"Candor is a compliment; it implies equality. It's how true friends talk. "
Peggy Noonan
“I hate interviews, they’re the worst,” senior neuroscience major Mayleen Monterroso-Calderon stated as she took her seat. The term “sugarcoat’ does not exist in her vocabulary; she is the face of candor.
Native to Guatemala, Monterroso’s family moved to Grand Rapids, MI when she was just five years old. As she began kindergarten, her teachers and peers noticed something a bit different about her; she couldn’t speak English.
“Sometimes my teachers would get angry because I would only speak in Spanish and they couldn’t understand me,” Monterroso remembered.
As she grew, so did her understanding of English and sense of self. From a young age, Monterroso valued being open honest with everyone she met. She found fostering a sense of candor helped her establish credibility.
“I feel like people could trust me more,” she explained, “If I said something, they knew I actually meant it.”
Over the years, communicating truth has almost become a sacred practice to Monterroso. But although candor is a very intricate part of her life, she recognizes not everyone appreciates it.
“Sometimes people think I’m roasting them,” she acknowledged.
Consequently, she’s learned to become more receptive of others’ feelings and at times has found it more beneficial to remain silent.
“If someone’s feeling down and beating themselves up,” Monterroso continued, “I’m not going to add fuel to the fire.”
She also admits at times her candor may cause her to be overly critical of herself. For instance, when it comes to searching for jobs, while most find no problem in over-exaggerating their skill sets and talent, Monterroso may sell herself short by believing she is inadequate.
Fortunately, since becoming a member of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc., Monterroso gained a strong network of women dedicated to her and each other’s success. She credits her sisters for urging her to become a Residential Assistant (RA), a position she originally felt she was unqualified for.
“Empowered women, empower women,” she declared.
As an RA, Monterroso currently works to positively impact MSU’s community. Through making personal connections with residents and offering advice related to academic and social interests, she is able to employ her gift of candor to assist others.
“At the end of the day, if you really want the best for somebody, you’re going to tell them what they can do to better themselves,” Monterroso concluded.
She is the face of
.