Legacy Leaders Recipients

Name: Elias Rivera 
What is your Major? Animation 
What is your favorite book? The Bible 
What is your favorite music artist or genre? OM53 
What is your favorite movie? Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 
What is your favorite food? Enchiladas with Green Sauce 
What is your favorite hobby? Painting 
What is your favorite candy? Kit Kat Candy Bar 

What encouraged you to become involved at Mt. SAC or the community at large? 
Ever since I was a child, I have been inspired by my father's dedication to working tirelessly 4 days a week, over 12 hours a day, to provide for us. If he could do that, I could do the very same within my education. This pushed me to excel in every class I took, not just with the expectation of a good grade, but rather, on the ability to apply what I learned. I know that within the Animation industry, good communication and networking are key, which motivates me to be friendly with those around. 

What advice would you give to fellow students about leaving a legacy? 
As written in Ecclesiastes 9:10, "Whatever you find to do with your hands do it with all your might…” Besides studying, I would recommend students to communicate and learn to the best of their ability. Being a good student means more than achieving good grades, but rather, what they can give back to their community. For over 2 years, I participated in group projects with the Animation department to advertise their classes. And this was despite having to balance around 12 units of classes every semester. Even if it was time-consuming, my help greatly benefited the department's notability within the campus at large, more so than just focusing on my grades. 

Name: Jocelynn De La Trinidad 
What is your Major? Political Science 
What is your favorite book? The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin 
What is your favorite music artist or genre? Blood Orange, A$AP Rocky, & Warpaint are my favorites 
What is your favorite movie? Princess Mononoke (1997) 
What is your favorite food? Pozole Verde 
What is your favorite hobby? Visiting new places, especially new hiking trails! 
What is your favorite candy? Lollipops 

What encouraged you to become involved at Mt. SAC or the community at large? 
During my time at Mt. SAC, I was largely involved through my role as the Academic Senator in our Associated Student Government, where I gained new experiences in what it means to be a leader who builds community and stands as a pillar of change. However, even before that, I was involved with the RSCOs on campus by helping start the Law Club in Spring '25 and being part of programs like EOPS, TRIO ACES, and Honors. Behind each of these experiences and involvements was a deeper motivation that encouraged me to get involved. Being a first-generation college student with lots of ambition for the goals I want to achieve in my education, I realized that getting involved on campus was one of the most natural ways in which I could not only prepare myself to lead in spaces beyond Mt. SAC, but also a way to build community and advocate for others in the spaces where I am a part of. Through these involvements, I hope to leave a lasting impact that can inspire other students to pursue their own goals and recognize the value of their voices.     

What advice would you give to fellow students about leaving a legacy? 
One piece of advice I would give to fellow students about leaving a legacy is to be genuine and intentional in your actions and commitments, while also pushing yourself to become comfortable with the uncomfortable. Oftentimes, the impact you leave is greatest when people can tell you were truly passionate about the work you did and that your involvement was driven by purpose rather than titles or recognition. There is truly a space for everyone to lead on our campus that doesn't require you to compromise your authenticity, and when your actions come from genuine care, the legacy you leave behind can inspire others to do the same. 

Name: Lorry Nam 
What is your Major? Data Science 
What is your favorite book? Stoner by John Edward Williams 
What is your favorite music artist or genre? Gummy B 
What is your favorite movie? The Last Ten Years 
What is your favorite food? Sushi 
What is your favorite hobby? Yapping 
What is your favorite candy? Gummy Bears 

What encouraged you to become involved at Mt. SAC or the community at large? 
I treasure every opportunity to watch my peers grow and bond. It originally started with finding my own place on campus. However, seeing the capability to impact journeys of people from all walks of life led to a desire in fostering a greater community. A community where students can find their respective passions and places of belonging amidst all our busy moments.  

What advice would you give to fellow students about leaving a legacy? 
Legacy comes in many forms, and every single one of our community interactions has the potential of leaving a legacy for others. Follow your hearts and your values, and know that it’s okay to deviate from our goals, as long as we keep going. Help build the path for others, but don’t forget about yourself on the way there. 

Name: Xenia Chen 
What is your Major? Business Administration 
What is your favorite book? The Cafe on the Edge of the World 
What is your favorite music artist or genre? Firdhaus, Gracie Abrams, Babymonster 
What is your favorite movie? Sunshine Women's Choir 
What is your favorite food? Sushi, pasta, and matcha! 
What is your favorite hobby? Karaoke with friends, café hopping, traveling 
What is your favorite candy? Sour Patch Kids & Butterfinger 

What encouraged you to become involved at Mt. SAC or the community at large? 
Before coming to Mt. SAC, a friend told me that it can be difficult to make friends at a community college because most students come to class and leave right after. Hearing that made me want to create something different. I wanted to build a space that students could gather and find a sense of community and belonging. 

Later, one of my friends told me that because of the existence of that organization (TSA), it was much easier for him to navigate his social life and find a community when he first arrived at Mt. SAC. Those words have stayed with me ever since. It made me realize that the effort I put into building communities can impact people's lives in ways I may never fully see. It motivated me to become more involved at Mt. SAC, and inspired me to work on projects, initiatives, and legislation that could benefit the greater Mt. SAC student body. Being able to see how small actions can create changes continues to inspire me to serve others and give back to the community. 

What advice would you give to fellow students about leaving a legacy? 
One of my biggest pieces of advice is taking actions is far more important than being ready and perfect. Looking back at my first year at Mt. SAC, despite English being my second language and having no student government experience, I still stepped out of my comfort zone to run for and serve as the Inter Club Council Co-Chair. That experience opened so many doors for me, allowed me to meet many ambitious student leaders, and inspired me to work on projects and initiatives that I might not have thought of before. It can seem intimidating to start, but it's totally okay to not have everything figured out, and you can always learn along the way. Courage is more important than perfection! 

Enjoy your time here at Mt.SAC , make friends, find your community, build meaningful relationships, and create memories that you will remember for a lifetime! As a transfer student myself, I totally understand that it can be easy to get caught up in trying to do more, collecting leadership titles, and building a perfect resume for college applications. However, I encourage you to think about what you're truly passionate about and invest your time and energy into that. You'll be surprised by how much you can learn outside of the classroom and how much impact you can make to your community!

Good luck on all of your educational journey at Mt.SAC!