My goal is to become an Industrial engineer, to design and supervise processes to make the industry’s production keep going, which is essential to the economic development of my country. My choices are programs accredited by ABET Accrediting Agency. The Polytechnic University information says that the “curriculum is designed so that the graduate can solve complex problems as well as capable of planning, designing, implementing, and managing integrated production and service delivery systems”. This will help me because we are having frequent energy shutdowns due to insufficient energy generation. Industries have to solve complex problems related to frequent energy failures. Also, overcome weather risks due to hurricanes, and the challenges of materials transportation in an island surrounded by water.

My parents teched me that education will help me grow as a person and that knowledge is something that no one can take away from us. Because of that, I always give my best in my studies. When I was in third grade, learning multiplication tables made me realize how passionate I am about math. That year, I was chosen from a selected group of public school students to participate in a summer program for outstanding students of advanced mathematics at Baldwin School private school, an experience in which I participated for three years.

Since then, I love numbers. In addition to being awarded with “Academic Excellence” (Valedictorian) in eighth grade, I received additional medals for the highest GPA in each course, including Pre-Algebra. Having won second place at the San Juan area regional scientific fair with my project about insulating materials, motivated me to follow also science.

As a leader I want the whole group to move forward and finish the job well done, instead of seeking only my personal benefit. I like to share my knowledge about mathematics with my classmates, helping them outside classes. Also, a very important value in my culture is to be strong to face adversities. Even when that meant studying with a battery flashlight to see the books after Hurricane Maria in 2017 led to an electric system failure that lasted for months after the event.

Even when our home had some structural damages that still have consequences today and we had some material lost because of floods, others lost everything. Because of that, we were always looking for ways to help others with whatever we have, whenever we can. My mom used to say that there is no use in having something if you can’t share it with others.

Then, when we were beginning to forget what this hurricane meant for us, in December 2019 an earthquake occurred on the Island. Even when my home was not in the most affected area, the strong wave was followed by a wave of smaller but continuous earth movements that made us terrified. We were attending school with our emergency backpacks with our medical information written on cards, cans of unperishable food, and spare clothes, expecting the worst scenario.

In the middle of that, the COVID-19 pandemic came, stopping all school clubs or extracurricular activities and closing us at home. By that time, I was going to compete again in the regional area with my science project about creating energy-free refrigerators, with accessible materials, which would allow insulin to be cooled to a safe temperature when there is no electrical power. Although I can’t compete because of the lockdown, winning first place at school made my love for science and math grow even more. With that goal, I have been in the first academic ranking all my high school years, intending to become an industrial engineer.