Spring 2021 Congressional Interns
SONIA PAZ CANTON
Current Position/Organization
CHCI-Charter Intern
Hometown: La Mirada, California
School: Georgetown University
Major: Culture and Politics
Placement: The Office of Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard
Sonia was born in Guatemala City in 2000 and immigrated with her family to California in 2007. She was raised in Southern California around the Orange County area. Sonia is a first-generation college student in her family and attests her commitment to educational excellence because of this fact. She understands the value of earning a degree and the potential for unparalleled opportunities she will be qualified to get. Growing up with a service-forward education she has been taught to give back to the neediest and has had experience working with vulnerable populations.
On-campus, Sonia has involved herself in various leadership roles for organizations that model the values she lives by. She is a part of the Georgetown Scholars Program that works towards a more equitable college experience for first-generation and low-income college students. Additionally, Sonia is a tutor with DC Schools project which is tutoring, mentoring, and advocacy program that provides tutoring and support for the youth of immigrant backgrounds in Washington, D.C. Sonia continues to work towards building more equitable relationships in her community to make her family and herself proud.
Sonia is currently a sophomore at Georgetown University, majoring in Culture and Politics. Upon completion of her degree, Sonia hopes to attend Law school to better understand how to serve those in her community through legal systems. Her ultimate goal is to work for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and or to serve as a legal professional with the ACLU.
As a CHCI Intern, Sonia hopes to strengthen her comprehension of the congressional office function, legislative system, and gain knowledge of the current approach to foreign affairs. She hopes to use this unique experience to build a positive network of like-minded individuals who hope to make positive sustainable change for their global community.