I grew up in Dallas and now I am here- in one of the greatest cities full of the most free spirited people. I love it. I am in my second year studying spanish and photojournalism. What a combo. I worry about what I am going to do when I graduate, but at the same time, I love being a student and love having the opportunity to learn and feel things that I never could back home. I love bubbles, Cheetos and chocolate chip cookies. I'm a big fan of photography, music and my mid-80s Free Spirit cruiser.

I never knew who my grandfather was until I went to his funeral. It's weird because I saw him during the holidays and I would go visit him and my grandmother, but I never realized how little I actually knew about him. After he passed away from colon cancer in February of 2005, I noticed the biggest change in my family. Being at the funeral taught me how great of loss we all just had and I learned about some of the amazing things that my grandfather had done. Texas 4000 is giving me the opportunity to really learn about the value of life. My grandma and my father still suffer everyday and when I think about it, I can't help but want to help in some way. This trip will be one of the most selfless things I have ever done, and I am going to put my entire heart and soul into every part of it.