Christine Sanchez is from Zapata, Texas, a small town in the South Texas region. Christine is approaching her second year at St. Edward’s University in Austin and is majoring in Writing and Rhetoric with a concentration in Journalism. This summer, Christine is Latinitas’ Web Content Editor Intern.
Why did you choose your major?
I chose my major because I’ve always had an affinity for writing. It also just makes me feel good to have written, and, as I’ve recently learned in my Professional Writing class last semester, there are always job opportunities out there for writers. Growing up, English had always been my favorite and strongest subject. My English teachers often took note of me being one of the few students who really enjoyed reading and writing. But, I grew up in a community that mainly valued careers in STEM and agriculture, so it wasn’t until my sophomore year of high school that I realized I could actually pursue a career in writing. After I realized this was possible, I knew that I wanted to study writing in college.
What made you want to join Latinitas?
Seeing the amazing work that Latinitas does with young Latinas definitely sparked my interest in joining the team. Latinitas is an amazing organization that empowers and uplifts young Latina girls, and teaches them from a young age that they have a place in this world, just like everyone else. I think that’s an important message to spread, now more than ever.
What extracurricular activities do you participate in?
Other than writing, artwork is my second creative outlet. In my spare time, I like to make art with things I find in nature, like leaves and flowers. It really relaxes me and takes my mind off of anything is stressing me out. I’m also involved with several campus organizations, including Students for Sustainability, Latino Student Leaders Organization, and Hilltop Views, St. Edward’s University’s student newspaper.
Who is one of your role models and why?
I really look up to Gina Rodriguez because she is such a selfless and admirable person. Apart from being an incredibly successful Latinx actress in an industry that lacks representation, she is also incredibly humble, working to lift up those around her in any way that she can.
What is your idea of a dream job and how will your involvement with Latinitas get you there?
My idea of a dream job is any job in which I can work in an environment where I’m free to express my ideas and also encouraged to think in new and innovative ways. I think working with Latinitas will help me get there by taking me out of my comfort zone and teaching me to have more trust in my own ideas.
What is one of your favorite hobbies and how’d you get started with it?
I really like collecting postcards. I think it started when I bought a postcard from a new place I had visited, and from there it just turned into a habit. I try to get weird ones, which are usually the most interesting (to me at least).
What is one of your guilty pleasures?
Mangonadas, Hot Cheetos, pickles, sour powers, anything in the realm of salty, spicy, crunchy, or sour, really.
What are the best and worst uses of the internet?
I think some of the best uses of the internet would be for fundraising (Go Fund Me has raised the most money out of all fundraising platforms). Another is using the internet to ignite change (March For Our Lives participants and activists from all over the country use the internet to stay connected), and lastly, a great way that the internet is used is by keeping people informed. Not many people read newspapers anymore, so they rely on their smartphones and the internet to stay up to date on the latest news.
Some negative uses would definitely be the spread of propaganda, especially on young (impressionable) kids. Many parents are choosing to keep their kids off of YouTube lately, due to reports of certain content that is advertised to kids containing dark material that spreads radical, and often political messages.
