From the president
Daniel Yantani Coto is a 2nd year student majoring in economics who emigrated to the US from Costa Rica six years ago. His academic achievements (perfect 4.0 GPA in MDC’s rigorous Honors College) and track record of civic leadership and service while a student at MDC are remarkable and inspiring. He intends to pursue a career in economics where he will “work to empower families like mine, help eradicate poverty, and build economic opportunities.” During his time at MDC, he has completed more than 540 hours of service. He earned the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award. He completed dozens of civic actions on MDC’s “Civic Action Scorecard” earning bronze, silver, and gold Civic Action Awards. He served as a “peer advocate” with MDC’s “Poll Workers Are Heroes” campaign, he participated in the Unify America College Bowl, he played a leadership role on the campaign of a local School Board member, he interned with the City of Homestead’s City Manager, he volunteered 60 hours with Special Olympics, he served as President of his campus’ Special Smiles Club that advocates for the inclusion of people with disabilities, and President of his campus’ PTK chapter, he participated in Net Impact’s Up to Us program, and many more civic leadership programs.
Personal Statement
I placed my newly fallen tooth under my pillow, eagerly awaiting Ratoncito Perez—tooth fairy’s Latin American colleague. By morning, my excitement faded—he never came. Although my mom worked tirelessly to feed and clothe me, she simply couldn’t afford to leave money under my pillow. As I got older, I realized financial struggles were not unique to my family. I had classmates whose only meal was our school lunch. I wondered what my role in improving the world was. Economics was my answer. At school, I learned about monetary policy, its power in shaping the economy and well-being of millions. At the same time, I developed an appreciation for policy making, serving my city, and promoting civic engagement in my campus. Whether driving economic development or bridging civic literacy gaps among low-income youth, I understood the power of government and policy. As a future policymaker, I lead initiatives to serve those around me, and inspire others to follow. My mission is to eradicate poverty and inequality of opportunities; to create a more caring world—one where people like my family do not have to worry about where their next meal will come from, nor kids wonder why Ratoncito Perez did not visit them.