As a first-generation student pursuing a college degree is more than just a decision to commit to a school but it is breaking barriers in my family and in the communities of low income minorities. Neither of my immigrant parents had the opportunity to attend an institution of higher education, so they made it their life mission to ensure their kids could; seeing college as one of the first steps to success. Growing up I saw them work hard to overcome the obstacles of leaving everything you know to start a new life. They came from nothing, yet gave me everything: the chance at living out the American dream. That ambition was my inspiration as a young girl and is the same one I lead with today in my extracurricular activities. In my community, immigration is a pressing challenge that I am passionate about, evident from my experience working with late congressman Bill Pascrell. Interning in his district office, I handled numerous calls daily, with 80% related to immigration. Recognizing the overwhelming demand for our immigration caseworker, I stepped in, taking calls, filling out privacy release forms, and assisting constituents in Spanish. This hands-on experience deepened my understanding of the challenges immigrants face, empowering me to continually pursue a path in political science and public policy as both my academic and professional goals for the future. Additionally, my involvement in New Hope Community Ministries, a local nonprofit that aids low-income families in the metro-Paterson has opened my eyes to many of the issues American families and communities are facing. The politician in me was eager to help New Hope with their mission. In fifth grade, I began volunteering in New Hope’s nursery, taking care of young children while their parents attended ESL courses. My freshman year of high school I transitioned to volunteering at their food pantry. That same year, I joined New Hope's Teens program, a group that empowers teens to make service a central aspect of their life while teaching them important skills for the future. Today, I am president of the New Hope Teens group. I hope to accomplish becoming a United States House of Representative where I can continue to learn more about the people I plan to represent one day. Furthermore, my upbringing in Paterson, NJ where public high schools demonstrate a graduation rate of 70%, in contrast to the 100% graduation rate at nearby private schools, has been a firsthand revelation of the barriers kids in my town encounter. In my efforts to combat this issue, I established STARS, a youth-led organization dedicated to addressing educational inequality. Standing for Scholarship, Tutoring, Assistance, Resources, and Support, we aim to bridge the educational gap by providing free resources to high schoolers in need. My team of volunteers act as tutors, essay editors, and career mentors. My plan after graduating high school includes obtaining an undergraduate degree in Politics, Economics, Philosophy, and Business Administration at Northeastern University. Afterwards, I will enroll in law school. With these degrees I will run for Congress, committed to championing pressing issues, holding those that affect the Latinx and Paterson community close to my heart.