“Love the moment. Flowers grow out of dark moments. Therefore, each moment is vital. It affects the whole. Life is a succession of such moments and to live each, is to succeed.” -Corita Kent During the pandemic, my mom was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer. That day, it felt like my whole world fell apart. I felt so lost and confused about how my life was going to change in the next few months. Now I was not only living in fear of Covid but also worrying about taking care of my mom and help her combat for her life. At that moment, emphasis was now put on her health and all her plans for the new year were put on hold. During those months in treatment, I saw her suffer through everything she went through. The lymphoma was on the back of her knee, so it affected her mobility, making her bed-bound for most of the time. Bandaging the wound was not only very hard but extremely painful since it was in an uncomfortable place and it would burn when not placed right. Though she didn’t have to go through chemo, the radiation did affect her tremendously. She wasn’t the same person after treatment. Her energy levels would drop to the point that she couldn’t get up out of bed or do anything for herself. Though it was tough adversity to fight against, it taught me a valuable lesson. It taught me to live my life at the moment and no matter what, look for the positive in everything. If we look for positivity and gain that outlook in life, it will bring the best out of us in our worst moments. Even though I hit rock bottom, that mindset let me support and love my mom when she needed it the most. The quote above from Corita Kent had always resonated with me, but it wasn’t until now that I realized how powerful and true that statement is. One thing my mom told me during her treatment was not to give up on my dreams even though we were going through something difficult. She would keep encouraging me to continue even when I felt because of the situation. Because of that positive attitude, I am now trying to accomplish my bachelor's in computer engineering. One of my career goals would be to become a senior computer engineer or computer hardware engineer. I know that this new lesson will let me become who I want to become and live my life to the fullest potential. She has taught me so much and I want to make her proud of me and my accomplishments because she means the world to me.

Never judge a book by its cover. That is one of the oldest sayings from the book, but in reality, it's one of the truest. I am a first-generation Latina here in the US, raised by two loving and hardworking Latin parents. However, at first glance, I don’t appear to be a person of color. You wouldn’t expect my family members to be darker than me. Though I look very different from my family members, it doesn't mean it makes me less of a Latinx person. I know what it feels like to be called whitewashed or too "ethnic" in certain groups, yet I never let that stop me from loving everyone from every race. Allyship is something that we should all inculcate within ourselves and others around us; to become more united in the world Unfortunately, people who don’t fit the typical “mold” of today tend to be discriminated against. When I was in elementary school, some of the kids didn't want to play with me because I didn't know English. The true barrier wasn't language, rather the difference between me and my peers. So, from a young age, I knew that I was not like everyone else and I felt like I needed to change to fit in. Fortunately, I have seen that I can be my true self without anyone's approval or opinion of me. The school I went to was predominantly white and only a few kids of color were in my classes. There was another Latin girl in my school and she was being bullied for the color of her skin. I remember people wouldn't want to be with her because of how she looked. None of the teachers would do anything and she was left to fend for herself. I was the only one that would include her in activities and she became my only friend. She would defend me when the kids would make fun of my accent and I'd have her back when others would mess with her. She taught me not to care what others thought and to keep my head high. She made me embrace who I am and what I stand for. Differences don’t make us inhuman. That experience not only taught me to not care about other people's opinions but to also see more than the outer appearance. No matter what they look like, where they're from, or how they speak, they can be the most beautiful person on the inside. This is something that I will always remember throughout my life. Our lives as a minority group aren't easy. We have to work hard for what we have and need. Nevertheless, if we work hard to see others outside of their race and educate ourselves, we can help to make an impact on our world's unity. That is why I don't want to only use my degree to make a change in the world, but to also help other little girls to see that they can accomplish anything.

Technology is always growing, changing, and evolving, letting us explore our imagination. If we mold ourselves along with technology, we can find a way to do anything. This also helps us in our careers to keep trying to progress higher and make an impact on the world. One of my favorite technologies that have been invented recently is the 3D printer. This is one of the most useful things in the world. Today, you can now have an idea, a picture, or a sketch of something and make it real. The machine allows you to create art, products, and even food, letting our imagination run wild. There are so many examples of how the printer has allowed us to create and give more. One way is that now car companies are using them to make parts faster and assembly lines more productive. This allows the demand for certain models to become more available to people. Today, many doctors are now using it for people with disabilities and people that don't have limbs, making new prosthetics that are more comfortable and with more moving pieces. These doctors also make organs for people needing transplants that are not available to them or are in high demand. Also, many architects are using 3D printers for construction projects to make the process easier and faster. And finally, something that is now in style is 3D printed décor, furniture, and clothing for everyday use. Along with positives, there are negatives when it comes down to this amazing machine. One negative is that if given in the wrong hands, it can cause a lot of damage if the person creates a weapon and uses it with the wrong intentions. That is why I agree that we should not only put a restriction on the public but also educate those using the printer. If we put unity in perspective, anyone and everyone will be able to enjoy this wonderful provision. The reason why it's one of my favorite things invented is that it's such a versatile and useful instrument in the STEM world since you need different parts for everything that you do. The printer makes it easier for us to get the items we need and makes our jobs easier in general. As an aspiring computer engineer, it is a great help when you make the parts you need in front of your own eyes. The 3D printer is something that can help us grow in our careers and challenge us to think big. That alone motives me to be more determined in my studies. My hope is that with my education, I can make a positive impact in day to day to life of others.

"Our mind is a powerful tool, but how will you use it if you don't have stability?" These words live vividly in my mind. My mom had found me bawling in my room, trying on a dress that made me feel so disgusting. That was the moment she helped me realize I was dealing with something more than just low self-esteem. I found out that I have severe BDD ( body dysmorphic disorder) and anxiety. Not many people know what BDD is, but it is a disorder that affects the way you see and perceive yourself as a person and your body. You are constantly thinking about your body and if others around you see it the way you see yourself. This disorder takes away the joy in your life without you even knowing. In the mirror, you can only point out your flaws and imperfections. In your mind, you will never be satisfied even if you are at your ideal place or the perfect beauty. Internally, you always have something to change, improve, or perfect. I would go through this process every single day of my life, with the little voice inside telling me, " You're so ugly " or "You're so worthless." Those words would make me suffer in a way that it felt like bullets were piercing through my heart. Sometimes, I would belittle myself to the point that I would break down crying, hating myself and my body. Fortunately, with the support of my family and help from a therapist, I've learned to manage my problems better and be more mentally stable. This experience has taught me that it's okay to look for help when our mental health is declining. If you don't do it now, it can spiral into something even worse. Also, you are not the only one dealing with these problems. There are so many people in this world in the same position as you. Just don't give up on yourself. Do it for you.