New Month, Same Magic, Same Me

By: Kayla Tejero

 

Happy May, where April showers bring May flowers. As I write this article, I am resting from a wonderful trip from Texas. This is the time to travel and enjoy the warm weather. I recently visited Port Aransas which is located on the Gulf of Mexico. It was a much-needed break from my busy life. It is such a hidden treasure, known for its beautiful coastline, migratory birds, and activities, such as fishing, surfing or parasailing. We, of course, had to try the seafood which was absolutely delicious and so fresh.
I recommend everyone to visit, if they get a chance!
The month of May is known for renewal, blooming flowers, and the defrosting of summer. This month we celebrate many special events such as Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, and Nurses Day. Let us celebrate Mexican-American culture. I know I’ll be grabbing a margarita on May 5th! We also celebrate our mothers, maternal figures, and just how much these women in our life do for us. As a nurse, the job can be challenging in so many ways. It can be physically, emotionally, and psychologically draining. The beauty of nursing is to not only help people, but also to be there for people in one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. It’s an honor to be a nurse! If you have a nurse in your life, be sure to express your gratitude. It’s so exciting to start a new month with warmer weather. For many of us who are already established in our careers this is just another month of the year. For some of our students, this month signifies the month of graduation! Let us hear from our four features of the month!
Robert says, “My goal is to occupy high-visibility spaces in corporate America as an everyday Filipino, proving our heritage belongs in rooms of high impact. I am committed to teaching other Filipino Americans how to navigate the cultural dissonance of Western values without losing their identity, sharing the hard-earned lessons from my own mistakes so they can move forward with more confidence. By bridging my experience from the Marquette Bayanihan community to my professional life, I hope to ensure the next generation doesn’t have to figure it all out the hard way.”
Chanelle says, “As an Asian American student and the eldest daughter of two first-generation immigrants, my dream is to give back to my family, friends and community by using my career to provide a meaningful and positive impact on every patient I encounter. I hope that through the rest of my education and career, I will continue growing personally and professionally while proudly cherishing my cultural identity to deeply understand and help everyone i may come across, whether in or out of healthcare.”
Shaira says, “As a Filipina-American, growing up I was pushed to work in the healthcare industry, specifically as a nurse, because it was what my parents deemed as successful and accomplished.
For a while, that’s what I tried to achieve, but as I have grown to know myself and what I want out of life, I found that what I believe is success is pursuing what makes me happy.
Currently, as a registered behavioral technician working with autistic children and as an elementary after-school art teacher, these experiences have taught me that I truly enjoy working with kids as a guide to help them grow and achieve their own goals, whether it be polishing their art skills or learning how to advocate for themselves when they don’t know how.
Once I finish my degree, I hope to continue down a path that helps children become the best versions of themselves because I believe the future of our society depends on it.”
Crystal says, “I hope to continue making positive impacts on patients and their families for the remainder of my career. I’m currently in med surg/tele, but hope to advance into the ICU very soon and become a rapid response nurse. I really admire how they’re so calm and know just what to do in the most critical situations.
But I’m also a Fil Am business owner in the financial space, and I hope to change the narrative about money and how to build financial safety nets for younger generations in our community.”

Robert, Graduate
Marquette University
BS Finance and Economics

Chanelle, Senior
Loyola University Chicago
BS Biochemistry

Shaira, Senior
University of Illinois Chicago
BS General Psychology

Crystal, Graduate
Chamberlain University
BS Nursing