I was born and raised in Ecuador in a small, humble family that taught me to work hard and care for others. Life wasn’t easy, but we always had love, and that’s what kept us together. Those values became my strength when I moved to the United States with my son to start over and give him a better life. Leaving Ecuador wasn’t part of the plan, but after going through a very difficult and abusive marriage, I knew I had to protect my son and myself. I came here with nothing but hope, not knowing anyone or how things worked. It was scary, but I knew it was the only way to give us peace and a future. Being a single mom has been hard I’ve had to do everything alone, from paying rent and bills to working full time and . But even when I’m exhausted, I remind myself why I’m doing this: for him. When my son was a baby, he was diagnosed with pyloric stenosis and needed emergency surgery. It was one of the hardest times of my life. I was completely alone, trying to stay strong while worrying about how I was going to pay for everything. I took care of his hospital bills, medications, and recovery by myself. That experience showed me what real strength and love mean. It also made me realize how much of a difference nurses can make. The nurses who cared for him were so kind and patient they gave me comfort when I was breaking inside. That’s when I knew I wanted to become a nurse. Now I work as a CNA at Good Shepherd Home, where I care for residents with neurodegenerative diseases and post-trauma injuries. I’ve learned so much from them about compassion, patience, and the value of human connection. It’s not an easy job, but it fills my heart. As an asylum seeker, I don’t qualify for any kind of government aid, so everything I’ve accomplished so far has come from my own effort. I recently got accepted into the LPN program at Lincoln Tech, and I’ll start on October 27. My dream is to grow in this career, become a nurse practitioner one day, and give my son the stable, meaningful life I promised him. This scholarship would change everything for me. and it would bring me one step closer to achieving my dream. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I know that every obstacle I’ve faced has made me stronger, more compassionate, and ready to make a difference through nursing.

Even though I am building my life in the United States, my home country will always be a part of me, and I hope to make a positive impact there through the education and experience I gain as a nurse. Growing up in Ecuador, I saw how difficult it can be for families to access quality healthcare, and that has stayed with me. My desire to help comes not only from my upbringing, but also from my experience as a mother. When my son was just a baby, he was diagnosed with pyloric stenosis and needed surgery. I had to manage all of his hospital bills, medications, and recovery completely on my own. That experience was terrifying and overwhelming, but it taught me the true importance of skilled, compassionate care. I remember being so scared, but the nurses who cared for him showed me what it meant to feel supported and understood. I want other families especially children to have access to that same care and hope that my son and I needed during that time. My journey has been even more challenging because I am an asylum seeker. I don’t qualify for most government financial aid, which makes paying for school, housing, and daily living expenses extremely difficult. Finding resources and support has been a constant struggle, but I have refused to give up. I know that every step I take, every obstacle I overcome, is building a better future for my son and myself. Working as a CNA at Good Shepherd Home has strengthened my skills and my understanding of healthcare. I care for residents with neurodegenerative diseases, spinal cord injuries, and other severe conditions. Every day, I help them with daily activities, support therapy routines, and provide comfort when they are frustrated or in pain. This work has taught me the power of patience, empathy, and individualized care. I want to take these lessons back to my home country, showing communities that healthcare is not just about medicine—it’s about connection, support, and compassion. Through my nursing education, I hope to help children and families in Ecuador navigate health challenges, educate parents about preventive care, and provide guidance during difficult times. I also want to inspire other young mothers like me, showing them that even in challenging circumstances, it is possible to pursue education, build a career, and make a difference. Nursing has given me purpose, and I want that purpose to reach beyond borders, touching lives in Ecuador and giving families the hope and care they deserve.

What inspired me to choose a vocational path in nursing is my son and everything we’ve been through together. Life hasn’t been easy for us. I left a very difficult and abusive marriage to protect him, and suddenly I was completely on my own. I became both mother and father, working and caring for him, figuring out how to rebuild our lives in a new country. There were moments when I felt like I couldn’t do it, but I kept going because I knew I had to give him a better life. When my son was just a baby, he was diagnosed with pyloric stenosis and needed surgery. That experience changed everything for me. I was terrified, alone, and trying to handle hospital bills, medications, and his recovery by myself. But what truly stayed in my heart was how the nurses treated us. They were kind, patient, and made me feel less alone. They didn’t just take care of my baby they took care of me, too. I realized then that nursing is more than medicine; it’s compassion, love, and hope when people need it most. That’s when I knew I wanted to become a nurse. Now I work as a CNA at Good Shepherd Home Raker Center, a long-term care facility that serves residents with neurodegenerative diseases, brain and spinal cord injuries, and other severe disabilities. Some of our residents have lived there for years and need help with almost everything. I help with daily care, therapy exercises, and emotional support. I’ve learned how small gestures—holding a hand, listening, or simply showing patience—can mean everything to someone who can’t do things on their own. Working there has given me purpose and shown me the real meaning of service. But the path hasn’t been easy. As a single mom and asylum seeker, I don’t qualify for most financial aid, so paying for school is a constant worry. Still, I studied hard, passed my TEAS test, and was accepted into the LPN program at Lincoln Tech, which I’ll start on October 27. It’s an expensive program, but it’s my next step toward becoming a nurse and building a stable, meaningful future for my son and me. My goal is to graduate as an LPN, gain more experience, and eventually become a Registered Nurse specializing in aesthetic or rehabilitative care. I want to help people feel confident, heal, and find hope again just like those nurses did for me. Skilled work like nursing matters because it combines knowledge, hands-on care, and heart. It’s not about status it’s about service. This scholarship would change everything for me. It would allow me to focus on school without constantly worrying about how to pay for it, and it would bring me one step closer to achieving my dream. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I know that every obstacle I’ve faced has made me stronger, more compassionate, and ready to make a difference through nursing.

I chose nursing because I want to build a stable, meaningful future for my son and me. Life hasn’t been easy. I left an abusive marriage to protect us, and suddenly, I was the sole provider. From paying bills to managing everyday life, I had to take on responsibilities that felt overwhelming at times but I refused to give up. When my baby was diagnosed with pyloric stenosis and needed surgery, I was terrified. Managing hospital bills, medications, and his recovery alone was daunting. But I also saw the nurses care for him with patience, skill, and compassion. They were calm when I was panicked, gentle when he was in pain, and always encouraging. Their care made me realize the profound impact nurses have on people's lives. That experience sparked my desire to become a nurse. I want to provide that same sense of comfort, support, and guidance to families and children in need. Nursing is not just a job it’s a way to give hope, reassurance, and healing to people during some of their most vulnerable moments. Currently, I work at Good Shepherd Home Raker Center as a CNA. This long-term care facility in Allentown serves 99 residents, many of whom have conditions like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and neurodegenerative diseases. I assist with daily activities, help with therapy routines, and provide support when they face frustration or pain. Working here has taught me the importance of patience, empathy, and individualized care. Every day, I see the resilience of our residents and the difference compassionate care makes in their lives. I passed my TEAS test and was accepted into the LPN program at Lincoln Tech, which I’ll start on October 27. The program is expensive, and as the only provider for my son and myself, I must cover all tuition and living costs. Despite the challenges, I am determined to succeed because I know this education will allow me to provide stability and opportunities for my son, while helping families through compassionate care. This journey has shaped me in ways nothing else could. The struggles I’ve faced have shown me what it means to care deeply, work hard, and never give up. Nursing is my calling, and I want to use everything I’ve learned from my own life to make a real difference in the lives of others. This scholarship would give me the opportunity to continue on this path, pursue my education without constant financial worry, and move one step closer to turning my passion into a lifelong career.

The day my baby was diagnosed with pyloric stenosis and needed surgery is a day I will never forget. I was scared and overwhelmed, not just because of his condition, but because I was completely on my own. I had left a difficult and abusive marriage to protect us, and suddenly all responsibility was mine. I had to manage hospital bills, medications, and his recovery while also trying to stay strong emotionally for him. It was exhausting, scary, and sometimes I honestly didn’t know if I could handle it. But I had no choice I had to be his support, his comfort, and his advocate. during his recovery, I spent so much time with the nurses. I watched how they cared for him with so much patience, kindness, and attention. They didn’t just treat his illness; they treated him like he mattered, and they treated me like I wasn’t alone in this. Their dedication and compassion inspired me deeply. I realized that nursing isn’t just about medical knowledge it’s about giving hope, reassurance, and care to people when they need it most. I wanted to be that person for others, the way those nurses were for my son and me. From that moment, I knew nursing was my path. I want to help children and families feel safe, cared for, and understood during their hardest times. Being a single mom has taught me patience, resilience, and empathy qualities I know are essential in nursing. Every challenge I’ve faced, every sleepless night, every difficult decision, has strengthened my determination to pursue this career. I passed my TEAS test and was recently accepted into the Licensed Practical Nursing program at Lincoln Tech, which I’ll be starting on October 27. The program is expensive, and as the only person supporting my son and myself, I must cover all tuition and living costs. This is not easy, but I am determined to make it happen. I dream of graduating in two years, becoming a nurse, and providing stability, opportunities, and hope for my son while helping other families through care and compassion. This journey has shaped me in ways nothing else could. The struggles I’ve faced have shown me what it means to care deeply, work hard, and never give up. Nursing is my calling, and I want to use everything I’ve learned from my own life to make a real difference in the lives of others. This scholarship would give me the opportunity to continue on this path, pursue my education without constant financial worry, and move one step closer to turning my passion into a lifelong career.

I know this scholarship is primarily for Mexican students, and I deeply respect that. Even though I am not Mexican, I am a proud Latina, Ecuadorian, woman a single mother and an asylum seeker who shares the same dreams, struggles, and hopes that unite all of us in our community. I came to this country after leaving a very difficult and abusive marriage. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but I had to protect my son and myself. Starting over alone has not been easy. I have no family here, no financial help, and because of my immigration status, I don’t qualify for any kind of state or federal assistance. Still, I’ve never stopped believing that with faith, effort, and kindness, I can make it. But I carry within me an unshakable determination to move forward. My dream of becoming a nurse started when my son was just a baby. He was diagnosed with pyloric stenosis, a condition that made it impossible for him to keep any milk down. I remember holding him in my arms while he was losing weight and crying nonstop, and I felt completely powerless. When the doctors told me he needed surgery, I was terrified. I didn’t have anyone to lean on, and I had to figure out how to manage everything the hospital costs, the medications, the recovery completely by myself. I worked as much as I could, sold things, and prayed every night. I want to be that kind of nurse someone who brings hope where there is fear. Now I am working hard to make that dream real and try to keep moving forward even when things get tough. Some days are exhausting, but I remind myself why I started. I want my son to see that his mom never gave up. scholarship would mean more than financial help. It would be a reminder that kindness has no borders, that being Latina whether Mexican, Ecuadorian, or from anywhere in our beautiful community means lifting each other up when we need it most. I may not be Mexican, but I am Latina, and I know what it means to fight, to struggle, and to keep dreaming. I believe that kindness and opportunity have no borders. And with your help, I will prove that, with support and faith, even someone starting from zero can rise and make a difference. Recently, I applied to the nursing program at Lincoln Tech, and I was accepted after passing my TEAS test. I will begin the program on October 27, and it truly feels like the beginning of a new chapter in my life. The program is expensive, and since I don’t qualify for any financial aid, I will have to cover the costs on my own. Still, I am determined to do it because I know this is the path that will change our lives. If God allows it, I will graduate as an LPN in two years, and that will give me the chance to earn more, support my son, and continue building the dreams and goals we both carry in our hearts.