Name: Carolina Villarreal
Hometown: Brownsville, TX
High School: St. Joseph Academy
School: University of Texas at Brownsville
Major: Psychology
Interests: Art (especially Salvador Dali), Cinema, Music Festivals
Accomplishments: UTB Freshman Senator, Various Art Awards from the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools
How did you get involved with Marist?
Ever since I was younger, my parents have encouraged me to live a life of service. While I was a junior in high school I organized an event to raise funds for Haiti. As a result, I was asked to become a Marist Youth leader. I became very involved in everything Marist at my school, including campus ministry. I helped to organize events and lead retreats.
When I attended the Marist Youth conference in Poughkeepsie, it became clear to me what it means to be Marist. I was drawn to the Marist way of living - of helping those around me to know God. It became clear to me that I was meant to serve people around me.
Why are you still involved with Marist?
I am still involved with Marist because it has made a place in my heart. Coming from a Marist school and having had the opportunity to learn the Marist ways has made me a better person. Being Marist has become a part of who I am. I am constantly in search of ways to help. I hope that I can continue to be someone that can set an example for young people who need more faith.
How do you live out your Marist identity now?
I live out my Marist identity by being an active member of my community. Sometimes life gets a little tricky and it is hard to be one hundred percent Marist, but I strive to keep a positive mindset through prayer and community service.
Do you have a Marist story to share?
At the Marist Youth conference, I met a girl named Marcela, a Marist Youth leader from her high school in Los Mochis, Sinaloa in Mexico. We became close friends and I invited her to spend a year at my house in Brownsville, Texas so that she could improve her English and help out in Marist projects in my community. It was an amazing experience and, thanks to the Marist Youth Program, I gained an extraordinary friend and "sister".
For more information about events in Texas or to suggest an activity, please contact Carolina at Carolina@MaristYoungAdult.com.
Daniella Rodriguez 
romotional 
The Marist Young Adult Advisory Committee (MYAAC) met at the young adult community in Esopus from January 6th-8th for its annual "meetreat". The program consisted of personal reflection, individual and small group meetings, prayer, group building activities and a business meeting. Chairperson, Matt Fallon, gave a "State of the Program" address in which he recounted the many successes of the first semester and challenged the group to be animators of the group's future. The group spent time reviewing their own role in the program and setting personal and regional goals.