20 COLLEGE OF THE ARTS Monserrat Vazquez-Fonseca MONSE VAZQUEZ-FONSECA is graduating with a Master of Architecture. She chose this unique program because she has always been inquisitive about the underserved and underrepresented people in communities surrounding Portland and is eager to learn how to approach architectural design with a focus on accessibility, sustainability, and equity. As a deaf child growing up in Mexico, Fonseca has first-hand experience of the obstacles facing people with disabilities. She is fascinated by inclusive designs such as educational structures that could better serve communities around the world. Her goal is to design educational buildings which are accessible to everyone, believing that a small thing can make a big difference. While attending the School of Architecture, she was a recipient of the College of the Arts Scholarship, the Blick Art Materials Endowed Scholarship, and the Vocational Rehabilitation Service Scholarship. She is grateful for the financial support of these generous programs especially as an out-of-state student who does not qualify for federal student aid. Fonseca’s family is Mexican, and she is the first in her family to earn a bachelor's and master’s degree. Her biggest challenge has been overcoming communication difficulties because not everyone is familiar with American Sign Language. She is always prepared with notes, paper and her phone so that she can interact with anyone, even remotely. Her most memorable moments were chilling with her colleagues in Shattuck Hall late at night, having a great time, laughing and sharing stories while taking a break from their work. She would like to thank her family, whose incredible support and belief in her helped her break the glass ceiling in her education, her friends and colleagues for their encouragement, and the PSU community for compassionate and big-hearted support. Ulises Zavaleta-Berdeja ULISES ZAVALETA-BERDEJA is graduating with an undergraduate degree in music education. He plans to attend the Graduate Teaching Education Program in the School of Education here at Portland State for a Masters in Education. ZavaletaBerdeja immigrated to the United States at the age of 3. Zavaleta-Berdeja spent a large amount of time participating in student leadership, sports, academics and choir. After discovering his love for choral music early in his high school career, he decided to dedicate his time to the art. During his time at Portland State, Zavaleta-Berdeja was awarded the Gregory K. and Mary Chomenko Hinckley Endowed Chamber Choir Scholarship. This scholarship comes with a full tuition remission. As a DACA student, paying for tuition would have been impossible. This scholarship, along with others, allowed Zavaleta-Berdeja to focus on his education and honing his skills as an educator and conductor. Ulises has served as President to the Portland State Chamber Choir and President of the Portland Chapter of CNAFME. Zavaleta-Berdeja would like to thank his parents, Juan Carlos Zavaleta Sr. and Zaima Berdeja, for their relentless support and endless love during his time at Portland State. He would also like to thank his older brother, Juan Carlos Zavaleta Jr., for paving the way for him into higher education. He would like to thank Harry Baechtel, his voice teacher for the past four years, for igniting his passion for classical singing. Zavaleta-Berdeja would also like to thank Greg and Mary Hinckley for their generosity and support for the choral program. Lastly, he would like to thank Ethan Sperry for all of his support and mentorship over the past four years. Sperry’s influence will be one that lasts a lifetime.
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