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Luisa Alvarez Valles

705

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

I am a 25-year-old first-generation Latina woman pursuing a post-graduate career at the University of Nevada Reno. I am not only the first one in my family to graduate with my bachelor's degree, I am the first in my family to pursue a graduate degree. I currently am employed at a 501 (c) non-profit organization in Las Vegas, Nevada. In my position, I work every day to advocate for survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. With master's in social work, my dream and goal is to continue the path of advocacy for the current population I work with.

Education

University of Nevada-Reno

Master's degree program
2024 - 2026
  • Majors:
    • Social Work

Nevada State College

Bachelor's degree program
2017 - 2020
  • Majors:
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections, General

Advanced Technologies Academy

High School
2013 - 2017

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Social Work
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Civic & Social Organization

    • Dream career goals:

      Advocacy for survivors of human trafficking

      Public services

      • Advocacy

        Signs of HOPE — RISE Housing & Employment Specialist
        2021 – Present

      Future Interests

      Advocacy

      Politics

      Volunteering

      Philanthropy

      “The Office” Obsessed! Fan Scholarship
      From The Office, the character that I resonate the most with is Stanley Hudson. I think that his quietness but also dedication to his work were what drew me to him while watching the show. Stanley is very quiet and keeps to himself for the most part, but when there is times for him to intervene his glances are as sharp as glass. I like the way he is serious, especially about pretzel day. This shows how this man is dedicated to his happiness. The show has shaped my perspective on workplace dynamics in the sense that I see a Stanley, a Michael, a Angela, a Dwight, and even a Toby everywhere you work. In my current place of employment, we have a thing called the Hospitality Committee, we are in charge of planning all the celebrations and parties for our office. One of the members of the committee brought up that we are technically the Party Planning Committee from The Office, and then proceeded to declare themselves to be the Angela of the group, which in my opinion, is true. Having watched the show and seeing a fun dynamic in a fictional office, makes me think that sometimes we all need a boss like Michael Scott.
      Fall Favs: A Starbucks Stan Scholarship
      One fall-inspired drink from Starbucks that holds a special place in my heart has to be the pumpkin chai latte. This drink, before 2023 was not part of the regular menu. I discovered this drink on TikTok,as anyone these days does. During all of the 2022 season, my favorite thing to order from my local Starbucks was the iced chai latte with pumpkin cold foam and caramel on top. That was my exact order. As fall 2023 came around, this. particular order became extremely popular, and it made it to the actual Starbucks menu. Almost every morning, I would order an iced pumpkin chai latte sometimes with a pumpkin loaf or the pumpkin cheesecake muffin on the side. This was my ultimate breakfast. This drink created some changes in my life for the better. During the fall, I was going through some personal issues causing me to lose some joy in my life. But it. was always that first sip of the pumpkin chai that would immediately bring a smile to my face and it helped me start my day with a positive mindset. The taste of the pumpkin and then the immediate blend of the original chai from Starbucks it perfectly mixed creating the greatest sip of all time. This drink being so popular on the menu caught the attention of my other Starbucks-loving coworkers but they would not take the chance on the drink. That is until they saw me almost every day with my iced pumpkin chai latte. Some would just smell it and decide it was not for them and then others tried my drink and fell in love and that also became their drink. The pumpkin chai had officially become my signature drink. When coworkers or friends wanted to surprise me, an iced pumpkin chai was the way to go. For my free drink for my birthday at Starbucks, my drink was the iced pumpkin chai. This season's drink was a game changer, and I am beyond excited for next fall and. for the drink to be back on the menu. Not only was this drink extremely delicious but it was also influential, I am grateful that I got to experience it a year before it reached its peak popularity because it is beyond obvious that this drink will be even more popular come next fall and I cannot wait to see the magic happen.
      So You Want to Be a Mental Health Professional Scholarship
      Winner
      As a person who wants to create a positive impact, it is important to consider everything that a person has gone through in their life. Working with survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation has taught me that every detail in people's lives is extremely significant. There will always be something that affects the way that people view life all around, and taking a lesson from my current position, trauma is a detail in people's lives that can create a negative impact. Lacking resources such as housing and employment can create barriers to a positive mindset. As a college student interested in mental health, I want to continue my advocacy interest and employment position through the non-profit program I am currently working at to find more resources for those who have survived human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The most important action that I need to begin thinking of taking is finding resources and people who are willing to work with this particular population. Due to victimization, it can become very difficult for survivors to find basic needs, such as housing and employment. Victims sometimes do have a criminal record because of the life they were living during their victimization, this creates the barrier of being rejected from jobs and housing opportunities due to their criminal record. Here in Nevada, there are many housing opportunities. different populations across the valley, yet there is a lack of landlords and programs willing to work with the survivors of human trafficking. This issue also extends to employment, there are different jobs ranging from corporations to small businesses ready to hire but they will turn the other way when a survivor applies for their establishment due to a criminal record. To create a positive impact, I want to bring awareness. Many people believe that human trafficking cannot happen in their city, much less on their street, but the issue of human trafficking and sexual exploitation is a very big problem in the city of Las Vegas. Creating advocacy not only for resources, such as obtaining vital documents but also for obtaining stable housing and employment is crucial for survivor's livelihood. This is the biggest most important step I am not only wanting but needing to do. There needs to be more advocacy for this population for they to find their way back to a normal life before their victimization. This positive impact will start with me and my education.