Aspired: April 2024

Elevated to Postulant: September 2024

Home town?

Santa Rosa, CA

How did you discover your calling?

I discovered my calling while working on my first job in 2022– although, my family would argue that it came much sooner, with the amount of Pride events we attended during my childhood where The Sisters were present– I was writing the “community calendar” segments to be read on the air and I was surprised to see Bingo nights come up from The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence so often.

Later, while in an AmeriCorps program, I was reminded of my fascination when I heard about the grants that they had provided for the organization I was serving. One day, I finally got the courage to reach out and ask about coming to a Bingo night to volunteer. The rest is history.

Big Sisters in the order?

My Big Sisters are Yanita Letgo, Father Bertha De Zoot, and Sister Tooty Too Too Sweet.

Why did you join?

Feeling the changes of a post-Covid-lockdown world, I experienced some technology fatigue. Yes, technology can be a wonderful tool, and was a great way to find like-minded people, but I was finding that activism online was often purely monetary or entirely ineffective and that most work could be done in real life on a local level to create real change. I also realized that creating face-to-face connections would be valuable for my emotional wellbeing, my career, and the ties I have to my community, especially when I could find common ground with those I’m working with.

Being queer, neurodivergent, and with a strong desire to make Sonoma County a better place, I quickly felt secure with The Russian River Sisters as they each taught me important lessons that I needed to hear to begin my journey to become my best self.

Religious beliefs (if any)?

I believe that there is a higher being (God, a great consciousness, etc.) that is neither good nor evil, but instead acts as a grand author with the purpose of using each of our lives to tell the most interesting stories possible whether that be comedy, tragedy, epic, etc. There is a reason so many important religious texts are narratives, after all.

I believe any creative act, no matter what you’re making, is an inherently spiritual one.

Mission and aspirations?

My mission is to reconnect grown-ups with their inner child and to encourage play with a child-like wonder and whimsy that isn’t often appreciated in our society, while serving the needs and healing the wounds of my community that prevent joy from taking place. Everything I do is about supporting this mission whether it’s working towards my bachelors degrees in psychology and business administration, working for local educational programs, or volunteering directly with my community. I hope to align my future with the mission of joy and alleviating suffering.

Rules by which I live..

Too many.

Favorite quotes?

• “We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” - George Bernard Shaw

• “You can be whoever, whatever you want to be. Even someone good. I mean just in case anyone ever told you different.” - Loki (TV series, 2021)

• “Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers and me!” - Kermit the Frog

• “Have faith in your dreams, and someday, your rainbow will come smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish, will come true.” Cinderella (1950)