CHCI- Walmart Intern
Hometown: Dacula, Georgia
University: Kennesaw State University
Major: International Studies
Placement: The Office of Rep. Adriano Espaillat
Lolybeth Yolanda Montero is a first-generation college student born in Van Nuys, California and raised in Dacula, Georgia since she was three. Her parents moved to the United States at early ages, with her father moving from Venezuela and her mother from El Salvador. Lolybeth grew up with an alcoholic father, and her mother separated from him when she was a junior in high school.
Despite her hardships and with the support of her mother, Lolybeth graduated with honors from her high school and earned the Goizueta scholarship. Lolybeth is now a senior at Kennesaw State University majoring in International Affairs and minoring in Spanish. Last summer she traveled to Europe to learn about the refugee crisis and what the European Union is doing to address the issue. She’s also part of three model simulation teams – Arab League, Model European Union, and African Union – where she applies her classroom knowledge to real-life situations.
Upon graduation, Lolybeth plans to work for a year with the Hispanic community in Georgia, promoting education and mentoring high schoolers. She hopes to one day work for an NGO helping children in El Salvador and working to improve conditions in the country. As a CHCI Intern, Lolybeth hopes to develop her leadership skills and learn more about the legislative process. She looks forward to meeting Hispanic professionals that have gone through some of the same struggles and wants to help the Hispanic community, both foreign and domestic.