El Mensajero (English)

PENFIELD -- Brandy Soublet is a warrior.

But the Our Lady of Mercy High School graduate didn't even consider a career in the military until she overheard a conversation a friend was having early on in high school, and the seed was planted.

ROCHESTER -- Emeterio "Pete" Otero can identify with high-school dropouts who feel isolated, disengaged or bored even though they possess the smarts -- as he said he did -- to reach academic success.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the final story in a two-part series.

ROCHESTER -- Marisol Ramos-Lopez was 19 when she finally revealed to her mother that she had been sexually abused as a child.

ROCHESTER -- Sometimes, all it takes is a certain smell. That's when Marisol Ramos-Lopez is transported to a moment in time during her childhood when she was sexually abused by her uncle. Ramos-Lopez endured years of this abuse in silence -- keeping the secret because of his constant threats that she would not be believed; that she would bring shame to her family.

ROCHESTER -- His body arched gracefully toward the dance floor as he spun slowly on one leg.

BRIGHTON -- Sergio Chávez and Jorge Ramírez may have taken different paths, but both Colombian natives are embarking on the next step to become priests serving the Rochester Diocese.