Becoming a Giver: Ana's Inspiring Journey

Discovering the Giver Within

If you’ve read a few of our articles before, you’ve likely come across the term “Giver.” In Cumorah Academy’s vernacular, a “Giver” is someone who uses their talents to serve those around them. When Ana learned about this concept, she immediately recognized her own desire to become a Giver.

Ana Soto , one of our amazing students discovered Cumorah Academy through an Instagram ad—each student has their own unique story of how they found us. Ana's backstory is particularly fascinating. Born in Peru, she moved with her parents and grandmother to Australia at a young age—yes, to the other side of the world! There, she studied and led a busy life. “I was a full-time nurse working in a Geriatric Unit in a Public Hospital in Sydney, Australia. It was challenging, but I loved it!” she shares. Upon learning that Cumorah is a Christ-centered learning environment, Ana immediately applied.

A Journey of Growth and Learning

Ana attended the Spring Semester of 2024, where she participated in various activities that helped expand her abilities and communication skills (she is fluent in both English and Spanish). Additionally, she continued her studies at BYU-Pathway while staying on campus. “This helped me improve my time management skills, including timeboxing and setting aside study time,” she says. Along with acquiring new skills, she embraced new habits, like developing a structured morning and evening routine—a discipline that has since paid off in her life.

Reflecting on her time at Cumorah, Ana acknowledged how much she had grown. Graduating from Cumorah was a personal milestone. She enhanced her public speaking and communication skills, among others.

The Ultimate Giver’s Achievement

But Ana’s greatest accomplishment on campus might surprise you—in her own words. Remember our last alumni post featuring Samuel? Well, Ana and Samuel met on campus and got married! “I am so happy to be married to Sam. I still can’t believe I met him in April 2024, and we tied the knot in September 2024!” Ana says, calling it her biggest achievement on campus.

Ana's journey is just beginning. Her decision to join Cumorah Academy has profoundly changed her future. Celebrating her accomplishments has made her even more eager to continue growing. Her spiritual and intellectual progress is evident. “I’m a more optimistic person,” Ana reflects. “I feel closer to Heavenly Father, and I see the world differently. Cumorah helped me plan my long-term and short-term goals for my life and for my future family.”

A Future Filled with Purpose

Every mentor, class, and activity on our campus is designed to turn students into Givers. There is so much to do in the world, and stories like Ana’s embody our vision. We see leaders emerging in families, companies, and beyond. As Ana and Samuel begin their family, they’re excited about what the future holds. Ana, in particular, is enthusiastic about teaching English to children. It’s fascinating to think that this woman from Peru, raised in Australia, met her Brazilian husband in the Czech Republic—a perfect example of the experiences we hope our students have. This is the spirit of Cumorah Academy.