In the early morning glow, I rise,
Con los sueños cosidos en el centro de mi corazón.
A first generation, a daughter, a sister
Caring the weight of hopes, unspoken but vivid.
De manos de mis padres, raspadas
Manos usadas por la cosecha
Each wrinkle echoing a story of struggle,
De sacrificio
With a backpack heavy, yet lighter than air,
Navegó el campus con el susurros de duda
Where privilege dances, and fear hovers close,
Pero mi espíritu, inflexible, negándose de darse por vencido
Books spill, open like when flowers bloom,
Cada Classes, una llave, abriendo mi camino
Towards futures where echoes can speak my name.
Yo soy el puente, la voz de mis padres, Mis abuelos,
Una mujer de risas y lágrimas
With every challenge, I crave out my space,
Aquí estoy, en este lugar vibrante y lleno de oportunidad
With fire in my belly and stars in my eyes,
Una Latina de primera generación, feroz y orgullosa
Ready to rise, where the boundless sky lies.
In the quest for education, let justice be found,
Together we rise, where we all belong.
Empowered by stories, we walk hand in hand,
Transforming the struggle into a song.
Ivette Alonso Garcia
Biography: Ivette Alonso Garcia is a first-year student at Oregon State University-Honors College, from Hillsboro, Oregon, majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a focus in Aerospace Engineering. She is passionate about advocacy and elevating youth voices, building policies, and improving her leadership to better serve underrepresented communities. Ivette Alonso Garcia has participated in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Oregon Health Authority-Youth Advisory Council, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America-National Youth Council. Building policies and improving her leadership to better serve underrepresented communities. She was awarded Oregon title I-C Migrant Student of the Year(2022-2023) and could not have done it without mentors, teachers, and family.
Artist Statement: Coming from outstanding hard-working Mexican parents, they have taught me who I am and where I come from, teaching me the values of perseverance and never giving up no matter what situation I may be in. Both my parents came to the U.S. bringing us a better future, working under the sun in the fields, and also allowing me to live what berry pickers live. Throughout the ups and downs of the long road, I wouldn’t change a thing because it has made me the person that I am today. I am very proud of who I am and where my roots are from.
