Everybody has a voice, and it's the job of a journalist to intensify it. This fall, I intend to transfer to UC Berkeley and major in Media Studies to become a journalist. I want to raise awareness about underrepresented communities by highlighting their experiences, which my education has already allowed me to do. Using my knowledge from journalism courses at my community college, I composed an article about nontraditional (veterans, first-generation, undocumented, and returning) college students emphasizing the inequities they faced. My work’s impact led to greater outreach of campus resources, students' better understanding of each other, and the college's recognition of how these vulnerable populations felt. I desire to continue to give voices to the voiceless because telling their stories of resilience will inspire others. My education will assist me in constructing change through journalism, as I’ll learn reporting techniques that promote transparency and assess the role the media has on contemporary life. I’m confident that having access to faculty, research opportunities, and challenging coursework in Media Studies at UC Berkeley will help me develop further as a journalist, scholar, and social activist. I know my storytelling has a purpose - to make the world more equitable - and my education will be the cornerstone of its effect. At my community college, I’ve kept a 4.0 GPA while participating in clubs, working 20 hours per week at my job, and maintaining my family responsibilities. This semester, I'm starting a new position at a cat shelter as an unpaid social media intern. I've decided to work 10 instead of 20 hours a week at my job so I can focus on my studies and extracurricular activities. Receiving the $1,000 would equal working 63 hours at my job - that is six, 10 hour work weeks I can spend honing my journalistic skills, preparing to transfer to UC Berkeley, and achieving my goals. The funding will also assist in paying my student loans and day-to-day college expenses. Although my parents will cover my tuition, I want to lessen their financial load of sending their two children to college. Both being state workers, California will be experiencing budget cuts this year, which impacts their wages negatively. The scholarship will help me assist my parents in paying off my debt, while also advancing my education to become a journalist and serve marginalized communities. My family obtained graduate or postgraduate degrees from prominent Philippine universities, demonstrating the high regard my family has for education. In the early 2000s, my parents, grandparents, older brother and I immigrated to California in hopes of greener pastures. We weren’t wealthy, but my family worked hard to create a simple and comfortable life. Instead of believing in material wealth, my family believes that knowledge is wealth; possessing intelligence and wisdom is success that can open up countless possibilities. I was always encouraged by my family to dream big and serve others. I was assured I can accomplish anything with education, hard work, and persistence as my foundation. I value education because it leads to personal development. Acquiring knowledge not only provides you with information but also helps you understand yourself. My dedication to giving voices to the voiceless would not have been discovered if not for an education. I find it essential to receive an education not only to honor the sacrifices my family made while immigrating to America but to also change people’s perspectives on the world and its citizens and to deeply learn about a subject I’m passionate about - journalism. With that, I’m determined to find the living books in this world with stories to tell.