I’m someone who loves helping others, learning new things, and being creative. I always try to make people feel welcome, and I believe that every experience—big or small—shapes who I am and who I want to become.
I chose to start at a Lake Washington Institute of Technology because it’s affordable and close to home. It gives me the chance to learn, grow, and prepare myself before transferring to a university. My goal is to become a physical therapist. I’ve always been interested in health and science, and I love working with people. Physical therapy is one of those careers where you can directly improve someone’s quality of life, and that means a lot to me.
Higher education matters to me because it opens doors. It helps me think critically, understand the world more deeply, and prepare for a career I genuinely care about. For me, college isn’t just about earning a degree—it’s about discovering who I am, what I value, and how I want to contribute to my community.
When it comes to cost, college isn’t affordable for many students and families. Even with financial aid, tuition, books, transportation, and living expenses can strain people financially. Some students have to work long hours or take out loans just to keep up, which makes it harder to focus on school. I’ve felt some of those pressures myself. My family works hard, but we still have to save carefully for the future. I’ve researched scholarships, grants, and community college pathways because I want to get an education without being buried in debt for years.
Guaranteeing the first two years of college for community and technical college students would be life-changing. More students could pursue higher education without the constant fear of financial stress. It would give us time to explore our interests, build confidence, and decide whether to transfer or go straight into the workforce with real skills. It would bring hope to students who might otherwise feel that college is out of reach.
Students also need support with basic needs—housing, food, transportation, and childcare. These are enormous challenges for many people, especially at community colleges. I know about the benefit hub and navigator system, which connects students to resources like food assistance, housing help, healthcare, and utility support. Expanding these services would make a huge difference. When students don’t have to worry about basic survival, they can stay focused, their stress decreases, and their chances of graduating grow. It also creates a campus environment that feels welcoming and inclusive.
For me, community college is the start of a path I’m excited about. It’s helping me build a future where I can grow, give back, and make a real difference in people’s lives.