As summer creeps in and the spring term winds down, Carleton’s athletic teams conclude their seasons as well—often in spectacular fashion. A few short weeks ago, the women’s track and field team saw just such a conclusion as Carleton hosted the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference meet. That competition marked the culmination of an entire year’s worth of running, throwing, and jumping for the team—and one last race, throw, or jump for the seniors. For many it was their one final chance to make a difference for the team.

Emma Sando, a Carleton senior from Milton, Mass., did precisely that, beating her personal record by a full 26 seconds in the 5000-meter run, concluding her collegiate athletic career in spectacular fashion. Donna Ricks, head coach of the women’s track and field program, couldn’t say enough about Sando’s positive influence, “Emma is the person that is always there for her teammates…if someone has had a difficult day or meet, she is one of the first athletes to show her support for them with kind words and a listening ear.”

The track isn’t the only place this international relations major has been making a difference though. Somehow, Sando—despite being involved in track, cross country, Mortar Board, and Food Truth—has found the time to take on the world outside not only Carleton, but the United States. For much of the last year, Sando has been fighting to help the street children of Buenos Aires deal with drug dependence and domestic violence—both in Argentina and from afar at Carleton.

“It all started my junior year during a study abroad program,” recalls Sando, “I volunteered at a local street children shelter and eventually got to know one of the teachers there really well.” This teacher and former street child, Mario Sotelo, felt that there was something wrong with the shelters in Buenos Aires, that street children weren’t being given the love and attention they needed. As Sando’s time in Buenos Aires dwindled, she began to discuss with Sotelo how best to improve the care of street children.

After returning to Carleton, Sando sought to return and assist Sotelo in his efforts and was finally rewarded with a Larson International Fellowship from Carleton. Last summer, Sando returned to Buenos Aires and began working with Sotelo to improve the lives of the street children there.

“We tried to form an NGO. We even built a two-room house in one of the shantytowns; it was somewhere the street children could call their home”, explained Sando. With only a week and a half remaining before Sando left Argentina, the unimaginable happened: the government began to evict those living in the shantytown. Nearly as soon as it was built, their shelter was set to be demolished.

“We decided to hold out for help from the government,” recalls Sando. “The government officials eventually promised to help us, so we agreed to move out. After I left Argentina, we found out they didn’t have any intention of keeping their promises—they just needed us to agree to leave.” Back at Carleton, Sando regularly contacts Mario and continues her efforts to find funding. “I’m still trying to go back,” she says. “I’ve always viewed my education as practical, and I’ve always been interested in human rights and social justice. This experience just made it clear that it’s children’s rights I’m really passionate about.”

On the track, Sando is a talented Carleton athlete—a senior runner just pushing herself to go a little faster; off it, she’s a child’s chance for a loving and caring life.

“Emma is one of the nicest, kindest, most caring individuals that I have ever met. She truly does things for others without expecting personal gain,” exclaims Coach Ricks, “She’s an amazing person making a difference in the lives of others.”

Emma Sando has taken her chance to make a difference and made the most of every moment.