I applied and was accepted into the 2018 class of Youth Leadership Long Beach(YLLB). We are taught leadership skills and are presented to city officials and programs to get introduced into the systems of leadership in our own city. It was a 6 month program that culminated into our organization of RoboBowl, a middle school robotics competition. The following year, I remained with the program as a Youth Chair, one of the alumni organizers of the activities for the new class. The 2019 class shifted its focus onto sustainability, climate change, and environmental awareness. We participated in many volunteer opportunities improving the city many times throughout the program.

The following year, after 3 years of high school French, I applied and was accepted into a month-long intensive study abroad experience in Rennes, France. Traveling alone was once again an experience, but I felt more confident about it this time. We had classes every day for 3 hours in the morning and were released into the city to practice the skills learned that day and to explore. We came home to our host families at the end of the day. It was amazing to get to experience what life might be like outside of the United States, and really expanded my world view and what governments and its citizens are capable of. Along with improving my French.

Starting water polo in my freshman year of high school, I learned quickly the importance of work ethic and dedication. It was difficult balancing school and sports, but it was an important part of my preparation for future endeavors, such as my job and college. Being goalie for my team, I held a lot of responsibility. It was important that I kept a positive attitude along with maintaining a positive environment in the pool. Water polo was so hard, that I am honestly not afraid of any commitment anymore.

When water polo season had finished, I immediately switched over to lacrosse. The sport had only been introduced in my school officially during my junior year in high school. But the two years I was with the team, showed me some of the challenges that come with newly created/established programs. The experience introduced me into how white-dominated the sport actually is, and how important POC participation in the sport could changed the sport for the better.