For as long as I could remember, I have always wanted to make an impact. I never knew how, but I knew that I wanted to capture the eye of an audience that cared about important messages and issues within our society. How could one do this? I have always thought, maybe I could be a lawyer and fight against injustices in the courtroom. Maybe I could be a journalist and write pages and pages about important current events. None of these truly captured my attention. What always helped me escape from the world for just a second? What helped me form and shape my ideas? What always had my undivided attention when it was presented in front of me? Films. Films hold such power within our society. Films show us the greatest love stories that portray what true love is to us. Films make us laugh until we cannot stand straight, teaching us what is funny and what is not at the time. Films help us realize the realities of our world, both the ugly and beautiful aspects. We do not even realize how much they show how our society is. This is why I believe that I can make my mark using the art of film, which is the sole reason I have decided to accompany my Sociology major with a minor in Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California. At USC, I have discovered my passion for the arts. I have had the opportunity to use my major in Sociology and tie it into my passion for film. For example, I have used my new knowledge of the importance of the intersectionalities of a person's experience to accurately analyze a film and its contents. The film was about a Chilean, transgender woman and the adversity she faces in her city. Tying in the sociological theories with the film itself helped me create a very well-thought-out creative essay about the importance of her intersectional identity and how this film helps portray these struggles that different groups of people must endure in our present-day society. I have also had the opportunity to take classes within my minor that teaches me how to use new technology and creative strategies to launch important campaigns about important topics like social justice issues. I had the opportunity to tie those similar sociological theories to create a project that presented my own experiences within society and how it ties into the importance of healthcare for all. I created a video that included pictures from my life showing my Latin roots and my twin sister who has Rett Syndrome, and how I am lucky to live the life I do compare to children like my sister. She has had to live her life in and out of hospitals, which is why healthcare for children with specialized treatments is of the utmost importance to me. Without this class, I would have never known how to go about a specific campaign like this that shares my own story while simultaneously bringing awareness to health care, cultural ties, and the struggles of marginalized groups such as disabled individuals. My journey within the Cinematic Arts realm at USC has provided me with a such elevated knowledge of how to produce one's ideas and messages with the rest of the world, so the art of film has helped me do this in such a beautiful and creative way. I only hope to continue to spread these important issues with larger audiences in the near future.

Living in the city has always deprived me of knowing the true entity of the earth. I walk around Los Angeles looking up at the palm trees swaying left and right, to only realize that these trees are not native and serve as an important trademark of the fun vibes of the "California life." I truly thought that I was surrounded by the nature that this earth provides, but this false narrative ended when I truly experienced the outdoors on a spiritual retreat that changed my perspective for the better. As I was entering this spiritual retreat, I did not expect to get anything out of it. At this point in my life, I had never been anywhere where I was solely surrounded by the great outdoors. The busy city life was the complete opposite of this wonderful place, so it intimidated me. All I saw for miles was towering trees, wild bears and animals, and the numbing snow beneath my feet. What also scared me was the fact that our phones and electronics were going to be taken away. As a newly aged teenager, that was my whole life. I genuinely thought that there was no possible way to have a fun and amazing experience in the outdoors without documenting the experience or staring at a screen. Little did I know that this experience would help me understand that the great outdoors would make me into a whole new person. My experience in the great outdoors included going on wild adventures during our free time. My friends and I would climb up to the tallest point. We climbed up sharp rocks and would often fall because of the slippery snow, but these obstacles were worth it. When we reached the highest rock, we saw everything. We were able to see all of the rivers and lakes glisten and sparkle because of the bright sun above. We saw the gigantic mountains covered in a large, white blanket of snow, which filled us with chills and goosebumps. The once towering trees were not as tall and intimidating, but instead, we felt like we were as strong and powerful as they were. We saw our peers that were as tiny as ants from our view, and it made us feel like we were on top of the world. I had never seen such a beautiful sight. My freezing fingers and toes did not seem to cross my mind because of the view and what we had accomplished. This experience made me realize how small we actually are in this world. This world offers so much and does not revolve only around my life. Even though I had this realization, I also came to the conclusion that even though I may be a small part of the world, I can make my mark and have a large impact that will positively affect it. This experience made me more in touch with nature and the world around me. It even encouraged my love for conserving our world. From that point on, I devoted many hours to several beach cleanups. My Saturdays were comprised of picking up the trash of neglectful people and cleaning up our beautiful beaches with friends. This experience also encouraged me to take AP Environmental Science my junior year, which allowed me to learn more about how we can conserve our planet. In it, we learned about what contributes to the destruction of our planet and what we can do on our part to help preserve it. This experience also allowed me to create a new perspective of our world and the great outdoors. I became more appreciative of everything around me. I understand now that the preservation of our planet is of the utmost importance, and now my newly found love for our environment and fighting for our world has allowed me to become more aware of my actions. I learned that we can do simple things like using search engines that plant trees every time we use them and donating a couple of dollars for the conservation of our beautiful forests. Every small contribution makes a huge difference. This experience developed my advocacy for the preservation of our world and in general. Once I became more aware of everything around me, I started to fight more for not only our planet, but the people who reside it. The more united we are as a people, the more we can salvage what is left on this earth. This one experience has helped me realize that my goal in life is to advocate for people and this world. Both marginalized groups of people and the conservation of our planet have one thing in common: they are both neglected and need people to fight for them. This is why I plan on pursuing a career that fights for them and a career that will allow me to show and accurately depict this neglect that they both experience. I plan to use my knowledge and newly found voice to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. I am so thankful for my experience with the great outdoors because, without it, I would not be the passionate and strong Latina leader I was destined to be. I will forever use my voice to lift up the voices of others and advocate for this planet, and it is all because of a fun and spiritual retreat filled with flourishing and intimidating forests.

I founded a club to combat racism and empower my community. The club’s name is “Let’s Talk About It,” and it was intended as a safe space for people of color to talk openly about their encounters with discrimination. I created the club because, for a long time, I never felt safe enough to talk about my own experiences. I was only a small child the first time someone told me to “go back to your country.” I would get ridiculed for my brown skin, and my natural hair was labeled “ugly” and “unprofessional” by others. When I was young, I internalized such comments. A part of me believed that these discriminatory comments were actually deserved and warranted. After all, I was a Chicana in America. I obviously did not belong. However, over time, I learned to embrace my own sense of worth. I realized that any kind of discrimination was inherently wrong. It was because of this growing awareness that I resolved to help others overcome the stigma and shame that discrimination creates. I had to fight to create my club. At my high school, we do not have affinity groups for people of color to talk out about our own experiences with racism. I have been pushing for this for years, but I was rejected. However, I refused to take no for an answer, and thus, I founded my own club. In my club, I moderate wide-ranging discussions. For example, we hold in-depth discussions about social issues such as the Black Lives Matter Movement. I also provide educational resources to my members. I also created a video that captured several girls’ experiences with racism. After exhaustively producing and shooting the video, I showed it during a meeting. The response was tremendous. These girls finally felt heard. They told me they cried watching the video because they finally felt like they had a voice. Every person I interviewed faces microaggressions and racism every day. I asked the girls what exactly they have experienced and they mostly discussed how they have been called derogatory terms and how they have been judged for how they look all their lives. The skills to film and edit are personally important in my life because I have always wanted to spread awareness about marginalized groups using visual media. As a person of color, I have and probably will experience racism all my life, and this is exactly why I made this video. I wanted to give these girls a voice, so I allowed them to talk about their own experiences. In the end, I used my skill of filming and editing to create a video that discusses a really important issue in our society: racism and discrimination towards people of color in America. I plan to continue working toward this goal until more people begin to realize that they possess their own proud, distinctive, and beautiful voices.

It is extremely important that more people take a second and realized how unjust American society truly is for certain minority groups. We live in a world that is full of hate, but this hate truly only targets people who are not deemed as valuable. These people are typically people of color, people who are disabled, people who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community, homeless people, or any type of minority. I founded a club to combat racism and empower my community. The club’s name is “Let’s Talk About It,” and it was intended as a safe space for people of color to talk openly about their encounters with discrimination. I created the club because, for a long time, I never felt safe enough to talk about my own experiences. I was only a small child the first time someone told me to “go back to your country.” I would get ridiculed for my brown skin, and my natural hair was labeled “ugly” and “unprofessional” by others. When I was young, I internalized such comments. A part of me believed that these discriminatory comments were actually deserved and warranted. After all, I was a Chicana in America. I obviously did not belong. However, over time, I learned to embrace my own sense of worth. I realized that any kind of discrimination was inherently wrong. It was because of this growing awareness that I resolved to help others overcome the stigma and shame that discrimination creates. I had to fight to create my club. At my high school, we do not have affinity groups for people of color to talk out about our own experiences with racism. I have been pushing for this for years, but I was rejected. However, I refused to take no for an answer, and thus, I founded my own club. In my club, I moderate wide-ranging discussions. For example, we hold in-depth discussions about social issues such as the Black Lives Matter Movement. I also provide educational resources to my members. I also created a video that captured several girls’ experiences with racism. After exhaustively producing and shooting the video, I showed it during a meeting. The response was tremendous. These girls finally felt heard. They told me they cried watching the video because they finally felt like they had a voice. I plan to continue working toward this goal until more people begin to realize that they possess their own proud, distinctive, and beautiful voices. I dream of studying political science. The colleges I am applying to all also possess unrivaled track records of mentoring leaders who go on to have a profound impact on society. For all of these reasons, I dream to learn politics and important social issues in college. I plan to continue my activism in college, after college, and honestly, for the rest of my life. This is so important to me because I have first-hand and second-hand experiences of trauma that people of color, people with disabilities, and people in the LGBTQ+ community go through on a daily basis. I want to fight for these people who feel like they have no support system or do not have the ability to speak out freely against these injustices in their own communities. I want my twin sister, who has a neurological disorder called Rett Syndrome, to stroll down the streets without being harassed by bigots. I want my brother to feel safe while holding hands with his future husband and children. I have been met with disgusting racist comments all my life, and it made me despise my own culture. The different communities in my life are primarily the area I live in and my school environment, so I continuously fight against injustices in them. My fight against this unfair society does not end here, so I will continue to use my voice. I believe in activism. As a Latina who has grown up in working-class Los Angeles barrios, I have experienced racism. I have seen my friend’s family taken away by ICE, and I have seen the terrified faces of my friends when the police come near. Political science will prepare me for a career in law and politics so I can help fight for a better society.

A person who promotes justice must be passionate, patient, understanding, and a strong leader. Fighting to create a better world is time-consuming and difficult, so someone who achieves this feat must be ready to face adversity. The one person this reminds me of is my cousin and mentor, Gabriella Orellana. Gabriella has had a hard life, but such adversity has only encouraged her to passionately fight for people who have experienced similar events. She is a survivor of sexual assault and an abusive household. However, in no way is she a victim. Gabriella has overcome challenges in her life through education. Like me, she was forced to become independent at a young age. She has received no academic guidance from her parents or counselors. Also, like me, she has lived in an area where gangs and dangerous activities occurred on a daily basis. While living in a similar environment as me, she has thrived in academics throughout her entire life. She has inspired me to believe that my challenges need not deter me from achieving my goals. Gabriella, or Gaby for short, is the one who encouraged me to create my club called “Let’s Talk About It.” I realized that my school would never create affinity groups for people of color, even though I continuously pushed for it. I decided that I wanted to create a safe space for minorities to discuss important issues like racism. This platform has given teenagers unique opportunities to talk about their own experiences with discrimination and microaggressions. At first, I was scared to start my club because my school intimidated me, and the administration continuously said no to my ideas. Gaby and I talked it over, and we decided that my club needed to be created because it would ultimately benefit my peers. The many girls who attend have informed me that they finally feel like they have a voice. They finally feel loved. They are finally using their voices without the fear of repercussions, and I am so happy that I created a space like that for not only them but for myself. I would never have made a club like this without Gaby. Gaby has been fighting for equal rights for as long as I can remember. She continues to fight injustices by attending various Black Lives Matter protests and Pride marches. She raises awareness for these events through her social media platforms so more of her friends and family can participate in these events. Gaby also informs people about how to stay safe during these protests during these troubling times. Not only has Gaby helped create a safer environment in my community, but she has also established her own organization called ABOVE, which strives to provide resources such as legal help for marginalized members in her community. Gaby lives in an area where it is common to see local gangs and illegal activity, and poverty is very prominent. Providing legal help to these residents gives them a chance to fight back against institutionalized racism. Because of quarantine, Gaby hosts zoom conferences in order to give free legal advice about important issues. For example, Gaby’s organization helps explain how to seek justice when someone experiences sexual assault by obtaining a restraining order and taking further legal actions against the aggressor. ABOVE has also worked with the Los Angeles Unified School District to help young people become potential leaders. It provides various workshops that help young adults fight societal problems. Its platform is beginning to get larger every day, and it plans on providing more educational and legal resources through various social media platforms. Gabriella has inspired me to work hard and help those who lack voices. Without her mentorship, I would not be so heavily involved in activism. She and I both believe that we are the generation that is finally going to make real change, and I am so lucky to have someone right by my side to lift up my voice. Because of her, I have become an advocate for marginalized people.

I dream that one day, my sister will not be ridiculed because she is different from most. I dream that one day, my brother will be able to walk the streets without worrying who is watching. I dream that one day, I will be seen as a strong and resilient Latina woman, not a threat. My dream is to be involved in media and movies that represent people like us. People who are ostracized from society. So what inspires me? Everything I work for is for my family. More specifically, my siblings. They are truly my everything because of what they have taught me. I have grown up in an area where people are cruel and rely heavily on stereotypes. I have lived in constant fear that Gracie, my twin sister, will die. Gracie was born with Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder. She is always on the brink of fatal complications. Because of this, she looks and acts differently from most. People stare, look in disgust, and even stay away in fear. Why is that? She is the most beautiful person I have ever seen, and it hurts to know that people do not see her beauty as my family does. I have also learned how to remain calm even when my own family is in danger. My brother is gay, and threats have been made against his life. A couple of times, we have woken up to find my brother’s car completely vandalized. And me? I was only a small child the first time someone told me to “go back to your country.” I would get ridiculed for my brown skin, and my natural hair was labeled “ugly” and “unprofessional” by others. When I was young, I internalized such comments. A part of me believed that these discriminatory comments against my family and me were actually deserved. After all, I was a Chicana in America. I obviously did not belong. As I talk about my life and the people who have shaped me for the better, you still may be confused as to why they are my everything. Without my sister, I would never understand what people with disabilities go through. I have become an avid activist for her and people in the Rett Syndrome community. Without my brother, I would have never challenged my orthodox Catholic beliefs and formed my own opinions on the concept of same-sex relations. I fight for his life and for ALL LGBTQ+ lives. Without them and my own experiences, I would never be the person I am today. So, they are my inspiration in life. I surround myself with activism and people who fight for others' rights because they are important, but society has still yet to change its old-fashioned ways. I want to study at a higher level of education to better understand why this happens and to hopefully, create beautiful art in the form of film that represents the diverse and vibrant society America truly is.

I grew up in an environment where academics was not encouraged. My family has never had the opportunity to go to college because of financial problems and the language barrier. They grew up speaking only Spanish, so I have never had anyone help me with school.        Murders occur regularly in my community, and gunshots occur almost nightly. I also live next to a sleazy motel, which swarms with drug dealers and prostitutes. Police officers have raided that motel multiple times.        I have learned how to survive in this environment. At night, when I hear gunshots, I do not let my fear affect how I care for my disabled twin sister, Gracie. Many mornings, as I prepare for school, I wake up to the terrifying wail of police sirens and blow horns. However, I try my best to focus on what I have to study and learn that day.        I have always fought to maintain this focus because I know how much my family—and, in particular, my sister Gracie—needs me. Because she was born with the neurological disorder Rett Syndrome, she is always on the brink of fatal complications.        I have lived in hospital rooms for months at a time, taking care of her. At home, I give her sponge baths, and I change her diapers because she is non-ambulatory. Many nights, I sleep on the living room floor because Gracie needs twenty-four-hour care, and nights are especially dangerous for her. She constantly has secretions, and she can easily choke to death.        I have always made Gracie my first priority, and I have learned over the years how to maintain my own life. In hospitals, with doctors and nurses continually coming in and out, I have learned how to do my schoolwork in a tiny corner of the hospital room, next to the loudly beeping machines.        I have also learned how to be extremely efficient at school, studying and completing assignments as much as possible on school grounds. I know that studying at home is almost impossible. I have to always watch over my sister, making sure that she is not in danger.        Because of my environment, I have become tough enough to handle all the challenges of my life. On several occasions, my family was not allowed back to our home because the police have blockaded my entire neighborhood as they hunted for dangerous criminals. During these times, I have learned how to sit quietly in my car, reading my textbooks by the light of broken streetlights.        I have also learned how to remain calm even when my own family is in danger. My brother is gay, and threats have been made against his life. A couple of times, we have woken up to find my brother’s car completely torn and vandalized.        However, I am absolutely determined to not let my environment drag me down. Despite my challenges, I was able to obtain “First Honors,” as well as many subject awards, in my school. Also, I have learned how to become an increasingly more effective student over the years. By my second semester of 11th grade, I was earning straight A’s, even as I was taking multiple Advanced Placement and honors classes.        I have also assumed leadership roles in clubs, organizations, and athletics. In addition, to support my family, I took on odd jobs such as babysitting. The money I earned paid for necessities such as medications for my disabled sister. Often, I work several hours after a long day of school, sports, and other activities.        I grew up in an impoverished, crime-ridden neighborhood. Nevertheless, I am far more than my environment. I am determined, ambitious, and resilient. No matter the challenge, I have never lost faith in myself or my future. I will always continue to learn and persevere.

I am Catholic, and my faith has always been central to my life. My belief in Jesus Christ has given me the strength to overcome challenges, and it has given me a deep and abiding sense of purpose. I believe that all of us have been put here to contribute and sacrifice on behalf of others. I would love to share my experiences with faith with everyone I encounter, and with people who believe as strongly as I do that service is an intrinsic part of our belief in Christ. One of the largest challenges I have faced is my twin sister, who was born with a neurological disorder called Rett Syndrome. Because of that disorder, she is perpetually on the brink of death. The fact that she has lived this long is a medical anomaly, but I know that Jesus has kept her on this earth for a reason. I have taken care of her for most of my life, and I know to look past her illness to the beautiful human being she is. However, I have seen how others have treated her; it hurts to see people not realize that God made her like this in His own perfect way. Without my faith and strong relationship with Jesus, I know that life with my sister’s condition would have been incredibly more difficult. Jesus truly changed my life when my sister was hospitalized almost four times in a three-year period. Gracie was on the brink of death each time, which caused me to become distracted and confused. I would sit in the hospital rooms with her for hours. I would finish my homework in a small corner in that hospital room, while nurses and doctors rushed in and out to save her. In that time, I really had time to reflect on how it was not luck that saved my sister from death, but that it was Jesus. That is when I had felt Jesus’ presence the most, and it was an unexplainable feeling that has only strengthened our relationship. This experience was also the same moment where I put my complete trust in Jesus. I had to realize that my life was the way it was for a reason and that Jesus would be with me throughout my whole journey. This realization helped strengthen my relationship with Jesus and it was only made stronger when I attended Catholic school. All of my friends only encouraged me to create this strong relationship with Him, which I am very grateful for. Because of my sister, I have volunteered at the Strollathon since I was a child. This event raises money for kids who also have Rett Syndrome. While raising money, I try to make this event the best day for these children by leading them in different fun activities and games. My best friend has Type One Diabetes, and I have been by her side raising money for her cause since we were in third grade. I have attended the JDRF One Walk every year since then, and have raised thousands of dollars for her cause. During such moments of charity, I feel an incredible closeness with Jesus. I believe with all of my heart that I can contribute to a diverse, inclusive, and respectful society that creates a sense of safety for all of Jesus's followers. I have created organizations, marched in protests, and I have listened and tried my best to understand others. I want to grow in my faith with encouragement and support from others. Of course, every journey has its ups and downs, but it has never strayed me away from Him. At the end of the day, Jesus is the one person who has helped me get through all the times where I thought I was alone. I would never change any of my past decisions or past life experiences because I know that they ultimately led me towards a relationship with Jesus that has changed my life for the better.

My ultimate goal in life is to help create a new and more inclusive image in American society. A quote that has stuck with me since I was a ninth-grader is, “Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed" (Cesar Chavez). He continues to say, "You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore" (Cesar Chavez). This quote means everything to me and everything I stand for. One day, I hope my children can look up at a television screen and see big stars that look just like them. I want my twin sister, who has a neurological disorder called Rett Syndrome, to stroll down the streets without being harassed by bigots. I want my brother to feel safe while holding hands with his future husband and children. I have been met with disgusting racist comments all my life, and it made me despise my own culture. The minute I saw this quote, I became a different person. I decided to finally take action for movements I was passionate about. I decided that I was beautiful and so were my Latin roots. This is when I realized that I can make a change in this world, so that is exactly what I did. From that moment on, I participated in numerous social justice movements. I participated in Abolish ICE protests, Black Lives Matter protests, LGBTQ+ Rights protests, and organizations that help children with disabilities. Cesar Chavez was one hundred percent correct when he stated, "You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore." I was no longer afraid to use my voice, even when I was met with obstacles. I founded a club to combat racism and empower my community. The club’s name is “Let’s Talk About It,” and it was intended as a safe space for people of color to talk openly about their encounters with discrimination. I had to fight to create my club. At my high school, we do not have affinity groups for people of color to talk out about our own experiences with racism. I have been pushing for this for years, but I was rejected. However, I refused to take no for an answer, and thus, I founded my own club. In my club, I moderate wide-ranging discussions. For example, we hold in-depth discussions about social issues such as the Black Lives Matter Movement. I also provide educational resources to my members. This is just one example that was inspired by my new sense of self-worth and love for my own culture. I would have never spoken up prior to feeling pride in being a Latina. With the help of friends and family, I finally have a support system that is fighting right alongside me against injustice. I encourage others to love and respect other cultures because it allows room for all communities to be represented in society. We need more representation of what America really looks like, which is a goal I hope to aid in all my life.

The word legacy always reminds me of someone like Kobe Bryant or Frida Kahlo. I always think of the biggest people and what impact that they had on society. Kobe Bryant completely changed the game of basketball and has left this world with his extraordinary legacy. Frida Kahlo left behind artworks never seen before, despite her treacherous life. She changed the way people see art and represented our community, the Latinx community. Now that I have become older, I have come to understand that a legacy does not have to be from someone famous or big. I have the power to leave a huge impact on society, even if it takes all my life to do so. A legacy is something you leave for this world, and it typically is something good. I think it is important to understand that I am making my mark right now. I want to leave this world knowing I fought for ostracized groups of people. I have lived in constant fear that Gracie, my twin sister, will die. Gracie was born with Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder. She is always on the brink of fatal complications. Because of this, she looks and acts differently from most. People stare, look in disgust, and even stay away in fear. Why is that? She is the most beautiful person I have ever seen, and it hurts to know that people do not see her beauty as my family does. I have also learned how to remain calm even when my own family is in danger. My brother is gay, and threats have been made against his life. A couple of times, we have woken up to find my brother’s car completely vandalized. And me? I was only a small child the first time someone told me to “go back to your country.” I would get ridiculed for my brown skin, and my natural hair was labeled “ugly” and “unprofessional” by others. When I was young, I internalized such comments. A part of me believed that these discriminatory comments against my family and me were actually deserved. After all, I was a Chicana in America. I obviously did not belong. I never want anyone to feel ostracized as my family does. That is what I want my legacy to be. I want to leave this world knowing that I tried my hardest to fight for what is right because I have first-hand and second-hand experience of the disgusting racism, sexism, ableism, and homophobia that is still in this country. To leave a legacy is to make an impact on people, whether it be big or small. I hope to produce movies that represent these injustices and the diverse country America truly is. I know I can make a difference, and I already have by using my voice and fighting against injustice. Different legacies from different people impact a wide variety of communities. The legacies left behind all depend on what kind of person you want to become, and what you want to do to help strengthen your community. I want my people, the Latinx community, to finally feel safe in their own skin and be proud of their heritage. I hope to continue this in college, so that one day, I will leave a bigger impact on people in my community. I want to leave this world better than when I was brought into it, so that is what I want my legacy to be and I know I will continue to do this all my life.

A person who promotes justice must be passionate, patient, understanding, and a strong leader. Fighting to create a better world is time-consuming and difficult, so someone who achieves this feat must be ready to face adversity. The one person this reminds me of is my cousin and mentor, Gabriella. Gabriella has had a hard life, but such adversity has only encouraged her to passionately fight for people who have experienced similar events. She is a survivor of sexual assault and an abusive household. However, in no way is she a victim. Gabriella has overcome challenges in her life through education. Like me, she was forced to become independent at a young age. She has received no academic guidance from her parents or counselors. Also, like me, she has lived in an area where gangs and dangerous activities occurred on a daily basis. While living in a similar environment as me, she has thrived in academics throughout her entire life. She has inspired me to believe that my challenges need not deter me from achieving my goals. Gabriella, or Gaby for short, is the one who encouraged me to create my club called “Let’s Talk About It.” I realized that my school would never create affinity groups for people of color, even though I continuously pushed for it. I decided that I wanted to create a safe space for minorities to discuss important issues like racism. This platform has given teenagers unique opportunities to talk about their own experiences with discrimination and microaggressions. At first, I was scared to start my club because my school intimidated me, and the administration continuously said no to my ideas. Gaby and I talked it over, and we decided that my club needed to be created because it would ultimately benefit my peers. The many girls who attend have informed me that they finally feel like they have a voice. They finally feel loved. They are finally using their voices without the fear of repercussions, and I am so happy that I created a space like that for not only them but for myself. I would never have made a club like this without Gaby. Gaby has been fighting for equal rights for as long as I can remember. She continues to fight injustices by attending various Black Lives Matter protests and Pride marches. She raises awareness for these events through her social media platforms so more of her friends and family can participate in these events. Gaby also informs people about how to stay safe during these protests during these troubling times. Not only has Gaby helped create a safer environment in my community, but she has also established her own organization called ABOVE, which strives to provide resources such as legal help for marginalized members in her community. Gaby lives in an area where it is common to see local gangs and illegal activity, and poverty is very prominent. Providing legal help to these residents gives them a chance to fight back against institutionalized racism. Because of quarantine, Gaby hosts zoom conferences in order to give free legal advice about important issues. For example, Gaby’s organization helps explain how to seek justice when someone experiences sexual assault by obtaining a restraining order and taking further legal actions against the aggressor. ABOVE has also worked with the Los Angeles Unified School District to help young people become potential leaders. It provides various workshops that help young adults fight societal problems. Its platform is beginning to get larger every day, and it plans on providing more educational and legal resources through various social media platforms. Gabriella has inspired me to work hard and help those who lack voices. Without her mentorship, I would not be so heavily involved in activism. She and I both believe that we are the generation that is finally going to make real change, and I am so lucky to have someone right by my side to lift up my voice. Because of her, I have become an advocate for marginalized people.

Life has never been easy. I have recently realized that I have dealt with mental illness since I was a small child. My whole life, I have been met with constant bullying. I have been made fun of because I am Latina, so people made racist comments about my skin color and curly hair often. People would stare and ridicule my sister, who has a neurological disorder. I was fat-shamed and was called derogatory words. This all occurred at a very young age, and that is when the anxiety and depression started. A lot of what I have dealt with stems from my twin sister's neurological disorder named Rett Syndrome. Growing up, I had to deal with everything on my own. Gracie, my sister, needs twenty-four-hour care, and nights are especially dangerous for her. She constantly has secretions, and she can easily choke to death. I have lived in constant fear that Gracie, my twin sister, will die. I have recently realized that I do not have to feel sorry for myself. I realized that if I wanted my life to be different, I needed to do something about it. I recently started doing different activities and clubs that made me feel happier. I have started my own club called Let's Talk About It to give people of color a platform to discuss what they have gone through. I have also taken up painting and exercising. I never used to care about these little things, but it has helped me to put myself first. I want to use my own experiences to remind people that their life is not something to feel sorry about. You should not feel shameful about your looks, family, personality, culture, lifestyle, or anything that makes you, you. Do not strive to be "happy." Strive to have a healthy lifestyle. Strive to have healthy relationships with friends, family, your body, mind, and soul. Do not push your emotions away. If you need to cry, cry. If you want to laugh, laugh. Do not feel sorry for yourself, but do not restrict yourself from showing your emotions.