Aliento Features: Regina Herrera Marquez

Tell us about yourself.

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

How did you find out about Aliento?

I was introduced to Aliento during my freshman year of high school as I tried to find a sense of community in my new environment. Hidalty Gonzalez, president of the Spanish Latino Club at Mountain View, was a fellow with Aliento at the time and encouraged me to attend E-day Training. My first impression of this organization was how inclusive, safe, and encouraging it felt to me and how empowered I felt once leaving. After that, I waited until my junior year to apply for this fellowship to continue attending Education Days and advocating for Mountain View students.

Why does the work we are doing matter to you?

The work that Aliento does for the people in the Latino community here in Arizona matters to me significantly because, as mentioned before, I will be the first person in my family to attend college. Pursuing a higher education has always been a priority for me and my family; Being presented the opportunity to take the first step towards success in this country motivates me everyday to make them proud. I am directly impacted by the work I do with Aliento because the people in my life know this country as their home- They grew up here. They only know this country. The ability to access in state-tuition and pursue a higher education has been difficult for many undocumented family members and friends in my life, many giving up on the idea of attending university completely. Although at times it seems impossible, I know that in time, we can live in a world where higher education is for all.  Much like my family hopes for a brighter future for their daughter, many others hope for that same opportunity for their children, and I will continue to advocate for them.

What moments from the fellowship are you most proud of?

Throughout this fellowship, I have learned how to formally talk to a state representative and be a better leader in my community. I have branched out and put myself through uncomfortable situations all of which have improved my ability to lead. Some examples of this are talking to state representatives at the Arizona State Capitol, leading groups of students, and advocating for the Latino community. I am proud of my peer, Noelia Flores, and I’s ability to hold events in school which have spread our culture to Mountain View students and staff despite setbacks and obstacles.

How did Education Day impact you?

I had attended Education Day for the past two years of high school, and this was the first year I led every meeting I attended. Nervous to speak to important leaders in my community, I braced myself for every possible reaction I could encounter, but as timid as I am, I put all my nerves aside as I began to realize I had the opportunity to create a little bit of change within the Latino community in Arizona. I am constantly impacted by the stories told by my peers and their backgrounds. I am constantly moved by the emotional and courageous acts many of them have had to experience like stepping into adult roles as kids because they had no other choice but to work for the sake of their families future in this country. From a mixed status family, I empathize with the fear that a family member might get pulled over one day with no driver’s license identification to show and the fear of never seeing our loved ones again. Each of our stories have panned out differently, yet we still have ended up in the same room, speaking on what's right. Speaking up is hard, but speaking up for the rights of others makes it easier.

What is a moment from the fellowship outside of E-day that really impacted you?

Through my first event of this fellowship, I encountered some setbacks in planning and executing but it all paid off after seeing how impacted the students from school felt after attending my arts and healing events, “Paint Your Future.” Students got together to take some time and think about everything they wanted to leave from their pasts and painted over it with a mural of their desired future. Many came up to me afterward and expressed how much they enjoyed the event and the ability to recognize just what they had been holding on to. That made the stress worth it. I am always proud to create a safe environment for the Latino community at Mountain View to be able to fully express themselves while exploring their way through high school.

How would you describe this fellowship to someone who is looking to apply?

I see completing the fellowship as a great opportunity for growth, getting out of your comfort zone and doing something for the community, and, at the same time meeting your community and realizing that you are not alone. There are more people who are going through a similar experience.

What’s next for you?

The next thing for me is to continue looking for growth and continue to host community events at Phoenix College. Next semester, I am hoping to plan a couple of events about mental health, because from my experience at my first Fellowship Arts & Healing Workship, some students go through a lot of stress. It is important to open up spaces to build community and take a step away from school and work stress.