This month I got to interview Alexandra Maldonado! She is a 10th grader at Albemarle High School as well as an active CJ Latinx Leadership Group member. From organizing a charity car wash to starting her high school Latinx Club, this young lady is showing Charlottesville that the Latinx youth of her generation are here to bring change to our community.
Karina: Could you state your name, age, where you are from and where you go to school?
Alexandra: My name is Alexandra Maldonado I am 16 years old and I was born in Michoacán Mexico. I am in my second year of high school at Albemarle high school.
K: Could you tell us a little bit about the Latinx Club you helped start at AHS. What was the motivation and how did you form?
A: This year I wanted to start a club at my school where Latinx students could feel safe and not be afraid to speak their mind, so a couple of teachers helped me out to achieve this goal and that’s how we formed AHS Latinx club.
K: What are some future events or plans for the club?
A: At the moment we are working on a fundraising event to collect money to be able to buy our shirts. My future plan is the expand this club throughout the school in the country and city.
K: What are some other goals you have?
A: My goal is to be able to help out struggling Latinx members and be able to make a career out of it.
K: What do you love about being in Latinx Club? And what message would you like to share with other Latinx people your age?
A: The reason I like to be a Latinx member is because I feel free to express myself and not feel judged or discriminated. My whole life I’ve felt like I was left out for coming from a different country, that right now has a lot of controversial issues because of political rumors that have spread and I want to show people that we aren’t criminals but instead good honorable people. I want everyone in the Latinx community to be free and stop being scared.
K: Lastly, what is your favorite thing to do in Charlottesville?
A: My favorite thing to do in C’ville is go to Carter’s mountain. It has a view and a good vibe it brings. It’s peaceful.
By Karina A. Monroy
Click here to read October 2018 Newsletter.