Aliento Features: Jose Morales

Tell us about yourself.

Hi, my name is Jose Morales; I am a senior at Bioscience High School and a 2022-2023 fellow for Aliento. My parents were born in Durango and Juarez, Mexico. I was born and raised in Phoenix. Hobbies I enjoy are playing golf and fishing.

How did you find out about Aliento?

I found out about Aliento through a previous fellow who was involved and had interventions at Bioscience High School. She then persuaded me to apply for the program as she believed I would have been a good candidate. Once I was accepted as a fellow and had my first meeting, I fell in love with the organization and felt motivated to improve my leadership skills.

What moments from the fellowship are you most proud of?

I was most proud of the moments when I had a leadership role or was asked to be put in a situation like that. This pushed me past my limits, but I was also supported by preparing beforehand, and that is what made me the most proud.

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

Another moment I'm most proud of outside of E-Day would be all the canvasing we all did. The hours in preparing and going out with groups of people in the rain and heat to reach out and motivate people not just to vote but advocate for Prop 308 is something memorable.

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

The fellowship is a journey of self-improvement and dedication. You sometimes get pushed outside your comfort zone for the better and learn to advocate for yourself. For future fellows, the advice I would give is don't be scared; all of the Aliento team will always be there for you no matter what. They are the ones to train you for the moments you go through the fellowship.