Growing up, money always seemed to be an issue. My mom had me at a young age but persisted to finish her education. She gave up so much to raise a kid and receive her Master’s degree. But along with this came student loans, which would continue to affect her further into her adult life and even today. In the second grade, I was accepted into an elite private school based on an academic scholarship, and while I loved my experience at this school, I was always seen as the “scholarship kid”. It was pretty clear that you could tell the difference in living between the girl with a two-story house and me, living in an apartment with my single mother. As I’ve gotten older and realized that money is as important as air in this world, I understand the sacrifices my mom has had to make to raise me and my younger brothers. As I entered the workforce and had money of my own in my hands, I realized the importance that comes with it. And while my family does still struggle to get by month-to-month sometimes, we’re making it. However, in terms of higher education, the money “thing” gets quite difficult. Private colleges have never been an option for me unless I get a full-ride. Even at Public schools, I may have to take out loans just to pay for my future. While this is daunting, it's given me the push to go after what I need, apply for scholarships, and research different types of financial aid. If there is one thing I want to do, it is make my education worth it. This money will give me the ability to make that happen, to create a better life for myself. With my degree in environmental engineering, I want to try my best to give back to my community and the world as a whole. While some of my goals may be for a larger perspective, what I truly want to do is community focused. Along with owning my engineering firm and working alongside other educated professionals in the field, another one of my goals is to completely eradicate environmental racism. Growing up in communities affected by environmental racism has made me hyper-aware of the effects of it. Food deserts and low city maintenance (just to name a few) have made me realize how important the environment is everywhere, even in communities where sustainability might be deemed as “too white” or “too expensive”. Despite the hardships that I have faced and will continue to face, I refuse to not make an impact. I will do my best to utilize my education and benefit my community.

Growing up, money always seemed to be an issue. My mom had me at a young age but persisted to finish her education. She gave up so much to raise a kid and receive her Master’s degree. But along with this came student loans, which would continue to affect her further into her adult life and even today. In the second grade, I was accepted into an elite private school based on an academic scholarship, and while I loved my experience at this school, I was always seen as the “scholarship kid”. It was pretty clear that you could tell the difference in living between the girl with a two-story house and me, living in an apartment with my single mother. As I’ve gotten older and realized that money is as important as air in this world, I understand the sacrifices my mom has had to make to raise me and my younger brothers. As I entered the workforce and had money of my own in my hands, I realized the importance that comes with it. And while my family does still struggle to get by month-to-month sometimes, we’re making it. However, in terms of higher education, the money “thing” gets quite difficult. Private colleges have never been an option for me unless I get a full-ride. Even at Public schools, I may have to take out loans just to pay for my future. While this is daunting, it's given me the push to go after what I need, apply for scholarships, and research different types of financial aid. If there is one thing I want to do, it is make my education worth it. With my degree in environmental engineering, I want to try my best to give back to my community and the world as a whole. While some of my goals may be for a larger perspective, what I truly want to do is community focused. Along with owning my engineering firm and working alongside other educated professionals in the field, another one of my goals is to completely eradicate environmental racism. Growing up in communities affected by environmental racism has made me hyper-aware of the effects of it. Food deserts and low city maintenance (just to name a few) have made me realize how important the environment is everywhere, even in communities where sustainability might be deemed as “too white” or “too expensive”. Despite the hardships that I have faced and will continue to face, I refuse to not make an impact. I will do my best to utilize my education and benefit my community.

The dream version of my future self includes a career at an engineering firm, making an impact on my community and the environment as a whole.

My freshman year I took my first ever environmental science class, and I fell in love. The connection between economic, social, and environmental aspects of our world intrigued me. So much so that I became a huge advocate for the environment. I decided to join the Green Team, a club one of my closest friends started. Within it we created one of the first ever recycling programs at an LBUSD high school. We’ve together created not only this recycling program but have had events that celebrate our environment. Events that aim to bring awareness to students across the district, not just our school. My role in this club is ever so important to me. As social media manager, it’s my job to make sure we bring in more people to our events, provide infographics that relate to what we’re doing, and reach out to other school clubs who may want to collaborate. Green Team was the first ever club I joined, it gave me the courage to join other clubs and made me want to make a difference. Since our government isn't making the necessary actions they need to make, it's up to our generation to take action. To understand that this is our world next, and we have to do all we can to save it.