I learned compassion not from a single moment, but from growing up in a family and culture where resilience was expected, even when emotions were not always openly expressed. In my Hispanic household, phrases like “échale ganas” and “ponte trucha” were meant to encourage strength and perseverance. While these words pushed me to keep going, they also taught me that many people carry struggles quietly. Over time, I began to understand that compassion means looking beyond what is visible and choosing to respond with patience, empathy, and care. My understanding of compassion deepened through personal challenges, particularly with anxiety that has at times disrupted my daily life. Experiencing moments where I felt physically overwhelmed and misunderstood allowed me to recognize how important it is to feel supported. When teachers showed me flexibility, or when I advocated for myself despite discomfort, I saw firsthand how small acts of understanding can make a significant difference. These experiences shaped my belief that compassion is not just a feeling, but an intentional action. I exemplify compassion by being attentive to others and offering support in ways that are both practical and meaningful. In school, this looks like helping classmates understand difficult material, checking in on friends who may be struggling, and contributing to environments where people feel included and heard. Through my internships at organizations like Workday, HP Inc., and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, I have learned to listen carefully, collaborate respectfully, and consider the broader impact of my work. Whether assisting a team member or engaging with my community, I strive to lead with understanding and respect. Compassion also influences my academic and career goals. As an aspiring engineer, I am drawn to solving problems that affect people’s everyday lives. I want to approach engineering not just as a technical discipline, but as a human-centered one, where innovation is guided by empathy and a desire to improve access and opportunity. My experiences have taught me that effective solutions require not only intelligence, but also an awareness of the diverse challenges people face. I intend to continue exemplifying compassion by staying committed to listening, learning, and advocating for others. This means using my voice to speak up when something is unfair, offering support to those who may feel overlooked, and remaining open to perspectives different from my own. Compassion, to me, is a practice, one that requires consistency, humility, and action. As I move forward, I will carry these values with me, ensuring that my ambitions are always grounded in a genuine commitment to uplifting others.

1... 2... 3... I repeat in my mind as I count my first hip thrust repetitions alone at the gym. Without a coach, only videos to guide me, I was determined to learn proper form. Every video saying something different just made this journey more difficult but I persevere through. Fitness was foreign to my family, no one talked about health or exercise. We ate large amounts of food and rarely moved. Changing my habits was a challenge, especially convincing my mom to cook less fried food and stop serving tortillas daily. When I introduced creatine, she feared it was steroids. This fueled my mission not only to educate myself but also to teach my family about healthy living. I started going to the gym because I was unhappy with my body, a feeling many share. But what began as a desire for change quickly grew into a passion. I immersed myself in science-based research, learning how nutrition and exercise affect the body. I discovered how different exercises target muscles that everyday activities don’t, and how food choices impact energy and health. Today, I maintain a whole foods diet, having cut out all processed foods based on what I learned. I’m especially interested in research focused on women’s health, since most studies center on men, overlooking how our bodies and cycles influence fitness. My passion has also inspired my family. I encourage them to hike or join me at the gym when they can. I understand the barriers, like processed foods are often cheaper and more accessible, and gym memberships can be expensive. But I believe that health is about discipline, not motivation. This lesson has shaped not only my fitness journey but my entire life. Discipline helps me stay consistent with workouts, schoolwork, and other responsibilities. Fitness has transformed me in ways I never imagined. I used to be overweight, at risk for diabetes, and anemic. Now, I have energy I didn’t know was possible. I’ve learned that eating well is crucial, and spending time outdoors has deepened my appreciation for nature. Most importantly, fitness changed how I see life. I'm grateful for my health, my family, and the resources I have. It gave me purpose. My journey into fitness didn’t just save my life; it gave me a mission: to educate and inspire those around me about the power of health. It’s a passion rooted in overcoming challenges and a commitment to living fully.