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DLI Class of 2020: Where Are They Now?

DLI Class of 2020: Where Are They Now?
A class photo of the first group of DLI students taken in 2007.

We proudly launched our first Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program in the fall of 2007, with the program's inaugural class graduating in 2020. These alumni have ventured into diverse careers and opportunities, each carrying with them the language and cultural skills they honed in the DLI program. We caught up with six members of this trailblazing class to learn where life has taken them and how the DLI program continues to shape their paths.

Student in college graduation robes in front of bushes and a tree.

 

Julia Grote: Inspiring Readers

Julia has dedicated the past year to literacy education as a ReadingCorps tutor. With a double major in Linguistics and Comparative Literature and minors in Japanese and Teaching English, Julia credits the DLI program for sparking her passion for multilingual education. “Learning another language that I had no ties to led me to explore why language learning matters,” she reflected. Julia hopes to pursue graduate studies in library science or multilingual education in the near future.
Adalberto

 

Adalberto Diaz Cortes: Building Futures and Families

Adalberto, a union laborer specializing in high-rise window cleaning, is paving the way for his family as a first-generation homeowner at just 22. Reflecting on his DLI experience, he shared, “Being bilingual is not just useful at work—it’s a nice feeling to be able to speak and understand both languages, whether translating for my mom or helping random people.” Despite recent challenges, including the loss of his father, Adalberto remains determined: “I’m taking it day by day. I know I’ll be better than ever.”
Isabel

 

Isabel Farrell: From Richfield to Spain and Beyond

Back in high school, Isabel dreamed of attending a four-year college but was undecided on her area of study. She eventually earned dual degrees in Marketing and Spanish from the University of Minnesota and joined Best Buy’s corporate team in Richfield. Her time in the DLI program nurtured lifelong connections and a global perspective. “The experiences from DLI have gotten us to places much further than Richfield,” she said. Isabel’s proudest moment was studying abroad in Toledo, Spain. “I lived with a host family, volunteered at a local school, and fully immersed myself in a completely Spanish environment.” Isabel dreams of returning to Spain to complete a master’s degree in Marketing.
Dayani

 

Dayani Maceo: On the Path to Law

As a senior, Dayani had her sights set on pre-law studies at a four-year college, and she followed through on that goal. After earning her undergraduate degree from Clark Atlanta University, an HBCU, she is now preparing for law school. Dayani credits the DLI program for helping her formalize her bilingual abilities. “Although I was bilingual prior to attending RDLS, the program helped me gain and maintain a formal knowledge of Spanish,” she explained. Her advice to current DLI students is clear: “Stick with the program and give it your all. Being bilingual is one of the best life skills one can possess.”
Tyler

 

Tyler Kenemore: Bridging Barriers

Currently working in customer service at Target Tech, Tyler uses his Spanish skills daily to connect with customers. “As a customer service employee, I can pass the language barrier better than some of my coworkers,” he said. Tyler is proud of the positive feedback he receives from customers and is saving to pursue a degree in IT. He encourages DLI students to “practice your language skills every day, and don’t forget to be kind.”

Shaping the Future

The DLI Class of 2020 has demonstrated that bilingualism and cultural understanding are powerful tools for shaping the future. As Isabel put it, “Being able to connect with other people and cultures is the biggest gift to humanity.” From law school to corporate offices, construction sites and classrooms, these alumni are making their mark—and they’re just getting started.
 

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