Written by Rochelle Schmidt

“That’s why I wanted to do the pageant,” she said. “To be out of my comfort zone, to get involved more with the community and with people. I feel like it’s been working, because I’ve gained a sort of confidence with all of this.”

Creativity has always been at the center of who she is. Bravo spends her free time making crafts, sewing, and even designing her own clothes. For her, handmade gifts are more than hobbies, they are a way of expressing love. 

“I like to personally hand make things so it feels more special to them,” she said. 

One of her favorite creations was a bouquet of flowers for her grandmother, made from the pages of a book, lit with tiny lights. 

“She really liked it,” Bravo said, smiling at the memory.

That desire to give and create extends beyond her crafts. Through Sobobans, she has helped with fundraisers, community events, and even making Easter baskets. She also participated in Big Brother Big Sister, where she learned patience by helping younger students with homework. 

“Some of the kids would get really distracted, so I had to be on top of them,” she said. “But then we could do fun activities, like building a robot. It really helped me learn patience and time management.”

Her journey, however, hasn’t always been easy. Moving back and forth between the U.S. and Mexico left her struggling with English and feeling out of place. 

“It was really difficult, and I was just really shy and closed off because of it,” Bravo said. 

A sixth-grade teacher changed everything. Through after-school tutoring and constant patience, that teacher gave Bravo the tools to succeed. 

“She always stayed patient with me, even though I didn’t understand everything,” Bravo said. “I really appreciate her for helping me.” 

That experience shaped how Bravo approaches challenges now: with resilience and the belief that asking for help isn’t weakness, but strength. She has also drawn inspiration from her sister, the first in her family to attend college. 

“She did it without anybody completely helping her,” Bravo said. “She was the first one to step forward on that, and I really look up to her.”

Today, Bravo channels that resilience into new opportunities. She joined tennis, a sport that tested her patience but also gave her joy. 

“Even though it’s frustrating, it’s really calming,” she said. “I love everything about it: the team, learning to play, playing, everything.”

Winning a match makes her feel accomplished and confident. 

And looking further ahead, her dreams tie back to her roots in Mexico. After witnessing how animals were mistreated in her community there, she hopes to become a veterinarian. 

“I just want to give back to those small animals that don’t have a voice,” she said .

For Bravo, leadership is about more than titles or recognition. 

“Being a good leader means that I achieve my goals with the help of people around me, and I help them achieve their goals too,” she said. 

That’s what drives her to represent San Bernardino High School, to show that big dreams can come from small towns, and that confidence grows when you challenge yourself.

As she prepares for what comes next, Bravo carries with her the support of her family, the lessons of her teachers, and the strength she’s found in her own creativity. 

“I want to show my family that all their efforts that were put into me were achieved,” she said. “Making them proud is one of my biggest goals.”