Math helps me build and strengthen the skills of my students, teaches me to think critically, and helps me solve problems. These reasons are why I love the subject. My work as an inclusion paraprofessional specializing in math has aided me in helping students succeed, as well as helping them feel confident in their skills within the subject. Day by day, I also use the subject and its skills to introduce them to new concepts and have them try it for themselves. Although the concept is viewed as frightening and difficult, their honed skills and knowledge from previous lessons, materials, and practice allows them to continue working through the material, making mistakes and learning from them. For example when working with 8th graders lateral and total surface area, I helped introduce the topic via fill-in-the-blank notes and practice problems. From there the students attempted a few problems individually, allowing me to also understand where they may have questions, or where they may be gaps in covering content. The second reason why I love math is the subject teaches me to think critically. I usually get frustrated at the sight of numbers and dealing with them. However, dealing with numbers at every turn has taught me to slow down. Slowing down and analyzing the problem, allows me to look at all the variables involved and solve it. After solving, I’m able to adjust my judgement and reach a conclusion. For example, when buying my car I became overwhelmed when signing the contract. It contained numbers well into the thousands, with the total amounting to under $30,000. When weighing my options, I looked at the different monthly payments and interest rates and chose which option was best depending on my circumstances. Finally, I love math because it helps me solve problems. When I encounter an issue I first turn to numbers. How many of one variable was involved? If it requires math, how can we solve the problem? What are the ways in which we can solve the issue? And so forth. An example of how math has helped me solve problems is while calculating my tuition payments, I add my total savings and figure out the best course of action to pay off my debts. Mathematics is a universal subject that is loved and hated by many. However we can all agree that its contents and skills are useful and helpful.

I am a fan of Sabrina Carpenter because her music has helped me through an enormous heartbreak. During the fall of 2020, I rebuilt a bridge I previously left unattended between a boy and I. When things got too serious, I was hit with, "I'm not ready for a relationship." As the saying goes, "Excuses, excuses." I had a difficult time moving on as we did not leave each other alone; despite the clear signs that we weren't a good fit. April 2023 was when I'd decided that enough was enough, and blocked him on social media. The healing process was difficult, and it was around this time that I found Sabrina's music. Her album, "emails i can't send fwd:", describes the toxicity that stems from the on-and-off romantic interactions between two people. The compilation touches base with the double-edged sword of romance, the airy light-headed feeling of butterflies paired with the gut-wrenching realities of people coming together and their problems getting in the way. This album perfectly encapsulated the emotional range I endured in the aforementioned experience. Observing the highest of highs and lowest of lows; trying firmly to stand my ground while a part of me wanted the "love" I thought I deserved. My mind and heart fought for which decisions were best to make and how to move forward. Sabrina builds onto the familiarity of "emails i can't send fwd:", with "Short n' Sweet (Deluxe)". The latter is comprised of tracks about a woman rebuilding her confidence, self-esteem, and self-importance after a relationship. Sabrina doubles down on her worth, also exploring the hardship of finding security in the enigma of love. This album not only reassured my experience, it boosted my confidence, which I gained by truly listening to her message within the album. "Short n' Sweet (Deluxe)" reminded me of my femininity, to embrace it. Because I am a woman, I'm not predisposed to dealing with just the bare minimum. Carpenter's career, especially her musical projects impacted me in an overwhelmingly positive manner. Her albums have taught me that my unfortunate encounter isn't just the fault of my own, and it is possible to return to a better, yet the best version of yourself. All in all, Sabrina Carpenter has resonated within me that love and heartbreak; no matter how exciting, terrifying, brief, or lengthy; all are temporary.

For as long as I can remember, my mother has been and still is my greatest supporter. From milestones to academic achievements, my mom has always been a familiar face in the crowd of adoring parents. After immigrating to the United States, my mother Hyacinth became my unwavering embrace of support as I experienced childhood without a father. Throughout my difficult transition from the Philippine education system to the States which consisted of: constant trouble at school, experiencing near-failure in a few subjects, and being undecided in my future college major which ended with me in tears; my mom: her welcoming presence, comforting words, and ease of understanding were a constant variable. 2012. The year the Mayans "predicted" the end of the world. The year my mom and stepdad finalized their divorce. The year my world ended, or so I thought. I sat through months of school, ashamed, embarrassed, and wallowed in self-pity as the mothers and fathers of my classmates showed up to school events. Eventually, I'd convinced myself that I was at fault for my parents splitting up. I mustered the courage to open up to my mom about how I was feeling. She reassured me repeatedly that I had nothing to do with it, expressing that an individual leaving my life was not my fault. That some people aren't meant to be connected forever. However, if a person did attribute their absence as my doing, Hyacinth ingrained into me that the person who'd gone was never meant for me anyway. As a child, Hyacinth's patience, empathy, and willingness to see things through pushed me to be honest and independent. Her character inspired me to chase after my dreams. If there was something my mom wanted, she didn't wait around for the opportunity to fall into her hands. She didn't wait for the right person to come along, nor the right time to act upon it, she chased after it. Hyacinth did everything in her power. Not only that, but she worked for it. She spent countless nights; sleepless, fatigued, parenting, studying, and anxious. Anxious about the future. Anxious about the future of her kids. Anxious about her future. Her determination to seize every day is what led her to graduate as a Licensed Vocational Nurse that same year despite the multiple hurdles in her lane placed months, even years earlier. At the age of nine, I witnessed my mom accomplish that feat on the brink of impossibility given our circumstances at the time. She was and is a single mother who accomplished every feat possible and not. She went through every hurdle destroying barriers, yet making spaces for mistakes, learning opportunities, and love. Her courage, tenacity, and character molded me into a proactive, yet stubborn individual. From that moment onward, I slowly but surely began to put myself out there, some in the ways that Hyacinth did. I signed up for AP classes and passed my exams, which earned me college credit. When I was a sophomore, I signed up for my high school's early college program and got accepted. I graduated at 17 from high school and community college, simultaneously earning my diploma and associate's degree. Hyacinth's encouragement and openness not only helped me to push myself academically but its strengthened my belief in myself to chase after everything I want and achieve it. To fully honor my mother's support, love, and effort; I continue to pour my will, hard-working ethic, and ambition into continuing my education, most likely pursuing a higher level after my undergraduate studies. As always, nothing would be possible without her.

I'm proud to be an ally of the LGBTQ+ community because it is one of the most uplifting and welcoming communities to exist. The community is not only welcoming, but they allow members to freely express themselves without the fear of judgement. Members of this community are tough and resilient, proving to society that whom a person loves and their gender identity should be freely expressed and heavily advocated for. Instagram: @annemklnvdepa.