Latinx PMP/Mentors

Hometown

Springfield, Virginia

Background

Panamanian/German but I have lived in the U.S. my whole life

Familia

Vicky Stagnaro

Major/Interests

Psychology and Philosophy

Favorite Food

Grilled cheese, tacos, pizza, and thai food

Hobbies

Latino and Migrant Aid through Madison House (ESL TA at Charlottesville High School), Charlottesville B&G Club Southward mentor, Active Minds, ASB, research assistant. I also play soccer in a men's league. I'm new to PMP and I'm excited be a mentor!

Fun Fact

I love to run, hike, and bike! One of my goals is to bike cross country

Hometown

Guatemala City, Guatemala

Background

Guatemala

Familia

Natalie Romero

Major/Interests

Commerce and Foreign Affairs.

Favorite Food

Favorite cheapest: pizza or tortillas con frijoles. Most expensive favorite: lobster tails

Hobbies

Dance (tap, jazz, salsa), Cooking and Baking, Smart Woman's Securities (investment club), Volunteer at VISAS (volunteer with refugees), running and going to the gym, karaoke singing (but I suck at it!)

Fun Fact

I think I am the only person at UVA who does not dislike dining hall food. I promise my taste buds are well developed and working just fine!

Hometown

Washington D.C

Background

El Salvador

Familia

Vicky Stagnaro

Major/Interests

Architecture

Favorite Food

Panes de Pollo (Salvadorean style)

Hobbies

Soccer and Salsa

Fun Fact

I've been dancing bachata since the age of 12

Hometown

Manassas, VA

Background

Guatemalan

Familia

Mona Bugaighis

Major/Interests

Spanish Linguistics Major & Biology Minor on the pre-med track.

Favorite Food

Guatemalan, duh (I also love Italian the same amount, but don't tell anyone).

Hobbies

Aside from PMP, I'm also in Students Helping Honduras and Global Medical Training. I also plan on volunteering at UVA Hospital next semester. I love to run, hike, and bike.

Fun Fact

I am a black belt in Tae-kwon-do.

Hometown

Miami, FL

Background

Cuban

Familia

Mona Bugaighis

Major/Interests

Economics and Foreign Affairs

Favorite Food

Sushi

Hobbies

Anything that involves being surrounded by friends and just having fun.

Fun Fact

I lived in Mexico City for a few years.

Hometown

Manassas, VA

Background

I was born and raised in the United States by parents who immigrated from El Salvador and Guatemala.

Familia

Mona Bugaighis

Major/Interests

Global Studies and/or Anthropology

Favorite Food

My Abuelita Linda's pupusas de frijol con queso and my mom's enchiladas.

Hobbies

I enjoy running, contemplating life at the Amphitheater, and dancing to ZUMBA! I am involved with Hispanic/Latinx Peer Mentoring Program (PMP), International Residential College (IRC) community, and will be a Career Peer Educator (CPE) in the Career Center for the 17-18 academic year.

Fun Fact

I love ducks...QUACK!!

Hometown

Panama

Background

Panamanian

Familia

Alexa Gracias

Major/Interests

Pre Batten, Social Entrepreneurship

Favorite Food

Tacos!

Hobbies

Community Service, Crafts, Outdoor Activities, Exploring, Traveling

Fun Fact

I'm not a US citizen

Hometown

I am originally from Leesburg, VA, but recently moved to Winchester, VA

Background

100% Salvadorian (go team pupusas!)

Familia

Vicky Stagnaro

Major/Interests

I am a Nursing Major with additional interest in Spanish, French, and all things medical.

Favorite Food

All food is good food... but oh man, if I had to choose something specific, I would probaly go with a nice carne asada with some arroz, pico de gallo, and guacamole.

Hobbies

In addition to PMP, I am part of the Latinx Student Alliance, the Indian Student Association, Nursing Students Without Borders, and Diversity in Nursing for a Better Community. This past year I was also on the Fuego dance team, a group here on grounds who spreads cultural awareness of different Latin dance styles (yes, yes, there's more to Latin dance than just Salsa and Bachata). This coming year I am planning on switching things up and will be joining Salsa Club instead, so if you love to dance, please join me and teach me some moves along the way! Or if you don't know how to dance, come learn with me! I will be working as a PCT at the UVA hospital this year, so I will probably have some gruesome but interesting stories to share if you are interested (of course, following the guidelines set forth by HIPPA hehe [not actually a joke]). Whenever I have some free time I love to play Frisbee, volleyball, watch movies, cook, listen to music, and volunteer.

Fun Fact

I've only ever been seriously injured once in my life. I was playing Frisbee and twisted my ankle so badly that I fractured my fibula. I did not go to the ER because I'm stubborn and thought it was only a bad sprain. Unfortunately, It happened the weekend before my Anatomy final. With the help of a few friends I still managed to make it to my final... I can only imagine how silly I looked with a swollen, shoe-less foot as my friend Billy wheeled me on a stolen classroom chair across the street from my chemistry class in McLeod to my anatomy final in Claude Moore. There's actually more to the story so feel free to ask me about it!

Hometown

Queens, New York (where my Nas fans at?)

Background

Half north Egyptian Arab, half south Egyptian Nubian but spent most of my childhood in a Colombian household. Gotta love that trilingual life <3

Familia

Natalie Romero

Major/Interests

Political and Social Thought

Favorite Food

Colombian: Arroz con Pollo, Egyptian: Mahshey

Hobbies

Ranting about institutional racism & classism, dismantling structures of white male power, sending memes, snatching eyebrows and edges alike, starting sentences with "I don't wanna be petty BUT...", falling in love with beautiful words and extended metaphors, spilling tea & chisme, DREAMers on Grounds, theatre/slam poetry, being roasted on a daily basis, UJC, Sustained Dialogue, not so occasional headassery, imploding the 1%, and planning the matriarchal revolution.

Fun Fact

In at attempt to become a quad-lingual I took a year of Japanese, but gave up when the kanji became too much. I still know the insults though...

Hometown

Harrisonburg, VA

Background

Half-Guatemalan, Half-Honduran

Familia

Alexa Gracias

Major/Interests

Foreign Affairs, Spanish

Favorite Food

Chow mein

Hobbies

Cavalier Daily, UPC, Debate, Singing in the shower, eating, hanging out with friends,

Fun Fact

I've been to three One Direction concerts.

Hometown

Alexandria, VA

Background

Indian

Familia

Alexa Gracias

Major/Interests

B.S. Computer Science with a minor in Engineering Business

Favorite Food

Chipotle

Hobbies

Snowboarding, Golf, FIFA

Fun Fact

I'm the only Indian kid in PMP from what I can tell

Hometown

Melfa, VA

Background

Mexican

Familia

Vicky Stagnaro

Major/Interests

Possibly Biology on a Pre-med track and a minor in Spanish

Favorite Food

I LOVE Alaskan King Crab Legs

Hobbies

I am a mentor for PMP, a mentor for the LADYS (The Leadership, Advancement and Development of our Young Sisters) Program, and the Historian of Daniel Hale Williams Premedical Honor Society. In my free time I like to work out, hang out with friends, and watch TV.

Fun Fact

I was born in Garden City, Kansas and that's where most of my extended family lives. I also did ballet for about 8 years.

Hometown

San Antonio, Texas

Background

Mexican

Familia

Natalie Romero

Major/Interests

Nursing

Favorite Food

Quesadillas

Hobbies

In addition to PMP, I am social chair of LSA, love to volunteer with Best Buddies, Madison House, and VISAS. I also enjoy traveling (last place I visited was Haiti <3), dancing, eating, and celebrating my culture.

Fun Fact

That one girl Rubi whose quinceañera went viral on the internet, we're cousins.

Hometown

Islip, NY

Background

El Salvador

Familia

Vicky Stagnaro

Major/Interests

Concentration in Marketing and IT with a track in Entrepreneurship

Favorite Food

Filet Mignon

Hobbies

Love love love playing guitar with my peeps and jamming out to whatever music we feel like playing. Every now and then some of my buddies and I hit up Clem studio to record some sick songs.

Fun Fact

I once ate 40 Chick-fil-A nuggets in under 10 minutes.

Hometown

Chantilly, VA

Background

Salvadoran and Puerto Rican

Familia

Vicky Stagnaro

Major/Interests

Biology

Favorite Food

Pupusas, Pizza

Hobbies

Reading, Netflix, Dancing.

Fun Fact

I own three dogs

Hometown

Virginia Beach, VA

Background

Mexican/indigenous, Puerto Rican and Dominican. And 100% American!

Familia

Mona Bugaighis

Major/Interests

Environmental Sciences, minor in Urban and Environmental Planning

Favorite Food

I have equal space in my heart for avocados, platanos, and peanut butter <3

Hobbies

I am the Chair of the First Year and Admissions Committee for the Latinx Student Alliance, Head Academic Advisor for ULink, and I intern at OpenGrounds. I love meeting new people, and memes are my main vehicle of procrastination... In my free time I enjoy going to the grocery store and overzealously buying food, hiking, and adventuring around Charlottesville and Central VA (most often in pursuit of food).

Fun Fact

I'm an avid thrift shopper (not a hoarder) and my name is misspelled on my high school diploma...

Hometown

Ruckersville, VA

Background

Mexican

Familia

Alexa Gracias

Major/Interests

Speech Pathology and Global Development Studies

Favorite Food

Pasta with Alfredo sauce

Hobbies

Running, soccer, hiking, reading thriller books, watching scary movies

Fun Fact

I saw Prince Royce live at Kings Dominion back when he always wore his hat and his most popular song was Stand By Me

Hometown

Bristow, Virginia

Background

My entire family comes from San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador.

Familia

Mona Bugaighis

Major/Interests

Biology/ Pre-Med Maybe Psychology?

Favorite Food

Pupusas, Empanadas, Desayuno Tipico (Huevo, Frijoles, Queso, Aguacate, Chorizo, Platanos Frito, Frances, Cafe)

Hobbies

I grew up playing soccer and love playing during my free time. I also enjoy playing spikeball, volleyball, basketball, or just hitting the gym with friends. At home, I spend most of my time with my family.

Fun Fact

I was actually born in San Salvador and moved to Northern Virginia before my first birthday.

Hometown

Leesburg, Virginia

Background

Half Mexican Half Irish

Familia

Mona Bugaighis

Major/Interests

Psychology (potentially)

Favorite Food

Pad Thai

Hobbies

Watching Netflix (mostly comedy), listening to music, EATING, going to art museums

Fun Fact

I'm really good at memorizing rap lyrics!

Hometown

Danville, Virginia

Background

Mixed (El Salvadorian and Nepali)

Familia

Natalie Romero

Major/Interests

Economics or Biology; Pre-Med (surgery)

Favorite Food

Carbonara Pasta

Hobbies

Soccer, Swimming, Running, Basketball, Golf, watching sports, reading; Madison House, Swim Club, IM Soccer

Fun Fact

I used to tell people I was allergic to chocolate when I was younger so I would not have to try it. I am a big fan of it now.

Hometown

Cary, NC

Background

Mexican

Familia

Alexa Gracias

Major/Interests

Foreign Affairs

Favorite Food

Bistec con salsa verde y limon

Hobbies

I love working out, making art, reading, cooking, and being outside in nature.

Fun Fact

I learned how to drive a moped when I was 10 in Mexico

Hometown

Lynchburg, VA

Background

Ecuadorian

Familia

Natalie Romero

Major/Interests

Youth & Social Innovation, minor in Global Studies in Education (Academic interests: social justice for marginalized youths)

Favorite Food

Vegan Asian Cuisine (anything with tofu!)

Hobbies

Binge-watching Netflix, traveling, being a foodie, late night Kroger runs, cute animals, retail therapy, making mimosas, and fighting the neoliberal agenda

Fun Fact

I've been to a party hosted by MTV -- so lit

Hometown

Houston, Tx

Background

Mexican/German

Familia

Mona Bugaighis

Major/Interests

Commerce, Finance, Management, Real Estate

Favorite Food

Tex-Mex, Barbecue, Enchiladas

Hobbies

Dancing, Singing, Any Sports (honestly), Shopping for things I can't afford, trying new foods, hiking, rock climbing, memes, biking, camping, weightlifting

Fun Fact

I'm left-handed, know how to ride a unicycle, and build cat furniture sometimes

Hometown

Bristow, Virginia

Background

I am ethnically Bolivian and Chilean, but I was born and raised in Northern Virginia.

Familia

Vicky Stagnaro

Major/Interests

Latin American Studies and Economics, with a minor in Business Spanish

Favorite Food

My favorite food is basically any meal that has the rice as the staple, arroz con queso, fried rice, arroz con pollo, arroz con habichuelas I love rice,....and tostones, and avocado. I just love food in general.

Hobbies

Some of my hobbies are eating new foods, watching Foodnetwork, taking naps, listening to music around the world.

Fun Fact

A fun fact about me is that I have a twin brother that goes to Northern Virginia Community College, and we both share our middle name, which is Lee. Kind of interesting but not that much.A better fact about me is that I have been trying to teach myself how to read Korean because growing up in Northern Virginia there was such a large population of Koreans, and I just want to understand the part of my home that has been a complete mystery for 19 years of my life. An unfortunate fact about me is that I have 5.5 size feet, so I sometimes end up buying shoes that are for little kids, lol please pray that I find shoes that are appropriate for my age!!!

Hometown

Sacramento, California

Background

White, Chicano

Familia

Natalie Romero

Major/Interests

Youth & Social Innovation

Favorite Food

Macraoni & Cheese

Hobbies

Chances are if I'm not in class, doing homework on the lawn, doing activism work with MRC or working with middle schoolers, I'm either having a very engaged conversation about Hip-Hop or watching an episode of Desus and Mero

Fun Fact

Ask me about my tattoos!

Hometown

Baltimore, Maryland

Background

Puerto Rican and Ethiopian

Familia

Vicky Stagnaro

Major/Interests

Psychology and African American Studies

Favorite Food

Tostones, chicken, arroz con gandules

Hobbies

I like listening to music, mostly HipHop and R&B. I write/perform spoken word poetry sometimes. I am also a student activist and am part of different advocacy groups on grounds.

Fun Fact

I loooooooooooooooooooove bachata!

Hometown

Bogota

Background

Colombian

Familia

Mona Bugaighis

Major/Interests

Civil Engineering with a Minor in Engineering Business

Favorite Food

Free

Hobbies

I am a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Club Tennis, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and Greek Life. On my free time I enjoy to eat, sleep, do nothing, and kick some major buttocks in FIFA.

Fun Fact

I was chased by llamas when I was a kid. Also, Kevin is my twin brother. Ask us about our story. Te amo Kevin.

Hometown

Brooklyn, N.Y. (Jay-z is my dad... low-key)

Background

I am 100% ECUADORIAN!!!!!!! WOOOOOO!!!!!!

Familia

Vicky Stagnaro

Major/Interests

Commerce, Media Studies, Race & Ethnic Relations

Favorite Food

Love BURGERS... and coffee? (is coffee food? :o)

Hobbies

I love staying active during my day! I usually workout or play sports (i.e. basketball) at least once a day along with keeping up with my studies. I also enjoying my job at the AFC, so needless to say I love being in the gym. Other than living in the gym, I am involved in LSA where I am the Advocacy Co-Chair. Here, I work with other students to host events and initiatives throughout the University to fight for the rights of Latinx students and the Latinx community at large. Besides all of this, I enjoy watching movies, hanging out with friends, and EATING!

Fun Fact

I've jumped off a bridge... (in Ecuador)

Hometown

Miami, FL

Background

Venezuelan

Familia

Natalie Romero

Major/Interests

Systems and Information Engineering

Favorite Food

Cachitos!

Hobbies

I am most involved with PMP and was looking to become more involved which is why I became a mentor. Engineering work takes up most of my time. Also, I'm currently helping a friend of mine expand his company. Other than studying and PMP I like going out with friends or just hanging around on the lawn.

Fun Fact

I play the drums and guitar and help friends produce music.