Name: Shakala Alvaranga, President of AEPhi
Major/Minor: Broadcast Journalism
Year: 2014
Hometown: Haverhill, Massachusetts
Hobbies: Reading, Family time, Traveling, Zumba, Cooking, Volunteer work
What made you get involved with AEPhi? IÂ wanted to get involved with everything at Emerson College when I was a freshman! I was open to the idea of being in a sorority, so I decided to rush Alpha Epsilon Phi. A lot of the sisters that I met through recruitment week were leaders in other organizations. I admired that. Not only was AEPhi one of ways that I got my foot in the door at Emerson, but I met my best friends.Â
Outside of your sorority, what are you involved with on campus? Besides being the president of AEPhi, I am also the co-president of WEBN Boston. I work closely with the entertainment, politics, and news department. WEBN Boston sends undergraduate and graduate students on extensive trips such as the Iowa Caucus, the Inauguration, Academy Awards, The Emmy’s and Spring Training. It’s great to give students that opportunity.Â
What can we expect from AEPhi this semester? AEPhi is always doing something new and exciting. Because there are a lot of us, we use our creativity and ideas to our advantage. This month, we will be holding a comedy event called “Laughs for Giraffes”. The proceeds that we will receive from this event will go towards our National philanthropy, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation. This foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing pediatric HIV infection. We are also getting ready for our huge philanthropy fashion show and silent auction, Ribbons on the Runway. All proceeds will go towards a nonprofit organization called Sharsheret. Our show this year will be held at the Ritz Carlton and will be even bigger and better. We can’t wait!
What is is like being President of AEPhi? Best part? Hardest part? I love it! Being in an organization like this in general, is beautiful. You’re inspired on a daily basis. The best part about being in AEPhi is the people I have met. We are all very unique and different in our own ways. We all have different religions and cultures. The best part about being president is the influence that I have. I’m a big person on inspiration and action. Not only do I have the power to make a difference, but I have the power to encourage 56 others to make a difference as well. The hardest part about being president is that there IS 56 sisters! We have definitely grown as a chapter throughout the past few years, and we are continuing to grow. There’s always something to do. It can get difficult to keep track of everyone and everything, you have to be a perfectionist.Â
What has been your best memory of AEPhi? It’s hard to pinpoint one memory because my entire experience with AEPhi has been my best memory. However, one of my favorite memories was my big/little night. Throughout the new member process, you eventually find out who your big is. Your big is a mentor that helps you through the process. It’s exciting. You receive clues up until the day of the reveal, and it’s fun to think of who it may be. My big, Jackie Tiongson, was also my best friend. Your big becomes more than a mentor for you, they become apart of your college experience. We had a lot of fun on our big/little night and I was so happy it was her!
What is your biggest accomplishment so far at Emerson? Emerson has given me more opportunities than I could ever imagine. When I was a freshman, I went to orientation and I told my mother that I was going to the Oscars. If there was something that I didn’t know, I asked. If I made a mistake, I did it again until I fixed it. If I didn’t know how to do something, I learned. I worked hard…every single day. I just came back from the Oscars last week. When you work hard for something, and you make it happen…that feeling is indescribable. Now, I have this no one can stop me mentality!
Do you have anything on your “Emerson bucket list” that you want to do before graduating? Hmm…well, before it probably would have been doing a study abroad program. But, I will be doing the LA program in the Fall! I’m really excited about that. Something else that I want to do is skate on the Frog Pond! I feel like I’m the only person who hasn’t done it yet. I can’t ice skate though, so that could be an issue.Â
What is your dream job? Ideally, I would like to work for a big news station in the city. Most of the work that I have done thus far has been on-air reporting or as an anchor. I would rather be on-air, but we’ll see. I love journalism. I know that whatever career path I choose, I’ll be happy.