Alumni Spotlight: Bryan Leonor '20 & Victoria Klazura '20
Bryan and Victoria are loyal and constant volunteers at major Alumni Association events. From Wine Classic in the summer to Homecoming and Family weekend in the fall, you can always find them volunteering together at USD.
What inspired you to volunteer for your alma mater?
Victoria: I've always gotten a lot of joy from volunteering. When I heard about the volunteer opportunities at USD, I jumped on them because it is a fun way to actively give back to a school that has provided so much for me.
Bryan: Coming to USD I was always interested in volunteering. It was something that I always considered time well spent and that hasn't changed since graduation. During my undergrad there were a lot of different opportunities and clubs helping out the local community which definitely sparked a lot of really fond memories of both the people helping out and work being done.
Can you share a memorable experience or event from your volunteer work?
Victoria: One of my favorite events to volunteer at has been Wine Classic. I got to enjoy the live music and fun atmosphere while volunteering, see old classmates I hadn't seen in years, and give back to the USD community.
Bryan: Some of the best times I've had from volunteering is hanging out with the other volunteers. The group of people coming to USD to volunteer are definitely a special group of people who are great to work with. Another great experience from doing volunteer work for USD is seeing some familiar faces at some of these events from old classmates to teachers! Catching up with old friends and hearing how things are going is just another thing that makes it worth coming back to volunteer at events throughout the year.
What motivates you to continue volunteering, and what keeps you engaged?
Victoria: I continue volunteering because I enjoy it and it is a positive thing I can do with my time. Volunteering at USD allows me to connect with old friends and meet new people. Beyond that, the volunteer work is really fun, and I love any excuse to go back to USD's campus.
How do you stay connected to USD outside of volunteering?
Bryan: Funnily enough, I decided to come back to USD for my MBA in hopes to continue to grow my skill set, so I am also a current student at USD as well.
What advice do you have for alumni considering volunteering?
Bryan: I think volunteering at USD is a really great way to come back into the Torero community. Not only does it help the staff but they do a really good job at making the experience as fun as possible for you too. I would suggest helping out at some really fun events like the Wine Classic or during Homecoming weekend since it's a really good experience.