Dr. Tien Tan Vo Imperial Valley Healthcare Heroes Award

Being a first-generation, Mexican-American college student is something I carry with deep pride. To me, it’s not just about earning a degree, it’s about honoring the sacrifices of my parents and the generations before them. It means paving a new path for myself, my future family, and for others who grew up thinking higher education was out of reach. My parents came from humble beginnings in Colima, México, and raised me with strong values: work hard, stay grounded, and never stop moving forward. I watched them work long hours with little rest, always putting our family first. Their resilience shaped me. After high school, I began working two jobs. Panda Express and In-N-Out, while enrolling in a dental assistant program. That time in my life taught me discipline and commitment. I finished the program in 2020 and have been working and going to school ever since. In 2021, I started working at the dental office where I had interned, and that’s where I realized my passion for dental hygiene. I loved the hands-on care, patient relationships, and the confidence that oral health can bring to someone’s life. That experience motivated me to begin taking my prerequisites at College of the Desert, and I recently completed them this past May. Now, I’m applying to dental hygiene programs with the same drive and determination that’s carried me through every step of this journey. Along the way, I’ve stayed connected to my community and the field I love. I’ve volunteered with The Flying Doctors, a nonprofit that provides free care to underserved populations. I also attended a dental hygiene workshop at Loma Linda University and joined a study group led by a local dentist to deepen my knowledge and prepare myself for the challenges ahead. I’m passionate about graduating college because I want to do more than succeed, I want to give back. I want to be proof that a daughter of immigrants, a full-time worker, and a first-gen student can not only earn a degree, but use it to make real change. My long-term goal is to create a nonprofit organization that offers free dental cleanings to local farm workers in the Coachella Valley and other underserved areas. These are the people who work tirelessly to support this country’s food supply, often without access to proper healthcare. I want to serve them with compassion and dignity. This scholarship would lift a huge financial weight and bring me one step closer to becoming not just a college graduate, but a community leader, a role model, and someone who makes a lasting difference through service and heart.