Aliento Features: Ruby Gonzalez Alvarado

Introduce yourself. 

Hello, My name is Ruby Gonzalez Alvarado, I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona and I am currently a Junior at The Academies at South Mountain. My Dad comes from Cuernavaca, Mexico and my Mom is from Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. I enjoy being involved in my community such as participating in clubs that seek higher education like Be A Leader, TRIO Upward Bound, and STEP Expedition Program. During my free time I enjoy playing sports: Basketball, Badminton, and Tennis. I also enjoy coding in my free time and love to create websites. 

Why does the work we are doing matter to you? Why is in-state tuition for everyone important?

I have an undocumented friend and I remember her in 8th grade when we were researching colleges that she was having a hard time because she was worried about the tuition as well as her not being able to go in the first place due to her status.  I wanted to give back and help other students who felt insecure about their future when pursuing higher education. My parents weren’t able to continue beyond high school. I didn’t want people to feel trapped in a box and give up on their dreams. In-state tuition for everyone is important because everyone should have the right to pursue education without any restrictions. Some students have the ability and want to get a degree but society prevents them from continuing. This lost potential is a loss to groundbreaking contributions.

What moments from the fellowship are you most proud of? What is something you learned from the fellowship?

The moment from the fellowship I’m most proud of is Education Day. I was so nervous about this day since it would be my first time talking to representatives as well as senators. I also was confused about the structure but the other fellows, Reyna, and Jose were always checking up on me and we all felt the same so I didn’t feel alone. I was able to share my story as well as lead my team, which was huge for me as the youngest member in the cohort. Something I learned from the fellowship was how to advocate for myself and others. Using my voice has always been a struggle, especially since I've always had a fear of public speaking. Aliento has taught me that to create change we must take the first step. To inspire others and make them believe we must believe in ourselves and what we stand for. There is no progress without risk.

How has the work we have done impacted you? 

The work we have done has impacted me by helping me connect to outside resources but also meeting people who have similar views to me. I was able to work with wonderful people and learn from them in many different ways. The work we have also done has involved me in my community and has taught me how to stay up to date on news which is something I haven't done in a long time. Being in the Aliento cohort has also allowed me to involve myself in my community and has really helped me develop leadership skills and taught me how to work with a team.

Would you recommend this fellowship? Why?

I would recommend this fellowship, especially to people who want to make a difference and build a strong community. This fellowship has taught me multiple lessons and has taught me a lot about leadership. I also feel confident when it comes to building and hosting school events. This fellowship was really fun and empowering. This fellowship has changed my perspective on life and has helped me build connections with very influential and hardworking people. If I could go back and apply for this fellowship again, I would go through it. I didn’t just gain friendships through this program but I gained a family.