“Thank you so much for supporting me as I enter my final year of studies. I feel very grateful and honored to have been selected for the Dr. Rafael and Mrs. J. Fe Padrón de Angulo scholarship award for 2022. This Spring, I completed an internship with the Majority Staff of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. In this internship, I had the opportunity to work under an impressive and inspiring team that focused on the Western Hemisphere and counter-narcotics portfolio of Chairman Bob Menendez. I am coming away from this internship with first-hand experience in the world of legislative advocacy in foreign policy, a better understanding of major stakeholders in Washington, and a network of incredible mentors and contacts (including many UF alumni) that I developed over the course of my time in Washington in the Spring. 

I am continuing to seek out other opportunities to advance both professionally and academically prior to my graduation from the University of Florida next Spring. This Summer, I am working as an intern with the Office of the Speaker of the House and taking several online classes. Upon my return to Gainesville this Fall, I am excited to leverage knowledge I gained through my D.C. experience to advance UF priorities in my role as Vice Chair of Policy for the External Affairs Student Government Agency. Additionally, I will be serving as Director of the Freshman Leadership Experience under UF Class Councils. I am currently studying for the LSAT and plan to take the test in August and apply to joint J.D./Masters programs focusing on Security Studies or International Affairs the upcoming cycle. 

Again, thank you so much as the support from the Caimanes community has already made such a difference in helping me plan for my return to Gainesville and future endeavors.“