As I reflect on an idea or question that captured my interest, I look back to my seventh

grade civics class when I was filling out the worksheet that outlined the roles and requirements
of the various governmental duties. I stumbled upon the four constitutional requirements to be
eligible as a presidential candidate: natural-born US citizen, minimum of 35 years of age,
resident of the United States for 14 years, and to not have served two terms prior to campaigning.
That meant that as an immigrant, I could spend more time in the country than a presidential
candidate, but be discarded by my original Argentine nationality. This led me to years of
questioning the constitutional requirements for presidency and even finding ways to challenge
them in my own way throughout high school. To me, becoming a President should never be just
about where one was born, it should be about one's involvement, commitment and loyalty to a
country.
In 9th Grade, when I walked into an empty school as part of the first graduating class, I
was eager to turn that building into a school. During my first year, I got involved with
administration’s plans for activities until I gained the approval to start the school’s first club and
honor society. I remained committed, I knew that my next step had to be something more
political, like running for student government. Thankfully, since there was no citizenship
requirement for this election, I bought my poster boards, created my campaign video, and was
soon elected President of the student body of 400 students.
Throughout my next three years of high school, I maintained my role as Student Body
President. As the school grew, my role also included being a representative for the school and
meeting individuals who took interest in the growth of our education. My principal, who attended
these events with me, loved to introduce me to city officials and school board members as “the
girl who is already on her way to become the next President of the United States.” Sometimes, it’s
easier to respond with a head nod and awkward laugh than saying “I actually can’t be President of
the United States, I wasn’t born here.”
After three years of presidential duties, I reflect back on everything I accomplished within
my school in that role and cannot help but think what would have happened if there was a
citizenship requirement that stopped me from even trying. I begin to think that a variety of the
events and policies I implemented would not have happened. So what tells us naturalized citizens
who have spent most of their lives in this country cannot do the same and become President of the
United States? If one can be committed, loyal, involved, and passionate about change, why should
they be discarded? I may never make it onto the executive branch to amend those presidential
requirements, but I will continue looking for leadership positions in my educational environment
that allow me to enact change at the same scale.