Shines Without Limits
Geraldine Zialcita
Kamyla Esparza was born and raised in Sacramento, California. As a child of Mexican immigrant parents, Kamyla and her brother witnessed first-hand how hard they work to provide the American dream for their children. “With only their personal belongings, my parents left their motherland and started from scratch in a new country with nothing except big aspirations. Through their blood, sweat, and tears, my father spearheaded his construction business and my mother launched her drafting company. They were able to provide everything they didn’t have as a child which shaped a better future for my brother and me,” she shares.
Although Kamyla lived her whole life in the United States, she bears strong ties to her Mexican heritage and culture. Speaking Spanish and often visiting Jalisco, Mexico enabled Kamyla to connect with her roots and relatives. “I am proud of my roots and even if I’m an American citizen, I’m part of this amazing cultural aspect in my life. One Mexican tradition we often practice is the Dia de Los Muertos where we honor our ancestors who have passed away. Our culture doesn’t view death as a time of mourning, we see it as a celebration of life,” she relays.
Kamyla is currently in her second year in college, pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at Sacramento State University. With high hopes in become successful like her parents, Kamyla aims to acquire a master’s degree after graduating from college. “I believe my greatest strengths come from my greatest weaknesses. As a child, I had a learning disability and learned differently from most people. My diagnosis propelled me to work harder from elementary to high school so I could understand the lessons taught. Practicing daily provided the discipline and work ethic which I apply now in college,” she discloses.
Kamyla is not only a dedicated student but also a well-rounded woman who plays recreational volleyball at the university gym. She also works out and is a proud weightlifter. Kamyla spends her free time watching the tailgates for football games with her friends. “I’m happy to be part of a good community with lots of activities and events,” she states.
In 2021, Kamyla joined Miss Teen California Latina and bagged the crown. “I’ve always wanted to join a beauty contest that resonates with me. Miss Teen California Latina was a great opportunity to get back into the community. I was a very shy and introverted child who didn’t know how to start a conversation. This beauty pageant raised my confidence by 110% and improved my public speaking. I used to have tiny panic attacks when engaging in conversations with people, yet I overcame them with preparation and practice. We had a mentor who helped us refine our public speaking. That once timid girl who could barely say her name has transformed into a confident woman who can speak in front of a huge audience.” She smiles.
With her parents as her role models, Kamyla has received substantial support all the way. “My mother directed beauty pageants for many years in Sacramento and I credit my success to her. She is an expert in this field who helped me define my walk on the runway and fix my posture. She has always been there step-by-step for the entire process. I’m so grateful for having her as my mentor, cheerleader, and greatest supporter,” she acknowledges.
Aside from the opportunity, benefits, and prestige of participating in a beauty pageant, Kamyla felt compelled to join Miss Teen California Latina because it is a Latina contest that ties up with her culture. “This beauty pageant was one way of keeping in touch with my roots. Miss Teen California Latina helped me focus on what I wanted to do in my life and which path I should take. It improved my physical and mental well-being. I was constantly working out and also engaged in boxing lessons. Miss Teen California Latina opened many doors for me. I was featured in newspapers in Mexico and also appeared in Good Morning Sacramento twice in a row.” She beams with pride.
Kamyla believes that there are many aspects to being beautiful and that everyone is beautiful in their own way. “Beauty comes from within, radiating to the outside. Inner beauty and confidence are what make people look attractive. Not one person is the same, and everyone has their strengths and potential to shine. Beauty starts with self-love,” she declares.
This sensible and passionate lady uses her platform to empower young Latina girls to feel beautiful and to never forget where they came from so they can be proud representatives of their culture and heritage. Extending her love and support for the community, Kamyla established her non-profit foundation called Amor Sin Fronteras which means Love without Borders. “Since I had a learning disability when I was young, I was fortunate to gain support from my parents, teachers, and school, yet I realized that not many children share the same opportunities or have the same resources accessible to them. This is what prompted me to set up my foundation so I could help other children. Amor Sin Fronteras provides school supplies to students in Mexico and America. I wanted to show the youth that even if they have a learning disability, it doesn’t mean they are stupid or can’t learn. They have to find a specific way to grasp knowledge and there are no right or wrong methods to do this. We all perceive things differently, and having a learning disability doesn’t make you less of a person. My goal is to get that message across. I raise funds from my community to also sponsor high school students in Mexico to obtain a technical degree which allows them to acquire a job from the state after they graduate,” she informs.
Kamyla hopes to graduate from college in two years and venture into her Master’s degree in Barcelona, Spain. Acknowledging the many opportunities ahead of her, Kamyla concludes this story with pearls of wisdom to the youth. “First and foremost, do not strive to be like someone else, and instead, be the best version of yourself. The version of myself is very different from others. We may encounter the same professional or personal journey, yet we are two different people and our experiences and lessons will never be the same. Last and not least, don’t be afraid to ask for help. I used to struggle to do this because I thought asking for help meant I didn’t know anything. I realized asking for help meant needing more clarity.”
Kamyla’s immigrant parents applied their foresight, good judgment, and courage to move to a country that offered vast opportunities so they could build a strong foundation and provide their children with hope and endless possibilities. In return, Kamyla learned from their example to dream big, work hard, and keep reaching for the stars.
Kamyla Esparza Shines Without Limits.