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MEChA at HTHCV

One of my biggest takeaways from interning at the UCSD office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion was understanding the importance of having a space dedicated to bringing together like minded students with similar experiences who can then work toward being agents of change in their communities. I found that I wanted this for my campus, so I have been inspired to be a part of a group of students who will create the first MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano/Chicana de Aztlan) at High Tech High Chula Vista.

MEChA at HTHCV would be a space for people of any background or experiences to pursue higher education, become community leaders, and simultaneously learn about Latina/o identities, culture, and history. This would be an amazing culture shift for our campus where currently the student body that is predominantly made up of Latina/os but this is not reflected in the traditional curriculum.

Historically, MEChA has advocated the belief that political involvement and education is the avenue for change in our society. At HTHCV we will promote these ideas through the subjects that we discuss in class and the activities that will take place during the year. Some of the activities that we foresee MEChA doing for its students would be history lectures, community volunteer work, and attending local university conferences aimed at high school Mechistas.

I am very excited to be a part of something so momentous and necessary at my school, and hope that by this time next year I will be a proud Mechista graduate.

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Junior Internship at UCSD

During the month of May 2018, I am working as an intern for Dr. Frances Contreras, who is an associate Vice Chancellor for the UCSD Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Along with basing my internship out of this office, I have had the opportunity to accompany Dr. Contreras to meetings regarding campus services like OASIS and Summer Bridge, and listen in on discussions about diversity and Latino faculty. I was also able to attend a lecture for one of her graduate courses in the department of Education Studies that was for future educators.

Honestly it is such an honor to be able to be helpful in these spaces with so many intellectuals and educators. I have become much more aware of what it is like to be an academic. I am especially interested in how many serious issues involving the campus are brought up during these meetings. As an academic you are not only expected to think critically about everything that is said, but also find possible solutions. This is different from what I have experienced in high school, were it is expected that educators generally follow preconceived notions about what is known and what is acceptable. In the spaces I have visited at UCSD, people are encouraged to think in innovative or completely new ways. This is what I have enjoyed most about my internship so far, and I really can’t wait to begin my own higher education and to build my own college community.

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San Diego Princeton Prize in Race Relations, 4th Annual Awards Ceremony

The 4th annual San Diego Princeton Prize in Race Relations Award Ceremony took place in Point Loma on May6, 2018. It was a beautiful sunny day in San Diego, a perfect addition to the wonderful honor of receiving this award. Only one week after my trip to Princeton University, I was one of four local San Diego students who were honored with the opportunity to attend a ceremony that was organized by the Princeton Prize Committee of San Diego. This event was especially for our families, Princeton Alumni, and local leaders such as the amazing keynote speaker, San Diego Superior Court Judge Sharon L. Kalemkiarian.

The program for the event shined a light on the amazing work we have done in our schools. It was amazing to have the work that I do be recognized and validated by local Princeton alumni, friends and family. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities that the alumni have provided me with with this award, and feel the need to personally thank the members of the selection committee of San Diego: Javier Hernandez (Chair), Marie-Line Allen, Bernardo Ferdman, Carol Hasson, Gabriela Kovats, Beverly Randez, Tony Rodriguez, and Mary Slattery Johnson. I also have to thank my parents, family and friends who attended an informal after-ceremony “tardeada” that included carne asada and my grandmother’s tamales.

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2018 National Student Walkout Against Gun Violence

The 2018 National Student Walkout Against Gun Violence was a call for all high schoolers in the nation to walk out of their classes on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine shooting, and demand that action be taken to end gun violence in the United States. I was one of the key organizers for the activities that took place across South San Diego. A committee of students representing at least six different high schools in Chula Vista and San Diego met every week from February to April 2018 to plan our events.

The walkout I participated in took place on August 20th, 2018 and at least 250 students from my school walked out of their classes at 10:00 am and marched to a local park. My responsibilities for the protest included organizing a student security team to make sure our protesters were safe during the entirety of the march, and to deliver a speech toward the end of the event. I also purchased waters for the students, and searched for megaphones to use during the march.