Growing up in a Spanish-oriented household gave me so many advantages and I just realized how lucky I am. I owe so much to my parents and family members. I owe them everything I have, including the person I am today.

I have heard all the stories that each family member told about getting to the U.S., and the struggles that they had to go through just to get to the “land of opportunity.” But out of all of them, two stories impacted my life the most. Both of my parents have stories that exemplify exactly what resistance and perseverance are all about.

Those two values were something that were deeply embedded in me at a very young age, something that has shaped who I am today. Not only did their status as immigrants and journeys make me develop a strong work ethic with deep ethnic roots; but they have also given me the power and privilege of being bilingual.

Having the capability of being able to speak two languages gives me an immense amount of power that I never really capitalized on, until now. I have the power of bringing two different worlds and cultures together to share ideas and stories.

Research has also shown that people who are bilingual are more intelligent and are more resistant to mental disorders and illnesses like Alzheimer's and dementia.

Out of everything that my parents have given me, the gift of Spanish has been the best. This gift has brought with it a sense of community and pride, something special that not everyone can say they are a part of.

This gift has also given me an advantage over other people throughout my academic career, especially now in college. I have also been able to use this gift to help people to get around Manhattan when language barriers didn’t allow them to do so.

At the end of the day, my parents have given me hundreds of gifts and values, but the gift of community and culture is one that I will thank them for forever.