Paola made her debut in the DSA halls in 8th grade, where she quickly became immersed in a community of creativity, leadership, and faith. She made her mark in many ways, most notably as the pioneer of DSA's first drama club and as a dedicated member of the school newspaper. Helping launch the first DSA play showed her the power of speaking up and bringing an idea to life. These early lessons in advocacy would later shape her future path! She reminisces on her time at DSA as a place that truly felt like 'her school' and helped her stay grounded in who she was.

After graduating in 2016, Paola attended the University of Central Florida, where she pursued Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Legal Studies and Film, alongside a minor in Communications. During her time in university, her interests began to crystallize around a common theme: using her voice to advocate for herself and others. This realization pushed her toward the law track, where she could combine her passion for communication with her desire to make a tangible difference. While still completing her studies, Paola began working at the front desk of a law firm, eager to gain real-world experience in the legal field.

Her dedication and hard work paid off quickly! Within just three months, she transitioned into a case manager role, and by the time of her graduation in 2020, she had already proven herself to be an invaluable part of the team. She secured a position as a paralegal shortly after graduation, where she continued to support attorneys on complex cases and further developed her law knowledge.

Now, Paola is pursuing her Juris Doctor at Loyola University Chicago with plans to specialize in health law as a plaintiff medical malpractice attorney. It's a new chapter, a new city, and a new space for growth! Whether she's serving at church, studying law, or exploring her new home with her dog, Archie, she continues to live out the mindset that was fostered at DSA: to be the change she wants to see and to use her gifts to build God's kingdom.

We're proud of you, Paola, and pray for continued blessings in this next chapter of life!