You would think it’s much easier to reach opportunities when you have a weak understanding of English and a complete understanding of Spanish in Miami, a city that feels like an extension of Latin America. But when I moved here, I realized that was far from the truth. When my family moved to the U.S., my mom and younger sister could barely understand English. I spent countless hours translating government documents, medical forms, and classwork for them, and I observed how their struggles with English hindered their ability to secure employment or success in class. What I first saw inside my home, I soon recognized throughout my community- capable, hardworking individuals held back not by a lack of effort, but by a lack of access. As a result, I founded Breaking Barriers, an initiative focused on recruiting bilingual volunteers to instruct English lessons to low-income Spanish speaking immigrants. The project strives to break not only societal barriers, but also emotional ones through making English classes feel empowering, not intimidating. Breaking Barriers has become a space where each class is more than learning words- it's a moment where culture is exchanged, stories are told, and confidence grows. At the same time, I found my own sense of stability in math. After moving between countries, where languages and systems constantly changed, math remained consistent. No matter the method or language, the logic behind the numbers on the page stayed the same. This reliability drew me deeper into the subject, eventually leading me to be selected by my math teacher for an exclusive program at the University of Miami (UM), which allowed me to take an abstract algebra course there. The class opened doors to a new way to view math- one in which math was not just about answers, but about creativity, structure, and problem-solving. I was naturally led towards engineering. However, stepping into engineering spaces revealed another kind of barrier. At an internship orientation, I walked into a room full of boys and was immediately questioned about whether I had "walked into the correct room." Instead of stepping back, I chose to step forward. I worked harder than any of my peers to prove, not just to others but to myself, that my place in engineering was earned through my capability, not defined by my gender. This experience pushed me to become Vice President of both the Women of Tomorrow club and my school’s Engineering Club, where I actively support and encourage other young women navigating similar spaces. Through Women of Tomorrow, I have organized speaker events, coordinated university visits, and led service initiatives like a toiletry drive for women at the Lotus House. Each effort has been rooted in the same goal: expanding access and empowering others to see possibilities for themselves. With an engineering degree, I want to continue building solutions that address real barriers—whether they are structural or social. I am particularly interested in designing systems and infrastructure that improve access to resources in underserved communities, much like how Breaking Barriers improves access to opportunity through language. Engineering, to me, is not just about constructing systems, but about constructing equity. The same mindset that led me to translate for my family and create a community initiative will guide my future work. I want to design with intention, lead with empathy, and ensure that the solutions I build open doors for others—especially for women who are still being told they don’t belong.