I am a first-generation Hispanic college student pursuing a degree in Public Health with the goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the barriers my family faced when accessing healthcare, language differences, cultural stigma around medical discussions, and limited resources for preventive care. My grandmother struggles with depression, and, at times, has expressed not wanting to live. I have learned how vital it is to listen, to provide support, and advocate for her when she feels overwhelmed, even if I cannot take away her pain. These experiences shaped my values of empathy, advocacy, and equity, and inspired my passion for human health and wellness. In the fall of 2024, I experienced a breast cancer scare that left me anxious and uncertain about my health. Sharing my story with my Kappa Delta Chi sisters has sparked meaningful conversations and inspired action. One sister collaborated with this year's risk manager to organize an internal event about breast cancer awareness in partnership with Planned Parenthood, aligned with our sorority's philanthropy through the Rose Foundation. To me, empathy means understanding and connecting with another person's feelings, perspectives, and needs. In healthcare, empathy is essential because patients are not just cases, they are people navigating vulnerable and often frightening situations. Nurses, who frequently spend the most time with patients, have the unique opportunity to notice emotional cues, validate concerns, and adapt care to each patient's situation. An empathetic nurse recognizes when a patient is afraid to ask questions or lacks knowledge due to language or cultural barriers and works to ensure that their voice is heard. My experiences have taught me the impact of empathy. During my own healthcare, support from friends who listened, reassured, and guided me made a profound difference. Similarly, caring for my grandmother has strengthened my ability to be present in moments of emotional distress, demonstrating that compassion is not always about fixing a problem but about being understanding and offering support. A human-centered approach to healthcare means putting the patient's perspective first. It requires cultural sensitivity, accessible communication, and shared decision making that empowers patients to participate in their own care. In my future career practice, I will prioritize these principles by explaining information clearly, collaborating with interpreters when needed, and ensuring patients feel respected and valued. I want my patients to know they are seen as people, not just as medical charts or conditions. Empathy is not only morally important, it improves outcomes. Patients who feel understood are more likely to communicate openly, adhere to treatment plans, and trust healthcare providers. By combining clinical skill with emotional presence, I aspire to provide care that heals not only the body but also restores dignity and hope. My breast cancer scare and my grandmother's challenges have all prepared me to lead with empathy and to practice healthcare through a human-centered lens.

Breast health education is deeply important to me because of my own experience with a breast cancer scare during the fall semester of 2024. The uncertainty and fear I felt in those moments opened my eyes to how many people go through similar situations, often without the resources, knowledge, or support they need. When I shared my scare with my class sisters of my sorority, it sparked an important conversation. This year's risk manager was inspired by my story she decided to plan an educational event with Planned Parenthood to raise awareness about breast health, early detection, and available resources. This event, scheduled for the upcoming fall semester, will provide vital information to our community, especially to those who may not have access to regular screenings or sensitive care. This cause is especially meaningful to Kappa Delta Chi because our philanthropy is connected to the Rose Foundation, an organization dedicated to breast cancer awareness and support. By combining my personal story with our sorority's mission, we are making this event more than just an informational session; it's a personal and emotional call to action for all parties involved. We want attendees to leave with knowledge about symptoms, screening guidelines, and local resources, but also with the confidence to advocate for themselves and their loved ones. As a Hispanic woman pursuing a degree in Public Health and hopefully a career in nursing, I am dedicated to making breast health education more accessible in underserved communities. I want to ensure that individuals feel empowered to advocate for their health, recognize early warning signs, and seek care without fear. My future career goals are centered around education, prevention, and advocacy. I see myself working in women's health and community health programs where I can deliver sensitive care and break down language and accessibility barriers. In my future career, I plan to not only treat patients but also teach them, making sure they understand their bodies, their health risks, and their rights to quality care. I believe that education is one of the most powerful forms of preventative medicine, and I intend to make it a central part of my career. Breast health education is not just about disease prevention; it is about empowerment. It is about equipping people with the tools and knowledge to take charge of their health. It is breaking the silence around topics that are too often ignored until it is too late. The upcoming breast cancer awareness event within my sorority is just the beginning of my lifelong commitment to this cause. By sharing my scare, I have learned the power of vulnerability in inspiring action. If telling my story encourages even one person to get screened earlier or recognize a warning sign, it will be worth it. Annie Pringle's Legacy as a breast health advocate and educator resonates deeply with me because she understood the importance of community support and accessible education. Just like she did, I want to combine my knowledge, compassion, and personal experience to uplift and guide otherees facing breast health concerns. Her life's work shows that one person can inspire a ripple effect of awareness and care, and I aspire to do the same in my own career. Ultimately my goal is to ensure that no one faces the same fear and confusion I once felt during my own scare without guidance, education, and support. Whether it's through my future career, my involvement in community events, or my advocacy within minority populations, I plan to keep pushing for accessible breast health education. I want people to know the signs, understand the risks, and feel empowered to seek help because education can save lives and every life is worth saving.

I am a first-generation university student, a Hispanic woman of Mexican descent, and a passionate advocate for mental health and equitable healthcare. My interest in mental health stems from both personal and community experiences, and it has guided my academic journey as I pursue a degree in Public Health with the goal of entering nursing. I am deeply committed to advancing mental health awareness, supporting trauma-informed care, and promoting diversity in clinical practice and research. My passion for mental health stems from deeply personal experiences, particularly with my grandmother. She has battled depression for years, made worse by chronic illnesses that have stripped away much of her independence. At her lowest points, she has even expressed a wish to die because of how sick she felt. Yet, she is still alive to this day, living proof of resilience despite hardship. I vividly remember going into her room to help her sit up because she could not on her own. Sometimes, she would cry into my arms, asking why she had to be so sick that she couldn't bathe herself, cook, walk, or even turn in bed to plug in her phone. Witnessing her pain opened my eyes to the deep connection between physical illness and mental illness and how hopelessness can grow when care systems fail to meet a person's needs, especially in communities with limited access to resources. Growing up in a bilingual household, I saw firsthand how cultural and linguistic barriers in healthcare left patients like my grandmother at a disadvantage. Many providers she encountered did not speak Spanish, and the lack of interpreters meant she often didn't understand her diagnoses or treatment plans, whether it be for her physical or mental health. These experiences made me realize that effective mental health care must go beyond diagnosis and medication. It must be built on trust, communication, and cultural understanding. My own experiences as a survivor of sexual assault further deepened my commitment to mental health advocacy. I know firsthand the impact of trauma and the difference it makes when professionals approach care with empathy and understanding. At the University of Houston, I have pursued opportunities to serve others through Kappa Delta Chi Sorority Incorporated. We organize volunteer events that address community needs, including health awareness campaigns and outreach to underserved populations. Through this work, I have learned how education, resources, and representation can transform lives, particularly for those who have long been overlooked by the healthcare system. My career goals extend beyond providing clinical care. I aim to work with underserved and minority communities to close gaps in mental health access and representation. I want to advocate for the inclusion of underrepresented groups in mental health research, ensuring that treatments are relevant and effective for diverse populations. Mental health advocacy is more than a professional goal for me; it is a personal mission rooted in my family's struggles, my healing, and my community's needs. This scholarship would empower me to continue my education and strengthen my ability to make a meaningful impact in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in mental health and research.

I remember sitting beside my grandmother on her hospital bed, holding her hand as the nurse placed a small cup of pills in front of her. The nurse mentioned what the medication was for only after I asked, then left quickly. My grandma leaned toward me and whispered that she didn't know what she was taking. She was feeling unusually sleepy throughout the day, and when we went to visit her, she was either constantly asleep or drowsy. My grandmother spoke only Spanish, and in that moment, I saw how language and cultural barriers could leave a patient completely in the dark about their care. That experience has stayed with me, igniting a lifelong commitment to ensure that every patient feels informed, respected, and understood, no matter their background. I am a first-generation university student and a Hispanic woman of Mexican descent, currently earning my degree in Public Health at the University of Houston. My vision is to use public health as a tool for change, addressing not only the health of individual patients but also the social, economic, and policy factors that shape the well-being of entire communities. I don't just want to treat illnesses, I want to break the cycles that cause them in the first place. Too many Hispanic families, like my own, face preventable health challenges simply because information, resources, and trust aren't reaching them. My vision is to work directly with underserved communities, bridging the gaps through outreach programs. I want every person to feel seen, understood, and confident in their ability to care for their health, not left in the dark the way my grandmother once was. I envision myself leading initiatives that meet people where they are, bringing healthcare into the heart of communities through mobile clinics, neighborhood health events, and relevant workshops. In places where healthcare access has always felt out of reach, I want to create opportunities for connection, trust, and empowerment. By partnering with local schools, community centers, and other organizations, I can help weave health education into daily life. Not only helping families grow up knowing not only how to prevent illnesses, but also how to confidently navigate the healthcare system. The journey toward this goal has been shaped by perseverance. As a first-generation student, I've had to navigate higher education without a blueprint, balancing my classes with limited work hours as a substitute aide. Even with financial aid, most of my tuition must be paid out of pocket, forcing my parents to rely on credit cards. I carry the weight of their sacrifices with me every day, and it fuels my determination to succeed. The Catrina Celestine Aquilino Memorial Scholarship would not only ease my family's financial burden but also affirm my belief that I can use my education to improve health outcomes for communities across the country. Through a career in public health, I am to bridge cultural gaps, influence policy, and create programs that reduce disparities in the world.

Growing up, my grandma's health struggles had impacted my decision when it came to deciding on my future career, nursing. Having to witness her confusion in the hospital where no staff spoke any Spanish, and if they did, it was significantly poor, had shown me a critical gap in patient care when it came to the Latin community. It wasn't until I had visited her that I could explain to her what each medication was for, which left her shocked as she did not know what any of them hardly were. This emphasized the need for clearer communication in a healthcare setting. This experience has not only fueled my determination to become a nurse who wants to be a bridge, filling in these gaps for language barriers but also to provide compassionate care to patients of diverse backgrounds. I would never want anyone else to feel like my grandmother, to be left in the dark of her care until a family member came around to translate it. I want to be part of a healthcare community that can offer beneficial translation services and ensure that the patients fully understand the treatment plans and instructions they are given. This will not only help improve their health outcome but will also strengthen the trust between healthcare providers and their patients. My grandmother's experience has shown the importance of cultural sensitivity in healthcare. Every patient deserves and needs to be treated with respect and understanding of their own beliefs. I plan on educating myself on different cultures, aiming to create an all-inclusive environment where such diversity is celebrated and integrated into patient care. I am committed to speaking out for the changes in healthcare systemic policies, including the push for better language access in hospitals and clinics. I want to advocate for the availability of translators. These efforts are important in ensuring all patients, no matter what their background is, receive the proper care. My grandma's constant battle with her illnesses and her struggle with understanding some of her medications due to language barriers have shaped me to go towards nursing. I am determined to use my unique skills and empathy to build a system where the differences in languages are no longer a barrier for patients to receive quality care. By encouraging the system to adopt clearer communication skills, cultural understanding, and changes within its policy, I plan on aiming to contribute to an inclusive and empathetic community for proper patient care.

Education is everything to me. College is more than just the next step in my education; it embodies my commitment, my passion, to achieving my dreams and making a difference in healthcare. From an early age, I have always been enthusiastic about school and learning. School has always been, and will continue to be, my first love. I have dedicated countless of hours studying and preparing for my future. Even in eighth grade, when I had gotten pneumonia, I would try to get up and go to school even though I was on mandatory bed rest for the week. For me, college is an important journey, along with personal experiences, it was a time of realization that I want to become a nurse. Nursing is not just a career choice; I believe it is my calling, rooted in compassion and the desire to provide quality healthcare to those who need it the most. The root of my determination and motivation stems from firsthand experience the gaps in our healthcare system, especially for those from diverse backgrounds whose main language is not English. People from these backgrounds face constant barriers in terms when it comes to accessing the proper care, understanding their needs because of language differences. By my need to pursue a nursing career, I want to bridge these gaps, advocate for patients who have previously been neglected by a system that should be used to serve everyone equally. My goal is to be a nurse who is culturally competent, someone who can effectively communicate and care for diverse groups of people. I aim to make it my mission to make sure that every patient, regardless of backgrounds, to ensure they receive compassion and respectful treatment. College is the pathway into acquiring knowledge, skills, and experience that is necessary to me to fulfill my goals. It is not only about obtaining a degree, but to immerse myself in a learning environment surrounding myself with people who are similar to me. This environment nurtures my growth as a learner and future healthcare provider. I am looking forward to my future in whatever setting it takes place in. I dream of being in a clinical setting where I can apply my knowledge to real life situations and work my critical thinking skills for nursing practice. The opportunity of college offers me the chance to expand my knowledge. A safe place where I can engage in conversation with diverse perspectives and build lifelong friendships and connections with those who share my interests. This experience will shape me into a well-rounded person who is capable of doing so much more in both professional and personal sides of life. College is not just a steppingstone; it is the foundation where I will be building my whole future on, relishing in something fulfilling and impactful. This transformative journey will count towards becoming the nurse that I aspire to be. It signifies my dedication to a life full of learning, to serve my community and to stimulate my passion for healthcare.

Leadership comes in many forms; it is not about being outgoing, but showing others that you can lead through actions. As someone who has always been introverted and shy, I have found my own way to lead and understand that leadership is not just vocal, it can be set by leading with a positive influence. Pursuing personal goals with genuine dedication and positive influence. One thing that defines my form of personal leadership is putting my best foot forward and giving it my all. Whether it is in my academic goals, personal endeavors, or relationships, I believe in working hard for success and to achieve excellence. This mindset has helped me so much when it came to my academic goals, graduating high school in 2023 with not just my high school diploma, but with an associate degree. It was not easy at all, I was scared to ask for help because if I did, I would feel weak. I was recognized among my graduating class of 600 plus students for this achievement and it showed me that even my toughest moments where I wanted to give up really showed me that hard work pays off. My family has been a big part of why I strive for success. Despite my shy nature, I want to inspire my younger brothers and show them that with determination, anyone can achieve their goals. Seeing their potential at a young age has really driven me to become a better person and to influence them to do better. I hope my achievements and my support influences them to always aim for the stars and never be afraid to fail. Leadership, to me, is about making decisions when it comes to paving the way for a better future, both for personal growth and within the community. I prioritize education and personal growth because it is something that I have always relied on, especially in my darkest moments. I believe in the power of leading quietly, connecting with others by being genuine and showing respect. Embracing leadership through not only my actions, but my commitment to achieve excellence. I want to strive to empower others, especially my family, as they are my biggest support group, to pursue their own dreams and reach their full potential. The definition of true, genuine, leadership is more than just being outgoing and the loudest, but to adopt a supportive environment where everyone can not only thrive but be guided by the belief that we can all make a positive impact in our own unique way.

If there is one change I could make to our healthcare system, it would be to guarantee that everyone, especially those from different ethnic backgrounds like my grandmother, gets a proper understanding of care in hospitals. My own experience highlights a major problem: the lack of translators offered in hospitals. When my grandma was in the hospital recently, she did not understand what the doctors and nurses were saying about her treatment. While the doctors did try by speaking broken Spanish, I believed it just caused more confusion. Sometimes she did not know what medications they were having her take or know what they were supposed to do. I was there at the time as I was visiting her and translated for her. She was even shocked to find out what type of medicines they were giving her as the nurse before we just got there just placed the medication on her table and said to take it when she was feeling pain. It was not until later when another nurse had come in and when asked, clarified what type of pills they were. Imagine how terrifying that is? To not know what you are being given but having to be under the impression that it is for your health. To deal with this, hospitals need to provide much better language services. It is not only about having someone who speaks the language, but having someone who can understand them and vice versa. Especially when it comes to respecting diverse cultural beliefs within a culture. We also need to change policies to have services offered to everyone, not just those who speak the dominant language in the healthcare setting. With these changes, we can ensure everyone gets the care they not only deserve, but need, no matter where they come from or what their native tongue is. I am very passionate about this because I have seen and witnessed firsthand how much better healthcare could be if everyone was genuinely treated equally and had equal access to healthcare and how to understand it. Pushing for these changes can create a system that truly treats everyone with the respect and the care they deserve and need to be healthy. This change is not only about making sure that healthcare is not confusing, but also about treating everyone with the same care, no matter their background. Together, as a community, we can be helpful and effective when it comes to building a system that works for everyone.

My experience with mental health, deeply influenced by my grandmother's struggles with depression and other illnesses, has profoundly shaped my goals, relationships, and understanding of the world. These experiences have been pivotal in steering me towards a career path in nursing, driven by a desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of those grappling with similar challenges. Growing up close to my grandmother's journey with depression was both enlightening and challenging. I witnessed firsthand the debilitating effects of mental illness on an individual's daily life and their interactions with loved ones. Her experiences taught me empathy, patience, and the importance of unconditional support. It was through her struggles that I realized the critical need for compassionate healthcare professionals who not only treat physical symptoms but also understand and address the complex layers of mental health issues. As I navigated my adolescence and early adulthood, my grandmother's condition became a catalyst for my interest in healthcare. I became increasingly drawn to understanding mental health disorders, their treatment options, and the impact they have on individuals and their families. This curiosity evolved into a deep-seated passion to pursue nursing—a role where I could directly contribute to improving the quality of life for patients facing similar challenges. My goals crystallized around the idea of becoming a nurse specializing in mental health care. I aspire to provide holistic care that encompasses not only physical well-being but also mental and emotional support. This aspiration is rooted in the belief that every individual deserves dignity, respect, and comprehensive care tailored to their unique needs. On a personal level, my grandmother's journey taught me invaluable lessons about resilience and perseverance. It strengthened my resolve to advocate for mental health awareness and destigmatization within my community and beyond. I learned that open dialogue and education are crucial in fostering understanding and empathy towards those affected by mental illness. Furthermore, my relationships with friends and family have been profoundly influenced by my experiences. I have developed a heightened sensitivity to the struggles of others and a commitment to being a supportive presence in their lives. These relationships have underscored the importance of compassion, active listening, and the power of genuine human connection in promoting mental well-being. My journey with mental health, shaped by my grandmother's challenges, has fundamentally altered my worldview and ambitions. It has instilled in me a deep-seated determination to pursue a career in nursing focused on mental health, where I can contribute meaningfully to the lives of individuals and families facing similar difficulties. Through this path, I hope to honor my grandmother's resilience and inspire positive change in the field of healthcare.

Growing up, my grandmother has always been there for me. She has always been my rock, the source of unconditional love and support in everything I do as my parents worked and attended night school to provide a better future for me. It is because of her that I was guided to nursing. My grandmother has gone through constant suffering as I have aged, dealing with diabetes, depression, reoccurring UTIs, and a kidney transplant from one of my aunts. She has impacted my career choice and pushed me forward to pursue a career in nursing. Her battle with her illnesses has become a defining moment in my life, there have been some days when we all thought she wouldn't make it and it ultimately kills me. From a young age, I have seen the various reactions from my family. Some have distanced themselves, unable to come to terms with her condition, while my cousins who were interested in the medical field have dropped out of it altogether because it was hard to see her in such a constant state of pain. I found myself drawn to nursing, to the medical field because of her illness. Her constant overcoming with each visit had become my inspiration, it gave me passion, it encouraged me to do better, to be better. I want to alleviate suffering and be a voice for those who are facing the challenges I am. Nursing is not just a profession; it is a calling. I am rooted in empathy with a desire to make a big impact on the lives of others. I can see myself at my patient's bedside, giving them comfort and support, providing excellent care not only to the patient but to their family as well. With her battle with depression, it is hard on us, some days she talks about wanting to die as she cannot take the pain anymore, and others she wants to move past the pain to see us all grow. As a nurse, I want to aspire to promote mental health awareness as it can be overshadowed by physical pain. I want to apply psychological care into treatment plans, to ensure that every aspect of a patient's health is not overlooked. My decision to pursue nursing is a testament to the strength and resilience of my grandmother, who encourages me to this day to do what I want in my life. She is the heart of my family, someone to look up to. My journey to becoming a nurse is driven to honor my grandmother and her legacy. Her legacy of the unconditional love and support she has provided me since I was just a newborn. Her illness is not a barrier to me, but a beacon of strength, it illuminates my path and inspires me to become the better version of myself. With each step I take, I carry a piece of my grandmother with me, her sorrows, her pain, her happy moments, and her stories. I will transform what I have learned from her into something inspiring, shaping my future to be filled with love, hope, healing, and most importantly, humanity. My goal is to embody hope and empathy for patients, aim to provide compassionate care and support for those who are facing challenges with their health. I want to make a positive impact in healthcare and speak out for the patients' well-being and strive to improve my skills.