Growing up as a first-generation Mexican-American student from a low-income household, I have always felt the weight of two cultures and the responsibility to bridge them. My parents came to the U.S. with nothing but dreams and grit, teaching me that resilience is not just about survival but about pushing forward despite obstacles. My father once dreamed of becoming an architect, but he sacrificed that aspiration so I could pursue mine. My passion begins not just in honoring his sacrifices but in building something greater for my family and community. From a young age, I translated Medicaid forms, filled out W-9s, and advocated for my family. These experiences instilled in me a deep commitment to service. In high school, I tutored students in Spanish, helping them excel and break down stereotypes. That passion led me to run for vice president of my Spanish Honor Society, where I organized Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations and supported families in need. I dedicated myself to strengthening my community. As president of Red Cross, I organized donation drives for veterans and the homeless. I became a regional translator and youth facilitator, ensuring language barriers did not prevent access to resources. I also joined my town’s environmental council to address social and environmental issues. Seeing how pollution disproportionately affects the Latinx community in Houston, I took action. I engaged Hispanic residents in climate advocacy, collaborated with councilwomen, and directed a short film on climate anxiety. My efforts led to an interview with Univision, where I raised awareness and inspired other youth. I want to establish a firm dedicated to designing sustainable, affordable spaces that uplift underserved communities. No family should feel trapped by their environment. The same young girl who once translated documents now dreams of creating spaces that create stability, opportunity, and belonging.

I vividly remember August 2017. The violent winds pounded the front door as we huddled in the living room, unsure if the next sound would be broken glass or a collapsed roof. Hurricane Harvey wasn’t just the first major natural disaster I experienced; it was a defining moment that reshaped my understanding of climate change. Watching my parents scramble to protect our home while neighbors were forced to abandon theirs opened my eyes to the inequities that natural disasters exacerbate. I realized these weren’t isolated events but part of a larger, pressing crisis that disproportionately impacts low-income and minority communities like my own. At twelve, I found my voice in climate activism, transforming fear and frustration into action. I began researching the causes and consequences of climate change, and it didn’t take long to notice a glaring gap. Youth voices were missing from the conversation, and I was determined to change that. In September 2020, I organized a citywide youth climate strike as part of the global Climate Strike Movement. Thousands of young people flooded Houston’s City Hall, drenched but undeterred. Signs replaced umbrellas as chants filled the air. I will never forget the energy of that moment: young Houstonians, united in purpose, demonstrating courage and resilience in the face of a future they refused to accept passively. As I stood at rally after rally, I began asking myself how I could turn this passion into a tangible, lasting impact. That’s when I discovered architecture to be the perfect blend of myself. As I researched more about Architecture and was selected to participate in Rice’s Architecture Summer Immersion, I knew that my path would allow me to focus on making a tangible impact toward sustainability.  My career goal is to establish a firm dedicated to creating sustainable, affordable, and disaster-resilient structures that meet the unique needs of underserved communities. My vision includes designing homes that withstand hurricanes and flooding, ensuring families don’t have to endure the trauma of losing everything to natural disasters. Additionally, I aim to incorporate renewable energy solutions like solar panels and water reclamation systems into designs, making these homes not only resilient but also eco-friendly. The same young girl who once felt helpless during Hurricane Harvey now dreams of leading efforts to build resilience in vulnerable communities. Through architecture, I hope to create not only safer spaces but also a brighter future where every family has the opportunity to thrive, no matter the challenges they face.

I learned about design from my father. Although he had no formal education in architecture, his self-taught knowledge from books and his work as an HVAC technician shaped my understanding of design. He emphasized the importance of small details, like strategically placing AC units to make technicians’ jobs easier. Our favorite pieces were normally from observing homes during trips, especially in Mexico. In ninth grade, I joined the environmental movement. My community faced frequent hurricanes, with the hardest-hit areas often being minority and low-income neighborhoods. Witnessing people lose their homes to these disasters made me want to take action. I attended climate rallies, joined organizations, and researched climate issues, uncovering how environmental injustice disproportionately affects the Latinx/Hispanic community. In Houston, for example, residential neighborhoods are often located near power plants and waste facilities, exposing residents to serious health risks. This fueled my commitment to change. I rose to leadership roles, becoming the general coordinator for a youth-led climate organization, founding a Climate Club at my school, and serving as secretary for my local youth environmental council. Through these experiences, I realized the profound impact of safe and inclusive spaces on communities. This connection inspired me to pursue architecture, blending it with real estate and business to create spaces that uplift and empower. I aim to design affordable, sustainable housing to address housing crises and provide innovative solutions for underserved neighborhoods. My passion for architecture is deeply tied to my dedication to community service. I see architecture as more than building structures; rather, it is about creating spaces where people can belong and thrive. As a first-generation college student, I want to prove that people like me, who grew up balancing responsibilities and translating forms, can lead and innovate. I’m pursuing architecture to honor my father’s dreams and to uplift others through my designs. I want to create spaces that tell stories, honor sacrifices, and inspire hope. Looking ahead, I plan to focus on sustainability and equitable design, particularly in low-income and minority communities vulnerable to environmental hazards. I aim to prioritize projects that provide safe, affordable housing and address challenges in high-pollution areas through green building practices and policy advocacy. My dream is to build a home for my father, fulfilling the visions we once shared. Ultimately, I aspire to run an inclusive, global firm that prioritizes sustainability and creates equitable, welcoming spaces for families, especially those from underserved communities. With each design, I hope to combine environmental practices with functionality, creating lasting spaces that reflect the stories of the people who call them home.

Environmental injustice disproportionately affects the Latinx/Hispanic community, especially in Houston, where power plants and waste facilities often exist near residential neighborhoods, putting many at serious health risks. Witnessing how pollution and a lack of representation harmed my community, I felt a deep responsibility to act. In January 2022, I joined Houston Youth Climate Strike, the only youth-led environmental organization in my area, and rose to the role of general coordinator. Leading as a young person in a movement largely dominated by individuals over 40 came with its own set of challenges. It was often difficult to have our voices heard or to be taken seriously by seasoned activists and policymakers. However, my team and I turned this into an opportunity to make our unique perspective known. I led initiatives focused on bringing awareness to issues important to me and not known to the movement. We collaborated with councilwomen to address the environmental problems, directed a short film that highlighted the realities of climate anxiety in minority communities & the impact of natural disasters in our area, and used creative approaches to engage residents. Our efforts drew the attention of Univision, where I was interviewed to raise awareness about climate action and inspire other youth to step into advocacy roles. I also organized protests against Chase Bank, the largest financier of fossil fuel projects. In January 2023, we demonstrated outside a Chase building in Houston, educating people passing by on the impact of fossil fuel projects on minority communities. By combining different efforts with media outreach, we successfully brought attention to these issues, gaining coverage across multiple news platforms and amplifying our message. Looking ahead, I plan to focus my career on sustainability and equitable design, particularly in low-income and minority communities that are most vulnerable to environmental hazards. I want to prioritize projects that ensure safe and affordable housing while addressing the challenges of living in high-pollution areas. This includes integrating green building practices and advocating for policies that protect residents from environmental injustices. Through architecture, I plan to create homes that are not only resilient to environmental risks but also create healthier living conditions and opportunities for the communities I serve. My experience as a young leader has taught me that even when faced with obstacles like skepticism or inexperience, persistence, and collaboration can lead to impactful change. I will work to design spaces that prioritize sustainability and equity, ensuring that underserved populations have access to safe, sustainable environments where they can thrive.