I grew up in Oakland, CA, as the youngest of five, in a family full of passion and creativity. For college, I attended the University of Oregon, and since graduating, I have returned to California to enter the workforce and gain experience in PR. Some of my hobbies include playing sports, watching films, traveling, making art, listening to music and spending time with loved ones.

I spend a lot of my free time with my family and friends. Without them, I wouldn't be the person I am today. Sharing experiences with them allows me to step away from my point of view and learn other ways of looking at situations. My parents, siblings and friends have all helped shape my understanding of others and how valuable different perspectives are. My family is sometimes structured like a sports team; we encourage each other, promote inclusivity, and resolve disagreements through communication. Throughout everything, there is always a feeling of deep care and love. I am striving to become that kind of teammate and family member. One that encourages others and creates the space for discourse, growth, and creativity in any given environment. I am eager to learn from my peers and collaborate with them in a creative work space.

When I am not spending time with others, my greatest passion is golf. I enjoy the peacefulness of being alone on the course, letting everything in life fade away as I focus solely on the next shot. Golf is a game of misses, learning to accept bad shots and moving on to the next hole. It is humbling because, over time, one would expect their skills to improve greatly; however, it is more the mindset that improves. You can strive for perfection, but without a mindset that allows you to fail and make mistakes, you will burn out. There are no big milestones, but through perseverance and iteration, there are little ones.

Seeing those small improvements in my game pushes me to keep practicing. It forces me to work on the small things one at a time, and when I'm on the course, to be thoughtful about my next decision. Even though there is a lot to think about and a lot that can go wrong, it feels freeing to make mistakes and try new things. There are always more holes to play, whether it be in that round or the next time I decide to play. Over the past few years, I have learned to apply my mindset and ideas from the course to school, work and everyday life. Golf has taught me many things, and I am grateful to play a game in my free time that improves my mind, body, and problem-solving skills.