In the 2024 my life changed a lot, and I wanted to share the moments that have shaped me in a lot of ways: 

 

My family: My mother and father passed away in October 2024, and it was a tragic and violent incident that left me and my older siblings without our mom. As awful as it was, it showed me just how much people care, and it really does take a village to heal and grieve. So many people reached out to help and donate to my mother's funeral, and it was the brightest light in our darkest time.  I will carry everyone's kind words with me forever, and this incident showed me that, even though things are difficult, I can do it and that I have the support and love of the people around me. 

​

College: IU faculty and everyone really supported me throughout the tragedy, and without any guidance, I truly would have been lost. I have met such wonderful people, and the resources are amazing. IU Caps has been a really big help, and as I spend more time being in college, I've learned so much about perseverance, staying focused, and how to better manage my time. 

​

​

While these big events don't define me or my future, they've helped me grow and understand what I want to do. Recently, I was inspired to make a map of how my experiences have been linked, and I've learned a lot about planned happenstance and even debated with myself about my life's direction. But the truth is, I can't plan every single detail that will occur. My path isn't a straight arrow; it's full of hills, curves, and even jagged edges. I've taken pride in exploring public health recently, even if it's just on the surface, by working with younger kids in the Latino community and meeting great people through my different jobs. I'm surrounded by people who want me to succeed, help me, and provide resources. I don't think I could have achieved this without the support of those around me and my own drive to try new things and experiences, and it feels rewarding to see myself evolve every year, or sometimes every month, based on my newest experiences.