Jimmy Cardenas Community Leader Scholarship

As a first-generation immigrant and student, the obstacles I’ve faced have shaped me into a person who refuses to give up—not because the path has been easy, but because I’ve learned the value of perseverance and purpose. My journey has taught me that leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room, but about being the one who shows up, listens, and acts with integrity—even when no one is watching. I moved to the United States at the age of eleven, speaking very little English. I was placed in middle school classrooms where I could barely understand what the teacher was saying. I recall the frustration of wanting to ask questions but struggling to find the words. That sense of isolation was painful, but it taught me the importance of having someone who will sit beside you, believe in you, and help you feel seen. Years later, when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down schools, I saw students across the country struggle with that same feeling of being lost and left behind. That’s when I joined a nationwide volunteer initiative called Yes Learn!, which provides free, Zoom-based tutoring in math and Mandarin for students whose families cannot afford extra help. At first, I was just a tutor. However, as more families signed up and the organization expanded, I stepped into a leadership role—helping other tutors develop lesson plans, coordinating schedules, and serving as a liaison between volunteers and parents. There were weeks when I tutored six days straight, juggling time zones and schoolwork. But I kept going—not because I had to, but because I knew how it felt to be on the other side of the screen. I had lived that struggle, and I wasn’t about to let these students fall through the cracks. To this day, I’ve tutored over 50 students from all backgrounds and even helped raise awareness and resources for other students who wanted to get involved. I wasn’t just teaching math—I was building confidence, creating consistency, and proving that even in a global crisis, we can lift each other up. Outside of tutoring, I’ve taken on leadership roles that combine compassion with action. I’ve helped organize Emery’s Big Climb—a fundraising initiative inspired by a close friend who battled leukemia. Through community outreach and event coordination, we’ve raised over $16,000 each year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Leading this effort showed me how one person’s story can ignite a movement when others choose to care and act. Every challenge I’ve faced—whether it was adapting to a new language, managing school and work as a transfer student, or facing financial uncertainty—has made me more resilient. I’ve learned that leadership is not about waiting for the perfect opportunity. It’s about using what you have to make a difference now. This scholarship, in honor of Jimmy Cardenas, represents more than just financial aid—it reflects the spirit of service, strength, and community. I may not be in a criminal justice program, but I share Jimmy’s commitment to protecting others and building a better world. I hope to become a physician who uplifts underserved communities, breaks barriers in healthcare access, and leads with both skill and empathy. Thank you for considering my application. I will carry this opportunity with honor, and continue working toward a future where every obstacle becomes a chance to lead.

One of the most significant obstacles I faced was during my sophomore year in college when I was tasked with leading a team project for my engineering class. The project involved designing a prototype of a renewable energy system, a topic that was both complex and unfamiliar to most of my team members. As the team leader, it was my responsibility to ensure that everyone was on the same page and that we met our project milestones. Initially, the project was plagued with challenges. Team members had differing opinions on the design approach, and our preliminary tests showed numerous technical flaws. Additionally, one of our key members had to leave due to personal reasons, further straining our resources. The team’s morale was low, and there was a growing sentiment that we might not be able to complete the project successfully. Instead of giving up, I decided to tackle these obstacles head-on. First, I organized a series of meetings to openly discuss the issues we were facing. I encouraged team members to voice their concerns and suggestions, fostering a collaborative environment. By actively listening and valuing each member’s input, I was able to build a sense of unity and shared purpose. To address the technical challenges, I took the initiative to seek help from our professors and industry experts. I arranged for the team to attend workshops and seminars on renewable energy systems, which provided us with new insights and approaches. Additionally, I divided the project into smaller, manageable tasks and delegated responsibilities based on each member’s strengths. This not only streamlined our workflow but also empowered team members to take ownership of their tasks. One of the pivotal moments came when we had to redesign a critical component of our prototype. The initial design had failed multiple tests, and frustration was mounting. I encouraged the team to view this setback as a learning opportunity rather than a failure. We conducted a thorough analysis of the issues, brainstormed alternative solutions, and meticulously tested each iteration. This iterative process, though time-consuming, ultimately led to a successful redesign. Through persistence and collaboration, we were able to complete the project on time and with a functional prototype that exceeded our initial expectations. The experience taught me valuable lessons in leadership, problem-solving, and resilience. It reinforced the importance of communication, adaptability, and maintaining a positive attitude in the face of adversity. In terms of demonstrating leadership, I have taken on various roles that have allowed me to make a positive impact. For instance, as the president of the university’s engineering club, I organized events and workshops aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration among students. I also mentored junior students, helping them navigate their academic and personal challenges. Furthermore, I have been actively involved in community service initiatives, such as organizing fundraising events for local charities and leading a team of volunteers to provide tutoring for underprivileged children. These experiences have strengthened my leadership skills and deepened my commitment to making a difference in my community. In conclusion, overcoming obstacles and demonstrating leadership have been integral parts of my personal and professional growth. The challenges I faced during the engineering project taught me resilience and the value of teamwork, while my leadership roles have allowed me to contribute positively to my community and inspire others. These experiences have equipped me with the skills and mindset necessary to tackle future challenges and lead with integrity and compassion.

I overcame an obstacle while serving in a tour in Germany. Upon returning from Croatia after a 30-day field Exercise, I started to become very ill. I contracted jaundice, became very nauseated, and constantly exhausted. I very quickly found myself in the emergency room at an off-post hospital. The doctors checked me out and found a build up of gall stones. They ensured me that I would spend three days tops in the hospital. After clearing the gall stones, my health quickly started to decline. I started to have organ failure and my bilirubin elevated to exorbitated levels. My blood quickly became toxic. I was put into an ICU, and was attached to hemodialysis, that had two catheters in either side of my neck. I was on the dialyzer for about 3 days and my bilirubin levels dropped. After removing me for hemodialysis, my levels returned to their previous levels. I was then again returned to hemodialysis. This processed repeated itself for over a month. It was Christmas time and I did not want to burden my family. All I told them I was not able to come home this year. After about 2 months of weekly hemodialysis, they again took me off. My levels immediately returned to their previous state. They were baffled by my situation and I was met by the head doctor of the hospital. He informed me that none of their treatments were helping. My liver was too significantly damaged and my outlook was grim. I needed a liver transplant and even then, chances are it would not help. Which is when he told me that I was going to die. My chain of command assisted me in contacting my family so they could fly out and see me one last time. I was left with my thoughts for what seemed an eternity. Other than the occasional nurse visit, I was so dreadfully alone. I looked at my life and wondered if I had done enough. I came to terms with death. I did not have any other option. The doctors came in and hooked me up to hemodialysis one last time. After that round, my bilirubin levels remained lower for a few days. The doctors took a chance and sent me back to the states for further care. I spent another 5 months of constant care in Bethesda, Maryland where I was able to recover and continue on with my Army career. To this day, I am still fighting to overcome what conspired, though, I am doing better. In the military, part of leadership is sacrifice. You sacrifice your time and your families time to ensure the health and welfare of your Soldiers their Families are attended to. There was a Soldier in my charge. He started to exhibit signs of destress and anger. I knew something was wrong. I went to his barracks room that night to check on him. He was crying and had suicidal ideations. He had a plan and did not know what to do. I came in and we sat and talked for hours. I told him that I was not going to leave his side. We discussed a plan of action, and came to an agreement to seek help. I drove him to the emergency room, where he was admitted into in-patient care. I still didn’t leave his side until I knew he was going to be ok. To this day, I still talk to him. He has a wife and a daughter and says he is honestly the happiest he has ever been.

I am a mother of 3 boys ages 5, 9, & 10. I also have a live-in grandmother who I care for physically and financially. I am a first-generation college student. I manage and teach lego robotics for our county 4-H program. I am an LVN pursuing her BSN to obtain my DNP. I want to train nurses, research in my field, and work in a clinic/bedside position. I want to impact my community further by providing services to the community through healthcare. Because I am a first-generation college student, I know I want to take my career to the furthest path, the DNP, to show my boys that any goal is possible with perseverance no matter where you came from. I previously worked as an EMT for four years before becoming an LVN. Before that, I also worked as a CNA for many years. I am currently enrolled in an LVN to BSN program at Aspen University. I work a full-time job during the week, a part-time job on weekends, and I am a full-time student in Aspen's hybrid online program where I attend classes on campus 1-2 times a week and then complete the coursework online the rest of the week. My greatest challenge has been my education. I do not have parents who could ever afford to go to school or pursue it themselves. My dad and My grandparents are all high school dropouts who later in life got GEDs. I am the first in many generations to pursue a degree, and I want to pursue it as far as I can. I want to show my boys that no matter where we come from, we can still be anything we want as long as we are willing to work harder than everyone around us.