Raquel is planning to major in Fashion Design and minor in Fashion Communication. She was born in the Dominican Republic but has been living in Brooklyn for the last 11 years. Raquel attended the Groundswell Portfolio Development courses during her junior year of high school. During her junior year she was able to study Drawing and Painting in the Parsons Paris Summer Intensive Program as a recipient of the Anna Toonk Scholarship. Aside from being a Parsons Scholar alumna, Raquel also works with a nonprofit group of young artists known as Cre8tive Youth*Ink who work together to create murals around NYC. A goal that Raquel has always had is to never compromise her art. The main reason why Raquel became a Parsons Scholars Mentor was to help high school students who wanted to pursue careers in the arts complete all the requirements to be accepted into their dream schools. She also aims to give them insight of her experiences in high school and as a student at her dream school to keep them motivated to reach their goals as students and artists.