My Grandmother has always been a huge inspiration and the reason I became enamored with architecture even before I knew what architecture was. She raised me and when I was 10 years old she built a dollhouse for me, by hand, from an article in a Better Homes & Gardens-type magazine that laid out an entire DIY project, complete with dimensions, plans, and details. I remember being in awe of her artistic talents, creating miniature moldings and trim from old cardboard scraps and beautiful room details from old wallpaper sample books. Besides being incredibly crafty, my grandmother was a seamstress, caregiver and worked in social service. It is by no coincidence that my employment background includes youth mentor, community outreach associate, foster parent, and nursing assistant. Each of these jobs expanded my perspective of different concerns and comforts in diverse communities. With that, I began studying architecture in 1998, but the call to be so much for many others took priority. It was my inherent nature to help others [as my grandmother did] that halted my education. I relocated to work for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Minnesota. But always thinking back to that dollhouse, my interest in architecture weaved its way into random discussions with physical therapists and other staff about their experiences in well-planned [and not-so-organized] spaces in different VA hospital locations. It was during this time that my grandmother suffered a stroke, and I stayed close to her as she recovered. Sadly, things did not improve. As reality set in as to what was happening, my grandmother and I talked and talked, cherishing every moment. In those talks she spoke about life and what it is to truly live in one’s purpose. She held my hand and told me that it’s time to live life in my purpose. She went on to tell me that I should consider going back to school. Shortly after that conversation, my grandmother relocated to heaven. About 5 months later in 2017, I was transferred to Chicago which changed the trajectory of everything for me. Then the opportunity to refocus on my education presented itself. The overnight shift at the Chicago VA left my days wide open, so I weighed the options to restart my college path; enroll in an architecture program in Chicago [where a good number of my credits did not transfer], consequently requiring me to start over from scratch or return to Wisconsin where I had only 6 studio courses remaining to graduate. The latter option was a faster track to completion, but it was not without sacrifice. After returning to the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, I finally felt aligned with my purpose. However, living and working nights at the VA hospital in one state and attending University during the day in another was grueling. The time it took to travel by Amtrak between Chicago and Milwaukee was only about 2 hours each way, but it allowed me valuable moments to rest. I made that commute three times a week for the entire time it took to finish my bachelor’s degree. After graduating from UWM School of Architecture & Urban Planning - Class of 2020, I along with everyone else felt the effects of the state of the world. From zoom graduations to employment opportunities hanging in the balance, it was unknown how things would go during such an unpredictable time. Nevertheless, here I am. Finding fulfillment in life is the reward for working towards a purpose. My purpose is to serve through architecture. Who I am and everything I’m working towards; I attribute to my grandmother.

The dream version of my future self is a registered architect who aims to reach back to help others rise up and succeed as I am inspired by the freshness of a new day and the vibe of boundless possibilities, this version of myself is rooted in the ever-present inner child that is full of curiosity and innovative ideas. To live life as my dream self, will be to step into each day helping to create and grow in communities near and far, serving to provide spaces and design environments where people thrive, freely and consciously for the collective well-being.