Normally we say, Meet Manuel “Manny” Morales ’16, but chances are, you already have! A popular CEOT leader (Valley Vigilantes V Squared 2013 represent!!) but he is also a native Californian who loves to spend time with friends and engage everyone he meets. It’s no wonder he is this week’s Campus Celebrity!
Tell me about where are you from:I’m from Highland Park, a small neighborhood in Northeast Los Angeles. I lived there my whole life before coming to Amherst. The composition of people and businesses in the neighborhood have changed a lot since I left for college but what’s stayed around is all of the amazing Mexican food trucks and restaurants. Whenever I bring someone into my community, I always take them to a taco truck called La Estrella that’s been around for as long as I can remember. How does the weather at Amherst compare to the weather back home?:It doesn’t. Before coming to Amherst I never used anything more than a hoodie or a rain jacket at any point of the year. Now I’m lucky if a hoodie AND a jacket is enough from November to March. Why did you choose to attend Amherst?:When I first visited, I felt that Amherst had a tight-knit community, something I really wanted from a college. I wanted to take on the challenge of going to a new place (I had never been out of the West Coast before college) but I also wanted to make sure that I was going to meet great people and fit in. Six months away from graduating, I think I can say that one of the best parts about my time at Amherst, despite the adversity, has been the amazing people I’ve been able to meet. Some that I hope stick around for the rest of my life.
What are you interested in both academically and leisurely?:Academically, I’m really interested in the way people and groups of people interact with each other (hence why I’m a Psych major!) I really like studying inter-personal and inter-group interactions/conflict. My thesis involves examining interracial relations. Leisurely, I love hanging out with friends. I’m a big extrovert and love being with people. I play a lot of FIFA with friends, which is a lot of fun because we all get really into it.
What are you passionate about the most?:I think just trying to have a positive impact in the world everyday. That includes living with a childlike fervor and offering others a smile or working to try to solve a major world issue one day. I think Amherst is a tough place and we all have our battles that few know about and a smile can go a long way.
What are your plans for the rest of your time at Amherst and beyond:In terms of my last six months here, just making sure I have a great farewell tour: finish my thesis, learn some new skills, have fun with friends, and maybe leave behind a positive legacy. After Amherst, I’m hoping to one day start a business or a non-profit.
If you could make one change to the world, playful or serious, what would it be?:I think it’s hard, and everyone struggles with it, but it would be great if we could all just be more understanding of each other.
What’s something you’ve always wanted to say but never got the chance to say it?:Instead of what I’ve never said, I think something I don’t say enough is how important perseverance is. I think that not only includes figuring out how to overcome an obstacle but deciding if that obstacle is worth overcoming. If you think it’s worth overcoming, then you should do everything you possibly can, even if it’s hard.