Madame Fonte wrote that when we are building, we lay foundations on the ground first, things of no intrinsic merit or beauty, before subsequently raising up sumptuous buildings and ornate palaces. Lowly seeds are nourished in the earth, and then later the ravishing blooms appear; lovely roses blossom forth and scented aromas gracefully invade the air. Metaphorically speaking, I underwent this process of "building futures" for older teenagers on their transition into adulthood. It's in my nature to participate heavily in community service involving several schools and surrounding neighborhoods throughout the San Fernando Valley: Constantly immersing myself in street clean ups, community beautifications, fighting the homelessness rehabilitation issue in our streets, and helping our Spanish speaking ESL populace of students apply for financial aid, scholarships, and submitting their college applications (whether they be EOP students, Dream Act scholars, or regular admits), something Canoga Park High is known for - ALL of which change the mentalities of these at-risk youths for the better - and has especially molded me for the greater good myself. Because I am someone who was a troubled delinquent, pursuing a higher education was the key to keeping me driven towards a better life of my own. In my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was marginal. Because so many of us have faced mistreatment, I do not want my peers to judge me by my success, rather I hope that they critique me by how many times I fell down and got back up again. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing these connections in academia provides the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. Lastly - at times while you are so passionately busy building, there will be others as busy destroying. Do not stop. One day you will notice how high above you get, and how down below they end up. Create with the heart; build with the mind.

I was born anosmic - and having no sense of smell throughout my life was an odd experience. I couldn’t relate to my peers whenever something putrid would invade the air, smell the beautiful flowers that grew out in the yard, I’m unable to detect if anything was ever burning (God forbid I’m ever in a fire) and have slept through a gas leak in our home. I did not have a good home life - and also struggled with strong B.O. as an athletic high schooler - something VERY unbeknownst to me apart from just being embarrassed to admit. I’ve worked for Starbucks as a barista on two different instances and did not pass smell tests during their coffee training, but that didn’t stop me from working the bar and crafting beverages. When I’d eventually make my way to Cal State Northridge as an Art major, it was this disability that led me to shift my major from Animation to Deaf Studies. I couldn’t help but observe these interpreters working with my Deaf classmates as they sat beside me putting forth much more effort than their Hearing counterparts who were all roughly the same age. My Deaf friend, who worked harder than anyone else just to accomplish half as much as a young disabled woman of color, sparked the courage needed to make the leap. Her talent and perseverance pushed her to still achieve more than most of the folks I witnessed despite the apparent shortcoming that was her Deafness - but that was when the final nail was struck into my head. It became very clear just how much I was limiting myself despite being a ‘more’ able-bodied person. I had to stop reminding myself of what I couldn’t do, and use it to catapult me towards what I’m actually capable of. If someone generous who values education as much as I do happens to come across my agenda, I pray that they deem me worthy enough to bestow their grace. I can showcase just how committed I am when it comes to my goal to the point I’m nearly begging - but if it means proving to any party of people that I require financial support so that I can continue investing towards my degree, then I’d gladly do so just like a canine would. I wonder how many people there have been in this world who suffered like me, and still continue to suffer, because they could not break out of their own web from shyness and reserve, and in their blindness to what they fear they have built up a great wall in front of them that hid the true beauties of the big scary world. I used to worry my peers judged me for being someone who struggles so much...but when I learned they admired (and at times, even envied me) it was truly an eye-opening experience that eliminated all of the bitterness I might have possessed. It’s almost a fear of what you’re capable of. There is no shame in asking others for help.

Recent years have pushed me into doing so much for the sake of earning cash. I started donating plasma at a place that may not be in the safest neighborhood and have scars that resemble ‘junkie veins’ as others have called it. I picked up a job as a cashier at Dollar Tree and have witnessed so, so, so many disheartening things throughout the course of more than a year I have been going strong for at that store. I like to use my position to help certain folks with nothing, but having seen homeless people die of heroin/fentanyl doesn’t compare to theft or disruptive behavior. It changes you…and I ask myself why Dollar Tree doesn’t care when families walk past a body laid out on the floor in front of our entrance. Thankfully, though, my times spent at multiple internships let me look at the positive highlights I experienced. I learned how to plant my own fruits and vegetables thanks to an agricultural non-profit, paint outside, make food/beverages that are farm to table, and get over my fear of insects after handling spiders often. My patience has, too, grown exceptionally after spending so much time playing bingo with older folks who did and did not possess memory issues. Adult daycares and senior rec centers showcase a lot of eugenic life many young people do not see. We all age and it is a beautiful thing to look forward to regardless of what privileges you get. Additionally, as a Bridge to the Future Scholar (a program-partnership with my High School) mentoring graduating seniors/incoming first-time freshmen with college apps, how to vote, get a job, and henceforth makes me feel like I’m actually making a difference in others’ lives. After meeting a girl that enrolled at my former High School who fled Afghanistan when the Taliban took over the country, I understood why she and her mother fled to the United States following the successful assassination of her uncle. With her mom being a woman in office and herself being a girl in school as well as advocating for other girls to pursue education, they became the next natural targets for these horrible terrorists. She described what it was like to have several confrontations with these dangerous men as they pointed their guns at her yet not back down. If she can survive that, I can definitely push myself to do A LOT more. Even though Bridge to the Future did not pay my tuition for the 2025-2026 Academic Year despite having been full-time since 2019, it did not erase the feelings I possess for all of the young people I have helped and will hopefully do the same for others in the future. My relationships with everyone I have connected with remain strong and will not sever. I know that any form of help will only aid me in my journey of making my own mark on the world no matter how big or small it’ll be.

It's almost become second nature to participate heavily in community service involving several schools and surrounding neighborhoods throughout the San Fernando Valley. Constantly immersing myself in street clean ups, community beautifications, fighting the homelessness rehabilitation issue in our streets by helping people when I go donate blood plasma or am working another crazy night shift at Dollar Tree, and helping our Spanish speaking ESL populace of students apply for financial aid, scholarships, and submitting their college applications (whether they be EOP students, Dream Act scholars, or regular admits), something Canoga Park High is known for - ALL of which change the mentalities of these at-risk youths for the better - and has especially molded me for the greater good myself. Because I am someone who was a troubled delinquent born without a sense of smell, pursuing a higher education was the key to keeping me driven towards a better life of my own. A spark of hope burst in me and I went out to seek the help my heart and mind desperately needed. Since this is intertwined with my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life after almost taking my own this previous year, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was marginal. I have created a new tenacity necessary with the fragments of a broken heart so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing these connections in academia provides the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After six years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time, again and again - just like everyone else. I regret not having understood sooner, that the errors you might produce during times of crisis are not something you ought to be reduced by. A huge part of me still struggles with self-doubt. My doubts are my worst traitors, and make us lose out on a lot of the good I may accomplish, just by fearing to attempt anything. I was trapped in such a prison until those closest to me confided the reasons why they were, in fact, admiring me. At times, even intimidated by or envious of me. Embracing this lovely surprise eliminated much of the bitterness in my spirit. Everyday, in every way, I am feeling better and better. This lovely gift came to me, eventually, in finally realizing that prizing individuality brings forth the most intense modes of human performance we've ever known.

A very big piece of me always knew that growing up into higher education wasn’t a given path when I was growing up — it was a foreign territory I knew I was going to have to invade. As a first-generation student, my story doesn’t begin with a legacy of parents who would have been able to coach me from a young age, but rather with a foundation of hard work, resilience, and a WHOLE LOT of figure-it-out-as-you-go determination. Being the first in my family to pursue a degree meant stepping into a world without a roadmap. While they may have offered endless emotional support, they couldn't help me comprehend the financial aid & admissions forms, choosing the right prerequisites for my major as a Deaf Studies student who did not know Sign Language in the beginning, or navigate the social pressures & volatile culture that can be college. Learning how to network with classmates/Professors who I might not mesh well with, finding my own Deaf/hearing mentors, and looking into how to even apply towards internships entirely from scratch while sitting in lecture halls wondering if I truly belonged there due to my ADHD, or if my background put me at a permanent disadvantage because I grew up sleeping on the carpet floor without a bed. Carrying the unspoken expectations of my family, knowing that my achievements weren’t just my own, but a success for our previous and future generations. All of these things provided me with a mix of pride and pressure. On the other hand, when it comes to watching your parents or grandparents work hard at jobs that didn’t require degrees yet remember to instill strong values into you, the internal drive to honor sacrifices made by loved ones, and maintaining your motivation to break cycles — access better careers —in order to open doors for those who come after…it’s all something very normal to desire and work hard when put into perspective. Traditionally, we all want to succeed and help the ones we care about…but it’s such a difficult thing to do. I continue to donate plasma, work two jobs, complete internships, volunteer hours of community service every year, and use my position as a cashier at Dollar Tree in order to help people who can’t truly help themselves. I also find it funny that every single time I go to donate plasma (and have been doing so for two and a half years now) in the Van Nuys area of the San Fernando Valley - I must complete a questionnaire before being screened by nurses. These questions ask whether or not you have permanent housing, injected yourself with something, have exchanged sex for money, or taken certain drugs,,,yet, the center itself is located in an area that is rampant with prostitution/homeless addicts/low-income people & shelters. These big companies know exactly who they are targeting. They know people will be desperate enough for money. People who are homeless are not social inadequates. They are people without homes. As Mother Theresa said herself, thinking sometimes that depravity is only being hungry, naked and homelessness is untrue when the actual biggest poverty is being unwanted, unloved and not cared for. This pushes me to be a better person for them, myself, and all.

In just a decade, fentanyl has emerged as the deadliest drug in American history. All it takes is an incredibly small amount—a tiny fraction of a gram—to cause an overdose. It is poisoning communities across the country. It's hidden in counterfeit pills, disguised as something safe. Yet, it's anything but that. With just the minuscule amount that can kill it is a crisis & tragedy of historic proportions. While fentanyl is impacting us & deaths of thousands...entire populaces are swept away. I can't even think of all the people I know who have died while I was working at Dollar Tree. I witness homeless people come and go every day as a cashier there. You will hear today how neighborhoods across this country are suffering from this cancer. During the last four years, while we have seen these overdose deaths rise, our governments across the country have been presented with opportunities to permanently schedule fentanyl-related substances in a bipartisan manner. Instead, they have punted the problem by temporarily classifying fentanyl related substances. It is long past time for Congress to permanently define fentanyl analogs and other related substances. Unfortunately, my home state has become the entry point for much of the illicit fentanyl entering our country. Over half of the fentanyl pills seized by the DEA last year were seized in Southern California. Two weeks ago, law enforcement caught enough fentanyl to kill nearly 800,000 people. I am glad that these drugs were intercepted, but this just makes me more concerned about how many more of these hundreds-of-pounds hauls are never identified that reach their point of distribution - the point where it can enter low-income areas such as Northridge, Canoga Park, and Van Nuys through the San Fernando Valley. This being said, I do not believe I am in a position to judge those I witness when I'm working at my store. I have coped with my own adversities in life by being a former smoker and have consumed hundreds of milligrams of THC in a desperate attempt to escape reality on a different scale. I understand why some folks do the things that they do, and that redemption is possible if you simply set your heart on it. The word ‘happy’ would lose its' meaning if it were not balanced by a touch of sadness. In my very lengthy education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing certain connections in academia provided me the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After six years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies.

People can accrue debt in many ways. Some take out loans for houses, cars and school. Some overspend on restaurants or travel. Others rack up debt due to medical expenses insurance won’t cover. Whatever the reason, most end up in collections the same way – an aspect of the consumer’s life changed, leaving them unable to pay what they owe. Freedom from debt is worth more than any amount you can earn. After working two jobs and donating plasma for over two and a half years, the priceless value of hard work has taught me to cherish what means the most to my soul. In my case, lack of money, too, wasn't necessarily an obstacle for me, though - but the absence of ideas might've been. Unfortunately, identifying as a nillionaire (someone with little to no money) wasn't my greatest achievement to date, but there are certainly other deeds I'd consider my most selfless, tenacious, and gracious acts. Mentoring Deaf, Queer, and Spanish speaking kids as they apply for college are things I pride myself in. It's also become intertwined within my nature to participate heavily in community service involving several schools and surrounding neighborhoods throughout the San Fernando Valley: Constantly immersing myself in street clean ups, community beautifications, fighting the homelessness rehabilitation issue in our streets, and helping our Spanish speaking ESL populace of students apply for financial aid, scholarships, and submitting their college applications (whether they be EOP students, Dream Act scholars, or regular admits), something Canoga Park High is known for - ALL of which change the mentalities of these at-risk youths for the better - and has especially molded me for the greater good. Because I am someone who was a troubled delinquent, pursuing a higher education was the key to keeping me driven towards a better life of my own. Even if volunteering 20 hours of community service every Spring/Fall is unpaid, it will never undo the experiences and connections that derive from these environments. I am glad I have had something to offer this world selfessly. With Education being one of those important things, I have refused to give up since being enrolled full-time as of the Fall of 2019. Learning both inside and outside of school morphed me into a person I never expected to become. Whilst working part-time jobs & internships, I have immersed myself in a Deaf community that supports my studies. It allowed me to realize that you truly can have it all if you push yourself. Creditors have called me, collectors have sent notices in the mail, my bank accounts had closed at one point forcing me to join a credit union, but...none of it makes me feel like an abrupt failure any longer. They would eventually see I am a young person doing what I can to Now that I have secured more stable means of income in working towards a greater outcome, I am stronger. My collectors worked and continue to work with me on getting my situation handled as I have begun to make progress - even if it is marginal. In the end, the human connection empathy creates can help you to better understand and build trust.

If you're the first generation to go to college, sometimes you don't realize your potential until others point it out. I'm here to remind you to never doubt that you deserve to be there amongst your peers. The admissions committee saw something special in you and they were confident that you could succeed. I tell myself these things after having tried and failed so many times in my efforts to become a sign-language interpreter. I did not become a person who can communicate in four languages overnight. I did not develop connections with Deaf people in the blink of an eye. I did not shape myself into the person I currently am by sitting idly and magically succeeding through instant gratification. Undergoing addiction, homelessness, failure, criticism, and perseverance throughout everything would let me realize that I'm now stronger than I was before and can continue to grow. I want others to avoid hiding themselves from the world by shutting themselves in. You need to realize that you are worthy of being seen. Our youth is the most vulnerable population that needs to be uplifted the most. remember that there have been so many other people in similar situations. Even when you believe that nobody shares the struggle or pain you are going through, believe me there are. To the Deaf, Queer. and Spanish speaking kids I help apply to college every Spring: you matter. The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose is to give it away.

When you can stop, you don’t want to. And when you want to stop, you can’t. That’s addiction. Throughout my lengthy journey towards a Deaf Studies degree, I've tried and failed. I've tried again and succeeded in order to springboard off of my mistakes and straight into full throttle. The Deaf community has shaped me as a a person, and I am very grateful that I have been able to share and create so much with a group of people I would have never imagined sharing and creating with. It's a true testament to the power they have in conquering adversity. They showed me that I did not have to attend class everyday under the influence of THC. That I could still remain the outgoing and exemplary student all of my beloved peers witnessed. I am not weak for struggling. I am strong for standing resilient against the shadows of my petty demons. This may sound odd, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion following so many setbacks. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing these connections in academia provides the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them further. Their inevitable wounds - like mine - will morph into wisdom. I have absolutely no pleasure in the stimulants in which I sometimes so madly indulge. It has not been in the pursuit of pleasure that I have periled life and reputation and reason. It has been the desperate attempt to escape from torturing memories, from a sense of insupportable loneliness and a dread of some strange impending doom. It's just a way of trying to get at something else. Something bigger. Call it transcendence if you want, but it’s like a rat in a maze. We all want the same thing. We all have this hole. The thing you want offers relief, but it’s a trap. You don’t get over an addiction by stopping using. You recover by creating a new life where it is easier to not use. If you don’t create a new life, then all the factors that brought you to your addiction will catch up with you again. I am not defined by my relapses, but by my decision to remain in recovery despite them. That is what defines recovery; progression and not perfection. In my experience, nothing worthwhile has ever really been all that easy, but it certainly has been worthwhile regardless how difficult it seemed. Our greatest weakness lies in giving up when we don't know how close we are to success. Negative thinking patterns can be immensely deceptive and persuasive, and change is rarely easy. But with patience and determination, I believe that nearly all individuals suffering from depressive burnout can experience a sense of joy or a burst of self-esteem once again. I also regret not having understood sooner, that the errors you might produce during times of crisis are not something you ought to be reduced by.

What I'd tell someone who is silently struggling is the simple fact that you don’t have to live that way. You don’t have to struggle in silence. You can be un-silent. You can live well with whatever kind of a condition you may find your mental health in, as long as you open up to somebody about it, because it’s really important you share your experience with people so that you can get the help that you need. You are not alone. You are seen. The world is with you. You are not alone - for the humanity we all share is more important than the mental illnesses we may not. Life doesn’t make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, the better for us all. I found that with depression, one must crucially realize that you’re not the lone wanderer. You’re not the first to go through it, and you’re not gonna be the last to go through it. More importantly, mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but, importantly, you are NOT the rain. In my pursuit of a higher education, I've tried many things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was marginal. Because so many of us have faced mistreatment, I do not want my peers to judge me by my success, rather I hope that they critique me by how many times I fell down and got back up again. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. In my pursuit of Deaf Studies, I've tried and failed. I've tried again and succeeded in order to springboard off of my mistakes and straight into full throttle. Deaf folks have their own culture, their own community. A lot of people don't realize it. They assume that Deaf people are very unfortunate, very disabled, but no - it's just the opposite. Belonging, responsibility, flexibility, tenacity - these are all things that I imbue my Deaf peers with. It's a true testament to the power they have in conquering adversity. When the terms are theirs - there are no walls - and I am one hundred percent ready to be a spokesperson. There are so many people, Deaf or otherwise abled, who are so talented but overlooked or not given a chance to even get their foot in the door. As a direct result of so many injustices I've been made aware of I'm now aspire to be the type of role model who can bridge the communication gap between deaf and hearing groups. I feel it is my duty to participate in perfecting that. Establishing these connections in academia provides the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time - and so can everybody else. Only those who dare to risk failing greatly, can ever achieve so greatly. Deaf people can do anything, except hear. Every one of us is different in some way, but for those of us who are more different, we have to put more effort into convincing the less different that we can do the same thing they can, just differently. We're all blind and deaf to our surroundings until our eyes are opened to our fellowmen, and our ears hear the voices of humanity. Struggle teaches you a lot of things, and I am happy that I witnessed a roller coaster ride. The journey has improved me as a person and made me mature in ways I wouldn’t have expected. My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. Despite how we may feel because of where we end up, or what society seems to say, life isn’t supposed to be one long hardship. We are not supposed to live our lives full of difficulties - as life is for living as you want, but many of us do face tough challenges that push us to our very brink. When this happens remember that there have been so many other people in similar situations. Even when you believe that nobody shares the struggle or pain you are going through, believe me there are, and so many who have been there have managed to get through it. Because of this fact, so can you.

I am currently holding two jobs while donating plasma, have been enrolled full-time in school since the Fall of 2019, became trilingual, established my relationships with people in the Deaf/Queer community, learned to draw and just changed for the better throughout it all. I am not the same person I was six to seven years ago - and proud of it. In the event I am to be awarded funds, trust and believe I would use it towards completing my pursuit of an undergraduate degree. It's been hard working pretty much full-time and going to school. It takes courage to endure difficulties - something we all have - but often need to do a little digging in order to find it...for there are as many dark nights as bright days, and a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness. The word ‘happy’ would lose its' meaning if it were not balanced by a touch of sadness. In my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was nothing more than marginal. I won't give up towards ASL interpreting Lack of money, too, wasn't and hasn't necessarily an obstacle for me, though - but the absence of ideas might've been. Unfortunately, identifying as a nillionaire (someone with little to no money) wasn't my greatest achievement to date, but there are certainly other deeds I'd consider my most selfless, tenacious, and gracious acts. It's also become intertwined within my nature to participate heavily in community service involving several schools and surrounding neighborhoods throughout the San Fernando Valley: Constantly immersing myself in street clean ups, community beautifications, fighting the homelessness rehabilitation issue in our streets, and helping our Spanish speaking ESL populace of students apply for financial aid, scholarships, and submitting their college applications (whether they be EOP students, Dream Act scholars, or regular admits), something Canoga Park High is known for - ALL of which change the mentalities of these at-risk youths for the better - and has especially molded me for the greater good myself. Because I am someone who was a troubled delinquent, pursuing a higher education was the key to keeping me driven towards a better life of my own. Establishing certain connections in academia provided me the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time - and so can everybody else.

Poverty has converted me into a person combined of revolution and crime. It doesn't lead to a lack of character. We tell ourselves that difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body. When we feel like giving up, we just need to remember the reason why we held on for so long. In my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was nothing more than marginal. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing certain connections in academia provided me the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, feel, fail in, hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies.

What I'd tell someone who is silently struggling is the simple fact that you don’t have to live that way. You don’t have to struggle in silence. You can be un-silent. You can live well with whatever kind of a condition you may find your mental health in, as long as you open up to somebody about it, because it’s really important you share your experience with people so that you can get the help that you need. You are not alone. You are seen. The world is with you. You are not alone - for the humanity we all share is more important than the mental illnesses we may not. Life doesn’t make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, the better for us all. I found that with depression, one must crucially realize that you’re not the lone wanderer. You’re not the first to go through it, and you’re not gonna be the last to go through it. More importantly, mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but, importantly, you are NOT the rain. In my pursuit of a higher education, I've tried many things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was marginal. Because so many of us have faced mistreatment, I do not want my peers to judge me by my success, rather I hope that they critique me by how many times I fell down and got back up again. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing these connections in academia provides the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time - and so can everybody else. Only those who dare to risk failing greatly, can ever achieve so greatly. Deaf people can do anything, except hear. Every one of us is different in some way, but for those of us who are more different, we have to put more effort into convincing the less different that we can do the same thing they can, just differently. We're all blind and deaf to our surroundings until our eyes are opened to our fellowmen, and our ears hear the voices of humanity.

Struggle teaches you a lot of things, and I am happy that I witnessed a roller coaster ride. The journey has improved me as a person and made me mature in ways I wouldn’t have expected. My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. Despite how we may feel because of where we end up, or what society seems to say, life isn’t supposed to be one long hardship. We are not supposed to live our lives full of difficulties - as life is for living as you want, but many of us do face tough challenges that push us to our very brink. When this happens remember that there have been so many other people in similar situations. Even when you believe that nobody shares the struggle or pain you are going through, believe me there are, and so many who have been there have managed to get through it. Because of this fact, so can you. In my pursuit of Deaf Studies, I've tried and failed. I've tried again and succeeded in order to springboard off of my mistakes and straight into full throttle. Deaf folks have their own culture, their own community. A lot of people don't realize it. They assume that Deaf people are very unfortunate, very disabled, but no - it's just the opposite. Community, responsibility, flexibility, tenacity - these are all things that I imbue my Deaf peers with. They are basically good, nonjudgmental people who succeed at the end of the day, sometimes in spite of themselves...and I'm simply excited to educate the world about what Deaf people can do. The Deaf community has shaped me as a a person, and I am very grateful that I have been able to share and create so much with a group of people I would have never imagined sharing and creating with. It's a true testament to the power they have in conquering adversity. When the terms are theirs - there are no walls - and I am one hundred percent ready to be a spokesperson. There are so many people, Deaf or otherwise abled, who are so talented but overlooked or not given a chance to even get their foot in the door. As a direct result of so many injustices I've been made aware of I'm now aspire to be the type of role model who can bridge the communication gap between deaf and hearing communities. Even though there are some Deaf people who are well aware of how some of those who are hearing may look down on them - they still wish to be one world. One fragment of the same humanity. Fighting to have their identity represented but end up being made to feel like their voice isn't being heard is another thought I end up feeling torn in. I, too, am at times stuck between representing Deaf people but also wanting to have a career with good working relationships. Perhaps it's my duty to perfect that. Dream, struggle, create, prevail. Be daring. Be brave. Be loving. Be compassionate. Be strong. Be brilliant. Be beautiful.

The letter P is for Persistence. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Wishing will not; Talent will not; Genius will not; Education will not; Persistence is like the Genie you need to create a magical force in your life. We are made to persist. That’s how we find out who we are. After failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th - the secret that has led me to my goal - my strength - lies solely in my tenacity. In my experience, nothing worthwhile has ever really been all that easy, but it certainly has been worthwhile regardless how difficult it seemed. Our greatest weakness lies in giving up when we don't know how close we are to success. Negative thinking patterns can be immensely deceptive and persuasive, and change is rarely easy. But with patience and determination, I believe that nearly all individuals suffering from depressive burnout can experience a sense of joy or a burst of self-esteem once again. I also regret not having understood sooner, that the errors you might produce during times of crisis are not something you ought to be reduced by. A huge part of me still struggles with self-doubt. My doubts are my worst traitors, and they make me lose out on a lot of the good I may accomplish, just by fearing to attempt anything. However, once I sank my teeth into this path of mine, I became a dog with nothing but a bone. Just like lack of effort - on the other hand, the most certain way to achieve is to always try just one more time. In my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound odd, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion following so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was marginal. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing these connections in academia provides the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them further. Their inevitable wounds - like mine - will morph into wisdom. After years of ASL learning, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming an interpreter. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. As I mentioned - my philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is to always try again. I wonder how many people there have been in this Earth who suffered, and still continue to suffer, because they could not break out of their own web from shyness and reserve. The more anxious you are of doing a certain something...the more worth doing it must be.

Does good timber not grow with ease? The stronger wind, the stronger trees? We tell ourselves that difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body. When we feel like giving up, we just need to remember the reason why we held on for so long. But what does all of that feel like for those suffering from depression? You don’t want to live, but you don’t want to die. You don’t want to talk to anyone, yet you feel very lonely. You wake up in the morning and simply wait for the night to come. Something inside you is just broken and you're unable to understand why. It is an illness as lethal as it is a cruel punishment. There are no fevers, no rashes, no blood tests to send people scurrying in concern, just the slow erosion of ones' self, as insidious as cancer. Sadly, too - just like cancer - it is essentially a solitary experience, a room in hell with only your name on the door. You keep thinking you’ve lost something but have no clue when or where you last had it. Then, one day you realize what you lost was yourself. Nobody ever tells you that emptiness is what weighs the most - drowning you in sorrow while the rest continue breathing. It takes courage to endure hardships - something we all have - but often need to do a little digging in order to find it...for there are as many dark nights as bright days, and a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness. The word ‘happy’ would lose its' meaning if it were not balanced by a touch of sadness. In my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was nothing more than marginal. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing certain connections in academia provided me the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. Mental health is a priority, happiness is an essential, and self-care is a necessity. The challenges throughout life are not supposed to paralyze you; but to help you discover who you are. Every trial, every failure, every heartache carries with it a greater benefit toward our spirit.

The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward. Worth twice its' weight in cleverness, my strength lies solely in refusing to give up. In my pursuit of Deaf Studies, I've tried and failed. I've tried again and succeeded in order to springboard off of my mistakes and straight into full throttle. My passion, personally, is being my true self while inspiring young people who are struggling with their identities to love themselves for who they are, and a clear vision came to me once I found out about the wonderful world of sign language. I suddenly realized: if we as a society recognize all forms of culture - we must acknowledge that it is in of itself one too. I think Deafness is a disability for social constructionist reasons - just like my Anosmia - not physical ones. American Sign Language is my third language. English and Spanish are my first two. I learned Spanish from my family, English from reading and television - and ASL from the Deaf Community here in Southern California. Deaf folks have their own culture, their own community. A lot of people don't realize it. They assume that Deaf people are very unfortunate, very disabled, but no - it's just the opposite. Community, responsibility, flexibility, tenacity - these are all things that I imbue my Deaf peers with. They are basically good, nonjudgmental people who succeed at the end of the day, sometimes in spite of themselves...and I'm simply excited to educate the world about what Deaf people can do. The Deaf community has shaped me as a a person, and I am very grateful that I have been able to share and create so much with a group of people I would have never imagined sharing and creating with. It's a true testament to the power they have in conquering adversity. When the terms are theirs - there are no walls - and I am one hundred percent ready to be a spokesperson. There are so many people, Deaf or otherwise abled, who are so talented but overlooked or not given a chance to even get their foot in the door. Most of the Deaf people I know are, of course, proud to be Deaf, whole and complete. They don't feel like they're impaired - they don't think they need to be fixed. They're already themselves. Anyone being Deaf isn't the problem. There is nothing wrong with Deafness; it's our society that is the issue. To really understand the average Deaf persons' experience, you need someone that is Deaf to be able to tell you what their experience is. As a direct result of so many injustices I've been made aware of I'm now aspire to be the type of role model who can bridge the communication gap between deaf and hearing communities. Even though there are some Deaf people who are well aware of how some of those who are hearing may look down on them - they still wish to be one world. One fragment of the same humanity. Fighting to have their identity represented but end up being made to feel like their voice isn't being heard is another thought I end up feeling torn in. I, too, am at times stuck between representing Deaf people but also wanting to have a career with good working relationships. Perhaps it's my duty to perfect that.

A gift came to me one day, when the realization was apparent in Diversity not separating us by how we differ, but embracing us all together in what makes us unique. Prizing individuality brings forth the most intense modes of human performance we've ever known. It's almost become second nature to participate heavily in community service involving several schools and surrounding neighborhoods throughout the San Fernando Valley. Constantly immersing myself in street clean ups, community beautifications, fighting the homelessness rehabilitation issue in our streets, and helping our Spanish speaking ESL populace of students apply for financial aid, scholarships, and submitting their college applications (whether they be EOP students, Dream Act scholars, or regular admits), something Canoga Park High is known for - ALL of which change the mentalities of these at-risk youths for the better - and has especially molded me for the greater good myself. Because I am someone who was a troubled delinquent born without a sense of smell, pursuing a higher education was the key to keeping me driven towards a better life of my own. A spark of hope burst in me and I went out to seek the help my heart and mind desperately needed. Since this is intertwined with my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life after almost taking my own this previous year, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was marginal. I have created a new tenacity necessary with the fragments of a broken heart so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing these connections in academia provides the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time, again and again - just like everyone else. I regret not having understood sooner, that the errors you might produce during times of crisis are not something you ought to be reduced by. A huge part of me still struggles with self-doubt. My doubts are my worst traitors, and make us lose out on a lot of the good I may accomplish, just by fearing to attempt anything. I was trapped in such a prison until those closest to me confided the reasons why they were, in fact, admiring me. At times, even intimidated by or envious of me. Embracing this lovely surprise eliminated much of the bitterness in my spirit. Everyday, in every way, I am feeling better and better.

Volunteering is an act of heroism on a grand scale. And it matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds; it changes the odds. It is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud. The heart of a volunteer is never measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others. As Martin Luther King once put it, it is because if this that everybody can be great, because we are all able to serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. Throughout our experiences, too - we ask, what is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good, is what I'd argue. If you aren't caught doing that - my most urgent question is, then what ARE you doing for others? No matter the shape or form, I'd want to know. The moment I stepped into an adult daycare, I knew - then and there, one person caring about another represents life's greatest value. It's natural to be hesitant at first when moving outside of your usual boundaries - but you must remember your self-confidence plays a key role in the entirety of your life. Whether we’re overcoming our early adulthood awkwardness, grappling with a midlife crisis, or coping with low self-esteem in old age, our insecurities can follow us throughout all stages of life. For some aging adults, a lack of self-confidence is rooted in many issues ranging from changes in physicality to limited independence. Aging is not an option, for anyone. It is how gracefully we handle the process and how lucky we are, as the process handles us. As those much older than us continue to grow even older, it’s important to show our seniors just how worthy, appreciated, and beautiful they are every day. Taking time to shower them with love or demonstrating how special this time in their lives can be is an ultimate nurture. Immersing myself with those possessing dementia showed me just how full of life these people are and that they still have stories and character - reminding me they're all still individuals and they're all just as unique as their younger counterparts. That they just need to be interacted with on a human level. Though the folks I cared for had some depressive days where there weren't any songs in their hearts, they sung anyway. Long since has it dawned that they are usually capable of more than we can ever really imagine. It is living proof that kindness can transform someone's dark moment with a blaze of light. You'll never know how much your caring matters. Making a difference for another today truly sets the stage for the future - as socializing with all of these men and women of several eras bored into my heart the longer we are to live, the more beautiful life will mold itself to be. It is an honor to care for members of our community. Not a single day goes where I don't think about it. I've seen how life can become complicated for them and their families. It brings me great joy to know that I am a part of a compassionate team that is truly making a difference...even though, I am after all, just a volunteer. Too often I underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. Though to care for those who once cared for us is not only one of the highest honors, caring for older adults is no simple walk in the park. It comes with an overwhelming list of demands, medical complexities, and financial worries that seem to multiply with each passing hour. It’s easy to question whether your efforts truly make a meaningful impact - but here’s the reassuring truth I now know: what we do matters immensely.

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do. We’re all different in many ways and alike in many ways and special in some sort of way. I have asked myself why it is that, as a culture, we were more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands. Thinking something was wrong with me, it took a while before realizing it was just a lot wrong with the world we live in. Then it dawned that making everyone come ro realize a world of equality and dignity for all, will have to change laws and policies; will force us to shift hearts and minds. When you put love out in the world it travels, and it can touch people and reach people in ways that we never even expected. We struggle and fight for our joy — an unreserved and unapologetic joy that springs from our ability to live as we are. It’s a joy worth fighting for and it’s this joy that links all of our struggles together. It is absolutely imperative that every human being’s freedom and human rights are respected, all over the world. In my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was marginal. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing these connections in academia provides the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. It’s been tough and uncomfortable at times, but it has given me the confidence to be myself, to follow my own path, and to rise above adversity and bigotry - but the world has caught up with us and we are a living witness that dreams do come true, even if they aren’t the ones you start out with. Progress is difficult, dangerous, always at risk, always made by people with only partial vision…because it’s not just our differences that divide us. It’s our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences. There will not be a magic day when we wake up and it’s okay to express ourselves publicly. We make that day by doing things publicly until it’s simply the way things are.

Just because you do not take an interest in something doesn't mean that something won't take an interest in you. My interests in life comes from setting myself huge, apparently unachievable challenges and trying to rise above them. Not picking a passion voluntarily will have boredom picking you involuntarily. Interest and enthusiasm are the wellspring of continually evolving community life: they create bonds which unite us whether we are young or old, nearby or far from each other; they allow human warmth and love to be the formative forces in personal and community life and striving. If one has failed to develop curiosity and interest in the early years, it is a good idea to acquire them now, before it is too late to improve the quality of life. To do so is fairly easy in principle, but more difficult in practice. Yet it is sure worth trying. There are literally millions of potentially interesting things in the world to see, to do, to learn about, but they don’t become actually interesting until we devote attention to them. In my education, I’ve tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if it was marginal. I formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing these connections in academia provides the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. Don’t be afraid to share your struggles because you don’t know who you may inspire. Don't be afraid of turning your struggles into a success story. I learned to believe in a dream that is as much American as it is universal: a dream of equal opportunity. Your individuality is important, but so is belonging. I don't know what all of our destinies will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among us who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve. Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve - and he who wishes to secure the good of others, has already secured his own. I don't have time, energy, or interest in those who only tear others down, as I’m too busy lifting everyone up. The beauty and mystery of this world only emerges through affection, attention, interest and compassion…open your eyes wide and actually see this world by attending to its colors, details and irony. The art of the heart is a powerful thing - and if you plan on going somewhere, take all of you there.

A true passion that burns within your soul is one that can never be put out. To love what you do and do what you love unlocks the passion is the key that opens the door to joy and abundance. If you feel like there’s something out there that you’re supposed to be doing, you think have a passion for it, then just do it. If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose. Passion itself is your joy, it is the essence of who you are. You have to unwrap it and find it. I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious. I would rather die of wonder than of boredom. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was marginal. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing these connections in academia provides the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time - and so can everybody else. Only those who dare to risk failing greatly, can ever achieve so greatly. Deaf people can do anything, except hear. Every one of us is different in some way, but for those of us who are more different, we have to put more effort into convincing the less different that we can do the same thing they can, just differently. We're all blind and deaf to our surroundings until our eyes are opened to our fellowmen, and our ears hear the voices of humanity. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. No one can take it away from you. It is the foundation of all we do in life. It is the movement from darkness to light. It shapes who we are and what we aspire to be. It is about widening your knowledge and absorbing the truth about life. It is power. It is liberating. It is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family. It is a treasure that will follow you everywhere. To educate a person in the mind is to educate a greater part of society. Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. The more you learn, the more you earn.

Selflessness. It is what we believe should be the basis of every relationship. If a person truly cares about you, they’ll get more pleasure from the way they make you feel, rather than the other way around. Many of the qualities that come so effortlessly to dogs - loyalty, devotion, selflessness, unflagging optimism, unqualified love - can be elusive to humans. Because of what it actually is to be selfless, then there's really no value in it for you... there's only value in it for the world. I’ve learned that selflessness is a practice, not a place; a journey much more than a destination. Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. Establishing certain connections in academia provided me the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. Above all, my favorite implemented practice since last September is being a volunteer with the One-Generation Senior Enrichment Organization here in the San Fernando Valley. I naturally understand the struggles of others due to some personal experience. While we are primarily focused on senior living and wellbeing, we also welcome any disabled individual - and when Deaf folks are interested in joining, I am capable of interpreting in a low-risk setting so that communication between both parties can get relayed - furthering the reach that One-Generation has. I’ve supported them at health fairs, food drives, produce distributions, have served hot food for homeless seniors to enjoy, and have a great time contributing to the greater cause as a part of their volunteer team. All of our efforts (not just my own, really) allows us plenty of opportunities in helping seniors understand that their mental health is a priority, their happiness is an essential, and self-care is a necessity. It's been ingrained into my nature to participate heavily in community service involving several schools and surrounding neighborhoods throughout the San Fernando Valley: Constantly immersing myself in street clean ups, community beautifications, fighting the homelessness rehabilitation issue in our streets, and helping our Spanish speaking ESL populace of students apply for financial aid, scholarships, and submitting their college applications (whether they be EOP students, Dream Act scholars, or regular admits), something Canoga Park High is known for - ALL of which change the mentalities of these at-risk youths for the better - and has especially molded me for the greater good.. Because I am someone who was a troubled delinquent, pursuing a higher education was the key to keeping me driven towards a better life of my own. I may be a little bent, but I am not broken. I am often sad, but have never been hopeless. I am very tired, but not powerless. Always do good to others. Be selfless. Mentally remove everything and be free. This is the genuine good life.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. We are not put on this earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other. If you are there always for others, then in time of need, someone will be there for you. Those of us volunteers don’t get paid, not because we’re all worthless, but because we're actually priceless. It's been ingrained into my nature to participate heavily in community service involving several schools and surrounding neighborhoods throughout the San Fernando Valley as a CSUN Bridge to the Future Scholar: Constantly immersing myself in street clean ups, community beautifications, fighting the homelessness rehabilitation issue in our streets, and helping our Spanish speaking ESL populace of students apply for financial aid, scholarships, and submitting their college applications (whether they be EOP students, Dream Act scholars, or regular admits), something Canoga Park High is known for - ALL of which change the mentalities of these at-risk youths for the better - and has especially molded me for the greater good.. Because I am someone who was a troubled delinquent, pursuing a higher education was the key to keeping me driven towards a better life of my own while tacking on one hour at a time. I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was marginal. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing these connections in academia provides the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. Don’t be afraid to share your struggles because you don’t know who you may inspire. Don't be afraid of turning your struggles into a success story. I learned to believe in a dream that is as much American as it is universal: a dream of equal opportunity. Your individuality is important, but so is belonging. I don't know what all of our destinies will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among us who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve. Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve. He who wishes to secure the good of others, has already secured his own.

I like to remind myself that the secret of life is to fall seven times and to get up on the eighth. When you take risks, you learn that there will be times when you succeed, and there will be times when you fail, and both are equally important. I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying. It's just a part of the process. You need to learn to pick yourself back up. Our greatest glory is not in never making mistakes, but in rising every time we do. We need to accept that we won't always make the right decisions, that we'll screw up royally sometimes – understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it's part of success. In my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was nothing more than marginal. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing certain connections in academia provided me the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. Every trial, every failure, every heartache carries with it the spark of an equal or greater benefit toward our spirit. The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one. To be very blunt, there are no glistening diamonds without pressure. Persistence is the twin sister of excellence. One is a matter of quality; the other, a matter of time. A little more persistence, a little more effort and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success. When we give ourselves permission to fail, we, at the same time, give ourselves permission to excel.

I once heard Maya Angelou say that she has found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver. Since then, I've tried to always give without remembering and always receive without forgetting. Giving does not only precede receiving; it is the reason for it. It is in giving that we receive. It’s easier to take than to give. It’s nobler to give than to take. The thrill of taking lasts a day. The thrill of giving lasts a lifetime - and no one has ever become poor from giving. And at the most unexpected of times those who give the most are the ones with the least to spare. In my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was nothing more than marginal. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing certain connections in academia provided me the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time - and so can everybody else. Above much of this, my favorite implemented practice since last September is being a volunteer with the One-Generation Senior Enrichment Organization here in the San Fernando Valley. I naturally understand the struggles of others due to some personal experience - and thus, am the first to do the careline calls. While we are primarily focused on senior living and wellbeing (especially those with Alzheimer's & Dementia), we also welcome any disabled individual - and when Deaf folks are interested in joining, I am capable of interpreting in a low-risk setting so that communication between both parties can get relayed - furthering the reach that One-Generation has. I’ve supported them at health fairs, food drives, produce distributions, have served hot food for homeless seniors to enjoy, and have a great time contributing to the greater cause as a part of their volunteer team. I can proudly state that I am making a difference every day I step foot into the senior center. The socialization I've had in the pleasures doing with all of our efforts (not just my own, really) allows me to gain even plenty more opportunities in helping seniors understand that their mental health is a priority, their happiness is an essential, and self-care is a necessity.

The Latino in me is an ember that blazes forever. People think of Latin people as being fiery and fierce - which is usually true - but I think the quality that so many Latinos possess is strength. I’m very proud to have Latin blood. As people of color, we have a potent power – and a responsibility – to change events around us, not just professionally, but spiritually and politically as well. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time - and so can everybody else. It's also been ingrained into my nature to participate heavily in community service involving several schools and surrounding neighborhoods throughout the San Fernando Valley as a CSUN Bridge to the Future Scholar: Constantly immersing myself in street clean ups, community beautifications, fighting the homelessness rehabilitation issue in our streets, and helping our Spanish speaking ESL populace of students apply for financial aid, scholarships, and submitting their college applications (whether they be EOP students, Dream Act scholars, or regular admits), something Canoga Park High is known for - ALL of which change the mentalities of these at-risk youths for the better - and has especially molded me for the greater good.. Because I am someone who was a troubled delinquent, pursuing a higher education was the key to keeping me driven towards a better life of my own while tacking on one hour at a time. I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was marginal. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing these connections in academia provides the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. Don’t be afraid to share your struggles because you don’t know who you may inspire. Don't be afraid of turning your struggles into a success story. I learned to believe in a dream that is as much American as it is universal: a dream of equal opportunity Your individuality is important, but so is belonging. Recognize the parts of your culture that have shaped your past, and the parts you want to carry with you into the future. Be brave, take risks, and don't let anyone stop you - not even yourself.

I was born Anosmic - having no sense of smell throughout my life was an odd experience. I couldn’t relate to my peers whenever something putrid would invade the air, smell the beautiful flowers that grew out in the yard, I’m unable to detect if anything was ever burning (God forbid I’m ever in a fire) and have slept through a gas leak in our home. I did not have a good home life - and also struggled with strong B.O. as an athletic high schooler - something VERY unbeknownst to me apart from just being embarrassed to admit. I’ve worked for Starbucks as a barista on two different instances and did not pass smell tests during their coffee training, but that didn’t stop me from working the bar and crafting beverages. When I’d eventually make my way to Cal State Northridge as an Art major, it was this disability that led me to shift my major from Animation to Deaf Studies. I couldn’t help but observe these interpreters working with my Deaf classmates as they sat beside me putting forth much more effort than their Hearing counterparts who were all roughly the same age. My Deaf friend, who worked harder than anyone else just to accomplish half as much as a young disabled woman of color, sparked the courage needed to make the leap. Her talent and perseverance pushed her to still achieve more than most of the folks I witnessed despite the apparent shortcoming that was her Deafness - but that was when the final nail was struck into my head. It became very clear just how much I was limiting myself despite being a ‘more’ able-bodied person. I had to stop reminding myself of what I couldn’t do, and use it to catapult me towards what I’m actually capable of. I’ve held three jobs at once over the course of a year, have been enrolled full-time in school since the Fall of 2019, became trilingual, established my relationships with people in the Deaf community, learned to draw and just changed for the better throughout it all. I am not the same person I was five years ago - and I am proud of it. In the event I am to be awarded funds, trust and believe I would use it towards my pursuit of an undergraduate degree. I’m a minimalistic student who’s been making the most out of their living room situation too - as it is now converted into a low-cost bedroom. I’m always going to maximize my situation whilst not living above my means more than necessary - which is how I also learned to shift most of my energy & focus into my studies as opposed to the enormous degree of paid labor I liked to put myself through. While the earnings were great, it did take away a lot of time and availability from what was much more crucial in the grand scheme of things. If someone generous who values education as much as I do happens to come across my agenda, I pray that they deem me worthy enough to bestow their grace. I can showcase just how committed I am when it comes to my goal to the point I’m nearly begging - but if it means proving to any party of people that I require financial support so that I can continue investing towards my degree, then I’d gladly do so just like a canine would. There is no shame in asking others for help.

If you want to be irreplaceable - be different. It isn't a bad thing - especially if it means you have to be brave enough to embrace who you are. Being unique seems to have always been more desirable than ever. People are exhausted by clichés, by platitudes, by mass-produced realities, by what's been done and done and done. We must not just patch and tinker with life. We must keep renewing it. Embrace novelty and uniqueness. There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression alone too, is unique. I was born Anosmic - having no sense of smell throughout my life was an odd experience. It was this disability that would, on the other hand, lead me to shift my major from Animation to Deaf Studies right before the COVID-19 pandemic I’ve held three jobs at once , have been enrolled full-time, became trilingual, established my relationships with people in the Deaf community, learned to draw and just changed for the better throughout it all. I am not the same person I was five years ago - and I am proud of it. To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. In my education, I've tried again and again and failed. People tore me down at several opportunities. I almost succeeded in taking my own life at one point as well. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was nothing more than marginal. I told myself to never stop fighting until you arrive at your destined place - that is, the version of me I need to be. I needed to have an aim in life, continuously acquire knowledge, work hard, and have perseverance to realize certain greatness in particular victories. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing certain connections in academia provided me the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. You need others. Too often people think that being unique means being isolated, and being a great artist means coming up with genius ideas out of nowhere. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Meeting people unlike oneself does not enlarge one's outlook; it only confirms one's idea that one is unique.

Success isn't always about greatness. It's about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come. The only thing standing between you and outrageous success is continuous progress. Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit. As Helen Keller once put it, "character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved." It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. It is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. In my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was marginal. Because so many of us have faced mistreatment, I do not want my peers to judge me by my success, rather I hope that they critique me by how many times I fell down and got back up again. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing certain connections in academia provided me the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time - and so can everybody else. Above much of this, my favorite implemented practice since last September is being a volunteer with the One-Generation Senior Enrichment Organization here in the San Fernando Valley. I naturally understand the struggles of others due to some personal experience - and thus, am the first to do the careline calls. While we are primarily focused on senior living and wellbeing (especially those with Alzheimer's & Dementia), we also welcome any disabled individual - and when Deaf folks are interested in joining, I am capable of interpreting in a low-risk setting so that communication between both parties can get relayed - furthering the reach that One-Generation has. I’ve supported them at health fairs, food drives, produce distributions, have served hot food for homeless seniors to enjoy, and have a great time contributing to the greater cause as a part of their volunteer team. I can proudly state that I am making a difference every day I step foot into the senior center. The socialization I've had in the pleasures doing with all of our efforts (not just my own, really) allows me to gain even plenty more opportunities in helping seniors understand that their mental health is a priority, their happiness is an essential, and self-care is a necessity. The challenges throughout life are not supposed to paralyze you; but to help you discover who you are. Every trial, every failure, every heartache carries with it the spark of an equal or greater benefit toward our spirit. To be very blunt, there are no glistening diamonds without pressure. Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. If you believe it will work, you'll see opportunities. If you believe it won't, you will see obstacles. Obstacles can't stop you. Problems can't stop you. Most of all, other people can't stop you. Only you can stop you. Believe you can and you're halfway there. Persistence is the twin sister of excellence. One is a matter of quality; the other, a matter of time. A little more persistence, a little more effort and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success.

Is there any progress without struggle? It takes courage to endure hardships - something we all have - but often need to do a little digging in order to find it...for there are as many dark nights as bright days, and a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness. The word ‘happy’ would lose its' meaning if it were not balanced by a touch of sadness. In my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was nothing more than marginal. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing certain connections in academia provided me the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time - and so can everybody else. Above much of this, my favorite implemented practice since last September is being a volunteer with the One-Generation Senior Enrichment Organization here in the San Fernando Valley. I naturally understand the struggles of others due to some personal experience - and thus, am the first to do the careline calls. While we are primarily focused on senior living and wellbeing (especially those with Alzheimer's & Dementia), we also welcome any disabled individual - and when Deaf folks are interested in joining, I am capable of interpreting in a low-risk setting so that communication between both parties can get relayed - furthering the reach that One-Generation has. I’ve supported them at health fairs, food drives, produce distributions, have served hot food for homeless seniors to enjoy, and have a great time contributing to the greater cause as a part of their volunteer team. I can proudly state that I am making a difference every day I step foot into the senior center. The socialization I've had in the pleasures doing with all of our efforts (not just my own, really) allows me to gain even plenty more opportunities in helping seniors understand that their mental health is a priority, their happiness is an essential, and self-care is a necessity. The challenges throughout life are not supposed to paralyze you; but to help you discover who you are. Every trial, every failure, every heartache carries with it the spark of an equal or greater benefit toward our spirit. Simply put, there are no diamonds without pressure.

I am someone who was a troubled delinquent, pursuing a higher education was the key to keeping me driven towards a better life of my own. I may be a little bent, but I am not broken. I am definitely scarred, but I am not disfigured. I am often sad, but have never been hopeless. I am very tired, but not powerless. I am very angry, but not at all spiteful. I am depressed, but not giving up. I found that with depression, one of the most important things you can realize is that you’re not solitary in the experience. You’re not the first to go through it, you’re not going to be the last. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was marginal. I also regret not having understood sooner, that the errors you might produce during times of crisis are not something you ought to be reduced by. In my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. I do not want my peers to judge me by my success, rather I hope that they critique me by how many times I fell down and got back up again. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing these connections in academia provides the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. It, too, almost become second nature to participate heavily in community service involving several schools and surrounding neighborhoods throughout the San Fernando Valley. Constantly immersing myself in street clean ups, community beautifications, fighting the homelessness rehabilitation issue in our streets, and helping our Spanish speaking ESL populace of students apply for financial aid, scholarships, and submitting their college applications (whether they be EOP students, Dream Act scholars, or regular admits), something Canoga Park High is known for - ALL of which change the mentalities of these at-risk youths for the better - and has especially molded me for the greater good myself. The socialization I've had the pleasure of in everyone's efforts (not just my own, really) allows us plenty of opportunities in helping students understand that their mental health is a priority, their happiness is an essential, and self-care is a necessity. Every challenge, every failure, every heartache carries with it the spark of an equal or greater benefit toward our spirit.

You are deserving of love and compassion, especially from yourself. We often forget such a thing when we spiral into allowing our struggles to define the future - but if that were to be the case, it is okay to reach out for help. You are capable of creating a life filled with purpose and meaning, despite the nature of your health challenges. The journey may be a lifelong process, but it’s worth it. You are deserving of support and love, even on your toughest days. It gets better. One day, you’ll find your tribe. You just have to trust that people are out there waiting to love you and celebrate you for who you are. In the meantime, the reality is you might have to be your own tribe. You might have to be your own best friend. That’s not something they’re going to teach you in school. So start the work of loving yourself. I found that with depression, one of the most important things you can realize is that you’re not solitary in the experience. You’re not the first to go through it, you’re not going to be the last. In my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was marginal. Because so many of us have faced mistreatment, I do not want my peers to judge me by my success, rather I hope that they critique me by how many times I fell down and got back up again. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing certain connections in academia provided me the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time - and so can everybody else. Above all, my favorite implemented practice since last September is being a volunteer with the One-Generation Senior Enrichment Organization here in the San Fernando Valley. I naturally understand the struggles of others due to some personal experience. While we are primarily focused on senior living and wellbeing, we also welcome any disabled individual - and when Deaf folks are interested in joining, I am capable of interpreting in a low-risk setting so that communication between both parties can get relayed - furthering the reach that One-Generation has. I’ve supported them at health fairs, food drives, produce distributions, have served hot food for homeless seniors to enjoy, and have a great time contributing to the greater cause as a part of their volunteer team. All of our efforts (not just my own, really) allows us plenty of opportunities in helping seniors understand that their mental health is a priority, their happiness is an essential, and self-care is a necessity. It's been ingrained into my nature to participate heavily in community service involving several schools and surrounding neighborhoods throughout the San Fernando Valley: Constantly immersing myself in street clean ups, community beautifications, fighting the homelessness rehabilitation issue in our streets, and helping our Spanish speaking ESL populace of students apply for financial aid, scholarships, and submitting their college applications (whether they be EOP students, Dream Act scholars, or regular admits), something Canoga Park High is known for - ALL of which change the mentalities of these at-risk youths for the better - and has especially molded me for the greater good.. Because I am someone who was a troubled delinquent, pursuing a higher education was the key to keeping me driven towards a better life of my own. I may be a little bent, but I am not broken. I am definitely scarred, but I am not disfigured. I am often sad, but have never been hopeless. I am very tired, but not powerless. I am very angry, but not at all spiteful. I am depressed, but not giving up. The advice I’d give to somebody that’s silently struggling is, you don’t have to live that way. You don’t have to struggle in silence. You can be un-silent. You can live well with a mental health condition, as long as you open up to somebody about it, because it’s really important you share your experience with people so that you can get the help that you need. You are not alone. You are seen. I am with you. You are not alone.

Does good timber not grow with ease? The stronger wind, the stronger trees? We tell ourselves that difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body. When we feel like giving up, we just need to remember the reason why we held on for so long. But what does all of that feel like for those suffering from depression? You don’t want to live, but you don’t want to die. You don’t want to talk to anyone, yet you feel very lonely. You wake up in the morning and simply wait for the night to come. Something inside you is just broken and you're unable to understand why. It is an illness as lethal as it is a cruel punishment. There are no fevers, no rashes, no blood tests to send people scurrying in concern, just the slow erosion of ones' self, as insidious as cancer. Sadly, too - just like cancer - it is essentially a solitary experience, a room in hell with only your name on the door. You keep thinking you’ve lost something but have no clue when or where you last had it. Then, one day you realize what you lost was yourself. Nobody ever tells you that emptiness is what weighs the most - drowning you in sorrow while the rest continue breathing. It takes courage to endure hardships - something we all have - but often need to do a little digging in order to find it...for there are as many dark nights as bright days, and a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness. The word ‘happy’ would lose its' meaning if it were not balanced by a touch of sadness. In my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was nothing more than marginal. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing certain connections in academia provided me the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time - and so can everybody else. It's also been ingrained into my nature to participate heavily in community service involving several schools and surrounding neighborhoods throughout the San Fernando Valley: Constantly immersing myself in street clean ups, community beautifications, fighting the homelessness rehabilitation issue in our streets, and helping our Spanish speaking ESL populace of students apply for financial aid, scholarships, and submitting their college applications (whether they be EOP students, Dream Act scholars, or regular admits), something Canoga Park High is known for - ALL of which change the mentalities of these at-risk youths for the better - and has especially molded me for the greater good.. Because I am someone who was a troubled delinquent, pursuing a higher education was the key to keeping me driven towards a better life of my own. Above much of this, my favorite implemented practice that's been ingrained into me since last September is being a volunteer with the One-Generation Senior Enrichment Organization here in the San Fernando Valley. I naturally understand the struggles of others due to some personal experience - and thus, am the first to do the careline calls. While we are primarily focused on senior living and wellbeing (especially those with Alzheimer's & Dementia), we also welcome any disabled individual - and when Deaf folks are interested in joining, I am capable of interpreting in a low-risk setting so that communication between both parties can get relayed - furthering the reach that One-Generation has. I’ve supported them at health fairs, food drives, produce distributions, have served hot food for homeless seniors to enjoy, and have a great time contributing to the greater cause as a part of their volunteer team. The socialization I've had the pleasure of All of our efforts (not just my own, really) allows us plenty of opportunities in helping seniors understand that their mental health is a priority, their happiness is an essential, and self-care is a necessity. The challenges throughout life are not supposed to paralyze you; but to help you discover who you are. Every trial, every failure, every heartache carries with it the spark of an equal or greater benefit toward our spirit. Simply put, there are no diamonds without pressure. If you rearrange the letters in Depression, you’ll get “I pressed on.” Your current situation is not your final destination.

None so deaf as those that will not hear. None so blind as those that will not see. Matthew Henry's rhetoric drove a stake of an epiphany through my heart when I dove into the world of Deafness as a hearing man. Four years later and I am here, now, realizing just how apparent it became to us that there is nothing wrong with being Deaf - yet society continues believing in the ability to 'fix' those who cannot hear, those who cannot see, who cannot socialize normally, and just be different yet themselves. What I have come to witness quite drastically on the other hand, is that people will make a life on their own terms, whether they are deaf or colorblind or autistic or whatever...and their world will be just as rich and interesting and full as ours. In my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was marginal. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing these connections in academia provides the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time - and so can everybody else. Only those who dare to risk failing greatly, can ever achieve so greatly. Deaf people can do anything, except hear. Every one of us is different in some way, but for those of us who are more different, we have to put more effort into convincing the less different that we can do the same thing they can, just differently. We're all blind and deaf to our surroundings until our eyes are opened to our fellowmen, and our ears hear the voices of humanity.

I was born with no sense of smell - and detecting no odors throughout my life was just a weird experience. I wasn't able to relate to anyone whenever something putrid would invade the air, sniff the beautiful flowers that grew out in the yard, I’m unable to detect if anything was ever burning (God forbid I’m ever in a fire) and have slept through a gas leak in our home. I did not have a good home life - and also struggled with strong B.O. as an athletic high schooler - something VERY unbeknownst to me apart from just being embarrassed to admit. I’ve worked for Starbucks as a barista on two different instances and did not pass smell tests during their coffee training, but that didn’t stop me from working the bar and crafting beverages. When I’d eventually make my way to Cal State Northridge as an Art major, it was this disability that led me to shift my major from Animation to Deaf Studies. I couldn’t help but observe these interpreters working with my Deaf classmates as they sat beside me putting forth much more effort than their Hearing counterparts who were all roughly the same age. My Deaf friend, who worked harder than anyone else just to accomplish half as much as a young disabled woman of color, sparked the courage needed to make the leap. Her talent and perseverance pushed her to still achieve more than most of the folks I witnessed despite the apparent shortcoming that was her Deafness - but that was when the final nail was struck into my head. It became very clear just how much I was limiting myself despite being a ‘more’ able-bodied person. I had to stop reminding myself of what I couldn’t do, and use it to catapult me towards what I’m actually capable of. I’ve held three jobs at once over the course of a year, have been enrolled full-time in school since the Fall of 2019, became trilingual, established my relationships with people in the Deaf community, learned to draw and just changed for the better throughout it all. I am not the same person I was five years ago - and I am proud of it. In the event I am to be awarded funds, trust and believe I would use it towards my pursuit of an undergraduate degree. I’m a minimalistic student who’s been making the most out of their living room situation too - as it is now converted into a low-cost bedroom. I’m always going to maximize my situation whilst not living above my means more than necessary - which is how I also learned to shift most of my energy & focus into my studies as opposed to the enormous degree of paid labor I liked to put myself through. While the earnings were great, it did take away a lot of time and availability from what was much more crucial in the grand scheme of things. If someone generous who values education as much as I do happens to come across my agenda, I pray that they deem me worthy enough to bestow their grace. I can showcase just how committed I am when it comes to my goal to the point I’m nearly begging - but if it means proving to any party of people that I require financial support so that I can continue investing towards my degree, then I’d gladly do so just like a canine would. There is no shame in asking others for help.

Most of us would think that graffiti is ugly, disrespectful, and childish...but that's only if it isn't done properly. However, if it truly had an impact on anything, it'd be flat-out illegal. Gang signs litter the stone walls in every alleyway of Canoga Park; crude spray-paintings of cartoon characters decorate the butts of most businesses: and billboards - despite being so high up - were still stained with their typical delinquent mark. Of course, the youth there do their best to adopt what Canoga Park is supposedly about. I was one of those rebels. Thinking of myself as a big-time troublemaker just like every other adolescent in Canoga Park was just the attitude we possessed at the time. However, what I didn't realize at the time were the dangers of fulfilling the negative stigmas others bestow onto you. While everyone in the San Fernando Valley looked at Canoga as if it were some type of ghetto, only us residents knew the truth. The neighborhood you'd drive through and found itself privy to such outside judgment. As I eventually graduated High School to become a Scholar for the Bridge to the Future Program (a collaboration with my alma mater) in an enormous effort to reinvent myself, I realized this was my chance to make the positive change I just began seeking. Not only this, but it was my chance to defeat such tacky allegations. Since then, I've advised incoming freshmen on several occasions. I'm interacting with Deaf people as my art journey unfolds where I witnessed it to be more than just a medium several times. Through the use of my English, Spanish and ASL I now possess the ability to broadcast why Art may just be the perfect therapy for those who exhibit behavioral issues. It's proven effective for people of all ages and in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, and community clinics. This is why I wish to combine my Spanish language ability and my sign-language skills in an attempt to incorporate them into Art. Both the troubled Hispanic youth of Canoga Park and the Deaf children in our K-12 system will benefit once they redirect their energies towards something much more expressive. As I currently am in the process of becoming an interpreter for our art school it has become very clear just how possible it is for me to utilize art in my ultimate goal.

Edmund Wilson once said that there is nothing more demoralizing than a small but adequate income. I respectfully disagree - because it is downright traumatizing. On the other hand, poverty can radicalize you. I avoided the greater odds of going to jail rather than obtaining a four year degree as a first generation college student from a low-income Hispanic household located in the 'gang-infested' neighborhood of Canoga Park. I also regret not having understood sooner, that the errors you might produce during times of crisis are not something you ought to be reduced by. A huge part of me still struggles with self-doubt. My doubts are my worst traitors, and make us lose out on a lot of the good I may accomplish, just by fearing to attempt anything. At times, even intimidated by or envious of me. Embracing this lovely surprise eliminated much of the bitterness in my spirit. Everyday, in every way, I am feeling better and better. Lack of money, too, wasn't necessarily an obstacle for me, though - but the absence of ideas might've been. Unfortunately, identifying as a nillionaire (someone with little to no money) wasn't my greatest achievement to date, but there are certainly other deeds I'd consider my most selfless, tenacious, and gracious acts. My proudest strength is never giving up. In my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was marginal. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing these connections in academia provides the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. It's also become intertwined within my nature to participate heavily in community service involving several schools and surrounding neighborhoods throughout the San Fernando Valley: Constantly immersing myself in street clean ups, community beautifications, fighting the homelessness rehabilitation issue in our streets, and helping our Spanish speaking ESL populace of students apply for financial aid, scholarships, and submitting their college applications (whether they be EOP students, Dream Act scholars, or regular admits), something Canoga Park High is known for - ALL of which change the mentalities of these at-risk youths for the better - and has especially molded me for the greater good myself. Because I am someone who was a troubled delinquent, pursuing a higher education was the key to keeping me driven towards a better life of my own. We cannot let ourselves be disabled in spirit. I wonder how many people there have been in this Earth who suffered, and still continue to suffer, because they could not break out of their own web from shyness and reserve, and in their blindness to what they fear they have built up a great wall in front of them that hid the true beauties of the big scary world. It became clear that shyness is just some form of suppression or something similar. It’s almost a fear of what you’re capable of. My mission is to broadcast the message to other socially-anxious people that the more you are afraid of doing something or the more you might die doing it, the more worth doing it must be.

In my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was marginal. Because so many of us have faced mistreatment, I do not want my peers to judge me by my success, rather I hope that they critique me by how many times I fell down and got back up again. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Above all else, my favorite implemented practice since last September is being a volunteer with the One-Generation Senior Enrichment Organization here in the San Fernando Valley. I naturally understand the struggles of others due to some personal experience. While we are primarily focused on senior living and wellbeing, we also welcome any disabled individual - and when Deaf folks are interested in joining, I am capable of interpreting in a low-risk setting so that communication between both parties can get relayed - furthering the reach that One-Generation has. I’ve supported them at health fairs, food drives, produce distributions, have served hot food for homeless seniors to enjoy, and have a great time contributing to the greater cause as a part of their volunteer team. All of our efforts (not just my own, really) allows us plenty of opportunities in helping seniors understand that their mental health is a priority, their happiness is an essential, and self-care is a necessity. It's been ingrained into my nature to participate heavily in community service involving several schools and surrounding neighborhoods throughout the San Fernando Valley: Constantly immersing myself in street clean ups, community beautifications, fighting the homelessness rehabilitation issue in our streets, and helping our Spanish speaking ESL populace of students apply for financial aid, scholarships, and submitting their college applications (whether they be EOP students, Dream Act scholars, or regular admits), something Canoga Park High is known for - ALL of which change the mentalities of these at-risk youths for the better - and has especially molded me for the greater good.. Because I am someone who was a troubled delinquent, pursuing a higher education was the key to keeping me driven towards a better life of my own. Establishing certain connections in academia provided me the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time - and so can everybody else.

We can’t be strong all of the time. Falling apart at times - happens - but it allows for us to find ourselves again. We forget to remind ourselves that it’s alright if we don’t have it all figured out yet or don’t know where to be. Suffering from poor mental health can be a long, painful, and lonely experience. The chains of an unhealthy headspace often interfere with having a normal day to day social life, and we who endure it often feel uncomfortable around others, even when they are not hostile. Last year was the year I realized something was not mentally right. I sought mental health services at my University this previous winter after almost succeeding in taking my own life and was diagnosed with not only major depressive disorder/social anxiety, but was also prescribed a heavy dose (40mg) of Prozac to alleviate certain symptoms of inattentive ADHD. That sudden change in my brain chemistry paved the way through an open door full of new experiences. Due to much of this, I swore I’d make it my mission to advocate for the mental wellbeing of incoming freshmen at my university through advising and engagement. As a member of the Bridge to the Future Scholars Program here at Cal State Northridge, I participate heavily in community service involving both the school and surrounding neighborhood: I’m always involving myself in street clean ups, community beautifications, fighting the homelessness rehabilitation issue in our streets, and helping our Spanish speaking ESL populace of students apply for financial aid, scholarships, and submitting their college applications (whether they be EOP students, Dream Act scholars, or regular admits), something Canoga Park High is known for - ALL of which change the mentalities of these at-risk youths for the better. Because I am someone who was a troubled delinquent, pursuing a higher education was the key to keeping me driven towards a better life for myself - and ultimately make whatever changes to my life necessary if I wish to achieve happiness. This is something I can drill into others. One other practice I've been implementing since last September, I've been a volunteer with the One-Generation Senior Enrichment Organization here in the San Fernando Valley. I make sure to work closely with our other volunteers (many of which possess a variety of disabilities) and is able to relate to many as a disabled person himself. I naturally understand the struggles of others due to some personal experience. I approach all kinds of attitudes with professional demeanor and my Spanish speaking skills have been an enormous contribution when recruiting members for the non-profit. We strive for diversity and my language ability has given us all a sharper edge in connecting with the demographic of people we strive to serve across all of our resources. While we are primarily focused on senior living and wellbeing, we also welcome any disabled individual - and when Deaf folks are interested in becoming members, I am capable of interpreting in a low-risk setting so that communication between both parties can get relayed - furthering the reach of access that One-Generation has. I’ve supported them at health fairs, food drives, produce distributions, have served hot food for homeless seniors to enjoy, and overall have a great time contributing to the greater cause as a part of their volunteer team. All of our efforts (not just my own, really) allows us plenty of opportunities in helping seniors understand that their mental health is a priority, their happiness is an essential, and self-care is a necessity.

It’s okay to not be okay. Nothing could be truer and no one could have a better understanding than those of us rebelling against a cruel mind. Suffering from poor mental health can be a long, painful, and lonely experience. The chains of an unhealthy headspace often interfere with having a normal day to day social life, and we who endure it often feel uncomfortable around others, even when they are not hostile. Due to much of this, I swore I’d make it my mission to advocate for the mental wellbeing of incoming freshmen at my university through advising and engagement. As a member of the Bridge to the Future Scholars Program here at Cal State Northridge, I participate heavily in community service involving both the school and surrounding neighborhood: I’m always involving myself in street clean ups, community beautifications, fighting the homelessness rehabilitation issue in our streets, and helping our Spanish speaking ESL populace of students apply for financial aid, scholarships, and submitting their college applications (whether they be EOP students, Dream Act scholars, or regular admits), something Canoga Park High is known for - ALL of which change the mentalities of these at-risk youths for the better. One other practice I've been implementing since last September, is being a volunteer with the One-Generation Senior Enrichment Organization here in the San Fernando Valley. I naturally understand the struggles of others due to some personal experience. I approach all kinds of attitudes with professional demeanor. We strive for diversity and my language ability has given us all a sharper edge in connecting with the demographic of people we strive to serve across all of our resources. While we are primarily focused on senior living and wellbeing, we also welcome any disabled individual - and when Deaf folks are interested in becoming members, I am capable of interpreting in a low-risk setting so that communication between both parties can get relayed - furthering the reach that One-Generation has. I’ve supported them at health fairs, food drives, produce distributions, have served hot food for homeless seniors to enjoy, and have a great time contributing to the greater cause as a part of their volunteer team. All of our efforts (not just my own, really) allows us plenty of opportunities in helping seniors understand that their mental health is a priority, their happiness is an essential, and self-care is a necessity.

A gift came to me one day, when the realization was apparent in Diversity not separating us by how we differ, but embracing us all together in what makes us unique. Prizing individuality brings forth the most intense modes of human performance we've ever known. It's almost become second nature to participate heavily in community service involving several schools and surrounding neighborhoods throughout the San Fernando Valley. Constantly immersing myself in street clean ups, community beautifications, fighting the homelessness rehabilitation issue in our streets, and helping our Spanish speaking ESL populace of students apply for financial aid, scholarships, and submitting their college applications (whether they be EOP students, Dream Act scholars, or regular admits), something Canoga Park High is known for - ALL of which change the mentalities of these at-risk youths for the better - and has especially molded me for the greater good myself. Because I am someone who was a troubled delinquent born without a sense of smell, pursuing a higher education was the key to keeping me driven towards a better life of my own. A spark of hope burst in me and I went out to seek the help my heart and mind desperately needed. Since this is intertwined with my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life after almost taking my own this previous year, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was marginal. I have created a new tenacity necessary with the fragments of a broken heart so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing these connections in academia provides the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time, again and again - just like everyone else. I regret not having understood sooner, that the errors you might produce during times of crisis are not something you ought to be reduced by. A huge part of me still struggles with self-doubt. My doubts are my worst traitors, and make us lose out on a lot of the good I may accomplish, just by fearing to attempt anything. I was trapped in such a prison until those closest to me confided the reasons why they were, in fact, admiring me. At times, even intimidated by or envious of me. Embracing this lovely surprise eliminated much of the bitterness in my spirit. Everyday, in every way, I am feeling better and better.

The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you - and whether you face something good or ugly you can be changed by what happens, but do not let yourself be reduced by it. I wish I understood this sooner. A huge part of me still struggles with self-doubt. My doubts are my worst traitors, and make us lose out on a lot of the good I may accomplish, just by fearing to attempt anything. I was trapped in such a prison until those closest to me confided the reasons why they were, in fact, admiring me. At times, even intimidated by me. It's in my nature to participate heavily in community service involving several schools and surrounding neighborhoods throughout the San Fernando Valley: Constantly immersing myself in street clean ups, community beautifications, fighting the homelessness rehabilitation issue in our streets, and helping our Spanish speaking ESL populace of students apply for financial aid, scholarships, and submitting their college applications (whether they be EOP students, Dream Act scholars, or regular admits), something Canoga Park High is known for - ALL of which change the mentalities of these at-risk youths for the better - and has especially molded me for the greater good myself. Because I am someone who was a troubled delinquent, pursuing a higher education was the key to keeping me driven towards a better life of my own. In my education, I've tried things and failed. I've tried again and again and succeeded. This may sound strange, but after making rock bottom the foundation to rebuild my life, I became a bit of a champion after so many setbacks. I was one of those successful people demonstrating their resilience through my dedication in making progress every day, even if that progress was marginal. Because so many of us have faced mistreatment, I do not want my peers to judge me by my success, rather I hope that they critique me by how many times I fell down and got back up again. I chose to make art with the broken pieces of my heart - and formed the tenacity necessary so that I will surely follow through in my chase towards sign language interpreting. Establishing these connections in academia provides the chance to gently inform Deaf and Queer kids that the road paved for them in this shifting world will sharpen their persistence and resilience - much of it only coming from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. It's likely that given their identities, they will be fighting battles more than once in order to win them. The vast degree of what they shall experience, will feel, might fail in, may hurt about, or fall towards pursuing will only push them even further. Their inevitable wounds - much like my own - will morph into wisdom. After four years of ASL learning as a Deaf Studies major, I am finally feeling ready to begin the process of becoming one next Spring. I will not be giving up, for I believe that'll likely be where all of our greatest weakness lies. My philosophy has taught me that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time - and so can everybody else. Education is simply the tipping point towards the future, for it belongs to those of us preparing for it now. Only those who dare to risk failing greatly, can ever achieve greatness - because our largest glory is not in avoiding the falls, but rising up every time we do.

As a person who knows Sign Language - the number one way to become fluent is by socializing with your local Deaf community. It is a language and culture that requires much more personal investment than your mainstream spoken one. No one is born fluent in anything, so as I began - my language skills were that of an amateur. Because of this, I was afraid of attending Deaf events in order to socialize due to the constant worry of any criticism from the group of people I wished to become a part of someday. This worry was about the fear of social judgment – an excessive anxiety about what people thought of me. It was unfortunate, because it kept me from enjoying what I should have been this entire time. The fear of being laughed at makes cowards of us all. Suffering from social anxiety can be a lonely experience. The constraints of an almost broken mind often interfere with having a normal social life, and we who endure it often feel uncomfortable around others, even when they are not hostile. Last year was the year I realized something was not right. I sought mental health services at my University this previous winter after almost succeeding in taking my own life and was diagnosed with not only major depressive disorder/social anxiety, but was also prescribed a heavy dose (40mg) of Prozac to alleviate certain symptoms of inattentive ADHD. That sudden change in my brain chemistry paved the way through an open door full of new experiences. If it weren't for my will to change, I wouldn't still be enrolled full-time pursuing my higher education. Being an undergrad who hasn’t given up despite years of obstacles gave me the ignition for a newfound flame of passion. I, just like everyone else, am much stronger than I ever gave myself credit for. It’s normal to hesitate stepping out of your comfort zone - but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. If you can’t - never be afraid to ask for a helping hand to guide you along the way. Connecting with my University Counseling services so that I receive the proper support necessary was what taught me just how brave we must be to admit we not only need help - but so is asking for it. I was learning things about myself and the world around me both in and out of my Deaf Studies classes. For those of us with subpar bodies, we must focus on the abilities your disability doesn't hinder and don't dwell on the things it interferes with. Be disabled physically, not in spirit. I wonder how many people there have been in this world who suffered, and still continue to suffer, because they could not break out of their own web from shyness and reserve, and in their blindness to what they fear they have built up a great wall in front of them that hid the true beauties of the big scary world. It became clear that shyness is just some form of suppression or something similar. It’s almost a fear of what you’re capable of. My life mission is to broadcast the message to other socially-anxious people that the more you are afraid of doing something or the more you might die doing it, the more worth doing it must be.

I was born Anosmic - having no sense of smell throughout my life was an odd experience. I couldn’t relate to my peers whenever something putrid would invade the air, smell the beautiful flowers that grew out in the yard, I’m unable to detect if anything was ever burning (God forbid I’m ever in a fire) and have slept through a gas leak in our home. I did not have a good home life - and also struggled with strong B.O. as an athletic high schooler - something VERY unbeknownst to me apart from just being embarrassed to admit. I’ve worked for Starbucks as a barista on two different instances and did not pass smell tests during their coffee training, but that didn’t stop me from working the bar and crafting beverages. When I’d eventually make my way to Cal State Northridge as an Art major, it was this disability that led me to shift my major from Animation to Deaf Studies. I couldn’t help but observe these interpreters working with my Deaf classmates as they sat beside me putting forth much more effort than their Hearing counterparts who were all roughly the same age. My Deaf friend, who worked harder than anyone else just to accomplish half as much as a young disabled woman of color, sparked the courage needed to make the leap. Her talent and perseverance pushed her to still achieve more than most of the folks I witnessed despite the apparent shortcoming that was her Deafness - but that was when the final nail was struck into my head. It became very clear just how much I was limiting myself despite being a ‘more’ able-bodied person. I had to stop reminding myself of what I couldn’t do, and use it to catapult me towards what I’m actually capable of. I’ve held three jobs at once over the course of a year, have been enrolled full-time in school since the Fall of 2019, became trilingual, established my relationships with people in the Deaf community, learned to draw and just changed for the better throughout it all. I am not the same person I was five years ago - and I am proud of it. In the event I am to be awarded funds, trust and believe I would use it towards my pursuit of an undergraduate degree. I’m a minimalistic student who’s been making the most out of their living room situation too - as it is now converted into a low-cost bedroom. I’m always going to maximize my situation whilst not living above my means more than necessary - which is how I also learned to shift most of my energy & focus into my studies as opposed to the enormous degree of paid labor I liked to put myself through. While the earnings were great, it did take away a lot of time and availability from what was much more crucial in the grand scheme of things. If someone generous who values education as much as I do happens to come across my agenda, I pray that they deem me worthy enough to bestow their grace. I can showcase just how committed I am when it comes to my goal to the point I’m nearly begging - but if it means proving to any party of people that I require financial support so that I can continue investing towards my degree, then I’d gladly do so just like a canine would. There is no shame in asking others for help.

Being a native to Canoga Park meant always being centered around a neighborhood of graphic wonders. Gang signs litter the stone walls in every alleyway; crude spray-paintings of cartoon characters decorate the butts of most businesses: and billboards - despite being so high up - were still stained with their typical delinquent mark. There's practically a dispensary on every corner there too - an ironic gentrification. Of course, the youth there do their best to adopt what Canoga Park is supposedly about. I was one of those rebels. Thinking of myself as a big-time troublemaker just like every other adolescent in Canoga Park was just the attitude we possessed at the time. However, what I didn't realize at the time were the dangers of fulfilling the negative stigmas others bestow onto you. While everyone in the San Fernando Valley looked at Canoga as if it were some type of ghetto, only us residents knew the truth. The neighborhood you'd drive through and found itself privy to such outside judgement. It wasn't until one day my sophomore year that it dawned on me that Canoga Park was much more than the rumors had to say. My vision to express art in the form of graffiti became a dream molded into a different reality. As I eventually graduated High School to become a Scholar for the Bridge to the Future Program (a collaboration with my alma mater) in an enormous effort to reinvent myself, I realized this was my chance to make the positive change I just begun seeking. Not only this, but it was my chance to defeat such tacky allegations. Since then, I've learned to draw for my own benefit and have advised incoming freshmen on several occasions. Those who were declared art majors from my neighborhood high school all shared one very bold need: to be heard. I've been interacting with Deaf people as my art journey unfolded where I witnessed it to be more than just a medium several times. Through the use of my English, Spanish and ASL I now possess the ability to broadcast why Art may just be the perfect therapy for those who exhibit behavioral issues. Art therapy can be beneficial and - according to my knowledge - has been used as such since the 1940s. It can assist people express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through different creative outlets. It's proven effective for people of all ages and in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, and community clinics. This is why I wish to combine my Spanish language ability and my sign-language skills in an attempt to incorporate them into Art. Both the troubled Hispanic youth of Canoga Park and the Deaf children in our K-12 system will benefit once they redirect their energies towards something much more creative. As I currently am in the process of becoming an interpreter for our art college here at Cal State Northridge it has become very clear just how possible it is for me to utilize art in my ultimate goal.