Hi my name is Paloma Barrera-Davila, and I am raising funds

to attend the IODA North American Championship this summer in Puerto Rico. Donate today to help me make the goal of raising

$9,000 by June 30th this summer.

I still remember the first time I stepped foot in an Optimist at the

Coconut Grove Sailing Club and I knew that that was going to be my

passion. Not only has the sport made me the person I am today, it has

also taught me the valuable lesson that in order to succeed you must first fail; but you can’t let the failure discourage you but instead learn from it.

Since I was a little girl I have looked up to people that made it big in the sailing world and I aspire to be one of the few girls that make it, not only to prove it to myself, but also to prove it to younger generations of female sailors that also have the dream to go to worlds or even as far as the olympics.

At the age of 14 I have an amazing opportunity to represent the United States at the North American Championship in Puerto Rico. This isn’t just another event, for me it is a step closer to reaching my ultimate goal of competing in the World Championships alongside the best and toughest Optimist sailors in the world.

With your help I can continue to pursue my passion with determination, and prove that no goal is too big to achieve.

Help me achieve my goal to represent Team USA at North Americans,

the last step in qualifying for the World Championship.