Nicholas Murillo Foundation Scholarship

My name is Norah Reyes, and I am a proud Hispanic undergraduate student and California resident pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Science at California State University Channel Islands. I am also a person on the autism spectrum. My diagnosis has shaped not only how I learn, communicate, and interact with the world—but also how I persist, adapt, and grow. Autism hasn’t limited me. It has helped define my journey in a way that has deepened my empathy, sharpened my focus, and ignited a passion to advocate for others like me. Growing up, I often felt like I experienced the world through a different lens. I was deeply sensitive to sound and touch, easily overwhelmed in social situations, and had difficulty explaining my thoughts the way others expected me to. These challenges made school a complicated place, where I was labeled "quiet" or "distracted" rather than understood. It wasn’t until I received my autism diagnosis that I finally had language for what I had been feeling—and more importantly, access to the support I needed to succeed. Understanding my diagnosis has given me the confidence to advocate for myself in academic settings. I’ve learned to ask for what I need, whether that’s extended test time, quiet study environments, or flexibility with verbal participation. These accommodations don’t make me less capable—they give me the space to thrive. And thrive I have. Despite the challenges, I’ve balanced a demanding college course load while also working in healthcare as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Phlebotomist, directly supporting patients with compassion, professionalism, and patience. In many ways, my autism has enhanced my approach to healthcare. It’s made me a careful listener, a detail-oriented worker, and someone who can notice patterns that others may miss. These are the qualities that make me a reliable caregiver and a student determined to complete my degree while making a difference in my community. I may process the world differently, but that difference is also a strength. Though my career focus is in healthcare, music has always played a powerful role in helping me navigate the world. I often use music to regulate my emotions, find focus, or retreat into a place where I can simply be myself without explanation. The rhythm, structure, and emotion of music offer comfort that words sometimes can’t. It’s a language that makes sense to me when others don’t. Like Nicholas Murillo, I believe in the power of music not only as a talent or skill, but as a source of healing and expression. I admire the way Nicholas lived—with joy, kindness, and passion—and I hope to carry that same spirit forward in my own life. While I’m not pursuing a music career directly, I believe that music, much like healthcare, is about connection. And connection is what I strive for in every part of my journey—whether I’m speaking Spanish with a patient who feels more at ease, helping someone through a difficult medical experience, or supporting another student on the spectrum who needs a little encouragement. Receiving this scholarship would not only be a financial blessing—it would be a message that students like me belong. That our challenges don’t define our limits, and that our unique perspectives are valuable. With continued education, I hope to advocate for more inclusive healthcare systems and make space for people of all abilities and backgrounds. Thank you for honoring Nicholas Murillo’s legacy by supporting students like me. I will carry his memory forward through kindness, ambition, and the belief that being different is not a weakness—it’s a strength.