SVUDL Brought Out My Courage

Summit High School senior Cristel De La Cruz Bonilla's introduction to SVUDL began with an encouraging push from her coach, Senior Program Specialist Kwodwo Moore. He recognized her potential and invited her to explore public speaking through Moot Court during the summers of her freshman and sophomore years. By junior year, Cristel had begun participating in SVUDL tournaments.

This is where Cristel discovered her powerful voice. "SVUDL provided a space to develop my skills during the tournaments. As a result, I've become more comfortable presenting in front of judges," she reflects. "I always made an effort to improve by using critiques to further develop my voice for the future."

What Cristel values most about SVUDL is the access to opportunities she might not have otherwise encountered. "SVUDL brought out my courage. I had fooled myself into believing I never had any," she shares. "Though I was always interested in advocating for social justice, I didn't know where to start. SVUDL offered me the chance to participate in I RESOLVE, which became my entry point."

During I RESOLVE, Cristel advocated for compensation for minorities who have faced historical oppression. "Getting to research historical topics that address how the current system of welfare and inequities came to be is crucial for someone seeking to make change," she explains. "Although the setting where I presented initially intimidated me, I took a leap of faith based on my ambition so I could grow even more."

For Cristel, the most memorable aspect of IRESOLVE was connecting with fellow students during a trip to Chicago. "We bonded beyond debate, which made me recognize the wonderful community within SVUDL," she recalls. "These new experiences helped me reflect on the type of person I want to become and broadened my vision of potential career pathways for making an impact."

Now a high school senior preparing for college, Cristel acknowledges the challenges of the application process. "The biggest challenge was choosing which schools to apply to, and the applications are so expensive," she admits. "I'm thankful that NAUDLprovided a scholarship to help with that." Cristel has been accepted to her top choice, UC San Diego, where she hopes to study international relations this fall, pursuing her goal of a career in diplomacy.

Cristel's experiences with SVUDL have shaped her career aspirations. "Participating in SVUDL tournaments helped me realize that I wanted to pursue a career utilizing similar skills," she explains. "I plan to apply the public speaking abilities I've developed through SVUDL. I now enjoy speaking out about crucial issues that are particularly important to me." Looking ahead, she aims to become a diplomat who can create broader change while representing her Hispanic community.

In addition to practicing public speaking, Cristel has developed valuable social skills. "Talking with people from different career paths and stations in life was encouraged," she notes. "This skill has and will continue to support me in having meaningful conversations and forging deeper connections."

What stands out to Cristel about SVUDL is its supportive community, particularly the coaches who create such a positive environment. The organization has impacted her greatly as a person. "I was extremely timid when it came to expressing myself. I never liked to stand out or take the first step by myself," she reflects. "While being in the spotlight still makes me feel awkward, I push myself if it means speaking about things important to me. I'm grateful to have found a community in SVUDL that made me feel welcome while I stayed true to myself."