Our Aliento Fellows graduate from the program!
Last week, our first cohort of fellows graduated from our inaugural Aliento Fellowship program!
In August of 2018, we selected 5 individuals from 5 different schools across the valley to be part of the Aliento Fellowship 2018. Each brought with them their own unique experiences and skills!
Through the fellowship, they were given leadership development, organizing trainings, and provided the tools so that each fellow could become leaders in their own schools/communities. We provided a stipend for them to truly be invested in their leadership without the worry of getting a part time job.
The fellows were plugged into the Arizona’s Future, an awareness campaign for tuition equity for all Arizona high school graduates regardless of immigration status. They each formed together and lead their own organizing teams within their schools!
The fellows grew so much from when they first started, it was a great pleasure to work along side them! Read a little bit about them below!
German is a DACA recipient and a recent graduate from Bioscience Highschool. At his school, he was heavily involved with Dragon Robotics 2375 team. The Dragon Robotics mostly consists of students of hispanic backgrounds. They teach students many skills from engineering to how to be professional and friendly in a competitive environment, they also mentored 6 elementary school robotics teams around Phoenix, to help give back to schools which may not have access to resources.
German will be going to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on a full ride scholarship! He will be heading there this Fall!
Maria is a DACA recipient and is a recent graduate from Paradise Valley Community College, graduating with an Associate Degree in Science! At PVCC, Maria helped create the Aliento @ PVCC. Along with the PVCC student body, she helped pass a resolution to support undocumented and DACA students!
Saul is a DACA recipient and is a recent graduate from Brophy College Preparatory. At his school, Saul was part of the Advocacy Club, which consists of students from Brophy and Xavier College Prep. The Advocacy Club created the Dream On Campaign at Brophy, which educated allies on how to be better advocates for their DACAmented classmates.
He will be interning with a law firm during the Summer in Phoenix. Then he will be heading to Los Angeles where he will be attending Loyola Marymount University!
Angelica is a Senior at ASU, double majoring in Political Science and Transborder Studies with a certificate in Civic Education. At ASU, Angélica helped create Aliento @ ASU and served as President for the spring 2019 semester! Aliento @ ASU is a student organization invested in the leadership development + healing of undocumented, DACA, mixed-status students and ally engagement @ ASU's Tempe campus.
She will be going to Washington DC this Fall to be a Legislative Intern with CHCI.
Ivette is a recent graduate from Westwood High School. At her school, she served as president of the Latinx Club and Vice President for the AVID Club. She was awarded the “Harold Crenshaw Unity Award” this year for demonstrating unity, diversity and leadership in campus. She was also named a Wood Scholar!
Ivette was recognized as an outstanding student during her graduation and will be attending ASU this fall. She will be double majoring in Political Science and Transborder Studies.
Thank you German, Maria, Saul, Angelica, and Ivette for trusting in Aliento throughout the fellowship. We are so proud every single one of you.
Our next fellowship cohort is around the corner, you can help us fund our next Aliento Fellowship!
Click here to donate $5, $10, $25 to support our next fellowship cohort!