Fabian Alonzo exudes a humble spirit. It seems stereotypical to classify this young man as a gentle giant, but that is what comes to mind as he softly speaks about his time at St. Ambrose.
When Alonzo initially began his undergraduate career at St. Ambrose in 2018, he was self-admittedly a shy, mediocre student and felt a little lost - unless he was on the field as a Fighting Bees football and track athlete.
He has certainly come a long way since then, and it is quite clear that he has found his calling in life. He graduated in May '22 with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice, but he wasn't finished with academics just yet.
"At some point early on, I discovered that I really love learning!"
Alonzo honed that passion for learning and is now enrolled in SAU's Master of Science in Criminal Justice program while working as a graduate assistant for Campus Ministry.
There's something else he discovered early in his academic journey - a love of service and making a difference in the lives of others.
"I had always been involved in service throughout my undergrad. I often helped at the J.B. Young Community Food Pantry, mostly through the football and track teams. But now that I am a grad assistant for Campus Ministry, I get to work on campus-wide collaborations to schedule and help with so many service events. That's what I love the most about our service opportunities; everyone from all different facets of the University community can come together and help."
Alonzo said the most recent Project Renewal Halloween event was a prime example of campus-wide collaboration.
"We had so many different campus clubs, athletics, and student groups helping with this event. It was such a success and a lot of fun!"
"My parents always said, 'Just know you are making a difference'. Even if I get nothing out of it but a smile, I realize it's worth it."
Fabian Alonzo '22, MSCJ '24
He is also a dedicated summer intern at New Mexico's La Plazita Institute, a community-based corrections institute where he works with at-risk juvenile youths.
"I am working with these youths who would otherwise be sentenced to jail time unless they come and talk with us about what they have done and what they plan to do in the future. We work with them, giving them new ways to think critically about their actions.
"When I work with juveniles who are facing up to four years in prison as a 15-year-old, it's tough not to bring that home with you, but my parents always said, 'Just know you are making a difference'. Even if I get nothing out of it but a smile, I realize it's worth it."
Through this internship, he has also had the opportunity to work with the Pine Ridge Agency, an Oglala Lakota reservation that is one of the poorest in the country.
"Working with the Oglala Lakota Nation helped me realize that I want to focus on criminal justice and juvenile corrections. I fell in love with it even though it was hardcore living off the land. We lived there for three weeks, camping and building structures for the annual tradition of Sundance, a ceremony where communities come together to pray for healing."
As Alonzo prepares to write his faith reflection for the 30 Days of Prayer and Service, he hopes students realize the wealth of service opportunities offered through St. Ambrose, both near and far, and the impact we can make.
"After I volunteer, I often sit in my car and reflect. Helping others is like a cup of coffee; it's energizing. What better could I be doing with a Saturday morning?"
Learn more about Bee the Difference Month: 30 Days of Prayer
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