“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” These are the words of Mahatma Gandhi, and a favorite quote of Cathedral alum Bella Vidaña, class of 2012. Bella is a top contender for the TOMS Ticket to Give Contest, and if she wins, she will receive the opportunity of a lifetime: a trip to a third world country where she will be able to provide TOMS shoes to people who need them.

At the age of sixteen, Bella volunteered for the first time with Habitat for Humanity, helping build a home for a family in need in Tennessee and one year later, she traveled to Romania for two weeks, building homes and visiting orphanages. Both experiences “changed her life forever.”

“After my sister Bella took these trips, she knew she wanted to continue her passion to help others,” said Cathedral Catholic sophomore, Sophie Vidaña. “Ever since she was young, she has always had the biggest heart! Her dream was to go to Africa and help less fortunate kids out. She is the kind of person who is always willing to help someone out, no matter the situation or outcome.”

Currently, Bella attends Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she plays soccer and is majoring in global studies.

“I am so appreciative of all the love and support I have gotten so far throughout this voting process and to be completely honest, I never thought I would get in the Top 50. Now, because of all my friends and family I am in the Top 10,” said Bella.

“This has been a dream of Bella’s ever since she was a little girl, so when the opportunity came up she knew that she needed to start campaigning and get votes! Her main goal in life is to work for TOMS and to help put shoes on kids that are less fortunate than we are,” said Sophie. “I think that people should vote for my sister because she really is an inspiration and role model to not only me and family but to other kids around the world. I truly do think that she could do good things for the world. She brings joy to everyone she meets, and definitely knows how to make a persons day just by the light of her smile.”

Many teachers around campus have been spreading the word to students, encouraging them to vote for Bella in this competition.

One such teacher is math teacher Ms. Katie Linn, who “remembers Bella as always having a good attitude in class with an upbeat and positive personality.”

“I was so happy to receive Bella’s e-mail notifying me and other faculty members about her desire to win this trip to help others in need in less fortunate situations,” Ms. Linn said. “I feel that Bella is living Cathedral’s mission by wanting to help others and I am so proud of her!”

Bella asks the Cathedral community to support her in her mission, and help make her dream come true. She said, “I would love for people to vote for me, because I truly believe God has called me to go and help anyone I can. At the end of the day, I wouldn’t be in this position today if it weren’t for Him.”

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