Let’s zoom into the bustling hive of activity that is ACC (let’s throw some props to our extracurricular buffet: from frisbee to D&D, there’s something for everyone). But hold up, there’s a star player in this club constellation: the Affinity groups, baby! Led by students, for students, these safe spaces are like treasure troves of belonging.
But why are these sanctuaries so darn important? Well, let me tell you a little tale about Latinas Leading Tomorrow. Picture me, a fresh-faced freshman, waltzing into my first LLT meet-up. Instantly, it felt like home. We swapped stories like trading cards, and instead of awkward silences, we found uproarious laughter and “me too” moments. And oh, the joy of speaking my native tongue without feeling like a rusty linguist! Mama always said my Spanish needed a little polish.
Latinas Leading Tomorrow (LLT) is a powerhouse nonprofit born in the heart of Arlington back in 2004. It all started with a spark from some Wakefield High School Latina students, fueled by their counselor, the legendary Madeline LaSalle. Together, they crafted an after-school haven aimed at lifting up first-generation Latinas, fueling their college dreams like rocket fuel! From the get-go, LLT set its sights on linking these young chicas with pros from all walks of life, especially our Latina/o trailblazers, across every career map. These connections weren’t just made, they were crafted like fine art, opening up doors to dreams and dishing out career wisdom like candy.
Ms. Frazier attributes LLT’s success to “A lot of partnerships! I have been fortunate enough to have a lot of women who are interested in our message and want to keep encouraging our girls. They have helped me create the organization.”
Fast forward to today, LLT’s got its fingers in three juicy pies: CORE (Creating Opportunities to Reach Excellence), ELITE High School Academy (Exemplifying Leadership in a Team Environment), and the sizzling Latina Labs. And guess what? LLT’s reach now stretches far and wide, wrapping its arms around Latina students all over Northern Virginia and some of Maryland.
In our LLT chapter at ACC, we’re a whirlwind of activity. From community gigs to fundraising fiestas, field trip adventures to potluck extravaganzas, there’s never a dull moment. But let me tell you about my favorite memory: our legendary Christmas bash. Desserts galore, World Cup fever, and bets flying like confetti. Then, the grand finale: a gift exchange that brought us even closer. We might not have all shared the same hobbies, but we were united by something deeper than that – our pride in being Latinas.