Lana Washington - Career development: Volunteer work related to career goals (per year), 3 points

 Today I attended a protest advocating for the abolition of ICE, which brought together students, immigrants, families, and community activists to raise awareness about the injustices caused by immigration enforcement and to call for humane policies. The main focus of the protest was immigrant rights and justice, with participants sharing personal stories, holding signs, and speaking about the real-life impact of ICE on families and communities. As a Hispanic and Black student, I felt a strong personal connection to the issues being discussed, and I was both proud and inspired to be part of a collective effort for change. At the same time, it was emotionally challenging to hear the stories of families being separated and communities living in fear, which made me more aware of how policy decisions affect real people’s lives. I was particularly struck by the sense of solidarity among participants and the determination to stand up for what is right, which made me reflect on my own role in advocating for justice.

This experience also connected closely to my U.S. Government and Social Studies coursework, where we study federal agencies, civil liberties, and the ways that policies affect different communities. Seeing these concepts in action made the lessons more tangible, especially regarding the importance of civic engagement, the right to assembly, and the use of protest as a tool to hold systems of power accountable. Overall, attending the protest was both educational and empowering, reinforcing the importance of speaking out, participating in activism, and understanding the real-world implications of government policies on marginalized communities.