Walking through the world as a Native American is an exercise in constant translation. Every single day, I navigate a delicate boundary, balancing my deeply held cultural and traditional ways with the demands and expectations of the modern, outside world. It is a journey that requires resilience, adaptability, and a quiet confidence in who I am. While this dual existence has often presented significant challenges, it is the unique blending of my ancient roots and modern reality that has truly shaped my life. I am grateful to have grown up at Taos Pueblo, surrounded by my family, my community, and a living culture. Taos Pueblo is not just a place where my family happens to live, it is a sacred landscape where my people have resided continuously for over one thousand years. To walk on earth that has been cared for, built upon, and prayed over by thirty generations of your direct ancestors is a feeling that is difficult to put into words. It instills a deep, unshakeable connection to the roots of my identity. Growing up there meant being immersed in a community where tradition is not a history lesson in a book, but a daily practice. It meant hearing our language, participating in dances, and learning the values of respect, reciprocity, and stewardship from my elders. However, straddling the line between the Pueblo and the outside world has never been entirely easy. The hardships and struggles of trying to fit into a mainstream society that often does not understand or value indigenous perspectives can feel isolating. In the outside world, life moves at a frantic, individualistic pace that frequently clashes with the communal, patient, and seasonally grounded rhythms of Pueblo life. There were times when the pressure to assimilate or to minimize my heritage felt heavy. Yet, looking back, I realize it was precisely these hardships and struggles that forged my character. The challenges taught me how to be resilient. They forced me to look deeper into my heritage for answers and strength, rather than turning away from it. Every obstacle became an opportunity to practice the endurance that my ancestors passed down through their bloodlines. Success, to me, is not just about achieving personal goals in the modern world it is about doing so while keeping my culture intact and honoring the people who came before me. Ultimately, my life experience has taught me that I do not have to choose between my traditions and the modern world. I can exist powerfully in both. The thousand year old walls of Taos Pueblo give me a foundation that no modern challenge can wash away. Armed with the lessons of my family and the strength of my history, I look forward to the future, ready to face whatever comes next with my head held high and my roots firmly planted.

I have deep ties not only to the land of New Mexico, but also to its culture and traditions. As a member of Taos Pueblo, this is the origin place of my people, where we have lived for thousands of years. The land is not just where I am from, it is part of who I am. Much of the knowledge I carry today has been passed down from my parents and grandparents, continuing a tradition of learning that stretches back generations. These teachings have shaped my values, my identity, and my sense of responsibility to my community. My great-grandfather, Paul Bernal, is my greatest role model and someone I strive to be like. He dedicated his life to the return of our sacred Blue Lake, sacrificing greatly for his people. As one of the few men who could speak both English and our native language, Tiwa, he served as a tribal interpreter. Because of this, he was able to travel to Washington, D.C. many times to meet with government leaders and advocate for our community. He carried the voices of our people into spaces where they were often ignored. Through his persistence, courage, and determination, he helped secure the return of Blue Lake. He was not only a political leader, but also a cultural leader who represented the strength, resilience, and traditions of our people. Because of his sacrifices and his commitment to serving others, he has inspired me to follow a similar path. His story reminds me that one person can make a lasting difference when they are willing to stand up for what is right. I want to give back to my community, which is the main reason I am pursuing a college education. I aspire to become a lawyer so I can represent and defend my people. Too often, Native communities face discrimination and lack proper representation in legal systems that affect their lives. I want to be a voice for those who are unheard and stand up for the rights of my community. Beyond Taos, I hope to extend my efforts to support other Native communities that are also underrepresented and taken advantage of. I want to use my education not just for personal success, but as a tool to create change and protect the rights of others. No matter where life takes me, Taos will always be my home. It is where my roots are, where my family is, and where my purpose begins. At the end of the day, I will always find ways to give back and support my community in any way I can.