In the summer of my junior year of high school, I embarked on a journey to the United States of America, leaving behind my home in Guam. At the age of 16, I flew alone with a mission to get scouted and play collegiate rugby. The two months that followed were filled with intense training and fierce competition. Through my dedication and hard work, I received numerous offers to play rugby at the collegiate level. This experience marked the beginning of my accomplishments and set the stage for the challenges I would face in the years to come. Fast forward two years later, I now have just completed my first year at Brown University, where I am studying environmental engineering and Native American & Indigenous Studies. As a division 1 student-athlete, I am proud to represent my university both academically and athletically. My story intertwines with Malgorzata's challenges as I navigate a career at the intersection of environmental engineering and indigenous revitalization and rights. One of the most significant challenges I have encountered in my journey is being a minority in most settings. Coming from Guam, a small island in the Pacific, and studying in the USA, I often find myself in spaces where people do not understand my perspective or cultural background. As a woman in the engineering field, I face additional barriers, as I am sometimes met with looks of confusion when I speak intelligently or actively contribute to group projects. However, I have learned to embrace these challenges and use them as motivation to excel. On the flip side, being a CHamoru woman in the field of environmental engineering holds great significance. With the pressing issue of climate change and rising sea levels affecting the Pacific Islands, it is crucial to have representation and voices from these regions in the spaces where decisions are made. I take pride in being that representative and advocate for the Pacific Islands, working towards sustainable solutions and empowering my people through self-determination. Like Malgorzata, I share a narrative of determination. Despite the head tilts and raised eyebrows that I often encounter as an indigenous CHamoru woman, I am determined to thrive and succeed. I am determined to prove that intelligence, capability, and resilience know no boundaries of gender or cultural background. Through my achievements and perseverance, I aim to inspire others and create opportunities for my community to thrive sustainably. In conclusion, my journey mirrors Malgorzata's challenges in various ways. From leaving my home to pursue my dreams in a foreign country, to facing the obstacles of being a minority and a woman in a demanding field, I have overcome these challenges with determination and resilience. I find strength in representing my culture and using my education and career to make a positive impact in the world. My accomplishments and story stand as a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of diversity and inclusion in all fields of endeavor.

Mathematics transcends mere numbers and equations. I've fallen in love with math due to its ability to provide logical solutions and its indispensable role in understanding the world around us. My passion for math ignited during high school geometry, where I was introduced to the beauty of shapes, angles, and their intricate relationships. Geometry opened my eyes to the idea that math wasn't just about memorizing formulas and solving equations, but rather a language that unlocked the secrets of the universe. The geometric proofs and theorems fascinated me, as they showcased the power of logical reasoning and the inherent order present in nature. Applying math to the real world has been a transformative experience, making me feel capable of providing tangible solutions to real-world challenges. I have come to realize that math is not confined to abstract concepts but has practical applications in various fields. Whether it's analyzing data sets to identify trends, calculating probabilities for decision-making, or utilizing mathematical models to optimize processes, math equips me with the tools to navigate and conquer complex challenges. This passion for math has naturally led me to pursue environmental engineering, a field where I can apply mathematical principles to create models and systems necessary for sustainable living. As an environmental engineer, I recognize that math is the backbone of my work, enabling me to design and develop solutions for everything around me, from daily appliances to intricate environmental systems. Math provides me with the ability to quantify and understand the impact of human activities on the environment. Through mathematical modeling, I can simulate scenarios, predict outcomes, and devise strategies to mitigate environmental degradation. From calculating pollutant dispersion patterns to optimizing waste management systems, math empowers me to make informed decisions and devise innovative solutions that can shape a greener future. Further, the enforcement of equity and equal representation and distribution to all socioeconomic groups of people.

When the sun managed to find crevices within my curtains to seep into my room, I stomped off my bed to close the curtains and unwelcome the sun. I hid my rugby ball and all the good memories, now gone, that are embedded into it. If my eyes ever dared to look into a mirror, I’d stay stuck in front of it: drowning in tears and touching the parts of my face I wish to change. Back into bed I go, with no clue of what day it is and with long lost friends that I can’t bring myself to check up on. In bed I am met with my daily battle against the endless criticisms, “your goals are too far fetched” and “you are not enough.” This morning my alarm woke me up, calling me to rise before the sun. I open the curtains and go into the bathroom. Brushing my teeth and looking at myself in the mirror, I dance and jump around to my favorite song. My rugby ball catches my eye, serving as motivation as I am going on my run. 2 miles in and the sun starts to rise. The sun reaches a height where it finally touches my face and as it seeps into my pores, I close my eyes and embrace this crisp air, and the warmth of the light. I get back home to start my day by opening my laptop, the books and filling out applications. Change is effective, but perspective is powerful. Not everyone can get out of the circumstances that bring their mental health down so to know that everything one needs is within them is where hope can be restored. If I had a megaphone that reached every corner of this world, I'd let everyone know that, through time, the things that bring you down can also bring you up depending if you let it. I’d let everyone know that they are more than enough, and everything they want is achievable upon their hands but more specifically that they can do it.

Guam, an island rich in culture and love, a place I have the honor of calling home. Here on Guam we are told the legend of Puntan and Fu’una at a young age. Passed down through oral tradition, Puntan and Fu’una were siblings who are responsible for the creation of the island and people of Guam. Puntan and Fu’una devised a plan in which their supernatural forces would be put to extremely powerful use. Puntan instructed his sister to take apart his body and create the parts of the world. One of his eyes would become the sun, and the other would be transformed into the moon. Puntan’s eyebrows would become rainbows then his back would become the earth. Fu’una had supernatural powers of her own. She used her energy and spirit to bring to life the parts of her brother’s body that now formed the world. With her power, she made the sun shine and the earth blossom. After she completed her task of bringing new life to Puntan’s body parts, Fu’una decided to create life out of her body, as she had her brother’s. She threw her body into the earth and created Fouha Rock, located in southern Guam, and out of Fouha Rock, the first human beings emerged. Sundays on Guam are reserved for family fiestas. Fiestas are a beautiful scene as friends and family come together to talk and laugh while eating our native dishes. Contrary to the beauty of these occasions, these fiestas are often the downfall of CHamorus’ health. Our aunties, uncles, grandparents and other family members older in age, are often diagnosed or are on their road to being diagnosed with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and other heart complications. The root to this problem is the overindulgence at fiestas and the negligence for exercise. I believe if CHamorus became more knowledgeable in healthy alternatives, portion control and consistent exercise, the rates of health complications would decline. With this knowledge, I do my part as a CHamoru by sharing my knowledge in nutrition to my friends who then share it with their families. By telling my friends about superfoods such as quinoa, they go home to tell their families who end up substituting white rice for quinoa. Furthermore, I promote fitness groups and events within the island frequently. Some include running and/ or walking groups of all fitness levels that take place along the beach or around the island. Whenever I am amongst my friends and families, I always invite them to workout with me during the week. Whether I plan on going to the gym in the afternoon or running in the morning, I invite them to any and all of my trainings. As Fu’una used her powers to make the sun shine, I used my spirit to guide and motivate my fellow CHamorus to embody their strength. According to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System, there are nearly 424,000 children in foster care in the United States on any day. With such a large growing number of foster children, not all children get the deserved attention and resources to excel in their environments. Late last year, I started a business known as “Origins: Fanohge” whose mission was to “support and stand up for the underrepresented children of Guam”. Through the selling of a variety of merchandise that conveyed messages of motivation and love, my business gave a portion of our proceeds to the only foster home in Guam and also donated brand new toys to be given as Christmas gifts to the foster children in time for the holiday. As Puntan used his body parts to become the world, I use my resources to give to those who don't have. Heartbreakingly evident throughout the globe, women are often seen as inferior and are put to a standard of incapability. Ask any women and they will share with you an experience where they were told not to do something because it was “manly” or even told to “be a lady”. There is an unspoken standard and visual expectation of women that constrains potential and strength within society. This standard has caused women to feel unwelcome and incapable of striving for more and accomplishing goals in specific work fields that are male dominated such as engineering and pilot studies. I have many friends who can agree to the intimidation and unwelcoming standards that often hold them back as women to accomplish their goals, and as their friend I do everything to motivate them to not feel held back and strive for anything they want. I have attended women development seminars, and I have utilized my media to try my best to spread female power. Furthermore, I often babysit kids and while I take care of the little girls, I tell them affirmations that promote confidence and positive femininity. I hope when they grow up, they remember these affirmations and live by them so they can spread their mindset and break the current standard of women. Puntan, a man, knew how powerful Fu’una, a woman, was. Fu’una sculpted this world and then brought life to it. Through my motivation, I hope to let every girl and woman know that their power and potential is as great as Fu’una’s. Though I do not have millions of dollars to donate and raise funds for everything I wish to advocate for, I make use of the resources I do have, and understand, that it is not money that makes a change but intent, love, passion and persistence. As Puntan and Fu’una were just two people who created a whole world and the first of my people. I am just one person, making little changes knowing that the ripple is greater than the rock I threw in the water.

At 10 years old my doctor diagnosed me with obesity but at 13 years old I beat that diagnosis by losing 30 pounds. My weight loss journey is rooted in my love for olympic weightlifting and the pictures below show me competing in the Philippines as an athlete apart of Team Guam. I competed against women double my age and in years of experience. From that competition I would rank top 10 in the oceanic region, furthermore, set the new island weightlifting record for the youth age range.

Rich in coconut trees and culture, Guam is a very small island that I have been born and raised on. Though known for its undeniable beauty the island of Guam has been through a great deal specifically during the pandemic. We experienced severe surges in the amount of COVID-19 cases during the months of August and October of 2020. Worsening the conditions, the island only has one hospital to treat all COVID-19 cases. In the midst of panic and fear, the island became unsteady. To say the least, the virus was spreading more rapidly than Guam was equipped and trained for. The hospital reached its capacity and ran out of resources calling for our governor to declare the island in a state of emergency. The conditions brought criticism upon the leaders and government of Guam. Covered all over the news, I saw the weaknesses of my island. At that moment in time it would be sensible of resentment for my government to grow but quite the opposite occurred instead. Sentiments of motivation arose within me. Motivation to create the change I wish to see. Through this experience, I have learned my interests and values resulting me in deciding to pursue the medical field once I graduate high school. I hope to become a nurse and give back to the island. Through my credentials, I wish to bring innovation and ideas for the future of Guam so that during the next crisis, our people could be more prepared. Furthermore, be a role model for all my peers to strive for the same as we are will soon take over the seats of Guam's government and leaders.

My great-grandpa told me a story that ended with this statement, "When my family and I had to hide from the Japanese during WWII, I was sure I was going to die. I was 5 years old, and have already come to terms with my death,". A Vietnam War veteran, World War II survivor and retired sailor, my great-grandpa is my biggest role model. He has told me more stories than I can count, speaking of the best and worst times that he lived through. From segregated restaurants, political protests in the 80s to harsh military treatment, he never lost my attention as he continued to teach me how to approach life through his experiences. This approach would be to never lose character nor hope and to never stop fighting, no matter the circumstances, because better times will always come, you just need to work to it. No matter what he faced, no matter the little control he had over his life, he continued to strive for more in life while preserving who he is as a person: a humorous, loving man. He has taught me my ability to persevere through all my hardships but most of all to make sure that through anything I do not sacrifice my happiness and faith. In the future I wish to join the military forces and apply all that he has taught me as I work in the medical field, tending to service members that embody the hard work and sacrifice my great-grandpa has made.