As someone who spent much of my life being a timid observer, it may seem strange to imagine me being a lawyer. How could the girl who was always told to "speak up" hope to some day stand in a courtroom and speak on someone else's behalf? Being an only child only further initiated the quietness. I never fully learned how to navigate peers or present myself with confidence. However, everything shifted in the seventh grade during a class debate assignment. My civics teacher saw something bright in me that I have never seen in myself. She told me that if she ever needed a lawyer one day, she'd call on me. I felt important in a way that was meaningful and not performative. This comment lit the flame for everything that came after. My fascination with the courtroom grew. I not only admired the structure and professionalism, but the humanity in its walls. I loved the idea of standing up for someone who couldn't defend themselves. After all, its our constitutional right to be defended, and I'm absolutely honored to be protecting that right. That's how I want my life to be: giving as much as I can, especially to people who feel voiceless. I often think back to who I was 5 years ago, when I was someone who studied others more than I interacted with them. Yes, feeling voiceless chipped at my confidence over the years. However, tutoring civics at my former middle school helped me understand that community impact doesn't always come from the loudest or most confident person in a room, it comes from humane intention. I learned that it comes from genuinely wanting people to understand their world, without regard for any personal gain. I saw my younger self in many of the students I taught: quiet, yet full of potential and waiting to be encouraged. I plan to impact my community by continuing to uplift voices that are often ignored. I desire to make civic engagement accessible, to help others realize that they matter, and to defend people who feel powerless in the hands of the justice system. My interest in psychology deepened this passion, understanding why people behave and think the way they do helps me connect the bridge between lives and the system that shape them. I realized that law isn't just about rules, but about the people. People, especially vulnerable ones, deserve someone who will stand up for them even when they can't stand up for themselves. It is my ultimate goal to be that person, and positively impact communities along the way.

Growing up in Miami, Florida, I was never too familiar with other Puerto Ricans besides the family that I had grown up with. Throughout elementary school to high school, I felt united with others through my identity as a hispanic, but alienated through my Puerto Rican background. Growing up in a Cuban-dominated society was difficult. Two years later, I still remember a friend telling me that Puerto Rico is a "fake Hispanic country," simply because of its status as an American territory. Hearing someone disregard the culture and tradition of my background made me reflect on how Puerto Rico is underrated and misunderstood. My culture altered my values by allowing me to see the beauty in having my own traditions apart from what I typically saw around me. I had been reminded that Puerto Rican culture is just as vibrant and deserving of appreciation, even if it isn't the majority. With time, I'll be a first generation student in college. Growing up, I've always felt immense pressure to do well in school. My parents didn't have the necessary resources to pursue post-secondary education. Regardless of their struggles, they have always given me the best opportunities possible for me to go after my own dreams. However, I've faced challenges with figuring out the entire college process as I don't receive firsthand advice from my family. I have to find those resources and guidance on my own. I grew up taking my education seriously knowing that I get to set a new precedent for my family line. I want to prove that despite background, resilience and bravery opens doors for new possibilities. As I plan to one day work as a prosecutor, I desire to use my career to advocate for justice and equality in the legal system. Experiences in my childhood such as growing up with a different ethnic background than those around me opened my perspective to how people of other cultures tend to be marginalized. I became motivated to work in a field where justice is served while ensuring all individuals are treated with respect regardless of their background. Experiences I have gone through in life fueled my perseverence to dismantle systemic barriers that unjustly affect certain communities through upholding fair treatment within the legal field. I plan to contribute to the Puerto Rican community by ensuring that treatment is given fairly to all individuals, especially those who have been affected by prejudices and struggles due to their heritage. Like Jesus Perez, I advocate for hard work and cultural pride. I want to honor his legacy and name by staying true to those values and becoming a prosecutor who ensures justice is applied without bias, a prosecutor who is able to build trust and a connection with the law and who it serves. Knowing that Puerto Ricans face obstacles with disproportionality and representation, I desire to be a mentor who supports other Puerto Ricans like me who are passionate about the legal field. I envision a world where future generations have access to countless opportunities. Overall, no one should feel invisible simply because of their background. As a future prosecutor, I will advocate for voices to be heard and for every individual to be treated with justice despite their backgrounds.