Biography

I was named after my mother, Araceli Ramos but my friends and family call me Shelly. I was born in Orange, spent my childhood in San Jose and moved to Moreno Valley my sophomore year so, I have been all over northern and southern California. I am the oldest of four siblings and responsible for setting an example, though I’m not the best at it, but I try.  My family thinks I’m crazy because I do things that most people we know don’t do.  I don’t eat meat (which surprises people because I’m Mexican and Mexicans are “supposed to” eat meat), I don’t drink soda, I’m known as a tree hugger because I tell everyone not to litter or use plastic bags when we go grocery shopping, and I’ll do almost anything to help my loved ones crack a smile. Regardless of how weird I may seem to my family, we are all very close.

Some people may think I’m a bit blunt and argumentative at times; I think I’m just trying to be honest because it’s easier than lying and yes, I do argue but only because I’m passionate about certain issues that matter to me. Several of them are environmental issues, things that have to do with immigrants, undocumented students, minorities, nutrition, feminism, peoples’ well-being, etc.; because I am so interested in these issues and others, I find myself volunteering for all sorts of causes and non-profit organizations, which I enjoy very much. I love helping people.

Currently, I am pursuing a career in math and so I am a math major but I am beginning to realize that I am more passionate about environmental and nutritional issues than I am about numbers. I was talking to my Puente counselor one day and she told me that I needed one more science class to transfer, along with other classes. She recommended that I take Bio 36 because she knows that I like being “eco-friendly” and it would be good for me to learn more about the environment. So I took her advice and here I am in Environmental Science class. One thing I would like to know more about is how I can promote a greener environment.