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this photo is me at the columbus day parade celebrating my italian herritage 

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I come from a very big Roman Catholic, strict Italian family. My whole life I have also lived in a small house in Cleveland Heights, which is a very diverse area. I've been fortunate enough in my life to have the privilege to have attended Catholic schooling since kindergarden. Living in Cleveland Heights, while attending Catholic school, gave me a unique perspective. I've met many different kinds of people at school, while also being exposed to people with drastic life differences and morals. I've noticed how my peers vs. 'neighbors' act, and the difference is drastic. It's also eye opening seeing how different peoples morals are. I have always had strong Catholic morals, however, many people I'm surrounded by don't share my values, and I find it very interesting observing the differences in how our beliefs change how we act and portray ourselves to the world. I’ve learned to navigate different cultural environments and socio-economic statues and began to appreciate the richness that comes from interacting with people of various backgrounds. This experience has taught me the importance of embracing diversity while staying true to my roots. It also taught me how to properly communicate with all different types of people with different upbringings. Being part of an Italian family has also made me proud of my cultural heritage. I value the traditions, family gatherings, and the importance of maintaining our cultural identity. My whole family originated from the Historic neighborhood of Little Italy, and I still have a lot of family that remains in that area. Furthermore, Every year my parents pull me out of school for the Columbus day parade in Little Italy, and my whole family and I celebrate. While others frown on this tradition and think it's odd or even shameful, It's a way we all get together and celebrate our heritage that I can look foward to yearly. This background has made me more aware of how tradition shapes who we are and how different perceptions shape our world.

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one thing that weighs on my mind about life/death is the thought of heaven/hell. I find my self wondering if I'll ever reach a point where I feel content with the idea of 'death'. I wonder what Heaven and all of its beauty looks like. I cannot even fathom the idea of the darkness of hell, and complete total isolation with God forever makes me sick. I wonder if I'll even make it into heaven. Did I put enough effort in with God? I know I'm a good person, but is that really enough to make it to eternal divinity? I live such an earthly filled life, and fall into temptation so frequently. And I want to be better for God, but sometimes I enjoy the earthly temptation's even though I know it's wrong. I know I don't do everything I need to to get into Heaven, and I know I'm young, but I also know things can change so fast. But I also feel like my average sins aren't deserving of eternal damnation. I know I love God even though sometimes I don't act like it. I wonder if I'm even deserving of an eternity of perfection. This matters to me because sometimes I find myself trapped on earth, and I want to be with Jesus forever, but I continually fall into sin. And I know Jesus died for our salvation and forgiveness, but sometimes Im so shameful and I don't even feel truly sorry because I know I'm going to repeat my actions. These thoughts shape my view of life because I know I'm flawed, even though I try to be mostly good. Jesus can return anyday, and I don't feel ready for him, so I try my best to prepare, but I'm also constantly falling into failure. I use these thoughts as motivation to be my best holy self to even attempt to even kind of desevre eternal peace with God.

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One personal symbol that stands out to me is a white butterfly. This has always stood out to me because growing up I was always told seeing a white butterfly is a diseased loved one paying a visit. This always brought comfort to me and a reinforced feeling of strength, protection and love. As I grew older, I kept seeing these butterflies more frequently. Almsot every time I stepped outside, one would flutter by my view, very commonly in my own backyard as well. I see them on all days, but on my bad ones, I feel they stand out more and give me a strong sense of reassurance. The white butterfly symbolizes my religious beliefs by representing a connection to something greater than myself—almost like a reminder of God's presence and the comfort that faith brings. Growing up Catholic, I was taught that death isn’t the end, that there's eternal life and a continued connection with loved ones who have passed. Seeing a white butterfly feels like a small but powerful sign of that connection, a way for me to feel the presence of those I’ve lost, and in a deeper sense, God's protection. All of my grandparents have unfortantly passed, and times have been hard. This symbol makes me feel as if God truly did send the people in my heart to watch over me, and that guardian angels are real. When I see the butterfly, especially on tough days, I’m reminded of the strength and reassurance my faith offers. It’s like a gentle reminder that I’m never truly alone, and that love and protection are always there, even when I’m struggling. All of my grandparents have unfortunately passed, and I feel as if someone is always guiding and protecting me through life’s ups and downs.

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When I think about someone from a different background or experience, like a Mexican-American watching a film that portrays the "landscaping Mexican" stereotype, I imagine they might feel reduced to a single, narrow role, as if their identity and potential are defined only by manual labor. For example, in A Day Without a Mexican, many Mexican characters are shown working as landscapers or domestic help, reinforcing the idea that this is the only type of job Mexicans are associated with in the U.S. For someone who has grown up seeing their community contribute in so many different ways—whether through education, business, arts, or activism—this kind of representation can be disheartening. It strips away their individuality and the diversity within their culture, reducing them to a stereotype that fails to acknowledge their aspirations, talents, and achievements. The experience could make them feel as if society only sees them through a limited lens, perpetuating harmful notions about what they’re capable of and who they are meant to be. Seeing this misrepresentation over and over again, I can understand their frustration and this can help me better understand others by fostering a sense of empathy towards them and realizing stereotypes are false and harmful.

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The Bible has profoundly influenced Western civilization, deeply shaping its culture, morality, laws, and values. As a foundational religious text, it has been central to the development of ethical frameworks that prioritize justice, compassion, and the inherent dignity of individuals. Its teachings have permeated the moral consciousness of societies, fostering principles such as the sanctity of life, the importance of community, and the moral obligation to care for others. These values have influenced not only personal conduct but also broader societal norms, encouraging ideals of fairness, forgiveness, and social responsibility. The Bible’s influence extends to legal systems, where its ethical imperatives have historically informed laws concerning justice, human rights, and social order. Additionally, it has shaped Western cultural identity, contributing to collective notions of good and evil, right and wrong, and influencing art, literature, and philosophy. Across centuries, biblical ideas have been woven into the fabric of Western thought, serving as a guide for individual behavior as well as the formation of social institutions, thus leaving an enduring legacy on the development of Western civilization.

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This summer I was going through a rough time, and I kept praying to God for help and for signs. The day after I prayed to God for a sign, I was laying outside, soaking up the sun, and just letting myself relax. I didn’t expect anything specific from my prayer, but I remember feeling this sense of openness, hoping that somehow, God would show me a small reminder that everything was going to be okay. As I lay there, something bright caught my eye. I looked over, and a bluebird had flown right up to my seat. It was so close, just sitting there, almost as if it was watching me. The way it appeared out of nowhere, with those brilliant blue feathers, was beautiful—almost unreal. I immediately felt this rush of warmth, like the universe was answering me in the quietest, simplest way. I knew, right then and there, that it was a sign. That bluebird’s presence felt like more than just a random moment; it was like a little message meant just for me. And in that brief moment, I felt this peace wash over me, knowing I had been heard. It was such a beautiful, unexpected response to my prayer, one I won’t forget.

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Patriotism often brings up a blend of emotions and can feel like both a celebration of shared identity and a reminder of the complexity within a nation’s history. There's a sense of pride that comes from feeling connected to a larger community, the shared stories of resilience and progress, and the values that ideally define a country. At the same time, patriotism can bring up more nuanced feelings, especially when a nation’s actions don’t align with personal values or when systemic issues persist.

My sense of loyalty tends to be tied less to government policies or current events and more to ideals like freedom, justice, and opportunity—principles that often serve as the backbone of patriotism. For many, the love of country is intertwined with a commitment to challenging injustice, which can mean that feeling patriotic involves advocating for positive change. It's this balance—loving a country while wanting it to grow and evolve—that makes patriotism complex but, in many ways, even more meaningful.

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One religious practice that has deeply influenced my life is the habit of saying a quick prayer and making the sign of the cross whenever an ambulance passes by. My mom introduced this tradition to me, and it often occurred while we were driving, although it wasn’t limited to being in the car. Whenever we saw or heard an ambulance, she would pause and lead us in saying a short prayer, such as “Lord, please help whoever needs it,” followed by the sign of the cross. She explained that this small act was a way to show care for someone in distress and to ask for God’s intervention on their behalf, even if we didn’t know who they were. This simple yet profound practice taught me that spirituality is not limited to formal religious settings or elaborate rituals; rather, it can manifest in small, everyday actions that reflect empathy and a sense of interconnectedness. It helped me understand that faith is not just about personal beliefs but also about extending care and good intentions toward others, even strangers. Over time, this practice became second nature to me, and to this day, I instinctively repeat the prayer and gesture whenever I see or hear an ambulance. It serves as a grounding reminder of the power of compassion, the importance of faith in guiding our actions, and the shared humanity that binds us all. This tradition has shaped my understanding of spirituality as a deeply personal and relational experience, encouraging me to be more mindful, kind, and aware of the needs of others. In many ways, it has also influenced my actions, reinforcing the idea that small gestures of thoughtfulness and care can make a meaningful difference in how we connect with the world around us.

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Indigenous perspectives on the earth as a living being fundamentally contrast with modern industrial views, rooted in their cultural, spiritual, and historical connection to the land. Indigenous communities often regard the earth as a sacred, interconnected living entity that provides not only physical sustenance but also spiritual meaning. This perspective emphasizes harmony with nature, stewardship, and reciprocity—caring for the environment as a way of honoring it and ensuring its continued vitality for future generations. For example, many indigenous traditions involve ceremonies, rituals, and sustainable practices that reflect their deep respect for the earth’s ecosystems and a commitment to maintaining balance.

In contrast, modern industrial views frequently prioritize the extraction of resources for economic gain, treating the earth as a commodity rather than a living entity. This perspective often disregards the long-term health of ecosystems and focuses on short-term productivity and profit. Practices such as deforestation, mining, and large-scale industrial farming exemplify an exploitative approach to the environment, often resulting in significant ecological degradation and loss of biodiversity. Unlike indigenous perspectives, which see humans as part of an interconnected web of life, modern industrial views tend to position humanity as separate from and dominant over nature.

The clash between these perspectives highlights the broader challenges of environmental justice and ecological racism faced by indigenous communities. Historical colonization and exploitation have marginalized indigenous voices, leading to the destruction of sacred lands and the undermining of traditional ecological knowledge. These injustices underscore the importance of recognizing and integrating indigenous perspectives into environmental policies and practices, as they offer valuable insights into sustainable living and the need for a more balanced relationship with the natural world.

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The ideas of self-denial, self-giving, self-sacrifice, and self-donation are complex and can feel both inspiring and challenging. While these concepts may seem extreme to some, they also carry profound meaning when viewed as acts of love, compassion, and responsibility toward others. Living with these ideals does not necessarily mean rejecting personal happiness or comfort entirely; instead, it often involves making intentional choices to prioritize the needs of others when circumstances call for it. For me, these ideas resonate as a balance between personal well-being and a commitment to contributing positively to the lives of others.

One personal experience that comes to mind is my service learning visit to a L’Arche house, where I interacted with women living with intellectual disabilities. Although the environment was difficult—poorly run, unclean, and uncomfortable—I felt a deep sense of responsibility to show kindness and be present for the residents. Building a connection with one of the women, Gloria, gave me a sense of purpose, even though it required stepping outside my comfort zone. While I wouldn’t return to that specific site due to its condition, the experience reaffirmed my belief in the importance of serving others, particularly those who are often overlooked or marginalized.

This experience shaped my understanding of responsibility toward others as both a moral and relational obligation. It taught me that helping others sometimes comes with personal discomfort or sacrifice but can also bring profound fulfillment. While these moments of self-giving may seem like small acts, they ripple outward, creating a more compassionate and connected community. At the same time, I’ve learned the importance of balancing self-sacrifice with self-care, recognizing that we can only give to others effectively when we nurture our own well-being. These experiences remind me that living responsibly toward others involves an ongoing commitment to empathy, action, and reflection on how we can best support one another.