"Why am I different, why does the world hate me so much!?" I would cry in tears to my parents just at the age of ten. Growing up you would think as a child everything would be easy, calm, and fun where the last thing you have in mind is facing any difficulties. However, as a Latina, I grew up watching my parents fight for respect and equality. I would have to watch the tears and pain they have gone through, having to endure being treated as ignorant and would be belittled for being Latin. I never really understood why I saw them go through so much they waited until I was at a certain age to explain, that it was all due to being Latin. I cannot imagine how difficult it is for a parent to tell their child how much society can hate, for just being different. Conversely, I started to notice the disgust and hate many people have towards me for just being Latina, which made me doubt why is being a Latin person so repulsive, so abominable? As if for being Latina I was so detestable, that those who are Latin will always be despicable and revolting where we have no right to be a part of this society. Despite this, I wouldn't let that treatment get to me, nor bring me down. I fought just as my parents have, I learned that through education I can be victorious in finding that respect I ever so want. I know that I am not the first nor last latinx person who has received such horrible and despicable treatment. Nevertheless, I hope to change these actions towards the Latin community, I want to build foundations and charities that can help those Latin families in need. Start movements to change the perspective society has towards the Latin population. Prove that we are just as worthy as others to be a part of this world and that we are not a threat. I hope and dream of helping Latinx children that are growing up to not feel the hate and pain their ancestors have suffered. I know many from the Latin community feel dishonored and unappreciative for being Latin, for they are tired and unhappy with the treatment they receive. From seeing others suffer, I have learned that being united is the only way we can fight off these differences and hate. I have and will always be honored of being a Latina woman, of being born into a Latin family. Overall, I hope with my goals and career I help the Latin Community in its growth and prove to society that we are not weak, that we will not continue to receive the hate it intends to destroy us with. I hope and know that I will succeed in supporting the Latin Community and making a change so we can all live in peace and harmony.

My big furball baby Gordo! is what I call him! One morning, before heading to school my neighbor knocked on my door. She was planning on taking her newborn kittens to the shelter but wanted to ask us if we wanted any. My mother wanted to take two white kittens, but I had put up a fight. When I saw that small defenseless orange furball, I just knew he was going to be more than just a cat to me, he was going to be my baby. My big fat furball baby Gordo! Instagram handle: mariaquinones898

At the age of twelve, I was diagnosed with a life-changing skin condition. It was a terrible shock to me and my family. As a younger girl, I used to love wearing perfumes, creams, and even a little makeup. But one morning, I awoke, looked in a mirror, and saw a different person staring back at me. My skin was cracked and swollen. I was terrified I would look this way the rest of my life. After many doctor visits, I was finally told that I could never wear perfumes or creams with fragrance again because they were a huge factor in causing the negative reaction to my skin. So, I had to make a change in my daily life. Just when I thought the situation couldn’t get worse, it did. There were huge clumps of my hair falling from my scalp. This brought even more tears to my eyes. Morning after morning, I would wake up with a new bald spot on my head. Once more I had to question the doctor, “Why is this happening to me. Will it ever go away?” I was told that my hair was falling because of the stress my skin was causing me. They gave me many treatments for this, but it only made the situation worse. The doctors offered more intense treatments, but those treatments would only bring me more harm. On one end hand, my skin would be normal again, as would my hair, but on the other end, my liver could be harmed or I could end up blind. The lessons I have learned, and am still learning is life can take a huge a turn unexpectedly. I have learned to cope with my current situation, that maybe we might not know the solution to our problems, but we learn to live with them and move forward. To not let it stop you from growing, from becoming the best you can be. Facing the challenge is better than letting it take over you. We can control and defeat any obstacle thrown at us by life. The real question is, Are we willing to go through it? Will you give your all in overcoming it?