January 22, 2025 | By Julianna Maximo
Meet the Alumni on Staff! Up Next: Valeria Pereira, Volunteer Manager.
In 2018, prompted by the rising political and economic turmoil in Venezuela, Valeria Pereira left her hometown of Valencia to move to Boston with her mother and brother, settling in with her aunt and uncle.
At just 16 years old, Valeria faced a daunting transition. She found herself in a new country, navigating an unfamiliar language and culture. “Back home, I was always outgoing,” she recalled. “I became more introverted and anxious. The language felt like a barrier between my true self and this new version of me.” For a while, Valeria was in denial. She avoided making friends and held onto the hope of returning home.
Despite her challenges, Valeria’s homeroom teacher at Brighton High, Mr. Trinidad, saw her potential. For weeks, he urged her to join the school’s debate team. The idea initially intimidated her—debating in English felt impossible. But when Mr. Trinidad explained she could join Debate en Español instead, she agreed.
“It wasn’t something I wanted to do at first,” Valeria admitted. However, by the end-of-year awards ceremony, she realized she had developed a deep appreciation for the sense of community that debate offered.
The summer after her junior year, Valeria interned with the BDL for the first time. Debate became her “home away from home,” a space where she felt like she belonged.
Her senior year brought new milestones, including attending a major political debate at WGBH and competing at City Championships, where Brighton High’s Debate en Español team made history by facing off against each other. “It was Brighton vs. Brighton. I debated two of my strongest teammates and placed second. It was a proud moment for our school and for DeE, as it was just beginning to expand,” Valeria recalls.
In 2020, Valeria enrolled at Clark University, unsure of what to study. By the end of her first semester, she declared a major in management with a concentration in marketing. While it wasn’t her dream career path, it felt versatile enough to keep her options open.
Debate played a crucial role in her academic and personal growth. “Debate helped me find my voice,” she said. “It taught me to express myself clearly and confidently, whether in class or in any space.”
During her freshman year, she volunteered again with the BDL, translating evidence for Debate en Español. She saw firsthand how powerful it was to make a difference in the Latinx community through her native tongue. The experience solidified her desire to give back to the Latinx community. Valeria credits Debate en Español with changing her life—it forged a pathway for her future that she couldn’t imagine before.
When asked about community, Valeria thinks of what she considers her second family: her old teammates. To her, community is built on more than just shared identity, “it’s about caring for each other and sharing resources, even when you have little to give.” She credits BDL staff, especially people like Marisa, for making her feel welcome and supported during difficult times.
Now, whenever she feels unsure, Valeria tells herself: “My voice matters.” It’s a reminder that keeps her grounded. “When I start to doubt myself, I remember I have a voice and the power to say something. I have agency. I matter.”
Today, as a newly minted member of the BDL staff, Valeria is dedicated to helping others find their own voices, just as she found hers.
To learn more about Valeria, from her zodiac sign to the three things she can’t live without, watch the interview below!
In 2021, Kim Willingham was named Executive Director – the first woman and first Black leader – of the Boston Debate League. Before being named ED, Kim served as the BDL’s Director of Culture and Engagement and prior to that as an Instructional Coach on the Debate-Inspired Classrooms team. Throughout her 20+ years in education, Kim has held multiple leadership positions. She began her career as a Teach for America Corps Member in the Crescent City – New Orleans, LA – where she taught 6th grade ELA and Social Studies. Kim earned an EdM from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a BS from Eastern Michigan University. Her experience also includes several years in school leadership and education consulting. Originally from the Motor City, she now resides in Dorchester with her two children. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time in nature. Kim is grateful for the joy she gets to experience daily working with the students, teachers, volunteers, and staff of the BDL community.