As the youngest of four children growing up in Bogotá, Colombia, Brenda Patiño has
always been inspired to dream big. A freshman cross-country runner at National Park
College, the 19-year-old student-athlete has traveled more than 2,000 miles away from
home to prove that nothing is impossible.
“My family has played a large part in shaping who I am today,” Patiño said. “My father
is hard-working and realistic and my mother is a dreamer who believes that the impossible
can be possible. Together, they did everything possible to put my siblings in college.
My siblings took care of me when my parents were working and grew up to be professionals
all across the world. I have always looked up to them and wanted to be just like them.”
In her youth, Patiño swam competitively in Colombia, garnering national recognition
through her athleticism as well as her dedication to academics. Due to increasing
societal issues in South America, however, Patiño faced a difficult decision when
it came to planning for her future.
“With crime and corruption on the rise, it has become increasingly dangerous for a
young woman to live and go to school in Colombia in recent years,” Patiño said. “My
mother had moved to the United States in 2019 to help care for my grandparents and,
two years later, my dad and I decided that it would be safest for me to accompany
her in the United States so I could go to college in America.”
In 2021, Patiño joined her mother, aunt and grandparents in Kingwood, Texas. Facing
a fresh start in a new country, her time in the United States came with multiple new
challenges.
“My first month here was intimidating,” Patiño said. “I was shy and didn’t talk to
anyone because I was struggling with my English and embarrassed about my accent. In
Colombia, I worked hard to be a top student and was on track to graduate high school
at age 16. However, because of a discrepancy in the grading systems between Colombia
and the United States, many of my credits were not transferrable, which sent me back
to 11th grade instead. It was frustrating.”
Disappointed, but not discouraged, Patiño pushed forward, academically, and even returned
to competitive swimming while at Kingwood Park High School. However, when faced with
competition for a starting role on the team, she soon discovered a new passion that
would take her athletic career to the next level.
“I had a friend tell me that in order to get better as a swimmer, I could run to stay
in shape, so I joined track and field and, later, cross-country.” Patino said. “I
had never run before and, at first, I was completely out of my comfort zone. My cross-country
coach, Coach Cook, helped me get organized and encouraged me to keep going at a high
level. That year, I received the Most Improved Runner award for cross-country and
it inspired me to continue running.”
After graduation, an impromptu trip to the Natural State provided Patiño with the
roadmap she needed to reach her goals.
“While searching for colleges, I visited Arkansas and fell in love with its natural
beauty,” Patiño said. “Hot Springs reminds me of the countryside in Colombia. It’s
very beautiful. When I visited National Park College, I really connected with Coach
Armitage. While other coaches told me that they would help me achieve goals for their
schools, he told me he that was going to make me the best runner I could be and I
loved that.”
For Patiño, becoming a Nighthawk provided both academic independence and a significant
athletic milestone.
“When I signed at National Park College, Coach Cook gave me a card with a Latin phrase—Per
Aspera Ad Astra,” Patiño said. “It means ‘true adversity to the stars.’ He told me
he was proud of me for not quitting on my dreams. I went from not having any experience
running to signing to run at the collegiate level. I pushed myself hard and never
quit and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished.”
In her freshman season with the Nighthawks, Patiño has shined, setting personal records
in each meet. As the team prepares for its upcoming NJCAA Region 2 Championship, the
freshman and her Nighthawk teammates are primed to make program history.
“Coach Armitage has helped me get to where I am today,” Patiño said. “I’m proud of
how far I’ve come and I’m excited for the chance to bring the Nighthawks their first
championship.”
Fueled by her experiences in Colombia and America, Patiño plans to use her career
to give back to the communities she has called home.
“I want to major in psychology,” Patiño said. “Back home, I met and worked with people
suffering from domestic violence and it opened my eyes to the societal issues Colombia
was facing. Mental health is so important and I know I can make a difference helping
others learn to take care of themselves.”
Reflecting on her journey to America, Patiño continues to race ahead toward a brighter
tomorrow.
“I moved away from my family to come here and make a difference in the world,” Patiño
said. “Giving up has never been an option. I survived a lot of adversity to be here
and I’m going to continue chasing my dreams just like my family did.” For more on
Nighthawk cross-country, visit www.np.edu/athletics.
