Howdy!

My name is Ashley Gomez and I am a senior in Round Rock, Texas! I am so grateful to be selected as a Bank of America Student Leader for 2013 (: Everything that has been given to me since the start of the program is overwhelming. It's really hard to believe that I am actually going to Washington DC on an airplane! I think I will finally realize how great this opportunity is when I get to the airport Monday morning at 4:00am.

Initially I applied to be a Bank of America Student Leader knowing very little about the program. I briefly read that it offered 35 hours a week of community service and I was immediately driven to apply. My passion is serving others and I had found an outlet to do just that. When I was accepted into the program I was shocked to find out that I was actually going to be paid. When I worked with those children for three weeks I had some of the greatest moments in my life. When I received that first paycheck I still couldn't believe they were paying me to have fun.

In the Austin Market the interns are have the huge honor to work with a nonprofit called 'Communities In Schools'. CIS works with 'at-risk', under-privileged, high poverty schools in Central Texas. Their focus is to  combat the pressure of social issues in attempt to end the drop out epidemic. I respect this company and it's true passion in educational reform and development. Working with the ASPIRE camp was truly a blessing. Three of the five of us were able to plan, develop, and implement  themed lesson plans for a three week summer camp. The stories and memories shared with these children will stick with me for the rest of my life.
I am absolutely ecstatic to continue this wonderful  journey with all the other markets in the nation.