By Amy D. Fienen
Ashley Guerra’s childhood was full of dreams about what she wanted to be when she grew up: chef, doctor, marine biologist. A dislike of the ocean put an end to her marine biologist aspirations, but still didn’t answer the question many college students struggle with: What am I supposed to do with my life?
Looking back on what she’d been good at since childhood made it clear she is meant to teach. “I always felt the most useful when I help others,” Guerra says. “Sometimes it’s not about what you want, but about doing what God’s already made you good at.”
A sophomore majoring in English, Guerra plans to teach high school English before possibly moving on to teach at the junior college level. Since kindergarten, she’s enjoyed tutoring her classmates and helping them understand complex issues. But outside the classroom she’s tackled a completely different type of teaching. As the president of FPU’s Folklorico Club, Guerra is teaching young women how to dance.
Guerra was first exposed to folklorico when she signed up to take it as an elective at Woodlake High School. It was either that or guitar, and having friends in the dance class made the decision easy. The challenge was that the only open spot was in the advanced class, but the teacher assured her she could catch up if she worked at it.
“I like to compete with myself, so it motivated me to work really hard and show up for myself and it became one of my passions,” Guerra says. She credits her now retired high school teacher, Hector Corvera, with inciting that passion and helping her become successful as leader and teacher of FPU’s Folklorico Club.
Guerra didn’t finalize her decision to attend FPU until the last possible day. She’d applied to some UCs and CSUs, but at the prompting of her dad and uncle, both FPU alums, she decided to give FPU a try. “Even though FPU was more expensive, I decided to make investing in myself a priority,” she says.
Knowing she wanted to have a well-rounded experience, Guerra attended the university’s Club Fair as a freshman and discovered the folklorico club, becoming one of five female dancers. This year, she was elected club president and took on the role of student instructor. The club has grown to eight members that practices bi-weekly and participates in events around the Valley.
Teaching dance has been the most challenging aspect of her role. “I thought, how hard could it be to teach? I quickly learned it’s harder to teach than it is to learn,” Guerra says.
To keep lessons light and fun, Guerra may include instructions for dancers to pretend to step on a cockroach and drag it under their foot. Additionally, she coordinates events, organizes fundraisers, holds club meetings and plans each semester’s calendar. When she found herself feeling overwhelmed trying to balance her duties to the club with upper-level English classes this semester, Guerra turned to the Lord for guidance. He reminded her she doesn’t have to carry the burden of leading the club on her own, so she approached her teammates about rising to the challenge and helping her. “A true leader empowers others to step up and lead,” she says.
Despite finding herself in a position of leadership, Guerra hesitates to refer to herself as a leader, saying she questions what makes her special enough to be labeled as such. Upon reflection, she says it’s her own performance level that elevates her in team settings. “I always deliver in whatever setting I’m in and motivate others to perform their best as well,” she says, which often means convincing people they’re capable of more than what they think they are. She also leans on her faith and trusts that shines through in how she faces all of life’s challenges. “I know God’s never going to put anything in my path I can’t overcome, and that brings a level of motivation nothing else can match.”
Time at FPU has strengthened Guerra’s confidence, both academically and when it comes to performing with the folklorico club in front of a crowd. When she started college, Guerra says she felt unprepared having come from a low-income school. With the support and encouragement of her professors, her grades have improved and her confidence has increased.
Each semester Guerra sets goals for herself and the folklorico club. This semester’s club goals are to host a Cinco de Mayo celebration and increase fundraising efforts. Her long-term goals include growing the club to 20 members, hopefully some of them men. As a self-described introvert, Guerra admits putting herself out there to recruit new members can feel challenging.
Discomfort aside, she’s approached freshmen and classmates in her dance movement class. “I think my biggest motivation is that if others can do it, why can’t I?” she says. “God gives us all gifts and attributes, and as an introvert, starting a conversation can be so rewarding even if it’s hard.”
Outside the folklorico club, Guerra uses her gifts working in undergraduate admissions and as a writing tutor. Whether at work, in class or dancing, she’s found her place and her passions on campus and is looking forward to the learning and thriving still ahead for her. “FPU is such a neat place to grow and be part of a community,” she says.
PHOTO: Ashley Guerra (second from left) and other members of the FPU Folklorico Club