First and foremost, thank you to everyone who participated in the process from nominating capable individuals to writing down your souls in the application. The process is surprisingly long and I can’t believe we’re close to deciding some of the voices of our organization.
The KasamaRep position is one of the most important Executive Board positions as it serves as the gateway between the membership and E-Board. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience and we’re all here to ride it. If you wish to read ALL PARTS of the candidates’ applications, please follow this link: FULL CANDIDATE PROFILES. It’s easy to navigate if you use the outline.
The voting form will be at the bottom but without further ado, here are your KasamaRep candidates!
Sophomore KasamaRep Candidates
Tristan Colafati
Accounting Major
If you could be an animal/color/fruit what would you be and why?
I would be a lion because they are fierce animals who are also loyal to their pack, but can also be gentle and caring for others. Other reasons include, the nickname: “the King of the Jungle,” I was born in August, so I am a Leo, and one of my favorite Disney movies is “The Lion King.” Oh and my dogs are named, Scar and Simba (Making me Mufasa because Scar was adopted by my parents, making him my brother, and Simba my son because I chose to adopt him). Basically lions have been a part of my whole life, and I see similar traits between a lion and myself.
What are some ways that you think you would be able to represent your class?
First and foremost, the main way that I can represent my class is by actively attending executive board meetings. I plan to use the meetings as my chance to report to the executive board on how the students in the sophomore class are doing. I would also like to implement a way to collect this data – for example, collecting things that my peers have said to me over the semester, sending out a Google Forms survey, asking for informal feedback, or chatting with my classmates. At E-board meetings, I would be able to report this information to the Director of Membership, the Executive Director, as well as the other members in order to discuss problems/solutions, suggestions, and comments.
What does being your own culture mean to you? What are some ways you can share this meaning with the members of Kasamahan?
Growing up half-American, I never felt in touch with my Filipino side aside from the food and holiday traditions. I had barely been exposed to the language or what the country is like. Making the decision to attend USF was a big step, especially coming from Connecticut, and I was unaware of the high population of Filipino and Filipino-American people. At USF, one of the first clubs that stuck out on the list was Kasamahan and I was really excited to join. The people that I met, and the friends that I made really helped to expose me to the Filipino culture. I’ve learned that as a mixed-race individual, my culture is who I am, and the values and beliefs that make me who I am. I have a learned sense of pride to be Filipino-American, and I want to share that with the rest of the membership. I think that its important to encourage individuality within the culture, and I want Kasamahan to continue being a safe space where people can celebrate our culture, as well as teach each other new things every day.
Tyson Noquez-Epil
Data Science Major, Minor in Dance
If you could be an animal/color/fruit what would you be and why?
I would be a strawberry because they are my favorite fruit. They can be sweet or sour. They go well with waffles and taste delicious in a smoothie. They are also red, which represents passion and love, and that is exactly what I have for Kasamahan.
Why are you interested in representing your class?
Kasamahan gave me a family. The people of Kasamahan care endlessly which is one of the reasons why I got through my first year. I had the most fun whenever I was involved in a Kasamahan event. I want to continue creating this atmosphere where people can feel safe and have a good time by being more involved within this family. I believe that my voice matters and being apart of Kasamahan’s Executive Board allows the opinions of my class to be heard. With this position of power, I vow to speak up for what my class desires, to be the voice of reason during board meetings, and to enjoy my time with Kasamahan.
Do you have any experience in a leadership position?
In high school, I was the National Honors Society tutoring coordinator, on the LIFE (living in faith experience) team, homeroom senator, and a captain for basketball and track and field teams. One of my most recent leadership positions here at USF is as a street team member where I lead volunteers during CAB events. Through these leadership positions, I have learned that conflict is inevitable but it is how one deals with these situations that matter the most. As a KasamaRep, I promise to transfer what I have learned from these experiences by communicating with others and to be as transparent as possible.
Sly Pellas
Communication Studies Major
If you could be an animal/color/fruit what would you be and why?
I would be a platypus so I can also lead a double life as a secret agent.
Why are you interested in representing your class?
In Kasamahan, I have found a home in more ways than one. A home for the love in my heart. A home (in UC4) for my sleepless nights of studying. A home for the pride in my culture. All the remarkable freshmen individuals I have met throughout my first year at USF inspired me to run for the position of representing our incoming sophomore class. It would be an honor to represent such an intelligent and compassionate group of people that inspire me every day to work hard and strive for growth. The opportunity to be Sophomore KasamaRep will allow me to serve those who have provided me with a safe and welcoming environment, and to further promote such an environment. I want to make you all proud to have me as your Sophomore KasamaRep.
What are some ways that you think you would be able to represent your class?
Each and every one of our Kasamas should be able to comfortably voice their opinions and/or concerns without the fear of being judged or criticized. With active and transparent communication, whether it is through Slack, text, or face-to-face communication, I will be able to give my class a voice and assure that their thoughts and opinions are taken into consideration and addressed in Executive Board meetings. I understand that each member has their own priorities that are not always Kasamahan-related, therefore, it can be difficult to stay connected and updated. Whether or not a person is an active member of Kasamahan, I will work hard to provide the support they need in our organization and ensuring that their voices are heard. I believe that strong groups take the opportunity to bond and connect with each other. Therefore, I plan to have sophomore class bonding events, such as karaoke parties or bonfires, for new and returning Kasamahan members throughout the year.
Junior KasamaRep Candidate
Ria Angelica Laxa
Biology Major, Minor in Child & Youth Studies
If you could be an animal/color/fruit what would you be and why?
If I was an animal I’d be a rabbit because it is my and my 4-year-old nephew’s favorite animal (which he is currently insisting I put in my application right now :P) and because their hearts beat so fast because they’re so small so you can’t make sudden noises or else their hearts might explode. I think that’s a wild way to live!
What do you hope to gain by interning for Kasamahan’s Executive Board?
Typically, the KasamaREP position is a position used as a gateway into Eboard. As a KasamaREP you are interning for the executive board, however I think the position has evolved from that and has the capability to truly aid the Director of Membership in providing the input/voices of our growing membership. Serving as Publicity Director last year was an incredible opportunity that allowed me to grow immensely in my confidence as a student service leader. However, every leadership position brings about its own lessons and room for growth, and I view serving as KasamaREP as another journey of equal weight, but this one involves so much more interaction with the members. Publicity was a fairly private job, I didn’t need to interact with members that much to get the job done, not to mention I had no idea what other positions on EBoard did beyond those who reached out to me regularly for flyers. KasamaREP is a different story, and I hope to be able to get to know more members by name as well as get insight towards what exactly the other positions on Eboard do.
What does being your own culture mean to you? What are some ways you can share this meaning with the members of Kasamahan?
Being my own culture means embracing my identities as a first generation Filipinx-American, as a cisgendered woman, as a female in STEM, the list goes on. What makes culture so rich goes beyond the history of our ancestors and the practices and values that are passed down; it is the unique individuals that bring their own stories and experiences into the history and add to it, sometimes even challenging it. I can share this meaning with others by being unashamed of myself and encouraging others to do the same. Part of this means being mindful, respectful, and accepting of others’ identities, making an effort to understand and get to know them. Something powerful my friends do is not put up with when I put myself down. That’s something I want to do for others too.
Senior KasamaRep Candidates
Victoria Bautista
Advertising Major
If you could be an animal/color/fruit what would you be and why?
CANTALOUPE. They’re hard on the outside but soft on the inside. The bright orange on the inside of a cantaloupe best represents me because on the outside I can be seen as tough and resilient but on the inside, I am not afraid of showing my true emotions and how soft I can be.
What are some ways that you think you would be able to represent your class?
Some ways that I think I would be able to represent my class would be making sure that i am an approachable person and being open to everyone that is in our membership. I want to make sure that everyone and I mean everyone can feel like their voice is heard and that they are seen in this organization. Making others feel welcome and acknowledged in a space that can be seen as really cliquey is one of the things that I would be able to do to represent my class.
What does being your own culture mean to you? What are some ways you can share this meaning with the members of Kasamahan?
Being my own culture means that you determine how your culture influences you or how you resonate with your culture. Everyone’s experiences with their culture is different despite us being from the same place and that is what is so beautiful about it, and we should bring that out from everyone. We don’t have to force this stigma of whether or not you are Filipino enough or American enough, we should thrive in who we are and what our experiences are. As we should be supportive of each other in this organization. I can share this meaning with the members of Kasamahan by giving people the chance to be open about their culture whether it be through general meetings where we talk about the theme of the year or during the barrio theme general meetings but giving people the chance to talk about why these themes mean so much and why this organization means so much to people.
Katherine Delfin
Nursing Major, Minor in Child & Youth Studies
If you could be an animal/color/fruit what would you be and why?
I would be a lemur because I like to move it move it.
What are some ways that you think you would be able to represent your class?
By being a senior rep, I would be a representative mentor. I believe the most important job for a senior outside of completing school work is guiding and helping others through college socially, academically, and mentally. Ultimately being a role model for others is the best way to represent the senior class. With the senior class, I would promote more senior participation by setting up more bonding events, creating new traditions with family lines, and more.
What does being your own culture mean to you? What are some ways you can share this meaning with the members of Kasamahan?
Being my own culture means embracing ALL aspects of yourself. Kasamahan prides itself on standing in unity and solidarity with one another – but that should also apply to within oneself. Every part of yourself – your history, your present actions, and your ambitions – should be embraced because all of these components manifest your unique culture. We are not just individuals belonging to specific categories – we are a blend of everything that has touched our hearts and we must demonstrate that.
To share this meaning I can encourage others to share their unique stories to showcase how their experiences have shaped the person they are today. I can create an open and welcoming space where members can feel unashamed to show off who they are.
Natalie Pham
Kinesiology Major, Minor in Health Studies
If you could be an animal/color/fruit what would you be and why?
I’d be a bee bc I’m a busy bumblebee but luv buzzin with others :))
What do you hope to gain by interning for Kasamahan’s Executive Board?
I have a constant desire to learn and become only the best version of myself for others. Through this experience, I would like to improve my ability to collaborate with others and gain more insight as to what it takes to support an organization behind the scenes. I would also like to learn how to take initiative and become a leader for those that need me.
What does being your own culture mean to you? What are some ways you can share this meaning with the members of Kasamahan?
Being your own culture means that you’re comfortable in your own skin and aren’t afraid in showcasing it to the world. I can share this meaning by putting aside myself and my walls for the ones that might be afraid to do so and by reaching out and create personal connections with my community.
Mario Alberto Valenzuela
Math Major, Minor in Philosophy
If you could be an animal/color/fruit what would you be and why?
If I could be any animal, I would want to be a Wolf because wolves are loyal to each other and stick with each other through thick and thin. If someone in my group gets in trouble, I wanna be there for them and protect because I do anything for the people I love. This is how I am with my Senior Kasamas and the general membership and I want to do anything it takes to make sure all of my members are happy and enjoying themselves.
Why are you interested in representing your class?
I want to represent my class because I feel I have a good relationship with my fellow seniors and plus I want to be a good role model for the organization as a whole as well. I want to demonstrate that the senior class is filled with hard-working, gritty individuals with my passion and emotion through me as a rep of the senior class. I also want to be the voice for people who feel less involved or out of place in Kasamahan because they are important too and I want everyone to feel the inclusion and experience of what it is like to be in Kasamahan, especially my own Senior class.
What does being your own culture mean to you? What are some ways you can share this meaning with the members of Kasamahan?
Being your own culture means to be proud of who you are and what your ancestors have brought you. Our most recent theme in Barrio 2019 was “Walang Hiya” meaning “unashamed.” There are always going to be people that are going to bring you down just because of your background, gender, religion, skills and categories that are constantly being mocked and judged for years. Allowing ourselves to be comfortable in our own skin and be proud of where they come from is what culture is all about. Our culture helps us learn how we came about and what our past family has done to help us get here. Learning about the food we eat, the history we made, the clothes we wear and the language we speak all are unique to one’s culture and I take pride in who I am as a Latinx-American. I want to be able to share my meaning of culture with Kasamahan to show that even though we all have different stories behind our history, we all have similarities that bring us together and these similarities can help people love each other and bring positivity into the world. In this case, my world is Kasamahan and I wish to share my story through out the year with everyone when having community time among the members, seeing them pass by on campus and getting to know people better in Kasamahan will combine all our cultures into one safe, friendly community of Kasamas!
Tyler Wong
Computer Science Major, Minor in Design
If you could be an animal/color/fruit what would you be and why?
I would definitely be a Shiba Inu because they have all the characteristics of an outgoing dog but will also act just like a cat and be lazy indoors and be independent.
What do you hope to gain by interning for Kasamahan’s Executive Board?
To be perfectly honest, I would just hope to bring the best experience that I can to the Senior class. Through bondings, swag, or even just helping out, I hope to bring both mine and their senior years to a close with excitement and memories that will last forever. Having stepped to the background of Kasamahan for a year, I want to feel that sense of fulfillment that I got serving as the Publicity Director. I am hoping that being Senior Kasamarep would allow me to step back in as a mentor and guiding peer just as past Executive Boards have done for me.
What does being your own culture mean to you? What are some ways you can share this meaning with the members of Kasamahan?
Being my own culture means that I am the culmination of my own experiences and the perception that society has towards me as a Chinese-Filipino American that have shaped me into who I am today. It means that I have a history that goes beyond my own past. In order to represent myself properly, it is important that I acknowledge and understand the struggles and hardships endured by those that came before me to pay that forward. I hope to share this meaning with members of Kasamahan by making sure that they know that while they should acknowledge their histories and the histories of their ancestors, it is also important to understand what ones own culture is and how they can present that in a way that prides them in their own representation of themselves.
Voting Form
