NMSHSA: Mile 3

This is what we trained for! Every time you see a hill, you smile and keep your head up! said
Delia
On mile 2 many hills were encountered and on mile 3 I came across the monster. Two weeks ago
I was given a tour at the Capitol, right before the 4th of July. My 4th of July was spent with the
other interns and Delia. We went to a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Alumni
BBQ and I reunited with Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) scholars from a previous conference.
Seeing these scholars here made me realize that coming back to D.C. was a possibility. From that
day on I made it my goal to comeback and work in Washington D.C. for next summer.
I also remember asking my
supervisor Maddie if there
was anything I could work
on since we had an
extended weekend for the
4th of July and her advice
was to write a blog about
my 4th of July experience
in D.C. My approach to
this blog was to think about
how 4th of July gets framed
as the height of patriotism
and the really un-American
living conditions many
farmworkers have to face
on a daily basis. The work
I am now doing at
Farmworker Justice
revolves around the
Agricultural Worker
Program Act 2017 that
would create a pathway to
citizenship for
undocumented
farmworkers. In addition,
we are also advocating for
stricter regulations around
the H-2A program so that
guest workers are treated
fairly. A big takeaway from these past couple of weeks has been going to the Hill to advocate for
programs that would protect farmworkers and sharing my personal story with staffers.
Aside from the amazing work I have done with Farmworker Justice, I went to New York for the
first time! New York presented new opportunities; I met fellow Gates Scholars at a brunch,
explored Times Square, enjoyed the view of the Empire State Building, etc. However, my
biggest takeaway of this trip was going to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum
which was unreal. Being there in person made me realize the magnitude of the situation and how
chaotic that day mustve been. Going through this memorial was its own hill because I was
emotionally invested realizing how terrifying it was for people in the buildings who had to
decide on jumping. Everyone in either tower had a story of their own and now looking at the
future I want to showcase stories so that people will always be remembered. Another great
experience in New York was talking to Robert. Robert and I talked about building community
and the project he wants to work on is very creative and has encouraged me to think outside the
box and be innovative with community engagement which I hope to take back to Oregon.

Towards the end of Mile 3, I attended a networking event where I could put into practice the
advice that Delia gave me prior to attending and connected with 2 individuals who are passionate
about health. Networking is seen in many ways and I am slowly but surely learning how to
network. Mile 3 is wrapping up but I still have a bit more to go! I look forward to seeing my
family and friends but for right now I need to stay focused on this race and do the best I can to
set a personal record.