I was born in Huntington Park and raised in South Central Los Angeles. Growing up, I was surrounded by poverty, but the people and relationships in my community made it feel richer than it appeared. Those around me constantly encouraged me to stay grounded, appreciate what I have, and keep pushing to do better. That environment shaped my perspective and gave me a strong sense of resilience and gratitude.

I was raised by a loving family who taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. My stepfather showed me what it meant to take pride in your work and put in real effort, often bringing me along to job sites where I learned these lessons firsthand. My mom did everything she could to provide for us and reminded me that life can be difficult, but giving up is never an option. I’ve always looked up to my two older brothers, one a sheriff and the other building his career with a business degree, their example continues to inspire me.

As a kid, I wanted to be a mechanicand was fascinated by modified cars. My brothers would pick me up from school in their loud, customized cars, and I felt like the coolest kid alive. Later, going to car meets with my brother and helping him work on his Acura Integra, even if I was just holding the flashlight it made me fall in love with hands-on work. That curiosity and creativity eventually evolved into a passion for engineering, where I can take ideas from my imagination and turn them into something real while learning from mistakes and improving along the way.

I’m most proud of my familyand the people who have helped shape my life. Their strength and hard work motivate me to achieve my own goals, including earning my degree in electrical engineering. I admire people who mentor others and lend a helping hand, because it shows patience, humility, and genuine character. As I begin my journey at TEE, I’m excited to learn from those around me, grow as both a professional and a person, and contribute to a team that values authenticity, growth, and support.