De La Rosa, the last name separated by deportation and death. My Parents sacrificed and immigrated to chase the American dream of prosperity, which to me meant becoming a veterinarian and achieving prosperity through higher education.
These circumstances prompted me to participate in a number of programs provided in South Tucson, one of which being Linking South West Heritage Through Archeology (LSWHTA). My engagement and upbringing shifted my emphasis from pursuing my childhood desire of being a veterinarian to returning the role of a parental figure that educators performed in students without one. Increasing my ambitions to attend a liberal arts university.
My information gained through LSWHTA was intended to increase my interest in the STEM field. However, via LSWHTA, I was given the ability to study and obtain information about my deeper ancestral ties, as well as link to Arizona's unwritten history. Most significantly, through LSWHTA, I was able to establish an emotional concept of what home means to me.
With LSWHTA, I established a strong sense of community through a variety of activities such as collaborative work to gain a deeper and emotional knowledge of not just your passions and interests, but also your colleagues. LSHWTA eventually brought me through my original objective of expanding my STEM interests by creating a path to a Zoo-archeology interests, a career connected with my interest in Animal Sciences.
Although LSWHTA provided more opportunities in the STEM realm, the program ultimately strengthened my desire to become an educator within my community. The LSWHTA staff assisted students on their journey of self-discovery. Developing diversity and credibility among all program participants. LSWHTA educators instill emotional care in students through modest gestures such as discussions or rides for students who do not have one.
LSWHTA has helped build and reinforce both hopes and aspirations, guiding me one step closer to my parents' values and sacrifices towards the American dream, whether my profession involves my presence in Zoo-Archeology or an educator in my community.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone involved in the LSWHTA community for providing a safe and academic stimulating space.
To learn more about Linking South West Heritage through Archeology, visit https://swheritage.arizona.edu