Growing up as a child of Mandarin-speaking immigrants, I often found myself helping them navigate situations that many take for granted. Translating documents, making phone calls, and even explaining school forms to them soon became a new norm in the family. I became that makeshift bridge of communication between them and the world around them. Because of my experiences, I wanted to make healthcare, this aspect, more attainable for not only them but for others with similar circumstances, that's why I've chosen to pursue a Health Science degree. Rather than seeing the pursuit of higher education solely as a pathway to personal success, I now see it as a way to transform lives for my family and others in my community. My final career goal is to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I want to be a healthcare professional centered on patient advocacy, especially for those who may face language or cultural barriers similar to those my parents faced. Moreover, I chose to pursue a degree in Health Science because I’ve always been passionate about making a meaningful difference in people’s lives through modern technology. The healthcare field combines both my love for science and my desire to provide care to those who need it. Helping my parents time and time again has also taught me that, in my community, I, too, have an obligation to support those in need. It showed me that even the smallest acts of assistance can significantly impact another’s life. As I carry those ideals with me, I strive to be the type of healthcare professional who prioritizes creating an environment that is more accessible and less intimidating for households like mine. In the future, I hope to use my knowledge to provide high-quality care and to advocate for patients during vulnerable times in their lives. Beyond direct patient care, I would also serve as a confidant and a mentor to future healthcare professionals. Moreover, I would like to participate in events and improve access to healthcare Education is a means of changing the world through literacy, and to me now, education is so much more than exams in the classroom and a five-letter grading system. It’s about applying the knowledge and making the lives of those around you better. Healthcare to me, isn't just about providing care to those who are in need of them, to me, it's about being a healthcare professional that's passionate and truly cares about every patient, regardless of their background.

I recall my parents and me in the school’s front office at one point. We were trying to make sense of enrollment documents and transportation home. The forms were complicated, written entirely in English. I spent an hour at home with those papers, trying not to stutter over the translations as I explained the tidbits to them. Although I had exams and assignments of my own to prepare for, I still sat there and addressed all the questions they had about my education. What motivated me most was realizing how difficult language barriers can make everyday tasks. My parents worked tirelessly for the sake of my brother and me, and yet something as simple as making a phone call or understanding the content of a form was a challenge. Watching them face those obstacles soon gave me a deep appreciation for the endless opportunities education offers. Rather than seeing the pursuit of higher education solely as a pathway to personal success, I now see it as a way to transform lives for my family and others in my community facing similar barriers. This lesson and many others have inspired me to pursue a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I want to be a healthcare professional centered on fair, equal medical services, especially for those who may face language or cultural barriers similar to those my parents faced. Helping my parents time and time again has also taught me that, in my community, I, too, have an obligation to support those in need. It showed me that even the smallest acts of assistance can significantly impact another’s life. As I carry those ideals with me, I strive to be the type of healthcare professional who prioritizes creating an environment that is more accessible and less intimidating for households like mine. Education is a means of changing the world through literacy, and to me now, education is so much more than exams in the classroom and a five-letter grading system. It’s about applying the knowledge and making the lives of those around you better. This scholarship would help me achieve the career goal I’ve chosen for myself. But even more than that, it would ease the financial burden and help me become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) who prioritizes patient advocacy and promotes more accessible healthcare. Additionally, I plan to give back to the community by using the knowledge I gain to serve the community and help others overcome their obstacles. I will also continue my volunteer work and, hopefully, start a club in my community dedicated to giving back.

My relationship with my parents has always been strained, to say the least. Growing up as a child of Mandarin-speaking immigrants, I often found myself helping them navigate situations that many take for granted. Translating documents, making phone calls, and even explaining school forms to them soon became a new norm in the family. I became that makeshift bridge of communication between them and the world around them. I was ecstatic to assist them, but I was also balancing my responsibilities as a high school student. I recall my parents and me in the school’s front office at one point. We were trying to make sense of enrollment documents and transportation home. The forms were complicated, written entirely in English. I spent an hour at home with those papers, trying not to stutter over the translations as I explained the tidbits to them. Although I had exams and assignments of my own to prepare for, I still sat there and addressed all the questions they had about my education. What motivated me most was realizing how difficult language barriers can make everyday tasks. My parents worked tirelessly for the sake of my brother and me, and yet something as simple as making a phone call or understanding the content of a form was a challenge. Watching them face those obstacles soon gave me a deep appreciation for the endless opportunities education offers. Rather than seeing the pursuit of higher education solely as a pathway to personal success, I now see it as a way to transform lives for my family and others in my community facing similar barriers. This lesson and many others have inspired me to pursue a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I want to be a healthcare professional centered on patient advocacy, especially for those who may face language or cultural barriers similar to those my parents faced. Helping my parents time and time again has also taught me that, in my community, I, too, have an obligation to support those in need. It showed me that even the smallest acts of assistance can significantly impact another’s life. As I carry those ideals with me, I strive to be the type of healthcare professional who prioritizes creating an environment that is more accessible and less intimidating for households like mine. Education is a means of changing the world through literacy, and to me now, education is so much more than exams in the classroom and a five-letter grading system. It’s about applying the knowledge and making the lives of those around you better.

Math came to me in first grade; counting vertices and building blocks has always appealed to me, and at one point in my little head, I thought I was going to be a mathematician. Math, to me, has always been about discovering patterns and solving problems to explain the world around us. When people express their dislike towards math, saying, “Man saw this beautiful world and invented algebra”, I would always like to think that because this world is so beautiful, math was created to try to understand it better. What truly attracts me to math is that it’s limitless, and there’s always a solution to a problem (or no solution sometimes!) Math also appeals to me for the obvious reason as well: you could use it in your day-to-day life! I can’t recall the last time I didn’t use math. In primary school, I’ve always chosen math as my preferred subject instead of ELA because of its “definite answer”. I found ELA questions too ambiguous to understand, but math always stood out because you could get to the answer by following a series of definite steps. As I step into university as a health science major, math has followed suit as well; my computing class, my psychology class, and maybe even my seminars. Even my future career goal as a CRNA is filled with different statistics. And as Cady Heron from Mean Girls would say, math is “the same in every country”.

Growing up in a Chinese Buddhist household, I didn’t know much about the religion, but my parents' influence has played a significant role in shaping my values and character. The importance of compassion, mindfulness, and service to others has been one of the key values instilled in me since adolescence. Buddhist teachings have pushed me to approach life with patience and have helped me grow every day. Because of these values, I have developed a deeper understanding of how my actions affect those around me. One of the most meaningful aspects of Buddhism for me is the value of helping others and the goal of reducing suffering whenever possible. I’ve lived with this perspective, and it has motivated me to pursue a career in health science and later a nursing degree, which could allow me to make a positive impact on other people’s lives through modern technology. Being a Buddhist has also taught me, time and time again, that success is not measured by personal gain but by the positive difference we make in others’ lives. Whether it’s my future occupation or my volunteer work, I will strive to contribute to a positive and helpful community. As I continue my studies at university, I strive to embody the values I hold: kindness and, most importantly, lifelong learning. This faith, along with all these values instilled in me, has led me to prioritize humility. Humility, to me, is one of the qualities that I remind myself to express through my actions every day. I prioritize humility in each action I take to better myself as well. After graduation, I will give back to the community by pursuing a career that allows me to support others and serve those in need. I want to use the knowledge I gain to serve the community and help others overcome their obstacles. I will also continue my volunteer work and, hopefully, start a club in my community dedicated to giving back. Furthermore, my faith has provided me with a strong moral foundation and a major sense of purpose. I realized that whenever hardship falls on me, I turn to Buddhist teachings for reflection. My future goal as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is to bring relief to those who need it. And although Buddhism is an ongoing belief and my morals will continue to evolve with experience, I will always carry these values within me and draw on my upbringing and understanding of the religion to make a positive difference in the world around me.

My relationship with my parents has always been strained, to say the least. Growing up as a child of Mandarin-speaking immigrants, I often found myself helping them navigate situations that many take for granted. Translating documents, making phone calls, and even explaining school forms to them soon became a new norm in the family. I became that makeshift bridge of communication between them and the world around them. I was ecstatic to assist them, but I was also balancing my responsibilities as a high school student. I recall my parents and me in the school’s front office at one point. We were trying to make sense of enrollment documents and transportation home. The forms were complicated, written entirely in English. I spent an hour at home with those papers, trying not to stutter over the translations as I explained the tidbits to them. Although I had exams and assignments of my own to prepare for, I still sat there and addressed all the questions they had about my education. What motivated me most was realizing how difficult language barriers can make everyday tasks. My parents worked tirelessly for the sake of my brother and me, and yet something as simple as making a phone call or understanding the content of a form was a challenge. Watching them face those obstacles soon gave me a deep appreciation for the endless opportunities education offers. Rather than seeing the pursuit of higher education solely as a pathway to personal success, I now see it as a way to transform lives for my family and others in my community facing similar barriers. This lesson and many others have inspired me to pursue a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I want to be a healthcare professional centered on patient advocacy, especially for those who may face language or cultural barriers similar to those my parents faced. Helping my parents time and time again has also taught me that, in my community, I, too, have an obligation to support those in need. It showed me that even the smallest acts of assistance can significantly impact another’s life. As I carry those ideals with me, I strive to be the type of healthcare professional who prioritizes creating an environment that is more accessible and less intimidating for households like mine. Education is a means of changing the world through literacy, and to me now, education is so much more than exams in the classroom and a five-letter grading system. It’s about applying the knowledge and making the lives of those around you better.

Being a first-generation student means taking initiative. It means stepping into unfamiliar territory without a roadmap and creating that map for others who traverse the same ground. It means that traversing through that territory and finding the determination and drive to move forward. As the child of Mandarin-speaking immigrant parents, I have learned that success often requires navigating obstacles independently and carrying the hopes of those who sacrificed their dreams so I could take that first step in a new country. My parents traveled 8,450 miles from their home in Fuzhou, China, to Florida in search of greater opportunities for our family. Being a first-generation student, to me, means figuring out algebraic equations in the 8th grade without a parent’s guidance, and skipping out on extracurriculars because I didn’t have a ride home. Growing up, I translated documents and made numerous phone calls on behalf of my parents. I remember when I was in the 5th grade, stammering and switching between English and Mandarin so my parents could understand the foreign curves and slants of the English letters printed on a piece of mail. But being a first-generation student also means giving back to the community that welcomed my family and offered opportunities to improve their quality of life. I’ve attended numerous UNICEF gatherings and written letters to those in hospice care and veterans at home. Giving back, to me, also means regularly donating to my high school’s “kindness closet” —a space that thrived on donations of feminine hygiene products so they could be distributed to those who needed them. This scholarship would help me achieve the career goal I’ve chosen for myself. But even more than that, it would ease the financial burden and help me become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) who prioritizes patient advocacy and promotes more accessible healthcare. Being a first-generation student never just meant being able to go to college first. It meant taking initiative and that first step to improving the quality of life for future generations.

My experiences have shaped my sense of purpose by demonstrating how powerful education and service can be in improving someone else’s life. As a child of Mandarin-speaking immigrants, I grew up in an environment where I witnessed the difficulties of communication due to language barriers. I often translated documents and navigated systems that may seem foreign to them. Watching my parents work tirelessly to build a better future for my brother and me despite the obstacles they faced inspired me to make the most of the opportunities they sacrificed so much to provide. Success, to me, isn’t only a personal achievement but also using one’s skills and knowledge to support others. My ultimate purpose is rooted in giving back to my community. The challenges that I faced throughout my life have taught me the importance of resilience. I have been inspired time and time again by the people I love to pursue an education that will allow me to create opportunities for myself and improve the quality of life of others. I hope to honor my parents’ sacrifices, my friend’s encouragement, and my community’s support by making a meaningful impact and always giving back. After all, everybody and everything has a purpose. I believe mine rests on the obligation to leave the world a kinder place for generations of students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

My relationship with my parents has always been strained, to say the least. Growing up as a child of Mandarin-speaking immigrants, I often found myself helping them navigate situations that many take for granted. Translating documents, making phone calls, and even explaining school forms to them soon became a new norm in the family. I became that makeshift bridge of communication between them and the world around them. I was ecstatic to assist them, but I was also balancing my responsibilities as a high school student. I recall my parents and me in the school’s front office at one point. We were trying to make sense of enrollment documents and transportation home. The forms were complicated, written entirely in English. I spent an hour at home with those papers, trying not to stutter over the translations as I explained the tidbits to them. Although I had exams and assignments of my own to prepare for, I still sat there and addressed all the questions they had about my education. What motivated me most was realizing how difficult language barriers can make everyday tasks. My parents worked tirelessly for the sake of my brother and me, and yet something as simple as making a phone call or understanding the content of a form was a challenge. Watching them face those obstacles soon gave me a deep appreciation for the endless opportunities education offers. Rather than seeing the pursuit of higher education solely as a pathway to personal success, I now see it as a way to transform lives for my family and others in my community facing similar barriers. This lesson and many others have inspired me to pursue a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I want to be a healthcare professional centered on patient advocacy, especially for those who may face language or cultural barriers similar to those my parents faced. Helping my parents time and time again has also taught me that, in my community, I, too, have an obligation to support those in need. It showed me that even the smallest acts of assistance can significantly impact another’s life. As I carry those ideals with me, I strive to be the type of healthcare professional who prioritizes creating an environment that is more accessible and less intimidating for households like mine. Education is a means of changing the world through literacy, and to me now, education is so much more than exams in the classroom and a five-letter grading system. It’s about applying the knowledge and making the lives of those around you better. I hope to pave the way for those who can't speak up and those who have been silenced or in any way disadvantaged from having a proper education.

My relationship with my parents has always been strained, to say the least. Growing up as a child of Mandarin-speaking immigrants, I often found myself helping them navigate situations that many take for granted. Translating documents, making phone calls, and even explaining school forms to them soon became a new norm in the family. I became that makeshift bridge of communication between them and the world around them. I was ecstatic to assist them, but I was also balancing my responsibilities as a high school student. I recall my parents and me in the school’s front office at one point. We were trying to make sense of enrollment documents and transportation home. The forms were complicated, written entirely in English. I spent an hour at home with those papers, trying not to stutter over the translations as I explained the tidbits to them. Although I had exams and assignments of my own to prepare for, I still sat there and addressed all the questions they had about my education. What motivated me most was realizing how difficult language barriers can make everyday tasks. My parents worked tirelessly for the sake of my brother and me, and yet something as simple as making a phone call or understanding the content of a form was a challenge. Watching them face those obstacles soon gave me a deep appreciation for the endless opportunities education offers. Rather than seeing the pursuit of higher education solely as a pathway to personal success, I now see it as a way to transform lives for my family and others in my community facing similar barriers. This lesson and many others have inspired me to pursue a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I want to be a healthcare professional centered on patient advocacy, especially for those who may face language or cultural barriers similar to those my parents faced. Helping my parents time and time again has also taught me that, in my community, I, too, have an obligation to support those in need. It showed me that even the smallest acts of assistance can significantly impact another’s life. As I carry those ideals with me, I strive to be the type of healthcare professional who prioritizes creating an environment that is more accessible and less intimidating for households like mine. Education is a means of changing the world through literacy, and to me now, education is so much more than exams in the classroom and a five-letter grading system. It’s about applying the knowledge and making the lives of those around you better. I found out about this scholarship on Bold.org :)

My relationship with my parents has always been strained, to say the least. Growing up as a child of Mandarin-speaking immigrants, I often found myself helping them navigate situations that many take for granted. Translating documents, making phone calls, and even explaining school forms to them soon became a new norm in the family. I became that makeshift bridge of communication between them and the world around them. I was ecstatic to assist them, but I was also balancing my responsibilities as a high school student. I recall my parents and me in the school’s front office at one point. We were trying to make sense of enrollment documents and transportation home. The forms were complicated, written entirely in English. I spent an hour at home with those papers, trying not to stutter over the translations as I explained the tidbits to them. Although I had exams and assignments of my own to prepare for, I still sat there and addressed all the questions they had about my education. What motivated me most was realizing how difficult language barriers can make everyday tasks. My parents worked tirelessly for the sake of my brother and me, and yet something as simple as making a phone call or understanding the content of a form was a challenge. Watching them face those obstacles soon gave me a deep appreciation for the endless opportunities education offers. Rather than seeing the pursuit of higher education solely as a pathway to personal success, I now see it as a way to transform lives for my family and others in my community facing similar barriers. This lesson and many others have inspired me to pursue a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I want to be a healthcare professional centered on patient advocacy, especially for those who may face language or cultural barriers similar to those my parents faced. Helping my parents time and time again has also taught me that, in my community, I, too, have an obligation to support those in need. It showed me that even the smallest acts of assistance can significantly impact another’s life. As I carry those ideals with me, I strive to be the type of healthcare professional who prioritizes creating an environment that is more accessible and less intimidating for households like mine. Education is a means of changing the world through literacy, and to me now, education is so much more than exams in the classroom and a five-letter grading system. It’s about applying the knowledge and making the lives of those around you better.

Growing up in an immigrant household, I quickly realized that some opportunities are not distributed equally, or at all. My parents, although foreigners, worked tirelessly to provide for the family in situations that many people take for granted. Understanding official documents, navigating the complex healthcare systems, and communicating with schools often became challenges. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds deserve scholarships and opportunities because, more often than not, they overcome obstacles that others may not face. Many high-achieving students balance their academics while assisting their families or working jobs. Their achievements and discipline reflect not only their intelligence but also their strong time-management skills. Financial opportunities enable these students to focus more on their education, creating a pathway to improve not only their own lives but also those of their loved ones. Throughout my life, I have worked to overcome language barriers associated with being a child of immigrant parents. I served as the makeshift bridge between them and the rest of the English-speaking world. I assisted my parents in completing forms, understanding crucial information, and overall communication. At the same time, I kept in mind my academic responsibility as a student. These experiences have taught me time and time again the importance of perseverance. Rather than viewing my circumstances as limitations of my capabilities, I used them as fuel to keep chasing my goals. Education was one of the most powerful opportunities to improve the quality of life, not only for me but also for millions of children with immigrant parents. My goal is to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Through this career, I want to become a compassionate healthcare professional who prioritizes patient advocacy, especially for those who may face cultural or language barriers. I strive to be someone who makes getting healthcare services less intimidating. Receiving this grant would help lessen the burden on my parents and assist me in pursuing the education needed for the career path I’ve chosen. I believe everyone, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds who have endured hardship, should have a chance at a better quality of life through the constant flow of knowledge in and out of the classroom.

My relationship with my parents has always been strained, to say the least. Growing up as a child of Mandarin-speaking immigrants, I often found myself helping them navigate situations that many take for granted. Translating documents, making phone calls, and even explaining school forms to them soon became a new norm in the family. I became that makeshift bridge of communication between them and the world around them. I was more than ecstatic to assist them, but at the same time, I was balancing my responsibilities as a high school student. I recall my parents and me in the school’s front office at one point. We were trying to make sense of enrollment documents and transportation home. The forms were complicated, written entirely in English. I spent an hour at home with those papers, trying not to stutter over the translations as I explained the tidbits to them. Although I had exams and assignments of my own to prepare for, I still sat there and addressed all the questions they had about my education. What motivated me most was when I realized how difficult language barriers could make everyday tasks. My parents worked tirelessly for the sake of my brother and me, and yet something as simple as making a phone call or understanding the content of a form was a challenge. Watching them face those obstacles soon gave me a deep appreciation for the endless opportunities I have through education. Throughout my high school years, I worked as a cashier for my parents' restaurant, and that made me even more sure that learning more could help them and many others. Rather than seeing the pursuit of higher education solely as a pathway to personal success, I now see it as a way to transform life for my family and for others in my community with similar barriers. This lesson and many more have inspired me to pursue the career of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I want to be a healthcare professional centered on patient advocacy, especially those who may face language or cultural barriers similar to those of my parents. Helping my parents time and time again has also taught me that in my community, I, too, have an obligation to support those who need support. It showed me that even the smallest acts of assistance can significantly impact another’s life. As I carry those ideals with me, I strive to be the type of healthcare professional who prioritizes an environment that is more accessible and less intimidating for households like my own. Education is a means of changing the world through literacy, and to me now, education is so much more than exams in the classroom and a five-letter grading system. It’s to apply the knowledge and make the lives of those around you better.

My relationship with my parents has always been strained, to say the least. Growing up as a child of Mandarin-speaking immigrants, I often found myself helping them navigate situations that many take for granted. Translating documents, making phone calls, and even explaining school forms to them soon became a new norm in the family. I became that makeshift bridge of communication between them and the world around them. I was more than ecstatic to assist them, but at the same time, I was balancing my responsibilities as a high school student. I recall my parents and me in the school’s front office at one point. We were trying to make sense of enrollment documents and transportation home. The forms were complicated, written entirely in English. I spent an hour at home with those papers, trying not to stutter over the translations as I explained the tidbits to them. Although I had exams and assignments of my own to prepare for, I still sat there and addressed all the questions they had about my education. What motivated me most was when I realized how difficult language barriers could make everyday tasks. My parents worked tirelessly for the sake of my brother and me, and yet something as simple as making a phone call or understanding the content of a form was a challenge. Watching them face those obstacles soon gave me a deep appreciation for the endless opportunities I have through education. Rather than seeing the pursuit of higher education solely as a pathway to personal success, I now see it as a way to transform life for my family and for others in my community with similar barriers. This lesson and many more have inspired me to pursue the career of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I want to be a healthcare professional centered on patient advocacy, especially those who may face language or cultural barriers similar to those of my parents. Helping my parents time and time again has also taught me that in my community, I, too, have an obligation to support those who need support. It showed me that even the smallest acts of assistance can significantly impact another’s life. As I carry those ideals with me, I strive to be the type of healthcare professional who prioritizes an environment that is more accessible and less intimidating for households like my own. Education is a means of changing the world through literacy, and to me now, education is so much more than exams in the classroom and a five-letter grading system. It’s to apply the knowledge and make the lives of those around you better.

Blood never scared me. What gets me is standing still while someone else is hurting. That’s really what pushed me toward nursing—not some dramatic, life-changing moment, but a hundred tiny realizations. I just can’t walk away when someone’s hurting. I’m the person who stops when everyone else keeps moving. I notice the quiet kid at school trying not to be sad, my elderly neighbor limping down the driveway to pick up her mail, or even a patient clutching their chest and looking terrified in the waiting room of a clinic. In nursing, caring isn’t a weakness, it’s apart of your duty. I’ve seen how fast people slip through the cracks without realizing. As a kid, I watched my family struggle with healthcare systems that talked down to them, not with them. I remember translating for relatives who didn’t know enough English to say where it hurt. Standing between them and the nurse hit me hard. That’s when I saw how powerful kindness is when you pair it with knowledge. Nurses get to be that bridge every day. It’s not just patching up bodies; it’s about meeting fear and comforting others. I want people to feel comfortable being vulnerable around me. When I picture my future, I see myself working in community clinics or hospitals that serve people who aren’t used to having healthcare within reach. I want to help—giving free or at least low cost health screenings, starting wellness programs and teaching people about prevention. Using what I know to make life a bit easier or pain a bit less—that’s what gets me up in the morning. I also want to mentor new nursing students and encourage young people, especially in immigrant or low-income neighborhoods, to realize the healthcare world needs them too. Nursing, for me, is a calling and an art. It’s messy, and sometimes emotional—but it’s also real, powerful, and rewarding in ways most jobs aren’t. I don’t want to keep my distance from people. I want to be in the middle of the chaos, the fear, the hope—helping people find strength when they think it’s gone. That’s what drives me: turning empathy into action, being someone’s stable hand in their worst moment, and giving back to a world that’s shown me both pain and healing. To be a nurse is more than a career to me, it’s a lifeline. I want nothing more of my life’s purpose than to help people and meet their health needs. I hope to inspire another little girl the way I was inspired from a young age.