As a first-generation college student and the sister of someone who’s struggled with depression and ADHD, I’ve seen the deep cracks in our mental health system. My sister has been in and out of mental hospitals, bounced between schools, and left without consistent support. Watching her suffer in a system that’s often expensive, reactive, and disconnected has pushed me to imagine something better. Not just for her, but for all the people like her who feel lost in the gaps. My unique contribution to the world will be creating a space where physical and mental healing work together. I plan to become a physical therapist and open a clinic that integrates movement therapy, emotional wellness, and natural healing. All services that are typically reserved for those who can afford luxury care. But mine will center affordability, education, and access for underserved communities. I believe healing should be a right, not a privilege. My vision includes partnering with community programs, offering sliding-scale services, and normalizing mental health support in everyday spaces like rehab, fitness, and primary care. I want to help people feel seen, safe, and whole. Helping people do so without needing to “qualify” or be wealthy to get help. This is personal for me, and it’s why I’m building a future rooted in care, equity, and love.

As a first-generation college student, my journey into healthcare hasn’t been traditional, easy, or always clear, but it has always been deeply personal. I come from a family where sacrifices are made quietly, where hard work is non-negotiable, and where healing is often delayed due to lack of access or awareness. That’s one of the biggest reasons I chose to study Kinesiology with a concentration in Rehabilitation Science at San José State University. I want to change what “access” looks like in healthcare, especially for communities like mine. My younger brother has a rare condition called Schwartz-Jampel Syndrome. Helping care for him taught me about resilience, compassion, and how empowering physical movement can be. But my motivation goes beyond physical healing. My sister’s journey through the mental healthcare system has opened my eyes even more. My sister has ADHD and struggles with depression. Throughout the years, I’ve seen her cycle in and out of mental hospitals, grapple with suicidal thoughts, and move from school to school in search of the right support. Watching her suffer from the weight of her mental health challenges and from the failures and gaps in the system has been one of the hardest things for me to witness. It has made me realize that healing isn’t just physical. It’s emotional, social, and spiritual too. Unfortunately, many people, especially BIPOC youth, don’t get the care they truly need. These family experiences have shaped the kind of healthcare provider I want to become. I don’t just want to treat injuries I want to treat people. I want to be part of a system that listens more deeply and supports more holistically. I want to help patients feel seen, heard, and respected, something I know my sister has not always felt. Working at the Bay Club has been a blessing and a learning experience. It’s a luxury fitness center with everything from high-end equipment to spa services, and I’ve had the opportunity to observe how some people have every resource at their fingertips to stay healthy. Having things like trainers, therapists, saunas, nutritionists. But as I walk past rows of Teslas and luxury cars in the parking lot, I can’t help but think about how different this reality is from the one I grew up in. Holistic health, like massage therapy, nutrition counseling, herbal supplements, and mental wellness resources can do wonders for someone’s healing journey. But the truth is, those things are expensive, and often only accessible to people with wealth and privilege. That inequality frustrates me, but it also fuels me. I want to take what I’m learning from these environments and bring it back to the communities that don’t have access. I want to create affordable, inclusive healing spaces where natural alternatives and holistic support aren't just for the wealthy, but available to families like mine. Receiving this scholarship would mean so much. Not just for my education, but for the purpose I carry. I’m not just pursuing a career in healthcare. I’m pursuing a mission: to help people like my siblings feel whole, seen, and empowered in their healing journey.

As a first-generation college student, I’ve always carried the weight of becoming someone that my family can be proud of, not just through academic success, but through the way I serve others. Growing up, I didn’t have access to many resources that others might consider basic. My parents worked incredibly hard, and I learned early on how to be responsible, resilient, and driven. That same drive is what led me to pursue a degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Rehabilitation Science, and ultimately, a career in physical therapy. What inspires me most about physical therapy is that it allows me to help people regain control of their bodies, their confidence, and their independence. I believe healing is not just physical, it’s emotional and mental too. As someone who’s seen family members struggle with pain, limited mobility, or lack of proper medical care, I want to be someone who can stand in the gap and offer support and solutions. A major part of my inspiration comes from my younger brother, who has a rare condition called Schwartz-Jampel Syndrome. Watching him grow up with medical challenges has shaped how I see the world, and how I want to show up in it. I’ve seen how hard it can be to navigate healthcare systems that don’t always understand or prioritize complex cases, especially in marginalized communities. That’s why I want to be a physical therapist who leads with both expertise and empathy. Throughout college, I’ve worked part-time at both the YMCA and the Bay Club, helping people of all ages stay active and improve their physical wellness. These jobs have taught me how to communicate, motivate, and connect with others. All of which are skills I know will make me a better PT. I’ve also become more and more interested in integrative and naturopathic medicine, which I plan to incorporate into my future practice. I believe healing should consider the whole person, not just their symptoms, but their life experiences, emotions, and environment. My dream is to one day open my own physical therapy clinic that combines traditional rehab approaches with holistic care, especially for people of color, low-income families, and those who may not feel seen or heard in conventional medical spaces. I want to be a practitioner who not only treats injuries, but helps people reconnect with their bodies and feel empowered in their healing journey. I know the road to becoming a physical therapist won’t be easy. But I’m used to working hard, balancing multiple jobs, and navigating systems I was never taught how to approach. What I lack in privilege, I make up for in purpose. I am committed to becoming the kind of healthcare provider I wish my community had growing up. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship. It would not only support my education, it would be an investment in someone who plans to give that support right back to others.