It was a cloudy and gloomy Spring morning. Normally my house echoed with loud laughter, but this time the house was quiet. I walked into my parent’s room and found my Mom all alone, staring at the empty bed. “Mom?” She flinched at the sound of my voice and sniffled. She slowly turned around to face me, as teardrops trickled down her face uncontrollably. I asked, “What’s wrong Mommy?” She said, "Sometimes God needs the gifts he gave us back. Sometimes God needs the people we love more than we do.” My mom said to me with a cracking voice, “Today heaven got a new angel.” I asked her, “ Who?” She sobbed as she struggled to explain that my dad was dead and that death is permanent. At five years old I couldn’t comprehend what life was going to be like without him. Growing up I was definitely what you would call a daddy‘s girl. He did everything to put a smile on my face. We put on dance performances for the family, did fashion shows, and hosted tea parties together. My Dad made the first years of my life unforgettable and nothing could have broken our bond, except for death. As time passed, I realized that I wouldn’t go to Daddy-Daughter dances and that I would no longer have anyone to celebrate on Father's Day. I became aware that I had just lost my best friend and this is when my childhood ended. Since my father’s passing, my mom has dedicated many years of her life to her career. I strongly admire my Mom for the resilience she exemplified when overcoming adversity, and it is her journey that has motivated me to continue pursuing an education. She put my brother and me first, even if that meant denying herself the opportunity to get the education she dreamt of getting here when she immigrated here. Despite all the odds against her- being an immigrant, facing the loss of her husband, raising two kids, in a foreign country, and sometimes barely scraping by-she made it. I'm destined for greatness, but I would've never known what greatness is if it weren’t for her. My father passed before finishing his associates at a local community college. This has inspired me to reach the goals that both my mother and my father never had the opportunity to. I want to graduate from the school my father aspired to later attend, in his honor, and achieve the American dream my mother came here for. I have graduated from Lone Star College with my associates degree a year early as an honor student. Since then I have transferred over to Texas A&M, and majoring in communications and minoring in business. I flourished here and I've joined clubs such as the International Association of Business Communicators and the Public Relations and Social Media Club. Being Costa Rican and the first person in my family to pursue secondary education, coming this far has meant a lot to me. I look forward to continuing to work on my skills while expanding my network at A&M, so one day I can become a news anchor that represents the Latin community at a national level. I hope to inspire other young Hispanic girls to chase their dreams. I'm a Latina, the daughter of an immigrant single mother, and the of my first generation to pursue a college educationGiven the opportunity, I will continue my mothers legacy of determination and strength. Being awarded this scholarship will be an answered prayer and something that is celebrated by everyone back at home.

GOTV, the live school news broadcasting club at a High School of around 2,000 students presented me the chance to work alongside others that shared the same passion. When I first started, I assisted with the cameras, lights, sound, and technical aspects that came into play. However, my real interest was to become the lead news anchor and when I shared this with my teacher, she encouraged me to give it a shot. I was immediately given the position, and from the moment I first read off of the teleprompter I knew that this club was going to be my obsession. Although GOTV became one of my passions, it came with its fair share of adversities. Making last minute adjustments, correcting technical issues and keeping our crew accountable wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Having to add news segments seconds before going on, tested the fortitude of our crew, as well as my skills to memorize information quickly and work it into the broadcast. This broadcasting club gave me the experience to learn how to quickly adapt and thrive in high stress environments, apply critical thinking skills, and project management. This fast paced setting further helped me to develop abilities that I would utilize as new opportunities presented themselves, even within my church. Being involved at Lakewood church encouraged me to develop my relationship with Christ, allowed me to serve the community and it has given me the opportunity to work with ministries in management and production departments. Here I was able to meet people like two time Latin Grammy award winner, Ingrid Rosario. I remember one day before a church service, Ingrid told me about how overwhelming it was for her to juggle her work balance. Ingrid then offered me a position as her social media manager and without hesitation, I accepted. Given my previous experience in production, journalism, public speaking and the news broadcasting club, I knew that this was not an opportunity I should pass by. As social media manager, I’m in charge of organizing and moderating all her online platforms. I respond to messages from fans and help build up her presence on the internet. I’m responsible for planning future posts, captions, and following through with sharing each of her work related uploads. I also filter and present emails related to business proposals to Ingrid and her team. I have learned so much while working with Ingrid and her management. After completing high school I began at Lone Star College and graduated with my associates degree a year early as an honor student. Since then I have transferred over to Texas A&M, and majoring in communications and minoring in business. I flourished here and I've joined clubs such as the International Association of Business Communicators and the Public Relations and Social media club. Being Costa Rican and the first person in my family to pursue secondary education, coming this far has meant a lot to me. I look forward to continuing to work on my skills while expanding my network at A&M, so one day I can become a news anchor that represents the Hispanic community at a national level. I'm a Latina, the daughter of an immigrant single mother, and the of my first generation to pursue a college education. Virtually all odds are against me but perseverance and my mothers support has motivated me. Given the opportunity, I will continue my mothers legacy of determination and strength. Being awarded this scholarship will be an answered prayer and something that is celebrated by everyone back at home.

It was a cloudy and gloomy Spring morning. Normally my house echoed with loud laughter, but this time the house was quiet. I walked into my parent’s room and found my Mom all alone. “Mom?” She flinched at the sound of my voice and sniffled. She slowly turned to face me, as teardrops trickled down her face uncontrollably. I ran across the room and hugged her. I asked, “What’s wrong Mommy?” She said, “You know how I always tell you that God gave me you, as a gift from heaven? Well, sometimes God needs the gifts he gave us back. Sometimes God needs the people we love more than we do.” My mom said to me with a cracking voice, “Today heaven got a new angel.” I asked her, “ Who?” She gulped and said, “Daddy.” After those words came out of her mouth she couldn’t hide her pain anymore, and all the tears she had been holding back in front of me were let loose. Confused, I asked, “When will he be back?” She sobbed as she tried to explain to me that death is permanent, but at five years old I couldn’t comprehend what life was going to be like without a dad. Growing up I was definitely what you would call a daddy‘s girl. He did everything to put a smile on my face. We put on dance performances for the family, did fashion shows, and hosted tea parties together. Nothing could've broken our bond, except for death. As time passed, I realized that I wouldn’t go to Daddy-Daughter dances and that I would no longer have anyone to celebrate on Father's Day. I became aware that I'd just lost my best friend. This is when my childhood ended and my grieving process began. Having such a caring and encouraging mom throughout that season makes me feel very grateful. Since my father’s passing, my mom has dedicated years of her life to her career. I strongly admire my Mom for the resilience she exemplified when overcoming adversity as an immigrant to the U.S, and it is her journey that has motivated me to continue. I am destined for greatness, but I would've never known what greatness is if it weren’t for her. She put family first, even if that meant denying herself the opportunity to get the education she dreamt of getting when immigrating here. My father passed before finishing his associates at a local community college. They've inspired me to reach the goals that they both never had the chance to. I want to graduate from the school my father aspired to attend, in honor of his memory, and achieve the American dream my mother came for. I started at Lone Star Community College and got my associate's. This has been by far the smartest financial choice for me, and now I've been accepted into Texas A&M University, majoring in communications with a minor in business. Through the schooling and networking I've done at my University and through volunteering with various ministries at my church, someday I would like to become a news anchor. Someday I hope to inspire other young Latina girls to chase their dreams. I'm a Latina, the daughter of an immigrant single mother, and the first generation to pursue a college education. Virtually all odds are against me but perseverance and my mothers support has motivated me. Given the opportunity, I will continue my parent's legacy of determination and strength. Being awarded this scholarship will be an answered prayer and something that is celebrated by everyone back at home.

It was a cloudy and gloomy Spring morning. Normally my house echoed with loud laughter, but this time the house was quiet. I walked into my parent’s room and found my Mom all alone. “Mom?” She flinched at the sound of my voice and sniffled. She slowly turned to face me, as teardrops trickled down her face uncontrollably. I ran across the room and hugged her. I asked, “What’s wrong Mommy?” She said, “You know how I always tell you that God gave me you, as a gift from heaven? Well, sometimes God needs the gifts he gave us back. Sometimes God needs the people we love more than we do.” My mom said to me with a cracking voice, “Today heaven got a new angel.” I asked her, “ Who?” She gulped and said, “Daddy.” After those words came out of her mouth she couldn’t hide her pain anymore, and all the tears she had been holding back in front of me were let loose. Confused, I asked, “When will he be back?” She sobbed as she tried to explain to me that death is permanent, but at five years old I couldn’t comprehend what life was going to be like without a dad. Growing up I was definitely what you would call a daddy‘s girl. He did everything to put a smile on my face. We put on dance performances for the family, did fashion shows, and hosted tea parties together. Nothing could've broken our bond, except for death. As time passed, I realized that I wouldn’t go to Daddy-Daughter dances and that I would no longer have anyone to celebrate on Father's Day. I became aware that I'd just lost my best friend. This is when my childhood ended and my grieving process began. Having such a caring and encouraging mom throughout that season makes me feel very grateful. Since my father’s passing, my mom has dedicated years of her life to her career. I strongly admire my Mom for the resilience she exemplified when overcoming adversity as an immigrant to the U.S, and it is her journey that has motivated me to continue. I am destined for greatness, but I would've never known what greatness is if it weren’t for her. She put family first, even if that meant denying herself the opportunity to get the education she dreamt of getting when immigrating here. My father passed before finishing his associates at a local community college. They've inspired me to reach the goals that they both never had the chance to. I want to graduate from the school my father aspired to attend, in honor of his memory, and achieve the American dream my mother came for. I started at Lone Star Community College and got my associate's. This has been by far the smartest financial choice for me, and now I've been accepted into Texas A&M University, majoring in communications with a minor in business. Through the schooling and networking I've done at my University and through volunteering with various ministries at my church, someday I would like to become a news anchor. Someday I hope to inspire other young Latina girls to chase their dreams. I'm a Latina, the daughter of an immigrant single mother, and the first generation to pursue a college education. Virtually all odds are against me but perseverance and my mothers support has motivated me. Given the opportunity, I will continue my parent's legacy of determination and strength. Being awarded this scholarship will be an answered prayer and something that is celebrated by everyone back at home.

It was a cloudy and gloomy Spring morning. Normally my house echoed with loud laughter, but this time the house was quiet. I walked into my parent’s room and found my Mom all alone. “Mom?” She flinched at the sound of my voice and sniffled. She slowly turned to face me, as teardrops trickled down her face uncontrollably. I ran across the room and hugged her. I asked, “What’s wrong Mommy?” She said, “You know how I always tell you that God gave me you, as a gift from heaven? Well, sometimes God needs the gifts he gave us back. Sometimes God needs the people we love more than we do.” My mom said to me with a cracking voice, “Today heaven got a new angel.” I asked her, “ Who?” She gulped and said, “Daddy.” After those words came out of her mouth she couldn’t hide her pain anymore, and all the tears she had been holding back in front of me were let loose. Confused, I asked, “When will he be back?” She sobbed as she tried to explain to me that death is permanent, but at five years old I couldn’t comprehend what life was going to be like without a dad. Growing up I was definitely what you would call a daddy‘s girl. He did everything to put a smile on my face. We put on dance performances for the family, did fashion shows, and hosted tea parties together. Nothing could've broken our bond, except for death. As time passed, I realized that I wouldn’t go to Daddy-Daughter dances and that I would no longer have anyone to celebrate on Father's Day. I became aware that I'd just lost my best friend. This is when my childhood ended and my grieving process began. Having such a caring and encouraging mom throughout that season makes me feel very grateful. Since my father’s passing, my mom has dedicated years of her life to her career. I strongly admire my Mom for the resilience she exemplified when overcoming adversity as an immigrant to the U.S, and it is her journey that has motivated me to continue. I am destined for greatness, but I would've never known what greatness is if it weren’t for her. She put family first, even if that meant denying herself the opportunity to get the education she dreamt of getting when immigrating here. My father passed before finishing his associates at a local community college. They've inspired me to reach the goals that they both never had the chance to. I want to graduate from the school my father aspired to attend, in honor of his memory, and achieve the American dream my mother came for. I started at Lone Star Community College and got my associate's. This has been by far the smartest financial choice for me, and now I've been accepted into Texas A&M University, majoring in communications with a minor in business. Through the schooling and networking I've done at my University and through volunteering with various ministries at my church, someday I would like to become a news anchor. Someday I hope to inspire other young Latina girls to chase their dreams. I'm a Latina, the daughter of an immigrant single mother, and the first generation to pursue a college education. Virtually all odds are against me but perseverance and my mothers support has motivated me. Given the opportunity, I will continue my parent's legacy of determination and strength. Being awarded this scholarship will be an answered prayer and something that is celebrated by everyone back at home.

It was a cloudy and gloomy Spring morning. Normally my house echoed with loud laughter, but this time the house was quiet. I walked into my parent’s room and found my Mom all alone. “Mom?” She flinched at the sound of my voice and sniffled. She slowly turned to face me, as teardrops trickled down her face uncontrollably. I ran across the room and hugged her. I asked, “What’s wrong Mommy?” She said, “You know how I always tell you that God gave me you, as a gift from heaven? Well, sometimes God needs the gifts he gave us back. Sometimes God needs the people we love more than we do.” My mom said to me with a cracking voice, “Today heaven got a new angel.” I asked her, “ Who?” She gulped and said, “Daddy.” After those words came out of her mouth she couldn’t hide her pain anymore, and all the tears she had been holding back in front of me were let loose. Confused, I asked, “When will he be back?” She sobbed as she tried to explain to me that death is permanent, but at five years old I couldn’t comprehend what life was going to be like without a dad. Growing up I was definitely what you would call a daddy‘s girl. He did everything to put a smile on my face. We put on dance performances for the family, did fashion shows, and hosted tea parties together. Nothing could've broken our bond, except for death. As time passed, I realized that I wouldn’t go to Daddy-Daughter dances and that I would no longer have anyone to celebrate on Father's Day. I became aware that I'd just lost my best friend. This is when my childhood ended and my grieving process began. Having such a caring and encouraging mom throughout that season makes me feel very grateful. Since my father’s passing, my mom has dedicated years of her life to her career. I strongly admire my Mom for the resilience she exemplified when overcoming adversity as an immigrant to the U.S, and it is her journey that has motivated me to continue. I am destined for greatness, but I would've never known what greatness is if it weren’t for her. She put family first, even if that meant denying herself the opportunity to get the education she dreamt of getting when immigrating here. My father passed before finishing his associates at a local community college. They've inspired me to reach the goals that they both never had the chance to. I want to graduate from the school my father aspired to attend, in honor of his memory, and achieve the American dream my mother came for. I started at Lone Star Community College and got my associate's. This has been by far the smartest financial choice for me, and now I've been accepted into Texas A&M University, majoring in communications with a minor in business. Through the schooling and networking I've done at my University and through volunteering with various ministries at my church, someday I would like to become a news anchor. Someday I hope to inspire other young Latina girls to chase their dreams. I'm a Latina, the daughter of an immigrant single mother, and the first generation to pursue a college education. Virtually all odds are against me but perseverance and my mothers support has motivated me. Given the opportunity, I will continue my parent's legacy of determination and strength. Being awarded this scholarship will be an answered prayer and something that is celebrated by everyone back at home.

Freshman year rolled around, and so did the opportunity to try another form of technical communication. GOTV, the live school news broadcasting club at a High School of around 2,000 students presented me the chance to work alongside others that shared the same passion. When I first started, I assisted with the cameras, lights, sound, and technical aspects that came into play. However, my real interest was to become the lead news anchor and when I shared this with my teacher, she encouraged me to give it a shot. I was immediately given the position, and from the moment I first read off of the teleprompter I knew that this club was going to be my obsession. Although GOTV became one of my passions, it came with its fair share of adversities. Making last minute adjustments, correcting technical issues and keeping our crew accountable wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Having to add news segments seconds before going on, tested the fortitude of our crew, as well as my skills to memorize information quickly and work it into the broadcast. This broadcasting club gave me the experience to learn how to quickly adapt and thrive in high stress environments, apply critical thinking skills, and project management. This fast paced setting further helped me to develop abilities that I would utilize as new opportunities presented themselves, even within my church. Being involved at Lakewood church encouraged me to develop my relationship with Christ, allowed me to serve the community and it has given me the opportunity to work with ministries in management and production departments. Here I was able to meet people like two time Latin Grammy award winner, Ingrid Rosario. I remember one day before a church service, Ingrid told me about how overwhelming it was for her to juggle her work balance. Ingrid then offered me a position as her social media manager and without hesitation, I accepted. Given my previous experience in production, journalism, public speaking and the news broadcasting club, I knew that this was not an opportunity I should pass by. As social media manager, I’m in charge of organizing and moderating all her online platforms. I respond to messages from fans and help build up her presence on the internet. I’m responsible for planning future posts, captions, and following through with sharing each of her work related uploads. I also filter and present emails related to business proposals to Ingrid and her team. I have learned so much while working with Ingrid and her management. After completing high school I began at Lone Star College and graduated with my associates degree a year early as an honor student. Since then I have transferred over to Texas A&M, and majoring in communications and minoring in business. I flourished here and I've joined clubs such as the International Association of Business Communicators and the Public Relations and Social media club. Being Costa Rican and the first person in my family to pursue secondary education, coming this far has meant a lot to me. I look forward to continuing to work on my skills while expanding my network at A&M, so one day I can become a news anchor that represents the Hispanic community at a national level. I hope to uplift and inspire other young Latina girls to chase after their dreams.

From the very beginning of my educational career, I have had an insatiable thirst for knowledge that made going to school something I always looked forward to. That is until it came time for middle school. As course materials became more complex it became difficult for me to keep up with the other students. The countless hours I was spending at home attempting to study and in tutorials were no use. My struggles with hyperactivity, difficulty focusing, and forgetfulness were holding my education back. I couldn’t understand why I felt like I was working twice as hard in comparison to others. My classmates began to severely bully me and I was considered an outcast. No one wanted to do group projects with me, and I was told that I was never going to make it to high school. I expressed this sense of hopelessness to my mom and she took action. She took me to a psychiatrist and they explained that I had a learning disability called Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. This confirmed what I had been told all along. I was different. At first, it was hard to hear but I refused to believe that my diagnosis was going to limit what was to become of my future. I knew deep down I was created to be much more than my disorder, so I started to research it and ask questions. My doctor told me that I wasn’t alone. Many successful and prominent figures throughout history such as Steve Jobs, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Gates have all dealt with the challenges that come with ADHD. The stories of these great leaders played a big role in helping me overcome my adversities; they helped me discover a sense of leadership and an inner strength I had not known before. Seeing that success was still a possibility gave me the motivation to find ways to overcome it. I learned that phones play a big role in distraction. So to combat this I started shutting my phone off in class. I realized I was more likely to stay engaged in lectures if I sat in front of the class. I also found that typing notes on a computer wasn’t as effective in battling my forgetfulness. Rather, using pencil and paper forced my brain's muscle memory to come into play, and when it came time to put my memory to the test I saw much better results. To create a structure for myself, I use a planner and it has been vital to staying organized. There's no quick fix to ADHD but using these strategies has helped me manage it, foster great habits, and excel in school. Without the attentiveness of my mental healthcare providers, I wouldn't be happy, and I might not even be here. I don't let obstacles become a label but instead a motivator and I would've never come to this conclusion without the help I've been given. I'm not a victim of my disorder, but rather an overcomer of it. Having a disorder like this doesn't make me any less intelligent or capable. Working around this obstacle has helped me develop perseverance and has made every moment of success so much more rewarding. Having ADHD allows me to see the world and recognize the beauty that exists in the differences that everyone has. Topics of mental health and disabilities can be quite taboo but they shouldn't be. I plan on continuing to share my story to educate others on this neurological condition and the value behind diversity, so I can empower people who may also be experiencing what I have.

GOTV, the live school news broadcasting club at a High School of around 2,000 students presented me the chance to work alongside others that shared the same passion. When I first started, I assisted with the cameras, lights, sound, and technical aspects that came into play. However, my real interest was to become the lead news anchor and when I shared this with my teacher, she encouraged me to give it a shot. I was immediately given the position, and from the moment I first read off of the teleprompter I knew that this club was going to be my obsession. Although GOTV became one of my passions, it came with its fair share of adversities. Making last minute adjustments, correcting technical issues and keeping our crew accountable wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Having to add news segments seconds before going on, tested the fortitude of our crew, as well as my skills to memorize information quickly and work it into the broadcast. This broadcasting club gave me the experience to learn how to quickly adapt and thrive in high stress environments, apply critical thinking skills, and project management. This fast paced setting further helped me to develop abilities that I would utilize as new opportunities presented themselves, even within my church. Being involved at Lakewood church encouraged me to develop my relationship with Christ, allowed me to serve the community and it has given me the opportunity to work with ministries in management and production departments. Here I was able to meet people like two time Latin Grammy award winner, Ingrid Rosario. I remember one day before a church service, Ingrid told me about how overwhelming it was for her to juggle her work balance. Ingrid then offered me a position as her social media manager and without hesitation, I accepted. Given my previous experience in production, journalism, public speaking and the news broadcasting club, I knew that this was not an opportunity I should pass by. As social media manager, I’m in charge of organizing and moderating all her online platforms. I respond to messages from fans and help build up her presence on the internet. I’m responsible for planning future posts, captions, and following through with sharing each of her work related uploads. I also filter and present emails related to business proposals to Ingrid and her team. I have learned so much while working with Ingrid and her management. After completing high school I began at Lone Star College and graduated with my associates degree a year early as an honor student. Since then I have transferred over to Texas A&M, and majoring in communications and minoring in business. I flourished here and I've joined clubs such as the International Association of Business Communicators and the Public Relations and Social media club. Being Costa Rican and the first person in my family to pursue secondary education, coming this far has meant a lot to me. I look forward to continuing to work on my skills while expanding my network at A&M, so one day I can become a news anchor that represents the Hispanic community at a national level. I hope to uplift and inspire other young Latinas to chase their dreams.

GOTV, the live school news broadcasting club at a High School of around 2,000 students presented me the chance to work alongside others that shared the same passion. When I first started, I assisted with the cameras, lights, sound, and technical aspects that came into play. However, my real interest was to become the lead news anchor and when I shared this with my teacher, she encouraged me to give it a shot. I was immediately given the position, and from the moment I first read off of the teleprompter I knew that this club was going to be my obsession. Although GOTV became one of my passions, it came with its fair share of adversities. Making last minute adjustments, correcting technical issues and keeping our crew accountable wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Having to add news segments seconds before going on, tested the fortitude of our crew, as well as my skills to memorize information quickly and work it into the broadcast. This broadcasting club gave me the experience to learn how to quickly adapt and thrive in high stress environments, apply critical thinking skills, and project management. This fast paced setting further helped me to develop abilities that I would utilize as new opportunities presented themselves, even within my church. Being involved at Lakewood church encouraged me to develop my relationship with Christ, allowed me to serve the community and it has given me the opportunity to work with ministries in management and production departments. Here I was able to meet people like two time Latin Grammy award winner, Ingrid Rosario. I remember one day before a church service, Ingrid told me about how overwhelming it was for her to juggle her work balance. Ingrid then offered me a position as her social media manager and without hesitation, I accepted. Given my previous experience in production, journalism, public speaking and the news broadcasting club, I knew that this was not an opportunity I should pass by. As social media manager, I’m in charge of organizing and moderating all her online platforms. I respond to messages from fans and help build up her presence on the internet. I’m responsible for planning future posts, captions, and following through with sharing each of her work related uploads. I also filter and present emails related to business proposals to Ingrid and her team. I have learned so much while working with Ingrid and her management. After completing high school I began at Lone Star College and graduated with my associates degree a year early as an honor student. Since then I have transferred over to Texas A&M, and majoring in communications and minoring in business. I flourished here and I've joined clubs such as the International Association of Business Communicators and the Public Relations and Social media club. Being Costa Rican and the first person in my family to pursue secondary education, coming this far has meant a lot to me. I look forward to continuing to work on my skills while expanding my network at A&M, so one day I can become a news anchor that represents the Hispanic community at a national level. I hope to uplift and inspire other young Latinas to chase their dreams.

GOTV, the live school news broadcasting club at a High School of around 2,000 students presented me the chance to work alongside others that shared the same passion. When I first started, I assisted with the cameras, lights, sound, and technical aspects that came into play. However, my real interest was to become the lead news anchor and when I shared this with my teacher, she encouraged me to give it a shot. I was immediately given the position, and from the moment I first read off of the teleprompter I knew that this club was going to be my obsession. Although GOTV became one of my passions, it came with its fair share of adversities. Making last minute adjustments, correcting technical issues and keeping our crew accountable wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Having to add news segments seconds before going on, tested the fortitude of our crew, as well as my skills to memorize information quickly and work it into the broadcast. This broadcasting club gave me the experience to learn how to quickly adapt and thrive in high stress environments, apply critical thinking skills, and project management. This fast paced setting further helped me to develop abilities that I would utilize as new opportunities presented themselves, even within my church. Being involved at Lakewood church encouraged me to develop my relationship with Christ, allowed me to serve the community and it has given me the opportunity to work with ministries in management and production departments. Here I was able to meet people like two time Latin Grammy award winner, Ingrid Rosario. I remember one day before a church service, Ingrid told me about how overwhelming it was for her to juggle her work balance. Ingrid then offered me a position as her social media manager and without hesitation, I accepted. Given my previous experience in production, journalism, public speaking and the news broadcasting club, I knew that this was not an opportunity I should pass by. As social media manager, I’m in charge of organizing and moderating all her online platforms. I respond to messages from fans and help build up her presence on the internet. I’m responsible for planning future posts, captions, and following through with sharing each of her work related uploads. I also filter and present emails related to business proposals to Ingrid and her team. I have learned so much while working with Ingrid and her management. After completing high school I began at Lone Star College and graduated with my associates degree a year early as an honor student. Since then I have transferred over to Texas A&M, and majoring in communications and minoring in business. I flourished here and I've joined clubs such as the International Association of Business Communicators and the Public Relations and Social media club. Being Costa Rican and the first person in my family to pursue secondary education, coming this far has meant a lot to me. I look forward to continuing to work on my skills while expanding my network at A&M, so one day I can become a news anchor that represents the Hispanic community at a national level. I hope to uplift and inspire other young Latinas to chase their dreams.

GOTV, the live school news broadcasting club at a High School of around 2,000 students presented me the chance to work alongside others that shared the same passion. When I first started, I assisted with the cameras, lights, sound, and technical aspects that came into play. However, my real interest was to become the lead news anchor and when I shared this with my teacher, she encouraged me to give it a shot. I was immediately given the position, and from the moment I first read off of the teleprompter I knew that this club was going to be my obsession. Although GOTV became one of my passions, it came with its fair share of adversities. Making last minute adjustments, correcting technical issues and keeping our crew accountable wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Having to add news segments seconds before going on, tested the fortitude of our crew, as well as my skills to memorize information quickly and work it into the broadcast. This broadcasting club gave me the experience to learn how to quickly adapt and thrive in high stress environments, apply critical thinking skills, and project management. This fast paced setting further helped me to develop abilities that I would utilize as new opportunities presented themselves, even within my church. Being involved at Lakewood church encouraged me to develop my relationship with Christ, allowed me to serve the community and it has given me the opportunity to work with ministries in management and production departments. Here I was able to meet people like two time Latin Grammy award winner, Ingrid Rosario. I remember one day before a church service, Ingrid told me about how overwhelming it was for her to juggle her work balance. Ingrid then offered me a position as her social media manager and without hesitation, I accepted. Given my previous experience in production, journalism, public speaking and the news broadcasting club, I knew that this was not an opportunity I should pass by. As social media manager, I’m in charge of organizing and moderating all her online platforms. I respond to messages from fans and help build up her presence on the internet. I’m responsible for planning future posts, captions, and following through with sharing each of her work related uploads. I also filter and present emails related to business proposals to Ingrid and her team. I have learned so much while working with Ingrid and her management. After completing high school I began at Lone Star College and graduated with my associates degree a year early as an honor student. Since then I have transferred over to Texas A&M, and majoring in communications and minoring in business. I flourished here and I've joined clubs such as the International Association of Business Communicators and the Public Relations and Social media club. Being Costa Rican and the first person in my family to pursue secondary education, coming this far has meant a lot to me. I look forward to continuing to work on my skills while expanding my network at A&M, so one day I can become a news anchor that represents the Hispanic community at a national level. My dream is to uplift and inspire other young Latina girls to chase their dreams.

During junior high, I took a public speaking class, which initially sounded nerve racking. As a kid, I thought that public speaking was just getting up on a stage and talking, but I quickly learned that it was much more than speaking; it was about developing confidence within myself and finding effective ways of communicating with others. Freshman year rolled around, and so did the opportunity to try another form of technical communication. GOTV, the live school news broadcasting club at a High School of around 2,000 students presented me the chance to work alongside others that shared the same passion. When I first started, I assisted with the cameras, lights, sound, and technical aspects that came into play. However, my real interest was to become the lead news anchor and when I shared this with my teacher, she encouraged me to give it a shot. I was immediately given the position, and from the moment I first read off of the teleprompter I knew that this club was going to be my obsession. Although GOTV became one of my passions, it came with its fair share of adversities. Making last minute adjustments, correcting technical issues and keeping our crew accountable wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Having to add news segments seconds before going on, tested the fortitude of our crew, as well as my skills to memorize information quickly and work it into the broadcast. This broadcasting club gave me the experience to learn how to quickly adapt and thrive in high stress environments, apply critical thinking skills, and project management. This fast paced setting further helped me to develop abilities that I would utilize as new opportunities presented themselves, even within my church. Being involved at Lakewood church encouraged me to develop my relationship with Christ, allowed me to serve the community and it has given me the opportunity to work with ministries in management and production departments. Here I was able to meet people like two time Latin Grammy award winner, Ingrid Rosario. I remember one day before a church service, Ingrid told me about how overwhelming it was for her to juggle her work balance. Ingrid then offered me a position as her social media manager and without hesitation, I accepted. Given my previous experience in production, journalism, public speaking and the news broadcasting club, I knew that this was not an opportunity I should pass by. As social media manager, I’m in charge of organizing and moderating all her online platforms. I respond to messages from fans and help build up her presence on the internet. I’m responsible for planning future posts, captions, and following through with sharing each of her work related uploads. I also filter and present emails related to business proposals to Ingrid and her team. I have learned so much while working with Ingrid and her management. After completing high school I began at Lone Star College and graduated with my associates degree a year early as an honor student. Since then I have transferred over to Texas A&M, and majoring in communications and minoring in business. I flourished here and I've joined clubs such as the International Association of Business Communicators and the Public Relations and Social media club. Being Costa Rican and the first person in my family to pursue secondary education, coming this far has meant a lot to me. I look forward to continuing to work on my skills while expanding my network at A&M, so one day I can become a news anchor that represents the Hispanic community at a national level.

Freshman year rolled around, and so did the opportunity to try out for the GOTV club. This was the school news broadcasting club at a brand-new High School of around 4,000 students. GOTV presented me with the chance to work alongside others who shared the same passion for technical communication. When I first started, I assisted with the cameras, lights, sound, and other technical aspects that came into play. However, my real interest was to become the lead news anchor and when I shared this with my teacher, she let me give it a shot. I was immediately given the position, and it became a new reason to leap out of bed every morning. From the moment I first read off of the teleprompter, I knew that this club was going to be my obsession. Although GOTV became one of my passions, it came with its fair share of challenges. Making last-minute adjustments, correcting technical issues and keeping our crew accountable wasn’t easy. Having to add news segments seconds before going on, tested the fortitude of our crew, as well as my skills to memorize information quickly and work it into the live broadcast. The GOTV team exemplified outstanding teamwork and unspoken communication techniques whilst navigating the pressure of being live. This broadcasting club gave me the experience of learning how to quickly adapt and thrive in high-stress environments, and apply critical thinking skills and project management. This fast-paced setting further helped me to develop abilities that I would utilize as new opportunities presented themselves, even within my church. I've had the privilege of serving at Lakewood Church in various ministries. Being involved at church hasn't only encouraged me to develop my relationship with Christ, but it has also allowed me to serve the community and it has allowed me to work with ministries in worship and production departments. Since the age of 13, I've been a Worship Leader at Lakewood Church, and here I was able to meet people like two-time Latin Grammy award winner, Ingrid Rosario. I remember one day before a church service, Ingrid told me about how overwhelming it was for her to juggle her work-life balance. Between traveling to do concerts and being active in her personal life, maintaining her presence on social media wasn't something she had time for. Despite having an excellent management team, she felt that they were being overworked. Ingrid then offered me a position as her social media manager and without hesitation, I accepted. Given my previous experience in audio-visual production, journalism, and the news broadcasting club, I knew that this wasn't an opportunity I could afford to pass by. As Ingrid’s social media manager, I’m in charge of organizing and moderating all her online platforms. I respond to messages from fans and help build up her presence on the internet. I’m responsible for planning future posts, and captions, and following through with sharing each of her work-related uploads. I also filter and present emails related to future business proposals to Ingrid and her team. I've learned so much about management and public relations while working with Ingrid and her management. I firmly believe that my early experiences led me to who I am today. I've been accepted into Texas A&M University as a double major in business and communications, with a minor in public relations. Through the education and networking, I've done at my University and through volunteering with various ministries at my church, someday I would like to start my own record label. Being awarded this scholarship would be nothing short of an answered prayer.

From the very beginning of my educational career, I have had an insatiable thirst for knowledge that made going to school something I always looked forward to. That is until it came time for middle school. As course materials became more complex it became difficult for me to keep up with the other students. The countless hours I was spending at home attempting to study and in tutorials were no use. My struggles with hyperactivity, difficulty focusing, and forgetfulness were holding my education back. I couldn’t understand why I felt like I was working twice as hard in comparison to others. My classmates began to severely bully me and I was considered an outcast. I was labeled as stupid, no one wanted to do group projects with me, and I was told that I was never going to make it to high school. I expressed this sense of hopelessness to my mom and she decided it was time to take action. She took me to a doctor and they explained that I had a learning disability called Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. At age 13, I was diagnosed with ADHD. This confirmed what my bullies had said all along, I'm different. At first, it was hard to hear but I refused to believe that my diagnosis was going to limit what was to become of my future I started to research and ask questions. My doctor told me that I wasn’t alone. Many successful and prominent figures throughout history such as Steve Jobs, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Gates have all dealt with the challenges that come with ADHD. Seeing that success was a possibility gave me the motivation to find ways to overcome it. I found many tactics to avoid the symptoms that come with my diagnosis and now I attend one of the best schools in the nation. I developed a sense of perseverance I hadn't known before. Having ADHD allows me to see the world and recognize the beauty that exists in the differences that everyone has. Without the attentiveness of my mental healthcare providers, I might not even be here. I don't let obstacles become a label but instead a motivator and I would've never come to this conclusion without help. This is the mission I advocate for within my club called the Aggie Sweethearts at Texas A&M. We are a women's organization whose focus is to uplift the community through hosting events and fundraisers for those in need. Within the club, we discuss ways in which we can make healthcare more accessible, share stories to educate others on neurological/mental health conditions, and the value behind diversity so we can continue to find new ways to empower others. We aren't victims but rather overcomers of adversity and we are stronger together.

From the very beginning of my educational career, I have had an insatiable thirst for knowledge that made going to school something I always looked forward to. That is until it came time for middle school. As course materials became more complex it became difficult for me to keep up with the other students. The countless hours I was spending at home attempting to study and in tutorials were no use. My struggles with hyperactivity, difficulty focusing, and forgetfulness were holding my education back. I couldn’t understand why I felt like I was working twice as hard in comparison to others. My classmates began to severely bully me and I was considered an outcast. I was labeled as stupid, no one wanted to do group projects with me, and I was told that I was never going to make it to high school. I expressed this sense of hopelessness to my mom and she decided it was time to take action. She took me to a doctor and they explained that I had a learning disability called Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. At age 13, I was diagnosed with ADHD. This confirmed what my bullies had said all along, I'm different. At first, it was hard to hear but I refused to believe that my diagnosis was going to limit what was to become of my future I started to research and ask questions. My doctor told me that I wasn’t alone. Many successful and prominent figures throughout history such as Steve Jobs, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Gates have all dealt with the challenges that come with ADHD. Seeing that success was a possibility gave me the motivation to find ways to overcome it. I found many tactics to avoid the symptoms that come with my diagnosis and now I attend one of the best schools in the nation. I developed a sense of perseverance I hadn't known before. Having ADHD allows me to see the world and recognize the beauty that exists in the differences that everyone has. Without the attentiveness of my mental healthcare providers, I might not even be here. I don't let obstacles become a label but instead a motivator and I would've never come to this conclusion without help. This is the mission I advocate for within my club called the Aggie Sweethearts at Texas A&M. We are a women's organization whose focus is to uplift the community through hosting events and fundraisers for those in need. Within the club, we discuss ways in which we can make healthcare more accessible, share stories to educate others on neurological/mental health conditions, and the value behind diversity so we can continue to find news ways to empower others. We aren't victims but rather overcomers of adversity and we are stronger together.

It was a cloudy and gloomy Spring morning. Normally my house echoed with loud laughter, but this time the house was quiet. I walked into my parent’s room and found my Mom all alone. “Mom?” She flinched at the sound of my voice and sniffled. She slowly turned to face me, as teardrops trickled down her face uncontrollably. I ran across the room and hugged her. I asked, “What’s wrong Mommy?” She said, “You know how I always tell you that God gave me you, as a gift from heaven? Well, sometimes God needs the gifts he gave us back. Sometimes God needs the people we love more than we do.” My mom said to me with a cracking voice, “Today heaven got a new angel.” I asked her, “ Who?” She gulped and said, “Daddy.” After those words came out of her mouth she couldn’t hide her pain anymore, and all the tears she had been holding back in front of me were let loose. Confused, I asked, “When will he be back?” She sobbed as she tried to explain to me that death is permanent, but at five years old I couldn’t comprehend what life was going to be like without a dad. Growing up I was definitely what you would call a daddy‘s girl. He did everything to put a smile on my face. We put on dance performances for the family, did fashion shows, and hosted tea parties together. Nothing could've broken our bond, except for death. As time passed, I realized that I wouldn’t go to Daddy-Daughter dances and that I would no longer have anyone to celebrate on Father's Day. I became aware that I'd just lost my best friend. This is when my childhood ended and my grieving process began. Having such a caring and encouraging mom throughout that season makes me feel very grateful. Since my father’s passing, my mom has dedicated years of her life to her career. I strongly admire my Mom for the resilience she exemplified when overcoming adversity, and it is her journey that has motivated me to continue pursuing a degree. I am destined for greatness, but I would've never known what greatness is if it weren’t for her. She put family first, even if that meant denying herself the opportunity to get the education she dreamt of getting when immigrating here. My father passed before finishing his associates at a local community college. They've inspired me to reach the goals that they both never had the opportunity to. I want to graduate from the school my father aspired to attend, in honor of his memory, and achieve the American dream my mother came here for. I started at Lone Star Community College and got my associate's. This has been by far the smartest financial choice for me, and now I've been accepted into Texas A&M University double majoring in business and communications, with a minor in public relations. Through the schooling and networking I've done at my University and through volunteering with various ministries at my church, someday I would like to start my own record label. I'm a Latina, the daughter of an immigrant single mother, and the first generation to pursue a college education. Virtually all odds seem to be against me but this along with the support of my mother has precisely been what has motivated me. Being awarded this scholarship will be an answered prayer and something that is celebrated by everyone back at home. Given the opportunity, I will continue my parent's legacy of determination and strength.

It was a cloudy and gloomy Spring morning. Normally my house echoed with loud laughter, but this time the house was quiet. I walked into my parent’s room and found my Mom all alone. “Mom?” She flinched at the sound of my voice and sniffled. She slowly turned to face me, as teardrops trickled down her face uncontrollably. I ran across the room and hugged her. I asked, “What’s wrong Mommy?” She said, “You know how I always tell you that God gave me you, as a gift from heaven? Well, sometimes God needs the gifts he gave us back. Sometimes God needs the people we love more than we do.” My mom said to me with a cracking voice, “Today heaven got a new angel.” I asked her, “ Who?” She gulped and said, “Daddy.” After those words came out of her mouth she couldn’t hide her pain anymore, and all the tears she had been holding back in front of me were let loose. Confused, I asked, “When will he be back?” She sobbed as she tried to explain to me that death is permanent, but at five years old I couldn’t comprehend what life was going to be like without a dad. Growing up I was definitely what you would call a daddy‘s girl. He did everything to put a smile on my face. We put on dance performances for the family, did fashion shows, and hosted tea parties together. Nothing could've broken our bond, except for death. As time passed, I realized that I wouldn’t go to Daddy-Daughter dances and that I would no longer have anyone to celebrate on Father's Day. I became aware that I had just lost my best friend. This is when my childhood ended and my grieving process began. I'm blessed to have such a caring family that was there for me, even if it was from miles away. Most of all I am grateful for my mother. Since my father’s passing, my mom has dedicated years of her life to her career. I strongly admire my Mom for the resilience she exemplified when overcoming adversity, and it is her journey that has motivated me to continue pursuing a degree. She put my brother and me first, even if that meant denying herself the opportunity to get the education she dreamt of getting when immigrating here. My father passed before finishing his associates at a local community college. They've inspired me to reach the goals that they both never had the opportunity to. I want to graduate from the school my father aspired to later attend, in honor of his memory, and achieve the American dream my mother came here for. Given the opportunity, I will continue my parent's legacy of determination and strength. I chose to start at Lone Star Community College to get my associate's. This has been by far the smartest financial choice for me, and now I've been accepted into the best school in Texas, Texas A&M University. I am double majoring in business and communications, with a minor in public relations. Through the schooling and networking I've done at my University and through volunteering with various ministries at my church, someday I would like to start my own record label. I'm a Latina, the daughter of an immigrant single mother, and the first generation to pursue a college education. Virtually all odds seem to be against me but this is precisely what has motivated me. Being awarded this scholarship will be an answered prayer and something that is celebrated by everyone back at home.

Freshman year rolled around, and so did the opportunity to try out for the GOTV club. This was the school news broadcasting club at a brand-new High School of around 4,000 students. GOTV presented me with the chance to work alongside others who shared the same passion for technical communication. When I first started, I assisted with the cameras, lights, sound, and other technical aspects that came into play. However, my real interest was to become the lead news anchor and when I shared this with my teacher, she let me give it a shot. I was immediately given the position, and it became a new reason to leap out of bed every morning. From the moment I first read off of the teleprompter, I knew that this club was going to be my obsession. Although GOTV became one of my passions, it came with its fair share of challenges. Making last-minute adjustments, correcting technical issues and keeping our crew accountable wasn’t easy. Having to add news segments seconds before going on, tested the fortitude of our crew, as well as my skills to memorize information quickly and work it into the live broadcast. The GOTV team exemplified outstanding teamwork and unspoken communication techniques whilst navigating the pressure of being live. This broadcasting club gave me the experience of learning how to quickly adapt and thrive in high-stress environments, and apply critical thinking skills and project management. This fast-paced setting further helped me to develop abilities that I would utilize as new opportunities presented themselves, even within my church. I've had the privilege of serving at Lakewood Church in various ministries. Being involved at church hasn't only encouraged me to develop my relationship with Christ, but it has also allowed me to serve the community and it has allowed me to work with ministries in worship and production departments. Since the age of 13, I've been a Worship Leader at Lakewood Church, and here I was able to meet people like two-time Latin Grammy award winner, Ingrid Rosario. I remember one day before a church service, Ingrid told me about how overwhelming it was for her to juggle her work-life balance. Between traveling to do concerts and being active in her personal life, maintaining her presence on social media wasn't something she had time for. Despite having an excellent management team, she felt that they were being overworked. Ingrid then offered me a position as her social media manager and without hesitation, I accepted. Given my previous experience in audio-visual production, journalism, and the news broadcasting club, I knew that this wasn't an opportunity I could afford to pass by. As Ingrid’s social media manager, I’m in charge of organizing and moderating all her online platforms. I respond to messages from fans and help build up her presence on the internet. I’m responsible for planning future posts, and captions, and following through with sharing each of her work-related uploads. I also filter and present emails related to future business proposals to Ingrid and her team. I've learned so much about management and public relations while working with Ingrid and her management. I firmly believe that my early experiences led me to who I am today. I've been accepted into Texas A&M University as a double major in business and communications, with a minor in public relations. Through the education and networking, I've done at my University and through volunteering with various ministries at my church, someday I would like to start my own record label. Being awarded this scholarship would be nothing short of an answered prayer.

It was a cloudy and gloomy Spring morning. Normally my house echoed with loud laughter, but this time the house was quiet. I walked into my parent’s room and found my Mom all alone. “Mom?” She flinched at the sound of my voice and sniffled. She slowly turned to face me, as teardrops trickled down her face uncontrollably. I ran across the room and hugged her. I asked, “What’s wrong Mommy?” She said, “You know how I always tell you that God gave me you, as a gift from heaven? Well, sometimes God needs the gifts he gave us back. Sometimes God needs the people we love more than we do.” My mom said to me with a cracking voice, “Today heaven got a new angel.” I asked her, “ Who?” She gulped and said, “Daddy.” After those words came out of her mouth she couldn’t hide her pain anymore, and all the tears she had been holding back in front of me were let loose. Confused, I asked, “When will he be back?” She sobbed as she tried to explain to me that death is permanent, but at five years old I couldn’t comprehend what life was going to be like without a dad. Growing up I was definitely what you would call a daddy‘s girl. He did everything to put a smile on my face. We put on dance performances for the family, did fashion shows, and hosted tea parties together. Nothing could've broken our bond, except for death. As time passed, I realized that I wouldn’t go to Daddy-Daughter dances and that I would no longer have anyone to celebrate on Father's Day. I became aware that I had just lost my best friend. This is when my childhood ended and my grieving process began. I'm blessed to have such a caring family that was there for me, even if it was from miles away. Most of all I am grateful for my mother. Since my father’s passing, my mom has dedicated years of her life to her career. I strongly admire my Mom for the resilience she exemplified when overcoming adversity, and it is her journey that has motivated me to continue pursuing a degree. She put my brother and me first, even if that meant denying herself the opportunity to get the education she dreamt of getting when immigrating here. My father passed before finishing his associates at a local community college. They've inspired me to reach the goals that they both never had the opportunity to. I want to graduate from the school my father aspired to later attend, in honor of his memory, and achieve the American dream my mother came here for. Given the opportunity, I will continue my parent's legacy of determination and strength. I chose to start at Lone Star Community College to get my associate's. This has been by far the smartest financial choice for me, and now I've been accepted into the best school in Texas, Texas A&M University. I am double majoring in business and communications, with a minor in public relations. Through the schooling and networking, I've done at my University and through volunteering with various ministries at my church, someday I would like to start my own record label. I'm a Latina, the daughter of an immigrant single mother, and the first generation to pursue a college education. Virtually all odds seem to be against me but this is precisely what has motivated me. Being awarded this scholarship will be an answered prayer and something that is celebrated by everyone back at home.

Financial limitations have been a challenge in terms of my ability to pursue my long-term goals. While I value the support that I have been provided with by my single mother, and while I recognize God’s mercy, not having access to pay for school is a big obstacle to my future. Freshly out of high school, I could not even begin to dream of affording a four-year university and my family was unable to help. Despite the pain of losing my father and the monetary setback, I decided that a lack of money was not going to stop me from reaching my dreams. I chose to start at Lone Star Community College to get my associate's. This has been by far the smartest financial choice for me, and now I have been accepted into the best school in Texas, Texas A&M University. I am double majoring in business and communications, with a minor in public relations. Thus far in my educational career, I have been successful in attaining a few academic-based scholarships and it is the only reason I have been able to stay in school as long as I have. Through the schooling and networking, I have done at my University and through volunteering with various ministries at my church someday I would like to start my own record label. I am a Latina, the daughter of an immigrant single mother, and the first generation to pursue a college education. Virtually all odds seem to be against me but this is precisely what has motivated me. I do not want to make something of myself, I need to. I have to do this, not just for myself but to honor my family. Since my father’s passing, my mom has dedicated many years of her life to her career. I strongly admire my Mom for the resilience she exemplified when overcoming adversity, and it is her journey that has motivated me to continue pursuing a degree. She put my brother and me first, even if that meant denying herself the opportunity to get the education she dreamt of getting when she immigrated here. My father passed before finishing his associates at a local community college. This has inspired me to reach the goals that both my mother and my father never had the opportunity to. I want to graduate from the school my father aspired to later attend, in honor of his memory, and achieve the American dream my mother came here for. Given the opportunity, I will continue my parent's legacy of determination and strength. Being awarded this scholarship will be an answered prayer and something that is celebrated by everyone back at home.

From the very beginning of my educational career, I have had an insatiable thirst for knowledge that made going to school something I always looked forward to. That is until it came time for middle school. As course materials became more complex it became difficult for me to keep up with the other students. The countless hours I was spending at home attempting to study and in tutorials were no use. My struggles with hyperactivity, difficulty focusing, and forgetfulness were holding my education back. I couldn’t understand why I felt like I was working twice as hard in comparison to others. My classmates began to severely bully me and I was considered an outcast. I was labeled as stupid, no one wanted to do group projects with me, and I was told that I was never going to make it to high school. I expressed this sense of hopelessness to my mom and she decided it was time to take action. She took me to a doctor and they explained that I had a learning disability called Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. This confirmed what my bullies had said all along, I'm different. It was hard to hear but I refused to believe this was to limit my future. I started to research and ask questions. My doctor told me that I wasn’t alone. Many successful and prominent figures throughout history such as Steve Jobs, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Gates have all dealt with the challenges that come with ADHD. Seeing that success was a possibility gave me the motivation to find ways to overcome it. I found many tactics to avoid the symptoms that come with my diagnosis and now I attend one of the best schools in the nation. I developed a sense of perseverance I hadn't known before. Having a disorder like this does not make me any less intelligent or capable. Working around this obstacle has helped me develop perseverance and has made every moment of success so much more rewarding. Having ADHD allows me to see the world and recognize the beauty that exists in the differences that everyone has. Without the attentiveness of my mental healthcare providers, I might not even be here. I don't let obstacles become a label but instead a motivator and I would've never come to this conclusion without help. This is the mission I advocate for within the all-woman's club I have started called Aggie Sweethearts at Texas A&M. The club was started to create a safe space for women to share their experiences and find ways to uplift the community. The most important events within the club take place during Mental Health Month. We host many community service events to support those around us. Oftentimes we discuss ways in which we can make healthcare more accessible, share stories to educate others on neurological/mental health conditions, and the value behind diversity so we can continue to empower people. We aren't victims but rather overcomers and we are stronger together.

At age 13, I was diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. This confirmed what my bullies had said all along, I'm different. It was hard to hear but I refused to believe this was to limit my future I started to research and ask questions. My doctor told me that I wasn’t alone. Many successful and prominent figures throughout history such as Steve Jobs, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Gates have all dealt with the challenges that come with ADHD. Seeing that success was a possibility gave me the motivation to find ways to overcome it. I found many tactics to avoid the symptoms that come with my diagnosis and now I attend one of the best schools in the nation. I developed a sense of perseverance I hadn't known before. Having ADHD allows me to see the world and recognize the beauty that exists in the differences that everyone has. Without the attentiveness of my mental healthcare providers, I might not even be here. I don't let obstacles become a label but instead a motivator and I would've never come to this conclusion without help. This is the mission I advocate for within my club called the Aggie Sweethearts at Texas A&M. Within the club, we discuss, ways in which we can make health care more accessible, share stories to educate others on neurological/mental health conditions, and the value behind diversity so we can continue to empower people others. We aren't victim of but rather overcomers and we are stronger together.

From the very beginning of my educational career, I have had an insatiable thirst for knowledge that made going to school something I always looked forward to. That is until it came time for middle school. As course materials became more complex it became difficult for me to keep up with the other students. The countless hours I was spending at home attempting to study and in tutorials were no use. My struggles with hyperactivity, difficulty focusing, and forgetfulness were holding my education back. I couldn’t understand why I felt like I was working twice as hard in comparison to others. My classmates began to severely bully me and I was considered an outcast. No one wanted to do group projects with me, and I was told that I was never going to make it to high school. I expressed this sense of hopelessness to my mom and she took action. She took me to a psychiatrist and they explained that I had a learning disability called Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. This confirmed what I had been told all along. I was different. At first, it was hard to hear but I refused to believe that my diagnosis was going to limit what was to become of my future. I knew deep down I was created to be much more than my disorder, so I started to research it and ask questions. My doctor told me that I wasn’t alone. Many successful and prominent figures throughout history such as Steve Jobs, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Gates have all dealt with the challenges that come with ADHD. The stories of these great leaders played a big role in helping me overcome my adversities; they helped me discover a sense of leadership and an inner strength I had not known before. Seeing that success was still a possibility gave me the motivation to find ways to overcome it. I learned that phones play a big role in distraction. So to combat this I started shutting my phone off in class. I realized I was more likely to stay engaged in lectures if I sat in front of the class. I also found that typing notes on a computer wasn’t as effective in battling my forgetfulness. Rather, using pencil and paper forced my brain's muscle memory to come into play, and when it came time to put my memory to the test I saw much better results. To create a structure for myself, I use a planner and it has been vital to staying organized. There's no quick fix to ADHD but using these strategies has helped me manage it, foster great habits, and excel in school. Without the attentiveness of my mental healthcare providers, I wouldn't be happy, and I might not even be here. I don't let obstacles become a label but instead a motivator and I would've never come to this conclusion without the help I've been given. I'm not a victim of my disorder, but rather an overcomer of it. Having a disorder like this doesn't make me any less intelligent or capable. Working around this obstacle has helped me develop perseverance and has made every moment of success so much more rewarding. Having ADHD allows me to see the world and recognize the beauty that exists in the differences that everyone has. Topics of mental health and disabilities can be quite taboo but they shouldn't be. I plan on continuing to share my story to educate others on this neurological condition and the value behind diversity, so I can empower people who may also be experiencing what I have.

From the very beginning of my educational career, I have had an insatiable thirst for knowledge that made going to school something I always looked forward to. That is until it came time for middle school. As course materials became more complex it became difficult for me to keep up with the other students. The countless hours I was spending at home attempting to study and in tutorials were no use. My struggles with hyperactivity, difficulty focusing, and forgetfulness were holding my education back. I couldn’t understand why I felt like I was working twice as hard in comparison to others. My classmates began to severely bully me and I was considered an outcast. No one wanted to do group projects with me, and I was told that I was never going to make it to high school. I expressed this sense of hopelessness to my mom and she took action. She took me to a psychiatrist and they explained that I had a learning disability called Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. This confirmed what I had been told all along. I was different. At first, it was hard to hear but I refused to believe that my diagnosis was going to limit what was to become of my future. I knew deep down I was created to be much more than my disorder, so I started to research it and ask questions. My doctor told me that I wasn’t alone. Many successful and prominent figures throughout history such as Steve Jobs, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Gates have all dealt with the challenges that come with ADHD. The stories of these great leaders played a big role in helping me overcome my adversities; they helped me discover a sense of leadership and an inner strength I had not known before. Seeing that success was still a possibility gave me the motivation to find ways to overcome it. I learned that phones play a big role in distraction. So to combat this I started shutting my phone off in class. I realized I was more likely to stay engaged in lectures if I sat in front of the class. I also found that typing notes on a computer wasn’t as effective in battling my forgetfulness. Rather, using pencil and paper forced my brain's muscle memory to come into play, and when it came time to put my memory to the test I saw much better results. To create a structure for myself, I use a planner and it has been vital to staying organized. There's no quick fix to ADHD but using these strategies has helped me manage it, foster great habits, and excel in school. Without the attentiveness of my mental healthcare providers, I wouldn't be happy, and I might not even be here. I don't let obstacles become a label but instead a motivator and I would've never come to this conclusion without the help I've been given. I'm not a victim of my disorder, but rather an overcomer of it. Having a disorder like this doesn't make me any less intelligent or capable. Working around this obstacle has helped me develop perseverance and has made every moment of success so much more rewarding. Having ADHD allows me to see the world and recognize the beauty that exists in the differences that everyone has. Topics of mental health and disabilities can be quite taboo but they shouldn't be. I plan on continuing to share my story to educate others on this neurological condition and the value behind diversity, so I can empower people who may also be experiencing what I have.

It was a cloudy and gloomy Spring morning. Normally my house echoed with loud laughter, but this time the house was quiet. I walked into my parent’s room and found my Mom all alone, staring at the empty bed. “Mom?” She flinched at the sound of my voice and sniffled. She slowly turned around to face me, as teardrops trickled down her face uncontrollably. I ran across the room and hugged her. I asked, “What’s wrong Mommy?” She said, “You know how I always tell you that God gave me you, as a gift from heaven?” She took a deep breath “Well, sometimes God needs the gifts he gave us back. Sometimes God needs the people we love more than we do.” My mom said to me with a cracking voice, “Today heaven got a new angel.” I asked her, “ Who?” She gulped and said, “Daddy.” After those words came out of her mouth she couldn’t hide her pain anymore, and all the tears she had been holding back in front of me were let loose. Confused, I asked, “When will he be back?” She sobbed as she tried to explain to me that death is permanent, but at five years old I couldn’t comprehend what life was going to be like without a dad. Growing up I was definitely what you would call a daddy‘s girl. He did everything to put a smile on my face. We put on dance performances for the family, did fashion shows, and hosted tea parties together. My Dad made the first years of my life unforgettable and nothing could have broken our bond, except for death. As time passed, I realized that I wouldn’t go to Daddy-Daughter dances and that I would no longer have anyone to celebrate on Father's Day. I became aware that I had just lost my best friend. This is when my childhood ended and my grieving process began. I am blessed to have such a caring family that was there for me, even if it was from miles away. Most of all I am grateful for my mother. Since my father’s passing, my mom has dedicated many years of her life to her career. I strongly admire my Mom for the resilience she exemplified when overcoming adversity, and it is her journey that has motivated me to continue my education. She put my brother and me first, even if that meant denying herself the opportunity to get the education she dreamt of getting here when she immigrated here. Despite all the odds against her- being an immigrant, facing the loss of her husband, raising two kids, in a foreign country, and sometimes barely scraping by-she made it. I am destined for greatness, but I would've never known what greatness is if it weren’t for her. Similarly, I enjoy pushing myself, I've always taken advanced classes, involved myself in multiple extracurriculars, and served countless community hours. Unfortunately, my father passed away before finishing his associate's at a local community college. This has inspired me to reach the goals that both my mother and my father never had the opportunity to. I want to graduate from the school my father aspired to attend, in honor of his memory, and achieve the American dream my mother originally came here for. Getting the chance to pursue higher education will help me heal in ways that I can't even put into words. Given the opportunity, I will continue my parent's legacy of determination. Being awarded this scholarship will be an answered prayer and something that is celebrated by everyone back at home.

From the very beginning of my educational career, I have had an insatiable thirst for knowledge that made going to school something I always looked forward to. That is until it came time for middle school. As course materials became more complex it became difficult for me to keep up with the other students. The countless hours I was spending at home attempting to study and in tutorials were no use. My struggles with hyperactivity, difficulty focusing, and forgetfulness were holding my education back. I couldn’t understand why I felt like I was working twice as hard in comparison to others. My classmates began to severely bully me and I was considered an outcast. No one wanted to do group projects with me, and I was told that I was never going to make it to high school. I expressed this sense of hopelessness to my mom and she took action. She took me to a psychiatrist and they explained that I had a learning disability called Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. This confirmed what I had been told all along. I was different. At first, it was hard to hear but I refused to believe that my diagnosis was going to limit what was to become of my future. I knew deep down I was created to be much more than my disorder, so I started to research it and ask questions. My doctor told me that I wasn’t alone. Many successful and prominent figures throughout history such as Steve Jobs, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Gates have all dealt with the challenges that come with ADHD. The stories of these great leaders played a big role in helping me overcome my adversities; they helped me discover a sense of leadership and an inner strength I had not known before. Seeing that success was still a possibility gave me the motivation to find ways to overcome it. I learned that phones play a big role in distraction. So to combat this I started shutting my phone off in class. I realized I was more likely to stay engaged in lectures if I sat in front of the class. I also found that typing notes on a computer wasn’t as effective in battling my forgetfulness. Rather, using pencil and paper forced my brain's muscle memory to come into play, and when it came time to put my memory to the test I saw much better results. To create a structure for myself, I use a planner and it has been vital to staying organized. There's no quick fix to ADHD but using these strategies has helped me manage it, foster great habits, and excel in school. Without the attentiveness of my mental healthcare providers, I wouldn't be happy, and I might not even be here. I don't let obstacles become a label but instead a motivator and I would've never come to this conclusion without the help I've been given. I'm not a victim of my disorder, but rather an overcomer of it. Having a disorder like this doesn't make me any less intelligent or capable. Working around this obstacle has helped me develop perseverance and has made every moment of success so much more rewarding. Having ADHD allows me to see the world and recognize the beauty that exists in the differences that everyone has. Topics of mental health and disabilities can be quite taboo but they shouldn't be. I plan on continuing to share my story to educate others on this neurological condition and the value behind diversity, so I can empower people who may also be experiencing what I have.

From the very beginning of my educational career, I have had an insatiable thirst for knowledge that made going to school something I always looked forward to. That is until it came time for middle school. As course materials became more complex it became difficult for me to keep up with the other students. The countless hours I was spending at home attempting to study and in tutorials were no use. My struggles with hyperactivity, difficulty focusing, and forgetfulness were holding my education back. I couldn’t understand why I felt like I was working twice as hard in comparison to others. My classmates began to severely bully me and I was considered an outcast. I was labeled as stupid, no one wanted to do group projects with me, and I was told that I was never going to make it to high school. I expressed this sense of hopelessness to my mom and she decided it was time to take action. She took me to a doctor and they explained that I had a learning disability called Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. This confirmed what I had been told all along. I was different. At first, it was hard to hear but I refused to believe that my diagnosis was going to limit what was to become of my future. I knew deep down I was created to be much more than my disorder, so I started to research it. I quickly realized that I wasn’t alone. Many successful and prominent figures throughout history such as Steve Jobs, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Gates have all dealt with the challenges that come with ADHD. The stories of these great leaders played a big role in helping me overcome my adversities; they helped me discover a sense of leadership and an inner strength I had not known before. Seeing that success was still a possibility through their stories gave me the motivation to find ways to overcome. I concluded that phones play a big role in distracting me. So to combat this I started shutting my phone off in class or when I studied. I realized I was much more likely to stay engaged in lectures if I sat in front of the class. I also found that typing notes on a computer wasn’t as effective in battling my forgetfulness. Rather, using pencil and paper forced my brain's muscle memory to come into play, and when it came time to put my memory to the test I saw much better results. To create a structure for myself, I use a planner and it has been vital to staying organized. There's no quick fix to ADHD but using these strategies has helped me manage it, foster great habits, and excel in school. Leadership to me, is when you make a conscious decision to not let obstacles become your label but instead a motivator. I am not a victim of my disorder, but rather an overcomer of it. Having a disorder like this does not make me any less intelligent or capable. Working around this obstacle has helped me develop perseverance and has made every moment of success so much more rewarding. Having ADHD allows me to see the world and recognize the beauty that exists in the differences that everyone has. Topics of disabilities can be quite taboo but they don’t have to be. I plan on continuing to share my story to educate others on this neurological condition and the value behind diversity, so I can empower people who may also be experiencing what I have.

It was a cloudy and gloomy Spring morning. Normally my house echoed with loud laughter, but this time the house was quiet. I walked into my parent’s room and found my Mom all alone, staring at the empty bed. “Mom?” She flinched at the sound of my voice and sniffled. She slowly turned around to face me, as teardrops trickled down her face uncontrollably. I ran across the room and hugged her. I asked, “What’s wrong Mommy?” She said, “You know how I always tell you that God gave me you, as a gift from heaven?” She took a deep breath “Well, sometimes God needs the gifts he gave us back. Sometimes God needs the people we love more than we do.” My mom said to me with a cracking voice, “Today heaven got a new angel.” I asked her, “ Who?” She gulped and said, “Daddy.” After those words came out of her mouth she couldn’t hide her pain anymore, and all the tears she had been holding back in front of me were let loose. Confused, I asked, “When will he be back?” She sobbed as she tried to explain to me that death is permanent, but at five years old I couldn’t comprehend what life was going to be like without a dad. Growing up I was definitely what you would call a daddy‘s girl. He did everything to put a smile on my face. We put on dance performances for the family, did fashion shows, and hosted tea parties together. My Dad made the first years of my life unforgettable and nothing could have broken our bond, except for death. As time passed, I realized that I wouldn’t go to Daddy-Daughter dances and that I would no longer have anyone to celebrate on Father's Day. I became aware that I had just lost my best friend. This is when my childhood ended and my grieving process began. I am blessed to have such a caring family that was there for me, even if it was from miles away. Most of all I am grateful for my mother. Since my father’s passing, my mom has dedicated many years of her life to her career. I strongly admire my Mom for the resilience she exemplified when overcoming adversity, and it is her journey that has motivated me to continue pursuing an education. She put my brother and me first, even if that meant denying herself the opportunity to get the education she dreamt of getting here when she immigrated here. Despite all the odds against her- being an immigrant, facing the loss of her husband, raising two kids, in a foreign country, and sometimes barely scraping by-she made it. I am destined for greatness, but I would've never known what greatness is if it weren’t for her. Similarly, I enjoy pushing myself, I've always taken advanced classes, involved myself in multiple extracurriculars, and served countless community hours. My father passed before finishing his associates at a local community college. This has inspired me to reach the goals that both my mother and my father never had the opportunity to. I want to graduate from the school my father aspired to later attend, in honor of his memory, and achieve the American dream my mother came here for. Given the opportunity, I will continue my parent's legacy of determination. Being awarded this scholarship will be an answered prayer and something that is celebrated by everyone back at home.

From the very beginning of my educational career I have had an insatiable thirst for knowledge that made going to school something I always looked forward to. That is until it came time for middle school. As course materials became more complex it became difficult for me to keep up with the other students. The countless hours I was spending at home attempting to study and in tutorials were no use. My struggles with hyperactivity, my difficulty focusing, and forgetfulness were holding my education back. I couldn’t understand why I felt like I was working twice as hard in comparison to others. My classmates began to severely bully me and I was considered an outcast. I was labeled as stupid, no one wanted to do group projects with me, and I was told that I was never going to make it to high school. I expressed this sense of hopelessness to my mom and she decided it was time to take action. She took me to a doctor and they explained that I had a learning disability called Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. This confirmed what I had been told all along. I was different. At first it was hard to hear but I refused to believe that my diagnosis was going to limit what was to become of my future. I knew deep down I was created to be much more than my disorder, so I started to research it. I quickly realized that I wasn’t alone. Many successful and prominent figures throughout history such as Steve Jobs, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Gates have all dealt with the challenges that come with ADHD. Seeing that success was still a possibility through their stories gave me the motivation to find ways to overcome the disability. I came to the conclusion that phones play a big role in distracting me. So to combat this I started shutting my phone off in class or when I studied. I realized I was much more likely to stay engaged in lectures, if I sat in the front of class. I also found that typing notes on a computer wasn’t as effective in battling my forgetfulness. Rather, using pencil and paper forced my brain's muscle memory to come into play, and when it came time to put my memory to the test I saw much better results. Creating a written plan or set list of questions before going to a tutorial or meeting was also beneficial to my learning. To create structure for myself, I use a planner and it has been vital to staying organized. There's no quick fix to ADHD but using these strategies have helped me manage it, foster great habits, and excel in school. I no longer label myself as a victim of my disorder, but rather an overcomer of it. Having a disorder like this, does not make me any less intelligent or capable. Working around this obstacle has helped me develop perseverance and has made every moment of success so much more rewarding. Having ADHD allows me to see the world and recognize the beauty that exists in the differences that everyone has. Topics of disabilities can be quite taboo but they don’t have to be. I plan on continuing to share my story to educate others on this neurological condition and the value behind diversity, so I can empower people who may also be experiencing what I have.