The moment was simple, which is probably why I remember it pretty clearly. There was no formal setup or pressure to make the conversation sound polished. It was just food, questions, and a chance to understand a little more about the people working around me.
Some of the introductions that have replayed in my head have been opportunistic through Dr. Ray Serrano.Through him, I met Sally Greenberg, CEO of the National Consumers League. alongside Breanna Banda, a LULAC intern and a rising junior from UC Berkeley. When Breanna and I were first introduced, I hadn’t placed too much thought into what we would be discussing. At first, I thought it would be another introduction, the kind where people exchange names, backgrounds, and quick advice before moving on. Then Sally, attentive as when I first met her, began prying into our background, quickly learning how invested she was in helping other farmworkers like Breanna and me.
My mind went back to the fields almost immediately. I thought about tomatoes and strawberries, the drive between Florida and Alabama, and the realization that the feeling I felt when I was younger was quite ineffable. Hearing someone in D.C. speak about a similar kind of experience made the conversation feel different. I felt empowered learning from Dr. Ray, Sally, and Breanna.
What I appreciated most was that the conversation did not feel polished in the way I have grown accustomed to due to finance. My time with them was an experience that reminded me how there is always more to somebody than just titles. Later, I met Julio Lainez, a lobbyist I was introduced to during lunch, also by Dr. Ray. I sat down, tried Peruvian food for the first time, and learned more about him and Dr. Ray.
These conversations have not necessarily changed what I want to do, but they have influenced what I want to pay attention to in D.C. Listening to everyone’s anecdotes while sharing mine allows me to understand how the policy changes happening across the nation connect to the smaller things people don’t always think about.
I believe that these conversations make things easier to understand. Other times, it makes certain ideas feel more complex. Either way, I firmly believe that meeting people may be one of the best ways to understand D.C., one conversation at a time.
Blog Author: Freddy Bautista-Molina – Class of 2026
Published on July 5, 2026