Growing up as a first-generation of Mexican immigrant was a blessing and a curse. Growing up with 2 different cultures let me have so many different traditions and friends since I could connect with so many more people. It made me appreciate more the pros and cons of each country, their food, its environment, and people. Yet growing up I always lived in fear of the worst of my parents having to be sent back to their country while get left behind. That day came when I was a freshman in high school so I was forced into an adult life that I wasn't prepared for. I was working 2 jobs while still attending high school and performing in my school's Band programs such as their Wind Ensemble, Marching band, Indoor Drumline, Jazz band, and their leadership teams. I also was a part of my school's Spanish and HoPe club which helped me out during all of this. I always had a love for music and even covered a lot of songs and just started to create my own. I still plan on creating music but I have a bigger dream to achieve. I plan on going to college for computer science and I'm having to pay for that on my own. So I'm trying my best to gain as much as possible so I won't have to go into debt and graduate debt-free. As I look back now I'm glad that I was put in a great environment on both sides of life of having Mexican family and American friends. It brought a lot of good things to me and opportunities such as being able to be a leader to those who needed help transitioning to an American life or being able to be a part of larger communities that I could stand behind and trust.

A quote that really stuck to me from an early age is, "One day you'll leave this world behind. So live a life you will remember - Avicii". It showed me that no matter what happens you only have one life. So don't live by any too many constraints cause then memories won't be made. It also showed me that not live a life that would leave nothing but regrets. Regret is a natural part of life. It's how we learn as humans but that shouldn't be the reason that you can't live a life full of good memories and stories to look back on when you're older. That's why it's so special to me. I used to be a person that used to live in the safe zone until I put myself out there. I wouldn't be the adventurous person that I am now if I didn't live by those words. So if you're a person living in a shell or someone who's just living through the motions, I encourage them to do something spontaneous or something you usually wouldn't do. You could probably find a new hobby, a new spot, or maybe even love. You just have to live a life that's going to be full of good memories so you can look back on your life and smile!