"Small town girl, big dreams." That's me, Karina Ortega. I am the middle child of 4 siblings. I was born in lindsay and still currently live here but I will be moving to Fresno for the fall. I will be attending Fresno State where I will be studying to major in liberal arts to become a spanish teacher. Growing up in a small town like Lindsay where no one is expected to make it far in education is really challenging because I want to change that perspective. Every family around here works at packing houses or in the fields. Growing up I had to go work with my parents in the fields to help them bring extra money home. I know what it really is to struggle financially so being able to go through this experience really opened my eyes to further my education. I am the first in my family to attend a 4 year university so it is a big deal. I am currently ranked #15 in my class with a 3.7 GPA. This puts me in the top ten percent in my class so I have a higher advantage in getting into the schools I want to. Like I said I will be attending Fresno State due to money problems, but an education is an education. I am currently a captain of my varsity soccer team which has taught me how to manage leadership skills. I am also vice president of NSHS which actually nominated me as a homecoming queen nominee. This experience was once in a lifetime, the memories I created that week were some I will probably tell my grandkids. I am also part of Art Club, Key Club and ASB. These clubs have given me the opportunity to grow as an individual. For example my speaking skills have gotten better and I can now speak in a big crowd of people without getting nervous or shy. I am part of the board so I sometimes lead the meetings and do all the talking so I've gotten so use to it that when there's a chance to present something for extra credit I will be the first one to volunteer. My family has to be the most supporting one out there, I forgot to mention but I also have a part time job since sophomore and it is hard managing school work, sports and a job all at the same time but I had my family supporting me through it all. What I love about my schedule is that I already know with a week in advance what I have to do and when it has to be done so it makes me a responsible individual to manage everything in such short timing. Although I don't get to spend a lot of time with my family anymore due to my busy schedule, when I do I cherish those moments because you never know when something can happen. I'm excited to start a new journey in life, a new chapter.