Bold Stripes, Bright Stars, Brave Hearts

By: Kayla Tejero

 

Happy 4th of July! The 4th of July is known as Independence day which celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Specifically, it celebrates the 13 American colonies gaining independence from Great Britain and forming its own nation, now known as the United States. We are definitely going to see a lot of red, white and blue this month. The store shelves are roaring with red, blue and white. We celebrate this holiday by attending parades, hosting parties, barbecuing, watching fireworks and/or going to beach parties. I will be celebrating this year soaking up some sun rays in the city. This is one special July 4th celebration for me with my newfound friends! I am grateful for them. July is also known as the peak of summer, just ideal for spending time either under the sun or in the waters. I’m sure most of us can feel the summer weather with temperatures being in the 90s lately. I definitely have been spending time indoors with the AC after spending a few hours basking in the sun. Summer is a time of fun, relaxation, and abundance of nature. There is just something so healing about feeling the warm rays on your skin in the summer and not having as much to do. Whether you’re a student or a professional already established in your career, this is a time to recharge and rejuvenate.
Luke says, “My long-term goal is to grow into a leadership role that creates meaningful impact for both the business and the people it serves. My Filipino and Italian upbringing taught me the values of hard work, integrity, and community, and I hope to carry those values into my career as a leader, making a positive difference for those around me.”
Kayla says, “As an Asian American student, I hope to use my education and experiences to make a positive impact in my community and profession. Through my studies in Marketing and Finance, I want to develop the skills to address meaningful challenges and create opportunities for others. Through my endeavors in pageants as a National Title Holder as well as a well rounded musician, I amothers and foster fellowship as I believe that adopting a heart to serve is what makes a well rounded leader.”
Phuong says, “I want to continue staying true to my values, beliefs, and to stay on the path of becoming the best physician I can be. After accomplishing my current goals, I wish to give back to my community and to those who might not be as fortunate to have the chance for the best medical care possible. I’m very lucky to be in my current position and I hope to bring all my dreams to light someday.”
Siwa says “My goal as a medical student is to become a foot and ankle surgeon who helps patients regain their mobility through personalized treatments, including custom orthotics, diabetic limb preservation, and biomechanical reconstructive surgery. As an Asian American, I hope to inspire other students to recognize that there are many meaningful paths in medicine—including specialties that may not receive as much exposure in the traditional pre-med journey. By sharing my experiences,
I want to encourage young Asian Americans to pursue careers that align with their passions, even if those paths are less conventional.”

Luke, Graduate
BS Nursing
Trinity University

Kayla, Junior
BS Marketing and Finance
University of Texas at Dallas

Phuong, 2nd year
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
Rosalind Franklin University

Siwa, 2nd year
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
Rosalind Franklin University