A Little About Me,

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My early childhood was marked by frequent moves. I arrived in the U.S. when I was eight, living briefly in Los Angeles before my family settled in Northern Virginia. From elementary school through part of middle school, we resided in Alexandria, VA, then moved to Sterling, VA, where I lived from eighth grade until high school graduation.

It was during my senior year that I met my now-husband. We've been together for eighteen years, and his roots in rural Montgomery County, Maryland, eventually led us to Frederick. After high school, we decided to move in together and return to his hometown. During that transition, I focused on creating a supportive home, ensuring he had everything he needed for his demanding yet rewarding career, and caring for our dogs. I also enjoyed taking on various seasonal jobs throughout the year. My most notable was working at a local farm for eleven years—a fulfilling experience that deepened my love and appreciation for nature, agriculture, and environmental consciousness.

Soon after, we were fortunate enough to purchase our first home: a fixer-upper condo. After several years of DIY projects and invaluable help from friends and family, we were able to sell it, which made it possible to buy our current home in Frederick's East Church neighborhood, District 4. A community where I have served on the condo board the entire time we've resided here.

Moving to Frederick, while exciting, initially brought some concerns. As a gay immigrant of color, I worried about standing out or potentially facing harassment. To my pleasant surprise, however, I found the city to be incredibly friendly, diverse, artistic, and open-minded. There's a genuine sense of community here, shared by lifelong natives and new residents alike.

The warm welcome and strong sense of community I've experienced have inspired me to run for office and serve our city. Given my background and unique perspective as part of a different age group, I believe I can offer a fresh point of view and give a voice to anyone who can relate to my journey. Together, I am confident we can work towards a brighter future for Frederick.