In the fall of my first year, I went to the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS) general interest meeting (GIM) and immediately felt excited about joining the club. I remember standing in the crowded living room of the Latinx Center thinking about how much I wanted to be part of something that felt this genuine and community-centered. This feeling led me to apply to be on the ALAS Executive Board. To this day, one of the best decisions I have made at Tufts was applying to be one of ALAS’s Freshmen Representatives. That choice opened the door to some of my closest friendships and helped me find a space on campus that truly feels like home.
Before I even joined the E-board, what drew me to ALAS was its purpose. The Association of Latin American Students is a student-run organization that began in 1989 to bring together students who are part of, or simply interested in, the Latinx community at Tufts and Latinx culture in general. ALAS aims to support the needs of Latinx students on campus and to create a space for community, culture, and meaningful conversations about the issues our community faces. Knowing that there was a club dedicated to uplifting Latinx students and creating a home on campus made me want to be part of it even more.
Being Freshman Rep was one of the most meaningful parts of my first year. I worked closely with the other Freshman Rep, and during our Spring semester we jumped right into planning a Telenovela Culture Show. We spent so much time brainstorming, organizing, and figuring things out together. The process brought us closer and made me feel like I had found people who were not just teammates but real friends. On the night of the Culture Show, watching everyone laugh, perform, and enjoy something we created together made me so proud. It showed me how powerful it is to build community with people who care as much as you do.
This year I stepped into the Public Relations role, which already feels like a natural extension of everything I loved about being in ALAS. I get to work with friends who motivate me and who make the club feel like a family. As Public Relations, I manage our club's Instagram Account (@tuftsalas) and make the graphics for our events. One moment that meant a lot to me was planning FLAN Night with PSU. It felt extra special because one of the PSU co-presidents is my first-year roommate. We have come a long way since our first night in the dorms, and collaborating on an event like that made me realize how much we have grown together. It reminded me that student organizations are not just about planning events, they are about the friendships that shape your college experience.
Being part of the E-board has made my time at Tufts so much richer. The bonds I have formed with everyone are honestly one of the biggest reasons I stay involved. Whether it be through our chats during E-board meetings, carving our annual ALAS pumpkin, planning our E-board bondings, or celebrating each other at birthday parties, I always feel surrounded by people who are kind, supportive, and genuinely fun to be around. These moments, big and small, have turned the E-board into a group of friends I trust and care about.
Being involved in clubs and organizations at Tufts has shown me that the ideas we bring up during casual conversations or random brainstorms can actually turn into real events. ALAS has given me friendships and experiences that feel meaningful, and it has shown me what is possible when you work with people who care deeply about community. ALAS has given me more than leadership experience. The club has shown me what it looks like to build community through laughter, long meetings, shared stress, and shared pride. When I think about my time at Tufts, so many of my favorite memories come from moments with this E-board, whether we are working hard or simply hanging out.