I am Adheli Gonzalez, a first generation Latina engineering student who was born and raised in La Villita, Chicago. As my four years at Columbia come to an end, I am nothing but grateful for the amazing friendships and experiences that I have shared with my fellow Columbia community. Thank you to all my friends, classmates, faculty, and staff for becoming my second family and making Columbia my second home. Though I know I will never be able to repay my parents and brother for everything they have ever done for me, my degree, diploma, and awards are my gifts to them.