I started in 6th grade. We would always drive by the campus, and at the time I was really into Harry Potter, and I thought the campus looked like Hogwarts, so I asked if I could apply. Once I got in I visited and I really liked it.

Freshman year World History with Mr. Dunne was one of my favorite classes. It was the first time I learned anything about something other than the United States. I really liked AP US History with Mr Donnelly. I got to see American History with a different lens.

I’m creating a website for an organization called The Cha de Matias, which works with at risk youth in Cape Verde.

I’m going to NYU, and majoring in social work. Ever since I was young I’ve cared about things being fair for people and I was always concerned about social justice, but I never had a word for what I wanted to do. One day my boss at a summer camp for inner city kids, suggested I look into social work. Once I figured it out, it made perfect sense.

When my counselor first asked me where I wanted to go, I had no clue. She put NYU on my list and once I got in and learned more about their global studies and social work program it seemed like a great fit.

We read Mountains to Mountains in Global Scholars Capstone. It was about public health and how poverty impacts every aspect of someone’s life. That was pretty eye-opening.

Get involved in everything. Freshman year is important to get your GPA up, but in the long run that’s not really what matters. Don’t be afraid to go for leadership positions.

I went to the Dominican Republic with Mr. Lanagan and Ms. Lodge in Middle School. That was the first time I traveled without my parents. We did community service. I really enjoyed that and it sparked my interest in service and social justice.

I have learned 5 languages: English, Cape Verdean creole, Portuguese, Japanese, Spanish. But I am not fluent in all of them.