Get to know Kennedy Center grads in this student spotlight series. We'll be highlighting some of our 2026 valedictorians to hear about their experiences at BYU.
Tori Mask of Gilbert, Arizona is our 2026 Latin American Studies valedictorian. She will graduate in April with minors in Spanish and Italian. After graduation, she’ll spend spring term at an immigration firm in Rome, where she’s excited to use her Spanish skills, as the firm has many Spanish-speaking clients but no Spanish-speaking employees. In the fall, she’ll begin her first year at the BYU Law School; while she’s currently aspiring to be an immigration law attorney, she’s also interested in international law and estate planning.
What drew you to your program?
In my career exploration class, I was given the advice to do the classes that I enjoyed the most! Because of this, I moved forward with those I loved the most: Spanish classes! A pivotal moment for me was participating in the Self-Reliance Services Internship in Paraguay during my sophomore year. I felt very drawn to it, even though I didn't know how it would directly contribute to my professional goals . . . probably because I didn't know what my professional goals were. After deep-diving into Paraguayan history and culture, I felt even more drawn to Latin America; it cemented my decision to be a Latin American Studies major.
What were your favorite classes?
The SRS internship in and of itself, LTAM 201, SPAN 330, SPAN 355, SPAN 321, Model OAS, SPAN 351, LTAM 495R. Pretty much every class.
Were there any professors that made an impact on you?
I am very grateful for the Latin American Studies program coordinator, Professor Marlene Hansen Esplin. I wouldn't even be graduating now if not for her and am super grateful for her academic support and what she does for the program. I feel super blessed to have participated in Model Organization of American States this semester, which she helped teach and organize. I also really appreciate her teaching style and knowledge of Latin America.
Another faculty member who I really appreciate is Professor Mara García. I took two Spanish literature classes from her which I really enjoyed. I loved the lectures/guided conversations in those classes and am also grateful for her feedback and support.
How did you engage with your studies outside of class?
I did the Latin America Self-Reliance Services Internship, was on the Model Organization of American States team, and will go on the Italy study abroad this spring.
To those who are considering Latin American Studies, what would you say?
Something that helped me go forward with the decision to major in the program is that it leads really well into careers in intelligence, law, and business. It's like a subset of international relations but focused on Latin America! If any of these careers sound interesting to you and you feel passionate about Latin America, you should go for it! There are so many amazing opportunities and ways to get involved. Whether it's SALAS, Model Organization of American States, an internship, or a study abroad, I think these experiential learning opportunities are the most impactful. These are the parts of my college experience that I will never forget and feel most grateful for.