I was born in Passaic and moved to Garfield before I even started pre-school. From my first day of kindergarten until graduation, Garfield’s schools were the center of my life. They weren’t just classrooms; they were where I made lifelong friends, found mentors, and learned the meaning of community. Walking the same hallways year after year gave me a deep appreciation for the teachers and staff who held us to high standards and cared about our future.

Many of those teachers shaped the values I carry today. They taught me to respect my peers, to listen even when we disagreed, and to speak up for what was right, even if I was the only one raising my hand. Those lessons didn’t stay in the classroom. They inspired me to step up as a student, eventually running for vice president of the student council. That experience gave me my first glimpse of leadership: how hard it can be to balance different voices, but also how rewarding it is to earn the trust of your classmates and fight for something bigger than yourself

After graduating from Garfield High School, I went on to study political science at Montclair State University. My time there has deepened my understanding of how decisions are made and reminded me why it matters to speak up when others stay quiet. I’ve worked with administrators and student leaders to push for fairer treatment and better opportunities, learning that persistence, not popularity, drives real change.

At the same time, I’ve held jobs in customer service and management, where long hours and real responsibility taught me grit. Whether leading a shift at IHOP or helping families at ShopRite, I learned quickly that people count on you to show up, solve problems, and treat them with respect. Those experiences shaped my belief that leadership isn’t about chasing a title, it’s about standing firm when it’s hard, and being willing to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.