And just like that, college is over. These past four years have definitely been a rollercoaster ride, and it’s coming to an end. Juggling school work, extracurriculars, jobs, internships, and a pandemic has not been easy. However, the support of so many people at Monmouth has guided me to this exact moment.
I walked into Monmouth University back in 2018 as a shy person afraid of speaking her mind. However, that’s not me anymore. College is supposed to be a time of growth and development. I did exactly that. I took advantage of every opportunity I was provided and became a more assertive and confident person.
The Outlook proved itself to be a place for growth, learning, and support. I regret not joining since my freshman year, but I guess I have to thank the pandemic for pushing me to explore a new side of me that I thought I dreaded: Writing.
In September 2020, I challenged myself to do something about it. I reached out to the then Editor-in-Chief and Features Editor, Melissa Badamo, about writing for The Outlook. She got me all set up and I requested to write my first story about Hispanic Heritage Month. She agreed, and now came the part where I had to reach out and talk to different members of the Monmouth community.
I’ve always disliked cold emailing people because I thought I was bothering them, so when I had to do that for The Outlook, I was definitely nervous. However, the deadline that I was facing— plus my desire to share a little bit more about the Hispanic culture—led me to reach out to my sources. Every student and faculty member I spoke to was kind and willing to provide their perspective for the piece.
The actual writing part was no easy feat either, as I experienced writer’s block the countless times I tried to sit down and write it. Somehow I was able to put something together, and much to my surprise it made the front page of that issue.
From that moment on, I knew that I could do this. I began to write articles every week, trying to perfect my craft with every issue. Fast forward to April 2021, I was offered the Features Editor position and I could not believe it. They were trusting me to take on such an important role, and I could not thank Melissa enough for believing in my ability as a journalist.
During my time at the award-winning Spanish language radio program called Nuestros Sonidos Latinos, which airs on WMCX, I learned that my voice is the most powerful tool I have. I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to go live on the air every single week, and share with the Monmouth community about the Latino culture and what it has to offer.
I want to thank Professor Frank Cipriani for pushing me to speak at the first show I attended back in 2018. Since that day, he has become my fearless supporter who is always wishing the best for me. He always seems to find something funny and out of the blue to help make each show fun, and provided me with some of the best tips to help me become a better radio personality. Thank you Professor Cipriani, for believing that this girl can become a reporter one day. My radio family will always be with me wherever I go. Familia por siempre!
Another huge part of my college career is my Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) family. I literally would not be at Monmouth if it weren’t for them. They provided me with the financial, emotional, and academic support I needed in order to survive college. As a first-generation college student, applying to college was not a given as I didn’t have anyone to guide me through the process.
EOF has provided me with that sense of family and support I needed to help me be one step closer to my goal. Throughout these four years, they have become a vital piece to my growth and development. Thank you to every single EOF staff and student I had the opportunity to interact with. I would not be weeks away from receiving my college degree without your help, so just know that you helped make that dream come true.
Thank you to the department of World Languages and Cultures for always being there to support me and finding different ways to help me succeed. Thank you to Professor Gac-Artigas for always seeing my worth and believing that my work can help make a difference in this world.
Thank you to my friends (you know who you are) for making Monmouth feel like a home away from home. Whenever I needed them the most, they would always be there. Just know that my college experience would not have been the same if I didn’t have each and every one of you by my side.
I could not end this goodbye without saying thank you to the woman who inspires me to continue to work hard every single day: my mom. She was sad she would not be seeing me every single day when I went off to college, but she knew that I had to go in order to get an undergraduate education—something she never got to do. It is my goal to make my mom proud and honor all the sacrifices she made so I can have a shot at living the American dream. Gracias, Mami, for supporting me throughout these four years and for being the role model I need in this life.
There are so many other people I have encountered in these past four years, but can’t fit them all here or else you’d be reading this for a while. Just know that if it weren’t for them, I would not be about to throw my graduation cap in the air.
I’m proud of all the things I have accomplished. Although the pandemic took almost a year of my time, it didn’t stop me from making the most of my college experience. I leave Monmouth with more than three internships under my belt, more than 20 articles written for The Outlook, two awards for my Spanish language radio show, presenting a Hawk Talk during Scholarship week, and so much more.
However, what I am most proud of is the person I have become. Throughout these past four years, I learned that my voice matters, and to not be afraid to speak up. We all deserve to be heard, and it’s up to us to use our voices to make a difference not only at Monmouth, but the world.
Saying goodbye is hard, but it’s time to spread my wings and fly! Pa’lante siempre!