Fatima Preciado 

Ganas is the Spanish word for willingness. Each day "me dan más ganas to succeed." At the age of four, I came to the United States of America where I was forced to adapt to a new culture and learn a new language. Growing up, my father verbally and physically abused my mother, which led to a destructive and dysfunctional lack of support from my family. However, I still decided to pursue higher education after high school. My desire and self-drive have empowered and allowed me to persevere. I have been named the 2016 Oregon Youth of the Year, thanks to my Boys and Girls Club who has taught me how to persist, succeed, and thrive in the face of adversity. I am proud to say that I represent my State and Boys and Girls Club with integrity, passion, and determination. I devote my time in serving in different organizations like Acción Política PCUNista because I want to lift and empower the voices of the most oppressed groups of people. I stand for humility, compassion for others, and justice. I am extremely passionate about improving, transforming, and inspiring the Latinx Community. 

Fun Fact: I have a weird obsession with the minions from Despicable Me.