Growing up, I was always unsure of myself. I hated overly girly things and would insist that I was a tom-boy to anyone I met. It was always a quick and hard correction, too. No one was allowed to see me as a girly girl. I know that's not a determining factor of gender identity, but for so long, it confused me as to why I hated being seen as a girl. I don't mind it nearly as much now, mostly because I enjoy being feminine. Being younger, though, was my biggest insecurity. I was never introduced to the idea of being transgender until sixth grade when I met someone else who felt the way I did, but they were so much more sure of their identity than I was. Even after I'd discovered the LGBTQ+ and all of the different labels, I was more confused than ever before. During this time, I also was at the height of my insecurity. For a long time, I'd just called myself a trans-man because that was the easiest label to identify as. During that, I'd often surf between different pronouns, identities, and everything. When I first came out to my mother, she was completely against the idea. It took her years to understand how I felt finally. Now, she's much more open-minded, especially now that I've identified as gender-fluid for so long. Her support has meant everything to me. She may not understand completely, but I know she'll always be in my corner, no matter what. Her certainty in me also gave me certainty in myself. I currently attend Simpson College, where my mother continues to support me. At times, I felt as if my identity would prevent me from moving up in my education. It often felt more like a burden than a part of my identity. People's first impressions of me would always be how I identify, my appearance, and my beliefs. What if this identity is what detoured colleges away from me? What would happen if I couldn't find work in the vet industry simply because of how I identify? Since I was young, I've dreamed of opening my own veterinary practice. I wouldn't let bigoted people stop me from working for what I've always dreamed of. I'm only halfway on my journey, but I can't wait to see what the future holds for me, even if it may be running into people who hate me for who I am. I want to be the doctor that everyone brings their furry friends to. I want to be a friendly face with which people can trust their pets' lives. I want all LGBTQ+ individuals to know that despite the hate, they can still do amazing things. If not for people, then to improve the world itself. We don't have to have everyone love us. We don't need complete recognition. We need equity in our society, and it starts with giving everyone a fair chance, regardless of identity. No one should feel as if they have less of an opportunity because of who they are.

My first time playing Minecraft was on the PlayStation 3. I'm unsure of how old I may have been then, but even after playing once, I'd fallen in love. Most of the time, my brother and I were in creative mode, looking up different structures to create, but when we'd play in Survival, we had different goals. I wouldn't say I always had a set way of playing Minecraft, but that's the point of the game. It was created as a breeding ground for creativity, an outlet. There is no specific way to play the game. Sure, there is technically an end to it, a story behind it, but you're not forced to follow it. That's why it's so popular. That's what I love about it. Minecraft is a game of freedom. It's an endless expansion of possibilities. Each world has a different layout, each world is randomly generated, and everyone has a different way of playing. Every time you log on, you're presented with endless choices. I always explore. I'll search for hours for the perfect spot, the perfect chunk of land to house myself. Exploring the world is easily my favorite thing about the game. You're not required to stay at the spawn. You're free. Freedom is something everyone craves. When you live in a world bound by deadlines and assignments like mine, the chance of freedom rarely arises. Not only that, I can't travel everywhere, not with the income I have. Traveling costs too much; I have responsibilities, no time, and no money. In Minecraft, I have it all. Of course, even in the game, there are struggles, such as mobs, resources, and falling off a cliff, but that also makes it exciting. It's a thrilling kind of struggle, a fight without the severe risks. For me, freedom will always be what I love about Minecraft. I'm free to mine, build, and slay mobs as I please.

Everyone's familiar with the stereotypical dog breeds that Hispanic families own. Dogs like pit bulls, chihuahuas, and any little, crusty, white dogs are usually the main ones. I'm certainly not beating these allegations as someone who has owned two of the breeds listed. But, these breeds also influenced me to begin my veterinary journey. When I was younger, so far back that I can hardly remember, my parents owned a pit bull. They'd had her for a few years already before I was born. My dad bought her for my mom, who then named her Patches. She was a good dog, the best, even. Whenever my brother and I were in the yard, front or back, she was by our sides. Although I don't have many memories of her, Patches was loyal, loving, and a gentle giant. After she'd passed away, her daughter, Midnight, took over guarding duties. No dog could ever replace another, but she protected our family as Patches did. Even after Patches and Midnight were gone, my family owned more dogs, most of which were pit bulls. So, growing up, I was naturally obsessed with the breed. As I grew with them, I began to notice the opposition they faced: abuse, neglect, dog fights, and even killings of pits. Some vet clinics even refused to see breeds underneath the "pit bull" description. Witnessing these atrocities against an animal that knows nothing but love and loyalty broke my heart. This sentiment began to apply to all animals. Why, as beings who are considered to be emotionally intelligent, do we harm and hurt animals who only know love? Why isn't there more people willing to save them? We, as humans, crave companionship. The same can be said for nearly all domestic animals and even wild. I decided to pursue veterinary medicine because of this. My main goal in this field is to provide for creatures who can't help themselves, have been subjected to abuse, and have been thrown away like objects, to give them what they need most: companionship. This idea particularly pertains to shelters. Giving strays a second chance at a home, providing dogs labeled as aggressive a safe environment, and helping new mothers save their babies. Shelters are overrun with pets. An overwhelming amount of strays flood into facilities at an alarming rate, and the ones injured or labeled aggressive are the first ones they weed out. Most don't ever consider livestock or large animals like horses. It's not the shelter's fault. To keep a stream flowing, you have to clear the dam, or it will get backed up. I want to help keep the waters steady. I want to provide sanctuary for scared, hurt, and ill animals. I've always known what I wanted to be since I was young. Patches, Midnight, and every pet I've ever met have influenced me. It's soul-crushing to see these magnificent animals harmed at the hands of those who are supposed to care for them. It's heart-shattering to see an animal, who's made for companionship, only know survival. I want to be the person who picks up strays off the side of the road. I want to be the person who shows them what love is. I want to be the person who shows them that they don't need to fight anymore. Every animal, dog, horse, cat, and even cow should know what it's like to have a family and a home.

Spider-Man has always been a special and deep rooted interest of mine. I've collected all kinds of merch, comics, and trinkets over the many years I've loved him. He's the first superhero I can vividly remember admiring and watching in theaters alongside my brothers and parents. I think I first connected with him because of how young he's usually depicted as. He's witty, snarky, and overall the least uptight superhero. The actor who embodies that childlike behavior with a deeper craving for justice the most is Andrew Garfield, in the sense of the Spider-Man being portrayed is Peter Parker. He's not a pushover like Tom Holland's and he's not as serious as Tobey Maguire's depiction. I do think all three versions have their own specific specialties, but Andrew Garfield manages to balance out everything in an effortless blend. You can also see how much Garfield loved his role as Peter Parker and how naturally he seemed to fit it. The movies themselves and the scripts show so much of Spider-Man not only as some big and widely known superhero, but as someone who truly does care for his community and his home. In the first movie we see how Peter goes through his newfound powers, through his grief, and we see exactly the reason he becomes Spider-Man. He's always hated bullies and stood up for those who couldn't help themselves, as seen in multiple scenes in the first movie. When there's a kid being bullied in the courtyard, Peter steps in, before he ever even gets his abilities. The Amazing Spider-Man movies are some of the most underrated even though they present Peter in such a deeper and realer manner. Another thing that's very apparent in these two movies is how Spider-Man acts with the villains. Tom Holland's, though having the coolest villains out of the three, have always felt dull in the character development side of things. He has no real story behind these villains beyond just the shallow and overdone subplot of actually knowing the villain but not actually knowing them. Tobey Maguire's villains are a little better in that aspect, with Doc Ock by far being the best villain in his trilogy. Even then, Andrew Garfield's villains take the cake with having the most emotion towards his villains. Similar to Doc Ock's storyline of his professor becoming his enemy, The Lizard does this extremely well. Peter is the one who practically makes his own enemy and only realizes that when its already too late. Andrew Garfield has witty banter back and forth between his foes that doesn't feel forced, which is something I've always enjoyed, and he genuinely tries to help them before he gives up on them. Its seen again in Electro's subplot as well. Max is a man who feels like a nobody in the world and its Spider-Man who manages to make him feel like a somebody. He attempts to talk Electro down, encourages him, and doesn't give up until he absolutely has to. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, we even see again how Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man has a moment with Max and genuinely talks with him. All three movies embody Peter Parker in a different way, but Andrew Garfield's does it perfectly. The other two trilogies will always hold a special place in my heart as some of my favorite movies to watch, but Andrew Garfield and the Amazing Spider-Man duology will always and forever be my favorite. Save of course for the Into the Spider-Verse movies and Shameik Moore as Miles Morales, but they're pretty tied up for first place.