Growing up, I was taught about the urgency of climate change by adults who believed in it but did little to address it, or failed to equip us with the tools to take action ourselves. That contradiction was deeply frustrating. It pushed me to seek out those tools on my own and step up as a leader in finding solutions. After graduating from high school, I actively sought opportunities to get involved in nonprofit work. My dedication quickly led to becoming a recognized member of my community, and I was honored to be nominated as Chairman of two environmental organizations: Eco El Paso and the El Paso chapter of the American Conservation Coalition. I always stood out as the youngest volunteer and eventually the youngest leader in the environmental movement within my city. As the leader of these two nonprofits, I gained invaluable professional experience. I organized and participated in numerous conferences, built strong working relationships with city representatives, and regularly spoke at City Hall. I was interviewed by multiple news outlets and significantly developed my public speaking and event-planning skills by hosting monthly community events for over three years. Climate justice is at the heart of why I became an activist and why I chose to pursue a degree in Environmental Economics and Policy. While climate change affects everyone, its impacts fall hardest on vulnerable communities, especially future generations, who are the most innocent and yet stand to bear the greatest burden. I’d like to think the impact I had in my community was just as rewarding for our local environment as it was for me. These experiences helped me grow as a leader, public speaker, and organizer. They taught me how to manage teams, navigate local government, and advocate effectively for environmental issues, all while balancing the demands of full-time work, living independently, and maintaining my honor roll status as a student. However, the pace eventually affected my health and academic performance. Recognizing this, I made the difficult but necessary decision to step down from both leadership roles this year to focus on completing my degree and prioritizing my well-being. This doesn't change the fact that I’ll forever want to be part of meaningful initiatives that create real, tangible change. I’m committed to turning awareness into action. We are the generation already seeing the consequences of climate inaction. Delaying solutions any further is not an option. Individuals can catalyze powerful change when supported by the right policies and systems. Through my studies in Environmental Economics and Policy, I’m building the knowledge needed to design and advocate for policies that prioritize people and the planet. After graduation, I hope to work in the public sector, where I can continue to help, educate, and engage with communities on this urgent issue.

Growing up, I was taught about the urgency of climate change by adults who believed in it but did little to address it, or failed to equip us with the tools to take action ourselves. That contradiction was deeply frustrating. It pushed me to seek out those tools on my own and step up as a leader in finding solutions. After graduating from high school, I actively sought opportunities to get involved in nonprofit work, thinking it'd remain a hobby. My dedication quickly led to becoming a recognized member of my community, and I was honored to be nominated as Chairman of two environmental organizations: Eco El Paso and the El Paso chapter of the American Conservation Coalition. I always stood out as the youngest volunteer and eventually the youngest leader in the environmental movement within my city. As the leader of these two nonprofits, I gained invaluable professional experience. I organized and participated in numerous conferences, built strong working relationships with city representatives, and often spoke at City Hall. I was interviewed by multiple news outlets and significantly developed my public speaking and event-planning skills by hosting monthly community events for over three years. The event I'm most proud of hosting, though, was "A Convening for Community-Led Climate Solutions". It was a project that sought to bridge the gap between public leaders and marginalized communities disproportionately affected by climate change in El Paso. A group of 6 El Pasoans, including me, thought of and facilitated a community-led convening in 2024. We aimed to build trust and partnership between our region's public officials and 200 residents from historically disinvested neighborhoods across the city and county. Climate justice is at the heart of why I became an activist and why I chose to pursue a degree in Environmental Economics and Policy. While climate change affects everyone, its impacts fall hardest on vulnerable communities, especially future generations, who are the most innocent and yet stand to bear the greatest burden. That's why the project I led alongside fellow community organizers meant so much to me, because it empowered members of the Deaf and Spanish-speaking communities to speak directly to their district representatives about how issues like extreme heat, poor air quality, and polluted rivers have impacted their lives. Providing translators and creating space for their voices made all of my sacrifices feel truly worthwhile. This project prompted my change of major. I learned that I'll forever want to be part of meaningful initiatives that create real, tangible change. I'm committed to turning awareness into action. We are the generation already seeing the consequences of climate inaction. Delaying solutions any further is not an option. I believe individuals can catalyze powerful change when supported by the right policies and systems. Through my studies in Environmental Economics and Policy, I'm building the knowledge needed to design and advocate for policies that prioritize people and the planet. After graduation, I hope to work in the public sector, where I can continue to help, educate, and engage with communities on this urgent issue.