The air is filled with laughter, bachata music and tons of fried foods in my Dominican household. My parents immigrated from the Dominican Republic to the US 25 years ago, enamored with the concept of the American dream. My mom worked as a florist in Manhattan and my father at a clothing shop. They chose to live in the Bronx because it was their cheapest option. College was taken into consideration, but it wasn’t something they could afford with their income at that time. As I grew up, I began to understand why they thought college was a luxury, something only the richest people could afford. Despite difficulties that arise from being low-income, I knew I had the opportunity to turn my ambitions into achievements. I have a passion for learning and would love to utilize this passion in a way that will honor the sacrifices made for me. Additionally, I’d like to be a testimony for first generation students to show that hope prevails and coming from immigrant parents doesn’t limit their potential. Two major goals of mine is to open a women's only gym and an ethically sourced clothing brand. I plan to pursue a double major in business administration and marketing. I aim to create a safe environment where women can be themselves and empower each other. As someone who's experienced misogyny inside a gym several times, I strive to protect other women from facing the same thing. I want to transform my passion for fitness into an exciting and welcoming experience, where people look forward to their workouts instead of feeling intimidated or judged. I also intend on starting a sustainable clothing brand. My intentions are to raise awareness of the Earth’s state and to discourage fast fashion, especially amongst the youth.