Everyone’s reality is different. Our belief systems and influences are all due to the environment we grow in. A prime source of this can be culture. Our culture has an immense impact on the way we live. For me, it has allowed me to not only understand the true meaning of respecting others but also appreciate the idea of community and my own identity. Growing up as a Muslim, it was clear my lifestyle was different from others. Many of my friends enjoyed pork and alcohol as a part of their cuisine, while I had to choose my meats carefully. Similarly, as a hijabi, I must be careful in choosing what I wear. I looked different and felt different from the people in the room around me. Yet, this allowed me to understand people's perspectives and cultural norms. Furthermore, my parents taught me to value and respect other religions, cultures, and nationalities. Their own experience of growing up attending Christian schools and living in a non-Muslim community strengthened this base in our household. To feel respected, you have to first learn to respect others. By having this understanding, it gave me a profound perspective on life and how I connect with others. Community is where we belong, and it has been a big part of my life. I have learned that the best way to make connections is through community service. As a volunteer, this made me get involved in different health clinics, religious centers, and nonprofit organizations. However, my most significant turning point was my Girl Scout service project which helped me receive the Girl Scout Gold Award and the 2024 Mary Ann Cree Young Women of Distinction honor. Teaming up with ICNA Relief, my project, “Action for Acculturation,” helped incoming refugee families and teens cope with the shift in the culture and adjust to our local community. As a child of a first-generation immigrant family, this long journey impacted me. It not only helped me shape and influence my life but also touched the hearts of so many people. I have come to the understanding that by equipping ourselves with the proper knowledge and skills, we have the power to make a change in our community. As Aristotle once mentioned, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” Just like a sense of community, we develop our own sense of identity. No matter where I grow up, I know my roots will stick with me. It helped me create the foundations of my personality through my culture, history, and growth. Further, my immigrant parents' endless sacrifices to give me and my siblings the best have made me aware of who I am. It is with this awareness that my journey began, from speech therapy in kindergarten to becoming a speech and debate captain in high school. It is also with this same awareness that I became a published author who hopes to carry on her family’s legacy. It allows me to build my identity with everything that makes me feel seen. All in all, my experiences have shaped the reality of my life. Being a first-generation immigrant has taught me discipline and core values that no other experience will. From the small moments of understanding one's culture to appreciating the sense of community and exploring my own identity, I know that life is full of surprises. However, my roots will keep me grounded as I learn the lessons of life and all it has to offer.