Tell us about yourself.

My name is Adriana Aguilar, I am a senior at Saint Mary’s Catholic High School and I am a first-generation student from a mixed-status family. I was born and raised in Phoenix. My hobbies include painting, crocheting, sculpting clay figures, knitting, guitar playing, tennis, and going to the gym. I also enjoy going out with my friends to cute cafes and shopping for things that I don’t need.

How did you find out about Aliento?

I discovered Aliento my junior year of high school from a friend and my first event was a November open mic along with Education Day.

Why does the work we are doing matter to you?

The work that Aliento is doing matters deeply to me because I am passionate about advocating for the human dignity of life and eradicating barriers that prevent people from achieving success in their environment. I also aspire to cause change for undocumented people so that they can have access to fundamental resources such as education, healthcare, and occupational licenses/driver’s licenses.

What moments from the fellowship are you most proud of?

The moment of the fellowship that I am most proud of is making thousands of phone calls to inform registered voters about Prop 308 as well as knocking on thousands of doors to speak face to face to these people and also showing up to voting sites to inform everyone. It definitely took a lot of courage and perseverance to keep pushing forward and despite any setbacks, we experienced them together through solidarity.

How did Education Day impact you?

Education day caused a huge impact in my personal advocacy because I was able to meet with legislators and personify issues that tend to become systematically overlooked. It helped broaden my perspective on the approval process for bills and foster the passionate curiosity I have by directing it to advocating for these policies. Education day also helped me to become more civically engaged and it sparked an interest in politics which is what I will be majoring in next fall.

How would you describe this fellowship to someone who is looking to apply? What advice would you give them?

I would describe this fellowship as an amazing opportunity to improve the lives of many undocumented individuals. It paves the way for becoming a well-rounded citizen by actively participating in civic engagement and informing those in your community about policies that affect undocumented people. Aliento will truly foster one's potential for versatility in a way that challenges you and systematic opponents.

What’s next for you?

I will be attending Saint Louis University in the fall and majoring in Political Science and minoring in Catholic Studies. I also plan on joining the women’s tennis team at SLU.