in high school. My knees would start shaking just talking in the front of the class. Being at Morningside and finding a place here has helped me overcome my fears. I am using it as the foundation for who I want to be in my future professions in social work or perhaps an anti-human trafficking organization, or even by giving back to Native American families in some way because that is something that God has been placing on my heart lately.
Whatever I decide, I know how I am growing at Morningside has a greater purpose than myself, and I remind myself of that whenever I want to give up. My advice to others is to never let fear drive you back, because fear simply keeps you from giving the gifts you were meant to give to others.”

– Sarah Perez, a brave heart preparing to make the world a little better for children and families