American Dream Scholarship

"The American Dream is the political and social ideology that hard work will result in material and spiritual happiness and fortune, regardless of your background". This is not how I would describe the American Dream, but it is how my AP U.S. History teacher described it. My observation and personal experience of the American Dream is that hard work will get you somewhere in life— as long as eligibility requirements apply to you. Scholarships, interviews, and important documents often remain out of reach for many Dreamers because of our status; overlooked by one factor that seems to determine our worth. I disagree with this American Dream. The American Dream is for those who have perseverance— who are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their dreams, regardless of barriers and challenges placed before them. My American Dream is knowing I'll achieve everything I set out to do because I have that drive within me— because for a decade I've watched my mom scrub her hands raw cleaning upper-class residents' homes despite having a degree in Computer Science. My American Dream is the safety of a committed and just employment because I have proved I qualify— because for a decade I've watched my dad work overtime as an IT earning less than minimum wage for the first several years of his employment. My American Dream is paying back all the sacrifices my parents made to give me the American Dream they believed in— the American Dream that failed them. My American Dream is not a document that highlights status, and I refuse to let this be what defines me. The Dream is the individual. It's the person who worked so hard for every opportunity and who made the most of it with what little they had. It's the person that has so much to give but is never given the chance. As an immigrant and first-generation student, I have witnessed countless opportunities handed to my documented classmates whereas I was overlooked. But even when the door was closed to me, I knocked anyway. Despite the challenges, I am thankful that volunteering is something I am able to do. Giving back is one of the few places where my status has not been a barrier. One of my most cherished experiences is cheering folks at the Westchester of Sunrise by playing some tunes for them on my flute. My visits weren't just about pressing keys and performing— it was about bringing joy, laughter, and listening to the stories they had to share. Their struggles, wisdom, and resilience were inspiring. Volunteering has not only allowed me to serve others, but it has also reinforced my belief that the American Dream is about the impact we leave behind. I am currently a first-year student at Palm Beach State College, majoring in Biology with the dream of becoming a biomedical researcher. I want to dedicate my career to studying human ailments and discovering cures and better treatments for the diseases that corrode the lives of billions of people— like Cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and many more. I dream of making breakthroughs that will bring hope to people, both medically and socially. I'm grateful this scholarship turns to those who have the drive to succeed but are often overlooked. This scholarship is special, and if given the opportunity, I believe this scholarship would not only propel my education forward but also contribute to the future of medicine. This scholarship is more than just financial aid— it's proof that drive, determination, and passion matter more than status. And that's what the Dream is.

The American Dream means having the opportunity to overcome challenges and create a better future through hard work, perseverance, and education. Growing up as an undocumented student, I have experienced firsthand how this dream requires resilience and determination. One vivid memory that defines my pursuit of the American Dream is sitting at the kitchen table with my mother late at night, as she helped me with my schoolwork. She would always say, “Te pueden quitar el dinero, te pueden quitar tu casa, pero no te pueden quitar el conocimiento”—“They can take away your money, they can take away your house, but they can never take away your knowledge.” This wisdom has guided me through my journey, motivating me to persevere despite the barriers I face. Being undocumented has shaped my life in profound ways. It has meant growing up with uncertainty and fear about my future, while also pushing me to embrace resilience and focus on my goals. I am a junior at Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School, maintaining a 4.25 GPA despite the challenges I encounter. For me, the American Dream is not just about personal success—it is about using my education to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. My ultimate goal is to become a pediatric doctor, providing care and hope to children and families in need. The opportunity to pursue higher education is critical to achieving this dream. I have always understood that education is a pathway to a better life, and I am working tirelessly to make my dream a reality. I am considering universities such as UCLA, Tulane University, and the University of New Orleans, each of which offers programs that align with my career aspirations. For me, college is not just about earning a degree—it is about gaining the tools to give back to my community and support my family. Winning the Dreamer Scholarship would be a significant step toward achieving the American Dream. Financial barriers are one of the biggest challenges I face as an undocumented student. This scholarship would ease the financial strain on my family and allow me to focus on my studies and my future. More importantly, it would serve as a reminder that my dreams are valid and that hard work and determination can lead to incredible opportunities. The American Dream is about believing in the potential of individuals, regardless of their circumstances. For me, it is about showing other young Latinx students that they, too, can overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Receiving the American Dreamer Scholarship would not only help me pursue my dream of becoming a pediatric doctor but also inspire others to dream big and persevere. One day, I hope to look back and say, “I made it, and I helped others along the way.” This is the essence of my American Dream.

Mamalee Milton Eligibility Requirements Do Not Define Me. I chose to live my American dream without eligibility requirements hindering my progress because I decide to create an innovative space for myself where I thrive, appreciate the community I live in, and extend a loving hand to those in need. Like other dreamers, I have faced a lot of challenges due to my status either academically or socially. The most outstanding rejection theme being eligibility criteria and to some extent ‘thank you for applying’. I live with my mother who works a cash job as a kitchen staff in a restaurant. Due to her ill health, I feel obligated to help financially to offset some of the bills. However, I find that no matter how hard we try, our family struggles with poverty and our future seems uncertain. There are days where I must stand in a long line to get a bag of groceries from the food bank; not what we crave or would love to eat, but just to keep the hunger at bay to survive the day. Moreover, the memory of my mother being taken to court because we did not have enough money for rent was disheartening. This was because our status and eligibility criteria prevented our family from accessing resources in the community. I felt like we were walking in circles and my potential was limited. After being rejected severally from paid internships, I did not allow eligibility criteria to define me, but went ahead and applied to community services and unpaid internships with organizations that were welcoming to dreamers, and I opted for valuable experience to advance my academic career, and this earned me the President’s Volunteer Service Award. I volunteered at the Nurse’s station at Christ House, an organization in the Washington, D.C. that provides compassionate care to people experiencing homelessness with acute medical needs. In this position, I was able to interact with nurses as well as the patients and understood their need for care as they shared their stories and struggles in life. I was assigned to make a schedule to remind patients to take their medications and to place a call for them to reach their family members for emotional support. This experience taught me resilience, awakened my compassionate mind, and helped me to live wisely in good and bad times. The attending nurses provided quality care that inspired me to seek a career in nursing; and currently, I am a nursing student at Johns Hopkins University. I choose to live my American dream on a solid foundation to support my desire to help others find specialist support for their healthcare needs in my community. Since healthcare practices keeps evolving, my professional goals are to optimize my efficiency in the nursing field by developing and improving my skills to remain competitive, provide quality care to my patients, and get certified to validate my knowledge and skills to practice higher standards of care to people in need of healthcare. I have the determination to walk in the path of knowledge. My community and my family have demonstrated their support towards me at different levels of my life and educational journey. Using my college training to give back is one of the ways I anticipate showing my heartfelt appreciation for the love, support, and encouragement I received growing up. If awarded the American Dream Scholarship, it will positively impact my college experience and help me to focus and finish my degree. I am determined, I am born ready.

When a potter molds clay to their heart's desire, it becomes a masterpiece; when an individual mold their life to their desires, it is the American dream. In essence, the American dream is unique to each individual as it takes shape after the originator's heart. The clay that I mold for my life is to become a physician who empowers and welcomes the most marginalized individuals through medicine and advocacy - this is my definition of the American dream. My parents immigrated to the U.S. in 2004, and as poor non-English-speaking immigrants, their lives were filled with challenges. I would hear my father's alarm go off at 4:45 AM as he got ready for work. During the day, he worked at a dry cleaner, and at night he worked as a janitor, coming home past 10:00 PM. There was one place, however, where their worries subsided: Dr. Chung's office. Understanding immigrants' obstacles, Dr. Chung took the time to listen to his patients and build patient relationships. As a kid, watching my parents find hope and calm as they spoke with Dr. Chung, I became curious about the possibilities of medicine - the potential of medicine thrilled me. Understanding that at the core of a physician was a heart to help others and a commitment to life-long learning, I sought opportunities to volunteer in underserved communities while pursuing my education. In one neighborhood I served, there was a tree with teddy bears hanging from it. I was appalled to learn that each bear symbolized the loss of a child's life by gun violence. Reflecting on these service experiences, I realized how larger system issues of social injustice can lead to health disparities in our communities. As my parents often hesitated to see a physician because of financial and accessibility issues, many families in these neighborhoods were not well connected to the healthcare system. Therefore, I want to become a physician who addresses my patients' health concerns and takes the time to recognize and care for patients' social, economic, and racial disparities. My journey to medicine, however, has not been so easy. As an undocumented and first-generation student, navigating the complex college application process was challenging. Colleges often viewed me as an international student and required me to pay international tuition, which my family could not afford. It was only by applying for scholarships and working to save since I was 16 that I was gratefully able to attend the University of Virginia. In college, I continued to work and translate for immigrant families as I pursued the pre-med track while majoring in Kinesiology. Through my challenges, I learned that through perseverance and determination, I could pave a path to pursue my goals even if it seemed near impossible. Currently, I am a Georgetown University student obtaining my master's in physiology before attending medical school in 2024. Though the odds may not be in my favor because of my citizen status, I believe I can mold my life into my American dream with enough persistence, resilience, and dedication.