Maria Mauricio, finance director for the non-profit Professional Filipino American Youth (PFAY), brings up a very important question: To assimilate or not to assimilate? Maria grew up in America with Filipino parents, which meant sometimes cultural expectations clashed with American life. But Maria wondered if she could ever "blend in" as a Filipina or as an American when oftentimes she was made to feel "other" in both cultures. "Blending in" should not mean diminishing any part of your identity, but rather bringing multiple factors together to create your unique identity and being proud of all parts of you.