Luis Maya

I participated in the Path Advisory Council Earth Day Volunteer Event, where we picked up trash and beautified Hotz Park, as well as various other parking lots on the University of Arkansas campus. I was a "grabber," so I held the trash can and grabbed big trash with my hands. This was a calming and meaningful community service activity for me because it has a direct impact on the community that I live in. Trash affects everyone, and it's never nice to see it in our community. Another great aspect of the event was that it was with my Path family. It did not feel like a chore or task, but rather a genuine service for the community.

I participated in the Bookmark Making Service Project, which consisted of making bookmarks for Dover Elementary. This was a peaceful project where I could explore my creative, artistic abilities while knowing that I was helping children pursue their interests in reading. I made 10 bookmarks. Creating bookmarks for anyone may seem meaningless, as I said before, but it truly has meaningful academic significance for those who will come after me. The bookmarks are meant to encourage reading habits for young readers. This small act fosters a sense of identity and motivation. Beyond simple function, bookmarks are low-cost. It supports student success and engagement in an accessible and lasting way.

I participated in the Lenten Fish Fry with the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic College Knights of Columbus, which was really meaningful and rewarding for me. Hundreds of parishioners came out during Lent. Together, we reinforced the values of community, individual sacrifice, and service within the Catholic season of Lent. As a food server and food preparer for the event, I engaged with attendees by greeting them and ensuring they felt welcomed and cared for. I also had a fun time preparing a large amount of corn, which required the team's support and coordination from my fellow Knights. It was required to successfully host such a large-scale event.

This experience is an act of love, a way of living out the faith. It was encouraging, warm, and motivating to see so many members of the community and my fellow brother Knights come together in observance of this religious season. The annual Fish Fry was both spiritually fulfilling, and I plan to participate in the coming up years as well!

Participating in the Health Essentials Access Initiative, led by Associated Student Government Senator Rylee Youngblood, was a hands-on, meaningful experience. This initiative is based on the mission to address basic needs and support students across the University of Arkansas. This service highlighted how small, organized efforts can create tangible benefits for students. Rylee started this initiative as an idea, raised community donations and Senate funding, and secured buy-in from the student population. It launched, and I was glad to have participated, even in a small effort. 10/10 would do again.

I spoke at Rogers Heritage High School in Rogers, which was an opportunity I had never had before, but it allowed me to reflect on my own journey while helping others think about beginning theirs.

Mrs. Ashanti Salazar's class of 10th- and 11th-grade students, many of whom are minority and first-generation, had been talking about college prior to my arrival, so my purpose was to speak to what college truly looks like beyond the surface, as someone who looks like them and has had similar lived experiences.

They asked me about everything from academics and finances to social adjustment and navigating uncertainty. I made sure to conclude with the encouraging idea that college is not reserved for a certain type of student: it is for all who are willing to work, ask questions, and take ownership of their education.

This experience as a whole reinforces the important value of mentorship, representation, and remembering your roots.

On January 17, 2026, I attended the community service event at the M&N Augustine Foundation in Fayetteville, which was part of our Path retreat and also a meaningful reminder of the value of service. Mainly, I worked in the kitchen, helping prepare food for the event. Whether it was helping put plates together or stepping in wherever needed, I was adaptable and worked well as part of my Path team to serve effectively.
What stood out most to me —and what I loved most —was how productive the power of division of labor was. Besides being willing to do whatever was asked of me, I felt a mindset of humility and service. This experience also strengthened my appreciation for the work that makes community initiatives successful. No matter what, through cold or heat, there is always time and the opportunity to give back to the community.

On September 15, 2025, I attended Yale Law School Information Session, an honors academic event hosted by Dr. Hancox & Yale Law School. This event was utilized for my academic honors requirement for the Path Program for the Path Program. Although I still have a long way to go in my academic career, I believe this was a great opportunity for me to gain insight into what law school can be like. Financial aid, application tips, and general information were among the topics described in this information session. Overall, I think this course is a good view into what my future can look like.

On April 28th, 2025, I attended Recess: Leadership & Service, an honors social event hosted by the Honors College. This event was utilized to fulfill my social honors requirement for the Path Program. I attended this recess, which consisted of talking to honors faculty, eating and drinking from the snack cart, talking to student leaders, and learning about involvement opportunities across campus. Felipe also attended this recess with me, so it was a great event!