Cydmarelies A. Soto Rivera is a first-year M.A. student in English Education at the University of Puerto Rico–Mayagüez. She is an Editor at Her Campus UPRM and hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Language and Literature, with the long-term goal of becoming an English professor. Her academic interests center on YA Literature, Gender & Sexuality Studies, censorship, and Mental Health, areas she is passionate about incorporating into both research and teaching. She is also deeply involved in campus life, and currently serves as Co-President and Social Media Manager of the English Department Student Association.
Outside of academics, Cydmarelies enjoys immersing herself in stories across different mediums. She loves reading and watching foreign shows, with a special interest in Thai media. Her favorite films include How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, High School Musical 3: Senior Year, and Twilight, which reflect her wide-ranging love for cinema. Music is also a big part of her life, her top artists include Eladio Carrión, Bad Bunny, Latin Mafia, and Petra Marklund. A devoted reader, she treasures Solitaire by Alice Oseman and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, and proudly admits she loves every book Oseman has written.
Alice Oseman’s works were especially influential for Cydmarelies, sparking her interest in using literature as a means of education on gender and mental health. This passion continues to guide her academic path and inspires her vision for the future. Known for thriving under pressure, she embraces challenges with confidence and determination, balancing her leadership roles, academic responsibilities, and creative pursuits with ease.
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