My name is Ariela Olivares. I am a first-generation, fourth-year student working towards my B.S. in Public Relations and Advertising, with a minor in American Sign Language at DePaul University. Since I was very young, my parents and family members have instilled the values of hard work, authenticity, and service in me. These are values that I live by, and they have defined me as a person and student. I am in love with communications for many reasons, but I think the root of all of them is in the power of storytelling and how it can be used to open one’s heart and mind to different ideas, brands, or people. I am endlessly fascinated by the idea of tapping into the needs and wants of an audience to figure out the most efficient and innovative way of making an idea move people. 

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Being a first-generation college student, communications for me is a way to connect different mindsets and perspectives. I am especially interested in the concepts of diversity, representation, authenticity, and the media’s role in shining light on underrepresented stories and voices. 

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In my free time, you'll see me caring for children with disabilities, styling hair, leading a young-adult group at my church, or out-of-state visiting my friends. I will forever be a student, forever learning, always growing, and forever driven by work that makes me feel connected.