A graduate of West Hall High School, who is a student at the University of North Georgia, has been chosen to participate in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's internship program
Yanet Velazquez of Gainesville says she is pursuing a degree in international affairs with an emphasis on Latin America.
In a posting on the UNG website, Velazquez says her career plans include getting more involved in the Latin community and helping the Latin community leaders make a difference, adding "I can definitely see myself having a career in politics."
Velazquez says the highlight of her stay at UNG so far has been being selected to receive the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Internship. "This highly sought after internship will help me learn and develop into a strong, civically active member of the Latino community."
She is quick to thank two mentors she says have made the biggest difference in her life: David Araya and Angela Hurtado, co-founders of the Hispanic Organization Promoting Education (HoPe).
"I met them towards the end of my sophomore year in high school. I think they were mostly responsible for me wanting to become involved and wanting to make a difference in the Latino community. They taught me how a leader doesn’t necessary have to always be the most forward person, and that (a) leader just has to be passionate, understanding, and willing to stand up for what they believe in. They’ve taught me endless leadership and commutation skills and other things I don’t necessary get to learn in a classroom setting. They still continue to influence my life and I’m forever grateful that I came to know them."
At UNG, Velazquez served as chief information officer for the Latino Student Association (LSA) last year and more reently as the president of the LSA. "I was also treasurer of the International Student Association and selected to become a new student orientation leader."
