Tell us about yourself and how are you involved with FIRST?
I have participated in FIRST for the past two years and am currently in my third and final year. I started as a member of the Hype-Birds 16818 team and recently also joined the FRC team, Nautilus 4010. I was Hype-Birds captain during the Centerstage season and now I am the team programmer, which makes me very proud because it gives me the opportunity to represent the skills and knowledge of women inside and outside my team.
How has FIRST helped you accomplish your goals?
I love FIRST because it is not just about robotics, it is a place where you can learn and improve yourself in many aspects. It has encouraged me to learn a lot and not limit myself to a specific area such as social projects, mechanics or programming. It has allowed me to be multidisciplinary, giving me the opportunity to learn and apply my learning. It has also given me confidence to achieve my goals, knowing that I can learn and try each time until I finally succeed.
Do you recall any special experiences or challenges?
The most special moment at FIRST for me was the Monterrey Regional during the Centerstage season. At this moment we were going through a bad streak, we were unmotivated and no one thought we could get a good result in this last competition. However, we won, finishing the day invictus and taking home an Inspire award. I think this experience is about the resilience and teamwork we found that day, not giving up and believing in each other’s work and also in ourselves.
Why do you think FIRST is important for females?
I think FIRST encourages you as a woman to learn and not feel a barrier because of your gender, it is a place where you can always learn and thrive no matter who you are. Hype-Birds is a team where the majority of us are women, so for me FIRST has also been a support network and a space with a lot of sorority. It is a great source of inspiration and motivation to not be limited in what you can do because of your gender.
What are your goals for the future?
I want to increase the impact I have outside of FIRST, in Mexico and the rest of Latin America. My goal is to develop projects to approach STEAM education for girls in vulnerable communities. According to the UN, only 9% of the female population is involved in STEM disciplines while 23% of men are. I want to change this statistic by giving girls the opportunity to know that their gender does not limit them to do and learn what they want.
What advice would you give to the younger generation of girls interested in STEAM fields?
I would advise them not to limit themselves to what other people say they are capable of doing. That way they can make great progress, deciding for themselves how much they can do and learn.
Do you have a woman you look up to/is your role model? If so, who is it and why?
There are two women I admire. The first is Katya Echazarreta, she is well known in Mexico for being the first Mexican female astronaut, and also for her work in science, aerospace engineering and in general for encouraging girls to follow their interests in these areas. I wish I could be a source of inspiration like her. The second woman is my sister, she has great goals and that inspires me to pursue mine, because no matter what happens she never gives up and when I see her I want to keep trying too.
Do you know a student, alumni, mentor, volunteer or sponsor with a great story?
Click here to nominate your favorite #FIRSTLikeAGirl, to tell her story!