Dear Neighbor,

Before I ask for your vote, I would like to tell you a little about myself and why I've decided to run to represent District 65 in the Rhode Island House of Representatives.

Like so many Rhode Islanders, my story begins with family.

Growing up, my parents taught me two lessons that continue to guide my life every single day: be a leader, not a follower, and to prioritize education.

They didn't just say those words, they lived them.

My parents came from humble beginnings rooted in hard work, perseverance, and an unwavering belief that education could change the trajectory of a person's life. My father earned his law degree while balancing work and family responsibilities. My mother worked her way from Certified Nursing Assistant to Registered Nurse to Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist before ultimately earning her medical degree. None of it came easily. They worked multiple jobs, sacrificed countless hours, and believed that if they worked hard enough, they could build a better future for our family.

Their sacrifices became my opportunities, and for that I am eternally grateful.

The most salient gift they gave me was the belief that our responsibility in life is to leave our community better than we found it.

That belief inspired my journey. In college, I studied public health, while working and interning on Capitol Hill for Representative Langevin (D- RI). This experience piqued my interest in public policy and helped me see how instrumental it was in creating positive change. During that time, I also worked remotely as a research associate at Hunter College Food Policy Center in New York City. I had the opportunity to interview various notable individuals and learn about how food policy is essential in ensuring that everyone is nourished and has the opportunity to live a full life..

In March of 2015, I built houses on a mission trip with Habitat for Humanity. That led to a fellow volunteer recommending me for Teach for America. I met with the recruiter and learned about their mission of giving every child an excellent education.

That belief resonated with me, and that conviction inspired me to follow the path of moving across the country to Phoenix, Arizona, to become an educator. During my time in education, I realized the power of supporting students through a variety of different modalities. Throughout my career, I have consistently worked with multilingual learner students who predominantly spoke Spanish. This experience highlights my desire to serve every student and person to the best of my ability. My actions demonstrate my commitment to any endeavor I pursue and my willingness to go above and beyond to serve others.

That lesson is personal.

School wasn't always easy for me. There were moments when I felt discouraged and wondered if I was capable of succeeding. Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was. My parents understood how to help me at home, and I had teachers who saw potential in me even when I couldn't see it in myself.

One teacher's belief can change the trajectory of a child's life. I often wonder what would have happened if I hadn't had that support.

What happens to the student whose parents are working two jobs and simply don't have the time or resources to help with homework? What happens to the child whose family wants to help but doesn't know how to navigate our education system? What happens to the student who comes to school hungry or worried about whether they'll have a safe place to sleep that night?

I believe every person deserves the opportunity not just to survive, but to thrive.

That starts with recognizing that healthcare, housing, nutritious food, and a high-quality public education are not isolated issues. They are connected. A child who is hungry cannot focus on learning. A family worried about eviction cannot concentrate on tomorrow's spelling test. A senior choosing between medication and groceries deserves better. Strong communities are built when we ensure people have the stability they need to succeed.

Teachers are among the most dedicated professionals I know, yet too often we ask them to do more with less. We burden them with unnecessary bureaucracy, expect them to solve society's greatest challenges without adequate support, and slowly chip away at the professionalism they deserve. We should trust educators, invest in them, and give them the resources they need to help every student succeed.

At the same time, we have to ask ourselves difficult questions.

Why should any teacher have to spend their own money on pencils, notebooks, and classroom supplies? Why should schools just a few miles apart have dramatically different resources? 

I do not believe they should.

Supporting students also means supporting families. Parents are a child's first teachers, and they deserve to be true partners in education. We should equip families with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to support learning at home, ensuring no parent feels like they have to navigate the education system alone.

These same values guide how I think about every challenge facing District 65.

I think about seniors who want to remain in the neighborhoods they have spent decades building but worry about rising costs. I think about young families searching for housing they can afford. I think about local businesses that are the backbone of our community. I think about flooding, aging infrastructure, and protecting Watchemoket Cove so future generations inherit a healthier environment than the one we have today.

Whether we're discussing education, housing, healthcare, affordability, infrastructure, or climate resilience, I return to the same question:

I believe the government should expand opportunity. I believe your ZIP code should never determine your future.  I believe every child deserves a teacher who believes in them, every family deserves the opportunity to succeed, every senior deserves to age with dignity, and every resident deserves a representative who listens before they lead.

That is why I am running.

If you choose me to represent District 65, I promise to be accessible, transparent, and accountable. I'll continue knocking on doors, listening to your concerns, showing up in our neighborhoods, and remembering that this office belongs to the people—not to any political party or special interest.

The opportunities I have today exist because people believed in me.

It would be the honor of a lifetime to earn your trust, your support, and your vote. Together, we can build a District 65 where every child can dream, every family can thrive, every senior can age with dignity, and every neighbor has the opportunity to succeed.