To me, freedom means being able to make my own decisions and go where I want without always having someone telling me what I can or cannot do. Growing up, my understanding of freedom was shaped a lot by my family. As the oldest and only daughter for the first 10 years of my life in a Hispanic household, my parents were much stricter with me than they were with my younger brother. Seeing my parents sacrifice so much for our family made me realize at a young age that freedom looks different for everyone. Looking back, I now understand that my parents’ strictness came from love and a desire to protect me while preparing me for the independence I have today.
Since moving away for college and spending time in Washington DC, I have learned that freedom comes with responsibility. Being on my own has taught me how to make decisions for myself, manage my responsibilities, and become more confident in my abilities. My experience in DC has shown me that independence isn’t just having the freedom to do what I want, it’s using that freedom to make thoughtful decisions and grow into a more responsible person.
Being in DC has also shown me that freedom comes with the responsibility to use your voice to create change. During my internship, I have met people from different communities who are working to advocate for families, immigrants, and children, which has broadened my perspective. These experiences helped me realize that the responsibility I have today is rooted in the values my parents taught me growing up. Their guidance prepared me to make thoughtful decisions, speak up for others, and use my independence with purpose. Looking back, I now see that everything they did was to help me become the confident, responsible, and compassionate person I am today.
Blog Author: Lizet Rentería-Romero – Class of 2026
Published on July 23, 2026