BASKETBALL
Basketball has shaped who I am more than anything else. I came to the game later than many — starting in Puerto Rico at 14 — but once I decided I wanted to become great, I committed fully. Now I play at IMG Academy, where the game challenges me to improve every day, pushes me to lead with accountability, and teaches me how to handle setbacks. For me, success isn’t about talent alone, but the discipline behind it — staying after practice when everyone else has left, training year-round without missing a day, and paying attention to the details like recovery and nutrition. Basketball has taught me resilience, leadership, and how to thrive under pressure.
Entrepreneurship
For me, entrepreneurship started with a simple motivation: I wanted to make money. What I’ve learned along the way, though, is that building something of value takes creativity, persistence, and resilience. From co-founding OAC Clothing with my friends to launching the Entrepreneurship Mastermind Club (which grew into an official class at school), I discovered that I enjoy the challenge of turning ideas into results.
In 2023, I attended a Business & Entrepreneurship summer program, where my team’s startup concept was selected as the winning project. I’ve also had the opportunity to shadow entrepreneurs, gaining perspective on the discipline and vision it takes to build something from the ground up.
This year, I’m beginning dual-enrollment business classes to strengthen my academic foundation. Looking ahead, I’m also developing a new business venture, taking the next step in combining vision with action and creating something with lasting impact.
Quantum Physics
My curiosity for quantum mechanics and how the universe works led me to IBM’s Quantum Computing platform, where I got to run real experiments on a quantum computer. Using Python and Anaconda, I tested concepts like T1 Decoherence and Quantum Random Number Generation. It was fascinating, and it showed me that with initiative, I could access cutting-edge science and actually experiment with it myself.
“Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
—Dylan Thomas (Interstellar)
Chess
I started playing chess as a kid and it’s still one of my favorite ways to challenge myself. I’ve competed in official tournaments, reaching an ELO of 1249, and through online play and study I’ve improved to 1800+. For me, chess is about strategy, patience, and sharpening my mind — lessons that also help me on the basketball court.
Gaming
Gaming has always been more than a pastime for me — it’s where creativity, problem-solving, and competition all come together. I started developing games on Roblox using LUA and Blender, creating assets that are still used by players today, and even trading in-game items for profit. I love challenging games that push me to focus and improve — from mastering the precision of Geometry Dash to exploring the complexity of my favorite game, Elden Ring. Gaming also connects me with others: I play different titles with friends and my brother, making it both a competitive and social part of my life.
