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Elena Hidalgo

HIDALGO, FROM MADRID, visits Washington, D.C.

She’s become a regular fixture on the sidelines.

From sporting events, to theatrical plays, to SCA sponsored functions and everything in between, her camera is focused and ready to capture students in action.

Upon meeting Hidalgo, the first thing one might notice about Elena is her thick Spanish accent. Moving here from Madrid last summer, she was immediately challenged by the language barrier.

“When I got here in July I didn’t speak English. I was so shy,” Hidalgo said. “I knew how to write but I didn’t know how to speak.”

A major difference Hidalgo noted regarding the school system is an emphasis on elective courses such as Fashion and photography. This diversity of classes is a feature that she did not experience in Spain.

“Here we have career subjects that in Europe we don’t have and that’s pretty cool,” Hidalgo said. “In Spain we don’t have an [art classes], we have science and English and letters, but you cannot do art; if you want to do that you have to go to a specific high school but they are not very popular.”

One would never guess that Hidalgo has only been in America for less than a year. Well-spoken and social, she believes that the key to adjusting to a new school and a new country is getting involved.

Hidalgo only moved the United States seven months ago, involving herself in in the Yearbook Club and quickly becoming a primary photographer at most school events.

Hidalgo is now the person behind the pictures.

“I want people do know what we do at the school,” Hidalgo said.

At first, school photography was a hobby, but as she became more involved with yearbook, she became inspired her to do more with her talent for photography and videography. Thus, she dedicated a separate Instagram account, @ehgmedia, to photos.

However, Hidalgo’s personal account, @elehid, shows a different perspective, one in which she is at the other end of the camera.

“One year ago I decided to go to a modeling agency and I decided I also liked to be in front of the camera,” Hidalgo said. “So, I started showing things I love, like fashion shows, make-up tutorials, and runway designs. My Instagram started growing very fast.”

Hidalgo currently has a following of over 3,200 people, earning her a “Public Figure” status on the popular social media platform. And, motivated by her social media successes, she was then inspired to create a YouTube channel, on which she aims to put out weekly videos.

“I’m going to try to do some videos in English,” Hidalgo said. “It’s a challenge to change over from my native language.”

Inspired by the school and its impact on her personal interests, Hidalgo wants other new students to know that, with an open mind, transitioning to a new environment can be easy.

“Do your life you do in your country. If you do football, get more involved with the football team,” Hidalgo explained. “If you like something do it and do not worry about the language because the people here are so nice.”