My name is Manuella Stellute Pimenta. I was born on St. Patrick’s Day, and maybe that explains why my life has always felt a little different, a little lucky, and a little complicated. I am fourteen years old, and in those years I have already lived in three different countries—Brazil, the United States, and Canada. I have moved back and forth between them at different times, and each place has left a mark on me. Because of this, I sometimes feel like I don’t fully belong anywhere. Instead, I carry little pieces of many cultures inside me, and those pieces are what make me who I am.
Languages are one of the ways I keep those pieces alive. I speak six: Portuguese, English, Spanish, a little French, some Italian, and even a touch of Chinese. Each one connects me to people and places I’ve known, and each one reminds me that I am more than just one identity. At home, I live with my mom, dad, and younger sister. My dog, who I love dearly, is still in Brazil, since we couldn’t bring him with us.
I dream of going into emergency medicine because I love helping people. Often, I put others ahead of myself, because seeing others safe and cared for means so much to me. Writing and reading are also passions of mine. I love getting inside a character’s mind, understanding how they think, and sharing my own thoughts so others can see the world through my eyes.
Sports are another big part of my life. I run track—100m hurdles, 200m, long jump, and the 4×1 relay—and I’m a sprinter who loves the speed and freedom of running. I also play basketball, and when I’m watching sports, football is my favorite. I cheer for the Buffalo Bills, and Josh Allen is my favorite player.
Movies and TV are my escape. I love everything from superhero adventures like Marvel, DC, and Star Wars to thrillers like Jigsaw, Scream, and John Wick. Also love true crime radios and shows like Law and Order. I can’t resist classics like Dirty Dancing, The Breakfast Club, Ghost, and Grease. Holiday favorites like Home Alone and Elf never get old, and I adore heartfelt films like 10 Things I Hate About You, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Legally Blonde, 13 Going on 30, La La Land, Dead Poets Society, Sweet November, Jumanji, Miss Congeniality, Night at the Museum, Happy Gilmore, Tag, Mall Cop, Grown Ups, and The Truman Show. For shows, my go-tos are Friends, Modern Family, The Office, and Wednesday. I also love all the Hunger Games movies. Watching stories unfold—whether funny, romantic, or serious—gives me comfort and inspiration.
At my core, I see myself as kind, hardworking, and dedicated. I don’t always feel like I belong to just one place, but maybe that’s my strength. I have learned to adapt, to connect, and to carry little pieces of every home I’ve had. Those pieces together make me whole—and they shape the person I’m becoming.
