My talk is centered on growing up in America when you have multiple heritages. I am a Cambodian American. I was born in the United States and raised with both Eastern and Western values. Due to this, I often felt an identity crisis, as I never truly felt Cambodian and I never truly felt American. I hope to be a voice that guides generations of immigrated individuals to being at peace with their culture and themselves. Growing up in America often leads immigrated individuals to either assimilate to the masses or isolate themselves in preservation. In my talk I detail the steps of acknowledgment, acceptance, initiative, and action that guide a person into understanding who they truly are and heightening their cultural affirmation. In life there are many choices to make, but no individual should doubt his/her identity when he/she chooses to be themselves every day. My name is Chanmarie Un, I am 17 years old and I go to Clear Brook High School. For a long time, I’ve recognized the injustices that people face due to gender, race, socioeconomic status, etc...and I always felt the need to use my actions and my voice to help others. Ultimately, this has inspired my journey towards becoming an engineer. I don’t shy away from the things that need to be said or done, as I believe that society cannot progress unless it walks with purpose. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx