Student 
Spotlight!

Student Spotlight: Jaylene Carrillo

 

Thanks to a neighborhood block party in Hartford in 2016, Jaylene Carrillo attended Trinity Academy. The school had a table set up with a Dum-Dums lollipop spinning wheel, and it caught Jaylene’s eye. Little did she know that table would lead her to a school she still considers a second home today.

 

Her mother, who was pregnant at the time, struck up a conversation with a Trinity staff member and learned that the school was just down the street from where they lived. Soon afterward, Jaylene enrolled as a second grader.

 

Now a Hartford High School student, entering her senior year, Jaylene looks back on that moment as one that helped define who she is today. And Jorielis, who Jaylene’s mother was pregnant with at the block party, just graduated in Trinity’s 2026 class.

 

"I can't think of a better elementary school," says Jaylene, whose family faced significant challenges during her years at Trinity. “They look at the whole person when it comes to learning. It’s important because it can be hard. How is someone supposed to learn when no one knows what's going on in their lives?”

 

Her father was incarcerated during this time, and her mother worked hard to provide for the family. Trinity's extended school day, which ran from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., helped provide stability and support. And she felt that the teachers and faculty understood her, especially Mr. Krause (Mr. K), who made a lasting impact.

 

“My temper was bad because I was going through a lot at home,” she recalls. "When I would get upset or sad, Mr. K would give me space to write letters to my dad and get my emotions out. He became a big support. He's one of the first teachers who really considered my emotions.”

 

Her relationship with Mr. K has continued through the years. When taking the stage at Trinity’s Spark Gala this past year, she spoke highly of him, “He stepped up for me in a way no teacher ever has, and I soon began to see him and respect him as a father.” As she prepares for college, he remains a mentor, even taking time after school to tutor her for the SATs.

 

Beyond the classroom, Jaylene has fond memories of Trinity’s events. From cultural celebrations where families shared food from their heritage to a holiday shopping program made possible by donor support, these school traditions were special for Jaylene.

 

“It used to break my heart on Christmas when I would see my mom, and she had no gifts under the tree, but she had everything for us,” says Jaylene. “At a young age, I would wonder, ‘How does my mom do it?’ So, when I got the opportunity to put something under the tree for her, it changed everything — it made me feel good about going home, and it changed the environment at home too.”

 

Although she has attended several schools since leaving Trinity, Jaylene says the foundation she received there continues to influence her life. She considers it her safe place.

 

“They have watched me come so far and always make it known that their doors are always open for me. Every visit is just a reminder that I have a second family who genuinely cares and sees me for who I am. They always have, and I am beyond thankful for all that they have done for me, my sister, and my mom.”

 

This year, Jaylene completed a three-month internship in the radiology department at Hartford Hospital and plans to pursue a career in healthcare as an Obstetric (OB) Sonographer after graduation. She's also currently working toward her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license through Hartford High School.

 

“I have come such a long way from where I started, and I thank Trinity for continuing to push me to all the limits I could reach when I was younger because I don't think without them I would've been able to push myself to be the person I am today,” says Jaylene. "They focus on every child individually because they have the time. That's what makes Trinity different. This school saw something in me before I could even see it in myself.”