With graduation caps settled, goodbyes no longer echoing through high school hallways, and graduates soon heading off to college across Connecticut, I find myself reflecting on what it means to grow up in this state and how it has shaped my path.
From my town of East Haddam, to the many communities that make up our state, Connecticut has given me not only an education but the opportunity to succeed.
I’m grateful to have graduated from the Academy of Aerospace in Engineering in Windsor, with honors, and will be attending Boston College this fall to join the class of 2029. I’ll be pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and minor in computer science, hoping to work at the intersection of public health and technology.
I’ve been incredibly grateful to receive numerous scholarships and awards, such as being named a Coca-Cola Scholar, Prudential Emerging Visionary, and Disney Dreamer.
This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the support of so many incredible people. I’m endlessly grateful to the mentors, champions, and organizations who lifted me up.
Before I go, I want to honor the communities that helped me get here.
I was born in East Haddam, Connecticut to Brazilian immigrants. My mother worked as a public school teacher through state certification programs that helped enroll new teachers into the workforce and my dad ran a small construction company thanks to pro-small business policies. My upbringing was built on the opportunities for working class families and immigrants across our state.
Connecticut public schools shaped me with unparalleled opportunity. The state Supreme Court ruling on Sheff v. O’Neill allowed me to enroll in a magnet school like the CREC Academy of Aerospace & Engineering—allowing a rural student like me to have access to a high quality STEM education.
The state’s continued investment into public schools exposed me to AP classes and college level coursework that prepared me for the rigor of college ahead. I learned first hand that in our state, your zip-code doesn’t have to define your education–any student, anywhere can attain an education that empowers them for the future.
Extracurricular opportunities like the ability to shadow doctors and surgical cases at Manchester Memorial Hospital, even at such a young age, allowed me to gain a transformational experience that grew my interest in the medical field. Volunteering opportunities for youth like me at Chesthlem Nursing Home gave me the work experience that cultivated a passion for serving my community. Local opportunities for youth in our state like these prepared me to pursue a career of saving lives.
Growing up in Connecticut also taught me that I’ve been fortunate to grow up in a state where diversity is one of our strengths. In our state, people are welcoming to people of all backgrounds and there’s a sense that we’re all connected by a shared value of inclusion.
I had the opportunity to be surrounded by people of different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences who are part of the fabric of everyday life. That environment not only welcomed me, but also expanded my worldview, deepened my appreciation for other cultures, and shaped me into a more open-minded and compassionate person.
As I continue this next chapter of my life, I hope to carry the same values and support of my home state. Connecticut has shown me our state is a great place for any young person to live and grow up. I am proud to call this state my home and hope to give back by improving the lives of others.