Samy Martinez-Claros, she/her
Junior, Jones College (JONES WINS AGAIN)
Loving, Bubbly, Giving
Major: Biosciences in Concentration of Cell Biology & Genetics, Health Sciences (Pre-Med)
Why did you want to become a FLI Ambassador? My reasoning for wanting to become an FLI Ambassador is special. I want to advocate and support fellow FGLI students. As a community, we only know what our experiences have been like and how we have felt while dealing with them. My biggest desire is to show others that there is a loving community ready to support, guide, and love them!
What does FGLI mean to you? Being FGLI is everything to me. Half my pride comes from honoring the sacrifices of those who came before me, specifically my parents. The other half is being able to make my dreams come true! My struggles have only strengthened who I am in order to move forward and excel in anything I do.
What is one challenge that you've experienced as a FLI student and how did you overcome it? A major challenge I’ve faced as an FGLI student is insecurity. The insecurity that I have dealt with comes from financial reasons, academic reasons, and even within myself. I often felt like my identity was against me and made my life harder. I have recently realized that my identity is my strength, it is what makes me connect with others, understand others, and affects every single one of my actions. Without my identity, I wouldn’t be the person who I am so proud of being today!
What are you involved in outside of being a FLI Ambassador? Being an FLI Ambassador is the best, most fun, and most important! But, I do have other involvements outside of the Wiggly FGLI community. At Jones (JIBAAA), I serve as the Head RHA, Head Caregiver and a part of the Merch Committee. I have also served as a Jones O-Week Coordinator for the Class of 2028! At Rice, I am a part of the Outreach Committee with HACER, the Vice President of LMSA, the manager of Los Búhos del Norte, a volunteer at the RWRC, a member of Hearts for Homeless, a liaison for PPgen, a tutor for Across All Borders, and a member of inThread Fashion. In my personal time, I love sewing/anything fashion related, painting, journaling, thrifting, sidequesting, and doing anything DIY!
What's been your favorite class so far? I’m currently taking a class with Dr. Johnson, Immunology, that is my favorite at Rice so far! We learn the cellular process of various diseases by reading real life case studies. I love how non-traditional the lectures are because we get to see how diseases truly affect people while learning the sciences behind it all.
A piece of advice for FLI students: A piece of advice I have for our FGLI students is to be kinder to yourself. Navigating Rice and life in general is challenging, but it is so vital to be kind and patient in yourself in the process. Look at all your accomplishments, give yourself the recognition you deserve, and keep thriving! You are so special!