During the summer of 2024, CCE鈥檚 Communications Assistant, Juliana Montes, returned to her hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, following her junior year at the University of Rochester. Rather than spending her break just relaxing and putting school on hold, she dedicated her time to helping high school students start considering their futures in higher education. We asked her to tell us more about this and the impact it had on both her and the students she connected with in her local community. Here鈥檚 what Juliana shared with us:
“This summer, I decided to dedicate my time to giving back to my community in Arizona by volunteering and interning with the AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute. AGUILA is a pre-college program that supports students鈥攑rimarily from minority communities鈥攊n navigating the college application process and preparing for success in high school. This organization was instrumental in my own journey; it鈥檚 how I discovered the University of Rochester and found the motivation to apply, ultimately securing financial aid. I wanted to help more students like me find the guidance they needed.
Becoming an RA and Mentoring Future College Students
My most rewarding experience this summer was volunteering as a Resident Advisor (RA) for AGUILA’s Summer Symposium at Northern Arizona University. For three days, I had the incredible opportunity to mentor ten high school senior girls while they got a taste of college dorm life. As someone who was once in their shoes, navigating the challenges of college preparation and figuring out the future, I could connect with them on a deeper level. Many of the girls were nervous about college and carried the weight of generational trauma. I noticed that having someone who looked like them who shared similar experiences and faced the same uncertainties made a huge impact in their experience during the symposium.
Throughout those three days, I did my best to answer their questions about college and encouraged them to consider what they need to think about before choosing a college. I shared my own story and struggles, showing them that it’s possible to overcome obstacles and succeed. It was amazing to see them open up, trust me with their vulnerabilities, and feel a sense of hope. We鈥檝e stayed in touch since, and I鈥檓 grateful to have built lasting connections with these bright young women. They ended up being one of the last people I saw before leaving Arizona to finish my final year of college, and their heartfelt hugs and words of encouragement for my senior year still warm my heart whenever I think about them.
Continuing My Involvement as an Intern
After the Summer Symposium, I felt a strong desire to continue supporting AGUILA. I reached out to Mrs. H鈥攌nown fondly as Momma H鈥攖o ask how I could be more involved. This led to an internship with the institute for the rest of the summer! Since I have graphic design skills, one of my main tasks was helping them create digital content to spread the word about future events. I designed several website pages, organized materials for upcoming events, and even helped them move into their new office space. Additionally, I tabled at nearby high schools to encourage more students to join AGUILA and supported another event for high school students and their parents from across the Valley of Arizona.
This summer, I not only had the chance to give back to an organization that has greatly impacted my life, but I also got to be part of helping other students find their paths and pursue their dreams. It was an incredibly fulfilling experience, and I鈥檓 excited to continue supporting my community in any way I can, which is exactly what finishing my degree will do!”