By Kathryn Barry | Staff Writer
Wilmaris Soto is respected by many friends and teachers. In her spare time, she tutors at-risk children, is a volunteer facilitator for one of Salve’s groups known as the Service Plunge, and is also in charge of creating a new, upcoming club. Students for Mercy is a relatively new club focused on advocating and teaching about social justice issues.
Every week, Students for Mercy meet, not only to discuss the issues but to teach others the leadership skills they will need for the future. Soto and her friend Ariana Caputo have been working on the project.
Soto recognizes how much she has truly learned from this group. “I learned how to speak for those who can’t really speak for themselves. I also learned that it was better to speak out rather just be a bystander,” Soto says. “Speaking out has so many benefits, like being heard and understood by others. It also created this passion for me that never stops growing. Going into that class every week just shows me that I’m doing the right thing by sharing my wisdom with others.”
Soto believes this club is an important group to have on campus because it teaches others how to fight their public speaking fears as well. Soto and Caputo’s job is to encourage the club members to face their fears and show them that they can make a difference in anyone’s life. The club members feel that the social issues they learn about in the club empower them to take charge and do what they feel is right.
Soto feels that, because of this club, she has learned not only how to take control of her life but also how to take what she has learned and to fight what she believes
in. Not only does she consider herself a changed woman, but she also believes that she is helping change others lives as well.
