My journey to the United States began long before I was born. It began with my grandparents, who, at the age of 20, left Italy after World War II in search of a better life. Without knowing Spanish, they settled in Venezuela, and after years of hard work, they opened their first bakery, La Florencia. Eventually, my father expanded on their success, growing the family business and providing my grandparents with the last best years of their lives. However, Venezuela fell into a political and economic crisis, and my father was forced to close his businesses. As the situation in Venezuela worsened, my brother made the decision to move to the United States when he was 18 years old. For a year, he worked tirelessly to support our family, but the crisis reached a point where it was no longer sustainable. My father and I became a target for the local mafia in my town, and I had to sleep in a closet for 3 days. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, my brother brought my father and me to join him here, leaving behind our home, memories, and everything we knew to start over. That happened almost 5 years ago. I was 14 when I arrived, and it was during this transition that I realized the importance of helping my family. These events shaped my perspective on life, implanting in me a sense of urgency to not only help my family but to create lasting change. Growing up, my nana’s love for home improvement shows sparked my passion for construction, renovations, and design. Her constant viewing of programs from the Discovery Home & Health channel was my first exposure to architecture, and I soon found myself drawn to this field. During my senior year of high school, I enrolled in an architectural course to explore my interest further. During the course, my teacher introduced the class to architectural competitions, and I was determined to win. My dedication to architecture grew as I excelled in competitions, winning a Silver Medal in the SkillsUSA Georgia State Competition and first place in the AIA High School Design competition. These accomplishments confirmed my love for architecture and solidified my commitment to pursuing it as a career. As a non-traditional student, I continue to face challenges that no young person should ever have to endure. Growing up around violence in Venezuela, the language barriers and cultural shock as I adjusted to my new life in the United States, suffering financial vulnerability, and working 30+ hours a week while studying, to name a few. However, these experiences have shaped the person I am today: brave, resilient, a hard worker, and with a clear goal in mind. My future goals are rooted not only in my personal aspirations but also in my desire to make an impact on my community. I am determined to create an architecture firm that contributes to the growth and prosperity of others. I also hope to give back to the arts community that made my creativity blossom, the Hudgens Center for the Arts, which played a significant role in shaping me as an artist. I envision creating a similar center, one that allows individuals to discover their artistic potential without the burden of expensive fees, fostering creativity and self-expression in my community. I am committed to using my skills to create financial stability for my family and contribute to the artistic and architectural communities. This scholarship will allow me to continue my education and pursue my dreams, building a better future not just for myself, but for those around me.