Maria's Legacy: Alicia's Scholarship

A college degree in accounting, will change my life and the lives of future generations in my family. To me, education is not just a personal goal but a way to create stability and opportunities that my family has never had. Growing up, my mother's sacrifices inspired me to work hard and dream big. She was not able to finish her high school in Mexico out of a necessity and societal norms. Through her persistence and strength, my will was molded to pursue higher education and set a new frontier for my family. Truthfully, this has actually made me quite excited to be the first in my family to pursue college as it challenges me. I have been working my way through the entire process by myself, since no one in my family was there to advise me. Yet this process has made me strong and resourceful. I had to search for resources, ask questions, and learn as I went along, which ultimately made me independent and confident. Someday, I would like to use these experiences to help others in similar situations. I want to show them that they too can accomplish what seems like an impossible or very intimidating process. Earning a degree would mean the world to me personally. It would be an honor to my mother-the sacrifices she has made aren't wasted. She has labored in fields under the harshest of conditions with worsening pain to provide for my sister and me. A college degree would allow me to give my mom the life she deserves-a life where she does not have to be worried about the next bill and can finally rest. This would set a precedent for my family, too, and show the next generation that higher education is achievable and attainable. I am passionate about serving my community and making meaningful connections. Serving as president of Key Club has allowed me to accept the challenge of leading others while continuing to serve alongside them. My favorite event has been visiting an elderly home during the holidays.The time spent with the residents, listening to their stories and bringing joy to them through small acts of kindness, has really reaffirmed my belief in the power of human connection. These experiences have motivated me to continue finding ways of supporting and uplifting those around me. A passion for accounting and finance arguably came through the observation of my family's financial struggles and a personal desire to create a different future. I relate to these areas because they are fundamental tools that would ensure a family or a business thrives. I picture using my degree to support my own family, but also to aid others in managing their personal finances and creating secure futures. To support my interests, I have worked to hold a 4.0 GPA while leading extracurricular organizations and completing community service projects. Leading Key Club has taught me the importance of organization, communication, and empathy. These experiences have only been reinforcing my resolve not just to succeed academically but to utilize the education to create a better existence for others. It's more than a personal accomplishment but a beacon of hope and promise. It's about being the first to break the cycle of struggle, to honor my mother's sacrifices, and to leave behind a legacy of opportunity for my family. I have had my fair share of difficulties in my journey, but these experiences have only made me stronger, and I am determined to use my experiences to inspire others to pursue their dreams and create meaningful change in their lives.

As an 18 year old Mexican-American senior in high school, the hardships of my life have shaped me into the woman I am today. The drive to go to college comes from the work ethic my family has installed in me. Ever since I was little, my mother had always encouraged me to leave my comfort zone to reach my dreams she never got to reach. During my time in middle school I realized that normal classes were too easy for me and that I needed a challenge. Thus began me in high school taking advanced, AP, and Dual Credit classes. Taking these challenging classes has changed my mindset in so many ways every year. I used to think not getting the best grades meant I wasn’t smart at learning new things, now that mindset has changed to any growth is growth no matter how small. In my junior year I had moved to a new school that offered career trades. This new school led me to the construction field. Being in that class intimidated me in ways I’ve never felt before just because I was one of the only 3 girls in class of 23 boys. Being in this CTE program has taught me to be a leader, how to project my voice, and to be a problem solver. The biggest advantage of being in the construction class was improving my math skills. Math was my weakest subject in school, but since taking that class my skills have increased rapidly. Ever since my math skills have gotten better, I was no longer scared of taking the heavy math class I thought I wasn’t good enough for. Which led me to taking an architecture course and my first dual credit math class. These classes sparked my confidence to research harder majors to take in college, this research led me to engineering. Going to college to pursue my bachelors in civil engineering would just be my first stop to creating the best life for myself.I would be the first person in my family to go to college, and I want to uphold myself to be a role model for my younger family members. I don’t want my grandparents' sacrifice coming to America to go to waste.They built the best life they could for my parents, and my parents did their best to create a life of opportunities for me. In my couple months of being a senior, I had made my schedule packed to learn as much as I could before graduating in the spring next year. I took a principles of construction class, teaching me the basics of every construction career. In this class I learned how to draft plans for projects such as sheds and small houses. Next door is an engineering class, when I have time I will go in there to ask about the basics of what the class is learning. Since doing this I have learned how to use the CAT software to make simple objects. I have been blessed with the drive to learn and to be curious about things. I never want this to leave me as I have learned so many traits just from these characteris. Going to college will open so many pathways for me to keep learning and bettering myself. I hope to one day make a huge impact on our society, and to show my family we have the ability to accomplish any dream in our lifetime.