Clara Garcia said it was her culture and its history full of difficulties that drove her to become a journalist.
Born and raised in Venezuela, Garcia graduated in December from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and minored in Latin American studies.
“From the very first class in UF, you are a real journalist,” she said.
For two years as a student, Garcia got to cover news for Noticias WUFT. These stories impacted people’s lives and made a difference. This experience gave her a clear sense of the importance of being a journalist and doing her work responsibly.
“I was using my skills to inform people who otherwise would not have access to this information,’’ she said.
Garcia enjoys working for the Spanish news media because it makes her feel connected to her identity and gives her a sense of serving her community. Today she works as web editor for the Washington, D.C., Telemundo television station.
For Garcia, it’s a beautiful thing to celebrate her culture, her history and the many contributions that Latinos have made to the society and to the United States.
“I am proud of where we come from, our diversity and the things that make us who we are,” Garcia said. “It’s an opportunity to learn more about our struggles and the difficulties we had to face as a minority in order to gain certain rights and to gain full citizenship.”