Name: Abby Alfaro
Age: 19
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Natick, MA
Major: Social Thought and Political Economy (STPEC) and Psychology
Current Residence: Butterfield
Relationship Status: Single
Sign: Leo
HC: What are you involved with in the UMass community?
Abby Alfaro: A lot! I have three jobs; I’m a bartender for UMass catering, I work at the Freedom Cafe which is a non-profit and donation based coffee shop, and I’m a nanny. Then, I also volunteer as a rape crisis counselor at the Center for Women and Community, I’m involved in CERC, Coalition to End Rape Culture, and I do a couple things with Divest.
HC: Tell me a little bit about CERC, I know the Week of Action just wrapped, how’d that go?
AA: It went really well, we got over 400 signatures on the petition to get the Survivor’s Bill of Rights we proposed to UMass passed which was awesome. We offered a lot of support for survivors and space for people to share their stories and their experiences and really have a voice.
HC: How’d you get involved with the Freedom Cafe?
AA: I had a class in Furcolo freshman year, so I just found out about it by walking by and I stopped in one day and thought it was really cool, good coffee and a good cause, you know? I’ve been working there ever since!
HC: What’s the most rewarding thing you’ve been involved in on campus?
AA: Wow that’s difficult! I think everything that I’m involved in has shaped me in one way or another. My experience with the Center for Women and Community as a rape crisis counselor has been really incredible. The training was so eye opening and comprehensive; it’s been amazing to know that I can make a positive impact in other people’s lives.
HC: Who are the people in your life that inspire you the most?
AA: Another big question, wow, there are a lot of people in my family that I look up to. My mom has been a big source of strength for me, she’s definitely an inspiration for most of the things I’m interested in. Same with my aunt, she’s by far one of the strongest people I know – her birthday was a few days ago so shout out to Auntie Jen! – I’m really fortunate to have a great support system in my family. My dad has the best sense of humor – I can call him at any time, and he’ll just crack me up and make everything okay again. Also among my friends, I have a lot of great friends here and back home that are part of that support system.
HC: How has being a STPEC major been, considering it’s a bit newer compared to some of the other majors?
AA: STPEC is very hands on and interactive and it covers a wide variety of topics like gender inequality, racial inequality, and problems in our society today. It’s been cool to see how this intersects with a lot of the stuff I do outside of the classroom too.
HC: What do you do in her free time?
AA: I’ve been writing a lot more lately so that’s been awesome. It’s definitely a good way to navigate some of the stuff I’ve been going through. It’s nice to have outlets to voice that to. I’ve been doing art and crafting things too. I like reading, I like writing, I like spending time with friends, Parks and Rec.
HC: So what’s your favorite thing to do in the summer time?
AA: Anytime I can spend outside is good time, but I also love working as a camp counselor and going to the beach, spending time with friends, shenanigans and such! This will be my second summer working at Camp Woodtrail in my hometown so I’m excited to go back. I’ve always been involved in camps since I was younger as either a camper or a counselor.
HC: What’s your ideal date?
AA: Something where I can really get to know someone. Seeing movies is great, but I’d rather get food or go on a walk or spend time outside do something new that I haven’t done before and learn more about someone on a deeper level.
HC: What’s something you look for in a significant other?
AA: Lulz, someone who’s passionate about something, it doesn’t really matter what it is but as long as there’s something that drives them, something that lights up their face when they talk about it, you know what I mean? That’s really inspiring and those are the kinds of people that I love surrounding myself with because that kind of energy is contagious.
HC: What’s been your best experience during college this far?
AA: I’ve really enjoyed going to a lot of open mikes recently at Earthfoods Cafe. It’s a great way to express yourself creatively and push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Honestly, any situation when I’m with friends and not taking anything too seriously.
HC: What’s the number one thing on your bucket list?
AA: There are more buildings I want to climb!