Rui Andrez Loureiro Baker grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, with his family. His mother taught him about protecting the environment and caring for the earth through practices such as using reusable equipment, teaching him about the consequences that trash and waste have on the planet, and encouraging him to protect the natural world around him. At the age of 9, he moved to Puerto Rico and met his stepfather, Héctor “Tito” Varela, who helped him develop a deeper connection to the beaches of Puerto Rico and taught him how to protect them. Since then, Rui has participated in beach cleanups, mangrove restoration, sand dune restoration, and events aimed at spreading environmental awareness. He hopes to continue growing through these experiences and see where they lead him.