Previous Lute Leaders Stories

TACOMA, Wash. - This is the second part of a series highlighting Lute student-athletes, coaches, and administrators who are advocates and leaders in the community. Today's installment features Pacific Lutheran University softball student-athlete Chaella Galapon. Beyond her involvement in athletics, Galapon is a member of the PLU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Pacific Lutheran University softball student-athlete Chaella Galapon has taken a stand. Disgusted with the recent murders of several members of the African-American community, Galapon has focused her attention on activism and being an agent for positive change.
 
The junior to be grew up and lives in Federal Way, Washington, a community that has helped the shortstop and 2019 Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference selection recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion.

"Federal Way is a very diverse city," said Galapon. "I got to grow up learning how to love and embrace all the different cultures that were presented in my city. Federal Way would not be the same without our black community. Obviously, I will never personally understand the oppression that black people face every day, but I want to be able to use my privilege to help amplify their voices."

The recent murders of African-Americans across the United States, including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and Ahmaud Arbery has led Galapon to take action in her community.

"I had surgery on my shoulder a little over a week ago. I can't physically go out and protest but I've been signing all the petitions I can, and donating to different funds to help those affected by the social injustice happening. In addition, I've been posting different links to support websites on my social media feed so that people who follow me can see."

Galapon's contributions include making signs with her cousin who has been attending the protests around the Puget Sound region daily.

Capitalizing on PLU's emphasis on a well-rounded liberal arts education, Galapon has taken advantage of the course offerings during her first two years to gain a greater understanding of those coming from different backgrounds while sharing her experience as a Filipino-American.  

"PLU has created a safe environment for me to have tough discussions and learn from my peers and professors from different backgrounds."

A nursing major, Galapon additionally has learned the importance of being an advocate for marginalized groups in the community.

"In my nursing classes we are constantly taught the importance of treating all patients equally despite their race, gender or sexuality. Every day I read about how some people of color are getting different medical treatment or not getting treated at all due to the color of their skin. Nobody deserves to be treated like that. I feel like it's my duty to speak up for people of color whether they are a patient at the hospital I'm working at or a citizen in my community."

In addition to her experience at PLU, Galapon was able to expand her horizons in high school when she competed internationally on the diamond as a member of the Philippines Junior National Team.

"That experience gave me the opportunity to meet different teams from various countries and I got to learn more about their culture. I've lived in the U.S all my life but the majority of my teammates lived in the Philippines. I was able to learn more about my own culture through them. This was a valuable experience because I realized the importance of respecting and embracing other cultures instead of just comparing them to my own."

An agent for change, Galapon stresses that everyone can do their part of enact positive change in their community.

"If you can go out and protest with your community then that's great. But if you physically can't, you can sign petitions, donate, or just something as simple as educating yourself and others. No matter how big or small the action is, anything helps the movement. It's very important to recognize your privileges and use them for good. At the end of the day I just want people to realize that obviously all lives matter, but no lives matter until black lives matter too."