By Craig Craker
For NNUSports.com

NAMPA – Alejandra Jaramillo is built different.

Maybe it is because of her unique birth or her ability to navigate college life far from home or interning at a hospice care facility or her stellar play on the soccer field or her love of Jesus and people in general.

Whatever the reason, the Northwest Nazarene women's soccer player is willing to try and help the people around her by lending an empathetic ear to their problems, providing compassion and advice and lifting them up.

"I am so grateful to have Alejandra as a teammate," said fellow senior Kate Bleffert. "She is compassionate and a great listener to everyone on the team. She goes out of her way to support others when they need some reassurance and uplifting words."

The Southern California native has held down a midfield position for the Nighthawks for four years, earning her undergraduate degree a year ago and working on a Master's degree in social work this year.

Needing an internship as part of her undergraduate degree, Jaramillo ended up working at Journeys Hospice which is located a stone's throw from her team's home soccer field.

There aren't many college students out there who are willing to help folks as they are nearing the end of their time on this earth and then walk across the street, change into their uniform and go to work on the soccer field.

"It gave me more of a realization of how important it is to have a good relationship with your family," she said. "Just being able to connect with people and hear their stories in a heartwarming way, even though they are going through difficult times.

"Being able to be there and provide them resources and comfort and being a person they can talk to was really nice. And at the end of the day, it makes me happy because I know I did something. That I was making an impact on their lives, especially in their last moments."

That impact wasn't just felt by families in need at the hospice center, but also by fellow students and professors in her field of study.

The hospice agency doesn't normally accept undergraduates, according to Assistant Social Work Professor Dr. Nikki Bodenstab-Lee, who said that Journeys was won over by Jaramillo's caring and positive attitude.

"I wasn't sure how she would resonate with the proximity to death and dying," said Bodenstab-Lee, "but I think Ale had a really good experience being a compassionate and kind presence to people who were near death.

"It can be a very scary time of life and Ale has a very calm temperament – at least in our classes and with clients. She is a very focused individual. She was able to set aside some of the emotions in order to focus on soccer, schoolwork and her personal life. This is a really important characteristic of a social worker and Ale modeled this well to her peers."

Jaramillo talked about her internship with her teammates and friends, but they said it did not negatively affect her at all.

"Alejandra's faith and Christian belief system is strong and a crucial aspect of her heart and love for helping people and it certainly helped her handle the situations at the hospice," Bleffert said. "She is resilient and courageous, and I often admire how she never complains, especially as she was juggling her social work internship while playing soccer. She always showed up with a good attitude."

Jaramillo has been resilient since birth, having been born at 3 a.m. in her family's Chevrolet minivan while crossing the U.S.-Mexico border after a day of visiting family. She grew up thinking she wanted to be a teacher, but after meeting a cousin who was in foster care near her hometown of Chula Vista in the San Diego area, she changed her major to social work to try and help people who are so often left behind.

While she isn't sure where she will end up after getting her Master's or if she will work at hospices going forward, she is certain that NNU was a big part of where she is today.

"NNU provides the best support that I have ever experienced," Jaramillo said. "My professors for social work were very understanding and always asked us how we are doing – not just academically, but also in our personal lives and in our internships and sports. We are able to have 1-on-1 conversations and that was a big support for me."

Jaramillo has taken what she has learned and used it to help her teammates, especially this season.

"In her time here, Ale has grown a lot in her confidence and independence," said Mary Ybarguen, NNU women's soccer coach. "She came to us nervous about being away from home and unsure about staying and she has turned into a fifth-year leader who is comfortable with pressure.

"She brings a sense of community and acceptance to our team."