I grew up in a low-income neighborhood called “El Junquito” in Venezuela. During my childhood, I often saw my neighbors leave for work without knowing if they would return home with food for their families. Education was practically impossible for them, and without academic qualifications, job opportunities were extremely limited. Due to the circumstances surrounding us, my family decided they wanted something different for me. I come from an only-women family; they have been my greatest example to follow and my biggest support throughout my life. They have been with me every step of the way. From an early age, they instilled in me the idea that education was the key that would open many doors and the most powerful weapon for bringing about positive change in the world. My mother had me during her last year of adolescence, so she had to take care of me, be a single mother, and provide for all my basic needs. Since I was little, she has been my role model because, even though she was very young, she never gave up. She decided to continue her studies while working and taking care of me. I learned everything I know today from her, and a large part of who I am today is thanks to her. Since my mom and I came to the United States, we have worked very hard even though it was a very difficult process. We arrived in a country with a completely different language and culture, unknown to us. Without family or support, we had to rely on each other to move forward and adapt. The whole experience of moving to a new country with just my mother developed my resilience and reinforced my belief in the power of dedication, perseverance, willpower, and hard work. Since then I have achieved goals that once seemed unattainable and that I thought I could only see in movies. Now I am a cheerleader, dancer, freshman mentor, member of the cabinet of the class of 2026, and volunteer in bilingual programs, things that I only saw as impossible dreams when I was in my country and that today I am proud to have achieved. For my future I want to study business administration and create a program for future generations of Hispanic immigrants that want to succeed in this country. I see it as an opportunity to contribute to projects that help and serve as an example to other people, especially immigrants who, like me, came to this country to fulfill dreams that they saw as impossible. I believe that there is no better way to show gratitude than to give opportunities to new immigrants. As a member of a Hispanic immigrant community, I know that our community offers a great deal of diversity, and I know that through my skills and the new ones I will acquire along this path, I can use our diversity and ideas as a great contribution. I am committed and willing to work harder every day toward that goal. And I hope that my story will also serve to inspire other young Hispanics who are facing similar challenges, who face thousands of obstacles every day, and who, like me, never tire of working and fighting for their most ambitious dreams. I want to be an example for others, and I want to spread our stories around the world. Through all these years I have learned that no matter where we come from, what language we speak, or what obstacles we face, when we trust in ourselves, we find the courage to move forward.