A student by trade, a poet at heart— Viclenia is on the road to success through her words, passions, and endeavors.

Aspiring to become a Professor, Viclenia is studying English at Westchester Community College (WCC).

But, her impact reaches far beyond the classroom. She is the Editor-in Chief of The Viking News, an advocate for the Latinx and queer communities, and the marketing manager of a women-owned coffee shop in White Plains.

As a poet, Viclenia writes on topics of grief, love and identity, while also having a Substack where she publishes writings on her personal experiences of day-to-day life.

Yet behind her voice is a story of resilience. Viclenia has faced hardships that could have easily derailed her education and goals—if not for the critical resources available through WCC, including their on-campus food pantry.

“I was going through a really tough time financially and with my living situation,” she shared. “Coming here and having these services has been very helpful because having resources from the food pantry and then having these counselors became life-saving.”

Fortunately, Viclenia—and other WCC students—-don’t have to go through these tough times alone. With the assistance of Student Support Services, students are given the tools and care to navigate obstacles beyond their control, including one of the most pressing: food insecurity.

In The Viking News, Viclenia spotlighted the importance of the college pantry.

“Student Support Services established a food pantry to serve as a vital resource for students in need. Stocked with non-perishable food items, hygiene products, and personal care essentials…this initiative ensures that students can focus on their academic goals without the added burden of having to go hungry.”

She elaborated to Feeding Westchester:

“There’s a lot of students that go through a lot of struggles, not just in their academic life but in their own personal lives as well. So having the doors open and having staff just be there for their students is amazing.”

With a community of support to lift them up, WCC students never have to feel alone in their battle.

“I can only speak for my part in my own life and why I use the food pantry, but there are other students that are homeless that don’t have money to get food or to even have clothes.”

Viclenia has the opportunity to write her story in a powerful way—the story of a student who does not let barriers like food insecurity keep her from rising to her fullest potential.

And in doing so she has become a mighty voice for others.

Feeding Westchester is proud to be partners with such influential organizations, like WCC, whose mission is to keep their communities nourished in all ways.

The world better prepare for Viclenia’s brilliance. The next greatest poet may just be from Westchester County.

Read what she has to say here: https://substack.com/@vicleniathepoet2