As kids, there is always so much to learn from our day-to-day lives, things as simple as everyday chores. However, I don't believe we give childhood enough credit for the values we unknowingly pick up just simply living, nor do we give enough credit to the people who lead us down these paths of life with everything they teach us.I grew up in a family that was blessed enough that going hungry was never a concern in my mind, even when money was tight, thanks to my dad who worked hard to keep it that way.Unfortunately, that meant I didn’t get to see him much, which is why I am so grateful to have my mom, who has always been there for my brother and me in every opportunity she could.Every event I've had in my mom was always their whether it was a rehearsal for dance, a concert for percussion, or an art show. My mom is one of the strongest people I know for raising two kids alone, for the most part, with patience and love. I get my patience, wisdom, creativity, and observation skills from my mom. In 2020 we all received a curveball no one expected, COVID-19, the pandemic that would shut down schools worldwide, forcing them to come up with new curriculums and a new way of learning to combat the virus. The COVID-19 virus would prove to be both a blessing and a curse. Remote learning became the new normal during the pandemic, and with this new definition of "normal" came many more changes to my life. For starters, I wouldn’t be the only one adjusting to this new remote style. I would be joined on this path by my brother, who was at the end of his sophomore year in the STEM academy, as well as my dad, who had to adjust to remote work without traveling as much as he used to. For the first time in my life, my dad was actually home to stay, and it was then that I felt I really got to know who my dad was. During this time, I realized that I took after my dad in many ways. Physically, I looked like a younger female version of him, and personality-wise, I talked, laughed, expressed myself, and even thought like him. From him, I got my stubbornness, humor, and ability to problem-solve.I am the daughter of two Mexican-American Marines who defended our country during hardships like 9/11, a father who worked while in college after the Marine Corps, and a mother who finished college online while raising two kids after the Marine Corps. Two people who have continuously worked hard to make a better life for themselves and their families together—two people who don't know what the words "I can't" mean, because not being able to was never an option for them.Because of them, I sought to join the STEM academy alongside my brother. Even when the journey was difficult, I had my parents' unwavering support and guidance, which helped me push through challenging classes. Over time, I developed a passion for architectural design,a creative outlet where I can bring my best ideas to life and share them with others. Getting into STEM and finishing strong was the first step toward following in their footsteps and bettering our lives,not just for myself, but for past generations and, with any luck, future generations of our family. I believe studying architecture in your program may be my next step toward achieving that goal. I’ve had the privilege of gaining access to a wide range of opportunities that have significantly prepared me for both higher education and the workforce. The academy offers various certification courses, many of which are fully paid for and proctored within the program. These certifications cover a broad spectrum of essential tools and skills, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite, Solid Professor, and others. In addition to these technical courses, I also completed the required OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 certifications, which have given me valuable knowledge in workplace safety. Furthermore, my preparation for college extends beyond certifications. I’ve taken several Advanced Placement (AP) courses and On-Ramps classes, either as part of the STEM program or on my own initiative. These challenging courses have given me a deeper understanding of the academic workload I can expect in college. They have also helped me develop effective study habits, which will be crucial as I transition to a more structured and demanding college environment. By engaging with these college-level courses, I’ve gained confidence in my ability to manage my time, study efficiently, and meet deadlines skills that will be invaluable as I continue my education in Architecture.

As a child, I didn’t always realize how much I was learning from the people around me and everyday life. Growing up, I was fortunate enough that going hungry was never a concern, even when money was tight. This was thanks to my Dad, who worked hard to provide for us. However, his hard work meant I didn’t get to see him much, which is why I’m incredibly grateful for my Mom. She’s one of the strongest people I know, raising my brother and me mostly on her own, with love and patience. From her, I learned the importance of patience, wisdom, creativity, and the ability to communicate and connect with others. She taught me how to express myself and understand the world around me, which has helped me throughout my life. Throughout my school years, my Mom always encouraged me to take advanced classes, believing in my potential even when I doubted myself. She pushed me to reach higher, knowing that these opportunities would set me up for a better future. Then, toward the end of my 7th grade year, the unexpected happened: the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools around the world closed, and we all had to adapt to remote learning. This period was both a blessing and a challenge. I wasn’t the only one adjusting to this new way of life, my brother, who was finishing his sophomore year of high school in the STEM academy, and my Dad, who had to shift to remote work after traveling for his job, were all going through similar changes. For the first time in my life, my Dad was home all the time, and I was finally able to get to know him in a way I hadn’t before. I discovered that I took after him more than I realized physically, emotionally, and in how I think and express myself. We share a lot of the same traits, from stubbornness to humor, and even the way we solve problems. If I thought about it, he’d say it, or vice versa. I came to understand that I got my problem-solving abilities and sense of humor from him, and I felt a deeper connection with him during this time. Looking at both my parents, I have a better understanding of who I am. I am the daughter of two Mexican American Marines who served our country through difficult times like 9/11. My father worked through college after leaving the Marine Corps, and my mother completed her degree online while raising two kids after her military service. Both of them worked hard to create a better life for our family, and they showed me the value of perseverance and determination. They didn’t know the meaning of “I can’t,” and they taught me the importance of never giving up, no matter the circumstances. Their hard work and commitment to building a better future for themselves and their family inspired me to follow in their footsteps. I wanted to create a better life for myself and future generations of my family. That’s why I chose to join the STEM Academy, alongside my brother. It was a way for me to begin following their example, pushing myself to grow, learn, and work hard to achieve my goals. I hope that by doing so, I can continue the legacy of perseverance, resilience, and determination that my parents have shown me. Through the STEM Academy in my Civil Engineering and Architecture class I realized my passion for designing and creating buildings both in physical and 3D.

“The mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own we have no soul of our own civilization.”- Frank Lloyd-Wright. To me this means creating spaces that have a unique essence attached to them that captures the intentional effect that is to be brought out by a space. Something as simple as the consideration to the placement and aesthetics of features in a location can make the difference between a place that draws people in and a place that makes people desperate to leave. Both scenarios of which are important as long as the space was designed to have that intentional effect. With this in mind it's important to note that I was raised in a world that was nothing if not intentional. Every small detail that most would not think to connect back to something bigger was present, and for that I’d thank my mother. She taught me to be observant by example, and how to navigate the smaller details in life to ensure an intentional outcome by the people around us. There is so much that can be said without words to invoke certain actions. Each design choice, from the flow of natural light to the choice of materials, plays a crucial role in shaping how people interact with and feel within a space. For example, putting out an abstract centerpiece as a conversation starter keeping people engaged with no reason to leave or on the contrary turning off any music that might be playing or starting to clean and pick up any activities that were previously out giving you less reasons to stay or be engaged leaving you with the only option of leaving. This is seen typically in restaurants when they're closing or even video games when the game wants you to move on and progress instead of staying in the same spot. Having this skill of observation is what leads me believe that I can make a difference in the Architecture field because I will work with intent to create the atmosphere my clients want with all the space present in mind to create something with it’s own soul that will stand out to the people that belong there. By infusing intentionality into every aspect of design, I not only will be able to create spaces that are memorable but also ones that foster deeper connections and lasting impressions on those who inhabit them. Without uniqueness, we would only be living to exist in a space and not to truly live in said space.