Thalita Portela Faria first learned to play soccer in the streets of Sao Paolo, Brazil.  She has come a long way since then, largely due to the extended family she found at LCCC and LCCC Soccer.  In December she graduated with a 4.0 g.p.a. from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Earlier this year, she was recognized as her college department’s student of the year. She did this while serving as a captain of the women’s soccer team, earning All-American recognition, and lettering on the school’s bowling team.  She also did this with English being her second language. T will tell you none of this would have been possible, but for LCCC. She will tell the story of being the first person to attend college in her family, and how LCCC opened doors academically, but also in the community. She will share how Cheyenne, including several medical doctors and other professionals embraced her, mentored her, and helped her along the way.