As a transgender (and pansexual) individual from a low-income Afro-Latino community, I empathize deeply with the struggles faced by marginalized groups in finding safe spaces and acceptance. The courage and resilience of those who stood up against injustice during the Stonewall Riots to fight for that safe space in society which everyone deserves, inspires me to continue to advocate for change. I’m a part of several activities which advocate for change and create inclusive environments where people can freely express themselves without fear (which in general is needed for the LGBTQ+ community). In college, I plan to continue these types of activities. As the Senior Representative at Pace High School’s student council, I help organize events celebrating our school’s diverse community, from cultural assemblies to festivals noting our earth’s transitions. These gatherings not only honor our shared and individual identities, but also serve as a reminder of our responsibility to respect our environment (both our planet and community). In 2023 I created my own fundraising club at school, titled PACECORE. The club members crafted unique pieces (tote bags/button pins), advocating progressive ideas (such as Climate change awareness and LGBTQ+ inclusion), which we’d then sell at school-wide events. The money we raised was later donated to the following year's senior class (class of 2024). In my free time I volunteer at Montefiore’s HIV prevention center. There, I aid in their food pantry, providing nutrient-rich food distribution to Bronx Residence in New York, while also providing support to the LGBTQ community on HIV prevention awareness. Volunteering here I've witnessed the direct impact of collective service on the environment and the community in which I live. With my career aspirations in mind, I want to provide more exposure to the experiences minority communities may face and how it’s important to both fight for what's right and provide environments which harvest support for the underrepresented. I aspire to pursue a career in creative directing for a company that breaks free from conventional ideas defining mainstream media, and instead celebrates the diversity in both myself and those around me, especially as a Transgender, afro-latino teenager. Whether this be in the field of entertainment or community building , I'll continue to fight for what's right. I’ll get to that point by studying communications at Rutgers University, though since I'm from low-income, applying to these scholarships are important to be able to achieve success through such an accredited school.

A unique challenge I’ve been facing is learning how to accept my identity not only as an Afro-Latino student, but as an LGBTQ+ individual (specifically in the trans community). The struggle in finding myself and accepting my unique identity dates back to even when I was little. As I first started my major years in school, my father won the lottery for entrance into a New York charter school called Success Academy. Attending a charter school, the differences between me and those around me were more evident than ever. In elementary school, my tanned skin contrasted the lighter shades of my classmates as I sat with my hair out in an afro, simply listening to what the teacher was instructing. Often, other kids were tempted to pull on it, regularly questioning why I didn't brush it. I was very confused; I did brush my hair, a lot actually, but it wasn't flat and shiny like the kids around me. I liked my hair but didn't really pay much attention to it, so why did others? Still in a charter school system and entering middle school, I’d wear pants for our school uniforms, rather than skirts that were requested for girls to wear. Despite only having one pair of uniform pants and three skirts, those pants were used and reused. It didn't matter if I got paint or dirt on them; I was persistent in wearing them. Unfortunately, I already stood out in a lot of ways visually, wearing dirty clothes to school was out of the question. Having to wear skirts and uniform shirts made my heart sink, accentuating changes my body underwent with puberty, even throughout my high school years. I hated how clothes fit me, the feeling of my own skin. I didn't want to go outside like that, I didn't want to be seen like that, I’d even avoid my reflection in car windows (New York has a lot of cars-). As I aged, I noticed that my likes and interests contradicted that of others. My identity as a whole was constantly put under a microscope. Girls didn't want to socialize with me because I didn't like the things they liked. Boys didn't want to befriend me because it would mean they “liked me” and I was just too boyish; they’d be made fun of. The binary constraints of boy or girl, Black or Latino, began to paint the narrative of my life and I hated it. As I entered my later years in highschool, I began to use social media more heavily. On youtube and various platforms on the internet, I was exposed to new terms such as “trangender” “non-binary” and “LGBTQ”. I was so surprised yet relieved that other people in this world felt similar about their identities as I did with mine. In fact, I didn't even know there was a whole community of people (especially black people) dedicated to LGBTQ+ progressive change within America, especially for the trangender community. It shocked me because my history should not just be something mentioned once then skipped over for the rest of our lives especially in school, and it felt like throughout my life I haven't been exposed to any of this. I felt a responsibility to be more involved in my community and those around me. As a result I decided I'd change my ways and become more active with those around me. I joined my school's student government and during my 12th grade year, I am grateful to share that I earned the title of 12th grade representative. I was able to meet new people in my grade level and share the voices of those around me. I helped develop school-wide assemblies, creating events where people can showcase their unique identities (whether that be pride-themed events or cultural assemblies). At Montifiore’s HIV Prevention Center, I helped aid in the program’s food pantry, providing nutrient-rich food distribution to Bronx Residence of low income. I was able to meet different families and talk to people, opening my eyes to the different struggles those around me faced. At the center, I also was able to provide support referrals to the LGBTQ community on HIV prevention awareness. This was very important to me considering the misinformation the community around me had about HIV, and how prominently the AIDS crisis affected the LGBTQ community. Being involved in my community more not only opened my eyes to how diverse those around me are, but helped me learn to accept myself more and be okay with who I am. I want to help create safe spaces for marginalized or underrepresented groups, because I know that's something I struggled with growing up. This aligns with my carrer aspirations. I plan to study communications at a highly-reviewed university, attempting to be a creative director for media or entertainment industry. I will do so by going down the route of becoming a copywriter. While I'm still exploring who I am as a person, I've come a long way and I'm proud of myself.