By On Friday, Jan. 27, Alyssa Puntin headed to the state capitol to speak in opposition of Senate Bill 99, which would prohibit gender-affirming medical care for transgender and non-binary minors.
“I believe that everyone has the right to the life that they choose and the support that they deserve,” she said at the meeting of the Montana Senate Judiciary Committee.
Alyssa Puntin, senior anthrozoology major from Monterey, Massachusetts, serves as president of Carroll’s Queer Straight Alliance (QSA). Her advocacy at the capitol is one example of her support for queer students, youth, and community members. Puntin attended the committee hearing alongside other members of the QSA, as well as like-minded community members.
“They invited the opponents of the bill to speak and half the room stood up, a line formed out the door, all people who were supporting the LGBTQ+ community,” said Puntin. “It was heartwarming and hopeful to see.”
Puntin joined the QSA with a goal of utilizing her leadership skills and outgoing personality to expand the group, which now has 50 members. She began her time in the QSA as the public relations officer, during which she helped facilitate conversations between catholic leaders in the Carroll community and the QSA. Puntin hoped to create a more understanding and accepting campus climate.
On Tuesday, March 28, Puntin served as the host for the LGBTQ+ Lived Experience panel sponsored by the QSA. The panel featured several members of the LGBTQ+ community as well as allies.
Puntin asked the panelists questions such as what their favorite part of being a member of the LGBTQ+ community was, what the community meant to them, the hardships they face, and how others can be positive allies.
About 25 to 30 people attended the event and had the opportunity to ask the panelists their own questions.
“It was very respectful, people wanted to learn and understand the community,” said Puntin.
Puntin and the QSA have successfully created a safe space for individuals to share thoughts, feelings, and ideas. In the near future, Puntin hopes that members of the Carroll community that have less understanding and differing viewpoints will join in conversations to learn more about the community and how to be an ally.
…working with kids, working with animals, and helping people.
In addition to her involvement in the QSA, Puntin is an anthrozoology major, and her journey to Carroll was a unique one. After graduating high school, Puntin spent a year abroad in Castro Urdiales, a small fishing town in northern Spain.
Upon returning to the states, Puntin attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst. After one semester, she decided it wasn’t the right fit. She valued a tight-knit community, like the one she had grown up with in Massachusetts and experienced in Castro Urdiales. Puntin attended one semester at her local community college while searching for her next step.
A friend recommended she speak with Dr. Aubrey Fine, a psychologist who specializes in topics such as child development and the relationships between humans and animals, both of which are of interest to Puntin. He mentioned that she could study anthrozoology at Carroll College. Fine wrote a textbook used in Carroll’s anthrozoology program.
Upon looking at Carroll’s website and learning about the anthrozoology program, she found what she had been looking for.
“Something that involves working with kids, working with animals, and helping people,” she said.
Puntin applied to Carroll just as the Coronavirus pandemic began, and joined as a transfer student in the fall of 2020.
She reflected on the difficulties adjusting to a new school during the pandemic. Between masking and social distancing, remote classes, and being a transfer student, making friends was more difficult than usual. Nonetheless, Puntin found a great group of friends.
Many of these friends are international students who are studying abroad while at Carroll. Puntin enjoys making them feel at home by showing them around campus and Helena.
“My friendship with Alyssa definitely has a huge impact on my time here,” said Rin Yanase, a study abroad student from Tokyo, Japan.
“I had a lot of unforgettable memories thanks to her. I was super nervous about coming back to campus without most of the international students from the first semester. She helped me so much. She has always been caring about me and been one of my best friends here. I’m so grateful for our friendship and happy to have her in my study abroad experience.”
Shiho Namikawa, another exchange student from Tokyo, is also grateful.
“She brought me so much fun and experience! She hangs out with international students including me, and she shows us a lot of American culture. For example, she took us trick-or-treating on Halloween day,” said Shiho.
Puntin will be graduating in May and plans to travel to Thailand and Japan with Rin and Shiho. She then plans to take a gap year, training a dog to serve as a companion in her career. She then plans to attend the University of Denver to receive her master’s degree in social work.
She hopes to find a career that involves the service dog she will train and working with children.
“I am so grateful that I found Carroll and this program,” said Puntin. “The students and faculty/staff have taught me so much and prepared me so well for my career goals. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next and what I get to learn from there. If I’m able to use any of this knowledge to help others with their lives, I think I’ll feel very satisfied with mine.”
love you sm alyssa<33