We are told from a young age that "the youth are the leaders of the new world." But despite this, the complete opposite continues to be displayed. As we are often told that the youth aren't capable of handling the troubles of the world and that they're too lazy to figure out anything. I realized from a young age that our voices were shut down by our peers, society, and our education system. Our educational system is supposed to foster and lead our students to become great leaders and be change-makers. But it just dims students' light down with each education year. As each of us continues to be educated in a broken education system.

Education inequality is the social change issue that I am most passionate about. As I want to be an educator/change-maker that acts as a support and guide for students of color. I want to be the leader/mentor I never had and give students a chance to realize how powerful they are and bring truth to the so told saying we are told but not given a chance to act on. Working alongside the youth these past three years, I've realized just how powerful they are, how passionate they are about social change, and how motivated they are if they have the correct guidance and encouragement. "We are the ones we've been waiting for" and this is a saying I continue to teach my students. As it is a quote of resiliency that they are powerful and that they should not wait around for anyone or even for adulthood to make a difference in the world.

I teach my students about social change and advocacy. Throughout every project, they spread awareness and power to their community. This I know is certain, youth are powerful change-makers.

We tend to group with people who are just like us; who look like us, that believe what we've been taught to believe, and that have generally been through the same experiences we've been through. It's the way the world has worked throughout centuries. Although, these beliefs have been the darkness of the world. As it has kept people divided and has made people fear those who look different or come from different backgrounds. Differences are our greatest strengths but have been out to be seen as things we should fear. It's difficult to become friends with different groups of people because it hasn't been in our nature.

For a time, I believed, that I would never have such a tight group of friendships. Let alone such a diverse group of friends that not only look different than I do, but they've also been thought different beliefs than I have, and come from completely different experiences. I met my closest friends at CU, the place I never intended to attend. The place I feared because I was a minority as CU's population is predominantly white school. I avoided CU as much as I could, never realizing that my people were there. Despite our differences, we realized just how similar we were. They made CU feel safe and even smaller because I knew they were there. I never expected to go through any of the pathways I've gone through these past few years, but I'm really glad I went through them because if I didn't, I wouldn't have the group of friends I have now.

We grow from each other's differences, we value them, and we move forward expanding those differences that make us who we are to become greater leaders of this world. Leaders who value differences and change.

My best friendships were not only in the least place I expected them to be but with people I least expected to become friends with. Life is a mystery indeed, touche.