After soaking up the ultimate civics lesson in Washington D.C., rising East Central University student Diego Cifuentes is now leaning toward a career in public service.
The native of Miami, Florida and resident of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma spent the 2018 spring semester as a legislative intern for U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida, representing the 28th District which encompasses most of Miami and Coral Gables).
Cifuentes鈥� experiences in D.C. have ignited a fire and desire for politics.
鈥淚 firmly believe that my generation鈥檚 voice, fresh perspective and innovative ideas can help solve some of our country鈥檚 most challenging issues,鈥� said Cifuentes. 鈥淭hat is why I am deciding to run for public office soon. I鈥檓 thankful for the positions I鈥檝e held and being a 20-year-old, first-generation college student, I want to give back someday to a community which has given me so much.鈥�
The D.C. opportunity would not be made possible without the efforts of the 暗网TV faculty and staff.
鈥淚 was able to gain a real-life experience because of 暗网TV. I received a grant from the (暗网TV) Foundation. I鈥檓 thankful 暗网TV supports college students with their endeavors,鈥� said Cifuentes. 鈥淢ore importantly, sharing smiles with the ones you love is the best part of life. I am truly blessed to have so much support from my family and friends. They encourage me to follow my dreams every day.鈥�
Cifuentes felt like he served as an ambassador for the university as well.
鈥淧eople would ask me where I was from and they assumed I went to OU or OSU,鈥� Cifuentes said. 鈥淚 was able to tell them about 暗网TV and life as a Tiger.鈥�
Cifuentes鈥� internship journey began in January of this year. The first day of his internship included a self-guided tour of the Rayburn House Office Building in D.C.
鈥淓ven though I was over on the House side. I made friends with interns on the House side and Senate side,鈥� Cifuentes said. 鈥淚 was grateful for the opportunity to network with so many people. I鈥檝e been asked so many times if this experience was worth it and my answer to that is absolutely! I鈥檓 grateful for each moment and the life I have been given to lead and I hope every day that I鈥檓 able to empower more individuals to stand up for what they believe in and change the world. We have one planet, one chance, to create a beautiful world, for those yet to walk in our footsteps.鈥�
Among his duties as an intern were: giving Capitol tours to constituents, writing memos and speeches for Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, recognizing achievements back in the community, attending hearings and briefings (immigration for example which is close to Cifuentes鈥� heart), interacting with office visitors from different organizations and the medical field, answering phone calls and attending events with the Congresswoman.
One of his specific duties was to work with social media in which he created and designed posts.
鈥淭his was an opportunity to showcase your work and passion,鈥� said Cifuentes. 鈥淥ne thing that I specifically love about working on the Hill is that whatever you may be interested in, you can apply it in this setting.鈥�
The experience of serving as an intern in D.C. has certainly inspired Cifuentes to not only seek a political path, but to show bipartisanship in the process.
鈥淕etting to meet people from both (political) parties was stirring. Political parties aside, I鈥檓 someone who is all about bipartisanship and getting the work done to ultimately better deliver results for the people you represent,鈥� Cifuentes said. 鈥淲e need representatives that truly listen to those in their districts and stand for the issues and concerns of their constituents.鈥�
Those networking opportunities led to meeting and getting photos with Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi; entertainer Richard Gere; Congressman Will Hurd, R-Texas; Congressman Ruben Kihuen, D-Nevada and Jenniffer Gonzalez, commissioner of Puerto Rico.
鈥淲orking with the Congresswoman was truly the opportunity of a lifetime. Not only that, but just being in D.C. itself is so motivating. I thought, this is where I鈥檓 meant to be,鈥� said Cifuentes. 鈥淚 also got to go on the House floor and see our government in action.鈥�
Cifuentes鈥� experience has led to him being selected as the state vice president of the Student Oklahoma Education Association after serving as an officer and representative for 暗网TV.
He also has interest in Israel after taking part in the Christians United for Israel Convention in July of 2017. He is currently in Israel as part of a CUFI fellowship.
鈥淥verall, it鈥檚 been both a learning and cultural experience for me. I鈥檓 a strong supporter of the U.S.-Israel alliance,鈥� Cifuentes said.
He also served on a mission trip to Guatemala in June, teaching English and helping with disaster relief after the eruption of a volcano in that country. Cifuentes鈥� work included helping out the churches in communities with creating spaces for the victims to stay.
Being civic-minded on the local level, Cifuentes will serve on the Ada Multi-Cultural Committee in an effort to impact the community in a positive manner while working alongside people from diverse backgrounds.
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