Aliento Features: Arianna Gortarez
My name is Arianna Gortarez, and I am a proud first-generation Mexican-American. I am currently a Senior at Mountain Pointe High School, and in my free time, I enjoy watching documentaries, figure skating, listening to music, and hanging out with friends and family.
As a first-generation American, I have always carried the resilience and strength of my grandparents and my mother, who immigrated to the United States almost fifty years ago. Like many other stories, my grandparents immigrated to the United States to pursue the American Dream. I often think about the sacrifices they made to build a better future, not only for their children but for future generations of our family. The thought of leaving behind their parents, their country, and everything they’ve ever known to pursue their dreams has been the root of my identity.
Over the past two years, I’ve seen unprecedented attacks against the immigrant community. I was overflowing with anger and frustration. It was beyond me that people could paint such horrible misconceptions about a community filled with hard workers and dreamers.
During this time, I felt so discouraged and hopeless as immigration enforcement was beginning to ramp up in our communities across the United States. As I was scrolling through Instagram, I saw a post for the Youth Organizing Institute (YOI), and I attended the two-day-long event, which covered immigration history, policy, and organizing principles. This event reignited my hope and inspired me to apply for the Arizona's Future Fellowship.
Once I was accepted into the fellowship, I was filled with excitement and determination. I was ready to begin organizing and making a change within my community. However, I was also extremely nervous and anxious because I felt I did not possess the right skills to succeed. But, as soon as I began attending cohort meetings and 1:1s with Aliento staff, I was reassured that it was okay not to be perfect at those skills and that it was an opportunity to learn. With the support of Aliento staff and my fellow fellows, I was able to step out of my comfort zone and begin growing my leadership skills.
During my time as a fellow, I’ve been given the opportunity to participate in Aliento events and organize events on my school campus. One of the events that gave me such an amazing opportunity to learn and grow was Education Day. E-day was filled with many challenges, but ultimately, I was able to adapt to these changes and work with them to make Education Day a meaningful experience for myself and my peers. I was very proud of myself for adapting and maintaining flexibility, and during E-day, I felt empowered to facilitate meetings with lawmakers.
Arizona’s Future Fellowship has changed my life. I’ve met so many incredible people, learned many lessons, and, most importantly, gained a deeper understanding of my community. This fellowship has equipped me with skills that I will take with me as I enter my adulthood and continue pursuing my education at Arizona State University in the fall. I’m extremely grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been given throughout this fellowship, and I encourage those interested in this fellowship to carry an open mind and heart. Leadership isn’t a one-person job, it takes a team.
