THE SYSTEM FAILED HER - Despite graduating last June Aleysha is illiterate.

She’s excited to study public policy; it’s the culmination of hard work after moving north from Puerto Rico as a child.

“I remember I was very nervous, but I know it was going to be better opportunities for me to learn,” Ortiz remarked.

But Ortiz says those opportunities never came to fruition.

“All I see is words everywhere,” Ortiz said.

system last year, but she says she is now illiterate and still doesn’t know how to read or write.

“They would just either tell me to stay in a corner and sleep or just draw pictures, flowers for them,” Ortiz said about her earlier educationIn some ways, Ortiz is living an American dream.

The 19-year-old began her freshman year at the University of Connecticut in Hartford this past fall.