I am from Weezenhof’s winding paths,
where friendships were stitched from a tapestry of voices,
flavors, and laughter that became home.

I am from summers that smelled like salt and sugarcane,
from Frigate Bay’s waves crashing at my feet,
from pickup truck rides, wind whipping through my hair,
from the sound of my grandfather’s stories blending with the tide.

I am from guinep-stained fingers
and the creak of my great-grandmother’s rum shop chair,
from hands braiding my hair while the island breeze whispered secrets.

I am from bushtea and funghi on early mornings,

From sorrel, goatwater, jollof, and nasi goreng—
meals that tasted like history... like home.

I am from boarding passes and passports

thick with ink and memories stitched in foreign tongues,
from the steady beat of my mother’s footsteps beside me,
from the melodies of a world I’ve never stopped exploring.

I am from museum halls, my voice echoing beside my father’s,
and drives along the autobahn with my mother,
crossing borders without barriers.

I am from Montreal’s cold winters
and Queens’ scorching summers,
from the blackout of 2003,
city lights swallowed by the night.

I am from Freeport’s rhythm,
from steel drums singing beneath my fingertips
on early j’ouvert mornings,
and violin strings humming through late-night practice.

I am from the water—
From swimming with my grandfather in the sea,
his hands steadying me in the waves,
from laughter carried by the ocean breeze,
from salt drying on sun-kissed skin.

From the rush of the starting block,
the rhythm of my breath,
and endless blue stretching ahead.

From the coach’s whistle and the stroke of determination,
from teaching others to trust the waves as I do.

I am from voices lifted in every language,
from music in every key,
from movement, from motion,
from never standing still.

I am from the stories I carry—
and the ones I have yet to tell.

I am from capture the flag, kickball, and running bases with neighbors that were more like siblings.

I am from bike rides to Rita’s with Dad after school.

I am from Apple Picking with mom every Autumn and coming home to bake a fresh apple pie with our findings.

I am from Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network.

I am from American Girl dolls and Webkinz accounts.

I am from annual cousin’s sleepovers at Aunt Lora’s house.

I am from weekend soccer tournaments and late night practices with my teammates.

I am from Saturday football games at the home Boomer Esiason.

I am from SUNY Oneonta, St. Joseph’s College, and the American College of Education.

I am from Mary’s Pizza and Pasta, living life one slice of pizza at a time.

I am from two amazing and loving parents, Lisa and Vinny.

I am from two built-in best friends, my brother and sister, Michael and Jenna.

I am from Laurel Park- the greatest school on Earth!!

I am from the fizzy pop of Manzana Postobon and Colombiana dancing on your tongue. I am from the creepy voice of Teddy Ruxbin, tiny Polly Pocket, and the florescent colors of Lisa Frank.

I am from crispy, hot empanadas, soft cheesy buñuelos, and strawberry Nesquick with morning breakfast.

I am from learning English with Nick at Night, Sesame Street, and Mr. Rogers. I am from Saturday morning cartoons, with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Captain Planet, and Transformers.

I am from fighting over the Nintendo to play Super Mario Bros. with my brother and sister, Duck Hunt, and Mario Cart. I am from the loud sounds of Hungry Hungry Hippos and the anxiety of Perfection.

I am from the introduction of the "internet", the horror and scare of Y2K, and the sadness of 9-11.

I am from it's 9am on a Saturday morning hearing my mom "hora de limpiar!", "that's the bomb", and getting annoyed at my brother and making him stop repeating "did I do thaaaat??!"

I am from the the earthy fragrance of my grandfather's woodshop where I would pass by and say my goodbye's before walking down the block into my kindergarten class.

I am from sunrises and sunsets on the beach, big wheels crashing with my brother, and dancing to whatever was playing on MTV with my sister.

I am from Spanish speaking with family, English speaking at school, and Spanglish speaking with friends.

I am from traveling with my ride or die tribe since middle school, visits to PR, and getaways to Denver.

I am from love, laughs, and an amazing group of family, friends, and coworkers.

I am from the days of Little House on the Prairie, Brady Bunch, Full House and Punky Brewster. I am from Rainbow Brite and Strawberry Shortcake (even though Blueberry Muffin was my favorite). I am from Wizard of Oz and Grease.

I am from Sunday dinners at Grandma's, apple picking and bike riding until dinner. I am from many cousins and aunts and uncles. I am from big Christmas Eve parties and quiet Christmas mornings.

I am from Grandma's meatball sandwiches and Sunday sauce galore.

I am from Madonna, New Kids on the Block and Debbie Gibson. I am from lace gloves and rubber bracelets. I am from leg warmers and scrunchy socks. I am from the Sunrise Mall, bowling, and the movie theaters. I am from MTV and VH-1, requesting videos.

I am from Broadway plays and concerts. I am from dance and singing. I am from artists and teachers.

I am from Massapequa High School, Nassau Community College and the (at the time) newer St. Joseph's College.

I am from a strong woman, Linda and an amazing man, Robert. I am from annoying little brother Rob. I am from grandparents, Marie and Jack, who I was lucky to have for 4 decades.

I am from a strong mom who raised her daughter to respect and dream. I am from Brentwood School district who taught me how to be the teacher I am today.

I am from a pretty darn good life and will keep reaching for it all.

I am from Deer Park. Go Falcons.

I am from soccer fields, weekend tournaments away, hotel rooms. Missing birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, wanting to quit at times, crying in the car because I just wanted to play with my friends. Practice, after practice, after practice.

I am from the NY State ODP soccer team. Where I played with National US Women's Soccer player, Crystal Dunn. I am from hard work, sacrifice, and competition. I am from surrounding myself with the best.

Although tiring and hard, I am from the best memories, and the best of friends from soccer. I am from my dad as my coach, always pushing me past my limits. Making me captain, expecting me to lead always. Expecting the best, not giving verbal validation, just expecting excellence. I am from delivering.

I am from being a leader from a young age, holding myself to a high standard, and above all always being a good person. I am from not knowing how to lie. I from from the truth will always set you free. I am from high vibrations. I am from being an empath, and having a huge heart that doesn't know anything other than love.

I am from Rosa Sanchez.

I am from my wonderful parents,
Laura and Michael,
and my forever best friends,
my greatest protectors—
My sisters, Amanda and Michaela.

I am from continuous hours spent on a sports field,
from playing a soccer game
to rushing off to a lacrosse tournament afterward.
From watching my sisters and thinking, Wow.
From hotel stays, late-night practices,
and laughter that echoes still.

I am from Sunday sauce
and big family dinners.
From polenta, pasta, gnocchi—
We had it all,
and ate it all.

I am from a family
where nothing matters more
than time together.

I am from Disney Channel and Nickelodeon,
from American Girl Dolls
and Polly Pockets.

I am from many teachers
who always taught me
to put school first.
I am from SUNY Cortland,
I am from living out my dream—
of becoming a teacher.

I am from a big Irish family,
where Sunday dinners are always laughter, memories, and stories.
I am from plates full of potatoes and corned beef,
Irish sweaters soft on our backs,
and music always playing,
like the house itself is singing.

I am from two older brothers who carved the path,
and a younger sister who is the best friend to me.
I am from backyard games and shared secrets,
and a nephew whose smile reminds me of all that’s good.
I am from fourteen first cousins — loud, loyal, and full of love.

I am from packing our bags and passports,
crossing oceans together —
Ireland’s green hills,
London’s grey skies,
Paris lights,
and Greek sunsets.
Laughter in every language,
memories in every mile.
I am from family and friendship woven tightly into every trip.

I am from Christmas Eve glowing with tradition,
St. Patrick’s Day bursting in green,
celebrations older than I am,
carried forward in recipes, songs, and stories.

I am from SUNY Cortland and Touro University —
books in my hands,
dreams in my chest,
becoming the teacher I always hoped to be.

I am from Laurel Park,
the best place with support and staff!

Idle Hour Elementary School where “Future Teacher” is written under my 5th grade yearbook photo.

I am from fried chicken cutlets for chicken parm,

from music always playing during meals

and the Rolling Stones reminding us

“you can’t always get what you want.”

I am from summers in Atlantique, Fire Island

travel lacrosse tournaments,

and practices ranging from

lacrosse, to volleyball, basketball, or soccer.

I am from dance recitals and sleepovers with cousins,

from Video Stars and making dance routines to earn a sleepover,

from playing manhunt with neighbors

and riding bikes with my brother.

I am from Wii Sports and Super Mario Bros on the PlayStation,

from Hannah Montana, and Kim Possible,

from Zach and Cody, Lizzie McGuire,

and the never ending debate over which DVD to watch

Toy Story, Night at the Museum, or The Incredibles.

I am from classrooms filled with curiosity and caring teachers,

from guiding young readers,

and helping students grow day by day.

I am from Laurel Park Elementary,

Becoming the teacher that I always wanted to be.

I am of European decent; Polish, Italian, Irish. I am also from "upstate" New York, the United States, our World. I am from my parents, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and great friends. I am from soccer, track, rugby, volleyball, and yoga. I am from elementary school, middle & high, college, and more college. I am from 19 years of Army training, mobilizations, and activations. I am from my travels, long days and nights, my head space, getting lost in music, living through film, and my dreams. I am my impact on others and continue to be from...