Teen Who Wrote About Immigrant Dad’s ICE Detention in Application Celebrates Early Harvard Admission
Cielo Echegoyen is celebrating an early admission to Harvard University.
A California high school senior and daughter of immigrants is celebrating an early admission to Harvard University. “It was just an insane amount of emotion. I never felt that way before,” Cielo Echegoyen told Inside Edition.
The road to the Ivy League university has not been easy.
Cielo is one of six children born to immigrant parents from Mexico. Her dad was detained by ICE when she was a junior, which the teen says was a “huge part” of her application to the school.
There were other hardships to overcome. Her mom lost her job as a seamstress because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Her assistant principal, Jennifer Huynh, was one of her biggest cheerleaders.
“It’s so wonderful to see her dreams come true,” Huynh said.
Cielo plans to major in biology at Harvard. She wants to become an oncologist.
“You never know unless you try, and it's so much better to try and to shoot for the stars than to stay with the doubt,” Cielo said.
RELATED STORIES
Trending on Inside Edition

Taylor Schabusiness, Suspect in Meth-Fueled Murder Who Attacked Attorney in Court, Fit to Stand Trial in July
Crime
Reports of Naked Woman Climbing Tree in West Palm Beach Neighborhood Leads Investigators to Dead Body: Cops
Crime
Victims Identified After Female Shooter Kills 3 Children, 3 Adults at Private Nashville Christian School
Crime
Mom of Newborn Baby Found Stabbed to Death in College Dorm in 1996 Cold Case Identified, Cops Say
Crime
Boy, 10, Shoots Brother, 12, in the Chest Inside Pennsylvania Home: Cops
Crime
Missing Teen Scottie Morris Found Safe After Running Away in 'Punishment' Shirt That Said 'I'm a Liar'
News