I am Richard Piloto, a freshman at the University of Dubuque, completing a bachelor’s in-flight operations (fixed wing). I am a first-generation American in my family, I was born in Miami, Florida and my parents are both from Cuba. From a young age, I knew what it looked like to see my family struggle. Some can view this as unfortunate circumstances, but I think that the struggle, hardships, and difficulties that I was raised through shaped me into who I am. The struggle is the reason I get up every morning and wish for comfort in the future. I have many goals but the biggest one I strive for is to take care of my parents. I hope one day that I can wake up and tell mom and dad “Take it easy, I got us.” With all these goals comes pressure, mostly internal. I have high expectations for myself because I know that what I want can only be completed through excellence. Due to that pressure, sometimes the mind can falter, and during times like this, it is important to reset and remember that your mental and physical health is just as important as the work you put in. A healthy mind and body pay dividends in the work you put in. I encourage everyone to find an escape or a haven from the everyday problems we encounter. Somewhere you can just be at ease and have clarity. I’m fortunate enough to have a few with boating, flying, and baseball. Baseball has been the rock in my life. Whenever I’ve needed it, it’s been there for me, whether it’s been late-night BP sessions, or early morning workouts. It’s all an escape for my mind to just find clarity.
