If my life up until this point has taught me anything it is to consistently and joyfully practice relentless curiosity: to take any interesting topic and pursue it until I overflow with information and passion. As a child, my relentless curiosity took the form of mountain bike racing, mushroom hunting, and marveling at the geologic history of my home state, Arizona. In college, I took environmental studies and language classes to deepen my understanding of the natural world and how we communicate with one another, two topics with more overlap than may first appear. It is in communicating with each other that we identify what matters to us as individuals and as a society. Through majoring in international relations and Portuguese I have developed skills to address environmental issues that span the globe.

In one of my favorite books, When Women Were Birds, Terry Tempest Williams states, “When women were birds...to sing at dawn and to sing at dusk was to heal the world through joy. The birds still remember what we have forgotten, that the world is meant to be celebrated." To me, this celebration includes cherishing meaningful connections between people, finding awe in the natural world, and advocating for issues that affect humanity and the environment. To continue this celebration and exploration at UT Austin is a great thrill and honor.

Major
International Relations and Global Studies, Portuguese

Other Academic Interests
Water Law; Environmental History

Extracurricular Activities
Texas Rock Climbing; UT Recsports Adventure Trip Program

What drew you to the Forty Acres Scholars Program?
As an out-of-state student, many people have asked me “Why Texas?” And the reason that is always at the forefront of my mind is the Texan sense of community that I felt from the moment I arrived at the Austin airport to my introduction to the Forty Acres Scholars Program. Every person I have met who is involved in this program is passionate, warm, and welcoming. This group is unique and interesting while still celebrating the successes of others. I looked at those who surrounded me at the Finalist Weekend–students, scholars, staff, and Texas Exes members–and thought, “These are the people who I want to learn from and to grow with.” And it’s a wonderful privilege and joy to get to do just that!