I am a 21-year-old student-athlete from Brazil pursuing my dream of earning a college degree in the United States.

At just 16 years old, I made the life-changing decision to leave my family and move abroad alone to chase an opportunity in basketball and education. The transition was not easy—adapting to a new country, language, and culture while balancing academics and athletics pushed me in ways I never expected. But through it all, I stayed committed to my goals.

I began my journey in Springfield - Virginia, earning a high school degree. Then, I went to Lamar Community College in Colorado, where I spent two years continuing to develop both academically and athletically. I then transferred to Westcliff University in California to continue working toward my degree in Business Management while competing as a student-athlete.

Now in my junior year, I am facing one of the toughest challenges of my journey: affording my education.

As an international student, I am not eligible for federal financial aid. My parents in Brazil support me as much as they can, but the exchange rate and high cost of living in the United States make it extremely difficult to cover tuition, housing, and daily expenses.

Despite these challenges, I am determined to graduate and build a better future for myself and my family.

Your support, no matter the amount, will go directly toward my tuition and living expenses. It will allow me to stay in school, continue competing in the sport I love, and finish the journey I started five years ago.

Every contribution brings me one step closer to earning my degree and proving that sacrifice, resilience, and hard work truly pay off.

Thank you for being part of my story.