My name is Malena Romero, though I go by Rosie because that’s what I’ve always been called. I am a mixed, white-presenting Latina whose relationship to identity has been shaped by both visibility and distance. While I recognize the privileges that come with being perceived as white, I have also spent much of my life navigating a sense of disconnection from the cultural heritage I was not fully raised within. These experiences have pushed me to think critically about intersectionality, representation, and the ways identity shapes both personal experience and access within larger social systems.

Education has been one of the greatest opportunities my parents worked to provide for me, and it has profoundly shaped the way I engage with the world. Growing up in an all-female educational environment taught me to value the voices, stories, and intellectual contributions of women, while my studies in English at Saint Mary's College of California have deepened my interest in literature, film, and contemporary discussions surrounding gender, culture, and identity. My academic work is grounded in curiosity, critical analysis, and a commitment to understanding how art and storytelling reflect broader social realities.

Alongside my education, I have consistently balanced academic life with professional experience, working throughout high school and college in roles centered on communication, organization, customer service, and creative outreach. These experiences have strengthened my ability to connect with diverse audiences and approach both creative and professional spaces with adaptability and intention.

Through my writing and research, I aim to engage thoughtfully with the stories, perspectives, and ideas that shape our cultural landscape while continuing to grow as both a writer and a critical thinker.