It was never an option for me not to go to school. Despite financial struggles, my parents never stopped supporting me and my dreams. This encouragement pushed me to continue moving towards achieving my goals. Starting at a young age, reading has always been a passion of mine. I would gloss over fashion magazines, poetry, and fiction novels. I knew that writing, now my favorite pastime, stemmed from this love of reading. After writing for my blog and for my high school newspaper, I knew I wanted to become a journalist.
“Applying for colleges and scholarships took a lot of courage…”
While I could not attend my dream school, Columbia University, this did not hold me back from my aspirations of being in New York City. Applying for colleges and scholarships took a lot of courage, because I knew that my parents couldn’t afford to pay for school — let alone the flights I would need to take to come home. But thanks to the Gilbert and Jacki Foundation, I am able to pursue my goals at St. John’s University, going on my third year in Queens, NY. I want to be able to make an impact on others by relaying information as a journalist and a writer, whether that be in fashion, lifestyle, news, opinion, or even through my own personal stories.
I have accomplished many of my goals so far, such as being a teacher, leader, features editor for my school newspaper, a young entrepreneur starting my own small fashion line, a blogger, president of my school’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity — and that’s just to name a few.
I have become a more independent woman by living in the bustling city of New York. Everything I have done since moving to the city that never sleeps — such as networking, interning at a PR firm, and volunteering — has challenged me to let go of my insecurities of who I am and become more engaged with those around me.
“I hope to be a role model for young girls to look up to, reminding them to not be discouraged and to always follow their dreams, even if it means taking baby steps like I did.”
I aim to help other young adults such as myself, and I hope to grow in the journalism field, possibly becoming the editor-in-chief of a major fashion publication or a CEO of my own business. We need a lot more Latina women who are leaders in our country and I plan to be one. As I challenge myself to achieve these things, my family has been supportive and proud. I hope to be a role model for young girls to look up to, reminding them to not get discouraged and to always follow their dreams, even if it means taking baby steps like I did.
Never give up on your goals, and just fight against naysayers until you are where you want to be. Even if obstacles stand in your way, I know that life can change if you work hard and stick to what you believe in.
