José Ventura and Margarita Melendez Mexican-American Scholarship Fund

Dear Scholarship Committee, I am writing to apply for the José Melendez scholarship as a first-generation Afro-Latina student who is committed to individualized education for all, specifically those with developmental disabilities. My passion for teaching others, especially those with special needs, started at home. My Tia Erma was born with cerebral palsy, a condition that contributes to a multitude of fine and gross motor deficits. My Abuelita modeled patience and maintained dignity for Tia by conversing with her, although she is nonverbal. It makes me feel overcome with joy when I think of Tia Erma first being taught to say two very important words: “no” and "yeah." It’s that feeling that reinforces the fact that I want to be the person who persists in teaching life skills to those whom some may deem “unteachable." This scholarship is so important for all of the driven Latinx kids who have witnessed generations of their loved ones struggle financially, which then creates a ripple effect of adversity. This scholarship aims to bridge the gap between first-generation Mexican-American students and the high costs of education that deter many from attending college. As a first-generation college student, my drive stems from the aspiration to create a stable and peaceful future for myself, my family, and my community. There have been many hiccups and hurdles throughout my college journey, but despite the hardships, I have been galvanized to rise above and not be deterred or intimidated by these challenges. Instead, I am determined to be a leader for generations to come. Coming from a Mexican American family, I am equipped with a unique perspective in the field of special education. Minority families naturally gravitate toward me in educational settings regarding their learners. This can be critical when interacting with learners and the families who support them at home. I know that my experiences and cultural background can create an enhanced environment of diversity and inclusion. In addition to my academic pursuits, I have also gained valuable volunteering experience. In 2019, I volunteered as an usher at the Grand Rapids Civic Theater. Additionally, for the last two years, I have volunteered at the Woodfield Community Center, a haven for refugee kids who live in the Woodfield Apartments Community. I may not have earned a dollar volunteering at WCC, but the experience I’ve gained while playing with and tutoring those kids is priceless. Furthermore, I volunteered at Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, which is a non-profit in my community. I worked on preparing and setting up events held by the organization to raise environmental awareness. Through these experiences, I have developed critical social skills such as communication, unselfishness, and teamwork, which I know will be imperative in my future academic and career endeavors as an educator and mentor for individuals with special needs. Receiving the José Melendez scholarship would be an honor and provide me with financial support to continue towards my Master's degree. It would also give me more time to focus on my studies and pursue further community-based experiences. In conclusion, I am passionate about being a first-generation Mexican-American student because it allows me to overcome barriers, inspire others, and bring a flood of diversity to educational settings. I am dedicated to becoming a first-generation Mexican-American college student because I strive to be a role model of persistence and hard work, as well as a symbol of the possibility of prosperity for everyone, especially the Mexican-American community. By earning a college degree, I will be greatly investing in not only myself but also my community. Thank you for considering my application for the José Melendez scholarship

Walking up the endless stairs at Seattle Pacific University with a burrito made of chilaquiles con huevo in my hand, I was struck by the magnitude of the moment. There I was, a first-generation Mexican-American on a predominantly white university campus with a breakfast made by my mother at 4 am before heading to work with my dad. In that instant, I was reminded of all of the challenges and struggles that my parents and I faced to make my education possible. As I headed to the commuter lounge to heat my burrito before going to a group study meeting, my heart was filled with overwhelming gratitude. I am passionate about being a first-generation Mexican-American student because my graduation will be the culmination and fruition of many sacrifices, hard work, and determination. It is with guilt and inspiration that I have watched my parents wake up at 4 am to commute an hour and a half every day to their jobs. Their work ethic has inspired mine and it is through them that I learned that with hard work and ambition, anything is possible. Working the moment I turned 16, late nights studying to maintain a high GPA, playing volleyball, and endlessly volunteering all in the hopes of getting into a university. I am determined to make the most out of my education and take advantage of every opportunity available to me. I currently work as an accounting assistant and although it is challenging to balance school and work, I know it'll be worth it in the long run. As a Mexican-American, I grew up being at a crossroads between my two identities. My collectivistic Mexican upbringing clashed with my individualistic American environment and I felt that I was "ni de aquí y ni de allá". I remember wishing my family could be “normal” and I wondered why we didn’t wear cashmere sweaters and eat steak and salad every night like the Americans on TV. I resented that other kids had parents who could speak English and that they didn't have to act the adult by interpreting and thus growing up too fast as a result of these responsibilities. I can also count on my fingers the number of times I tried to ask my parents for help with my homework (three times). I so desperately wanted to be a kid who could rely on their parents and ask them for help instead of having it be the other way around. But by wanting so much to be “normal”, I ignored the beauty of my cultural upbringing and how it has shaped who I am today. Instead of complaining about my circumstances like I used to, I have realized that all of these experiences have given me valuable skills and lessons that I can use in the workplace, at school, in life, and to help other people. I am fiercely independent, resourceful, self-driven, empathetic, caring, and resilient. These characteristics are the reason that I will graduate with honors, get a good job, and make my parents as proud of me as I am of them. They are my biggest supporters and I will make their sacrifices worth it. Getting to graduate university when my parents did not even finish middle school is a blessing I do not take lightly. Just like my parents have worked hard so that me and my siblings would not have to face the struggles that they did, I will also do the same for my future children. Being a first-generation Mexican-American student is difficult, but it has become my greatest strength.