What My Heritage Means to Me and Why I’m Passionate About College Growing up, I primarily identified as African American, shaped by the rhythms, resilience, and rich cultural legacy of the Black community around me. At family gatherings, we shared stories of perseverance, celebrated soul food traditions, and carried the strength of generations in our everyday lives. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to recognize another thread in my identity: my deep Hispanic roots. Though I haven’t been fully connected to that part of my heritage, I’ve realized that it’s still an integral part of who I am and now, more than ever, I feel called to explore it. My Hispanic heritage exists in the background of my life like music playing from another room familiar, yet distant. I didn’t grow up speaking Spanish fluently, and I didn’t always know the traditional dishes or dances. But I carry pieces of that heritage within me: in the stories passed down from relatives, in the surnames etched into my family tree, and in the shared values of family, hard work, and faith. The more I reflect, the more I realize that embracing this side of me isn’t about speaking perfect Spanish or knowing every cultural nuance it’s about honoring where I come from and the many people whose strength and sacrifices made my life possible. This duality of being rooted in one culture while reaching for another has made me deeply curious about identity, history, and connection. It’s also given me a sense of empathy for others navigating similar questions of belonging. That’s one of the reasons I’m passionate about attending college: I want the opportunity to learn not only in the classroom, but also through exposure to diverse people and perspectives. I believe college will help me grow intellectually and personally. It’s a place where I can deepen my understanding of my heritage, develop new skills, and discover how to use my voice to uplift others. Beyond cultural exploration, college represents opportunity. For my family, education has always been a symbol of progress and a pathway to a better life. I want to be the first in my immediate family to graduate with a degree, to show my younger siblings and cousins that we can aim higher and achieve more. I want to study subjects that inspire me whether it’s communications, social sciences, or education and use my knowledge to make an impact in my community. Most importantly, I want to make space for people like me: people who straddle cultures, who carry stories in multiple languages, who are still finding themselves. I may not know everything about my Hispanic heritage yet, but I know it matters. It is part of the mosaic that makes me who I am just as much as my African American roots do. And college, I believe, is the next chapter in learning to honor both. In embracing every part of my identity and striving toward a brighter future, I hope to not only better myself but also create a legacy of pride, discovery, and empowerment for the next generation.