My Los Diablos Speech

Hello, Good Evening, My name is Lizbeth Luna and I am the President of Los Diablos Student Chapter. I come from modest beginnings. My family, immigrants to the United States, taught me the value of hard work, determination, and the drive to succeed. These values helped me overcome many obstacles. Until the fifth grade, for example, I was illiterate – I couldn’t read or write. But this spring, I will be graduating from ASU with a degree in Public Service and Public Policy. I will be the first person in my family to obtain a college degree. Of course, people have helped me along the way. I’ve had many mentors. But my greatest mentor was my grandmother. Ever since I was a little girl, she dreamed of me graduating from college. I believe in myself because my grandmother believes in her dream, meaning she believes in me. My grandmother’s dream of my success in college could not have been fulfilled without Los Diablos waiving my tuition. But financial assistance wasn’t the only thing Los Diablos gave me; they also opened many doors for me, doors that once seemed impossible to unlock. This semester, for example, I interned for Congressman Ruben Gallego. In fact, interning in his office has inspired me to pursue a career in public service. In addition to the Congressman, Los Diablos has introduced me to countless other people who have motivated me to succeed, counseled me about my professional and academic career, and tutored me about life. Because of them, I am the person who I am today. Of course, I’m not the only scholar with these incredible experiences. In addition to interning with Congresswomen Krysten Sinema and Congressman Ed Pastor, my fellow scholars have also interned at media firms, accounting firms, and public relations firms. Other scholars have landed researching jobs in science and engineering. While our work experiences are different, the goal is the same: how to use the skills we’ve learned to contribute and improve our communities. Helping students like us is what Los Diablos set out to do when they founded this organization three decades ago. I would now like to take this opportunity to introduce to you the 2014-2015 Los Diablos Scholars. Scholars Please Rise Will the graduating seniors please join me at this time? Along with Los Diablos Board President, Tania Torres. We the graduating seniors would like to thank Los Diablos Board Members and Donors, for being fundamental to our success at ASU. Thank Los Diablos, Valued sponsors and ASU, for making this possible. See you all next year.