Through my school and professional work, I have come to learn and realize that the fight for sound environmental regulations and a move toward sustainability is a vital part of bringing on environmental justice, peace, and progress for those who suffer the most from a deteriorating earth. I had the opportunity to intern with the Kentucky Conservation Committee where I assisted in ongoing projects and the writing of reports about relevant issues in Kentucky. I looked into biodiversity conservation efforts in Kentucky and nationally; I was tasked with looking into the ecological and social measures taken in preparation for a new solar plant being built and wrote a report on whether these measures were sound and appropriate; I had the opportunity to sit in and contribute to policy and advocacy agenda meetings were we covered attacks on ESG investments, land conservation, worker compensation for mining-related health issues, an LG&E pipeline project, the delay of utilities cutoff in extreme weather conditions, and electric vehicle charging stations, taxes, and circulation fees, among others. It was through this opportunity and a course on Earth Law that I realized that I want to be part of that policy and legal work of moving toward an ecocentric and just world. With that said, I completed my undergraduate in biology, I’m currently completing my master’s in environmental assessment with an emphasis on environmental justice, and plan to further my education by going to law school. Through my studies so far I have explored topics in environmentalism that interest me such as Indigenous environmentalism, sustainable cities, the effects of deforestation, environmental law and policy, and what different types of aquatic organisms indicate about stream properties and quality. As I further my education I want to advocate for earth-centered policies and regulations that also meet a standard of justice and acknowledgment of how climate disasters and pollution disproportionately affect marginalized communities. With the knowledge gained through the completion of my master’s, I can advance ecocentric policies and regulations, accurately interpret and assess environmental conditions, and promote environmental measures that lift and empower marginalized communities. I can learn from generations of Indigenous peoples and climate activists around the world who have incessantly fought and continue to fight for a healthy Earth and a better tomorrow. Through the completion of law school, I can fight for Nature in courtrooms, communities, and in front of congressional bodies, because Earth needs advocates in every room.

I have always been driven by the desire to help others and be part of a community that can rely on each other. As an immigrant, I recognize the hardships that many face as they journey to the United States and get settled. I also recognize the immense privilege I have of having access to information and resources that I'm able to navigate. It is through this dual understanding that I have sought to, and continue to work toward, ensuring that immigrants are equipped with the tools necessary to not only navigate the intricate immigration system but to meaningfully participate in society. As a college student, I interned with the Kentucky International Center, which helps refugees and other immigrants get settled into the United States. The range of services provided is quite vast, but the area I aided with was helping individuals find jobs where they were compensated fairly and were able to start a path toward self-reliance. Many of the individuals who walked through our doors had education and trade jobs in their countries, but the lack of language fluency can present a serious barrier to finding a job that reflects their capacities. It was our job to work with community partners to find them jobs that would sustain them and their families, and encourage them to attend English classes so that they could advance and participate in their communities. I now work in the nonprofit sector and advocate for equitable access to mental health, especially for those who are trapped in the cycle of criminal justice involvement due to their untreated mental illness. I believe that access to healthcare is a fundamental human right, and that criminalizing mental illness will only lead to the deterioration of individuals and the misuse of resources from various systems. This desire to divert people from the criminal justice system into treatment and housing is something I'm deeply passionate about and something that requires an understanding of the compounding factors that lead many down the path of recidivism and substance use. They deserve stability and an opportunity to recover in a safe environment. Though access to behavioral healthcare for justice-involved individuals is one of my main projects, I'm also a Mental Health First Aid instructor. The course seeks to educate the public on the signs and symptoms of mental illness and equip them with the tools to respond appropriately when someone is displaying them. Teaching it can be draining. It is a hard subject and participants share personal experiences with suicide and other mental health challenges. But I wouldn't change it for anything else. I love that I can teach this course in Spanish and reach my community members, who have historically been absent from mental health conversations and whose health outcomes continue to be worse than their Caucasian counterparts. I love that I can form a community with the adults that show up to class, that they can develop trust to reach out when a youth in their lives is facing challenges and they would like resources to help them. I love that now I can see Hispanic adults be the support system for young people that many of them didn't have. I love that ultimately, together, we can work toward ensuring that from now on our community members can reach out when they're struggling instead of bottling it up until it deteriorates their physical health. Through all of my work, I hope to embody selflessness, but above all, a strong desire to do better for our communities and build a more equitable, sustainable, and kind world.

The feeling of being riddled with anxiety to the point of being physically ill was constant throughout my high school career. Rarely did I wake up without immediately feeling like I needed to throw up, and throughout those four years I rarely ate breakfast on school days. Still, I grew up in a Hispanic household, and as a recently arrived immigrant, I didn’t want to cause trouble, so I never said anything and nobody addressed it either. I spent my whole high school journey concerned with the way I looked and what others thought about me. I hid away, making sure no one paid too much attention, and felt like I could disappear at any moment and no one would notice. I feared that my accent was too thick for people to understand, so I didn’t speak up, didn’t participate, didn’t attempt to make friends for fear of rejection or being made fun of. With years of silence, my social anxiety just grew to encompass everything I did and thought about. When I entered college, I wanted it to be different, but letting go of the anxiety and the constant self-conscious thoughts made it difficult. Growing up in a Christian household and then becoming an immigrant as an adolescent put a lot of pressure on being okay and just praying the pain away. It forced me to just push through tough situations, often shoving feelings down. This led to a spiral of self-deprecation during my first years of college, as I struggled to reconcile with what my culture and religion had inculcated in me about queer people while coming to terms with my own identity and sexuality. Realizing that seeking help was not a reflection of moral weakness took several years of feeling like there was no light at the end of the tunnel for me, and even if there was, maybe it was not worth sticking around to find out. It was through the darkness that I realized that it takes more to seek help than not, so after years of internal turmoil I made an appointment with a therapist. Truth is she helped me put things into perspective, get a formal diagnosis, and get on medication, and helped me focus on things I was good at and passionate about. One of those being education has always been my safe space. I didn’t always like school, but I love learning. I channeled my shyness and anxiety into excelling academically, and with time I have overcome. I took classes that I knew I would be good at during my undergrad, but I also took classes that pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I took them because I wanted to prove to myself that I could do things even if I was doubtful or scared, and I succeeded. With that, I am now on a journey to not let my anxiety define me or the work that I’m capable of doing. I want to expand my education into the environmental policy field, and through my master’s and hopefully law school, advocate and fight for environmental sustainability. If you had asked me as a high school sophomore if I would be looking at a future as an environmental attorney I would have laughed and then maybe felt internal dread about the idea. Today, I’m excited for that future and the ups and downs it might bring.

Happiness has felt just out of reach so many times. It was knowing that I should be happy, that I had all my needs met, and yet feeling emptiness and unexplainable sadness that led me to realize that mental health is far more complex than just our circumstances or perceptions. I spent my whole high school journey concerned with the way I looked. I hid away, making sure no one paid too much attention, and feeling like I could disappear at any moment and no one would notice. I have always been pulled to listening to people's worries and being a safe space, yet I felt as though I did not have that for myself. My interest in helping others and making sense of my struggles with anxiety and depression as an immigrant encouraged me to take several psychology classes and eventually pursue a psychology minor while in college. Growing up in a Christian household and then becoming an immigrant as an adolescent put a lot of pressure on being okay and just praying the pain away. It forced me to just push through tough situations, often shoving feelings down. This led to a spiral of self-deprecation during my first years of college, as I struggled to reconcile with what my culture and religion had inculcated in me about queer people while coming to terms with my own identity and sexuality. Realizing that seeking help was not a reflection of moral weakness took several years of feeling like there was no light at the end of the tunnel for me, and even if there was, maybe it was not worth sticking around to find out. It was through the darkness that I realized that it takes more to seek help than not. Giving grace and holding space for those who experience mental health issues is something that I'm passionate about and that I believe we all should do. While the exact career path I will embark on is unknown, for I have an interest in many topics of public health and environmental justice I know that I want to influence the public health field to help people at the community and even global level deconstruct stigma around mental health issues, whether that is as a job or in my personal life. Our goal should not only be to make sure that mental health services are easily available, high quality, and that they serve the population that needs it, but also that those who experience mental health struggles feel a sense of freedom and empowerment when seeking help. I currently work at a nonprofit that works to advance mental health equity and accessibility for Kansans. We work for all Community Mental Health Centers and advocate for their work at the state legislature and with national partners. Aside from the work I do to ensure mental health services are accessible to those who are in the criminal justice system and explore paths to diversion, I’m also a Mental Health First Aid Instructor. I focus on teaching the course to communities because reducing stigma and educating community members is one of the easiest and most sustainable ways of ensuring change occurs for the better, and that individuals feel equipped to reach out when they, or people they love, need help. It is also vital to address cultural and racial barriers and disparities when it comes to mental health issues, for the well-being of all. I want to dedicate my life to working toward equitable health care and mental health services to advance and empower individuals because everyone deserves to experience genuine happiness. For that reason, I’m also certified to teach MHFA in Spanish, helping me connect to my community and ensuring they too have access to lifesaving information.

A news clip, a set of images, a shore polluted with death; this was all it took, though it did not settle then. As someone who has always felt a deep connection with our natural world and a fondness for animals, the major oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 opened my eyes to what I now recognize as the anthropogenic destruction of our earth. The oil spill deeply contaminated the gulf waters, killing thousands of fish, sea mammals, and birds, and even leading to human casualties. The pictures of petroleum-covered seabirds and beaches covered with dead fish were heart-wrenching, especially for my eight-year-old self who did not fully understand it. That was the first time that I looked at an environmental disaster and felt the conviction to do something about it. Through my school and professional work, I have come to learn and realize that the fight for sound environmental regulations and a move toward sustainability is a vital part of bringing on environmental justice, peace, and progress for those who suffer the most from a deteriorating earth. I had the opportunity to intern with the Kentucky Conservation Committee where I assisted in ongoing projects and the writing of reports about relevant issues in Kentucky. I looked into biodiversity conservation efforts in Kentucky and nationally; I was tasked with looking into the ecological and social measures taken in preparation for a new solar plant being built and wrote a report on whether these measures were sound and appropriate; I had the opportunity to sit in and contribute to policy and advocacy agenda meetings were we covered attacks on ESG investments, land conservation, worker compensation for mining-related health issues, an LG&E pipeline project, the delay of utilities cutoff in extreme weather conditions, and electric vehicle charging stations, taxes, and circulation fees, among others. It was through this opportunity and a course on Earth Law that I realized that I want to be part of that policy and legal work of moving toward an ecocentric and just world. With that said, I completed my undergraduate in biology, I’m currently completing my master’s in environmental assessment with an emphasis on environmental justice, and plan to further my education by going to law school. Through my studies so far I have explored topics in environmentalism that interest me such as Indigenous environmentalism, sustainable cities, the effects of deforestation, environmental law and policy, and what different types of aquatic organisms indicate about stream properties and quality. As I further my education I want to advocate for earth-centered policies and regulations that also meet a standard of justice and acknowledgment of how climate disasters and pollution disproportionately affect marginalized communities. With the knowledge gained through the completion of my master’s, I can advance ecocentric policies and regulations, accurately interpret and assess environmental conditions, and promote environmental measures that lift and empower marginalized communities. I can learn from generations of Indigenous peoples and climate activists around the world who have incessantly fought and continue to fight for a healthy Earth and a better tomorrow. Through the completion of law school, I can fight for Nature in courtrooms, communities, and in front of congressional bodies, because Earth needs advocates in every room.

A news clip, a set of images, a shore polluted with death; this was all it took, though it did not settle then. As someone who has always felt a deep connection with our natural world and a fondness for animals, the major oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 opened my eyes to what I now recognize as anthropogenic destruction of our earth. The oil spill deeply contaminated the gulf waters, killing thousands of fish, sea mammals, and birds, and even leading to human casualties. The pictures of petroleum-covered seabirds and beaches covered with dead fish were heart wrenching, especially for my eight-year-old self who did not fully understand it. That was the first time that I looked at an environmental disaster and felt the conviction to do something about it. Through my work I have come to learn and realize that the fight for sound environmental regulations and a move towards sustainability is a vital part of bringing on environmental justice, peace, and progress for those who suffer the most from a deteriorating earth. I also realized that I want to be part of that work of moving toward an ecocentric and just world. With that said, I completed my undergraduate in biology, I’m currently completing my master’s in environmental assessment with an emphasis on environmental justice, and plan to further my education by going to law school. Through my studies so far, I have explored topics in environmentalism that interest me such as: Indigenous environmentalism, sustainable cities, the effects of deforestation, environmental law and policy, and what different types of aquatic organisms indicate about stream properties and quality. As I further my education I want to advocate for earth-centered policies and regulations that also meet a standard of justice and acknowledgement of how climate disasters and pollution disproportionately affect marginalized communities. With the knowledge gained through the completion of my master’s, I can advance ecocentric policies and regulations, accurately interpret and assess environmental conditions, and promote environmental measures that lift and empower marginalized communities. I can learn from generations of Indigenous peoples and climate activists around the world who have incessantly fought and continue to fight for a healthy Earth and a better tomorrow. Through the completion of law school, I can fight for Nature in courtrooms, communities, and in front of congressional bodies, because Earth needs advocates in every room. Of course, change starts at home. Reducing our individual carbon footprint is one of the easiest ways of contributing to this fight and putting into perspective how much power we have as individuals. At home, I have encouraged my family to reduce their use of single plastic by using reusable grocery bags and buying a water filter to decrease our consumption of single use water bottles. Among my favorite things to convince my mom of is reducing her plot of land covered solely by grass converting it into a native flower garden, contributing to our local ecosystem and decreasing the need for water or mowing the lawn. Education is also a vital part of making any change; if we want sustainable change, then people must understand why the change is necessary, so informing my parents and friends of the impact they can have, both positive and negative, is an important part of making changes. Lastly, we are working toward consuming less meat and ensuring that the food that we buy and prepare is consumed instead of being disposed of and wasted. It is my hope that these day-to-day changes and the broader scope initiatives will lead to impactful change in our world.

The feeling of being riddled with anxiety to the point of being physically ill was constant throughout my high school career. Rarely did I wake up without immediately feeling like I needed to throw up, and throughout those four years I rarely ate breakfast on school days. Still, I grew up in a Hispanic household and as a recently arrived immigrant, I didn’t want to cause trouble, so I never said anything, and nobody addressed it either. I spent my whole high school journey concerned with the way I looked and what others thought about me. I hid away, making sure no one paid too much attention, and felt like I could disappear at any moment, and no one would notice. I feared that my accent was too thick for people to understand, so I didn’t speak up, didn’t participate, didn’t attempt to make friends for fear of rejection or of being made fun of. With years of silence, my social anxiety just grew to encompass everything I did and thought about. When I entered college, I wanted it to be different, but letting go of the anxiety and the constant self-conscious thoughts made it difficult. It wasn’t until I felt like it was either I sought help, or my life would end, that I made an appointment with a therapist. Truth is, she helped me put things into perspective, get a formal diagnosis, and get on medication, but education has always been my safe space. I didn’t always like school, but I love learning. I channeled my shyness and anxiety into excelling academically, and with time I have overcome. I took classes that I knew I would be good at during my undergrad, but I also took classes that pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I took them because I wanted to prove to myself that I could do things even if I was doubtful or scared, and I succeeded. With that, I am now on a journey to not let my anxiety define me or the work that I’m capable of doing. I want to expand my education into the environmental policy field, and through my master’s and hopefully law school, advocate and fight for environmental sustainability. If you would have asked me as a high school sophomore if I would be looking at a future as an environmental attorney I would have laughed and then maybe felt internal dread about the idea. Today, I’m excited for that future and the ups and downs it might bring.

Happiness has felt just out of reach so many times. It was knowing that I should be happy, that I had all my needs met, and yet feeling emptiness and unexplainable sadness that led me to realize that mental health is far more complex than just our circumstances or perception. I spent my whole high school journey concerned with the way I looked. I hid away, making sure no one paid too much attention, and feeling like I could disappear at any moment and no one would notice. I have always been pulled to listening to people's worries and being a safe space, yet I felt as though I did not have that for myself. My interest to help others and to make sense of my own struggles with anxiety and depression as an immigrant encouraged me to take several psychology classes and eventually declare a psychology minor while in college. Growing up in a Christian household and then becoming an immigrant as an adolescent put a lot of pressure into being okay and just praying the pain away. It forced me to just push through tough situations, often shoving feelings down. This led down a spiral of self-deprecation during my first years of college, as I struggled to reconcile with what my culture and religion had inculcated in me about queer people while coming to terms with my own identity and sexuality. Realizing that seeking help was not a reflection of moral weakness took several years of feeling like there was no light at the end of the tunnel for me, and even if there was, maybe it was not worth sticking around to find out. It was through the darkness that I realized that it takes more to seek help than not. Giving grace and holding space for those that experience mental health issues is something that I'm passionate about and that I believe we all should do. While the exact career path I will embark on is unknown, for I have interest in many topics of public health and environmental justice I know that I want to influence the public health field to help people at the community and even global level deconstruct stigma around mental health issues, whether that is as a job or in my personal life. Our goal should not only be to make sure that mental health services are easily available, high quality, and that they serve the population that needs it, but also that those who experience mental health struggles feel a sense of freedom and empowerment when seeking help. It is also vital to address cultural and racial barriers and disparities when it comes to mental health issues, for the well-being of all. Working toward equitable health care and mental health services to advance and empower individuals it's something I want to dedicate my life to, because everyone deserves to experience genuine happiness.

Happiness has felt just out of reach so many times. It was knowing that I should be happy, that I had all my needs met, and yet feeling emptiness and unexplainable sadness that led me to realize that mental health is far more complex than just our circumstances or perception. I've always felt drawn to listening to people's worries and being a safe space for people to share how they're feeling. That passion to help and my own struggles with anxiety and depression as a recent immigrant in high school drove me to take several psychology classes and eventually declare a psychology minor. I want to go into public health and help people at the community and even global level deconstruct stigma around mental health issues. The goal isn't only to make sure that mental health services are easily available, that they are of quality, that they serve thee population that needs it, but that those who experience mental health struggles feel a sense of freedom and empowerment when seeking help. Growing up in a Christian household and then becoming an immigrant as an adolescent put a lot of pressure into being okay and just praying and working through tough situations, often shoving feelings down. Realizing that seeking help wasn't a reflection of moral weakness took several months to years of feeling down, so giving grace and holding space for those that experience mental health issues is something that I'm passionate about and that I believe we all should do. Addressing ethnic/racial and other disparities when it comes to mental health is vital to the well being of the whole community and the world at large, given that we are all connected in some way or another. Working toward equitable health care and mental health services to advance and empower individuals it's something I want to dedicate my life to, because everyone deserves to experience genuine happiness.