Before she ever stepped foot on campus at Ensign College, Lorena Baird had a dream—literally. That dream led her from self-taught English lessons in Brazil to becoming a confident leader and mentor.
A Leap of Faith
Lorena's journey began during her mission, when she had a vivid dream of studying in the U.S. In the dream, she saw herself in Utah, telling her mom she was doing a bachelor’s degree. Even though she had already mapped out her education plans elsewhere after her mission, she chose to follow that spiritual prompting.
Persistence Pays Off
Despite not knowing English, Lorena began preparing to study in the United States. During her mission, she used the Book of Mormon and music to teach herself English. After returning home, she kept studying on her own. After five years of persistent effort, she reached the level of English proficiency needed to be admitted to Ensign College.
Even though she could speak English, she was not confident in her skills. “I was avoiding everything that was basically with English because I never felt sufficient of really doing something in English.” She recalls “It was already a miracle that I was here, but I had no idea what I was doing with my life.”
Facing Fear, Finding Confidence
Her first classroom presentation was a defining moment. “I felt I was going to pass out and that people were mocking me.” That experience led her to enroll in the Applied Presentation Skills class (BUS124), which became a turning point in her academic and personal journey.
In that class, she met Brother Brent Andrus, one of the many faculty members who became important in her growth. “Here at Ensign, I found support. People who believe in me. Even if I didn't believe in myself. Brother Andrus is one of them.” He invited her to participate in the business club, which is a student-led organization that helps students build leadership, communication and problem-solving skills through real-world competitions and events.
From Competitor to Campus Organizer
Lorena started at DECA, a competitive event where students are challenged to solve a business issue in just 60 minutes and present their solution to judges. Advancing to the second round at a national DECA competition gave her the confidence to keep going and stay involved.
As she gained confidence and won more competitions, she started helping other students in the business club, encouraging them to leave their comfort zone. Eventually, she was invited to serve as president of the Business Club. She organized events like the Entrepreneur Fair, which gave student business owners a platform to promote their ventures and grow their networks. And before she graduated, she was given the Service and Leadership Award for her work as business club president.
Faith at the Center
Faith has been central to Lorena’s journey at Ensign. Attending devotionals deepened her understanding of who she is and who she can become. She believes that "when you understand your divine potential and who you are as a child of God, you realize that being average isn’t your path. You were meant to go beyond.” This shift in her mindset and letting herself be taught by the Spirit during class helped her to make the most of the opportunities to grow her confidence.
Saying Yes to Growth
Lorena’s advice to any students who are hesitant to get involved in extracurricular activities on campus is to “trust in God and trust in yourself.” She adds, “We need to be the light of the world. The differentiators, the outliers. That takes faith, not just in Christ, but also in the divine potential within yourself.”
Looking back at her journey, Lorena is proud she never said no to opportunities. “I wasn’t just present in class; I made the most out of every opportunity.” If you are an Ensign student and looking for opportunities to experience growth, you will find all the student clubs available here.
Inspired by Lorena’s journey? Discover how Ensign College can help you grow in faith, confidence, and career skills. Contact our admissions team today and take the first step.