‭For many, teenagehood is a time of uncertainty, self-discovery, and restless dreams—but that‬‭ instability is expected, even celebrated. For me, it mirrored a deeper, more unsettling reality.‬

Oselem recently graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences.

Giselle is a recent graduate of Mesa High School, where she was an active member of the Aliento @ Mesa club, as well as Link Crew, DECA, FBLA, and STEP.

My name is José Luis Avila III, and I recently graudated from Brophy College Preparatory. My passion for advocacy is deeply rooted in empathy for those around me and my family’s history of Latino activism in Arizona, stretching back to the Chicano Movement of the 1960s.

Hi, my name is Renata Herrera Marquez. I am a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and am roughly one minute younger than my twin sister/best friend, Regina Herrera Marquez.

My name is Fatima Villalpa, and I’m a senior at NFL Yet College Prep. I’m passionate about learning, growth, and giving back to my community.

Victor Mendez is a rising senior at Brophy College Preparatory, where he continues to grow as a student leader.

Karen Velazquez Muñoz (she/her/ella) graduated from Grand Canyon University in December of 2024.

Aliento se compromete a mantener a los estudiantes y las familias actualizados sobre lo último en educación e inmigración.

Aliento is committed to keeping students and families updated on the latest in education and immigration.

I know my dad’s debit card number by memory.

While I wish it was because he used to let me use to buy things I wanted, it’s because I have been in charge of making payments on his behalf since I could talk.

Noelia Flores is part of the Class of 2025 at Mountain View High School. She is the daughter of immigrants and the second oldest of six siblings born and raised in Mesa, AZ. She loves reading, volunteering in her community, and participating in her school's music program.

Regina Herrera Marquez is a junior at Mountain View High School graduating in 2025. As a daughter of a mixed-status family and a first-generation student, she is very active in my community through different clubs, organizations, and community service projects. She was born and raised in the US, but her parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico in hopes of pursuing the “American dream” and finding a better future. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, watching movies, and spending time with her friends and family.

Alexis Torres Castro is a first-generation college student at Arizona State University. He is the youngest son of Mexican immigrants. He was born and raised in South Phoenix. His parents are from Guanajuato, Mexico. He is the first in his family to go straight to university after graduating high school. He is currently a third year majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a double minor in Construction Management and Tourism Development and Management. He is the Vice President of his fraternity, Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Incorporated. He loves to listen to music, play video games, work out, and spend time with friends and family.

Vanessa Martinez Arredondo is a student at Mesa High, part of the class of 2025. She comes from a Mexican mother and a Guatemalan father and is the youngest child out of three. She is excited to state that she will be the first to attend college. Her hobbies include exercising, drawing/painting, cooking, baking, playing the piano, french horn, violin, viola, cleaning, and spending time with her friends and family!

Luis Reyes is a first-generation Mexican-American student at Arizona State University. He is studying Political Science and Justice Studies with a minor in Spanish. His mom is from Veracruz, Mexico, and came to the United States seeking better opportunities for myself and for my brother, who is deaf. When he is not attending different events and meetings or catching up on homework, he loves to spend time with friends making Carne Asada or staying home to watch movies and shows. 

Jose Morales graduated from Bioscience High School. His parents are from Durango and Juarez, Mexico. He was born and raised in Phoenix. His hobbies include playing golf and fishing.

Betsy Arcos Juan will be a senior at Mesa High and is part of the class of 2024! She's the youngest of four and her family immigrated from Veracruz, Mexico, in 1999. She was born and raised in Mesa and she loves playing the guitar, skating, drawing, reading, and baking.

Octavio Garcia Ramirez is a junior student at Arizona State University. He is part of a mixed-status family, and his mom is from Mexicali, Baja California. Some of the hobbies he enjoys are cooking, basketball, and walking. Octavio would like to continue promoting higher education in his community.