Aliento Features: Marisol Castro
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Marisol Castro, I graduated GCU in December 2023 with my Bachelor’s degree in Government with an emphasis in Legal Studies and minor in Business Management. I enjoy going on early morning hikes, visiting coffee shops around the valley, only doing legs at the gym, practicing nail care, and caring for my plants.
How did you find out about Aliento?
I heard about the Arizona’s Future Fellowship the summer before starting my final year of college. I connected with an Aliento intern to talk about what the path to law school looks like for someone in our circumstances. After hearing about my concerns regarding whether law school was a viable option for me, she suggested I apply to the fellowship to get hands-on experience in organizing and leading individuals to fight for issues that are important to our community. Ten months later, I am approaching the end of the fellowship and can already see growth I have made, not only in determining where my career path might take me but also in finding my voice and using it to make change in my local community.
My first meeting was the Fellowship onboarding in September 2023 where I met most of the staff and the fellows. The first Aliento event I attended was the “Que es Latinidad?” Open Mic in October that year. It was an amazing experience to see so many people from my local community come together and connect by sharing art and stories. Despite many of the people who attended being strangers to me, it was one of the first times I felt my experiences as a Latina woman validated. I felt seen and supported.
Why does the work we are doing matter to you?
Driver’s licenses for all is a significant policy priority to me because it provides the mental security we need among our students, parents and loved ones. Our community would benefit from having more skilled drivers on the roads and it will provide peace of mind for all.
What moments from the fellowship are you most proud of?
I have learned that it is important to be authentic. There is one you so it is important to share your story because it could serve as support for others facing similar challenges. Through this fellowship, I learned how to speak up for myself and others. As a member of the Latino community, we are often overlooked and marginalized. I want to be a resource for those who feel that way to show them they matter and that their voice is stronger than they know.
I have learned about the power of advocating, especially as an impacted member of my community. Recently, I hosted an event educating students about the importance of driver’s licenses for all in which one of the activities included writing a postcard to Governor Hobbs explaining why this is significant to us. All the students in attendance created their own and were excited to know our governor would be reading their cards showing support for the issue. If this is a policy we see in the upcoming legislative sessions, it will be rewarding to know how each of these small efforts contributed to a bigger cause.
How did Education Day impact you?
Through E-Day I witnessed the power of community and the determination of our future generation. Before E-Day, I did not believe I could tell my story of self to a single peer, let alone a lawmaker. Now, I have attended over a dozen meetings with different legislators and feel confident in my ability to advocate for those whose stories do not get shared.
What is a moment from the fellowship outside of E-day that really impacted you?
During the fellowship, I attended a youth group as a guest speaker to share my experiences along with the work I have done at Aliento with a group of students ranging from high school to college. I felt empowered by their courage to learn about what it takes to advocate for a community. Their questions made me feel heard and valued. It has served as a reminder for me that even when I do not feel like I am moving forward, when change is not evident, there are people who will recognize it and that has pushed me to continue working towards my goals.
How would you describe this fellowship to someone who is looking to apply?
APPLY! The time might not feel right, the circumstances might be challenging, but you don’t know what you don’t know. Whenever you have the chance to invest in yourself and your skills, take it. This fellowship is an amazing opportunity to do so.
What’s next for you?
As I navigate the process of applying for law school, I plan to continue working with Aliento by volunteering for Education Days, attending community events, and supporting measures that will benefit us all. Although my time in the fellowship is almost over, my drive to make a change will carry on.
