Alfonso Gutierrez, a student from East Los Angeles College, told meeting attendees that he joined a host program with ELAC Foundation and urged others not to be held back by self-doubt.

"My passion has always been to help give back to my community," Gutierrez said. "I always always frustrated at the injustices of the world. I've always wanted to be a part of the solution." He said he initially felt unprepared: "When I first joined college core, I thought that I wasn't, ready or I wasn't worthy because I was a computer scientist."

Gutierrez described applying and being accepted after an interview that covered community-service topics. "I did the interview, and then they were asking us community service related questions, and I answered them honestly. And, then I got in," he said, adding that the program introduced him to peers and mentors: "Now that I'm in college, where there's so many great people that I've met, so many people who are willing to listen to others."

He closed his remarks with an appeal to fellow students: "Don't be your own worst enemy. Be your best ally because the only person that's gonna be able to, like, put you put you out there is you." Gutierrez said he is "very grateful to be a part of this pro, program" and that others in the program are "fighting the good fight."

The remarks occurred during the meeting's public comment period; no formal action or vote was recorded in connection with the statement.