Athletics have never really been my thing for the longest of time. I never had a huge interest in sports until recently. Throughout my life, I have played many sports because of my family, but I was never “good” at any of them. It wasn't until middle school I labeled myself as “not a sports person” and gave up trying different sports. Then, in high school, I decided to join the cross-country team. I had never run in my life and definitely wouldn't call myself a fast runner. However, I did have good endurance. No matter how difficult it was for me to run and learn a new sport, I continued. I gained a lot from this experience, and when the season was over I joined track and field, which I really enjoyed. My events were the 100m, shot put, and discus. This experience has opened me up to many new things. It brought me out of my comfort zone, and over the years, I have developed a great passion for the sport. The people I have met through my athletic journey have taught me that I can push myself and meet my goals as long as I put in the work. Being a part of the team has been so important for me as it has helped me grow. I was able to make connections that I will take with me beyond high school. It made me realize that what I do contributes to and helps the rest of the team. I loved how supportive the environment was during cross-country and track and field seasons. I am extremely passionate about my sport because of the people involved in it. Before I joined, I dealt with a lot of challenges and felt extremely lonely. Now, I am aware that I have people to support me in a sport where I can also help support others. That is what I’m most passionate about in cross country, cheering on my fellow teammates as they finish a race or even giving encouragement to others during a race. This experience has helped me impact others, as I am able to be positive and encouraging to other people. A friendly smile and showing care to others can go a long way. I know that I can contribute to the world by being there for others when needed. I hope to meet many new people and encourage them to accomplish their dreams and goals. My athletic journey has taught me how to persevere, no matter how hard life is, and to be kind and positive toward others.

In today's world, compassion is more important than ever. I would like to be a lending hand, friend, or shoulder to cry on whenever it is needed. It is my goal to make everyone feel safe, included, and accepted to the best of my ability. There have been times in my life when I have struggled with my mental health and wanted a person to talk to. I hope to make a positive impact in society by being a caring, trustworthy individual whom others can come to. I am an “up-stander" because I intend to make a positive impact in my community and society by being involved and wanting to learn new things. Throughout high school, being involved in my school community has not only opened me up to new opportunities but has also given me the ability to help others. For example, being a part of the yearbook staff allows me to foster school spirit among my peers. I hope to create unity by being open, approachable, and of service to those around me. In the future, I strive to do more in my career plans and how I would like to impact my community. One day, I hope to collaborate with a team to solve social and environmental issues. I want to put in the effort and be my best for the people I care about. I would also like to do more for the community. I have had the honor of being involved in multiple service events where I had the opportunity to impact others. I care about the state of our world and realize how my life plays a role in others’ lives. Every word and every interaction has immense power. I aim to be more by recognizing the effect I have on other people and what I can do to make a difference. Marine biology has always interested me because I want to be a part of something important and something bigger than myself. I am aware that the ocean is extremely unique and valuable, which is why I want to do my part in protecting it. As an adult, I would like to explore multiple parts of the world, and I intend to inspire others with the same passion I had when I was young. I plan on using the degree I receive to help the environment and improve it by using the knowledge and experience I gain from college. I want to advocate for and help protect marine ecosystems. I enjoy helping others and being able to give back to my community. I plan to use my voice to help build community and be a part of it. Collaborating with others, sharing ideas, and coming together to create change is how I plan to make a difference. If I'm being honest, maybe I don't know exactly how or what I will do to create change, but I know that I will always try. Protecting the ocean and being a part of my community is something that I am passionate about, and knowing that I can make a difference in the world with every small action I take makes it worth doing so.

Since elementary school I've always remembered education being very important to me. I knew that every choice I made can and would have a significant impact on my future. Growing up I've always wanted to become marine biologist. I am very curious and I want to make a difference in the world. The ocean is a whole underwater world that is so vast and unknown and I would like to learn what is out there. Marine biology has always been interesting to me because I want to be a part of something important and something bigger in life. I am aware that the ocean is extremely unique and valuable, which is why I would like to take my part in protecting it. As an adult, I would like to explore multiple parts of the world and I intend to inspire others with the same passion I had when I was young. I plan on using the degree I receive to help the environment and improve it by using the knowledge and experience I gain from college. An education goal that has been a dream of mine is that I want to attend CalPoly San Luis Obispo or UC Santa Barbara. I intend on majoring in biological sciences and I would like to advocate for and help protect marine ecosystems. Throughout my education collaboration has been a skill that I will use and build to achieve greater impact. Working together allows for different ideas and efforts put together to amplify results. I would like to work with others to brainstorm and find solutions to world problems. I would use this scholarship to help reach these goals to finance my education. Unfortunately as ambitious as I may be I do not have the finances to achieve this without outside help. I am an only child in a household of three. Though my family is financially stable we never had the funds to set aside money for college. Attending a university that I would like to go would be a financial hardship for my parents. I would use this scholarship to overcome the economic difficulties I would face in the future. I would like to do my part in making the world a better place. I want to create change as unrealistic as my goals may seem at times. To fundraising, service events, donating, whatever it is I enjoy helping people. I make an effort to do my part even if it is small, to create an impact. I will never give up on improving myself. I will make a positive impact on society by contributing, by being a little bit better, and working a little bit harder than I did the day before. Although I am not exactly sure how the future is going to go I know that I will always keep trying to do the right thing.

I have been drawn to the ocean for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I remember my favorite times would be going to the beach which felt like an escape from the rest of the world. A whole underwater world that is so vast and unknown. Growing up, when people dreamed of becoming doctors, firefighters, or policemen, my dream was to be a marine biologist. At the time honestly, I don't think I completely knew what that meant. All I knew and always have known is that I am very curious, I want to help the environment, and I want to learn new things. Marine biology has always been intresting to me because I want to be a part of something important and something bigger in life. I am aware that the ocean is extremely unique and valuable, which is why I would like to take my part in protecting it. As an adult, I would like to explore multiple parts of the world and I intend to inspire others with the same passion I had when I was young. I plan on using the degree I receive to help the environment and improve it by using the knowledge and experience I gain from college. I would like to advocate for and help protect marine ecosystems. Recently, I took an Environmental Science course at Solano Community College over the summer. What I really enjoyed about the class was realizing how much I was unaware of issues and learning about the little things I could do to help. This even helped me take the initiative by contacting the California senators regarding the issues of climate change and ocean pollution. In which I was able to successfully receive a response. When I am passionate about something I am very persistent and will do everything to the best of my ability to fix things. This is what I hope to do with my degree. I am eager to collaborate with others, to come up with solutions on how to protect oceans, which affects the entire planet. To answer the question of why do I care?, is overall because I enjoy helping others and being able to give back to my community. If I'm being honest, maybe I don't know exactly how or what I will do to help protect the oceans but I know that I will always try. I have applied to several colleges knowing the direction I will take as I intend to major in marine biology. However, it remains unknown what the future holds for me. Protecting the ocean is something that I am passionate about and knowing that I can make a difference in the world with every small action I take, then it's worth doing so.