user profile avatar

Alvaro Contreras

1,775

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

Bio

My name is Alvaro Zhaid Contreras, I am 18 years old, I am from Tijuana, Mexico and want to study in the field of engineering. I am a strong scholarship candidate because I am destined to return to my community, by funding local sports programs, to have experiences I never had the chance to receive. I am motivated to extend my understanding of this world and better living conditions, for the sake of future generations. I will attend SDSU this fall.

Education

San Diego State University

Bachelor's degree program
2023 - Present
  • Majors:
    • Mechanical Engineering

Southwest Senior High

High School
2019 - 2023

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Architectural Engineering
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Civil Engineering
    • Interior Architecture
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Architecture & Planning

    • Dream career goals:

      Sports

      Cross-Country Running

      Junior Varsity
      2019 – 20212 years

      Awards

      • Most Improved

      Water Polo

      Varsity
      2020 – 20233 years

      Awards

      • Rookie Player of the Year
      • Offensive Player of the Year
      • Senior All Star

      Baseball

      Junior Varsity
      2021 – 20232 years

      Arts

      • School Associated

        Photography
        2019 – 2022

      Public services

      • Volunteering

        School — Vida Verde Helper
        2022 – 2023

      Future Interests

      Volunteering

      Disney Super Fan Scholarship
      To me, Disneyland is a remarkable place with a special place in my heart. Its uniqueness can be ascribed to a variety of elements that came together to supply my family and I an experience we will never forget. The characters give the impression that it is a magical place where you can escape reality and relive your childhood. My favorite activity at Disneyland is to ride all the classic attractions, including Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, and It's a Small World. I have always enjoyed these rides as a child, and even now, at the age of 18, I still yearn to go on It's a Small World because it brings back so many happy memories that I have shared with my loved ones. Mickey Mouse is among the characters that I adore the most for a variety of factors, including his enduring attractiveness, lovable nature, admirable traits, and ability to arouse memories. He is without a doubt one of Disney's most recognizable characters, and he has long been such. I'm talking about how his style is readily recognizable and has shaped popular culture. Mickey Mouse's iconic image has left an indelible impression on the minds of millions of people, from his round ears and welcoming smile to his red shorts and white gloves. The character's distinctive silhouette has come to stand for happiness, and my family and I enjoy that happiness every time we enter Disneyland. Since Mickey Mouse has influenced generations through his tales and escapades, I am not the only one who shares this sentiment. Mickey Mouse's extensive and varied mythology has had a lasting influence on the entertainment industry, from his early days in short films to his appearances in feature films, TV shows, and comic books. The character has assumed many different personas and professions, from a valiant investigator in "Mickey Mouse Detective" to a sorcerer's apprentice in "Fantasia." Mickey Mouse has been portrayed in a variety of ways, allowing fans to relate to him on multiple levels and encouraging them to follow their ambitions and pursue their own passions. The contribution of Mickey Mouse to society cannot be overstated. He is a role model because he exemplifies virtues like bravery, kindness, and perseverance. Mickey Mouse serves as a role model for both kids and adults, who can learn important life lessons from his exploits. Exploits in which I have used to strive for success. Exploits that I have employed in my pursuit of success. Mickey Mouse, like many other renowned personalities, gave me the drive to work toward my goals. To follow my passions, overcome obstacles, and conduct my aims, which may be related to the positive and courageous nature of the character. I find Mickey Mouse motivating because he stands for those who work in creative industries or want to have influence with their jobs highly related to creativity and imagination. Mickey Mouse is an example of the power of imagination because he is the face of Disney, a firm renowned for its imaginative narrative and avant-garde entertainment. He encourages me personally to dream large, think imaginatively, and trust in the wonder of possibilities. Mickey Mouse is the inspiration for me to pursue a field of engineering, in the field of creativity. I've always looked up to him since my childhood as he is much more than a Disney character but a symbol, a symbol of happiness, happiness I want to pursue for my future.
      Ron Johnston Student Athlete Scholarship
      At a young age, I was the only one in the whole family not interested in any sports. Most of us have an inspiration for pursuing a journey, either an icon such as celebrities or even parents. Ever since I was a child, I have always had support from my parents to pursue what I deemed fit, so long as I enjoyed it. So, they played a large portion of my inspiration on my journey, to play sports, and gain new experiences. Of course, I did not enjoy playing the sport of futbol, at first, due to the lack of my ability. However, I gained experience and a perspective about the sport, which is that there is more to it than meets the eye. I gained that sports take dedication and leadership, which made me come to the realization that. Although I enjoyed playing futbol, for a small club in Tijuana, I wanted to do more, I wanted new experiences, and a new perspective. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and join my school sports such as cross country, track and field, water polo, and even baseball. What I gained from each of these sports is that they all have unique traits to succeed, and that is what I truly enjoyed about the sport, all of this, of course, wouldn't have happened if it weren't for the support my parents had couldn’t have done it without the support of that of my father. They inspired me to give a different perceptive on sports, there is so much more within them. From the outside you don’t see the sacrifice the athlete made to be on that pitch, and all the letdowns he’s been through, a bright example of this is Tom Brady and Lebron James, they both made sacrifices within their life to be in the status they are in, which I enjoy considering that all athletes have their own and unique playstyle and stories in how they succeeded, similar to what I want to pursue, and handed to me by the aid of that of my parents. My father is without a doubt the biggest impact on my education, considering that he graduated from SDSU, with a bachelor's a came from a very educated family. My father has always wanted the best for me and my future. I have always admired him since I have been a child, considering that he is the sole provider for our family, he is diligent, responsible, influential, and a caring father. He is the sole reason I am choosing to continue growing my education. He gives me unconditional support that I take for granted.
      D’Andre J. Brown Memorial Scholarship
      Life is not perfect, as you will always be met with challenges, some harder than others, however, some let these challenges slow them down while others learn from them and push toward success. I have personally experienced numerous challenges in my life, however, the one that stood out the most to me was my older brother getting into a life-threatening accident. Even though it has been years after the accident, the thought that my life may have turned out differently still bothers me, and for that, I am incredibly appreciative. The image that stands out the most in my mind is of my brother lying in a hospital bed. I was scared after seeing his wounds and state. Since he has always been there for me since I was a child, my older brother has had a noteworthy influence on my life. He is someone I respect. He is an example of the kind of older brother I hope to be intelligent, considerate, and responsible. He also pursues a career in engineering. As you can probably guess, I was terrified after seeing him and refused to leave my room, continually replaying my brother's condition. As a young child, I was terrified by the number of tubes attached to his body, which allowed him to keep a stable state. Holding back my concern for my brother's condition, I stopped doing my work and began to lag in class. To reassure myself that everything would be okay, I cut myself off from the outside world and lived only in my head. However, this did more harm than good. As my parents began to worry about me, I eventually decided to come out and get therapy. However, since I dislike talking about my thoughts, it was difficult for me to do so. However, when I finally came out, they were able to relate to me and gave me guidance about these assurances. Since then, what they said has served as my motivation to work hard. My father said, "You can't let events throughout your life depict your future, as you will always have good and bad experiences, but if you let them cling on to you, you will be held back from pursuing your dreams and success, so you should view them as the thrive to succeed." He had never given me such stern counsel, so it meant a good deal to me. Since that time, I've used this experience as inspiration to push myself outside of my comfort zone and to build a sense of urgency for success. My work has given me satisfaction, so why not make it valuable because I don't want to live with regrets. I want to give back to my community, and we are almost ready to launch fundraisers for regional sports because I want others to have the same opportunities I did not. Living with regrets is the very last thing I want. My brother is the main inspiration behind my acts, so I hope he notices my accomplishments. While using bad experiences as motivation can work, I also realized how important it is to take care of your mental health. It's crucial to process and recover from negative experiences to avoid feeling overwhelmed or trapped in a vicious cycle of negativity. When help is needed, ask friends, family, or professionals for advice. Also, remember to balance taking care of yourself with using unpleasant experiences as motivation. Be assured that my brother is doing well and has been discharged from the hospital.
      Maverick Grill and Saloon Scholarship
      We gain more knowledge from our mistakes than from our victories. In addition to learning what doesn't work so that we may improve our subsequent attempts, this process teaches us about ourselves and fosters a little bit of empathy for those who may be experiencing similar difficulties. I believe my lack of failure-related fear makes me unique. In fact, I believe it to be a crucial step in the successful experimental process. As businesspeople and as individuals, failure helps us advance. It develops grit, toughness, resilience, and business acumen. It is a potent tool concealed in a challenging lesson that, if we let it, will inspire us to succeed. The issue is that far too many people give up too soon and are never able to realize their dreams. I don’t let failure cripple me, rather I let it teach me Working as a volunteer at my local school, I feel like our educational system has left educators overworked, anxious, and disillusioned, and they require assistance within my community. Too many parents and community people believe it is someone else's responsibility to tackle the challenges of education, despite the fact that it is well known that schools function best when the community is actively involved. Children require adults who care about their lives and behavior as well as role models. I want my services to be recognized and valued, whether I spend a Saturday sprucing up the school grounds, chaperon field excursions, supervise outdoor activities, or read stories to elementary school pupils. Additionally, I can put money into a future-paying investment, not only in education but also in sports. Throughout my time in high school and at the local schools, I have observed a lack of money for sports, particularly for equipment. I want to provide my community the opportunity to enjoy sports in a way that I have never done. The right approach to volunteer would be to look for a chance to put your special abilities and skills to use on a cause that matters to you. You can significantly improve your community whether you volunteer your IT capabilities, your organizational skills, and even your interpersonal communication skills. Every now and then, a helping hand is needed. Often, it is our communities that help us through difficult times. Now it is our turn to help those in need. I wouldnt just be benefiting my community but It will also help me improve my life, make me more comfortable with my neighborhood, and introduce me to concepts and individuals who will have a positive lifelong influence on my outlook. I have the chance to develop personally by giving back to my community and learning more about how you fit into the world. The ability of community to combat despondency and provide us with the assurance that we are protected while surrounded by our community is, in fact, one of the primary reasons for the necessity of community. Additionally, the advantages are reciprocal because helping others also provides us a boost. Being a part of a larger whole is so fundamental to the human experience that it can even help give our lives purpose. We realize that we are not alone and feel valued when we find people who share our beliefs, interests, and worldviews. Indeed, belonging emphasizes the importance of community since it strengthens our sense of self and enables us to deal with difficult situations and emotions.
      Big Picture Scholarship
      Happiness is a peculiar emotion. You can't really put a unit on happiness, but you can sense it nonetheless. Your loved ones can partake in your happiness, and you usually end up making them happier as a result. Whenever we achieve something, we feel happy, but the next day, we wake up wanting more. Our definitions of happiness are unique, but they tend to change every now and then. Very few people attain true and total happiness, and it's okay to not be one of them. The story of family, tenacity, and never giving up on a desire is the subject of "Pursuit of Happiness," which is both incredibly warm and above all, very inspirational. The "Pursuit of Happiness" is among the most impactful movie I've ever seen. There are a lot of things in this movie that I uncovered such as how despite numerous setbacks and attempts to destroy hope, a person who perseveres can eventually rise to the heights he has dreamed of. No matter how smart you are, it also shows that there is no substitute for hard effort. It demonstrated to me that no matter how smart you are, there is no alternative for hard effort. Additionally, willpower occasionally triumphs over intelligence. I learned to never lose heart for your family; they are your everything, true love will be put to the test in difficult situations, not in happy ones. The main one was to set a goal and stick with it until you achieve it. This film had the biggest impact in my life, it changed my mindset, being that success is mostly dependent on perseverance, which is the ongoing attempt to do or achieve anything in the face of obstacles, setbacks, or opposition. The key is making every attempt to get back up after being knocked down by life and not giving up. You're interested in that position? To gain the job, follow up with people, meet new people, and learn something new, you must take every available step. This story is about family, love, hopes, and goals is magnificent, extremely emotional, and inspirational. It depicts a man searching for happiness, which eludes him despite his best efforts to discover a better tomorrow. It is a profoundly transformative film that taught me to cherish each and every second of life. It helped me understand that dreams are possible if you put in the necessary effort to achieve them, even when everything else seems impossible. The pursuit of your pleasant interests is what matters most in the end.
      Craig Norrbom Baseball Scholarship
      In comparison to other sports I played, my baseball team stood out to me because of how much fun we had and how closely we bonded. At first, I was distanced from everyone, but as the season went on, the more I warmed to my teammates. My passion for baseball began while I was in quarantine and had nothing to do but watch whatever was on. My dad is an avid Dodgers fan, so I watched with him. It fascinated me how much time these athletes put into the game. I attended the weekly practices of my school team that year because I wanted to give baseball a try and I like to try new things. At first, I didn't enjoy it because I wouldn't talk to anyone, but over the course of the weekends, I would practice in my spare time, which grew my interest and dedication to try out for the team. For me, baseball is a sport that requires time and commitment—but only if you want to be good. Baseball is a sport that stands out from the rest since records are created and broken every season. Baseball is a sport where history is constantly being made, and you get to be a part of it. Fans of baseball are the most unbelievably devoted fans ever. Some teams have never won a championship, but their supporters still support them. This exhibits genuine passion for your team and for the game before the Boston Red Sox started experiencing success. Baseball has a unique history, which includes: The sport of baseball supports and reflects many facets of American life, from culture to economics and technological advancements, from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement and all points in between and beyond. Movements are sparked by it, and it also instills pride and even cures cities. Jackie Robinson is my favorite player, even though I never got to see him play. His story inspires me because he overcame all obstacles in his path to a baseball career, showing that if he can do it, so can we all. He also had a significant impact on the African American community through his work both on and off the field. Given that I am surrounded by family who were born and bred in Los Angeles, the Dodgers are my favorite team. Although I play first base, the position of pitcher is my favorite because I believe it has a significant impact on how well your team performs. Pitchers, in my opinion, are crucial to success since, without good aim, the game wouldn't be as interesting as it should be. It requires enthusiasm to play baseball.
      Healthy Eating Scholarship
      I didn't like eating my greens as a child, as other kids would attest, especially since my parents made me, so I just didn't. As I became older, I realized how easy it was for me to get away with eating candy and fast food. When I heard I had pre-diabetes, I was understandably terrified because I had never before received a diagnosis. However, I understood right away that my terrible diet was to blame, so I set out to improve it. I started substituting more greens for my favorite foods in my morning, lunch, and dinner, which mostly consisted of broccoli. Because they are easier to find, unhealthy foods are more frequently consumed by humans. Everything is a mind game, so it all has to do with our brains. People typically don't want to eat healthy foods because it would be too difficult to give up the foods they enjoy. However, you don't have to give up your habits in order to be healthy; you can achieve this by eating your favorite foods in moderation and serving your greens as your desert. Numerous studies have demonstrated that include fruits and/or vegetables in our diets can help keep our bodies healthy, including our bones, muscles, and brains. Maintaining a healthy eating routine is crucial because it provides protection against a number of chronic, noncommunicable diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. After making dietary changes, I discovered that my mood improved since I felt better about my physique and had grown stronger. When I stop eating healthy foods throughout the day and am about to fall asleep, I get the urge to get up and eat the nearest healthy food I can find. I have the mentality that I must finish the day with at least a fruit or two in my stomach. This feeling is similar to when you put your all into a workout and feel accomplished as a result; that is exactly how it felt for me. Another thing that has made a significant impact for me is that I am much more focused in class in the mornings, which is surprising to me because I'm not much of a morning person. Although some people may find it challenging to maintain a healthy eating routine, we should focus more on the positives than the drawbacks, such as having to give up some of your favorite meals. Our top focus is maintaining our health.