I grew up in San Francisco and went to college at Sonoma State University. I graduated in 2020 with a major in American multicultural studies and a minor in sociology.

I am a self taught nail tech! I love trying new designs and hand drawing them all.

I studied abroad in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and volunteered at Zanethemba! Zanethemba is a safe haven for children under the age of six who have experienced neglect and/or abuse.

Growing up around violence, drug abuse, and poverty, I always thought I would end up like many in my family. And the staff at my school, who’d known my family, thought so, too. Their low expectations of me made me think less of myself, and even though I got good grades and enjoyed school, I didn’t view college as part of my future.

But then my first coach changed everything. Amy understood the challenges I faced at home and believed in my goals and dreams. She helped me to make space for myself.

With just one person believing in me, I was able to graduate high school with six scholarships—and graduate college debt-free. I want to be that coach for students like myself.

An important piece of advice that I definitely wish I’d taken during my undergraduate experience would be to get out there more.

I was so focused on needing to graduate that I lost focus on other important factors, like building relationships with peers.

I learned that you won’t have the most memorable experience if you lock yourself in your room or in study halls. Make the friends you need!