I have always been drawn to challenges that push me outside of my comfort zone. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, I developed a strong sense of independence and a love for new opportunities. I learned early on that growth comes from embracing discomfort and uncertainty. This mindset has shaped my academic and professional journey, guiding me as I work toward my future. Leaving my hometown to pursue higher education in Miami was one of the biggest risks I’ve taken. While many were surprised by my decision, I knew that staying in my comfort zone would limit my potential. Moving from the Dominican Republic to the United States was not just a geographical change, but a leap toward self-discovery and independence. It proved that I am capable of much more than I initially realized. As the Public Relations Director for the Residence Hall Association (RHA) at FIU, I have embraced leadership, community, and strategic thinking. Organizing events, collaborating with others, and managing projects have helped me develop skills that will serve me well in my career. These experiences have shown me that true leadership is about taking initiative and inspiring others toward a common goal, while creating spaces where people feel valued and motivated to contribute. In addition to my role with RHA, I’ve taken on projects like organizing fundraisers and community events, which have reinforced my belief in the power of service and collaboration. I’ve seen firsthand how coming together for a shared cause can create lasting change. Whether it was organizing a large event or leading a campaign, I embraced every opportunity to lead with purpose and empathy. These experiences have shaped my understanding of how to make a real impact in the community. My aspirations also extend to the music industry, where I plan to combine my passion for marketing with my love for music. I want to help artists find their voice and create opportunities for them to succeed. The music industry is a space where creativity thrives, and I want to empower others by providing them with the tools they need to grow. Through all of these experiences, I’ve learned that success isn’t just about achieving goals—it’s about the journey, the relationships you build, and the impact you have on others. I am determined to keep pushing myself beyond my limits, embracing risks, and becoming someone who not only achieves great things but also inspires others to do the same. I want to build a legacy of resilience, compassion, and leadership, and through my work in marketing, community service, and music, I know I can make that vision a reality. Ultimately, I am committed to showing both myself and others that when you take risks, work hard, and believe in your potential, you can create something lasting. My journey is just beginning, but I am excited for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, knowing each step brings me closer to the legacy I want to leave behind.

It's been three years since I left my home country, the Dominican Republic. There's just so much I miss. Coming to the United States was one of the moments that I knew would happen, but I never expected it to. I apologize for the lack of context; let me introduce myself the way I've been introducing myself to anyone that has asked me why I was living with my grandparents in the Dominican Republic while my parents were in the US. “My parents had me when they were very young, and my grandma decided to retire at a young age. She was tired of living in the States and needed to go back home. She decided that my parents were not mature enough to take care of me. I was supposed to stay with her for no more than five years until my parents were stable enough to raise me. Those five years turned into eleven.” That's how I would end my story. My grandparents provided me with enough resources to raise me and I feel like once they taught me what to do I pretty much raised myself. When I would introduce myself people would suffocate me with millions of questions. “Do you miss your parents? Are you a ‘gringa’? How did you learn English?” I never lost contact with my parents, they would call and speak Spanglish with me. My cousins, despite their parents only being fluent in Spanish, never learned understandable Spanish. For this reason, I had to force myself to learn English. I did learn it; it was broken, but they understood me. I became a professional with slang words; words like “jelly” or “gucci” were what I used to describe how I was feeling because “jealous” and “good” were just too much work. I never liked goodbyes. I think it's the memories of saying goodbye to my parents every time they had to leave when I wished for them to stay with me and do the normal things that other kids would do with their parents; it's a feeling I've always craved, and unfortunately, can't ever experience. It was time to say goodbye to my grandparents. A wave of emotions hit me when I saw my grandparents cry, I had never in my existence seen my grandparents cry about anything, it made my heart ache. At that moment, I blamed myself for wanting to go to the US. Nothing compares to the hug my grandpa gave me. It felt like the last of a long time. My grandpa. The man who always supported me. I was going to miss that old guy. The old guy who would knock on my door to check on me whenever he heard me crying. My grandpa and I never showed any emotions towards each other nor talked about them, but I knew he was going to miss me just like I was going to miss him. That day there was so much I blamed myself for; mainly not recognizing what these two humans did for me. I always blamed them for wanting to raise me in a different country than my parents and my family. I thank the people in the Dominican Republic for teaching me that less is more and that happiness is the greatest achievement when you can share it with others. I thank my grandparents for making me the human I am now. It's been three years since I left the Dominican Republic.

It's been three years since I left my home country, the Dominican Republic. There's just so much I miss. Coming to the United States was one of the moments that I knew would happen, but I never expected it to. I apologize for the lack of context; let me introduce myself the way I've been introducing myself to anyone that has asked me why I was living with my grandparents in the Dominican Republic while my parents were in the US. “My parents had me when they were very young, and my grandma decided to retire at a young age. She was tired of living in the States and needed to go back home. She decided that my parents were not mature enough to take care of me. I was supposed to stay with her for no more than five years until my parents were stable enough to raise me. Those five years turned into eleven.” That's how I would end my story. My grandparents provided me with enough resources to raise me and I feel like once they taught me what to do I pretty much raised myself. When I would introduce myself people would suffocate me with millions of questions. “Do you miss your parents? Are you a ‘gringa’? How did you learn English?” I never lost contact with my parents, they would call and speak Spanglish with me. My cousins, despite their parents only being fluent in Spanish, never learned understandable Spanish. For this reason, I had to force myself to learn English. I did learn it; it was broken, but they understood me. I became a professional with slang words; words like “jelly” or “gucci” were what I used to describe how I was feeling because “jealous” and “good” were just too much work. I never liked goodbyes. I think it's the memories of saying goodbye to my parents every time they had to leave when I wished for them to stay with me and do the normal things that other kids would do with their parents; it's a feeling I've always craved, and unfortunately, can't ever experience. It was time to say goodbye to my grandparents. A wave of emotions hit me when I saw my grandparents cry, I had never in my existence seen my grandparents cry about anything, it made my heart ache. At that moment, I blamed myself for wanting to go to the US. Nothing compares to the hug my grandpa gave me. It felt like the last of a long time. My grandpa. The man who always supported me. I was going to miss that old guy. The old guy who would knock on my door to check on me whenever he heard me crying. My grandpa and I never showed any emotions towards each other nor talked about them, but I knew he was going to miss me just like I was going to miss him. That day there was so much I blamed myself for; mainly not recognizing what these two humans did for me. I always blamed them for wanting to raise me in a different country than my parents and my family. I thank the people in the Dominican Republic for teaching me that less is more and that happiness is the greatest achievement when you can share it with others. I thank my grandparents for making me the human I am now. It's been three years since I left the Dominican Republic.

It's been three years since I left my home country, the Dominican Republic. There's just so much I miss. Coming to the United States was one of the moments that I knew would happen, but I never expected it to. I apologize for the lack of context; let me introduce myself the way I've been introducing myself to anyone that has asked me why I was living with my grandparents in the Dominican Republic while my parents were in the US. “My parents had me when they were very young, and my grandma decided to retire at a young age. She was tired of living in the States and needed to go back home. She decided that my parents were not mature enough to take care of me. I was supposed to stay with her for no more than five years until my parents were stable enough to raise me. Those five years turned into eleven.” That's how I would end my story. My grandparents provided me with enough resources to raise me and I feel like once they taught me what to do I pretty much raised myself. When I would introduce myself people would suffocate me with millions of questions. “Do you miss your parents? Are you a ‘gringa’? How did you learn English?” I never lost contact with my parents, they would call and speak Spanglish with me. My cousins, despite their parents only being fluent in Spanish, never learned understandable Spanish. For this reason, I had to force myself to learn English. I did learn it; it was broken, but they understood me. I became a professional with slang words; words like “jelly” or “gucci” were what I used to describe how I was feeling because “jealous” and “good” were just too much work. I never liked goodbyes. I think it's the memories of saying goodbye to my parents every time they had to leave when I wished for them to stay with me and do the normal things that other kids would do with their parents; it's a feeling I've always craved, and unfortunately, can't ever experience. It was time to say goodbye to my grandparents. A wave of emotions hit me when I saw my grandparents cry, I had never in my existence seen my grandparents cry about anything, it made my heart ache. At that moment, I blamed myself for wanting to go to the US. Nothing compares to the hug my grandpa gave me. It felt like the last of a long time. My grandpa. The man who always supported me. I was going to miss that old guy. The old guy who would knock on my door to check on me whenever he heard me crying. My grandpa and I never showed any emotions towards each other nor talked about them, but I knew he was going to miss me just like I was going to miss him. That day there was so much I blamed myself for; mainly not recognizing what these two humans did for me. I always blamed them for wanting to raise me in a different country than my parents and my family. I thank the people in the Dominican Republic for teaching me that less is more and that happiness is the greatest achievement when you can share it with others. I thank my grandparents for making me the human I am now. It's been three years since I left the Dominican Republic.