People
Hilary Lara Pantoja
Fall 2026 Waymarks Toward Reunion Student Fellow
Profile
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Hilary Lara Pantoja (C'29) is a sophomore at Georgetown University majoring in sociology with a minor in art. At the Berkley Center she is a Waymarks Toward Reunion Student Fellow for the fall 2026 semester, working with Research Fellow Patrick Beldio to deepen her understanding of the intersections of art and theology. Her coursework in drawing, figure study, and sculpture supports an artistic practice centered on composition and storytelling, including recent study work in oil painting. Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, and fluent in Spanish, Pantoja imbues her work with much of her Hispanic background; her most recent sculpture represents an eagle made of bark, referencing the sigil on Mexico’s flag. She brings a sociological interest in how systems of belief shape social relations and creative expression, alongside a personal commitment to exploring her Catholic faith and Mexican heritage through art. She is particularly interested in reconciling with Mexico’s history of conquest by embracing her transformed Mexican identity as a wonderfully tragic circumstance of change.