I have always held fast to the belief that success is not what you pursue. What you pursue will elude you. I’ve learned that to achieve success you attract it through a hunger and intense desire for what you deserve, but we only achieve that by the hands we extend to others. We set young leaders up to fall if we encourage them to envision what they can do before they consider the kind of person they should be. My awakening came through the mindfulness I achieve through creativity, through my ideas, my failures, my skills, and my everyday choice to be my best version today. As a daughter of immigrant parents from Sinaloa, Mexico I am proud of my roots and values that I continue to carry in my life and career. As a first gen, middle child, and Latina, I pursue adversity any chance I get. My interest in Architecture developed through time and experience. At first, it was through art, construction, and engineering, but it all came down when I began using leadership skills. Since I was young I have helped my father through carpentry and became an expert in assembling. My art and design skills bloomed in my elementary art classes. I realized that through architecture you use your ability and creativity to build and express dreams, but when applying leadership you become an example and an inspiration to others. I now see myself someday expanding my horizons by not only building small eco-friendly homes with upcycled building materials for families in underdeveloped countries but also mentoring and guiding people to think bigger than big. To me the best legacy you can leave is not some building or a brand named after you, but rather a world that has been impacted and touched by your presence, joy and positive actions. Architecture is a perfect fit for hard-working husbands that provide for their families. A field where women are rarely seen in the long term unless they are willing to devote their lives to it. Many only see that side of the career. There is more to it than just building and designing, it's about innovation, and being a solution seeker to existing urban problems. Being a Latina in Architecture means also breaking traditional barriers. To be able to delay gratification. I remember always telling myself I will be the first in my family to break generational curses. I chose to win, and I have a purpose to change lives. From age 5, I was sent to work outside in the lifeless sun with my father as a landscaper. The early mornings of office cleaning, housekeeping, and babysitting with my mother made me eager to want more in life. I am the architect of my future, and I embrace my struggles throughout my journey. With my leadership skills, I plan to make a difference throughout my career as I see possibilities when others don’t, I encourage people when they feel defeated, and I demonstrate commitment when others want to quit.

It’s crazy to think about my past and how things suddenly start to add up the older I get. I’ve seen beauty through struggle and because of it, I’ve become the woman I am today. Both of my parents have always put me in a mindset of “everything you want in life, you will get it through sacrifice”, and if it weren’t for my mother, who woke me up early in the mornings to help her clean houses or if it weren’t for my father who would take me to work with him on the weekends in landscaping, I wouldn’t have a goal of wanting a better life for myself and them. I reflect on my past and never once was I ashamed about what I experienced. I’ve had to clean my classmates' homes because my mother was their housekeeper, and the only way I was allowed to go out with friends was if I helped her. There were moments of insecurity when I would see my peers with nice cars, nice clothes, and big homes, but I never envied them because I was taught to be content with what I have. Those are generational values I will continue to carry on. I value the nights my mother sang to me, and the delicious meals she would provide every day because not once in my life did I go a day without food. I value the mornings my father would cuddle with me in bed, the times he’s rushed me to the hospital for every accident I’ve had, the times he’s danced with me, and the times he’s taught me handyman work so I wouldn’t have to depend on anyone. These moments are the kind money can’t buy. This is what makes me wealthy. I believe it’s the small actions that build up to bigger momentums; the compound effect. The first time my parents housed a homeless family that immigrated from Mexico, I won’t forget the feeling of hope we gave to them. The feeling of security knowing there are people in this world who will lend a hand to those in most need. My parents raised me to never seek richness in materialism but richness in providing, impacting, and being an angel to someone because only then do we start appreciating what we have and are blessed with more opportunities to change someone's life positively. Continuing with the same steps my parents did, I see myself reaching my potential by lending a hand. They too were homeless immigrants with one luggage, no money, and no experience with the language, but they had a dream. My interest in Architecture developed through time and experience. At first, it was through art, construction, and engineering, but it all came down when I began using leadership skills. Since I was young I have helped my father through carpentry and became an expert in assembling. I realized that through architecture you use your ability and creativity to build and express dreams. I now see myself someday expanding my horizons by not only building small eco-friendly homes with upcycled building materials for families in underdeveloped countries but also mentoring and guiding people to think bigger than big. To me the best legacy you can leave is not some building or a brand named after you, but rather a world that has been impacted and touched by your presence, joy and positive actions. I have now understood that we set young leaders up to fall if we encourage them to envision what they can do before they consider the kind of person they should be.

I believe it’s the small actions that build up to bigger momentums; the compound effect. The first time my parents housed a homeless family that immigrated from Mexico, I won’t forget the feeling of hope we gave to them. The feeling of security knowing there are people in this world who will lend a hand to those in most need. My parents raised me to be humble and never seek richness in materialism but richness in providing, impacting, and being an angel to someone because only then do we start appreciating what we have and are blessed with more opportunities to reach our potential. Those moments hit me the most when I am out of my state, out of my country because only then do I realize how lucky I am to live the lifestyle thousands of people can’t imagine having. In the future, I want to devote my time and skills to those less fortunate. Continuing with the same steps my parents did, I also will lend a hand and be an angel to someone. They too were homeless immigrants with one luggage, no money, and no experience with the language, but they had a dream. My interest in Architecture developed through time and experience. At first, it was through art, construction, and engineering, but it all came down when I began using leadership skills. Since I was young I have helped my father through carpentry and became an expert in assembling. I realized that through architecture you use your ability and creativity to build and express dreams. I now see myself someday expanding my horizons by not only building small eco-friendly homes with upcycled building materials for families in underdeveloped countries but also mentoring and guiding people to think bigger than big. To me the best legacy you can leave is not some building or a brand named after you, but rather a world that has been impacted and touched by your presence, joy and positive actions. I have now understood that we set young leaders up to fall if we encourage them to envision what they can do before they consider the kind of person they should be. Being a hustler, perfectionist, and independent woman is what defines me. Nothing was ever handed to me growing up, I had to work for what I have. In hope that my remaining years in school are filled with many more opportunities and aid from those that support me through my journey. May the marathon continue.