I’m a Latina high school student who blends creativity, resilience, and leadership. With a love for music, sustainability, and innovation, I am eager to turn my passions into meaningful contributions to the world. My aspirations lie in music and business management, while I also enjoy showcasing my enthusiasm for skincare and its impact on self-care and wellness.
Sheila Hernandez
About Me
I am a proud first-generation Latina from Los Angeles, California. As a rising senior in high school, I enjoy immersing myself in community projects and extracurricular activities that allow me to grow personally and connect with others.
I’m especially drawn to behind-the-scenes work, such as production, management, and business operations. My passion for bringing people together, whether through music or innovative projects, is what fuels my drive to succeed. I aim to be remembered as someone confident, determined, and wholeheartedly dedicated to achieving their goals. Whether designing impactful projects, such as a mental health website, or stepping out of my comfort zone to pitch an eco-friendly business plan, I aim to use my skills to inspire collaboration, celebrate inclusivity, and make a lasting impact in my field.
Achievements
Pitching an Award-Winning Eco-Friendly Business Plan
As part of a program at the Berkeley Research Group, I collaborated with a small team to create a business plan for a sustainable recycling initiative. The project culminated in a Shark Tank-inspired competition, where we pitched our idea and asked for investments in exchange for equity. Despite limited preparation time and a disorganized start, I stepped up to lead the group, organize our ideas, and deliver a professional presentation to a panel of judges, including consultants and industry experts. My public speaking and leadership efforts helped us win the competition, a defining moment that inspired my passion for sustainability and entrepreneurship.
Designing a Mental Health Advocacy Website
As part of the Kode with Klossy program, my team and I created a website dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and support. Collaborating closely, we developed a comprehensive site aimed at providing accessible resources and information to our audience. I took on the role of layout designer, crafting a visually engaging and user-friendly interface that reflected our mission. I worked to incorporate my teammates’ ideas while ensuring the design was cohesive and professional. This experience taught me the importance of collaboration, effective communication, and balancing creative input with functionality. Presenting the website to a panel of tech and computer science professionals was an incredible milestone that validated our hard work and inspired me to pursue similar projects.
Creating a Surfboard Website for America on Tech
As part of America on Tech, I worked with my team to develop a surfboard-themed website for a mock client. I was responsible for crafting the “Surf Camps” section, ensuring the designs and themes aligned with the client’s specifications. Additionally, I contributed to the presentation concept, helping my team prepare and present to judges in a final competition for a prize. The project showcased my ability to meet client expectations, implement creative designs, and collaborate effectively under deadline pressure. Through this project, I learned the importance of communicating effectively, thinking from the client’s perspective, and relying on my team for support. I also enhanced my coding skills by tackling challenges that arose during the development process.