Throughout my life, I have learned that hard work, leadership, and speaking up for others can make a difference. My interest in leadership began in middle school when I joined ASB and served as secretary and commissioner of community building. During that time, I advocated for changes that would improve student’s experiences, including better access to school facilities, improved honor roll certificates, and opportunities for graduating ASB members. I also presented a petition to Superintendent Jose Espinosa and spoke at a district board meeting. These experiences taught me that students have a voice and that speaking up can lead to positive changes. They gave me the confidence to share my ideas and inspired me to continue being involved in my school and community throughout high school.
Today, I am a sophomore working to maintain a 4.0 GPA while participating in girls flag football, softball, and basketball. Playing three sports has taught me discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Each sport challenges me in different ways, and I have learned that improving takes a willingness to keep going when things get difficult. Balancing schoolwork, tests, practices and games is not always easy, but I have learned to manage my time and stay committed to my responsibilities. My goal is to continue doing well academically while becoming a stronger athlete and teammate.
Community service is also an important part of who I am. I have completed 156 hours of volunteer service helping Sunset Pony league PONY baseball and IBCS PTA. Through these experiences, I have learned how important it is to give back and support the organizations that bring people together. This School year, I returned to Imperial Beach middle school, to help with seventh grade orientation. I am excited to be an example for younger students and show them that they can get involved, work hard, and make the most of their school experience. I will also participate in the I Wish I Would Have Known Day, which helps incoming eight graders prepare for high school. I want to share what I have learned so they can feel more confident about the transition and understand the opportunities available to them.
In addition to my school and community involvement, I participate in the David Alvarez Youth Legislative Program, where I am learning how government works and how public policies affect our communities. Through this program, I am developing a bill idea related to Proposition 98, which provides a minimum finding guarantee for California public schools and community colleges. I want to explore how schools can be more transparent and accountable for how education funding is used to meet students' needs. I believe students deserve access to the classroom resources, equipment, and learning environments that help them succeed. This program has allowed me to build the advocacy work I started in middle school and understand how students can have a voice in decisions that affect their education.
Looking ahead, I hope to attend a university such as UC San Diego, study human biology, and pursue a career in medicine. As a first generation college student, I would be proud to be the first in my family to attend college and take this important step toward my future. I know that reaching my goals will require hard work, dedication, and perseverance, and I am committed to making the most of every opportunity. I want to continue challenging myself academically while staying involved in athletics and community service. Receiving an ABFK sponsorship would help recover the cost of the athletic equipment I need for flag football, softball, and basketball. This support would make it easier for me to participate in the sports I love while continuing to focus on my grades, leadership, and future goals. I am grateful for opportunities that help student athletes succeed, and I would use this support to continue growing as a student, athlete, and leader as I prepare for college and future career in medicine.
My experiences have taught me that success is about more than personal achievements. It is also about helping others, standing up for what you believe in, and making the most of the opportunities you receive. Whether I am advocating for students, volunteering in my community, participating in the legislative program, or competing with my teammates, I want to keep learning and making a positive impact. With the support of ABFK, I hope to continue growing as a student, athlete, and leader while preparing for a future in medicine and finding new ways to give back to my community.