I was raised in Rancho Cucamonga, California, before and during the gentrification. I grew up in a humble household where my mom stayed home to take care of my brother and me. Meanwhile my dad worked as a construction worker. Due to his long hours, I would only get to see him for a few hours before bed. I always noticed how difficult it was for both of my parents to provide and manage the household while simultaneously raising two highly energetic children in a country where they had limited resources and very little form of communication due to language barriers.

As a descendent of two parents that migrated from Mexico in hopes of pursuing the American Dream, I promised myself at a young age that I would not let their struggle be in vain. I was determined, regardless of the obstacles that would lie ahead of me.

By the age of 11, I had already dealt with a lifetime of pain and trauma that I could not bring myself to speak up about. Being raised in a more conservative household that was deeply embedded in cultural norms made it difficult to seek mental health resources. Nonetheless, the lack of exposure and knowledge and not having the funds to receive any form of therapy made me feel less of a desire to place such a burden on my parents. So, as I dealt with my scars, I learned to find peace and strength through self-medicated therapies–art, soccer, and nature. In addition, I found my pillars to lean on, my Abuelita and my brother, who taught me how to stand on my own two feet with grace and confidence.

As a young adult in 2020, I graduated from the University of California, Riverside shortly after the passing of one of my pillars–my Abuelita. Although my graduation didn’t go as planned by any means possible, I found comfort knowing that I didn’t do it alone. It was an accomplishment that belonged to my family, especially my grandma. They continue to be my inspirations and my Abuelita’s passing became an even bigger driving force for me to make her proud. I have now chosen to further my education in hopes to bring mental health resources to underserved communities.

Currently, I seek to make my dream a reality while I work as a Registered Behavioral Technician and a co-founder of Beyond Excellence. I plan to do so by providing my assistance to the families that I work with and by continuous learning in hopes of bringing awareness to the resources that are currently available for low-income and underserved communities.

Through these experiences, I have learned how simple happiness can be and that everyone’s story is a source of strength.

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Advice to younger self:

• • Don’t let your past define you, instead use it to guide you in the right direction.

• • Be present in every moment throughout life because the smallest moments disguise the biggest present–happiness.

• • Remember that love truly conquers all; when there is love at the core of what you do, it will radiate outward and continue to inspire those around you.