Anette Marmolejo

When Anette Marmolejo, Merelyn C., and Ashley V. learned their creative entries had won the 2024–25 Buffs One Read Storytelling Contest, they didn’t just receive recognition—they earned the chance to meet the author who inspired it all. This year’s contest invited CU Boulder undergraduates to respond to Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora with original expressions of creativity, each reflecting the theme of Courage.

Before Zamora took the stage for his campus talk, the three winners gathered with him in an intimate reception, where stories were shared and connections deepened.

We caught up with the students to hear more about their work, what Solito meant to them, and what it was like to meet the author behind the story that sparked their own.

Tell us about your background and why you decided to enter the contest?

Anette Marmolejo: I am a first-generation Mexican American, born and raised in Colorado. I’m in my third year and my major is environmental studies with a minor in writing and public engagement. I have always loved writing, and I entered the contest to connect with the book and engage more with school activities. My curiosity was piqued by the topic questions for the story.

Merelyn C.: and I am a first-generation student and the first woman in my family to attend college. I’m in my second year and majoring in integrative physiology and molecular and cellular biology. I entered the contest to share my personal journey with education as a Mexican American student and to highlight the struggles faced by immigrant families. My father’s sacrifices and my own experiences with language barriers inspired me to use storytelling to raise awareness and connect with others who may have faced similar obstacles.

Ashley V.: I am a first-generation student, born and raised in Colorado, with family from El Salvador. I’m in my second year and majoring in neuroscience. I entered the contest to express my experience and be heard by my community. When I saw the title of this book, I thought it wasn't something that you usually see here on campus.

Merelyn C.

Tell us about your work and the process for creating it.

Anette Marmolejo: My short essay describes an example of courage I witnessed and how it affected my relationship with my own courage. It is dedicated to my mom. I sat on my blue couch in my living room, and it all poured out and I reached out to my siblings for advice.

Merelyn C.: My essay reflects themes similar to Solito, capturing the deeply personal experiences of migration, identity, and the pursuit of a better life. The process involved deep reflection on my past experiences, memories of childhood, moments of frustration, and times when I felt isolated due to language barriers and discrimination. It was an emotional journey. I focused on using vivid imagery and personal anecdotes to make my story impactful, ensuring that readers could put themselves in my shoes.

Ashley V.: My work includes what courage has meant to me in my time at school as a first-generation student. I created a video of my parents sharing their story along with a written portion of myself and the book. I didn't have to have a theme to my writing because it all came from the heart. I wanted to feel heard, seen, and understood.

What did you find challenging about the storytelling process?

Anette Marmolejo: The storytelling process was very emotional and challenging as I wanted to convey a message of love and courage while maintaining privacy on a sensitive topic, for me.

Merelyn C.: One of the biggest challenges was making sure my emotions and experiences translated clearly to the reader. I wanted to balance the raw difficulty of my experiences with a sense of hope and purpose. Another challenge was structuring my story in a way that flowed naturally while still maintaining its depth.

Ashley V.: I had limited time to create my work, but I knew it was something I was passionate about. The challenge was to feel heard, seen, and understood through my storytelling.

What did you learn about yourself or the world from reading Solito and creating your story?

Anette Marmolejo: I learned that I should continue to write and share my work because there are people willing to hear me and support my writing.

Merelyn C.: Reading Solito and writing my story reinforced the importance of the resilience and strength found in personal narratives. I learned that storytelling is a powerful tool for change—it allows us to shed light on difficult experiences, create empathy, and inspire action. On a personal level, I realized that my journey, though challenging, has shaped my passion for education and advocacy.

Ashley V.: I realized the immense privilege of being raised in the United States and having the opportunity to pursue higher education.

Ashley V.

What do you think of the Buffs One Read program and its goal to create community among students?

Anette Marmolejo: I think that Buffs One Read is amazing. It is trying to encourage students to read books that will open your mind and allow you to see a different perspective. It’s trying to connect people who like to read and who want to talk about it.

Merelyn C.: Buffs One Read fosters meaningful discussions among students. By selecting books like Solito, the program creates a space where diverse experiences can be shared and understood, especially in a predominantly white university. Stories have the power to bring people together, and programs like this encourage students to engage with different perspectives. This leads to greater empathy and unity within the community.

Ashley V.: The program is doing a great job creating communities among students. I met amazing people and want to continue with experiences like these.

Can you reflect on your experience meeting Javier Zamora?

Anette Marmolejo: Meeting Javier was a pleasure. I was really nervous because he is someone that I deeply respect. I admire him for everything that he has overcome, how he has chosen to share his experiences and how he advocates for what he believes in. I was able to talk with him about writing in English vs. writing in Spanish and I left feeling encouraged and inspired.

Merelyn C.: Meeting Javier was a powerful and emotional experience. Solito deeply resonated with my own story and hearing him speak about his journey reaffirmed the importance of sharing personal narratives that will not always be picture perfect. His resilience and courage in telling his story reminded me that storytelling is not just about self-expression—it’s about giving a voice to those who might not have the opportunity to be heard. His words inspired me to continue writing and advocating for my community.

Ashley V.: Meeting Javier was an amazing opportunity. As fellow Salvadorians, we understood each other from a different perspective, in our language, culture, and community.

Congratulations to Anette, Merelyn and Ashley for their inspiring contributions and for winning the Buffs One Read Storytelling Contest.

Buffs One Read is a campus reading program sponsored by the University Libraries that is now in its fourth year. It is specifically aimed at first-year and transfer students to help them make connections during their first semester on campus, but it is open to the entire campus community and we encourage everyone to participate.