SDSU IV senior lives Aztec
Homecoming Court dream
Karla Lora-Acosta, a senior at SDSU Imperial Valley, rarely hesitates to face a new challenge. The SDSU Imperial Valley Associated Students Senator is, after all, a black belt in karate.
Her willingness to reach for a goal that was well outside her comfort zone paid off when Lora-Acosta became the first SDSU Imperial Valley student named to the Aztecs Homecoming Court. She and the nine other members of the Homecoming Court reigned at the Nov. 13 Homecoming game at which SDSU beat Nevada.
The experience was even better than Lora-Acosta dreamed it would be.
“I never imagined doing something like this,” she said. “That night, I remember thinking, ‘I’m really doing this’ and looking everywhere, trying to see and remember everything about it,” Lora-Acosta said. “This is
what college is about, trying new things.”
Lora-Acosta said her interest in the Homecoming Court was piqued when she attended the last Aztecs homecoming game prior to the pandemic.
“They were having so much fun,” she said, and wondered how the Court was selected.
Months later when in-person classes and the sports programs resumed, she said she started to see announcements inviting individuals to apply for the Homecoming Court.
A team of faculty, staff and alumni selects the SDSU Homecoming Court based on the individual’s leadership, school spirit, integrity and achievement through their contributions and involvement to the university.
Lora-Acosta, who is a liberal studies major, said she decided to apply to represent SDSU Imperial Valley. “I thought if it went forward, it would make a mark, make it known that we are here.”
In addition to being an SDSU Imperial Valley Associated Students Senator, Lora- Acosta spread her leadership wings when pandemic-mandated safety protocols temporarily restricted in-person activities. She started and became president of the Aztec Dance Club, which met in the virtual world last year.
“Dance has been my passion since I was young,” she said. “When everything was shut down and there wasn’t even karate, the club became my main social outlet.”
Initially, she said she and club members met online to learn and practice dance steps. Now, club members regularly rehearse in person and have performed at campus events.
She also helped form the Chicanx Club on campus.
“There is a lot more student life and activity on campus now than there used to be,” she said.
Henry Villegas, SDSU Imperial Valley interim Dean, said about Lora-Acosta’s selection for the Homecoming Court, “she is a great one, she represents the campus well.”