Joel Miranda, 18, is a senior at Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, N.J. He was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and currently lives in Camden with his mother, step-dad and older brother. He is the youngest of three.

Joel wants to attend the University of the Arts in Philadelphia for graphic design or 3D animation. He wants to learn a little of everything if he’s able to. He’s interested in understanding the world he lives in and believes that knowledge is key.

Joel’s hobbies are anything that has to do with creativity; he is well-recognized for how well he draws and how hard he works on what he starts. Teachers usually call him for whatever assignment they have that needs that creativity and hard work.

He is also recognized because of his ambition. Knowing where he grew up in a troubled area, he wants to break free. Although he’s lived there most of his life, it is not his home. He wants to work hard, be financially stable and support his family and loved ones. He wants to graduate high school, attend college, graduate, work and go back to school for his master’s degree. Joel is confident, trusting and a good person. He hopes that someday in the future, his loved ones and he will be in a better place and well taken care of. He will be somebody that maybe one day will change the world.