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Author: montes.42
Year in Review
My first year at the Ohio State University has been a wonderful experience. Exactly one year ago, I was on campus visiting for Buckeye Bound. It was the day where I decided I wanted to become a Buckeye. I remember very clearly when I was walking on the Oval after my lunch break. My advisor told me try Bibibop and I was excited to report back to tell her that I loved it while figuring out what classes I could potentially take in the fall.
Right now, I am back at home because of COVID-19. I did not expect to have my first year cut short, but I am thankful to spend time with my family and reflect on my first year. I am very blessed to have been able to pursue higher education at Ohio State, grow as an individual through the experiences on campus, and develop significant relationships with others. I learned a lot about myself as leader especially being away from my home.
Undergraduate Student Government
G.O.A.L.S.
[ “G.O.A.L.S.” is a place where students write about how their planned, current, and future activities may fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.
- Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc.
- Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
- Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.
- Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.
- Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.]
Career
[“Career” is where you can collect information about your experiences and skills that will apply to your future career. Like your resume, this is information that will evolve over time and should be continually updated. For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]
Artifacts
I have been very blessed to have opportunities in my life that have advanced my personal growth within academics and social justice. Many organizations made me feel supported and pushed me to seek new experiences as a learner. I hope to continue the dynamics of perpetual learning by branching out on campus, using my strengths, and nurturing relationships.
Latinx Community & Personal Impact
One of the first leadership roles I gained within my community was through Proyecto Raices. Compassion was a driving force that empowered my commitment. Proyecto Raices, an educational and social program designed for Latinx students ages 4-14, was a wonderful journey that taught me the importance of giving back. I found out better ways to communicate with peers about lesson plans, bring enthusiasm to engage children, and think critically about my place in the world. My favorite part was doing crafts with the kids and dressing up as Santa to surprise them for Christmas.
Believe in a Kid From Akron
The LeBron James Family Foundation in Akron changed my life forever. Little Miss and the rest of team was crucial to my growth because I learned how to manage time between my academics and volunteering, give back to my hometown, and network with important people from the Foundation’s partnerships. In their 330 Ambassador program, I served in the I Promise School’s HR committee, led the Embassy Academic Room project, mentored high school and middle school students, and volunteered at the New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Charlotte All Star service trips, among several other duties. At the Summit for Kids, I was recognized as the 2018 Russ Pry Youth Award recipient by Judge Linda Teodosio. Little Miss, my greatest mentor from LJFF, was there and made me feel so happy that I had her in my life.
The Importance of Expression, Diversity, & Inclusion
When my teacher asked me if I wanted to enter the Congressional Art Competition, I immediately said yes. I never would have thought that my painting would make it in first place nor be recognized for artwork and take a picture with my district’s representative, Marcia Fudge. I felt like I belonged in that auditorium as she did her speech. We all came from different backgrounds, but we all had art join us together. Having expression, diversity, and inclusion is all important to me and having Representative Fudge was amazing to see in person.
Continuing Diversity & Inclusion on the Campus Level
I have found my home within the Diversity & Inclusion Committee in the Undergraduate Student Government during my first semester! I have learned a lot about leadership within a cohort that continually supports and empowers me. I have made many friends and am glad to call them my inspiration to work better. Our policy subcommittee has been working on a project to potentially make a LGBTQ Center on campus. We are currently the only Big 10 School that does not have one and as a queer student, think we could benefit from the establishment of one. The biggest takeaways from this group are that we have to be able to challenge ourselves and our institution by being honest and uncomfortable. I hope to share more about my journey as advocate through this outlet throughout this spring semester!
About Me
Hello! My name is Lourdes Montes, or Lulu for short. Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, I am happy to call Firestone Community Learning Center my alma mater. I am now a first year student at The Ohio State University studying social work. In high school, I was involved in soccer, the Student Coalition Against Violence, and volunteering with organizations such as Proyecto Raices and the LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF). Community service has been such a life changing force and my passion all started with a spark from a role model.
Little Miss from LJFF has been an active influence since the day I met her. Her positivity, work ethic, and ability to connect with others is unmatched. Little Miss and her colleagues are why I want to devote my career to helping others. Many can agree that endless amounts of majors help the people around, but social work has many opportunities to expand on issues that affect minoritized groups. After experiencing social justice reform within the Latinx community, I am interested in adding a second major in public affairs and possibly a minor in Spanish. My Mexican-American perspective is a difference I embrace and want it to play a role in my career. I plan to get my BSSW and MSW in the 4+1 Program and hopefully be in charge of my own non-profit one day. My ultimate dream is to specialize in the development of a greater network of resources for immigrants who hope to integrate, not assimilate, in the United States and abroad.
On campus, I am a part Mount Leadership Society and the Morrill Scholarship Program. In Mount, I am a proud member of the newly formed Social Change committee. In Morrill, I am in the Recruitment and Looking Forward team. These two organizations are my foundation on how I want to represent my leadership while empowering myself and those around me. In addition to that, I am a member of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee in USG and am excited to work with another group of ambitious students. In my free time, I enjoy dancing for folkloric festivals, reading novels by Sandra Cisneros, and traveling to new places. These following years at OSU, I hope to unveil the future one day at a time, grow close with people from all backgrounds and take the meaning of collaboration to the next level.