Despite growing up in a neighborhood crowded with buildings and concrete, my family still found ways to foster a love of nature in me. They shared the mysteries of nearby mountains and trails, the wonders of the ocean and tide pools, and the delights of having a small garden at home. Thanks to my family, I pursued a degree in Agricultural and Environmental Education at UC Davis which exposed me to a whole new world. I took classes where I milked cows and goats, roasted and ground my own coffee, welded air plant stands, drove tractors, and delved deep into soil chemistry. I am immensely grateful for all of these experiences, and my mission is to share the joy of the world around us through the knowledge that I gained from UC Davis with everyone that I can.As a first-generation college student and a child of immigrants, I am familiar with the challenges that many individuals and families face in neighborhoods like City Heights. Students like me may not believe in their own abilities; they also may not have the resources or opportunities to become STEM professionals. Luckily, I had countless educators throughout grade school that saw my spark and motivated me to become the person that I am today. I want to continue to change the mindsets of students like me and engage them in science to help not just the environment, but especially the students themselves. Whether I do that in an outdoor education setting or a traditional classroom, through writing or creating videos, I am excited to continue to do everything I can to make sure we still have a wonderful planet for future generations to live in and love.