My most significant achievement to date has to be running for public office during the Covid-19 pandemic. I cannot begin to emphasize how challenging this was to my family, volunteers, friends, voters, and me. The Covid-19 pandemic impacted the world, but this did not mean our government would stop functioning. There were still issues to be addressed, laws to pass, and elections to be won. I boldly decided to run for the City Clerk position in my city. As a Hispanic, 26-year-old adult working full-time to support my family, I was seen as the underdog. "Wait your turn" and "You are not ready" are comments I heard from the elite politicians, but that did not stop me. It was the encouraging words from my family and friends that pushed me and motivated me. My inner self told me that I, Christopher Jimenez, son of two immigrant parents, could do this job and be elected. My journey began in July of 2020, and my team and I adapted a way to communicate with voters via Zoom meetings, phone calls, text messages, and talking to each other six feet apart. We adapted virtual fundraisers. I hosted a virtual meet and greet to answer questions and share more about my platform. I wanted to ensure everyone in my city knew that even though a pandemic was invading our country, their voice and vote still mattered. On November 3, 2020, at 8:00 p.m., the polls closed, and that's when reality started to creep in. It took about two hours to get the first results, and I was at the top in the first place. The results were not finalized until the end of November due to all the mail-in ballots and the limited of poll workers due to the pandemic. Once the election was certified, the 26-year-old Christopher Jimenez was elected the youngest City Clerk in the city. If five-year-old Christopher saw the future Christopher, he would know that his struggles at that time would all be worth it. To think a Hispanic kid from Boyle Heights, living in a cramped apartment with a big family, will one day hold elected office would be unthinkable. But that is a beautiful example of the American Dream. This election taught me a lot about myself. It taught me resilience, hope, and determination. Resilience: Although I had voices telling me not to run for public office or wait my turn, I knew deep down that I wanted to do this. I knew that I would be the right person for the job. I would not let a person with ties to the elite politicians run for this position only because they could and had the money. The City Clerk position is about upholding the pillars of transparency and integrity. At that time, I did not see that in the other candidate. This election taught me hope because even though we as a country were dealing with a pandemic, people showed that they cared for others. It was through stories of compassion and hope from neighbors, nurses, and first responders. Hearing firsthand what the pandemic looked like at the front lines and their willingness to stay civically engaged is what hope is. Determination because I knew what was at stake during this election, and I knew if elected, I would become the example of whether electing young people was a good idea or flawed. I was determined to mentor other generations, a reason to continue to fight for their dreams and goals. My story does not necessarily have to fit the narrative of running for public office. What I hope to achieve in the future is that my story inspires the next person to return to college and finish that degree, apply for that big job, take that cross-country trip, and know your worth. I do want to see more young people run for office. To build a great future for ourselves and our kids, we must begin to take action, which begins at the local level and with us. As the City Clerk, I have successfully registered people to vote more than ever before, brought transparency and engagement to our government, and been proactive with our residents. My story isn't over yet, and I know much more work must be done. Wherever this path leads me, I hope and plan to continue advocating for change and helping as many people as I can.

Selflessness is putting others' needs, interests, and well-being before oneself. It involves acting with compassion, empathy, and a genuine concern for the welfare of others, without expecting anything in return. Since I was young, I have gravitated toward kindness and helping others. It is because, growing up, many people did not find the time or need to help me. I am a good person, and I want to say I was a good friend, but I was just that "big" kid in class growing up. The other kids didn't deem me "cool." As I got older, I understood what it meant to have someone there, to have someone care or help them out when you needed it most. Not because you have to help someone but because you genuinely care and that willingness to help comes from your heart. As a high school senior, I started an anti-bullying campaign. There were a lot of stories of people hurting themselves and dealing with mental health that I thought somebody must do something about this. High School is hard as it is already, and dealing with mental health isn't something a high school student openly discusses with friends. Many students didn't even know they were dealing with depression until they heard it from someone and what depression looked like. The assembly allowed students to engage with each other, and they were allowed a safe space to talk about their feelings. Guidance counselors were available to those that needed the support. This assembly was very successful, and I received positive feedback from our students that I decided to bring this assembly to our local middle schools. The response we received from teachers was terrific, as they thought this would be an excellent idea for students to see how older students cared for their well-being. This crowd of students was quite different. What I noticed the most was that more students in this school were dealing with bullying concerns. A student, and to keep his name anonymous, we will call him Robert. Robert came to the stage during our open microphone portion and had the opportunity to share anything he had on his mind or anything bothering him. He shared that he had been bullied a lot by many students in his class grade and was having trouble making friends because he moved to new schools very frequently. Before he ran off the stage, I stopped Robert and hugged him—a hug he desperately needed for a while. I told Robert he could stay in touch with me if he wanted to talk or needed a friend. Robert and I maintained frequent communication, and I helped him overcome his anxiety about attending school and finding ways to meet new friends. I walked him through the process for the incoming freshman needs at his high school, showed him around, and introduced him to teachers that were a big help to me. I recommended he apply to serve in the Associated Student Body and join clubs or sports. I saw Robert grow, from the student who cried out for help at an anti-bullying assembly to a grown-up college student working to earn a bachelor's degree. I cannot name everything I did for Robert or what he did for me because I can write a whole book. But I am glad I was on that stage delivering remarks on Anti-Bullying that day. All I can say is that my heart is full, and I can attest that an act of kindness might not change the entire world, but you can change somebody's world.