Angel Riera '12
Minneapolis, MN
Catholic Studies, Political Science and Spanish

"As I integrate my faith and vocation, the hopes and dreams in my life are to be a better Catholic, help those who in need, help young Latino teenagers who are having difficulty with their journeys to a better life, and improve communities that lack resources."

Catholic Studies and Business Legal Studies

"My father once told me, ’Querer es poder,’ Where there is a will, there is a way and being a part of the Latino Leaders at Saint Thomas has provided the way and support in becoming a man of integrity and conviction. Through this conviction, I hope to share my understanding of Business and Catholic Studies and serve as a role model to the youth of my parish to carry out activities that capture the essential lessons of theology, philosophy, and the Catholic faith."

Catholic Studies and Business Administration

"I am constantly seeking in my life, an environment that allows me to grow closer to Christ. I am confident that the atmosphere that surrounds St. Thomas would help strengthen the foundations of my faith. This past summer I realized that my vocation is to integrate my faith with my calling to an administrative atmosphere. This is where Christ wants me to be."

Catholic Studies and Communications/Journalism

"The Catholic Studies Latino Leaders program has given me a deeper understanding of who I am as a Latino student, but most importantly, who I am as a Son of God.  This Latino program offers the opportunity to dive deeper into our spiritual lives, which proves to be the necessity of life. The absolute blessing that this program is continues to help me and my brothers and sisters grow by service, love, and leadership."

Nolan Gutierrez ‘13
Arlington, Texas

Catholic Studies and Communications/Journalism

"A Catholic Studies program sounds so attractive to me; to spend time learning about our background and more about our theology sounds incredible."

Catholic Studies and Political Science

"The difference between most students and myself is that I want a career that will benefit the community more than myself.  With all the resources that St. Thomas will provide me with, I feel I can further use my potential to service the community to a fuller extent. Whether it is through politics, education or religion, service is truly what I wish to achieve."

Catholic Studies and undecided

"I plan to do the Lord’s will, and use my education in Catholic Studies and Theology to pursue a career in teaching high school theology and/or leading youth ministry. My desire in this career is to bring a sense of devotion to the classroom… not to make theology another history lesson, but used for greater knowledge of the One who gave it all."

Catholic Studies and undecided

"From an early age, I have been passionate about justice. I have always been the kind of person that is never satisfied with the way things are in the world… I was having a hard time accepting that rich people have more opportunities than poor people. Most people know this inequality exists, but don’t do anything about it. I believe that studying at a Catholic university will inspire me to put my faith and passion for justice in action. I have been blessed with opportunities that have given me hope for a better future."

 

Irma Montes ‘11
Nebraska

Catholic Studies

"Next year I will be able to study abroad in Rome for the whole year. The Latino Leadership Scholarship has made this possible for me and for that I am very grateful. I am able to truly receive a well rounded education not only here at St. Thomas, but also in Rome."

Irma is a Service Missionary with the yout program, Christ in the City, located in Denver, Colorado.

 

Catholic Studies and Finance

"I really love what Casa Guadalupana is doing to help families in need. I have shared their mission with a club that I am involved on campus. On Halloween, we had an event called ‘trick-or-treat for cans-and-good.’ This event was very successful, and Casa Guadalupana was grateful for all the food we collected for them."

Felipe is working as a research assistant in finance for Evalueserve, in Valparaiso, Chile.

Claudia (Munoz) Hnasko ‘10
Apple Valley, California

Catholic Studies and Theology

"Our intellect grows when we decide and allow the proper acts to have an effect on it. My last major decision was moving to Minnesota in order to pursue my degree in Theology. Not only did I choose to move here out of obligation for ‘mi gente’ to continue moving towards integration, but because I carry this immense desire to live, not for myself, but solely for ‘la gente’ and God alone."

Claudia is employed by the Archdiocese of San Bernardino, California.

Catholic Studies, Philosophy, and Family Studies

"This fall and spring I wanted to be challenged and so I decided to take classes where most of the material would be new to me. I took Dr. Kennedy’s Catholic Social Thought class. I learned about where the Church stood on several controversial issues, as well as why it took the stance it did."

Jackie is married with a young son. She remains active at Casa Guadalupana.