My Latina Heritage is something I am very proud of, and makes me feel immense joy when I tell people I come from such a beautiful, intelligent culture. I believe my Latina heritage has truly helped shape me into the strong resilient women I am today. Coming from a culture where family is everything, I was always surrounded by sharp, hardworking Latino men and women who raised me to be independent, clever, and confident. I never felt alone, or was faced with a problem I couldn't confide in one of my family members to. Having such a tight knit family who gave me unwavering support, especially towards my aspirations to attend college is priceless to me. Celebrating Cinco de Mayo, Día de Muertos, and dancing at lively latino festivals are all key parts of my childhood that created lasting memories that I will never forget. My younger years were filled with traditions that created an enduring connection to my roots. I was raised in a home filled with, culture, love, and the powerful values of community and perseverance. I am especially grateful for everything I have because when I seen my family struggled to provide for my siblings and I during rough patches they never gave up. During the pandemic, when my dad lost his job, he didn't let the defeat and hopelessness creep into the cracks of our home. Instead, he stayed hopeful and eventually found another path forward. Showing both my siblings and I that when we encounter hard times, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. That resilience lives in me now. This is the reason I am so passionate to attend college. It serves as a representation of a new beginning for me and a chance to build a life I always dreamed of creating for myself. Having the privilege of graduating from college and earning a business degree will help set up the course for the rest of my life. It will help lay the foundation of my future success. As a first generation Latina college student I know the road ahead will be hard, but i'm ready for the challenge. The taste of achieving my dreams and becoming a successful women in the field of business is worth fighting for. Not only can I be a representation for the Latin community but also to young women. Showing them that we too belong in leadership roles. I have a drive inside of me that my family helped ignite and I wont let it dim. Im excited to attend college, join clubs, connect with likeminded students, and make the most out of every opportunity. Being Latina is a privilege just like the opportunity to attend college. I plan to embrace what was given to me, and make the best out of it.