Becoming a Mexican American college graduate means so much more to me than simply earning a degree. It represents the extra education my parents did not have the privilege of receiving, the sacrifices they made to provide my siblings and me with greater opportunities, and the perseverance my family has shown throughout our journey. It is proof that our hard work and struggles have led to something meaningful, and it serves as an example to my family that higher education is possible. Most importantly, it is a step toward achieving my goal of becoming a labor and delivery nurse, where I can advocate for and care for women and families during some of the most important moments of their lives. I have always grown up in a very tight-knit family. My parents have always taught my siblings and me the importance of learning about our culture, especially my dad. While my parents both come from small towns in Jalisco, Mexico, my dad always talked to us about his childhood there. He was the oldest of five children and soon gained more responsibility to help my grandpa run his barn when my grandma passed away from a brain hemorrhage when he was 12 years old. He was unable to attend university in Mexico, so he came to the United States in search of a better life. Long story short, he got married to my mom, and they soon had my siblings and me. He raised us to be compassionate people with strong morals. He lifted us up and encouraged us to move forward despite his own struggles. In March of 2024, he passed away from a heart attack, but he still tried to ease our worries until his last breath. As I look back at my memories of my father, I use them as motivation to move forward and pursue a cause I am passionate about, advocating for and caring for women in healthcare. With this, in high school, I was able to join the girls' basketball team and serve as captain for two years, join a medical program at school called the HEART Academy, take dual enrollment classes, complete an internship at Redlands Community Hospital as an Intern CNA, earn my California State Seal of Biliteracy, become an Assistant Catechist at my church, take Certified Nursing Assistant classes, earn my CNA license, and more. I hope to make them proud by giving my patients the same level of care they gave to us growing up. My parents' sacrifices have given me the privilege to try new things and have access to resources they did not have. Becoming a graduate is physical proof that I can achieve what I set my mind to despite the hurdles, pain, and struggles I have fought through for a chance at a better life while pursuing the career I want.

When someone’s life is on the line, it is up to healthcare workers to respond, but it is nurses who spend enough time with a patient to catch the signs that something is wrong before it happens. By spending the most time with patients, nurses develop a unique understanding of their physical and emotional needs. I want to become a labor and delivery nurse who uses that connection to advocate for women, ensuring their concerns are heard and their care is centered around their well-being. Learning about my mom’s difficulties when she was pregnant has really opened my eyes to the great impact nurses make. It was also nurses who checked up on my mom and family often when my dad suddenly passed away from a heart attack in March 2024. Seeing the impact nurses create during times of need inspires me to become one. Becoming a nurse who advocates for women, especially during such a transformative experience, is what inspires me to become a labor and delivery nurse. However, it has also taken me quite a journey to get to where I am today. Despite being a first-generation U.S. citizen coming from a low-income family, I want to do the best I can to succeed as a first-generation college student. In high school, I was part of the girls basketball team and was captain for two years. Not only this, but I was also accepted into a medical program at my school called the HEART Academy. It was there that I was able to learn more about the medical field and open up other opportunities for myself. The program accepted me into a summer internship at Redlands Community Hospital, where I shadowed a CNA in the maternity department. Additionally, I was recommended to apply to and was accepted into a Certified Nursing Assistant program during my last semester of high school. This program allowed me to gain more medical experience through my clinical hours at a senior home and allowed me to become a licensed CNA in the state of California. These experiences have solidified my passion for becoming a compassionate nurse who advocates for her patients. While I have tried to gain as much medical experience as possible, I have also learned about the importance of maintaining my grades. Throughout high school, I maintained a 4.0 GPA as well as an A in my CNA class. I also challenged myself by taking dual enrollment classes. Being involved at school is as important to me as volunteering and connecting with those in my community. I helped organize important documents in the lab at my school while also helping out as an Assistant Catechist at my church. At church, I help the Catechist, organize important student paperwork such as allergies, assist with lesson plans, and communicate with parents. Furthermore, I have been part of the Youth Group at my church, where I connect with others my age. In the end, I hope to gain the skills I need to become a labor and delivery nurse by attending California Baptist University and earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I believe that my personal experiences, determination, and empathy will allow me to move forward and provide the best care possible for future labor and delivery patients.

Women often have their health problems neglected in the medical field. Many are made to feel as if their symptoms are just a part of their menstrual cycle or are "just anxiety." These assumptions have often led to women experiencing pain for longer than they should or not receiving the care they need. I believe I can help fight this stigma and help women through one of the most vulnerable experiences they may face in their lives. As an aspiring labor and delivery nurse, I want to advocate for my patients and make sure they receive the proper care they need. I want my patients to feel comfortable sharing their concerns and know that they will be listened to. Growing up, I have been surrounded by a large, tight-knit family. It is always a big transition when there is an upcoming addition to the family. While pregnancy and having a newborn can be exciting, I have also learned that it can come with many challenges. Having the support of others can make those difficult moments easier. Being a part of a female-dominated family has allowed me to witness these experiences and understand how important it is for women to feel supported and cared for. One of the biggest reasons I want to become a labor and delivery nurse is because of my mom’s experiences with her pregnancies. Growing up, I heard about the challenges she faced while carrying my siblings and me. My sisters and I were all in the breech position, which made her pregnancies more complicated. When she was pregnant with my little sister and I, she needed to be placed on bed rest because of bleeding. Additionally, when she was pregnant with my little sister, there were concerns because the placenta was detaching, making it a high-risk pregnancy. Although these experiences were difficult and stressful, the care she received from healthcare professionals helped keep my siblings and me safe. Hearing about my mom’s pregnancies showed me how important nurses are during some of the most uncertain moments in a person’s life. While pregnancy can be an exciting experience, it can also be a source of fear and stress when complications happen. During those moments, having someone who listens, provides comfort, and supports a patient can make a huge difference. My mom’s experiences helped me understand that nurses do more than provide medical care; they also build trust with their patients and make them feel less alone. Because of my mom’s experiences, I want to become the kind of nurse who makes patients feel heard, validated, and cared for. I want to be someone who takes concerns seriously and reminds women that their voices matter. I hope to provide the same support and reassurance that helped my mom through difficult moments. As a labor and delivery nurse, I want to help women feel safe, respected, and supported during one of the most important moments of their lives. That is why I have decided to pursue a career in nursing. -I found out about this scholarship while searching for scholarships I qualified for on bold.org to help fund my education as a first-generation, low-income college student.

Hello, my name is Abigail, and I hope to motivate other first-generation students to pursue higher education by sharing my story as living proof that it is possible to move forward in life despite the challenges we may face. I also want to encourage them to see the opportunities that come with higher education instead of focusing on the disadvantages they may feel they have as first-generation students. My hope is that my journey reminds others that the obstacles they face can give them the strength to keep moving forward. Growing up as a low-income, first-generation student in a Mexican family came with its own set of challenges. There were times when I questioned myself and wondered if I was capable of reaching my goals. Even so, every challenge has taught me something and helped me grow into a stronger and more determined person. One of the hardest experiences I have gone through was losing my father. He always tried his best to provide for our family despite the challenges of his immigration status. He believed in hard work, faith, and perseverance. One thing I always admired about him was his passion for learning, even though he never had the opportunity to pursue a higher education. Furthermore, losing him completely changed my life. While it brought a lot of grief and difficult days, it strengthened my motivation to pursue my passion for nursing and become someone who can care for others during some of the most important moments of their lives. Outside of school, I serve as an Assistant Catechist at my church. I enjoy working with my students and helping them grow in their faith. A lot of them do not know what they want to do with their lives. Something I have found relatable in many of their stories is that they question whether or not they want to pursue a higher education because they feel unprepared or even question their ability to succeed as first-generation students. As someone who has been in a similar place, I continue to encourage them to explore a path that is right for them. I am not here to judge people; I am here to serve as proof that it is possible to be resilient, push forward, and motivate them so they may not have regrets or underestimate themselves. Becoming an Assistant Catechist is about more than just gaining real-world experience or simply assisting these students in learning about their faith, but about the motivation and guidance I can give them as they create their own identities. At the end of the day, many people, like myself, experience hardship throughout their lives. However, it is my passion that propels me, and my actions demonstrate not just how I want to motivate future first-generation students, but how I will continue to do so as I am today as living proof that it is possible to begin that journey.

Nothing prepares you for the grief you experience after the sudden loss of a parent. For me, losing my father, who always tried his best to provide for our family despite his immigration status, was one of the hardest experiences of my life. If anything, his passing strengthened my motivation to care for others and pursue a career in nursing. I have always wanted a career that involved helping others. When I discovered my passion for nursing, my dad was the first person I told. Before his passing, he was someone I looked up to and shared many values with. We both valued community, a strong work ethic, faith, and perseverance. One thing I always admired about him was his passion for learning, even though he never had the chance to pursue a higher education. Those values guide my sense of purpose. They show up in my approach to school, in being Assistant Catechist, and my goal of becoming a labor and delivery nurse. I want to be the kind of nurse who is compassionate, attentive, and present for families during important moments in their lives. I also hope to continue serving my community and helping children grow in their faith. My father’s passing gave me a clearer sense of purpose and drive while reminding me why I want to go into nursing in the first place. I want to honor his legacy by serving others with compassion in everything I do.

About 63% of women in the United States do not receive the care they deserve, whether due to gender bias or other barriers that prevent access to proper treatment. It was a shockingly high number for me to discover as I researched different aspects of healthcare. This is more than just a statistic for me. It serves as a source of motivation for me to keep in mind as I pursue a career in nursing, especially as I aspire to become a labor and delivery nurse. It truly is unfortunate to learn that female patients, such as expecting mothers, are not receiving the level of care they deserve. All life is valuable regardless of gender. I was fortunately able to practice this principle through an internship I had at Redlands Community Hospital with the help of the medical program I was a part of, the HEART Academy. It was there that I had the opportunity to shadow a CNA in the maternity section of the hospital. In my time there, I had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a hospital setting as well as build connections with staff and patients. Not only that, but I got to observe how impactful it is for patients to receive the patience, care, and reassurance they need. One experience that comes to mind is how anxious and worried a mother was when her baby was admitted into the NICU. Her worries presented themselves and negatively impacted her physical health for some of her stay. I took the time to be extra observant and become a listening ear for her when I could and saw how it set her mind at more ease. This is why I believe it is especially important to provide holistic care for these mothers as they step into another chapter of their lives. They are undergoing many mental, emotional, and physiological changes. This experience has given me the clarity I needed to know exactly what I want to pursue in the medical field today. Now that I have graduated high school, I intend to receive the education I need to become the best labor and delivery nurse I can be. By being a more compassionate, patient, and understanding person, I can have those qualities seep into my passion for caring for others and help lower that statistic. To add on, these are also qualities that can be developed through other volunteer work. Becoming an Assistant Catechist at Immaculate Conception Church has been one of the most impactful experiences I have witnessed. It is a very spiritually rewarding thing to be a part of while getting the chance to help the teacher (who is also a volunteer) educate students in their faith. You feel like the backbone of the class. You not only help the teacher with lesson plans, communicate with parents, and prepare supplies for the class, but you also get the opportunity to connect with students and encourage them to see themselves as you encourage them to take a better path in life that discourages negativity. I do more than just "set a good example for my students"—I am someone who believes in them and am a person they can rely on for guidance. Guidance is exactly what I need in order to become a reliable nurse as well. I do not have a single moment I can pinpoint as one of my greatest achievements in life because every experience has shaped me into the person I am and has given me the motivation to become the better person I want to be in the future. That is a foundation of nursing I absolutely hope to achieve. There is no singular way to create a positive impact in the world; and I take advantage of that fact and strive to create that today with EVERYONE I am surrounded by because that is who I am.

I believe that the news and media make it evident that the world is currently filled with division and lacks compassion. With that being said, my plan is to turn away from such negativity and create a better impact. Whether it is through my attitude, continuous volunteer work at church, or how I care for others, I hope to create that positive change. There is a reason why there is so much emphasis on why you should treat others with kindness, because you do not know what they experience in their personal lives. Building connections with others has especially taught me how important that lesson is. For example, I had the opportunity to complete my clinical hours at a healthcare facility, and it was there that I learned a lot about the hardships people faced and saw the lasting impact it created. My classmates, residents, and staff each had their own stories about the uncertainties and obstacles they faced. One thing I learned from these stories is that you may never know what drives someone to continue to negatively impact their peers. Despite this, a story from my clinical experience that I look to as my own inspiration is about one of the residents I helped out. Despite receiving worrisome news about their health, they chose to continue to show us how grateful they felt about the help they were receiving from us. Others with similar news may not react the same way. While this may not excuse their actions, it truly is something to take into account. I have unfortunately seen the emotional turmoil negativity can create in others through nursing as well, and how it manifests in how they begin to spread that same negative attitude towards others. Whether a patient is rude to a nurse or whether a healthcare professional lacks compassion or empathy is something that can be dangerous. It is a toll the recipient carries inside of them. I want to do the best I can to do the opposite. I want to foster a community full of ethical choices, compassion, and a sense of trust that will touch everybody around. Whether it is through my actions by assisting others and caring for others in any way I can, or on a more mental or emotional level by providing words of encouragement, having an open mind, and a listening ear for others. I do not want to just "start tomorrow" or wait until I become a nurse, but I plan to continue creating that sort of impact today as I have been trying to. Whether it is as a volunteer at church, a classmate, a daughter, a future labor and delivery nurse, or even as a stranger, it is important for me to look back at my negative experiences and challenges as a lesson to look at the kind of person I want to be toward everyone. Yes, the world is filled with major problems, but I plan to be the person that combats hatred to be an example for others and carry over to future generations as well.

An educated person is a more prepared person who can also help drive communities forward. I have seen firsthand the impact education has on people. It encourages critical thinking and growth within society. For example, it serves as a means to expand your knowledge. I believe it is important to receive the education you need to prepare for a career, such as one in healthcare. Not only that, but receiving an education also opens the door to a different set of possibilities for a person. For example, I see how my widowed mother struggles to find a job that provides for my siblings and me. She tries to find a job that works with the situation we are currently experiencing, but it is difficult, especially without having a degree. I want to further my education by pursuing a career as a labor and delivery nurse. Receiving that education will create new opportunities for me that will not only allow me to pursue my passion for caring for patients, but also allow me to help my family. I firmly believe that an education creates different choices and possibilities for people in many ways. Furthermore, an education opens the mind to questions and solutions that may not have been there previously. Any profession may come with its own set of challenges that one must overcome. In fact, throughout life, you will be presented with differing ideas and deeper ways of thinking that you learn to grow through because of an education. In doing so, you can create a lasting impact. A lasting impact is exactly what I hope to leave as part of my legacy. The kind of legacy that shows how trusting in God, having perseverance, and pursuing an education are worth it. A kind of impact that heals others in more ways than just physically caring for them as a nurse. A kind of impact that shows others the importance of nurturing the curiosity they have. These are the values that have been instilled in me, and I hope to share them with the world as I continue pursuing my education at California Baptist University to earn my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I believe my education should provide a holistic learning experience that allows me to grow into a better, more knowledgeable person. After all, a legacy is more than what you are taught at school; it is the actions you take that continue to inspire others, generation after generation.

Without a passion, you may not have the drive to push through the difficult road that lies ahead. Passion is something I always saw in my father as he pushed to accomplish his dreams up until his final breath in March of 2024. In many ways I hope to be like him. We both are driven people who always find ways to care for others. He is my inspiration and the person who has helped me want to pursue nursing. I hope to be as understanding as he was in listening to others and lending the best helping hand possible. His support and that of my family have allowed me to explore my interests to see what may be the path for me. For starters, throughout high school I ventured different career options and found myself passionate about caring for women and newborns through an internship at Redlands Community Hospital. That opportunity has allowed me to aspire to become a labor and delivery nurse. Additionally, as I shadowed a CNA, we listened to concerns many mothers had and created great change as nurses advocated for their patients. Voicing their concerns to the care team not only gave them peace of mind, but it allowed the healthcare professionals to catch on to things they had not before. In doing so, it prevented the appearance of some problems that would have appeared later on. It has become an inspiration for me to pursue nursing to provide that level of care too. While the healthcare field may not be perfect, I can still strive to become the best ethical and compassionate nurse possible that patients can rely on. I do not want to only heal patients, but be the person they can rely on so they may have a more holistic healing experience. With that being said, it takes time, patience, and hard work to achieve this. I quickly learned some of this not only through the medical program called HEART Academy I was a part of in high school, but through the CNA program I was a part of as well. It was especially through the opportunity I had to be a part of the clinical portion of those CNA classes that helped me realize that no matter how difficult the journey, I want to continue pursuing nursing to become an RN. It truly felt like I was creating a positive impact while I helped care for the residents and built long-lasting connections with others. With that being said, it is thanks to the support of my family, did I have the courage to continue exploring my passions. As well as the inspiration I received from my father who was always there for us. I hope to further pursue my passions as he did by becoming a labor and delivery nurse who cares and advocates for her patients.

Life is filled with too many uncertainties. With this in mind, it's important to give your 100 percent as often as possible; as well as create connections. I believe I fulfill this by becoming a student-athlete. Despite being in an ever-changing program with different coaching, my effort and passion has not wavered. I value effort, commitment, and connections. I earned my varsity letters over time and maintained my grades. This is demonstrated through my scholar athlete awards, participation awards, and team captain recognition. Being the best player in the world is not my biggest priority, but becoming the best I can be to support others and turn into a reliable player as well as person too. The classroom is another place I tend to thrive in. My reliability is demonstrated in my grades and the effort I place in any assignment, test, or project whether it is done in groups or independently. I may not have a lot of AP classes, but I do the best I can to become a maternity or neonatal-related nurse. I signed up for a medical program called HEART Academy which helps gives me hands-on knowledge and experiences in the medical field. Furthermore, I signed up for Dual Enrollment classes to receive college as well as high school credit to try to get ahead on my general education studies so the financial load of pursuing my education as a nurse is lessened. However, this is all not just for me; it lightens the load my widowed mom experiences as she tries to help provide for my siblings and I. Even if I am a middle child, I will be relied on more by my mom and little sister, which is natural as my older siblings work to achieve a future they desire. As I also pursue a career in nursing, I aspire to join a CNA program to gain experience and work as I apply for colleges then receive a BSN and soon after, a Masters degree in nursing. While my life has shifted through changes, these ultimate goals I have will not shake for my passion of helping, guiding, and helping other heals.

Since I was a little girl, I grew up wanting to do something. I always wanted to go to college and start a career. That dream is still cemented within me today. I want to go to a university and be a to graduate with a BSN and a master's degree. I want to be a neonatal nurse because it is my dream to care for these babies. It has always been my belief that every person should have a chance at having a life. I believe I can do that by becoming a nurse. I would use the money to be able to afford to go to a university. As a low-income, first-generation, Mexican in high school, I am trying everything I can to loosen the financial burden on my parents. I want to lessen the burden because it is also important for me that my three siblings also get an opportunity to pursue the career they want. My brother and sisters are my inspiration. They are the reason why I am here today wanting to help others. I am currently in a medical program in my high school called HEART Academy. I am in this program because it will help me expand my knowledge and educate me about the medical field. Students in the program also have the chance to earn three college credits per semester as long as they maintain a grade of B or higher. This helps the expenses because I would be completing the medical terminology section that is required for me to become a nurse. These classes aren't the only way I try to be a driven student. I study every week and review any notes taken in my classes. I am dedicated to becoming a nurse. As a nurse, you need to be prepared, accountable, and driven to help out patients. I am trying my best to embody the kind of person I want to be and am learning new things along the way. Helping others such as neonates would not only benefit me but also the community of people who may need help. If I were to receive this scholarship, the only purpose I would use the money for would be to pay for tuition at a college or university. The money would not only help me personally create a better life, but it would also loosen the burdens that my family has.

There are many difficulties that I went through as a first-generation minority. I grew up learning that I was too Mexican to be American and too American to be Mexican. Finding my identity and walking through the maze of "the American dream" is difficult to go through. I went through different issues growing up. They ranged from bullying to learning an entirely new language. However, these adversities have turned me into the person that I am today. Learning a new language and having to deal with bullies from a young age was certainly an experience. I never spoke English until I was signed up for preschool. I had difficulty learning and differentiating Spanish from English. I had to adapt to a new age to a different language. However, I tried to overcome this by reading bilingual books and being placed in an English Language Learners program. I was slowly able to improve my English skills. This practice eventually led me to leave the English language learners program. Another issue I had growing up was how to be more mature and deal with bullies. I also grew up being bullied throughout time. I have always been made fun of for the accent I still have and other physical characteristics that I have grown up with. For example, I was also made fun of for my hairy arms since I was little and it was such an "abnormal" thing to have. I used to go home crying in the shower since I was embarrassed about crying over something I just had naturally. I started telling my parents about the bullying until fourth or fifth grade. They began reporting this to my teachers and some of the kids got in trouble and didn't make fun of me for a while until I reached sixth grade. In sixth grade, I was opening up my locker to get changed for P.E. when I noticed a note in my locker. That note had a death threat targeted towards me and I immediately chose to discuss this issue with my counselor. Unfortunately, the culprit was never discovered, but I did learn that bullying should never be ignored or be taken as "just a joke". Now, I always try to help a person and try my best to be empathetic and sympathetic because you never know what a person is going through. Bullying and mistreating others is not a joke because it harms people. Fortunately, I have learned from these experiences. Bullying can derive from experiences as a child or even go as far back as being a toddler. A person should always be treated with kindness no matter the age. This is why I want to major in nursing. I want to become a neonatal nurse to help other newborns and help assure other families whether or not they are immigrants or first-generation parents in the United States.