I am Alondra Sanchez. My mom is originally from Nicaragua, and my father is from Mexico. My mother was working on her college degree when she decided to move to the United States, while my father did not graduate high school. Thus, I am a first-generation student, and that is a significant part of my identity. Because of my parents’ experiences, they always emphasized the importance of education in our lives.

I was born in Las Vegas. I lived there for three or four years until the recession hit. Unable to keep our home, we had to move out. It was a difficult process because, as immigrants, my parents worked diligently to build it. We moved to Mexico, where my dad had family, and built a house there.

We lived on the border in Tijuana, near San Diego. During the weekends, we would cross to the United States for family trips. It was interesting for me to grow up seeing a clear contrast between the United States and Mexico. I also lived in Nicaragua for a few months with my grandma while my parents were working back in the States. Living in these areas made me appreciate the privileges of being born in the United States. We struggled, but my parents did everything they could to cover our needs. Sometimes, we had extra for our wants, too.

Growing up, I attended different schools in many places. I received my elementary education in Nicaragua and Mexico, while I finished my later years of schooling in the United States. Along the way, I had amazing educators who influenced me to be an educator as well. English was not my first language, but I learned in school. One of my greatest influences, my elementary school teacher, devoted her time to teach me English. She and I and a few of my classmates met early in the morning before class multiple times a week to learn. That teacher is one example of someone who helped me on my journey. I aspire to do the same as a future educator.

My parents worked hard to be able to provide for us in San Diego. My dad worked from six in the morning to six in the evening. My mother home-schooled me with an online program throughout high school. I loved it because my mom was my principal, teacher, and best friend. I was very lucky to have her as my teacher, especially because we could afford it at that point.

I came to Utah for college. At first, I was unsure about which school I wanted to go to. I began learning American Sign Language (ASL) in the ninth grade, and it continues to be my passion today, so I chose Utah Valley University (UVU) because they have an ASL program and a community that supported me. I declared myself an American Sign Language (ASL) and deaf studies education major, and I’m minoring in psychology with an emphasis in autism studies. UVU helped me fill out FAFSA forms and contracts for my apartment, and I was awarded the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) scholarship. As a first-generation student, the support was invaluable. Even during COVID, UVU staff were still helpful and responsive.

Looking back, I was lost in the early days of my journey at UVU, which fell in line with the pandemic. For work, I had to learn how to navigate an empty campus. It felt like I was always alone looking at the empty halls. Plus, I didn’t have a car and I had to figure out transportation. I took 17 credits my first semester, which was difficult for me. I cried a lot because I was in my own head, telling myself I had to be perfect. I was an overachiever. I felt guilty if I was not working on schoolwork. I was drowning beneath the coursework of so many credits and working 28 hours a week. Luckily, by being more patient with myself and understanding my limits, I started to slowly overcome this feeling.

Coming to UVU for the first time after the COVID shutdown was surreal. It was an out-of-body experience, going to places I used to study and comparing myself when I started  to who I am today. I have grown so much. It was difficult adapting to being alone during COVID and trying to navigate this world of higher education that was so foreign to me and my parents. Now I am blessed enough to have a car and to have classes with other students. Learning from them has been so enlightening.

Getting to meet and know peer students inspired and helped guide my journey at UVU. One name that comes to mind is Gage Marberger. I got to know him while I worked at Campus Connection. Gage was also involved in UVUSA for three years, and he sparked my interest to get involved in campus leadership. Then I met Taylor Johnson, who was the senator for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. I learned that he was a senator, honors ambassador, and a presidential intern. I wanted to be like him. Both Gage and Taylor are examples of people that influenced my desire to be more active at UVU through service on campus. It’s really nice to have student leaders that care and that I can look up to.

In February, when UVUSA applications were due, I applied to be the senator for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and I got the position. I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent students and amplify their voices. As a senator, my focus is to get student feedback and make sure students feel like they belong. My favorite part of being a senator so far has been getting to hear students through surveys and receiving their feedback first-hand.

After graduation, I plan to be an ASL teacher for students and children with language barriers. Communication is essential and learning ASL allows me to connect with more people. I love what UVU stands for because, despite a pandemic and my distance learning, I’ve always felt included here. I always knew I was a part of UVU. I love the culture and the options that exist for students. I appreciate that as a person of color, I haven’t felt tokenized but like a genuine member of the community.

My advice to other students is to go after opportunities that interest you, even if you feel unsure. If you feel underqualified, if you’re a part of a minority, know that there is a place for you here at UVU. Apply for the positions that you feel underqualified for, apply for the positions that you feel aren’t filled by people in your group to represent you. Be the person who is willing to represent your community.