Luis Paredes Alvizurez was born in the District of Columbia and grew up in nearby Maryland, returning to DC high school in his freshman year, where he graduated in 2023. “Choosing American University was an easy decision,” Paredes said. “I applied to twelve colleges, but AU was the one that most caught my eye because of the area and how lovely the campus is. I’ve always had a passion for helping others and sharing knowledge,” he said. “I had some incredible teachers that made learning fun and engaging, but others weren’t as engaging, and I would like to change that. Becoming an educator will allow me to make a positive impact on the lives of others.”