From the president
Chrystal Gonzales, a junior at the University of Washington Tacoma, is dedicated to social change through civic engagement. Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a high GPA, she plans to attend graduate school, showcasing her academic motivation and potential for long-term civic involvement.
Her work with the City of Federal Way Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) demonstrates her ability to enhance community resilience and safety. Partnering with the Federal Way Fire Department and the Red Cross, Chrystal organizes events like the Sound the Alarm campaign, installing free smoke detectors in mobile home parks to improve fire safety awareness. Chrystal promotes civic engagement and leadership through the University of Washington Tacoma's NextGen Civic Leader Corps program, part of a tri-campus initiative. Her commitment to addressing inequality is evident in her efforts to create an inclusive community. By participating in the NextGen Summer Policy Academy, she will gain skills to advocate for equitable policies and tackle political polarization.
As Treasurer of the Mark Twain Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Chrystal organizes volunteer events and uses communication tools to support students. Her volunteer experience, including teaching at the Boys and Girls Club, highlights her dedication to education, community service, and advocacy.
Personal Statement
Confident in truth, both domestic and global progress in societies of people is solely planted in our ability of the collective to practice attributes of one part equity and one part sustainability. The history of civilizations is essential to the approach in the creation, implementation, and understanding of such policies. History in its fullness shows communities, bands, kingdoms, and nations collapsing under structures that do not center equity and sustainability. In America, we prevent corrupted monarchies, oligarchies, and dictatorships so that we may not fall like many great nations before us did. In light of this I go out into the world and strive to gain the abilities I need to advocate for lasting social transformations. I learned through academics, community work, and conversations the tools needed to do such things. Key elements such as listening to understand (without bias interpretation), mutual respect, and sustained collaboration is how lasting progress is made. Making sure that no voice is left unheard and left out of policy considerations. National systemic power and resource hording guarantees a constant state of civil discord. It is in the process of education, connections, and empowerment of all Americans that we will find our lasting civil rest.