I am Astrid Carolina Durón Peña, a 2008 graduate, and I had the honor of having been a student from Kindergarten through High School at El Alba Bilingual School. Looking back, I can say that what I learned there has been fundamental for my personal and professional development.
One of the most valuable lessons I received at “El Alba” was responsibility. The school taught me to carry out my activities with punctuality and discipline, something that I have maintained throughout my life. In addition, the institution gave me the tools to work in a team, to share experiences and, most importantly, to have a critical sense of the circumstances around me.
I fondly remember the experiences I lived during my years as a student. The educational, sports and social encounters were moments that not only enriched my knowledge, but also strengthened my interpersonal relationships. Participating in events inside and outside our city allowed me not only to acquire knowledge, but also to put into practice helping others through social works. I fondly remember my classmates, who became my friends, and who today I am happy to see fulfill their personal and professional dreams, which we can continue to celebrate together.
I am deeply grateful to my teachers. In particular, I fondly remember Teacher Elizabeth Ramos, who taught Spanish, and Teacher Agustín Benavides. They not only taught me, but also motivated me to continue growing academically and, above all, as a person. Their advice and teachings left an unforgettable mark on my life.
After graduating, I decided to continue my studies at the Catholic University of Honduras “UNICAH”, at the Jesus Sacramentado campus, where I obtained my law degree in 2013, achieving second place in the Law career. Life led me to work in the Municipality of Siguatepeque, in the Department of Tax Control, and then, to the Revenue Administration Service (SAR) in 2017, where I held senior positions as Head of the Collection Division in the Department of Comayagua. My desire to continue learning and developing new skills led me to study a Master’s Degree in Tax Law at UNITEC, where I obtained a Master’s Degree with Summa Cum Laude recognition.
Beyond my academic achievements, which I deeply value, one of the greatest accomplishments I have achieved in my life is to have become a determined, strong person capable of overcoming obstacles. My work as a lawyer is a reflection of my passion for helping others, using my profession to serve society. I am very grateful to each of the institutions that have allowed me to obtain these achievements, to become a better person every day. Currently, I work at the law firm Baires Alliance and I also offer tax consulting through my personal brand, “Astrid Durón”. In addition, I have the privilege of teaching at the Universidad Tecnológica de Honduras (UTH), sharing my knowledge and experiences with new students.
In every step I have taken, God has been my greatest guide, and the support of my family has been a fundamental pillar. They have always been by my side, helping me to move forward and fulfill my dreams. We live in a world in constant change, keep learning and fighting for our dreams is essential. I dream of continuing to acquire knowledge in the professional and personal sphere, to keep fighting for whatever I set my mind to. “Where God puts us we must flourish, success is for those who pursue it.”
Success is not by chance; it is the result of constant effort and faith that, with God’s help, anything is possible. As I continue to work towards my goals, I am inspired to see that education, the same education I received at “El Alba”, continues to be the best path to personal and professional transformation.
Today, watching my little son learn in the same kindergarten and school where I studied, I feel a deep emotion and nostalgia. It fills me with joy to see that he is acquiring knowledge and experiences in the same place that left such a big mark on me. As an alumni, I have made my own the motto of El Alba Bilingual School, “The best investment for our children is education”, which continues to be a truth that I live every day.