I am very proud of being a first-generation Latina in my family while pursuing a career in architecture, considering that only a few Latinas are in the construction industry. I attended Northwest Career and Technical Academy, in the engineering & design program area, where I learned how to use Inventor, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and Revit. We created residential floor plans, developed a community center and a doctor's office, and made smaller items like themed chess pieces. For our final senior project, I worked with my friend in the Hospitality program, and we needed help finding an issue that would complement our programs. Las Vegas only has one somewhat family-friendly casino; considering the rest are for those 21 and older, we decided to make a resort explicitly designed for families to enjoy. We called it "Wonderland Palace Resort," with only four months of experience, I created something incredible that I am still very proud of. At that moment, I was confident that architecture was my calling, so I applied to the University of Nevada Las Vegas and declared my major in architecture. When I was younger, I lived in the North Las Vegas area, where my parents struggled financially, but I am grateful they were able to give me a roof over my head. I took swimming lessons at my local community center and noticed how old it looked. The church my family attended was also small, and its foundation was old compared to the ones in the wealthier areas. They do not compare to the churches in Mexico and Europe, which are beautiful, and their architecture appeals to me. Both are a mixture of Renaissance and Gothic architecture, and I intend to implicate them in my future designs. North Las Vegas is known for being older and housing many low-income families compared to other communities, and I want to change people's ideology about the area. One of my goals as an architect is to work with foundations, like Habitat for Humanity, to help low-income areas renovate their public buildings, like churches or community centers that struggle with funding. I want to have the opportunity to renovate a church here in Las Vegas and use churches like the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of Mary in Guadalajara or St.Stephen's Basilica in Budapest, Hungary, as an inspiration. Architecture is being influenced by everything around you, like the variety of cultures or the surrounding environment, and expressing them in your designs, uniting people of diverse backgrounds. We learn more about other people's cultures through the art and design of the buildings around us. However, every person may interpret the design differently compared to what the architect had in mind. Architecture is like expressive art because we reflect how we distinguish ourselves and society through designs and ideas. I desire to be more than just another female architect, but one who makes a difference in the community I was raised in, not forgetting my cultural background. It will be challenging, but it will be worth it once I accomplish the long-term goals I have set for myself. My parents have supported me throughout my education; they motivate me to continue and to use my talents for something positive while also helping others. They taught me to be a humble, kind, and respectful Latina who should never be ashamed of who I am. I could not be more proud of all the accomplishments that have led me to where I am now, and I intend to continue to make my parents proud as a soon-to-be Latina architect.

When my family and I got infected with COVID-19 during winter break, my grandpa was sadly sent to the hospital. Since he was admitted, I was in charge of answering the phone for his updates since my mom does not speak english. It was the same routine, calling in the morning and at night to receive either good or bad news on his health. Other days I was woken up by my mom in the middle of the night to answer the phone. This routine lasted for about a month, until January 28th. His heart finally gave in after stopping almost three times. That night at 5:22pm, I answered my mom's phone and was the first person to receive the news that my grandpa had passed. I did not realize his death had really affected me until after his funeral when I constantly walked by his room and no longer saw him on his bed or heard his music play outside early in the morning. I felt lonely because I did not have the person I would sometimes talk to about my day and that I would no longer receive his calls asking where we were on a Sunday night. In the month of March was when I was struggling to focus in school, especially it being online, since I was constantly thinking about him and how hard it was for me to let him go. I personally believe I ended up getting depression because of how much his loss affected me, leaving me feeling sad and unmotivated for school. I knew I needed to keep going because I did not want to disappoint my parents but it was really difficult maintaining focus. These past months have taught me things I wish I knew when my grandpa was around. I recall him calling me into his room because he had an issue on his phone and I complained about having to stop what I was doing to help him, but now I do not hear his voice anymore, just silence in the house. I do not hear his music playing outside in the morning that would always wake me up on the weekend and would get upset for not getting my entire sleep. I regret behaving like that so much and I sometimes hate myself knowing what I did to him. I have learned I must enjoy those moments with my family, the small things that bother me are the ones I am going to miss the most once they are gone. I now try to bond more with my grandma and do whatever she tells me to do for her, because I do not want to carry the same regret that I did with my grandpa. I finished my junior year with average grades and a low GPA that is affecting me a bit now since I do not meet some requirements for scholarships. I am preparing myself to do better this year and my motivation is and will always be my grandpa. He was so proud of me when I got awards in middle school and I know that if he were still here now, he would be very happy with what I have achieved. My goal is to graduate with honors and prove to anyone that sees my grades from junior year that I can do better and that I am not a failed student, that I am and will fight to do better this year in order to qualify for more scholarships. I am fighting for myself as well, to surpass the loss of my grandpa and improve my mental health. I plan on going to college and I will not be able to get there unless I am mentally ready, which slowly each day, I know will be doing better. One of the biggest examples he set for everyone in the family that I have taken to hear is to never hold a grudge. He never lasted a whole day mad or upset with someone because he either forgot or moved on. I do not want my life filled with grudges or hate towards other people; that is one of the most important things I learned from him, and it is what matters most to me.