Aliento Features: Joaquin Vera
My name is Joaquin, and I recently graduated from Camelback High School. While at Camelback, I played baseball and served as Student Body Secretary and Treasurer as part of the Student Government. Outside of school, I’m also a dedicated artist and have been creating music for several years.
Growing up in Phoenix, I was deeply involved in my community and surrounded by family members, including those directly impacted by immigration. I also spent two years living in Washington, D.C. with my mom, which gave me a broader and more diverse perspective on the world around me.
I learned about Aliento through one of my close friends, Asareli, a 2023-2024 fellow, who invited me to multiple E-Days. What stood out to me was the sense of community and the space Aliento provided. During those E-Days, I felt that our work was genuinely valued, and there was always room for everyone to share their experiences without judgment. In those meetings, I felt a deep sense of pride in having the opportunity to speak with individuals driving change in our community and to collaborate with others in creating more spaces for impact. Looking back, the impression Aliento left on me has only continued to live up to and even exceed my expectations.
The work we do is deeply important to me because of the many people I care about who are directly impacted. Although I am not undocumented or a DACA recipient myself, many of my close and extended family members fall into these categories. Spending time with them gave me a sense of sorrow as I witnessed the hardships they face, from constant anxiety to even the inability to drive. It became clear how many disadvantages they are forced to endure.
When I moved back to Phoenix during my junior year of high school, I grew close to several peers in Student Government who were also directly impacted or part of mixed-status families. For a long time, I believed change in these situations was out of reach. But learning about Aliento sparked something in me; it helped me realize that change is not only possible, but already happening.
Within the fellowship, I’m most proud of the time I spent supporting the Aliento Votes campaign. During such a tense and high-stakes election season, I felt I had the opportunity to truly make an impact on an issue that mattered. Our work informing voters about Prop 314 was incredibly rewarding, especially when we saw the shift in the numbers. Hearing José Patiño share the contrast between projected polls and actual outcomes made me realize the power of even a single conversation.
Looking back, while the election results may not have been what we hoped for, I never once regretted the countless hours I spent canvassing and phone banking.
Outside of my time knocking on doors and calling voters, one of the most impactful moments for me was E-Day and the opportunity to bring my peers along. As a member of Student Government, I’ve been able to build deep and meaningful relationships with those around me, especially after stepping up this school year to serve as a Student Body member.
Although the issues we address can be complex and difficult to discuss, I’ve worked hard to show that there is space for change and for meaningful conversations with the people who shape our daily lives. Watching these incredible leaders feel comfortable, step into the moment, and blossom through the experience filled me with an indescribable sense of pride.
To anyone considering becoming an Arizona’s Future Fellow, I would describe the journey as one that truly teaches accountability and how to trust yourself when leading others in high-stakes environments. In my case, I was surprised by the moments where I had to quickly assess a situation and guide a large group of people looking to me for direction, whether it was knocking on doors or speaking to legislators. Even in those moments, I knew I had the resources and knowledge to take initiative and help others grow into stronger leaders themselves.
There’s no denying that being part of this fellowship adds to your workload. However, in the end, the time and effort are more than worth it for the skills, knowledge, and confidence you gain. The fellowship’s greatest impact is its leadership development—equipping you with the skills, mindset, and confidence to lead effectively in any environment.
For me, what’s next is finding my footing and discovering what I want in my adult life. I’ll be attending community college and splitting the rent of an apartment with roommates, working toward success while learning how to maintain stability. I plan to major in Software Engineering and one day hope to create my own music programs and VSTs. After spending some time in this environment, I aim to transfer to a four-year university and eventually move out of Arizona to explore what the rest of the world has to offer. Still, as long as I’m here in Phoenix, I don’t see my work with Aliento ending any time soon.
