In my high school graduation speech, I said:
I attended Kino School for 12 years (many thanks to my Nana), graduating from high school in 2006. Kino emphasized emotional intelligence and interpersonal development among faculty and students. These aspects coupled with the support of a loving family fostered my resiliency and allowed me to weather devastating losses through the years. The educational philosophy of Kino encourages students to study their passions. Thus, multimedia arts and philosophy occupied much of my high school studies. When I became a student at the University of Arizona (U of A), it became clear that majoring in media arts did not represent all my talents. It was difficult for me to identify my academic interests through a period of feeling lost and apathetic (largely due to a traumatic event) which lead to my disqualification from the U of A. During a year away from school, I lived on my own, worked a simple job, and regained stability which allowed me to mature and organize my goals. I personally verified the power of “an ecological and strengths perspective framework” for positive change during this time. Upon graduating from Pima Community College, I transferred back to the U of A in Fall 2011, obtaining my Bachelor’s Degree concentrating in Social Behavior and Human Understanding in 2013. My engagement and performance in school increased tremendously and resulted in a 4.0 GPA for my last full (19 unit) semester.

Among the most influential classes I took during my undergraduate career were those in Higher Education, Africana Studies, and Learning, Reading and Culture (LRC).

• In two Higher Education courses I participated in Project SOAR (Student Outreach for Access & Resiliency) – a service-learning experience that allows UA undergraduates to mentor in under-resourced Tucson middle schools. This was an amazing experience that shaped my forthcoming pursuits, find out more about Project SOAR here. Teachers Lydia Bell and Darold Joseph made a very positive impact on me. As did learning about the Funds of Knowledge model (Theorizing Practices in Households, Communities, and Classrooms by Norma González, Luis C. Moll & Cathy Amanti, 2005).
• Alexander Nava’s “Rap, Culture, & God” course (cross-referenced in Philosophy, Religous Studies, and Africana Studies) was a refreshing composite of topics that shed light on darkness. In Nava’s class students were engaged in an extra credit opportunity to “Stop Hunger Now.” One of the readings was “Tattoos on the Heart” by Father Gregory Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries. These exposures were excellent primers for my entrance into formal social work.
• Another Higher Education class that also primed me for social work studies was Community & Youth Sports with Lydia Bell that looked at the role and history of urban-infastructure, community designs, food deserts, and physical education (or lack there of) in impacting public health.
• In the last semester of my undergraduate studies, I took Jenny Lee’s Mindfulness in Education course which led me to propose an independent study to fulfill my last credit,this website was the final product.

When I applied to the MSW program, I wrote: Incorporating my knowledge of new technologies with social work will add to the repertoire of research. Presently, I can see myself involved with the area of addiction and recovery. An example of how technology can be utilized is by combining online learning tools (memes, wikis, flash card generators, etc.) with the 12 Step program and other materials. A project I completed in my Teaching with New Technology class addressed this idea (see the website).  This project was designed for high school students to heighten awareness and prevention of substance abuse. Cyber addictions and “tech etiquette” were included topics as well. It linked up resources, employed interactive design, and offered lesson plans that guided explorations of information technologies. The various forms of instruction include: video lectures, transcripts, animations, virtual discussions, graphic design, and concept mapping. My desire is to continue researching and synthesizing ways of reaching and serving communities near and far.

I have been able to continue deepening my knowledge at the intersection of social work and new technologies, in fact to finish my electives (for the MSW) I opted for independent studies and chronicled my work in this blog: Humanity in the Information Age (Summer 2017).

Again, I credit my loved ones and communities for my success, I have been shaped by so many people and moments for which I offer my infinite gratitude. I.e. Thanks be to God.