I was born in Mexico in 2010 and came to the United States in 2022 with my older sister. Moving here changed everything for me. In just three years, I’ve learned English, made friends, and found new opportunities that I never had before. At Everett High School, I’m part of the band and also ran cross-country. Watching my sister work hard at Everett Community College inspires me to keep going, stay focused, and maintain a high GPA.
I want to become a mechanical engineer. High school is helping me prepare for that path and build the foundation for my future. I also want to be able to give back—to support my sister and help my family in Mexico.
Still, I’ve seen the struggles up close. College is expensive. I’ve watched my sister stress about paying for classes and even go into debt to keep going. Seeing her experience makes me worry about how I’ll be able to afford my own college education. I want to take challenging classes and get involved in activities that will push me forward, but I fear the cost might hold me back.
That’s why I think guaranteeing the first two years of college for community and technical college students would make such a difference. It would give students like me the chance to focus on learning, not just on money. Free college and more support services would help millions of students who otherwise might not get the chance to continue their education.
Basic needs matter too. Students need access to housing, food, transportation, and healthcare to be able to succeed. Without those supports, many students drop out—not because they don’t want to learn, but because life outside of school makes it impossible. I didn’t even know benefit hubs existed, but if students were better informed about services like that, it would reduce stress and help them focus on school.
For me, education is about more than just myself. It’s about creating opportunities, breaking down barriers, and helping my community. Free college would help make that possible.