One phrase I take to heart is “yo soy porque nosotros somos” / “I am because we are,” not only because it rolls off my Peruvian tongue, but because of its ability to ground me in the face of adversity. Growing up in a family of first-generation immigrants, I watched my parents sacrifice their own comfort to ensure my brother and I had opportunities they never did. Their resilience fueled my ambition, shaping my goal of becoming an environmental engineer dedicated to uplifting marginalized communities. My passion for environmental advocacy was ignited by a personal experience that revealed the urgent need for transparency in environmental science. As a child, my family received notice that our soil was being tested for contaminants from a nearby Radium Girls Factory site. While our soil was disturbed and construction soon followed, we never received the test results. The unanswered questions about our safety left me feeling powerless, yet determined to ensure that no community would have to endure that same silence. This experience became my call to action: to bridge the gap between science and the communities it serves. I have actively pursued this mission throughout high school. At the Essex County Environmental Center, I have worked to provide accessible environmental education to local youth. By organizing workshops on climate change, biodiversity, and conservation, I strive to make complex environmental concepts approachable and engaging. I also coordinated hands-on activities like gardening projects and nature walks, helping students build a tangible connection to their environment. Seeing younger students grow curious and passionate about environmental stewardship has shown me the power of education in sparking change. My dedication to environmental action has also shaped my leadership on the soccer field. As captain of my school’s girls' soccer team, I have learned how to foster teamwork and resilience. Whether organizing team-building events, addressing budget concerns, or advocating for equitable field access, I have used my voice to ensure our team thrives. These experiences have taught me that meaningful change stems from consistent effort, strong communication, and unwavering dedication to community well-being. Looking ahead, I intend to channel these values into my career as an environmental engineer. I aspire to design solutions that mitigate environmental harm while prioritizing the needs of marginalized communities. From developing sustainable infrastructure that reduces pollution to creating accessible clean water systems, I want my work to reflect a commitment to equity and environmental justice. Furthermore, I aim to ensure that my work centers community voices by creating resources that explain scientific data in accessible ways. I believe that empowering communities with knowledge is critical in fostering lasting environmental change. Becoming a first-generation college student represents more than just fulfilling my family’s dream; it signifies my commitment to transforming adversity into opportunity. By blending technical innovation with inclusive communication, I aim to build a future where marginalized communities no longer bear the brunt of environmental harm. Just as my family’s unity carried us through hardship, I know that collaboration and compassion will guide my path forward as I work to create a more sustainable and just world.

Being a first-generation college student carries the weight of my family's hopes and sacrifices. My parents immigrated from Peru in 2007 with little more than resilience and the determination to build a better life for my brother and me. Growing up, I witnessed their unwavering dedication—my father taking on double shifts, my mother piecing together multiple jobs—all to ensure my education remained a priority. Their hard work has instilled within me an immense sense of responsibility: to succeed not just for myself, but for my family and community as well. One of the most defining extracurricular experiences that has shaped me is my involvement with the Essex County Environmental Center. Motivated by my family's experience with contamination testing in our neighborhood, I joined the center to deepen my understanding of environmental issues and advocate for cleaner, safer communities. As a volunteer, I led hands-on workshops that introduced young students to sustainability practices, including composting and native plant gardening. Seeing students connect the dots between environmental science and their everyday lives was empowering. It reminded me that education is not just about learning facts but about inspiring curiosity and giving others the tools to take action. This experience solidified my desire to pursue Environmental Engineering as a way to merge my technical skills with my commitment to social justice. My leadership as the captain of my high school’s girls' soccer team has also shaped my growth. As captain, I took on the responsibility of not only motivating my teammates on the field but also fostering a supportive community off the field. Facing budget cuts and gendered conflicts within our athletic program, I organized fundraising events and initiated team bonding activities, such as weekly group lunches and off-season scrimmages. These efforts helped maintain team morale and ensured that we could continue participating in tournaments despite financial constraints. From this role, I learned the power of persistence, creative problem-solving, and the importance of uplifting those around me. Another experience that deeply impacted me was my involvement with Big Brother Big Sister. As a mentor, I worked with middle school students, many of whom faced academic challenges or lacked consistent support systems. Inspired by my own experiences navigating school without older role models, I took pride in helping my mentees develop their confidence and academic skills. Seeing them grow more comfortable speaking up in class or mastering a challenging math concept was incredibly rewarding. Recognizing the power of mentorship, I later created UnsungSTEM, a nonprofit dedicated to introducing underrepresented students to STEM fields through mentorship and hands-on learning experiences. Whether teaching a lesson on marine biology or guiding students through a butterfly garden visit, I aimed to ignite their curiosity and show them that STEM is not just a distant field but something they can see themselves thriving in. Each of these experiences has shaped me into someone who values perseverance, leadership, and the power of community. Being a first-generation student means carrying my family’s sacrifices with pride and turning them into motivation to create opportunities for others. From environmental advocacy to mentoring young students, I have learned that the greatest impact comes from fostering meaningful connections and empowering others to realize their potential. As I look ahead to college and my career, I remain committed to these values, working to build a more inclusive and equitable future where no student feels limited by their background or circumstances.

One phrase I take to heart is “yo soy porque nosotros somos” / “I am because we are”, not only because it rolls off my Peruvian tongue, but because of its ability to ground me in the face of adversity. Growing up on the same street as my uncles, aunts, and cousins meant there was always a story to accompany a warm meal. The adults in the family, for reasons of their own, invoked the nostalgia of multi-colored fishing boats, mountains stretching beyond the horizon, and the thrill of my grandmother bringing home fish stew. Our roots trace back to Chimbote, Peru, where relying on the land and sea meant invariable lifestyles. My aunts and uncles were candy sellers, farmhands, fisherman assistants, and laborers. Those opportunities were bridged by connections, trust, and faith in one another. Sitting at the end of the table felt shameful; to reap the benefits of their uncalculated risk to leave Peru felt unfair. However, it was in the storytelling that my family instilled within me a deep sense of duty. Etched in their hearts are the names of their friends, colleagues, and neighbors left behind; they were reminders that the well-being of our community means the well-being of ourselves. This sense of duty has guided me for the past three years of high school. It is my motivation to improve the environment around me, and environments I have yet to step foot in. Two environments that I know all too well are the volunteer center and the soccer field. As captain of the girl’s soccer team, I take on the responsibilities of strengthening the community fabric through fundraising planning, management of team socials, and the task of uplifting my teammates. My team is, essentially, another family and I take responsibility for keeping the girls together through coordinated group lunches and outside scrimmages. I keep the team united as one and ensure that no girl feels left behind. Off the field, I take immense pride in the Big Brother, Big Sister program in my city. Being able to provide after-school care and educational enrichment to children challenges me with on-the-spot thinking and problem-solving. One day, I am teaching about Marie Curie and her discovery of radioactive isotopes. Another day, we are exploring the regional watershed system and its Indigenous roots. It is a mixture of ensuring they are prepared for their upcoming high school curriculum and their curious natures are nurtured. I dedicate my time towards these programs because of my families risk. I can build a community that is as strong as ours to make everyone feel united.

One phrase I take to heart is, “necesitas ser mejor que you (You need to be better than me).” These words have stuck with me throughout all my life. This phrase was told to me by my mother. When I was little my mother would tell stories about her childhood. Stories that helped me realize how much she has already achieved. She grew up in a poor village in Peru with her 5 other siblings. In a single floor house with 3 rooms. The older kids would go in one room while the other room was filled with her, her mother, and her other two younger siblings. The father was barely even there, wasting money on beer. Each one of the kids would witness their father abusing their mother. Her mother did not really have any money, so they could not leave. On some days they would wear clothes for more than 4 days straight. The siblings older than 12 were sent to sell spices or candy. The younger siblings would stay home with the mother, hungry, waiting for their siblings to come back. If there was no money made that day; they would rely on sucking the eye of a fish for nutrients. Two pairs of shoes cycled throughout the family. The stories continued from her preteen until she migrated to the US. Hearing these stories broke me as a little kid, even hurts now. My mother would cry only at night when my siblings and I were fast asleep. She did not realize I heard it every single time. This made me realize at the age of 4 that she does not have to go through this, any longer. I do anything to see her smile. I compete and pursue things with a crowd at a young age; knowing she would be in the crowd smiling and cheering me on. Having one of the brightest smiles when seeing me win. I plan to make her proud with my grades and my future path now. Dedicated to achieving and improving in anything I need to. I plan to graduate college with a job that can help me maintain my family but also give back to my community. Not only to help my mother but also to help children with the same stories as her to get an opportunity she never had. An opportunity I know they will take full advantage of.

To prove them wrong. To prove to them I was worth something, to begin with. I know, I shouldn't be the one to see my family as villains. The way I grew up is not the same as any of my friends. I don't go to my mother when I am hurt. I don't tell my mother my problems. I don't expect her to care about what I think. I was mentally abused by one of her. My mother would make me sit at the dinner table writing out my multiplication table. I would write non-stop, starting from the morning to the night. If I were to get one number off, I would redo the whole page. Another thing she would make me do is write my name over and over. Each time my mother disciplined and screamed at me telling me "You have to be better than I ever was". I know I had to do better for her and my brother. I hid my tears just so my brother wouldn't think I was weak. This led on through my whole middle school year. I worked as hard as I could to maintain my grades. If I were to come home with a B grade then I would be told that I was a "Disappointment" and that "I can't do anything right". My brother comforted me every single time he would find me crying, crying over not meeting my mother's expectations. My mother goes easy on my brother, not making him study or write till his hand cramps. She got lazy once I had reached Freshman year. Making my brother lack the skills he needs. The only thing now is I hold myself to the expectations. A minor fail like receiving a 90 or an 87 triggers me. My mind floods with the idea that I won't ever make her happy. Every night I look at the notebooks remembering the nights, trembling from the fear of hearing her screams. I graze my hand over the water splotches on the page, tears that dripped down my face. I hate the fact that she is still in my mind, for every test, for every state exam. The thought that "I am supposed to be her hope". I plan to go to college, I plan to pay off everything, without needing her at all. I strive to be better than her in every way. I plan to teach my brother the skills he needs but not in the way she did. I am not going to put him in the same position as my mother did me.