UCLA is a large enough campus that any student who wishes to do
so, can remain invisible, inactive and self-interested, unscathed.
That was not Cynthia Rabuy.
Cynthia did not sit idly by, ignorant of, or apathetic to, her
campus and culture. She was more than a student: she was a student
leader and a model citizen. During her time at UCLA, Cynthia
represented the student body both on the Undergraduate Students
Association Council and on the Associated Students of UCLA board of
directors. While on USAC, she served as the financial supports
commissioner; and while with the ASUCLA board for two years, she
served as both the vice chairwoman and the chairwoman. Serving as a
student representative on these two governing boards consumed a lot
of Cynthia’s time, but she still found the energy to
participate in Samahang Pilipino and practice for its large-scale,
annual culture night.
Student endeavors vary widely, but student representation
requires individuals willing to sacrifice themselves in the
interest of many others who they will never meet, others who will
remain largely unaware of a student official’s lobbying
efforts and behind-the-scenes hard work on their behalf. Student
representation requires individuals willing to do this strenuous
work even if it means never receiving a simple “thank
you.” Cynthia knew this but was undeterred, holding fast to
the principles that active students can actually make a difference
if they just try to do so.
Cynthia’s tragic death should cause everyone in the UCLA
community to pause and place their vulnerability into perspective.
No one can prepare for death ““ it can come at any minute, to
anyone, by a number of completely unjustified or unexplainable
means. There are two ways we can apply this fact in the
articulation of our life’s purpose: we can wallow in a pool
of pessimistic self-pity and self-interest, or we can exploit every
minute life has to offer by doing that which makes us happy and
molds our surroundings into a better place for others to realize
their own happiness and personal potential as well.
Cynthia’s actions while at UCLA resonated with the latter
philosophy, and for that, we will miss her but also thank her.