Though her life goals have changed over the years, one thing has always remained constant: her desire to improve her society for herself and for future generations. She understands that diligence and perseverance pave the way to achieving success. Serving as a lead attorney for her mock trial team since the 7th grade, she has grown in her role as a public speaker and a student leader. She is currently an attorney on the Stanford Mock Trial team. Despite numerous activities, Dora has always excelled in school, not once losing sight of her ambitions.

Many events in her life have led to the culmination of her dream to help others. Engaging in world-delegation projects to discuss solutions to global problems, Dora has learned to broaden her view of the world. More importantly, Dora has been active in her community. In 2005, she raised money to benefit leukemia patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In 2009, she volunteered at the Alliance for Children’s Rights to help provide financial and educational services to children in foster care. One of her most meaningful community activities has been her service to Facing History and Ourselves, a non-profit organization that helped her to redefine her responsibility to society. As an intern and student speaker for Facing History, Dora has participated in community conversations to help educate others about important issues.

Dora’s experiences have molded her into the activist that she is today. Dora serves as one of the Education Coordinators for Stanford STAND, a national student-run anti-genocide coalition. Through awareness, advocacy, and fundraising, her club speaks up for the victims of genocide when no one else will. This past school quarter, STAND raised nearly $7,000 to benefit the Darfur Stoves Project, which provides fuel-efficient stoves to persons in internally displaced camps in Darfur. Although Dora has begun mobilizing her student body, she is far from reaching that goal. Getting people excited around a cause – excited about the prospect of helping others – is a quality that she hopes to develop as a member of the Ron Brown community. Dora’s life experiences have provided her with the tools she will need to improve her community and world. Finally, Dora dreams to change the way the world responds to international crises, but she is not sure how to pursue that venture. James Baldwin once said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” Dora holds this philosophy dearly and she knows that with her continued belief in herself and faith, she will achieve what seems impossible.