From a young age, I have been passionate about architecture and its unique ability to shape communities and create connections through design. As a Latina pursuing a degree in architecture, I deeply admire Sallie Rowland’s empowering career. When she broke down barriers as a woman in a male dominated industry, I saw a reflection of myself. Sallie demonstrated determination and perseverance to face significant challenges in order to pursue design which was her passion. Sallies legacy has not only impacted the architectural community, but it has also inspired woman like me that we belong in this field. As my educational journey began it reflected some of Sallies challenges. Due to financial circumstances, I began at community college, where many of my architecture classmates were minority women like me. My professor herself was thrilled to see so many enthusiastic young women entering a traditionally male dominated field, and we created a supportive, motivating environment for one another. Transferring to university however was a wake-up call. The architecture program was predominantly male. This contrast was shocking but instead of discouraging me it strengthened my determination to succeed and stand out amongst my peers. Like Sallie, who persevered and committed herself to excellence, I remain focused on growing both academically and professionally. She, along with other female architects such as Norma Merrick Sklarek, Marion Mahony Griffin, and Zaha Hadid inspire me to keep pushing forward. I am enthusiastic about my studies and couldn’t imagine being on any other path. In today’s fast-changing world, I am excited to embrace emerging technologies into my academics and professionally. Recently, I begam learning parametric modeling, a method that uses data driven algorithms to optimize performance and adaptability to design. In everything I do I am to embody Luminaut’s values. I remain humble in my learning yet eager for growth. With my time at community college, it allowed me to discover what type of person I want to be and allow myself to be in the situation I am in toady. I am determined to stay focused on my goals of becoming a licensed architect and hungry to obtain as much knowledge as possible. At the end of the day, I am here to have fun and use my creativity to design to create an impact on people and how architecture is used to shape experiences. I am committed to being super to achieve all I can in the AEC industry but am reminded that through resilience, authenticity, and caring for others, remembering to stay human. Sallie Rowland Bright Future Scholarship represents an incredible opportunity to honor the great legacy of Sallie and continue to carry her spirit and values forward by embracing an even more diverse inclusive future in architecture and design. She is a role model for me and other young woman pursuing their dreams in architecture and design. I hope to one day to do the same for other woman as I grow into my own architectural career.

Coming from a family of immigrants with roots in Colombia and Puerto Rico, the value of an education has a special place. I saw the sacrifices my Abuelita who had no formal education made as a widowed mom for her children and her grandchildren. I have learned the responsibility to do the best I can in order to make my grandparents’ efforts valid and make them proud. Although my Abuelita had little education, It was something she saw great value in and desired for all of her children and grandchildren. Being the eldest in my family of four siblings, I have always felt the pressure of being the first to do things and have become the role model for my siblings. The value of an education became even more important as I discovered the field of architecture. I always had a passion for architecture, but after graduating high school and understanding the time and costs involved, I wanted to make sure this was the right field for me. This was critically important because I have been working through high school up until today as a waitress to help pay my way through school. I located an architecture program at my Community College and began taking architecture classes there to test the waters of this field. The work was a little challenging and overwhelming at first. But once I settled in, I began to realize I could do this and more importantly I enjoyed doing it. I continued to take a variety of architecture courses and was determined I wanted to learn more, and that architecture is what I wanted to do. As I continued to take classes my interest and understanding grew. I find myself being drawn to not only the design of buildings but towards the sustainability piece of architecture. This is a critical piece of not only the future of architecture but the future of society and the planet. Sustainable architecture is an incredible opportunity and I look forward to using it positively in the future. Another impact architecture has left on me is the positive impact it can leave on society when done correctly. A structure can not only last thousands of years but can inspire people for many more. I am proud of my heritage, the sacrifices others made and the values I have learned. These are all things that make me who I am today. A strong independent woman with a passion for making a difference in my community and society through architecture.