about me
I am from Vogue magazines that are collecting dust in the laundromat
from Downy and Clorox Bleach.
I am from the clogging-the-drain-hair-strands in the shower
(Chocolate-brown, curly,
the wide-tooth comb always yanks out more that it needs to.)
I am from the delicious mangos
whose threads always get stuck in between my teeth as if they belonged.
I’m from church on Sundays and hammer toes,
from Alberto Jordan and Valentina Palet
I’m from watching Univision a las once and gossiping before bed
From “There’s food at home” and “Es por tu bien!”
I’m from Sunday school and John 3:16—the only verse I remember today
I'm from the Bronx and Boca Chica,
rice and beans and $1.25 cups of coffee.
From my aunt’s teen pregnancy
from my fatherless-father’s two jobs
In a heavy, fire-proof, black box hidden in my mother’s crowded coat closet is a stack of photo albums,
narrating stories that speak for themselves.
I am from these people,
tired but strong.
How Did I get here?
My journey to Loomis started in 7th grade.
From 2nd to 8th grade I attend Bronx Charter School for Excellence. Prior to BCSE, I attended my local public school, P.S 106. As a product of Bronx public schools, I have personally experienced the limitations of an underfunded public education in New York City. I was constantly surrounded by apathetic teachers, peers who were falling behind, and an exam-oriented curriculum. Year after year, I was handed crumbling math textbooks and tattered history workbooks. Art and music funding was constantly cut in half. The effects of not having enough funding spilled over to athletics, where my peers and I were instructed to spend PE classes running around without much purpose instead of participating in an organized sport. My story resonates with thousands of students who graduate from NYC public schools every year.
In ninth grade, I had the opportunity to attend a private boarding school in Connecticut thanks to my community-based organization, Prep for Prep. Loomis Chaffee has introduced me to people from every pocket of the world. For the first time, I enjoyed Mandarin, advanced math and biology lessons in classes three times smaller than the ones I was used to. Loomis was also my first introduction to a diverse array of extracurriculars like soccer, ballet, debate, and ceramics.
Upon my arrival to Loomis, I promised to squeeze everything I could out of the resources newly afforded to me. Reflecting on my four years, there is no doubt in my mind that I did just that! I hope my portfolio gives you a taste of my Loomis experience through the lens of a global and environmental scholar.
In ninth grade, I had the opportunity to attend a private boarding school in Connecticut thanks to my community-based organization, Prep for Prep. Loomis Chaffee has introduced me to people from every pocket of the world. For the first time, I enjoyed Mandarin, advanced math and biology lessons in classes three times smaller than the ones I was used to. Loomis was also my first introduction to a diverse array of extracurriculars like soccer, ballet, debate, and ceramics.
Upon my arrival to Loomis, I promised to squeeze everything I could out of the resources newly afforded to me. Reflecting on my four years, there is no doubt in my mind that I did just that! I hope my portfolio gives you a taste of my Loomis experience through the lens of a global and environmental scholar.
First Let's talkCourse Work
There are so many classes you can take at Loomis that satisfy the GESC course work requirement. Browse through my course work page and see which I decided to take and some highlights of these classes.
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Now let's chat All thingsCommunity
Being a GESC scholar is so much more than your work inside the classroom. See how I kept circling back to my global and environmental focus through extra curricular activities at Loomis.
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Lights, cameraTravel
If you ask me, one of the best parts of the GESC program is the built in option to travel. Allow me to transport you to Cuba. Que bola asere!
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