Living in the El Paso–Juárez region has taught me that science is more than a subject in school; it is a tool for protecting the place I call home. As an ecology student and first-generation Mexican American raised in a low-income border community, I understand what it feels like to be overlooked. I grew up just outside of El Paso in the small city of Socorro, a hardworking community known for its agricultural roots and strong spirit. Although Socorro has much to offer, many of our children have limited access to opportunities that can help them imagine a future in STEM. Because of this, I have dedicated my time and education to bringing science back into my community. One of the ways I do this is by volunteering with Frontera Land Alliance Discovery Camps. These free camps introduce children to the outdoors while exposing them to STEM-related careers they may not otherwise encounter. Campers learn Leave No Trace principles, hiking safety, and how to use tools such as CO2 meters and binoculars. I especially enjoy helping children from communities like mine attend these camps, because they are opportunities I did not grow up with. For many families on the far outskirts of El Paso County, accessing outdoor programs near the Franklin Mountains can be difficult, making these local experiences even more meaningful. In addition, I recently earned an internship opportunity focused on helping lower-income communities understand the quality of their drinking water. Many homes in outlying areas rely on wells or septic systems, which can create uncertainty about water safety. Through this internship, I will assist with water analysis testing to help determine whether water is safe for drinking and everyday use. I will also promote water conservation and sustainability practices within the community. Through environmental education, outreach, and service, I have used STEM not only to study the world around me, but to create opportunities and solutions for the community that raised me.

The Cod father. That would be what the business my brother and I would start, a nice fishing and boat shop. It would be located on a nice spot near the shores of South Padre Island, Tx. We would sell nice fishing boats with all the gear fishers could ever dream of owning, or they forgot at home. Not only would we sell the boats, but we would also sell bait, live, and dead bait. The perfect fishing rods for all fishers, pros, newbies, people on vacation and children's rods with the plastic baits attached. I would even sell my own chamoy covered gummy candies in the front near the check out because we would be in the lower grand valley after all. We would even sell our own bucket hats with a fish in a suit to really sell and promote our business to locals and tourists alike. My eldest brother's name was Emilio Reyes; he was a navy veteran and was working on his marine biology bachelor's at Texas A&M Galveston when he passed. My brother and I had a nine-year age gap but to me he was the coolest oldest brother one could have. He rode a motorcycle in high school and drove an old 1997 Camaro that I thought was rather nice. We were born in El Paso but spent some time in Brownsville, Texas where we solidified our love for the ocean. Although, he spent his last few years working on boats in the Mississippi river he was always one call away. I was in high school when he passed so I believe our love for the ocean keeps us tied together. The boat shop would be our getaway for more, more of what we love. A nice ocean breeze and a place to help fisherman and families come to experience the ocean together.

On May 15, 2022 at 4:45 in the morning my eldest brother, a navy veteran committed suicide. It was an unexpected loss. It was tragic and heart-wrenching. There were no signs, letters, or even a phone call to say goodbye. He had plans for later that day, plans throughout the week he would never get to complete. As a Christian, the first thing I wanted to do was pray that he was in heaven safe. It scared me to think that he would punished for this eternally. Although I know that God forgives every sin, the thought frightened me. But who was I to tell my mother who had just lost her firstborn son, that we needed to pray? That day was silent, the most silent my family had ever been. The initial shock, the feeling that I needed to step up, the fear of the future. Would my parents divorce? Would my dad kill himself as well after the news? What caused this? Are we sure it was suicide? Was it the alcohol he consumed? What did we miss? In the weeks leading up to the funeral, I slept in my twin brothers' room while my parents rarely slept. With my father's stone-cold face and my mother's random sobs, it was hard, and awkward. As a Mexican, family runs deep in our roots, so the calls came flooding in, the doorbell rang every five minutes for two weeks, and family friends, cousins from out of town, and people who had just gone on vacation ran back to El Paso. The constant hugs, my grief didn't hit me right away so that was awkward plus I'm not a hug person. Church people, I had never met before had created a food train for the two weeks until the funeral. Our community gathered around to support us. To not break my mother more I called the VA and declared my brother dead. It was hard but my other brother took over halfway through the phone call. It's been two years since my brother died, and I miss him every day. Since, his death I've realized God has had a plan, he turns graves into gardens. When my brother died I knew I could not turn to drugs or alcohol, because what would that do? I was a sophomore in high school, and in some way that would through my life away. So, I joined the cross-country team and ran. I ran every morning that year and just kept running. It was my escape, it was my peace. God even gave me a strong Christian community that first year I went to bible study and grew even closer with God. I want to continue what my brother started and continue going to college even after previous failures, my brother was a " C's get degrees" type of guy but he instilled the importance of education in me. However, throughout all this, I worried for my family's peace even my dog Chocó's peace. I realized however that as a family we would continue to trust in God in his mysterious ways. We each grew closer to our God and for that, I am forever thankful for. I pray Emilio is happy and at peace on a boat in Heaven.