RUSKIN, Fla. — For many Hispanic families, education is the pillar toward success.

According to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities fact sheet for 2024, it is expected that Hispanic enrollment in higher education will exceed 4.3 million by 2026.

One program in Hillsborough County is reinforcing that path towards education for Hispanic young ladies.

Nuestra Reina Hillsborough helps these women develop their skills through community involvement, along with providing scholarships and mentorship opportunities through an annual pageant.

Rocio Smith founded the program nearly three years ago.

“These young ladies have the opportunity to learn and have mentors, have the education in finance and do a pageantry form where they can talk about their culture, like their dress, flowers, so that we never forget where we came from,” said Smith.

The opportunities the program provides are motivating for participants like Jiaralee Gama, who is in her second year as a cheerleader at Lennard High School and the winner of Nuestra Reina’s most recent pageant and scholarship.

“A lot of people go to the gym to clear their mind. I go to cheer to clear my mind,” she said.

A few days a week you’ll find her at cheer practice, but her day doesn’t stop there.

Once she gets home, it’s time to hit the books, pulling double duty studying for both high school and college.

“My school has a collegiate program where I am a high school student and an HCC student at the same time,” said Gama.

Taking courses at Hillsborough Community College is helping her get a jump start on higher education.

Gama says the scholarship will help her pursue a college degree, which can be expensive.

“They’re helping me more with other scholarships and they are constantly saying ‘here there’s this scholarship apply for it, there’s this one, do you need help applying for it I’ll help you,’” she said.

Gama is setting big goals for herself.

“I want to be a nurse practitioner, but I also want to be able to take on influencing,” she said.

And it all starts with a good education, she says, influencing everything she does.

Next year’s Nuestra Reina Hillsborough pageant is taking place in April.