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Tatiyana received the Catholic Schools Foundation’s (CSF) GO Scholarship in 2016, when she moved to Boston and enrolled at Saint Columbkille Partnership School midway through the year.

Before that, Tatiyana had been living in Maine with her mom and stepdad, both struggling with serious drug addictions. One day, Tatiyana’s mom left and never came back. At just nine years old, Tatiyana was left to care for herself for over a week—buying food with a food stamp card, getting herself to school, and relying on neighbors for meals and a place to shower.

Everything changed when Tatiyana’s dad brought her to Boston. That’s when Saint Columbkille Partnership School and CSF became part of her life. With her dad’s support and the opportunities provided through CSF, Tatiyana began to thrive.

Tatiyana is now a senior at Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart taking AP Literature, AP Art History, and AP Spanish, is a member of the National Honor Society, and will be the first in her family to graduate high school. This fall, she’ll attend her dream school—Boston College.

Tatiyana took the stage as the student speaker at the CSF’s 35th Annual Building Minds Scholarship Fund Gala on April 11, 2025, sharing her journey with supporters and shining a light on the life-changing impact of a CSF scholarship. Read her full speech below.

At CSF, we couldn't be prouder of Tatiyana and all our incredible Senior Scholars. We have no doubt that each of you is destined for a future full of incredible achievements.

Tatiyana's Full Speech:

Good evening. 

My name is Tatiyana Orrego Dupree and I am honored to share my journey with the Catholic Schools foundation.

I am a senior at Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, a proud graduate of Saint Columbkille Partnership School and I also attended Mount Alvernia High School.

I would first like to welcome all of the guests here this evening, especially Archbishop Henning, tonight’s Dinner Chair, David Foss of PWC, and John Connaughton and all of his colleagues at Bain Capital who will receive the Carolyn and Peter Lynch Award for their decades of support of students like me, thank you all for making a difference.

I am so honored to be standing here this evening, celebrating an organization that has done so much to uplift me. The Catholic Schools Foundation has blessed me and my family with the ability to receive a high-quality Catholic education through the Guaranteeing Opportunities, or “GO” Scholarship.  This scholarship came into my life in 2016, at a time when I was most vulnerable.

I first came to Boston and enrolled at Saint Columbkille Partnership School halfway through the school year. Before that, I was living in Maine with my mom and stepdad, both of whom were struggling with serious drug addictions.

One day, my mom walked out of the house and didn’t come back. I was 9 years old, alone in Maine and left to care for myself for over a week.

I’d go to the store with my mom’s food stamp card and buy something to eat, and I’d get myself on and off the school bus. My neighbors would generously invite me over for dinner and let me shower at their house, but I knew I wasn’t being taken care of the way I should have been.

Then one day, I was sitting in my fourth grade class when I was called to the office. My dad, who lived in Massachusetts, was waiting for me. I had always spent school vacations with him, but this wasn’t a vacation. He told me to pack my bags because I wasn’t going back to Maine for a while. 

This was when Saint Columbkille and the Catholic Schools Foundation became part of my life. My dad gave me the structure and support I needed, while Saint Columbkille and The Catholic Schools Foundation provided me with the hope, stability, and opportunities I had been missing. Saint Columbkille heard my story and welcomed me with open arms. They understood how hard my dad was working to ensure I had the best education possible, and they wanted the same for me.

From the moment I walked through their doors, I felt like I was part of a family. My teachers, classmates, and staff cared for me, protected me, and treated me as one of their own.

The Catholic Schools Foundation has given me opportunities I never could have imagined. Thanks to CSF, I discovered my passion for learning and have achieved success I never thought possible. This year, I am taking AP Literature, AP Art History, and AP Spanish, and I am a member of the National Honor Society.

Outside of school, I work as a hostess at the Monument Restaurant and Tavern in Charlestown, and I am responsible for helping take care of my sisters throughout the week…….and this June: I will be the first in my family to graduate High School.

Although former student speakers went to colleges like Holy Cross, Stonehill and Emmanuel, I am proud to say I will be attending my dream school Boston College. I will be the fourth generation of my family on campus, alongside my great grandmother, my grandma, and my dad, all who work in food services, at Boston College.

My dream is to become a social worker or family lawyer so that I can help kids with stories like mine This moment is a dream come true, and I owe so much of it to the Catholic Schools Foundation.

To the donors here tonight, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your generosity has not only changed my life but has inspired me to help others. Because of you, I have been able to reach my full potential in school, grow in my faith, and chase my dreams. I also want to thank everyone at Saint Columbkille for being my home and welcoming me with open arms and Newton Country Day School for challenging me and providing new opportunities I never imagined.

To Mrs. Fonte, my 8th grade teacher, thank you for continuing to be a mentor and guide in my life. To my stepmom, thank you for stepping up and being the mom I’ve always wanted. You’ve always made me feel like one of your own. To my sisters, thank you for testing my patience, and making me late for school sometimes.

Finally dad, thank you for sacrificing so much to give me the life I deserve and for always pushing me to reach my potential. Thank you for growing up with me and not giving up. I am so proud of you, and I am excited to be on the Boston College campus with you and grandma next year.

Thank you ALL so much for being part of my story and for making my dreams possible. Your support of Catholic Schools has changed my life and will continue to change the lives of students like me.

If you remember anything about my story, please remember that a Catholic Education truly changes everything………Thank you.