My parents would always joke that I was destined to become a lawyer, partly because I love to argue, but mostly because I persistently ask “Why?” questions. Whether it’s debating the ethical and political implications of capital punishment in my philosophy class or simply researching a subject to make a point, I’m always driven by the exchange of perspectives. Even now, my friends and I sharpen our argumentation skills on each other just for fun, challenging ideas, and asking thought-provoking questions. Although I never had the chance to meet Ryan personally, I strongly resonate with his passion for debate. I’m a high school senior dually enrolled at Montgomery College and committed to the University of Maryland for Government and Politics. As a Hispanic female and the first person in my family to attend college, I seek to increase the representation of Latinos in law and government. My professional goals are to be an attorney and part-time college legal professor, and eventually enter the political realm. I know this sounds ambitious, but there has never been a time in my life when I haven’t taken the biggest risk. My passion for law came from documentaries on the Discovery Channel and TV shows like Law & Order: SVU. I was fascinated by the role prosecutors played in bringing justice by using evidence, reason, and carefully thought-out arguments. However, the fuel that ignited my burning passion for government and politics was the 2001 HBO mini-series, Band of Brothers. Through the stories of soldiers who fought in WWII, I gained a deeper understanding of leadership, sacrifice, unity, courage, and resilience—all traits I strive to embody. But I also saw the true cost of political failure and the devastating consequences of global conflict. WWII didn’t just arise by chance, it was a result of global tensions, polarized governments, public distrust, and extremism. Unfortunately, we are seeing those same patterns again. Once friendly countries are now in conflict, rumors of nuclear war, and massive blows to the world economy. Political science has become even more important today with the fear-inducing headlines we see in the news: Trade wars! Mass deportation! Recession! Tariffs!— each a reminder of how fragile democracy becomes when we ignore history. For many years, I would say I wanted to work in the federal government, but didn’t care for politics. However, the more I learned about political systems, the more I understood how they deeply affect every aspect of our daily lives. We should learn from the negative historical outcomes of previous wars, disputes, and revolutions as a method of prevention. Politics don’t have to be toxic, debates don’t have to be arguments, and humans don’t have to be enemies. As a future attorney and public servant, I want to shape policies that reflect the lessons learned from history, not to repeat the same mistakes. Ultimately, I believe education is one of the greatest tools for justice. The more I study government and politics, the more prepared I feel to make meaningful change in society. Whether it’s in the classroom, courtroom, or legislative branch, I want to preserve and utilize the knowledge of political history, keeping it alive and relevant. And that’s what I’ll do in every step of my career. Thank you to the Herich family for considering me for such generous financial support. Blessings, Alejandra Arce-Lastra

The courtroom isn’t just a space for debating beyond a reasonable doubt—it’s a place where lives can truly change. My goal is to become an attorney who uses the law to make a meaningful difference for individuals and communities. I came to understand the true meaning of community and leadership during the 2020 pandemic, a time when many members of my congregation were experiencing food shortages. As the future of the world continued to feel more uncertain, I felt compelled to step up for both my immediate community and society as a whole. At the young age of thirteen, I brought it upon myself to strive to make a difference in the world after seeing what others were going through concerning mental health, food insecurity, social injustices, and more. I’ve always wanted to contribute to something bigger than myself, and my church was the perfect place to start. My father, sister, and I would drive to my church three days a week to pick up boxes of prepared food and fresh produce to distribute among the community, members and nonmembers alike. As an active church volunteer, my community has no boundaries—anyone and everyone, regardless of faith, is welcomed with warmth and genuine love. This taught me that service is more than just acts, it’s about fostering sincere human connections. However, this journey doesn’t end here. At age fifteen, a sophomore in high school, I decided I wanted to become more involved in my community, building crucial leadership skills for my future, and benefit those around me. I never imagined myself working with children and teenagers, yet, here I am, loving every moment volunteering as a Sunday school teacher. Through this experience, I learned the importance of creating supportive environments where individuals feel heard. Aside from teaching Christian values, I provide guidance to young individuals, fostering an environment of fellowship and empathy, allowing me to have a direct impact on their lives. For instance, two students had become upset over a disagreement. Instead of only making them apologize, I encouraged both children to listen to each other’s viewpoints. I realized how hearing someone’s perspective transforms conflicts into opportunities to grow, reaffirming my beliefs on the importance of communication. This unexpected passion for teaching landed me a job at Georgetown Hill Early School as a Teacher’s Aide due to my experiences in child development. In this role, I work with ages 2 to 10 in the aftercare program. I help prepare and execute activities that not only let them express their creativity but also establish indispensable social skills that contribute to their cognitive development. I am committed to being a part of creating a generation of leaders. In my roles working with children, not only did I teach them lessons, I refined my ability to resolve arguments, regulate emotions, and understand non-verbal cues—essential leadership qualities in my aspirations as an attorney.

“Click!” That was the sound of my neon AAA Safety Patrol belt that I began wearing in 5th grade. For the longest time, I wanted to be a police officer. I always loved their shiny badges, navy blue uniforms, and flashing emergency lights. Being a patrol was the closest thing I could be to one. I always took my role of “Kiss-and-Ride” seriously, guiding children as young as kindergarteners across the sidewalk to the car pick-up lines, picking up cones and putting them away. Outside of school, I’d play “Cops and Robbers” with my friends, running around the park chasing each other. It was more than just a game—it fueled my passion for law and justice. For my elementary school’s career day, I was finally able to meet a local police officer who arrived on horseback. It felt like a glimpse into a world I dreamed of being part of someday. Now, as a senior in high school, my professional goals have shifted, although not by much. I aim to be an attorney, more specifically, a criminal prosecutor. I began this journey at a young age when I’d binge-watch my favorite crime shows and documentaries on Netflix and the Discovery Channel. In my sophomore year, I took my first serious step towards building my career when I created the Criminal Studies Club. As the President and Founder, I connected students to their passions within criminal law and behavior. My team and I provide hands-on activities to teach people the importance of forensic science and other investigative methods in the legal process. This included making our own fingerprints and identifying 12 minutiae points, drawing a forensic sketch, and watching interrogation videos. Most importantly, my club runs on community feedback. After every meeting, I send out a Google Form requesting the opinion of our valued members. Extracurriculars are more than just showing off on your college application, they’re a way to give back to the community. At Montgomery College, where I am enrolled full-time due to my dual enrollment program, I’ve taken various criminal justice and law-related classes. Here, I connected with professors who owned their own businesses, law firms, and had years of experience in government. I had built such great relationships with them and was so motivated by their achievements that I asked my philosophy professor, who is an international law attorney and author of his own book in ethics, to write my recommendation letter for college. I was recently admitted to the University of Maryland as a Government & Politics major and Chatham University for Political Science. My other professor, a former Attorney General, helped me land my first job and recommended me for various scholarships. The vital connections I’ve formed have allowed me to seek opportunities to push myself farther in my future career. I want to be a lawyer to make a difference in a corrupt society by being an advocate for individuals ignored and neglected by a broken legal system. Sentencing disparities, sex violence, gun violence, homicide, and the drug-epidemic are just a few of many issues that challenge American society today. Children, juveniles, and young adults, including individuals like Charles B. Brazelton, are among the millions tragically impacted by crime. I’m inspired to honor his memory, and that of many others, by dedicating myself to the pursuit of impartiality and truth within the legal system. My goal is to fight for communities, striving to prevent such tragedies and ensure that every voice is heard. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship, which I hope to use to further my academic and professional endeavours.

“Ale, you’re gonna be a lawyer one day.” This is something my mom would always say to me, but I never paid attention because I wasn’t interested in being an attorney. As a child, I had the wrong idea about law, believing it was just a typical boring office job that every immigrant family wanted their kid to have. Choosing a career is one of the biggest decisions that one can make in their lifetime. As a first-generation student coming from an immigrant, low-income Hispanic family, pursuing higher education is important. After years of jumping from one career aspiration to the next, I finally learned my mom was right. I was ten years old binge-watching true crime documentaries on the Discovery Channel when I heard the term “criminal prosecutor.” From then on, I became obsessed with law, crime, and politics. For my college workplace/business English class at Montgomery College, our professor asked us to write a research proposal about an issue related to our chosen career fields and to come up with a plausible and realistic solution to it. For years, I had been interested in the issue of sentencing disparity in America, and often analyzed its impact on marginalized communities. Sentencing disparity is the largest impact of such biases and stems from internal prejudices people hold about certain racial groups, people of different ages, perceived beauty, religious beliefs, and even political ideologies — the list goes on. Bias is a topic that has gained popularity over the last several years, especially in the workplace. Regardless, bias has not been properly addressed in the legal sector, which has led to undeniable issues in the United States Criminal Justice system. My proposal outlined the issue at hand, what to do about it, and the resulting benefits of the project, “Implementing Bias Training in the Criminal Legal Field through Courtroom Programs.” It encouraged the use of various methods and exercises in the courtroom to reduce bias and prejudice, not only in judges but attorneys and jurors. My research identified the root cause of legal inequities through the root cause analysis and five whys methods, proposing a solution that included legislative reform and bias training, establishing lasting change. The ultimate goal was to educate the nation and restore justice. My research not only extended to the legal aspect of this issue, but the financial one as well. With my proposed bias training program, which would begin by implementing it in 10 states that had the highest incarceration rates, I created an estimated project cost of 1.5 million dollars. This included the cost of research and survey materials, travel expenses, and the salaries of trainers, their assistants, and project managers. If successful, it would be implemented nationwide. My proposal underscored the role that bias plays in conviction inconsistencies, while also shedding light on its effects on marginalized communities. I truly believe American society must make progress in order to create change, enough is enough. Through a combination of data analysis, surveys, and continual follow-up, my project would be a success, benefiting both the government and general society. Only through research, awareness, and advocacy can we move closer to a truly just system. As an aspiring attorney and first-generation minority student, I’ve experienced bias and discrimination, and I’m determined to keep it out of the courtroom. With the financial assistance provided by the TJ Crowson Memorial Scholarship, I will be able to do this. It would not only alleviate pressure on my low-income family but also allow me to focus on my studies, where I could fully immerse myself in academics, research, and extracurricular opportunities.

John 16:33 “...In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” My faith as a Pentecostal Christian has often been my biggest motivator and influence in my decision-making. Growing up in a low-income, immigrant Hispanic family, I have faced many struggles throughout my personal life. However, God has always made a way. I struggled with extremely low self-esteem due to daily bullying and sexual harassment, bringing me close to developing an eating disorder. I frequently skipped school, convinced my panic attacks were stomach viruses or hunger pangs after refusing to eat. I’d feel constant nausea and stiffness in my body—laying in my bed for hours praying for the choking feeling in my throat to disappear. Eventually, I developed a severe skin-picking habit that affected my face, legs, and fingers as picking at my skin distracted me from fear. This hit my family very hard, as they didn’t know how to handle these attacks or how to help me. In 4th grade, I finally learned I was experiencing anxiety after speaking with members of my church who were formally diagnosed and through my own research. Because of my lack of access to treatment, I attempted to find a “cure” on my own. Whether it was doing exercise, drinking “Stress & Anxiety Relief” tea, or meditation, I’d try new methods everyday, hoping it would avail (it didn’t). Our financial insecurities and my mental health crisis only amplified during the course of COVID-19. My father was left unemployed and so was my mother for a few months until she landed a job as a nanny mid-2020. My panic attacks were lengthier, some lasting up to 7 hours. I’d wake up in the middle of the night scratching my legs and pulling my hair to get some sort of comfort. After years of associating nausea with panic, I developed emetophobia—a debilitating fear of vomiting and illness. Although this is a challenge that sometimes makes me feel hopeless about recovery, I know the same God who delivered me from anxiety can heal me again. I am eternally grateful to Him for His mercy, grace, and peace that the world can’t offer. My love for God and dedication to my faith are shown through my active participation in my church community. I serve weekly as a Sunday School teacher for both the Children’s Ministry and Juvenile Ministry at Getsemaní Church, working with ages 8-15. Here, I teach the upcoming generation core religious values and important social skills, contributing to their cognitive and social development as functioning members of society. I, along with other teachers, plan events for both the church and youth, ranging from plays to sermons and celebrations. I am honored to say I have been given the wonderful opportunity to preach in front of my congregation numerous times. In fact, on January 31st, I preached to my congregation for a Friday evening sermon hosted by the Children’s Ministry. I participate in weekly Wednesday prayer meetings whether it’s directing the service, leading a prayer, reading a Bible verse, or bringing a small lesson. I use the testimony of my deliverance from chronic anxiety and love for teaching to inspire today’s youth to remain firm in their Lord Jesus Christ. Although I sometimes worry about how I’ll manage challenges as I continue to grow both physically and spiritually, I know that the same God that has opened doors in my 17 years of life will never fail me. I’m ready to see what opportunities He has for me as I venture into the next four years of my college life.

John 16:33 “...In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” My faith as a Pentecostal Christian has often been my biggest motivator and influence in my decision-making. Growing up in a low-income, immigrant Hispanic family, I have faced many struggles throughout my personal life. However, God has always made a way. I struggled with extremely low self-esteem due to daily bullying and sexual harassment, bringing me close to developing an eating disorder. I frequently skipped school, convinced my panic attacks were stomach viruses or hunger pangs after refusing to eat. I’d feel constant nausea and stiffness in my body—laying in my bed for hours praying for the choking feeling in my throat to disappear. Eventually, I developed a severe skin-picking habit that affected my face, legs, and fingers as picking at my skin distracted me from fear. This hit my family very hard, as they didn’t know how to handle these attacks or how to help me. In 4th grade, I finally learned I was experiencing anxiety after speaking with members of my church who were formally diagnosed and through my own research. Because of my lack of access to treatment, I atttempted to find a “cure” on my own. Whether it was doing exercise, drinking “Stress & Anxiety Relief” tea, or medidation, I’d try new methods everyday, hoping it would avail (it didn’t). Our financial insecurities and my mental health crisis only amplified during the course of COVID-19. My father was left unemployed and so was my mother for a few months until she landed a job as a nanny mid-2020. My panic attacks were lengthier, some lasting up to 7 hours. I’d wake up in the middle of the night scratching my legs and pulling my hair to get some sort of comfort. After years of associating nausea with panic, I developed emetophobia—a debilitating fear of vomiting and illness. Although this is a challenge that sometimes makes me feel hopeless about recovery, I know the same God who delivered me from anxiety can heal me again. I am eternally grateful to Him for His mercy, grace, and peace that the world can’t offer. My love for God and dedication to my faith are shown through my active participation in my church community. I serve weekly as a Sunday School teacher for both the Children’s Ministry and Juvenile Ministry at Getsemaní Church, working with ages 8-15. Here, I teach the upcoming generation core religious values and important social skills, contributing to their cognitive and social development as functioning members of society. I, along with other teachers, plan events for both the church and youth, ranging from plays to sermons and celebrations. I am honored to say I have been given the wonderful opportunity to preach in front of my congregation numerous times. In fact, on January 31st, I preached to my congregation for a Friday evening sermon hosted by the Children’s Ministry. I participate in weekly Wednesday prayer meetings whether it’s directing the service, leading a prayer, reading a Bible verse, or bringing a small lesson. I use the testimony of my deliverance from chronic anxiety and love for teaching to inspire today’s youth to remain firm in their Lord Jesus Christ. Although I sometimes worry about how I’ll manage challenges as I continue to grow both physically and spiritually, I know that the same God that has opened doors in my 17 years of life will never fail me. I’m ready to see what opportunities He has for me as I venture into the next four years of my college life.

“Mami, my stomach hurts.” This was my nightly routine from kindergarten to fourth grade. I didn’t understand it, all I knew was I'd feel an unbearable stomachache and the tightness in my throat would overwhelm me and make me want to vomit. In 4th grade, I finally learned that I was experiencing anxiety. I struggled with extremely low self-esteem due to daily bullying and sexual harassment, bringing me close to developing an eating disorder. I frequently skipped school, convinced my panic attacks were stomach viruses or hunger pangs after refusing to eat. I’d feel constant nausea and stiffness in my body—if I moved my neck the wrong way, the tightness and nausea would only get worse. I’d lay in my bed for hours praying for this choking feeling in my throat to disappear. Eventually, I developed a severe skin-picking habit that affected my face, legs, and fingers as picking at my skin distracted me from fear. This hit my family very hard, as they didn’t know how to handle these attacks or how to help me. In 4th grade, I finally learned I was experiencing anxiety after speaking with members of my church who were formally diagnosed and through my own research. Because of my lack of access to treatment, I attempted to find a “cure” on my own. Whether it was doing exercise, drinking “Stress & Anxiety Relief” tea, or meditation, I’d try new methods every day, hoping it would avail (it didn’t). Our financial insecurities and my mental health crisis only amplified during the course of COVID-19. My father was left unemployed and so was my mother for a few months until she landed a job as a nanny mid-2020. My panic attacks were lengthier, some lasting up to 7 hours. I’d wake up in the middle of the night scratching my legs and pulling my hair to get some sort of comfort. After years of associating nausea with panic, I developed emetophobia—a debilitating fear of vomiting and illness. I always felt nervous talking about anxiety and emetophobia with others because I was never formally diagnosed. As a first-generation daughter of a low-income, immigrant Hispanic family, a diagnosis was the least of our concerns at the time, especially since my parents didn’t understand the concept of anxiety until many years later. I feared that without an official diagnosis, my struggles wouldn’t be seen as legitimate, and I’d be seen as someone who equated a self-diagnosis from Google with medical expertise. However, I came to realize just because I wasn’t in the financial position to receive a diagnosis and treatment, it didn’t mean my experiences weren’t valid. After years of a strong support system, a better understanding of this mental health issue, and connecting with others like me, I can say I am free of anxiety controlling my life. Now, I’m a Sunday school teacher at my church and very open about my experiences with chronic anxiety. In fact, there were many instances where I was given the privilege to tell my testimony to my congregation. In my current role, not only do I teach values essential to the Christian faith, but I serve as a mentor to children who face mental health issues of their own. Many of the kids I work with have anxiety, whether it’s general or social, and I recognize pieces of my younger self in them. Through my experiences over the past 10+ years, I’ve learned the importance of supporting others and creating environments where they feel safe and heard. While I once suffered alone, I refuse to let others go through the same.

Romans 12:10 “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Filling balloons with helium and washing cars might not seem like life-changing work, but for me, it was one of the most fulfilling volunteer experiences I’ve ever had. It was a hot morning in August—temperatures in the high 90s by 11 AM—the same day as my church’s yard sale and carwash fundraiser for the Children’s Ministry. As a Sunday school teacher for the past two years, serving in both the Juvenile Ministry and Children’s Ministry, I was heavily involved in the planning and promotion of this event. I designed a flyer that was posted on the church's social media pages and sent to various ministry group chats. To spread the word outside of my community, I created over ten poster boards that were placed within a mile of the church. I even brought a couple of my friends to help make this event a success. I and the other teachers, including my mom, the director of the ministry, were raising money to fund activities, upgrade classroom furniture, and provide better and more engaging learning resources for the kids at our church. At first, I was put in charge of filling colorful balloons with helium and tying them on the trees and fence of the entrance. After I was done, I was put to work on small tasks, such as preparing the yard sale tables, carrying food boxes for lunch prep, handing out name tags for the volunteers, etc. When all of this was done, my friends, sister, and I decided to help the youth members with carwashing. They had been doing it all morning and the heat was getting to them. We quickly took over, each one of us assigned to a different role—vacuuming, dusting, washing, or drying (although we all fought over being in charge of the vacuum at some point). This was my job for the rest of the day—cleaning cars for hours under the scorching sun. We took every chance to spray ourselves with the hose to cool off, laughing as our clothes soon became drenched. Despite the immense heat and utter exhaustion, it was worth it. I watched families, often too busy attending to their kids, work, and other responsibilities, light up at the sight of their clean cars. To me, every vehicle told a story about the people who owned it, and it motivated me to restore it, making the experience more personal. I wasn’t just washing cars, I was giving families one less thing to worry about and making memories with my friends and family (and got some free tacos). At the end of the event, we raised a little over $2,000 for our ministry. As a result, our ministry has been flourishing more than ever. Since then, we’ve hosted several more events, including a “back-to-school bash” with bouncy houses and waterplay for all students both in and outside of the church community! Our church, Iglesia Getsemani, has gained many new permanent members and over 150 visitors since then. We redesigned all the classrooms to be as colorful and kid-friendly as possible, an environment where children can have fun while learning. This included age-appropriate toys for enrichment and cognitive development, as well as new tables, books, and decorations. We even recruited new teachers and I’ve been in charge of mentoring them. As an active church volunteer, my community has no boundaries—anyone and everyone, regardless of faith, is welcomed with warmth and genuine love. This taught me that service is more than just acts, it’s about fostering sincere human connections.

“Ale, you’re gonna be a lawyer one day.” My mom would always say this to me, but I never paid attention because I wasn’t interested in being an attorney. As a child, I had the wrong idea about law, believing it was just a typical boring office job every immigrant family wanted their kid to have. As a first-generation student coming from a low-income Hispanic family, pursuing higher education is important. After years of jumping from one career aspiration to the next, I finally learned my mom was right. My passion for law began when I was ten years old after binging countless shows on the Discovery Channel and Netflix. I realized that law was not just a career, but a calling to serve as a voice for the underprivileged. I took the first step in making an impact in my community in my junior year when I founded the Criminal Studies Club at my high school. My team and I provide hands-on activities to teach people the importance of forensic science and other investigative methods in the criminal process while also highlighting the major flaws of our legal system and how they could be addressed. Now I am taking the steps to move my club to an international status, where students from all over the world can connect themselves with others who share passions for law and society. I also plan on adding different types of law for members to learn about, to be beneficial for all students interested in government and politics, not just those pursuing criminal law. Academically, I’ve immersed myself in the studies of government and law through my dual enrollment program, as my ever-growing passion for justice has reshaped my worldview. I connected with professors who owned their own businesses, law firms, and had years of experience in government. I'd built such great relationships with them and was so motivated by their achievements that I asked my philosophy professor, an international law attorney and author of his book on ethics, to write my recommendation letter for college. My other professor, a former Attorney General, helped me land my first job and recommended me for various scholarships. The vital connections I’ve formed have given me the resources and motivation to propel me further in my pursuit as an attorney. Whether writing proposals in English, exploring societal norms in sociology, studying criminal law, or understanding behavior in psychology, I always connect each subject to my pursuit of impartiality and truth. A significant project involved analyzing sentencing disparities and their impact on marginalized communities. My research identified the root cause of legal inequities and proposed a solution that included legislative reform and bias training, establishing lasting change. The assistance provided by this scholarship would be indispensable, giving me financial reassurance to accomplish my goals. It would alleviate pressure on my family, allowing me to focus on my studies, where I could fully immerse myself in academics, research, and extracurricular opportunities.

“An idea is like a virus, resilient, highly contagious. The smallest seed of an idea can grow…to define or destroy you.” – Dom Cobb. The mind-bending 2010 movie, Inception, is not only my favorite, but also the one with the greatest impact on me. On a hot summer’s evening, I was looking for something to watch when I stumbled upon the movie trailer on my Youtube homepage. At first, I wasn’t convinced, not because it was a bad trailer, but because it was a long movie—2 hours and 28 minutes to be exact. Although I consider myself to have a good attention span, I hate movies that drag on. However, I decided to give it a try, not thinking much of it, just a popular 14-year-old movie—little did I know that this psychological masterpiece would change my perception of life. The film follows a skilled fugitive, Dom Cobb, and his team, who extract information from their victims (Dreamers) through dreams constructed by their subconscious, blurring the line between reality and imagination. In my COMM108 class, I wrote a paper on this movie and how it related to interpersonal communication. Aside from the visually striking film style and intense action, as someone who is deeply fascinated by the realm of law and analyzing behavior by understanding the intricacies of the human mind, I was immediately hooked. The concept of planting an idea so deep into someone’s mind that it changes their perspective struck me as both scary and exciting as it reminded me of the influence we have on one another. Intentionally or not, we often change people’s minds everyday, and that level of influence carries a heavy responsibility—one I’m willing to take. My passion to create meaningful change, especially in the American justice system, closely relates to this idea. Oftentimes, a small shift in perception makes the world of a difference. Much like Arthur—Cobb’s right-hand man and fellow dream extractor—who’s responsible for the execution of each mission through extensive research and planning, I was motivated to find value in the process of problem-solving and critical thinking. However, he was more than a detailed planner, he was a reliable partner. As a student attempting to change the world one step at a time, I want to be dependable to others as my professional aspirations demand empathy and providing support. Another reason Inception resonated with me was the film’s complex structure. With an open-ended conclusion, Christoper Nolan left fans to create their own endings constructed by their interpretations of the movie. This complexity is similar to life itself as not every question we ask has a straightforward answer. It encouraged me to embrace the uncertain, accepting that we might not always know what the future has in store for us. To me, Inception is far beyond a movie, it’s a reminder to accept ideas that build us into something greater. Becoming an attorney is my inception, a place where the foundation of my aspirations takes shape, much like the layered dreams in the film. Within 2 hours and 28 minutes, the little seed of a potential career in law became a rapidly growing ivy symbolizing the blossoming of ambition and dreams come true.

I understood the true meaning of community and leadership during the 2020 pandemic, a time when many members of my congregation were experiencing food shortages. As the future of the world continued to feel more uncertain, I felt compelled to step up for both my immediate community and society as a whole. At the young age of thirteen, I brought it upon myself to strive to make a difference in the world after seeing what others were going through concerning mental health, food insecurity, social injustices, and more. I’ve always wanted to contribute to something bigger than myself, and my church was the perfect place to start. My father, sister, and I would drive to my church three days a week to pick up boxes of prepared food and fresh produce to distribute among the community, members and nonmembers alike. My community has no boundaries—anyone and everyone, regardless of faith, is welcomed with warmth and genuine love. This taught me that service is more than just acts, it’s about fostering sincere human connections. However, this journey doesn’t end here. At age fifteen, I decided I wanted to become more involved in my community, building crucial leadership skills for my future, and benefit those around me. I never imagined myself working with children and teenagers, yet, here I am, loving every moment volunteering as a Sunday school teacher. I learned the importance of creating supportive environments where individuals feel heard. Aside from teaching Christian values, I provide guidance to young individuals, fostering an environment of fellowship and empathy, allowing me to directly impact their lives. For instance, two students had become upset over a disagreement. Instead of only making them apologize, I encouraged both children to listen to each other’s viewpoints. I realized how hearing someone’s perspective transforms conflicts into opportunities to grow, reaffirming my beliefs on the importance of communication. This unexpected passion for teaching landed me a job at Georgetown Hill Early School as a Teacher’s Aide due to my experiences in child development. In this role, I work with ages 2 to 10 in the aftercare program. I help prepare and execute activities that let them express their creativity and establish indispensable social skills that contribute to their cognitive development. I’m committed to being a part of creating a generation of leaders. In my roles working with children, not only did I teach them lessons, I refined my ability to resolve arguments, regulate emotions, and understand non-verbal cues—essential leadership qualities in my aspirations as an attorney. I further applied these skills when I founded my high school’s first Criminal Studies Club, the only club that connects students to their passions within criminal law, criminology, and criminal behavior. My team and I provide hands-on activities to teach people the importance of forensic science and other investigative methods in the criminal process. With all I’ve learned throughout these four short years of high school, I believe I have the power to make a lasting impact on the world, especially within the legal sphere, to show others that their voices matter. I want to bring justice to those who have been underrepresented and neglected. Building and using my own influence to uplift those around me, those who have been neglected by an unjust system, those without a voice, those who raised me, watched me grow, and contributed to my character development, making me the woman I am today. To this day, the goal I made at thirteen still stands, and I hope to accomplish it further with the financial assistance provided by the Our Destiny Our Future Foundation.

John 16:33 “...In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” My faith as a Pentecostal Christian has often been my biggest motivator and influence in my decision-making. Growing up in a low-income, immigrant Hispanic family, I have faced many struggles throughout my personal life. However, God has always made a way. As a first-generation student, I often felt the pressures of financial stress. In my early childhood, My love for God and dedication to my faith are shown through my active participation in my church community. I serve weekly as a Sunday School teacher for both the Children’s Ministry and Juvenile Ministry at Getsemaní Church, working with ages 8-15. Here, I teach the upcoming generation core religious values and important social skills, contributing to their cognitive and social development as functioning members of society. I, along with other teachers, plan events for both the church and youth, ranging from plays to sermons and celebrations. I am honored to say I have been given the wonderful opportunity to preach in front of my congregation numerous times. In fact, on January 31st, I will preach to my congregation for a Viernes De Victoria (Friday evening sermon) hosted by the Children’s Ministry. I participate in weekly Wednesday prayer meetings whether it’s directing the service, leading a prayer, reading a Bible verse, or bringing a small lesson. I use the testimony of my deliverance from chronic anxiety and love for teaching to inspire today’s youth to remain firm in their Lord Jesus Christ. In my aspired career as a licensed attorney, I believe that God will strengthen me during times of extreme stress and pressure. Currently, as a senior in a dual enrollment program, enrolled full-time at my local community college to get my associate’s degree, my academic life revolves around stress and tension. However, throughout these four years, I’ve pulled through. I’ve managed to keep a high GPA at both of my institutions while gathering multiple awards that represent all of my effort and hard work. Thanks to God, I was awarded National First Generation Recognition, as well as National Hispanic Recognition, Seal of Biliteracy, and QuestBridge Finalist, to name a few. Every day I’m grateful for all the ways my Lord Jesus Christ has strengthened me. When I think of my academic journey, I am often reminded of Matthew 6:6 “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” My Heavenly Father has rewarded me and blessed me in ways that often seem imaginable. With every new day of life, I am motivated to continue to progress in my career as an attorney. Although I sometimes worry about how I’ll pay for my education, I know that the same God that has opened doors in my 17 years of life will never fail me. I’m ready to see what opportunities He has for me as I venture into the next four years of my life in college.

For many years, I didn’t always believe my adversities contributed to the better person I am today—I could never be more wrong. After deep personal reflection, I slowly realized each challenge I faced led to the development of a new trait or refining a habit that already existed in my daily routine. One of the most prevalent difficulties in my life was chronic anxiety. Although my family was not in a financial position to afford an official diagnosis or medical treatment, anxiety is one of few self-diagnosable mental disorders. In 4th grade, I didn’t know what anxiety was or what it felt like, and often skipped school as I mistook my panic attacks for stomach bugs or other common illnesses. I struggled with extremely low self-esteem due to daily bullying and sexual harassment, bringing me close to developing an eating disorder. Eventually, I developed a severe skin-picking disorder that affected my face, legs, and fingers, along with emetophobia—a debilitating fear of vomiting and illness. Our financial insecurities and my mental health crisis only amplified during the course of COVID-19. My father was left unemployed and so was my mother for a few months until she landed a job as a nanny mid-2020. My panic attacks were lengthier, some lasting up to 7 hours. My father is currently still unemployed due to persisting health complications, leaving my mother as the sole breadwinner of our 5-member family (including our pet bird). Although I still experience episodes time-to-time, thanks to an amazing support system of family and friends, I no longer suffer from my 7-year debilitating anxiety. Thanks to my parents' bravery in leaving their homes in Central and South America, I know their sacrifices will pay off. My wish is for them to one day be proud to say they raised a strong woman who is a successful attorney and legal professor who seeks to advocate for individuals ignored and neglected by a broken legal system that does anything except serve justice. Today, I’m a dual enrollment senior in high school who is going to graduate with an associate degree in General Studies along with my high school diploma. I’m committed to pursuing higher education at the nation’s top institutions, including Harvard, and I’m praying for an acceptance letter in March. Many tell me I won’t make it, but one thing anxiety taught me was that my opinion of myself and my character is more important than the doubt of others. I will no longer let fear control my life, and persistence is key to doing so. As long as I believe in my abilities and the power of my Heavenly Father, anything is possible. I want to focus on the content of my classes instead of worrying about how I’d pay for them. With this opportunity, I’ll be able to flourish to my full potential in my academic environment. For these reasons, I am asking you to consider my struggles, achievements, and aspirations when choosing a recipient of this generous scholarship.

Picture this: You’re a first-generation, Hispanic female from an immigrant family facing financial constraints, but excelling in school. You apply to the QuestBridge program and are awarded College Prep Scholar and Finalist, but you don’t match with any schools nor receive the National College Match full-ride scholarship. You feel absolutely devastated. This is how I felt for the majority of this week as QuestBridge college decisions were released on December 2nd. Reading the “We are sorry to inform you…” made my whole world come crashing down. My dream of attending college with no financial worries or student debts seemed to fade away. However, this is not the first time something hasn’t gone my way, and I’m not letting this prevent me from building a good future for myself. I am a dual enrollment student taking various extracurriculars while maintaining a 3.98 GPA in high school and a 4.0 in college. I have contributed to my diverse church community by volunteering as a Sunday School Teacher for both the Children’s Ministry and Juvenile Ministry as it brings me joy to see children’s love for learning. This same love for teaching landed me a part-time job at the local childcare and development center. I know that this small bump in the road does not define my abilities or future. While I was not accepted to any schools through the QuestBridge program, which was initially disheartening, this experience has only strengthened my will to accomplish my goals. I am determined to continue reaching for the most prestigious institutions in the United States. I believe I have the power to make a lasting impact on the world, especially within the legal sphere, to show others that their voices matter. The justice system’s reputation for ignoring victims is something I can relate to in my own life. I want to bring justice to those who have been underrepresented and neglected. I took the first major steps in this journey in my junior year when I founded a club, allowing me to explore my passions in law. Here, I taught others about various topics in criminal law, whether it was homicide, toxicology, autopsies, fingerprinting, criminal behavior, and much more. My wish is for my parents to be proud to say they have a daughter who is a successful lawyer and part-time professor. They were brave to leave their homes back in Central and South America to build a life of opportunity for their two children in Maryland. I want their sacrifices to pay off. My advice to all other seniors facing the pressure of college applications and the stress of rejection is: “If there’s a will, there’s a way.” Never let one college’s “no” prevent you from getting another college’s “yes.”