Exemplifying a Spirit of Excellence: In my daily life, I strive to embody a spirit of excellence by maintaining a mindset of continuous growth and high standards in everything I do. Whether it's in academics, extracurricular activities, or personal relationships, I approach each challenge with determination and a commitment to doing my best. For example, in my academic life, I set ambitious goals for myself and prioritize consistent effort. I not only aim for strong grades but actively seek to deepen my understanding of subjects by engaging with additional resources, participating in study groups, and always asking questions to ensure I truly grasp the material. I believe that excellence is not just about achieving the best results but also about consistently improving and pushing my own limits. Beyond academics, I apply the same principles of excellence to my extracurricular activities. As a Supervisor at Boys and Girls Club of Santa Fe, I work to inspire others to perform at their best as well. Giving Back to the Community: Giving back to my community is an essential part of who I am. I believe that a strong community is built on acts of service and mutual support. I actively look for opportunities to contribute in meaningful ways, whether it's through volunteering, mentoring, or organizing community events. One way I’ve contributed is through UNM Children's Hospital. For example, I volunteered at a homeless shelter, where I assisted events and welcomed everyone in. Through this experience, I saw firsthand the power of service and the impact it has on individuals and communities. It reinforced my belief that small acts of kindness can create lasting change. Commitment to Lifelong Impact: My commitment to excellence and giving back is not limited to the present but is a foundation I plan to build upon throughout my life. I recognize that the journey of personal growth and service is ongoing, and I am passionate about continuing to expand both my skills and my ability to contribute to the well-being of others. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in social work, where I can use my knowledge and abilities to not only achieve personal success but also create positive change on a larger scale. Whether through mentorship, community outreach, or advocating for systemic change, I am dedicated to using every opportunity to give back and elevate others. Excellence, for me, isn’t just about personal achievement—it’s about creating a ripple effect that inspires others to do the same and making a lasting difference in the lives of those around me.

For seniors to graduate from Cibloa, we have to create and present a senior portfolio. Part of the process is to peer review someone else's portfolio. My partner, was Jared. I reviewed his portfolio, he reviewed mine. Writing this essay means to share how I will make an impact on my community with the lingering thought that the person who helped me get to the moment of presenting my graduating project doesn't get to reflect on his moment. And while my heart aches at that thought, I want to make sure that I make my moments count...for Jared. I'm a theater kid. My love for theater was born when I was in the 5th grade and was cast as Cat in the Hat in the Seussical Musical. My parents raised me to love Dr. Seuss, long before I portrayed Cat in the Hat. I’ve never known a life without Sr. Seuss. When I reflect on my childhood and think about what makes me “me,” my heart smiles at the thought that, like Cat in the Hat, I try to shape my world that is right in front of me. Cat in the Hat was the ultimate out-of-the-box thinker. I want to live a life outside of the box, exploring new adventures, inspiring those around me much like Dr. Seuss and his beloved characters have inspired me. I want to be the catalyst in the midst of chaos that brings a simple and uplifting solution. When COVID-19 hit, I was in the middle of rehearsing for the play Willy Wonka. At first, I thought we would be on hiatus for only two weeks. When those two weeks turned into a year and a half I struggled with depression, my grades slipped, and I didn’t feel like myself at all. I longed to perform on stage again. I didn’t realize how much I loved performing, going to rehearsals for hours on end each day, cramming in school, homework, and practices, until COVID-19 happened. Until that moment, I didn’t realize how much theatre was in my DNA. It was also in that moment I drew on Cat in the Hat and decided to shape my world for the better. I didn’t have theatre just yet, thank you Covid, but I was determined to shape my world. I found “me” again, brought up my grades, and realized, there is no one me-er than me. Covid is just a page in my story, not my whole story. The curtain will rise again. I tell you this story so you have a full picture of who I am and what motivates me. I will be studying Human Development and Family Studies with the intention of then pursuing my Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy. My goal is to work with children in the foster care system. I have seen the positive and negative effects of children navigating the system and I want to do what I can to make their experience as positive as possible. I currently work for the Boys & Girls Clubs and plan to apply with the local club in my college town to give me deeper knowledge and experience as I work on my degree. My mentor has taught me that book smarts, combined with real life experience, is the best way to serve those in my community. My goal is to be an example to youth living out, what might feel like, the darkest days of their life by showing them "the curtain will rise again" for them, too.