Growing up, I was always viewed as a person that didn’t like any type of socialization. I was portrayed as a quiet, nerdy, reserved individual that had very limited conversations with those around me. Unfortunately, the people that said this about me were wrong. In reality, if I were to describe myself to someone that doesn’t know me, I would tell them that I’m a very outgoing, laid back, intelligent, trustworthy, responsible, friendly, funny, outspoken, and social individual. I come from a very traditional nuclear Mexican family. The oldest of 5 siblings and the first in my family to come to college.
From the Southside of Chicago where you constantly hear airplanes pass your home. Carrying my parents pride and culture I walk campus everyday making them proud and showing them, and those that looked down on me, that I can make a difference in my family and society. I came to SIU to study what I love and desire to do with the rest of my life. I’m a double major in Psychology and Criminology and have a dream to work for the FBI. Some of my goals in life are to graduate and help my parents out with their debt and repay them for everything that they’ve done for me.
I want to fulfill my dream and work for the FBI. I want to have a family one day and give them a good living. My biggest goal is to make a difference in someone’s life because it will remind me that all my hard work paid off. Living majority of my life in a bi-racial (White and Hispanic) neighborhood, I feel like I have acquired these characteristics that can accurately describe how I behave around people and how they shaped my personality. It was pretty hard to make friends with those of a different race, cultural backgrounds, and customs.
I learned to become outgoing because I didn’t want to grow up without friends. I understood communicating and socializing with people that had common interest as I was the only way I could make friends. I learned to be intelligent because as a minority in the community I was perceived as someone who would not be able to achieve do to where my parents came from, I had to prove them wrong. I mastered being laid back because I refuse to lose sanity over a situation and prefer to stay calm and collected.
I grasped the concept of being responsible thanks to my parents, they taught me that if I don’t set life goals it will be hard for me to be happy. As well, my parents helped me understand that responsibility is something you build and not inherit. Thus, I always build relationships where I am friendly, loyal, and trustworthy because I can display my qualities that make me a good individual. As I moved on with my life, exhibited my ability to be outspoken. I learned that it’s encouraged to speak an individuals mind because it allows for others to grow and understand one another.
Coming to SIU, I never thought about joining Greek life because I had a negative perspective on it. I thought that this type of life wasn’t for me. My perspective changed when I met some of the talented, responsible, studious men of the organization, known as Phi Iota Alpha at SIU. I realized that this fraternity is a place where I belong. If I were to have honor to be accepted into this organization, I would hope to gain a range of leadership opportunities from events that are hosted.
I’m looking to gain a networking and academic support system where I can have someone to guide me when I am on the wrong path. Most importantly, if I were to join Phi Iota Alpha, I’m looking to get a family/brotherhood because I admire how they’re unified amongst themselves and demonstrate this unity on campus. This brotherhood would allow me to share my culture with those that understand where I come from and will help me learn about the Hispanic community associated with Greek life and the campus. Thank you for considering me as a candidate, I think I can be a great asset to Phi Iota Alpha.