Diego Rene Cardoza Memorial Scholarship

One of the most significant and impacting events that has come into my life happened only three months ago on March 16, 2024. I had just gotten back from my spring break trip to Magnolia, TX with my boyfriend Daniel’s family. We spent every day sitting by the pool, relaxing in the hot tub, and binge watching movies. I had such a good time hanging out with them so I didn’t want to go back home. After we got back from Magnolia, I decided to hang out at Daniel’s house until around 9 o’clock that night, he was driving me home and we were laughing and listening to music as usual. The first sign that something was off was when we approached my driveway and a police truck pulled into my driveway ahead of us. We were very confused so we followed the truck cautiously. My driveway splits off into different directions so the truck went one way and we went the other way towards the front door. I got out of Daniel’s truck and told him to stay in while I went to check what was going on. I opened the door and all I saw was my eight year old brother Alec crying. I asked him what was wrong and he said “Evan shot himself in the head with a pistol.” Evan was my fifteen year old brother. My heart immediately sank and I felt this immense wave of shock and confusion. I ran back outside to the truck, opened the door, and Daniel could tell that something was wrong so he asked what happened and I told him exactly what Alec told me. We went back into the house to grab Alec so we could sit outside and stay away from all of the chaos that was happening. By that time, some paramedics and police officers showed up. After we were questioned by the police officers, Evan was taken to the hospital to see if anything could be done. Daniel took Alec and me back to his house so we could sleep somewhere that wasn’t our house. Once we got to their house, I couldn’t go to sleep at all. At around 12 o’clock at night, my mom texted and told us that we needed to go to the hospital. Daniel’s dad took us there and we met up with my parents and my twelve year old sister Sydney, who was at her friend's house while all of this was happening. We spent the rest of the night waiting in the children’s ICU waiting room, waiting for the inevitable news that my little brother had died. My brother Evan was officially declared dead on March 18, 2024. This event has been the most impacting thing that has ever happened to me, while I had just experienced this great devastating loss and I was feeling the heaviest weight on my heart as I was reminded everyday that I would no longer get to see Evan anymore, I have also learned not to take any moment with my loved ones for granted because they could be taken away just like that. Since then I have done everything in remembrance for him and I always try to look back at my earliest memories with Evan. As I approach the start of my college freshman year at Angelo State University, I am scared to not be with all of my loved ones everyday but I am excited to experience these opportunities in a new chapter of my life.

I Have always been interested in working with tools and building things. My dad taught me alot about the construction life. I worked with him on several jobs and was fascinated with everything. I took construction in High School and learned how to work with different types of saws and tools. My dream is to be able to build homes for people that they can call home and know that it will last for a long time. I can remember the first time going with my dad to work. I was probably ten years old. I was so excited to see what was all involved on how things were built. Little did I know there was a lot of things that I had no idea that had to happen first. When I got to go with my dad i felt very important and privileged to be working with him. I remember I was so excited I could not sleep the night before. We got up early and my dad helped me pack a lunch with his extra lunch kit. He made sure I had plenty of drinks and snacks just in case I got hungry. He made sure that i understood how important was to be careful around the sharp tools and saws and drills. He even bought me a pair of work boots just in case there might have been loose nails on the ground or on some loose pieces of lumber. He let me use the nail gun and I was thrilled. He made sure to show me hiw to work it properly and took his time with me. Always patient and carefully explaining things. I guess I was fascinated to see how it all came together. Slowly. To see the finished project. Construction is my Passion. I really appreciate the opportunity to see if I could get this Scholarship. I plan on going to Texas State Technical College in Waco Texas beginning in September of 2024. It will be for an Associate Degree in Construction. Not only it is not too far from where I grew up in Tyler Texas but all the advantages and opportunities to be able to find work and a decent paying job. Again my passion is with the Construction Industry and hopefully one day be able to have my own business that will be affordable for all my clients . I appreciate the opportunity to be considered for this scholarship. Best regards, Erik Jones