My first language is Spanish. Growing up, I faced the unique challenges of being bilingual in an environment where English was the dominant language. Learning a new language was not easy; I struggled academically as I worked to read, write, and communicate in English. On top of that, I was often teased for my accent, which made me feel self-conscious and unsure of myself. These experiences left me feeling isolated and frustrated at times, but they also taught me resilience, patience, and empathy—lessons that continue to shape who I am today. Despite my struggles, I was determined to succeed. In college, I had to take remedial English courses to build the skills I needed to thrive academically. While this was humbling, it also gave me a firsthand understanding of how challenging it can be to learn a new language while keeping up with rigorous coursework. I learned to advocate for myself, seek help when I needed it, and find strategies to improve my learning. Looking back, I realize that these obstacles were not only hurdles but also opportunities to develop the perseverance and problem-solving skills that define me today. My experiences have deeply influenced my work as a middle school counselor. I know what it feels like to struggle academically and emotionally because of language barriers, so I am committed to supporting students who face similar challenges. One way I do this is by creating safe spaces where students feel seen, heard, and empowered. For example, I started a support club during lunch where students can come to ask questions, receive guidance, and get help with assignments. In this space, students can speak freely, ask for clarification on schoolwork, and receive mentorship from someone who truly understands their struggles. Watching students grow in confidence, improve academically, and feel supported reminds me of my own journey and reinforces why I chose this profession. Being bilingual has also provided me with incredible benefits. It allows me to communicate effectively with students and families from diverse backgrounds, building trust and understanding that can sometimes be difficult to establish. I can bridge gaps in communication and advocate for students who might otherwise feel overlooked. Additionally, speaking two languages has strengthened my cognitive flexibility, problem-solving abilities, and cultural awareness, which are essential skills for any counselor. Post-graduation, I plan to continue dedicating myself to supporting students, particularly those who face language barriers and academic challenges like the ones I experienced. I hope to expand programs that provide academic support, mentorship, and resources for bilingual and underrepresented students. My ultimate goal is to ensure that every student has access to the guidance, encouragement, and tools they need to succeed academically and personally, regardless of the obstacles they face. My journey as a bilingual student taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of support systems. I now channel these lessons into my work as a counselor, helping students navigate their own challenges and celebrate their successes. While my path was not easy, it shaped me into someone who is determined to uplift others, provide meaningful guidance, and create opportunities for students to thrive. Being bilingual has not only been a challenge but a gift—one that has allowed me to transform my own struggles into a source of empowerment for others.

Cancer has touched my family in a deeply personal and life-changing way. My godmother, who has been my guide and role model since I was a child, was diagnosed with breast cancer during my teenage years. She was the first in my immediate family to achieve milestones I could only dream of, and her guidance shaped the person I was becoming. I relied on her wisdom, admired her strength, and envisioned my future through the lens of her accomplishments. The thought of losing her felt unbearable, and when her diagnosis came, it shook me to my core. Watching her struggle with treatments, hospital visits, and the emotional weight of her illness was devastating. I felt powerless, overwhelmed by fear, and unsure how to cope with the possibility of losing someone who had been my anchor. Those moments were heartbreaking, leaving me with a deep sadness I had never known. I realized how fragile life can be and how suddenly it can change. But amid the fear and despair, I began to notice something extraordinary—her resilience. Even in the face of immense pain and uncertainty, my godmother met each challenge with unwavering strength and courage. She refused to let cancer define her or her life. I watched her continue to inspire, encourage, and guide me even as she fought for her own survival. Her determination became a lifeline for me. She showed me that strength is not the absence of fear or struggle but the courage to move forward despite them. Witnessing her fight taught me that adversity can ignite inner resilience, and that hope and perseverance are powerful tools for navigating life’s hardships. Through this experience, I learned invaluable lessons that continue to shape who I am. I developed empathy by witnessing her struggle and understanding the emotional and physical toll illness takes on both the person facing it and those who love them. I learned resilience, as I had to navigate my own grief, anxiety, and uncertainty while continuing to support her and maintain my responsibilities. Most importantly, I learned the profound influence one person’s courage can have on another. Her fight against cancer inspired me to confront challenges with determination and to seek strength in moments of fear. Cancer also showed me the importance of support and community. I witnessed family, friends, and loved ones come together to provide care, encouragement, and comfort. Their support made a tangible difference, and it inspired me to be a source of support for others in my own life. I learned that resilience is strengthened not only by inner courage but also through the love and encouragement we give and receive from others. While cancer brought pain and uncertainty into my family’s life, it also left a legacy of strength, hope, and empowerment. My godmother’s courage continues to inspire me every day to persevere, embrace challenges, and face the unknown with determination. Her journey taught me that even in the darkest times, we have the capacity to find strength and make a positive impact on the lives of those around us. I carry her lessons with me as I navigate my own path, striving to honor her influence by approaching life with resilience, empathy, and unwavering hope.

As the oldest daughter of four children born to Mexican immigrant parents in San Jose, my future felt predetermined. I was expected to become a homemaker — to care for a husband and children — while college remained a distant, unreachable dream. That story began to change during my sophomore year of high school, when my school counselor called me into her office after I had failed most of my freshman classes. I walked in expecting a scolding. Instead, she asked me what I liked, what I cared about, and what I imagined for my future. No adult had ever asked me that before. When I told her I was interested in merchandise design and fashion, she searched for colleges offering similar programs and showed them to me — schools I had never pictured myself attending. That moment cracked something open. It was the first time I glimpsed a version of my life that looked different from what I had been told to expect. She did not stop there. She checked in on my academics regularly, invited me to college workshops, and organized field trips that made higher education feel real rather than abstract. One of those trips brought me to San Jose State University. Walking that campus, I felt something shift permanently inside me — I knew I would be there someday. When I doubted myself, which was often, she would remind me: “If I believe in you, you should believe in yourself, too.” She also sat down with my parents, explaining financial aid and the steps required to make college a reality for a family like ours. I became the first in my family to attend college — but not the last. My siblings watched and began to understand what was possible for them too. My counselor’s investment in one student rippled outward in ways she may never fully know. Her influence set me on a path I am still walking today. Today, I serve as a school counselor in the Evergreen School District in San Jose, working with middle school students every day. These young people inspire me deeply. Many of them come from immigrant families navigating systems that were not built with them in mind — much like my own family once did. I see myself in them, and I know what is possible when one caring adult decides to show up differently. That is what drives me to this work. My commitment to making education more equitable and just has also led me to pursue a doctorate in Social Justice at Santa Clara University. I want to go beyond the individual student and understand the systemic barriers that keep so many young people — especially those from marginalized communities in San Jose — from reaching their full potential. My counselor changed my life by believing in me. Through my doctoral work and my practice, I hope to help change the conditions that make it so hard for students like me to believe in themselves in the first place

My mental health took a toll at the beginning of the pandemic. I was not adjusting well due to the imbalance of both my personal and professional life. Living with my loved ones felt like I was living alone, and it didn't make it any easier. My anxiety began to get out of control, and I was slowly falling into depression. It is almost as my life was slipping through my fingers and losing hope in the future. I had no motivation for life and lost interest in nearly everything. It was hard to motivate the students that I was working with since I lacked it myself. One student, in particular, gave me hope. She reminded me that she always looked forward to working with me because I would help her with her homework. This student had both of her dying parents in the hospital due to COVID-19, and she still managed to think positively. She made me realize how important my job was and sparked a fire inside of me. I have thought many times to go back to school and pursue a master's degree in school counseling. Most of the work that I do with students revolves around supporting school counselors, and it was something I was passionate about. So I decided to take the leap and apply to a school counseling program at Concordia University - Irvine, to which I got accepted; after, I obtained a school counseling internship at a public middle school assisting a school counselor. Now I am mentally in a different place in my life. I have taken control of my life and sought professional help, and I have hope for the future. This pandemic has changed my life for the better; I am pursuing a second degree, obtained a 4.0 GPA, got an internship, and finally happy with my new life. This experience will be a reminder to keep pushing through the negative and see things from a different perspective.

As the oldest daughter of four children to Mexican immigrant parents, my future was already written. I was destined to become a homemaker caring for my children and husband, while my hopes of going to college became a distant dream. My reality changed when I met my school counselor during my sophomore year in high school. I did not take school seriously. I did not care to graduate, so I failed most of my classes in my freshman year. As my counselor called me into her office, I was preparing for the scolding. To my surprise, she did not focus on my failing grades but instead on my interest. She was the first person to care to ask what I liked to do and my future goals. So I was taken by surprise. At the time, I was interested in merchandise design in fashion. She searched up the colleges that offered a similar major of study and showed me. I could not imagine that I could be attending these schools and live a different life. That was not the last time I visited that office. My school counselor continued to ask me about how I was doing in my academics and invited me to different college field trips and workshops. I did not know what the process was to get into college and how much it cost. She took the time to talk to me and my parents about it and shared resources such as financial aid and the classes I had to retake. During my junior year in high school, I was invited to go on a field trip to San Jose State University. I became fascinated with the campus, and I knew I was going to come here. I never knew I was going to be so determined that I was going to go to college. I expressed to my counselor multiple times that I did not know if I could achieve my goals, and she constantly told me that if she believed in me, I too should believe. I became the first in my family to attend college, but I was not the last. My siblings started thinking about college because they were aware of the opportunities that higher education could open. During my undergrad, she continued to communicate with me, and her influence at a young age motivated me to help others in the same position as me. As a graduate student, I am part of a School Counselor program where I will have the opportunity to become a school counselor. She changed my life for the better, and I realized that school counselors have the power to give students back their ability to believe in themselves. I, too, want to help students find their spark and positively influence them, just like my counselor sparked mine.