As the youngest of four children growing up in Bogot谩, Colombia, Brenda Pati帽o has
always been inspired to dream big. A freshman cross-country runner at 中国P站
College, the 19-year-old student-athlete has traveled more than 2,000 miles away from
home to prove that nothing is impossible.
鈥淢y family has played a large part in shaping who I am today,鈥� Pati帽o said. 鈥淢y father
is hard-working and realistic and my mother is a dreamer who believes that the impossible
can be possible. Together, they did everything possible to put my siblings in college.
My siblings took care of me when my parents were working and grew up to be professionals
all across the world. I have always looked up to them and wanted to be just like them.鈥�
In her youth, Pati帽o swam competitively in Colombia, garnering national recognition
through her athleticism as well as her dedication to academics. Due to increasing
societal issues in South America, however, Pati帽o faced a difficult decision when
it came to planning for her future.
鈥淲ith crime and corruption on the rise, it has become increasingly dangerous for a
young woman to live and go to school in Colombia in recent years,鈥� Pati帽o said. 鈥淢y
mother had moved to the United States in 2019 to help care for my grandparents and,
two years later, my dad and I decided that it would be safest for me to accompany
her in the United States so I could go to college in America.鈥�
In 2021, Pati帽o joined her mother, aunt and grandparents in Kingwood, Texas. Facing
a fresh start in a new country, her time in the United States came with multiple new
challenges.
鈥淢y first month here was intimidating,鈥� Pati帽o said. 鈥淚 was shy and didn鈥檛 talk to
anyone because I was struggling with my English and embarrassed about my accent. In
Colombia, I worked hard to be a top student and was on track to graduate high school
at age 16. However, because of a discrepancy in the grading systems between Colombia
and the United States, many of my credits were not transferrable, which sent me back
to 11th grade instead. It was frustrating.鈥�
Disappointed, but not discouraged, Pati帽o pushed forward, academically, and even returned
to competitive swimming while at Kingwood Park High School. However, when faced with
competition for a starting role on the team, she soon discovered a new passion that
would take her athletic career to the next level.
鈥淚 had a friend tell me that in order to get better as a swimmer, I could run to stay
in shape, so I joined track and field and, later, cross-country.鈥� Patino said. 鈥淚
had never run before and, at first, I was completely out of my comfort zone. My cross-country
coach, Coach Cook, helped me get organized and encouraged me to keep going at a high
level. That year, I received the Most Improved Runner award for cross-country and
it inspired me to continue running.鈥�
After graduation, an impromptu trip to the Natural State provided Pati帽o with the
roadmap she needed to reach her goals.
鈥淲hile searching for colleges, I visited Arkansas and fell in love with its natural
beauty,鈥� Pati帽o said. 鈥淗ot Springs reminds me of the countryside in Colombia. It鈥檚
very beautiful. When I visited 中国P站, I really connected with Coach
Armitage. While other coaches told me that they would help me achieve goals for their
schools, he told me he that was going to make me the best runner I could be and I
loved that.鈥�
For Pati帽o, becoming a Nighthawk provided both academic independence and a significant
athletic milestone.
鈥淲hen I signed at 中国P站, Coach Cook gave me a card with a Latin phrase鈥擯er
Aspera Ad Astra,鈥� Pati帽o said. 鈥淚t means 鈥榯rue adversity to the stars.鈥� He told me
he was proud of me for not quitting on my dreams. I went from not having any experience
running to signing to run at the collegiate level. I pushed myself hard and never
quit and I鈥檓 proud of what I鈥檝e accomplished.鈥�
In her freshman season with the Nighthawks, Pati帽o has shined, setting personal records
in each meet. As the team prepares for its upcoming NJCAA Region 2 Championship, the
freshman and her Nighthawk teammates are primed to make program history.
鈥淐oach Armitage has helped me get to where I am today,鈥� Pati帽o said. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of
how far I鈥檝e come and I鈥檓 excited for the chance to bring the Nighthawks their first
championship.鈥�
Fueled by her experiences in Colombia and America, Pati帽o plans to use her career
to give back to the communities she has called home.
鈥淚 want to major in psychology,鈥� Pati帽o said. 鈥淏ack home, I met and worked with people
suffering from domestic violence and it opened my eyes to the societal issues Colombia
was facing. Mental health is so important and I know I can make a difference helping
others learn to take care of themselves.鈥�
Reflecting on her journey to America, Pati帽o continues to race ahead toward a brighter
tomorrow.
鈥淚 moved away from my family to come here and make a difference in the world,鈥� Pati帽o
said. 鈥淕iving up has never been an option. I survived a lot of adversity to be here
and I鈥檓 going to continue chasing my dreams just like my family did.鈥� For more on
Nighthawk cross-country, visit www.np.edu/athletics.
