Velia Moncada joins GRIN staff

April 21, 2023

Velia Moncada, 

Community Newsperson

Hello my name is Velia Moncada. I am excited to introduce myself as GRIN’s new Community Newsperson to join the team.

I am an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community from District 4. However, I grew up outside of the Community in Chandler.

I am a former GRIC Tribal Scholarship recipient. I graduated from Arizona State University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Wellness with a minor in Spanish. 

My background in journalism writing began from experiences at my high school’s newspaper club and as a Chapter Reporter for the FFA (Future Farmers of America) program at Chandler High School.

Since then, I have continued to strengthen this skill throughout college and working professionally. 

My passions outside of work include acting for theatre and film, sketching/painting art, and hiking trails across the great state of Arizona. One fun fact about me is that I am a former Miss Chandler Latina 2021-2022, in which I advocated gardening for food sovereignty within the Community and honoring the relations to my Native American and Latino culture. 

I am looking forward to this opportunity to connect and learn more about the Community while also sharing the voices and stories of the people.  

Thank you.