Glenda Bustillos and Destiny Guerra

[00:00] DESTINY GUERRA: My name is Destiny Guerra. I am 24 years old. Today is February 1, 2023. And we are at the University of Texas at El Paso. And I am here with my friend and colleague, Glenda Bustillos.

[00:11] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Hi, I am Glenda Bustillos. I am 22 years old. Today is February 1, 2023. We are at the University of Texas at El Paso, and I am here with my very, very good friend, Destiny Guerra. Okay, destiny. So, first of all, I think I would like to start this by saying how much I admired your leadership in the voter engagement project. It was amazing. Like, everything you do and the courage you do things with is absolutely amazing. And I love that and I admire you for it. And I look up to you, honestly. And with that said, I feel like I have something to ask you. So I remember when we started the voter engagement project, honestly, I was clueless. Like, I was like, I didn't know anything.

[01:03] DESTINY GUERRA: Yes.

[01:04] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: And so I thought you were, like, really into it. And so I felt a little insecure. I was like, oh, my God, like, am I gonna be able to do this? I don't know. And so I remember, like, our first projects, we were. Well, I at least felt very nervous or, like, very compromising. I felt like we had big shoes to fill because it was the start of the project. We were starting fresh. And so all eyes were on you and, like, me there standing, helping you with things. And so I feel like to start off, like, what things made you feel? Scared or insecure, starting with your first event, which, if I remember well, it was the panel, the voting panel. I remember that. What were you insecure or scared about? Or what did you feel when that was your first lead, your first project lead?

[01:56] DESTINY GUERRA: So everything was so scary. So I know I came off as confident about it, but I was terrified. I didn't know what I was going into. I was super lost, too. When Eriberto told us, our boss told us that we were going to do a event, I was like, how? Like, where do I start? This is like, I had literally just started working two weeks before at our office. So then when he told me that, I was terrified and I didn't know where to begin, and I felt lost and I felt very insecure at the fact that I didn't know a lot about democracy and voting. So then I just started, like, researching and researching, and that's really what helped me. So then when he told me you were coming into help with that, I was really like, thank goodness I don't have to do this by myself. And honestly, I was still terrified. I forgot to even say my name at our panel. I forgot to introduce myself, and I was like, this is so embarrassing. But it went good, and it honestly made me confident in the next ones that were gonna come. It helped me to see what I did wrong and then what I did okay at the. So that I could build on that. But honestly, I was very scared, just like you were, and I felt so lost. But what is your favorite memory from all our voter engagement work that we did? Cause it was, like, a year's worth of things. So what is your favorite memory about all of that?

[03:25] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Oh, my gosh. I feel like, for me, it was definitely, like, two memories. Like, the first one was the voting summit we attended in Austin. Because I felt like we were being now fully educated and kind of. I felt like it was more real. Like, people actually cared about those things. Because usually, I know this happens in, like, every campus. Like, not every student is super passionate about voting rights. Like, we get that. That's understanding. But seeing so many young students being so passionate and educated on that subject was, like, what clicked? And I was like, okay, we're gonna do this properly now. We're gonna, like, you know, make it, like, our path. Yeah. It was, like, our, like, real project now. I felt that it was, like, taking a reality now.

[04:19] DESTINY GUERRA: Yeah.

[04:20] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Because before, I felt like not a lot of people wanted to even get involved or, like, talk about it. So I was like, that was, I think, my insecurity, and that was my favorite memory, like, making it real, like, realizing that we were actually doing this and taking the lead, because I feel like when we're here, we're supported by so many people around campus that we feel that everyone's in this project as well. But once, when it was you and me and Austin, it was crazy. It was like I realized that, oh, my God, we're the leads of the project. That's crazy.

[04:52] DESTINY GUERRA: We were representing our school.

[04:54] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Exactly. And I think that was a really good memory for me. And I feel like the second one is when it was election. Election week, early voting, and election day. That week was amazing for me. Like, I really felt like everything we have been preparing for, we put it in practice, and it was amazing because I felt like we were finally doing things and, like, we could see our results. I feel like that's when it really also hits that we were actually making a change and that people were looking at us, people were asking us things, and it really felt like we were officially, like, student representatives of being in the voter engagement project.

[05:41] DESTINY GUERRA: I definitely agree with that. We were finally coming together and seeing everything we did and even getting interviewed by all sorts of articles and news places and stuff like that. It was really. It was really cool to be representing our school, our community and just like El Paso and each other, our generation. Like, it was just. It was awesome. I think I agree with election week being my favorite as well.

[06:08] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: It was amazing.

[06:09] DESTINY GUERRA: It was amazing. And even though it was really hard and we had, like, a lot of challenges with school and students and stuff, like, it was so rewarding. So, so rewarding.

[06:22] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: So another question comes to mind. What would you. How would you instruct a student that's feeling insecure about representing such a big and maybe even controversial topic for some, like, for some people, what would you recommend to, like, students who have the passion or are interested and feel that people are not going to take them seriously? Like, what would you say to that student?

[06:50] DESTINY GUERRA: I would say that they should do it no matter what, that they should find other people who are at least passionate in the same goal, like the same end goal. You don't have to have the same perspective or the same lifestyle or values or anything, but as long as you guys have the same goal to build on, on the movement, to get to that same thing, I think that's what really matters. And finding people who can support you and help you with it, there's power in numbers, so having those people just be there with you by your side and moving forward towards that end goal is the reason you're doing it. It's hard, it's challenging, but it's worth it. And, yeah, I think that's what I would say is that just to find people who. Who at least think like you do in the perspective of that goal, because, like, me and you are very different, but when it comes to everything we've done, we're very similar in what we wanted. So it was really fun to build with you and to build with our team and everything that we did together, all of our events and all of our tabling schedules and meeting all sorts of people, going places. Like, it was amazing to be together with that. And I don't think we would have been able to do it separately alone. Like, that would have just been pointless. And there is people out there, like, even if you don't think that there's someone out there who is maybe into it, I promise you there is. There are so many people out there. Us before this, I don't think we would have seen as many people we know, so many people now, like, because of this. Like, we've had so many amazing opportunities come from all of the work that we've done. So there's so many people out there who are probably just as passionate or into what you are doing. So I think for someone who is trying to find something to do, finding people who can surround you and build with you is the most important thing.

[08:53] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: That is very true, yes.

[08:56] DESTINY GUERRA: So I think what is a big lesson that you've learned from this year, like, this year of work that we've done, what is a lesson, good or bad?

[09:09] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: I think what comes to mind is that as a student, as I mentioned before, you're not taken very seriously. Sometimes people doubt your wisdom, how you prepare yourself. They try to put a lot of barriers or, like, doubts. People have doubts of the work you do sometimes. And so I feel like the biggest lesson was to not doubt yourself. Like, remind yourself of why you're doing what you're doing and that it's not that you want to play with this team or play with the other team. You're doing it for somebody's human right, like, basic human rights. So I feel like having that in mind, like, having your. Your start goal be your motivation to, like, do all the work you do can prevent you from falling with those types of things that you encounter in the. Like, in the road. Like, it prevents you from being insecure or even doubting yourself and, like, doubting why you're doing what you're doing. So I feel like having your why you started that in mind is very important because it did happen for me, like, along the way and not even, like, it was almost towards the end that I felt people were being, like, doubtful or, like, questionable of the things we were doing. And that's okay. Like, people can ask you questions and, like, doubt you, but I feel like it's a very common thing, like, common theme around being a student. Like, you go somewhere where there are professionals and they're going to ask questions, they're going to be doubtful. And I feel like knowing who you are and what you represent is very important. And I feel like that will give you the strength to fight for what you believe in. Yeah, definitely.

[11:09] DESTINY GUERRA: Yeah, I agree with that. We had a lot of challenges towards the end of all of our work where people were trying to kind of keep us down in a way. I don't think, like, intentionally, but what they did kind of affected us. And we were told by people, don't take it personal. It's not personal. But with all the work we've done, we kind of did take it personal and, like, was a little thought in the back of your head, like, am I doing this wrong? Like, doubt, you start to doubt yourself because of that little thing that they told you. But I think you're right. Like, remembering your why, remembering why you began this work in the first place is, like, the most important thing.

[11:51] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: That is very true. I feel like we take it personal sometimes, like your work or school, because it becomes something that's, like, part of you. And so you have this passion for it. And I feel like that's also why you, why you think that, why you feel that way. But yes, another thing I wanted to ask you is how, like, what would be your dream scenario for the voter engagement on campus? Like, how would you want this to look in five years or in the next, even in the next election, what would be, like inside your head? Like, something that you would dream about or, like, want it to happen?

[12:36] DESTINY GUERRA: Oh, my goodness. That's a good question. I think just more involvement, like student involvement, even faculty involvement. I feel like there was a big lack of that in this election cycle. So seeing, like, more involvement, more students actually, like, wanting to participate in voting or at least ask questions, because we did have a lot of people who were like, I don't vote. I don't want to vote, which is totally fine, but, but, like, we want curiosity and we want people to know that this is their right as a citizen. So we should use it and you should make your voice heard and at least make a choice of the choices you have. It's easy to say, oh, I don't like who's on the ballot, so I'm not gonna vote. I'm not gonna waste my time. It's like, come on, like, you can do it. Like, I don't know, I just seeing more student involvement in the election cycle, more events leading up to it, more advertisement, maybe more community involvement as well, because UTEP is like a center point for El Paso. It's like in the middle of the mountain. It's like in the middle of the place in the city. So maybe like, seeing more community involvement, the elections, office of involvement, like, seeing all of that on the rise, I think that'd be so amazing to see. And I think it could totally happen, but it just takes more people like us who are passionate about it to get people more involved in it. And even though we're gonna graduate soon, we'll probably be gone by the next election cycle. Like, we should also make it a point as the community to bring in all of these people to let them know, like, how to do it, where to go. Like, it's. It's simple. It just takes steps, and people need to know where to find those, the first steps. So I think just student involvement and faculty involvement in the community, that would be really big for them to do, but it could happen. I can see it.

[14:37] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: It can happen. It will happen.

[14:39] DESTINY GUERRA: It'll happen. We're gonna manifest it, speak it into existence.

[14:42] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: That would be a dream. Wow. Amazing.

[14:47] DESTINY GUERRA: I wanted to ask you, since, like, voter engagement and stuff, I've seen. I've seen you be so confident in it, and I love the way you work, and I love how much of a people person you are, and I feel like we're all influenced by someone. So is there anyone in your life or not in your life who's, like, a celebrity or something that's in, like, influenced you or inspired you to be a certain way?

[15:13] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Oh, my gosh. Um, I think I've never been big on, like, being influenced by a celebrity or, like, someone of that sort. I feel like, just the way I was raised. Okay, so I feel like being an only child really takes a big, like, chunk of why I'm like this and not because I'm, like, extroverted and, like, want to talk a lot and I'm a people person. I feel like it's just because there's only you and you have to take the leadership on a lot of things. Like, you don't think you're never dependent on someone. Like, I feel like as an only child, I grew with that mindset, and I was just looking up to my parents. Like, I had no one else to, like, look up to or influenced by some older brother or, like, some sister that liked this type of artist or this type of job, like, I was never influenced by those things, like, external things. It was more like my immediate surroundings. So I feel like probably, I would say both my mom and dad, they are both very outgoing.

[16:29] DESTINY GUERRA: More.

[16:30] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: My mom, I feel like she's very. She's very into people's rights and, like, working towards all of that, and she was very passionate about that. Like, during her career, like, the start of her career when she graduated from college, and she's a social worker. So when she started. Okay, so my mom, little background story. My mom finished college late because she had me. She had me when she was 23, I think. So she was starting college a bit late, so I happened, and she was still taking classes with me. And so when I was born, when I was, like, one, like, two, two, three, years old, they were taking me to all of these events and, like, you know, like, social justice, this and that, like, women's rights, and I didn't understand anything. I was just, like. I just stood there and, like, ran around. But I feel like, obviously that influences you, and that gets in your head, and, like, definitely, most definitely. Probably seeing my mom being, like, so confident in that and, like, you know, being a girl boss, I feel like that was what I got into my head, and, like, I learned from that. And, like, that's where I, like, it.

[17:46] DESTINY GUERRA: Was, like a foundation for me.

[17:47] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Yeah, it was a big foundation for me. And I feel like when I was little, I wasn't, like. Not that I wasn't like that, but I feel like when I get interested or passionate about a subject that, like, flirt, like, it expands, you know? And so I feel like when I really got into this, like, I had, like, the innate, like, confidence, you know, it was, like, inside me.

[18:15] DESTINY GUERRA: Yeah, definitely.

[18:16] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Even if I didn't know anything about the subject, because we know we weren't prepared at all. And I feel like that's also a big thing to talk about. Like, not being afraid to not knowing something and, like, still wanting to represent that or even talk about it or work with that to get out of.

[18:34] DESTINY GUERRA: Your comfort zone to step out. Yeah, I can see that. Yeah, I agree with that. Yeah. Yeah. It was like an exposure to it when you were young, so, like, it was like a foundation, definitely, that ended up being part of your personality, and now you're doing, like, activism work, too, your human rights and stuff. Yeah. That's so cool.

[18:54] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: That's crazy. That's why I told you in the beginning that I admire you so much, because I've heard some of your background in previous interviews and conversations we've had, and I'm like, wow, she just put herself out there. She jumped without knowing what was out there. And I feel like that's even that means something. It means something because you did it absolutely all by yourself, like, no external person influencing. It was just you and your little mind and your heart taking a plunge. And for me, I feel like, well, I looked at this, and I was like, okay, and for you, you just, like, stood in front of it and, like, faced your fears, and that was amazing.

[19:44] DESTINY GUERRA: Thank you. Honestly, I don't even know how it ended up happening. Like, I just. I just did it. And usually I'm, like, a very not risk taker, or I don't get out of my comfort zone. I usually stay in there, but I feel like, in this past year and a half, I've really grown as a person and, like, I've become more of a leader and more confident in myself and my capabilities. And I think in our job, like, I've been given a lot of trust and a lot of just, like, a lot of responsibility where I am helping other people do things, or just in voter engagement, we were representing it for our department, for our school. That's amazing. And I feel like it was a lot of pressure, and I think that's what kind of just made me push myself to do it. I was terrified, though. It was scary. Even if I didn't look like it, I was terrified.

[20:44] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: And I feel like a lot of people have the same experience, but I also am a firm believer that when you're born with something, like, it doesn't matter if you haven't shown it in the past, when you're ready, that opportunity is going to be given to you, even if you don't feel ready yourself. But, like, it pushes you to, like, take the plunge and be like, I'm gonna do this.

[21:10] DESTINY GUERRA: I literally would have to do this. Yeah. I was just reading something on social media. It was saying, like, if the opportunity didn't come your way, it's because you weren't ready, and if the opportunity is there, it's because you're ready for it. And I'm like, wow. Like that. Now you're saying that, so. Yeah, like, it's true. It's so true.

[21:26] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: It is.

[21:26] DESTINY GUERRA: It's definitely so true.

[21:27] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: I feel like that happened with us, like, our whole voter engagement path, our.

[21:34] DESTINY GUERRA: Voter engagement, our job, each other. I can totally see that. We just took, like, a risk and we just was.

[21:40] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: And it was risk after risk. Yeah, it was like.

[21:44] DESTINY GUERRA: And challenge after challenge and people being, like, defensive to us. Yeah, it was a lot, but I feel like we've both grown a lot since then.

[21:57] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Immensely. Like, I don't. Immensely.

[21:59] DESTINY GUERRA: And then you think about it and you're like, I can't believe it's been a year. Like, it's been over a year.

[22:05] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: It's been. I feel like it's been, like, two years or, like, three years because I remember, like, walking, like, on our way to being deputized. I don't remember that person anymore. Like, who was that? Who was that? I don't know.

[22:21] DESTINY GUERRA: Who was that girl? We don't know her.

[22:22] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Like, now I'm like, wow, that just feels so natural. And that's amazing because that just happened in a year.

[22:30] DESTINY GUERRA: Like, in just a year, how much work we did, how much we grew as people professionally. Like, it is amazing. And all of the things we've done, all the people we've affected, all the.

[22:43] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: People we've met also.

[22:45] DESTINY GUERRA: Yeah. We've met so many people, and all the opportunities we've gotten now from all of this, it's just so cool.

[22:52] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: It's amazing. It's surreal. Sometimes I did feel that way. Sometimes.

[22:58] DESTINY GUERRA: Yeah. It was imposter syndrome. Oh, yeah. I think we felt imposter syndrome all the time.

[23:03] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: All the time.

[23:04] DESTINY GUERRA: I did. I know I did. For sure.

[23:06] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Yeah.

[23:07] DESTINY GUERRA: I think you probably would still feel it now. Yeah, I do still feel it. Yeah.

[23:10] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Imposter syndrome.

[23:11] DESTINY GUERRA: Like, it's still there. Yeah.

[23:13] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Especially in, like, big things, like the voting summit and, like, I know you went with TCA, too.

[23:21] DESTINY GUERRA: Yeah. As a Texas civic ambassador to the.

[23:23] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Texas Tribune, but when I went with you, like, I tagged along. That felt surreal because, like, there were so many people we knew in the actual festival, and it was like, you saying hi to everyone and, like, me meeting all these people, it was, like, crazy that we knew people in such a, you know, in the capital, and.

[23:43] DESTINY GUERRA: We were just so involved.

[23:45] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: We felt part of it.

[23:46] DESTINY GUERRA: Yes. And I had always wanted to be that type of person, like, to be involved, and I didn't know where. I just knew I wanted to be involved somehow. So I think being at the Texas Tribune was, like, a huge realization. Yeah. Like, a whole. Like, it was, like, just a shift, and I was like, wow. Like, we're in this. Like, this is, like, a part of my life now. Like, I know it took so crazy.

[24:11] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: A whole other meaning.

[24:13] DESTINY GUERRA: And, like, to think, like, a year ago, before we started working at the center, like, I didn't know anything about democracy. I didn't know anything about being deputized or voting or, like, even civic engagement, like, with volunteering and all that. I was so, like, oblivious to it, so I think just, like, reflecting on it. It's so cool to see where we're at now. I think it's amazing. And, like, to see where we're gonna be in, like, 510, 20 years. Like, what are we gonna be doing, Glenda?

[24:46] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: What are we gonna do?

[24:47] DESTINY GUERRA: Where are you gonna be?

[24:50] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Oh, my God. That sounds scary, but fun at the same time.

[24:55] DESTINY GUERRA: Yeah. Like, we've changed so much in a year. Like, what can happen in the next one?

[24:59] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: I know. And I was thinking, like, imagine if, like, every student followed every student, like, in the state followed their passion and took on that leadership. Like, the things they would do.

[25:12] DESTINY GUERRA: Yeah. Like, if they really. Yeah. Like, if they, like, touched on what they're passionate about, like, what they feel like they could do, but they're holding themselves back because really, that is, that's like our whole. We hold ourselves back.

[25:27] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Exactly.

[25:27] DESTINY GUERRA: It's not even anyone else, it's ourselves. So pushing yourself to, like, open up and really take the dive and take the risk, I think more people doing that, I feel like there'd be so much more change and there already has been. Like, I feel like our generation is so, so amazing in, like, involvement and speaking out and trying to get justice and just justice for themselves, for others. Like, it's just so cool to see how much our generation has done and we're still such a young generation. Like, I think I'm, like one of the oldest in our generation and I'm just like, I'm still young, I'm not old. So I'm like, it's really amazing to see and to think about all the work we're gonna do in the future. So I think staying involved is gonna be, like our big thing.

[26:15] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: It's insane. I can't believe how things happen. The domino effect things take. Like, that's insane to me, cuz it's like one thing after the other.

[26:25] DESTINY GUERRA: Yeah.

[26:25] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Like, once you put yourself out there, it's a domino effect.

[26:30] DESTINY GUERRA: Yeah.

[26:30] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Like, all the way through your process, even if it doesn't feel that way.

[26:33] DESTINY GUERRA: Like, so many things, sometimes it feels like you're.

[26:35] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: You're going slow or sometimes you feel kind of lost.

[26:38] DESTINY GUERRA: You feel stuck, you feel stagnant.

[26:40] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: That's how I felt the first years of my college career. Like, I felt, like stuck, like freshman, sophomore.

[26:48] DESTINY GUERRA: I think everyone does. I think it's just not supposed about as much. Like, I feel like it's definitely possible for someone to be like they know what they want. I think that's amazing for people to be passionate about something and they know that that's what their life is going to be. But I think for a lot of people like us, we didn't know what we were going to do, and we changed our major, like, a million times. And I think it's really cool that now we know what we want. Even though we're at the end of our college career. I mean, I am. I now know what I want. And even though I don't know exactly what job I want, I know at least in the vicinity of what I want to work in. Like, I want to help people. I want to be involved. I want to continue with activism and volunteerism and, like, all of this good stuff that should be talked about more often with civic engagement. I think it's really cool that we're here now. And even though we were lost and so stuck in the beginning, it's like the domino effect got us here. And for me it was just that one class and I did volunteering and then with Doctor Gonzalez, she was like, do you want to work with me? And I'm like, yes. And now look at us here now we're in a podcast. It's so cool.

[28:10] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: It's crazy. Things change. When do you least expect it? I feel like as a student, you should really have patience with yourself and just know that even if you don't know what you're passionate or what do you want to work towards to. You're gonna find it, or it's gonna find your. It's gonna find you.

[28:29] DESTINY GUERRA: Yeah.

[28:29] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Like, at this point. Yeah, because, like, I felt like, so lost and I wasn't even working on, like, finding out what I like. Like, it just kind of happened.

[28:38] DESTINY GUERRA: Yeah, yeah, definitely. Yeah, same here.

[28:41] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: And so you just need to trust the process.

[28:43] DESTINY GUERRA: Yeah, I think. And I think that's like something, like society does is that when kids are little and they're told, what do you want to be when you grow up? And it's like, why do I have to think about it? Like, right now? Like, I'm in school, I'm a kid. Like, I should be thinking about what.

[28:59] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Am I gonna have for this?

[29:00] DESTINY GUERRA: What candy I'm gonna con my mom into giving me. Like, it shouldn't be, like, future wise. Like, I wish I wouldn't have thought so much about my future as a child because my future is completely different than what I would have thought it was. So I think helping children to be, like, live your life, don't worry about that. You'll get there one day. And I feel like they should try a million things. And I feel like it should be talked about more that we should be able to change our major and it not be like a terrible thing. Yeah, because why do we have to stick with one thing? We're investing so much of our time, our money, like, our lives into this. This one goal career. So, like, shouldn't we be at least sure that we love it? So I think that should be changed in society of it. I mean, I know I do that with my son, so he's like, I don't know what I want to be. And I'm like, that's fine. I just want you to be happy and safe.

[30:01] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: That's fine.

[30:01] DESTINY GUERRA: I'm like, you don't need to know right now. That's okay. Like, some days he changes to doctor. Then the last time he was like, I want to be a garbage man. And I was like, you be a garbage man, you'll be the best one you can be. Like, all I care is that he does the best he can, and that's all a person should be. Like, we're human. We're gonna fail. We're gonna change. We're gonna go through different courses in our lives, so we shouldn't have to just think about this one thing exactly as our whole lives are gonna be just one job. I feel like that's really rough.

[30:32] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: I feel like that's a road to failure, because if something happens, like, you're gonna be panicked. You're gonna feel anxious that you're not getting there, but you don't know that, like, things change along the way. Maybe you will get there, maybe you won't. Maybe you will change your mind. But I feel like it's very important to leave space. Leave space for the unknown. Like, leave space for possibilities and leave space to change your mind. I feel like changing that, and not even as a student, like, as a human being making that shift of change and knowing that it's okay if you change your mind.

[31:12] DESTINY GUERRA: Yes. Change should be welcomed. Change is so good. It's not. It should stop being looked at as a scary, terrible thing. I think change is actually amazing. It's transformative. You don't want to be the same person you were five years ago. I know I don't want to be the same person I was five years ago. So, like, in five years, I hope I'm such a better person, and I've grown so much more. So I think, like, changing the perspective and the, like, bad taboo ness that change has is something that we can do as young people should be dropped for it.

[31:54] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Yeah, definitely. Leaving space for what can be instead.

[32:00] DESTINY GUERRA: Of, like, I should be here and this is where I should be in, like, timeline wise. Like, I should be married and have all of these kids and have. Be a housewife or whatever. I feel like that is still a stereotype and women should be at house and at the home and stuff. And I'm like, no, I don't want to be at home.

[32:22] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Live your life.

[32:23] DESTINY GUERRA: I think there's a lot of things in society that need to be, like, shifted.

[32:27] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: That's very true. I feel like that will give also students, like, this freedom, like, a freedom of thinking I can do whatever. And because of that mindset, you don't put barriers around you and you don't, like, put yourself in a cage.

[32:46] DESTINY GUERRA: Yeah.

[32:47] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: You let yourself be. You let yourself choose what you want to in the. In that specific moment, because, I don't know, next year I could be an art major. Like, I don't know.

[32:56] DESTINY GUERRA: It definitely puts pressure. I feel like it is a lot of pressure feeling like you should know what you want and you should be on a specific timeline. And I feel like that is so hard for people, especially freshmen. They're 18 years old. They just became adults. They just became. They just got out of all of this childhood kind of sense, and now they're like, oh, you're an adult. Do this, this and this. Like, you have to pay your taxes, and you need to be able to do all these things for school and do it by yourself. Like, you shouldn't be asking people for help. And, like, I feel like it's just so much pressure and, like, forcing them to, or at least, like, manipulating them into being. Like, you should know what you want is the job for the rest of your life. Like, that's rough.

[33:49] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Yeah, that's unreal.

[33:51] DESTINY GUERRA: It's kind of, like, morbid. Like, I don't want to have this one job for the rest of my life like that. Unless I love it, then it's not really a job, but true. But, like, what if it's something that you really don't like, but you're doing it because of money or because of pressures and stuff? Like, it's just a lot.

[34:10] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: It is. It's amazing.

[34:12] DESTINY GUERRA: But at least there's people like us who are talking about it and how it should be changed, and we're changing. Changing it ourselves. Yeah.

[34:21] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Change it with your boat.

[34:23] DESTINY GUERRA: Look at us.

[34:23] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: We started talking about photo change, and now we're talking about dreams and goals and freedom. That's amazing.

[34:31] DESTINY GUERRA: Yes.

[34:32] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: I'm so excited for life.

[34:34] DESTINY GUERRA: I am, too. This gave me peace, tranquility, closure.

[34:39] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: It did.

[34:39] DESTINY GUERRA: Closure of trauma.

[34:41] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Amazing. Wow.

[34:44] DESTINY GUERRA: Yes.

[34:45] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: I feel like I saw a timeline of what we did over the past few months, and I'm amazed. Like, I'm in shock. Yeah.

[34:54] DESTINY GUERRA: I'm amazed as well.

[34:56] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: It's amazing how someone can change, and change is good. Change is good.

[35:02] DESTINY GUERRA: Yes.

[35:03] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: That's amazing.

[35:07] DESTINY GUERRA: Okay, well, thank you, Glenda. Thank you for doing this podcast with me. It was amazing.

[35:12] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: Thank you for being my very good friend and colleague.

[35:17] DESTINY GUERRA: Thank you.

[35:18] GLENDA BUSTILLOS: It's an honor to work with you.

[35:19] DESTINY GUERRA: Oh, me too.