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| Manette Perez |
As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, This Meet Our Students blog will feature SLCC’s LUChA Club President, Manette Perez.
Pronouns: she/her
Age: 19
Current City of Residence: West Valley City
Hometown: Still West Valley City because your girl likes to be boring. West Valley City is my home, both physically and metaphorically. I’ve been here for almost 20 years, and I wouldn’t trade my time or place for any other city. It has the people, the food, the shops, and the simple, tender care we show for our city.
High School: Granger High School is known for its …interesting football games and our melting pot of a school. Granger is one of the most diverse and largely populated high schools. I met many amazing people there and learned a lot about different cultures. It was also the best school to be an embarrassing teen because you could be in every class, and you would still not know everybody. Go, Lancers!
Major: My major is in Biotechnology. It’s basically biology, but we’re cooler. I chose Biotechnology because I love the different parts of our body and other organisms and how we can implement our different tools and studies to make great accomplishments and steps toward a better future for all. It’s very broad, so if you wanted to study carrots but wanted to also study frogs…you could potentially make slimy carrots. Yummy?
Academic goals: I hope to get my associate's at the darling SLCC, my bachelor’s at Utah Valley University, and if I still am a nerd, my master’s at the University of Utah.
Dream job: I would love to be a researcher, specifically researching STIs in combination with bioethics. I did a team project with my friend on the Guatemalan Syphilis Experiment (similar to the Tuskegee Experiments) in high school, and we learned the importance of bioethics and how prevalent medical racism can be in scientific and health spaces. It was very educational and provided me with unshakeable morals for my career.
Plan B: Voice actress. It’s all or nothing, baby. I can make that Oliver Twist voice and voice some Yoshi lines. Would I make tons of money? Maybe. Would I have the coolest talent? Heck yeah!
Why higher education?: Because my parents said they would no longer make me Pozole . Kidding. My parents played a huge role in teaching me the importance of education. They stressed that I should not limit myself to one type of thing but go further from that. And I owe them for all the sacrifices they made for my family to have a better life. At the end of the day, I love learning and feel a great connection for enrichment and knowledge.
Why SLCC: The only other school I would be able to get my associate's at would have been Utah Valley University, which is very from where I live. I was told by many that SLCC was a great school to not only get your education but form a community within it. And they were 100% right. Being here has been one of the best choices I have ever made.
What motivates you or inspires you at school or in life: Everything. My family, friends, colleagues, peers, strangers, that one bug in the corner of your room, and nature inspire me. There are so many lessons that everyone is learning, and everything has a part in that. We help each other accomplish many amazing things, whether we know it or not.
Meaningful life or career lessons you have learned so far: Kindness and compassion goes a very, very long way. When we listen to each other and give warmth, we develop deeper connections and better opportunities for growth. The Honors Program has been a hub for me in that sense, and it has made my life more meaningful.
Family: Shout out to my parents, sisters, and little nephew. They are the coolest and smartest people I’ve ever had the chance to talk to, hug, and steal food from.
Hobbies: I’m currently learning how to play the lyre! I also like origami and making graphic design posters. I…am not afraid to admit I’ve made fan-made posters for my favorite shows.
Awards/accomplishments: I presented my research in New Mexico in April for Western Regionals Honors Conference, which was the coolest thing ever! I was also elected to be one of the officers for LUChA this Fall semester.
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| LUChA Club |
Student Club Highlight: LUChA stands for Latinx United for Change and Activism, says Manette. “Anybody can join; you don’t have to be Latinx to be a part of the club,” she says. She explains that the club is about activism, but that doesn’t always mean marching in the streets. Manette says the most crucial thing about activism is showing up and caring. She talks about how strengthening the academic success of Latinx and other underrepresented students is a form of activism. The club aims to increase the number of students from underrepresented communities in higher education and the professional workforce. They focus on members acquiring leadership skills, serving the community, cultural events, and peer mentorship.
I’m happy to be more involved with my community and be in touch with our heritages.
LUChA Club Leaders: Left to Right Agustin- advisor, Kiara, Alexa, Jennifer, Manette, and Ana Belen
Manette, you're a star! Funny and grounded, smart and striving. Thank you for your contributions to our community! Please don't make slimy carrots.
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