Revolutionary, irrevocable change, and never-ending avenues. As a child learning how previous actions are similar to the modern world led me down a never-ending rabbit hole of curiosities. Perhaps technological advancements, new coming research, or developments in society mean nothing if, as a society, citizens fall down a similar path of failure. Nevertheless, the famous juxtaposition of “ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” by John F. Kennedy satisfied a majority of my curiosities. I often think about those who are elected to power, citizens who are responsible for voting, and the duty of the common folk to uphold national standards - with consideration, I wonder what would happen if these individuals don't uphold their duties. As I would consider myself to be an independent, rather revolutionary, and open-minded individual, I do not want to rely on others to make the change I want to see. If I am being completely honest, in person, I have been told I am intimidating and the type of person to make a room stop and listen to what I have to say. However, internally I am rather introverted, I critically think about the smallest issues, and I find that politics is one of the many ways to a just society. I find that the right person in power, the kind that considers all citizens, willingness to be open-minded, and understands the importance of interacting numerous perspectives into a single decision could allow for a greater society through policymaking. Throughout high school, I have been a part of a three-year cohort program that focuses on healthcare, cultural competency, and principle ethics. Although my interest lay in politics, having an educational journey that focuses on philosophy and healthcare has allowed me to understand politics from a unique perspective. My persistence to strive to achieve a form of governance that has a basis of honesty, nonmaleficence and justice has been shown in my desire to learn more about the American government and how I can make a change in the future. Which is why, in college, I will further my interests and explore the depths of utilitarianism and consider the multitude of answers to the question, what is the right thing to do? I find myself to be a revolutionary individual, I often observe the world around me, take notes, and philosophize on the numerous ways I can improve the world. I could take you down a rabbit hole of my ideas, but I couldn't break my ideas down in the word count. In short, I find that my unique ideas, passions, and motivation will allow me to achieve my goals and create change. All of which would be possible through my journey of learning more about political science. A broad term, political science, however, covers political theory, political analysis, government, and the key to unlocking a just society. After college, and once my knowledge of political science is complete, I have a few goals on my life timeline that I could like to achieve. I would like to be a lawyer for medical malpractice or civil rights, a lobbyist for healthcare policies, or perhaps I will run for congress, we will see. Whichever path life takes me down, I know one thing for certain, with knowledge comes power and I intend to use all of it.

Encompassing the importance of slowing down, taking a break, and appreciating what one has worked for without over dreaming. Vienna by Billy Joel starts with a message to slow down and ends with old age is waiting for you. For the context of the song, Vienna stands for old age. Inevitably old age awaits, and no matter how far we think we get in life, how many accomplishments we have, or if we desire a life filled with extreme goals - one can always expect to be greeted with old age. Although I grew up in a family that values hard work and dedication, I never thought that my desire to be the hardest worker or achieve all of my goals would burn me out into a deep rut of exhaustion. The moment I arrived home from school I pulled out my planner and time blocked the next eight hours to complete my work. As I will be the first to attend college in my family, I had to prepare myself more than my peers. From college research, planning my major, and setting a schedule to pay for college - I forgot that Vienna waits for me and I could take a step back to enjoy my high school experience and make new friends along the way. It wasn't until the few times I volunteered in a senior home memory care facility that loss of memory feared me. While I spoke with a lady about her life, she often paused, thought, and turned to me to say "I don't remember." Countless I don't remember's reminded me of Vienna, a story about slowing down and enjoying life.

I left my footsteps in San Francisco, through the streets of Union Square to the roads of Everglade street. I sat in the busses of local transportation and held my parent's hands as they walked me to school. With manageable weather, long walks up steep hills were no issue. Once I moved to Roseville, notorious for the 100-degree summers, my mother's fear of driving long distances made getting to school and entertainment facilities an issue. I spent the majority of my summers and afternoons inside or hitching rides from my friends' parents. Part of me was embarrassed that I had to get these rides or walk through my neighborhood with bags of groceries while cars passed us by. It wasn't until my junior year that I saw an advertisement for a youth position in the Roseville City Transportation Commission. I signed up to interview almost immediately as the feeling of exhaustion from walking in Roseville heat, having a difficult time finding a ride, or having an affordable manner of transportation were issues that I know many others suffer from in my area. Once I received my email of acceptance as the Youth Commissioner and received my first official meeting documents and I researched common issues civilians find in Roseville transportation, brainstormed a number of ways in which transportation can be advertised to members of the Roseville community, and I brought up issues of safety that I believed would be a concern of many parents whose youth would be utilizing public transportation. In this commission we also focused on the sustainability of public transportation as we moved to electric buses, and by creating routes that accommodate each area in Roseville and surrounding cities we found that we can reach a greater number of civilians utilizing public transportation, thus reducing the exhaustion of traffic in the area. I find that in my contribution to the transportation commission I am not only serving my fellow citizens in Roseville but especially families like my own who come from areas that utilize walking or public buses as means of transportation.

Marissa Elizabeth Laucirica is my full name, however, I most identify with Marissa as it is my own. I often l find that the concept of names is a somewhat interesting concept, you see, I find that the fact that we have no contribution to naming ourselves is unfair. Many grow up with nicknames or identify with their middle names, or even change their names as they get old enough. I find that Marissa represents me perfecting, coming from both a Hispanic and Caucasion background, my name can be pronounced perfectly in both Spanish and English. I find that in the community of my peers I am never culturally accepted amongst my Hispanic friends, feeling as though I used the wrong words when speaking in Spanish with them, or I don't dress the way they do, with my other friends I tend to listen to their music, go with their food suggestions, and am often reluctant to bring up my Nicaraguan traditions, my favorite being Purísima's held at my tías every August. Alas, I find my name encapseles my identity, I have heard it pronounced a number of ways, and although I find that it isn't the most difficult name to pronounce, each way brings its own story. I should mention that my name, contrary to those who do not identify with their names, is a perfect representation of me. If I broke it down, I could tell you that the M represents modest, I feel that the progression I have made in myself, mentally and academically is the most challenging, I remind myself that though I feel accomplished, I must be humble and proud. A would-be aloud, hear me out, I find myself wanting to share out, whether it be a new idea for Journalism, a newfound hobby, or a fun fact I feel everyone should know, I like to say that for the most part, I am pretty vocal with my thoughts, within reason of course. R I associate with a roar, I am fierce and l strong, for the most part at least. I am intelligent, I am smart and capable, and I have worked to educate myself beyond what I am taught in school, I value knowledge, and for what it's worth I hope to always be in a school setting, whether that be teaching or being taught, experience and knowledge can never be undermined. The two S's would be my ability to stand out, there's a saying that goes something along the lines of "to be irreplaceable one must be different," well here I stand, I come from my own unique background filled with the good, the bad, and the ugly. I am, however, my own person, I value myself for my ability to empathize with others, I understand that I come from a different place than others, and I like to think that I would be the human figure of the melting pot of all cultures analogy as I appreciate when my friends and peers share with me with traditional food and traditions. With this, if I had to describe myself in one word it would be my name, Marissa.

Although it may seem cliche, I hope to one day beat the statistics against me. As a young multiracial female, the idea that only 6.9% of Hispanic lawyers in the United States are available to represent around 60 million Hispanic individuals, makes me wonder how this is completely unfair. So, I suppose it my dream goal is to be successful, to me, being successful means that I could represent an entire population who deserves to have their voice heard. To me, success means that although it will take me years to attain my degree, representing makes it worth it.

As I stood before a full courtroom filled with former judges, attorneys, students, and parents at my Mock Trial competition I had the security of knowing that the months' worth of practices and analysis of the People Vs. Cobey case had prepared me for the completion. Before the judge, I asked permission to approach the stand, and I brought the deposition of Sheriff Toni Garrett and my examination printed out. As I walked to the stand I reminded myself that I had never been one to be nervous to speak before a crowd, after all, it was my specialty. This reminder, at the moment, meant nothing to me as I figured that a potential failure of performing a perfect examination would result in a feeling of disappointment in myself. How could I be the best possible lawyer if I fail to cross-examine this character to perfection? Nevertheless, I placed my papers on the stand, took a deep breath, lowered my shoulders, and began. Towards the middle of the examination the character, Toni Garret, failed to testify the correct information that was documented in the deposition. I then proceeded to impeach her and concluded by asking “where are you lying in your deposition now,” silence broke within the room, “I’ll move on then” I concluded. After I completed my examination I felt an overwhelming sensation of happiness as I had successfully proved my fear of being a horrible cross-examiner wrong. I sat down next to my team and they were in complete awe of my examination, and later my entire team celebrated with me in the private room. After the competition, I drove myself home and promised myself to never doubt my abilities as there will always be a part of me that can perform a memorable examination.