I firmly believe I have satisfied my obligations as a leader, scholar and rising member in my community. I have demonstrated my leadership through my dedication and hardwork in basketball and have learned to be part of a team while playing volleyball and soccer. Basketball has taught me how to be a leader due to being appointed Captain of both my middle school and high school team. I play as a point guard which means I have the responsibility to know and understand the consequences of missing a play. I strive to be seen as a role model for the rest of the team and serve as motivation, taking it upon myself to understand my teammates and taking initiative for the betterment of the team. Being the one who makes decisions for the team and understanding that mistakes happen and not allowing them to happen again, while keeping the heads of my teammates high has allowed me to grow in a maturity that most aren't capable of handling. Additionally, I have been part of a volleyball and soccer team where I was not team captain. These experiences have allowed me to be on both ends of a spectrum and understand you are not always needed to be a leader to be an important asset to a team. At the end of my freshman year I was able to maintain a GPA of 4.65 while handling multiple sports and taking multiple advanced and honors classes. As a sophomore in highschool I took ONRAMPS precalculus, which is generally a senior math course, along with multiple advanced placement courses, as I continued doing for the rest of my highschool path. Although I am a natural athlete entering a sport as an inexperienced player, especially at the varsity level, I came to practice every day ready to learn and would even stay after practice to ask what to improve on. I never let the responsibility of being captain the team get to my head, as she gave maximum effort every practice and every game (no matter the score). Unfortunately, I suffered a season ending injury midway through the season, but even that did not stop me from attending practices, games, and constantly attempting to assure the team that she will be ready to play again soon. The reason I speak on my dedication and passion is simply because this is who I am, no matter the situation or task she is seeking to accomplish. I will always commit fully in order to achieve the best possible outcome. I'm eager to learn and will always ask questions to further my understanding about something I know am struggling with. This also speaks to my self-awareness and willingness to take learning upon myself instead of waiting for the subject matter to be covered. I am a student-athlete, where student comes first. I was always at school early where one could find me reading, double checking homework, or getting a head start on some homework due later in the week. When we would have late practice I would complete school work in-between the time when the school day ended and practice time began.

My mother would usually recite the statement, "Ya mero Mija". My parents began the visa renovation process to accompany the hardships that life would bring when coming to unrecognized soil. They thought the process would last a couple of months. However, it was evident that my nightmare wouldn't be over when the government hadn't processed their visas in a year. One year turned into two and then plenty. My parents' loss of crossing the international border prolonged the agony of studying here in the United States. I had to start exploring the world all on my own. My life had begun to change. Every morning I would sprint across the freezing floor to stop my alarm and begin the difficult day once more.My father would drop me off “en el Puente” on his way to work in the maquiladoras at four in the morning. For the rest of the day, I was on my own. I would depart from the known soil of Mexico to the United States the moment I proved U.S. citizenship at the border. I would ride the public Bus to school, constantly worrying that I wouldn't miss the right stop. My peers constantly would say, "WOW!" "Pobrecita, Let us know if you need anything." I would stare back with a fake smile plastered on my face, "Aww, I'm good. Thank you" Although deep down inside, I knew I was a cardboard cake. Presented with pretty and lavish frosting on the outside, covering up the hard and hollow feelings I had within. The frosting, however, was good enough to keep others from trying to figure out the flavor of the cake. I usually felt oppressed to share my feelings because imposter syndrome would kick in. How could I, a Mexican girl, blend into American culture? Basketball was my answer. My first high school district home game was coming up, and I called my mom for her to give me la bendicion. During the call, I asked her if she had any updates on her Visa, and the answer was, "Ya mero Mija." Once, my teammate asked me where my family was, and all I said was they were coming soon, "ya mero." That moment was when I knew I had to find a support system here in the U.S. I began forming friendships with my school friends, coaches, and counselors. They offered rides to el Puente, went to dinners, and invited me to events this made me feel comfortable. They became my American family. On December ninth, minutes before my basketball game began, I received a call from my mom. I answered with a quivering voice when I suddenly heard a burst of excitement. "ALEXA APPROVARON NUESTRAS VISAS." That moment changed my perspective on how finding my way through life independently had a positive outcome. The long wait of being alone in cold winters, basketball games, and bus rides was finally over. The "Ya Mero" had ended. Now, my Parents and I have a home in El Paso, making it much easier to attend school and extracurricular events. However, the most rewarding outcome has been being able to see my parents. Reflecting on the moments I was on my own, it has become evident that the experiences have helped me grow my personality. I learned to be patient and not always dwell on situations out of my control. Instead, I focus on what I can control and lead those events with pride and leadership. I found my independent side and will carry it with me through whatever is next in life

Be ambitious. I remember being in Second Grade and my teacher had asked what we wanted to be when we grew up. I cannot tell you what I answered at seven years old but I do remember her repeatedly saying “Be ambitious”. Not only did we not understand what that word meant at seven, but we also didn't know that there was so much more than being a doctor or a teacher. Now I do. As a biomedical engineer I will be able to undertsand devices such as prosthetics and machines that can enhance physical therapy as we know it today. I want to strengthen both the engineering and therapy industries. With this being said, I desire to hold a much bigger impact in a person's life than through a machine they may need or a limb they are missing. I want to be able to follow through with it. I aspire to become a physical therapist that can implement her designs into her work with patients. Not only do I want to design and build the prosthetic but I want to be able to work with the patient and help them learn how to use this prosthetic. Last winter, I suffered from a meniscus injury which required a lot of physical therapy. There was only one facility that would accommodate the necessities I had and upon finding this out, I learned about the different types of therapy. I was amazed at all the different fields and I knew that's what I wanted. This place helped hundreds of people like me, looking for a rehabilitation center specific to their needs, and like me they are eternally grateful for its existence. This experience helped me create a long term goal for my life. I want to open up a rehabilitation facility or campus that can accommodate multiple types of disabilities and can provide them with the therapy they need. Moreso, I want it to be a technologically advanced campus, incorporating onsite prosthetic services. I want to be knowledgeable in running a business and building a safe space for people struggling physically. With a pathway geared in business management I would be able to have the credentials to follow this goal I have set in a wise manner. By pursuing a double major I will be able to join the teachings of both disciplines in order to improve the life of another person.

The adrenaline rush, the sound of the buzzer going off, and my best friends cheering me on from the stands are a few of the reasons basketball holds such a special place in my heart. Being active in extracurriculars is part of who I am, and basketball has held the number one spot on my priority list helping to manage my mental health and find my identity. It allows me to escape who others want me to be and step into who I really am. Playing basketball is how I cope with my mental health. Studies prove the positive effects of exercise on mental health, but my treatment goes well beyond that. The joy and freedom I feel when the ball goes through the hoop, or hearing my best friends and family shout my name when I am doubting myself makes me forget any intrusive thoughts and eases the pit in my stomach. I am now certain of my ability to lead my team despite my size. I am 5’2” and I’m not just pretty petite; I am petite. I do not have what one would consider a basketball physique; nevertheless the idea of November and Basketball season approaching gets my heart racing. My parents have held certain expectations for who they wanted me to become. It took two years before they watched me play basketball.When they finally came, I had already fallen too deep for a sport that society and my culture says I’m not meant to play. It was the first time I didn’t have to adapt to their ideals and they had to adapt to mine. On the court I am a 6 foot roadrunner and nobody can tell me the contrary. Basketball taught me identity. Even when the cards were stacked against me because of my height and a culture that stresses soccer, I stayed true to my heart and identity, making Basketball more meaningful to me than it just a sport. It was the first time that I stood up for my desires, which now defines my attitude toward my future and my aspirations. Basketball has shown me the truth about myself and has brought out my strength to persevere even when everyone doubted me. Yes. I am 5'2" making me the shortest on the team. But I am 5'2" with the biggest heart and now Captain of my team. Moreover I have always wanted to be of service to others. I looked into a doctorate in Physical Therapy because of the impact it left on me after I was treated to overcome a serious injury. But my interest in Engineering ultimately came from one encounter with my cousin where he showed ways of improving people’s lives through cheap and affordable 3D printed prosthetics. Soon thereafter making the decision to begin my pathway into STEM, I began getting involved in courses and extracurriculars having to do with engineering. I joined my school's robotics team and began taking Digital Electronics simultaneously. Both these experiences were difficult to comprehend but equally as fun to get through. I joined three of my best friends’ team and with their experience and my enthusiasm to learn, we found ourselves being successful and we even ended up qualifying to regionals our first year! I am fortunate enough to be in a STEM focused school where courses like digital electronics are offered and allow me to explore my interests and get a feel for the career. I will admit the class has been challenging; the fulfillment and satisfaction one receives once you understand the topic does not compare.

I remember telling myself that regardless of what I would choose to be as a professional I wanted to be of service to others. I looked into a doctorate in Physical Therapy because of the impact it left on me after I was treated to overcome a serious injury. But my interest in Engineering ultimately came from one encounter with my cousin where he showed ways of improving people’s lives through cheap and affordable 3D printed prosthetics. Soon thereafter making the decision to begin my pathway into STEM, I began getting involved in courses and extracurriculars having to do with engineering. I joined my school's robotics team and began taking Digital Electronics simultaneously. Both these experiences were difficult to comprehend but equally as fun to get through. I joined three of my best friends’ team and with their experience and my enthusiasm to learn, we found ourselves being successful and we even ended up qualifying to regionals our first year! I am fortunate enough to be in a STEM focused school where courses like digital electronics are offered and allow me to explore my interests and get a feel for the career. I will admit the class has been challenging; the fulfillment and satisfaction one receives once you understand the topic does not compare. This year has been filled with timeless growth. I have learned how to apply the design process to an idea and take an idea and create a working prototype which not only serves its purpose but I can fully explain and have documentation on. Moreover, the technical skills I learned from working in this robot are some that I will definitely be using to elevate current prosthetic designs. Who knows, wiring bionic limbs does not seem too far fetched now.