I am in my 3rd year at UT Austin pursing two degrees: Communication Studies and Spanish! I am also working towards a Bridging Disciplines certificate in Social Entrepreneurship and Nonprofits focusing on international development. In addition to Texas 4000, I work as a Resident Assistant on campus. I plan to graduate in December 2012, after Texas 4000 and studying abroad (hopefully to Chile!). I grew up in the Land of Enchantment, otherwise known as New Mexico, and my heart will forever be in Albuquerque with all of my friends and family. After graduation in a year and a half, I hope to go abroad with the Peace Corps or to teach English, and eventually would like to work for an international nonprofit that addresses female education and empowerment.

I joined Texas 4000 fall of my sophomore year, and since then it has been a huge part of my life. Every step of the way, from shadowing 2010, getting our bikes, volunteering at local events, to becoming Sierra Travel chair, it has been an emotional ride! I have met the most compassionate and self-sacrificing people in this organization, and my outlook on what is important in life has forever been altered.

I have been lucky enough to have never lost a close family member or friend to cancer. Yet, this disease really does reach all of us, and both my grandmothers and father have come in contact with the illness. Fortunately, in their cases, it was caught early enough to be successfully treated. One of my grandmas had to have a double mastectomy and chemo after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, twice. If she can make it through that and still forge ahead, I think I can ride 4,500 miles to Alaska!

There is no doubt that this will be one of the greatest challenges I have ever faced, but I know I will make with the support of my teammates. We will make it there, together, in honor of those who cannot.