Phoenix Opportunity Award

As a first generation to be going into college this upcoming fall, my career goals have been greater and greater each day. I truly believe that it is important to seek any sort of beneficial improvement in life if you get the chance. As for my case, I seek to continue my education beyond high school to pursue a bachelor's degree in Psychology (most likely developmental/clinical) with a minor in Spanish on a Pre-Medical track to become a Psychiatrist. I know that there are individuals that are not able to follow their wanted path due to financial or citizenship status. Growing up with a single mother I have always wanted to push further for myself and my united family. I wanted to take a route that would benefit all around. This includes giving back to communities that weren't as lucky or fortunate. My mother is the strongest woman I know and also of course the hardest worker I know. It always fills me with sadness to know that my mom's dream was to become a lawyer but as she moved to this country she began to work the only job that she could. Seeking higher education was harder for her than it was for me. But at the same time, I'm so very grateful for the sacrifice she made for me and my younger sister to have an easier life than she did and seek education without as much struggle. As I write this, I've come to realize that being the first generation is really about dreaming big and taking action on these dreams. I enjoy the talks my mother and I have about where we see ourselves in the future. I love telling her how I will buy her a house, although she did recently have the biggest milestone of buying herself a house. I still tell her I want to buy her one of the houses ive only seen on Tv. The ones that have a pool and movie room or simply just a room where arts and crafts are made.