Growing up, it was hard not to be aware of the inequity and inequality that exists in our world. It was in high school that I became passionate about social justice and advocacy as I finally articulated what that meant to me. 95% of the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District lives in poverty; I watched kids slip through the cracks, many of them dropping out, and instead of making changes to address these issues, the administration implemented strict policies that came with punishments such as suspension or detention. Those most affected by these policies were not only experiencing poverty but were also students of color and they needed more than what our school was willing to give them. After the tragic loss of one of our classmates at the hands of gang violence my junior year, I promised myself that when I had the opportunity, I would challenge systems like that of my high school and advocate for a more just world. I am fortunate enough to have found those opportunities here at Salem State and within our Center for Civic Engagement. I can only hope to continue empowering students to champion similar change in their communities.