By Stephanie Ahorro, 2025 CLA Intern
One of my favorite Soirée decisions was for our campaign team to wear and showcase our cultural attire. I wore a Filipiniana-inspired modern bolero for the first time and felt immense pride representing my culture. Standing in that space, surrounded by my diverse team that respected and celebrated each other’s heritage, reminded me why representation matters. I left feeling proud to be Filipina-American, part of a mock campaign rooted not only in policy but also in the lived experiences and histories that shape who we are.
The most rewarding part of my mock campaign experience leading up to the Soirée was the dynamic of our team and how we worked together to run a successful campaign for Team Esther. We used strategic communication, intentional messaging, media, and outreach to share our true message and policy perspectives which were rooted in the people and voices of the district.
What I enjoyed most was the team itself. Each person brought different strengths, and while we had weaknesses, we consistently stepped in to support one another. Even when challenges arose, we had honest, sometimes difficult, conversations that made us stronger. This experience proved that when we share a collective goal and vision, we can achieve remarkable things. Team Esther’s unity allowed us to operate cohesively and present a strong, united front.
The Soirée was especially meaningful because it allowed me to network and showcase the hard work we put into the past eight weeks of our walk campaign. It wasn’t just a celebration, it was about engaging people directly, asking if they were involved, and showing the power of civic participation.
I am grateful for my team and appreciative of our worthy opponent, Team Imani, who ran a strong and honorable campaign. It was an honor to campaign alongside them and to see the power of respectful competition in action.