An independent, college preparatory, co-ed, Episcopal Day School serves a community of students in grades 6-12.
Issue link: http://palmertrinityschool.uberflip.com/i/838548
55 S U M M E R 2 0 1 7 A LU M N EWS "Photography was my hobby as a teenager. During my last year of college at UM, I had completed all my requirements to graduate, but I needed to fill credit hours. So I took photography and film development. I saw there was a fun video class; I tried it and ended up loving it. In junior year I did summer abroad in England and tried photography there. My teacher was impressed, and told me the school was starting a masters program in photography, and that I should apply. I had grown to love photography more and more, so I applied and was accepted. I completed my Master's there and it sealed the deal. While I was there, I traveled the whole world for projects, including United Nations development goals, India's education system, and the Roma people of Eastern Europe." Her experience combined her two passions: traveling and understanding people. She was passionate about psychology already, so hearing the stories of people around the world was an ideal aspect of her work. After grad school, Lauren worked as an intern for TIME magazine during the Occupy Wall Street movement. Afterwards, she worked at the Center for American Progress reporting on progressive news stories. Eventually, she began her work at Fusion. Fusion was the true kick- starter for her career, launching her to become the lead producer of the America with Jorge Ramos flagship show. "It was an incredible experience. We traveled the world with Jorge. We went to the Jordan and Syrian borders to report on refugee camps. We met Rwanda genocide survivors and learned about how the women there are rising up and taking over their country's government. We were even nominated for an award after we swam across the Rio Grande together. It sounds crazy, but we swam a very narrow and calm part of the river." After leaving Fusion, Lauren took a dream trip to Southeast Asia for two months: "Don't be afraid to leave your job to pursue your dreams. Only two weeks had passed after I left Fusion that I had gone on the trip. I recommend it to anyone. Following your dreams is the point of living." When she returned from her trip, after working for a while as a freelancer, e Hub Project hired Lauren. e Hub Project is a non-profit, progressive organization that partners with other non-profits to build advocacy campaigns and provide a voice to communities. Lauren was employed to lead the creative visual and photography content for their campaigns. us far, the campaigns she has been assigned to have dealt with some of the world's most dire issues, like raising the minimum wage, instilling paid family leave, and most recently, blocking the repeal of affordable health care. Lauren reported that a high point of her career at e Hub was meeting Elizabeth Warren. When she's not advocating for progressive campaigns, Lauren passionately works on FIVRA, a foundation she and her mother founded after her brother, Michael Santa Cruz, passed away from cystic fibrosis. "We wanted a way to celebrate his life while helping people who cannot get medical services to treat this disease. My mother is Colombian, and we started the foundation both here and in Colombia. What we do is take donated medical equipment from nurses, doctors, or patients who don't need them. en we take the equipment to kids in Colombia who have cystic fibrosis and cannot afford medical equipment. Colombia is very behind when it comes to cystic fibrosis treatment, but we've helped a lot of kids there." When asked to give advice to seniors and juniors worrying about college, Lauren said: "Don't worry about getting into the right college. I went to three different colleges as an undergrad! Take everything in stride; college is just one part of your life. I advise everyone to try and study abroad if they can. Travel independently to discover things about yourself, and see the education system in other countries. Meet different people. at shaped the person that I am and my career. Nowadays people are scared of other cultures. Traveling is a good way to expand your horizons and grow as a person. Also, do as many extra curricular activities as you can. Get involved in whatever interests you. Instead of sharing your opinions on Facebook, get out there and make a difference wherever you see something you don't like. Take initiative. Organize clubs. And don't stress about changing careers. You can do anything you want in life. Getting a degree in something isn't a life sentence to a career." below Lauren on her graduation day from Palmer Trinity with former faculty member Sarah Kemeness; Lauren Santa Cruz featured in USA Today opposite page Michael Santa Cruz '02 and Lauren Santa Cruz with their mother Marta Sonia Yepes