Hello! My name is Skyler Hector. I was born and raised in Austin. I'm a college student pursuing a degree in English. I am also pursing foreign language certifications to develop conversational fluency and strengthen my ability to communicate across languages and cultures.

Growing up with ADHD and dyslexia wasn't always easy. I dreaded popcorn reading in class because reading aloud felt impossible with my stutter and dyslexia working against me. Determined to improve, I started reading constantly. I was in the fourth grade when I started practicing reading aloud to myself to help ease the anxiety I felt whenever it was my turn to read in class. At the time, I was reading at the same level as my classmates, but by the beginning of fifth grade, I had advanced to a seventh-grade reading level. As my confidence grew, I no longer needed to read aloud to myself. I found that I could read much faster, and what had started as a way to overcome my fears and struggle turned into a genuine love of books. Through this, I fell in love with how writing and reading stories can take you on adventures, teach you hard lessons, and break your heart all at the same time.

At a young age, I became infatuated with all kinds of stories from The Box Car Children and Harry Potter to Divergent and The Fault in Our Stars. Each book introduced me to unforgettable worlds and brought me characters who felt like friends, making me feel as though I was a part of their story. Reading lets me step into different lives and explore their cultures. Like getting to understand parts of my own culture by reading “The Watsons Go to Birmingham” in the fifth grade, seeing a glimpse of Anne Frank’s experience in the Holocaust, and feeling empowered by Malala Yousafzai for her fight for girls' education. Reading can create a space for everyone to be a part of, and I want to help continue shaping those worlds together. 

My way of helping shape worlds together is by pursuing Foreign Languages. Each language I learn opens a path to connect with more people beyond the words on a page, to appreciate the cultures and experiences that define them. I am currently an intermediate Spanish speaker, which has led me to dip my toes into learning how to dance bachata and salsa while embracing the vibrant Spanish culture. 

My top two career choices were either a chef or in publishing. I find joy in cooking for my family and trying new recipes, but I’ve always had a heavy interest in languages. I wanted to be someone who helped put new books out into the world for everyone to enjoy. 

Over the years, I have worked plenty of jobs, from lifeguarding to serving in restaurants. Along the way, I have tried different career paths, often trying to fit myself into boxes others thought made more sense for me. This blog is my way of stepping outside of those boxes. I'll be sharing my journey into the world of journalism, the books I'm reading, and lessons I'm learning as an English student. I'll also be highlighting the stories of the people who make Austin weird. Behind every neighborhood, classroom, coffee shop, and restaurant is someone whose experiences have helped shape this community. My goal is to share those stories, celebrate the people behind them, and preserve the voices that often go unheard. I hope you'll find something here that inspires you.