"I am interested in joining the AMEMSA alliance because as a first generation immigrant, I grew up hiding my culture and feeling embarrassed of it. I faced micro aggressions from my peers and teachers and laughed through them, letting them undermine who I was. But as I grew older I realized that my culture was nothing to be ashamed of. I want to educate the people of our country on the struggles of people that identify as AMEMSA so the next generation of children can hopefully grow up proud of their culture."