Joining the military is a profound commitment that I believe embodies my core values while extending beyond personal ambition. For me, serving in the military embodies the ultimate act of putting other's needs before my own. Military service represents the uttermost sacrifice and dedication. It is giving yourself up and willingly facing extreme hardships and dangers to safeguard the liberties, values, and lives we cherish. This should not be something given to you but something earned and defended. As many people poach the very thing others are laying their lives down for. I see this as unfair and cruel that these various people believe they deserve the liberty of living in a world of freedom. This act of service is not only about defending from external threats but also upholding the very principles used to get where we are today which include democracy, justice, and human rights. By being part of something greater than oneself, and contributing to the legacy of what our ancestors built, we then will have earned the right to freedom and peace. There will be times to protect our country which is a responsibility that comes with immense honor and gravity. Being there to bring light upon our nation's sovereignty by acting as a sentinel, ensuring that the sacrifices of others were not in vain. I feel that many people have lost the very values that define us as a nation and why so many come to the US for refuge. I want to deepen my connection in this field to ensure that we as a country do not make the mistake of losing our nation's dignity through our own foolishness. My motivation to join the military is rooted in my personal beliefs, a profound sense of duty, and a desire to give back to those who are willing to sacrifice so much knowing that many will not even bat an eye toward them. I also want to give back for the opportunities and freedoms that I have been blessed with through this country. I have been inspired by many stories, movies, and conversations of valor and dedication by our service members. Their courage and resilience in the face of adversity serve as a beacon, guiding me along the same path they have chosen. Moreover, the military offers unique ways for growth and personal development. From rigorous training, discipline, and camaraderie fostered within the forces create everlasting bonds that are unparalleled anywhere else bonds are made. Not only does it offer personal growth but it cultivates leadership, teamwork, and perseverance, which are all qualities that can be used in every aspect of life. I am not set and stone yet on this decision and I want to finish my college degree first and see where I end up then. But I will never overlook the fact of what the military has to offer and it is a viable option that I am looking at when the time comes. I will never forget those who have given everything for this country and the many blessings this country has offered me. Those who serve I could not thank enough for this opportunity of a lifetime. Thank you!

Growing up as a Hispanic student, it has always been a goal to set out for further education. I have faced unique adversities where I feel I have no one to relate to. While looking at what some of my peers receive in support and the resources tailored for first-generation students, I found myself in a challenging spot as I am not a first-generation student. My mother was able to attend college and get her master's degree, which paradoxically disqualified me from many financial aid opportunities designed for first-generation only college students. I would never wish that my mother did not get her degree as I aspire to be like her one day, by being able to endure the hardships I face today and rise on top like my mother has done. This lack of targeted support often makes me feel overlooked and isolated, despite the fact that I face many of the similar challenges of first-generation students. Despite my mother's degree. our family's financial situation did not shift as much and remained modest as she is still in debt trying to pay off school and fend for the rest of the family. We continue to face financial constraints. This reality means that I do not fit the criteria of first-gen support, where I still need significant financial assistance to help cover the ever-rising cost of higher education. The disparity between my needs and the available financial aid has created a challenging and stressful environment as I prepare for my second year. To try and overcome this adversity, I started working in high school my junior year, saving every last penny to put towards school. I should have started working sooner but even then it still would have not been enough to cover the cost. I have also been as resourceful and proactive as I can be by applying for numerous scholarships that were not restricted by first-gen status, often competing in broader and more competitive pools. Last year, my schedule was so demanding that I had 3 or 4 classes each day, along with hours of homework every night, leaving me with no time to rest. This year, I will maintain the same rigorous schedule while also working part-time to make ends meet. This financial challenge shaped me in several ways. It has taught me resilience and the importance of perseverance. I have learned an understanding of financial planning and resource management to navigate this complex ongoing problem. This experience has also given light to the inequalities within the support system available to students. It has given me a passion for advocating for more inclusive financial aid policies that will consider the more diverse and unique realities of all students, not those who fit specific categories. My advice for someone facing the same thing as me is to stay persistent and thorough in seeking out the right opportunities. Do not be discouraged by what lies ahead or by the lack of immediate support. Working part-time will help to alleviate this financial adversity, so seek out jobs that offer flexibility and a constant line of work. Utilize every available resource, from counselors to scholarship databases.

Building my personal computer was a project that helped kick-start a significant milestone in my journey toward a career in technology. From a young age, I was fascinated by technology as I aspired to be like my big brother who was able to take on bigger projects I looked up to him and this curiosity naturally extended to computers for me as I watched him build his own. The idea of putting together my PC at first sounded like a daunting task but I gradually did more research and watched many YouTube videos it seemed like the perfect fit to merge my interest in tech and hands-on work. The project started with a vast amount of learning through research and YouTube videos which helped me learn the ins and outs of every part of a computer and the complex functions of computers. This phase of the project taught me the importance of thorough research and planning, as choosing the right components was crucial for the performance and compatibility of the system. After gathering all the necessary parts by saving birthday money and receiving some parts from Christmas and my birthdays, I began the building process. This was the most exciting stage as well as the most nerve-racking as I did not want to mess up anything given how expensive parts can be. I carefully went through each step of the process, ensuring each component was correctly installed and securely connected. My least favorite part was managing all the wires as I did not expect there to be so many all while having them shoved into the cramped space in the back of the computer which demanded lots of attention and detail. This hands-on experience was incredibly rewarding especially when I clicked the start button for the first time and saw the computer light up. I was able to look back and see my progress in real-time. It reinforced the importance of precision and attention to every detail in a project like this. Building my own computer not only helped solidify my passion for technology but also was a stepping stone to delve deeper into the field of electrical engineering. The process of transforming singular pieces into a cohesive unit mirrored the larger picture of technology as a whole. The skills I gained from taking on this project such as critical thinking, hands-on technical skills, and problem-solving have been valuable in my academic career and professional pursuits as I use them in some of the courses I take in college such as circuits and logic design, as well as a robotics club.

Hispanics are a significantly underrepresented group in many higher-level education careers. Additionally, Hispanics, as people of color, face similar pressing issues as the Black community. I have been drawn to engineering as a career path because it allows me to apply my critical problem-solving skills while using creativity to develop innovative ways to help improve people's lives. Electrical engineering offers the perfect opportunity for building theoretical knowledge and hands-on work, which aligns with my passion for working with computers and my strengths of innovation and problem-solving. So far, I have been able to participate in several hands-on engineering opportunities. The notable experience was my time on my high school robotics team which helped drive my passion for engineering while giving me a base to develop my engineering skills in planning, 3D modeling, designing, and testing. This experience involved mechanical engineering, electronics, and programming, which taught me just how much engineering is team-oriented where different disciplines come together to create a functionally complete system. Every year I did robotics there was always a new challenge or project we worked on which taught me how to integrate older ideas and turn them into something new through skills of integration, troubleshooting, and working effectively with others to reach the common goal. During my last year on the team, we were to design a robot that could shoot hoops and climb monkey bars. This project proved to be the most challenging for me, as I took on a leadership role and was responsible for ensuring our robot was built on time for the competition. Through this experience, I learned how to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines. My hands-on experiences have helped play a major factor in reinforcing my decision to pursue an engineering degree and career. They have provided me with the common knowledge and skills that I will be able to apply in college and later in the future. As well as giving me an insight into the industry and what is to be expected when working on projects, working with others, and how to accommodate for uncertainty or mistakes. The best takeaway from these experiences was the sense of accomplishment that motivates me to keep pushing forward with an electrical engineering degree and to find more hands-on experiences to participate in. My experiences so far have not been part of my co-op engineering program but have led me up to the point where I am now. They have helped shape my plans and goals that I want to me in college as well and put me on the right path of finding a career that fits my skills and passions.

I am pursuing my passion in electrical engineering with a focus on computer hardware engineering. As for school, I plan to do a 4+1 program which allows me to take graduate-level classes during my undergraduate time in school so that I only need one extra year to get a master's degree. During the summer, I plan to take part in internships to decide what I like best and find the exact thing I want to pursue after college. I also intend to join the military after college, using my degree to its fullest extent in the military as an electrical engineer in the Air Force where I could use my skills working on computer systems. When it comes to meeting each one of these goals, I will tackle them one at a time, putting my full attention and effort into them. Through careful planning and meeting smaller goals along the way, I will be able to achieve each and every one of my objectives. I want to make the most of my time in college and do not plan to stay more than needed, so I will keep moving forward as I have in my first year of college with most nights spent in the library completing homework or studying, leaving the weekends for free time. By being able to focus on one thing at a time, I am able to achieve the grades I want in each class without having to compromise my social life or personal downtime by leaving the weekends open. As for summer internships, I want to find an internship for my sophomore summer, junior year summer, and possibly another after my senior year if I have not found something I can fully commit to by then. I intend to pick up ones that can also support me with paying for school while also having a job during the summer. I want to use this time to really focus on the things I like to get a feel for a career after college while also gaining useful insight and experience in the engineering field of work. In addition to my academic and career aspirations, I am deeply committed to community service, which aligns with my desire to contribute positively to society. Volunteering with organizations such as Produce On Wheels Without Waste (POWWOW) and working at a local soup kitchen have reinforced my understanding of the importance of giving back. These experiences have not only allowed me to make a tangible impact on my community but also instilled in me a sense of responsibility to use my skills and education for the greater good. By balancing my academic pursuits, career planning, and community involvement, I am confident in my ability to achieve my goals. Each step I take is meticulously planned to ensure that I am making the most of my opportunities and preparing myself for a successful future in electrical engineering, whether in the private sector or serving in the Air Force. This holistic approach to my education and career will allow me to excel in my field while making meaningful contributions to society.

Through determination, respect, innovation, versatility, equality, and nurture, I have strived to rise above challenges and work towards some of my dreams. Through personal experiences with these values, I have furthered my understanding of working hard and creating great relationships with others. Determination has been a driving force in my life, pushing me forward throughout high school and some of my hobbies like soccer and working out. I’m the gym determination is one of the keys to success. I have failed many times in the gym struggling to find my way through some workouts but with consistency and determination, I can keep pushing forward no matter how hard each exercise may be. Respect is an essential core value that I consistently uphold with others. During my senior year of English, we had lots of group projects where respect played a major role, from actively listening to others' thoughts and ideas to taking everyone's diverse perspectives into account and encouraging each other to find mutual ground. Having an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable and respected helped drive up are teamwork to complete the projects. By having respect for others I can be collaborative and gain from others. Innovation has been instrumental in overcoming many obstacles that I faced when I was a part of my school's robotics team. My team was set with the challenge of designing and building a robot that could work in a team of robots to complete a set of events in the FIRST competition. We faced many setbacks from the robot not matching the design or in some cases not having the necessary funds to keep building. With little time during the build season, we took different approaches to keep moving forward. With little money to get the right parts, we had to improvise and go with cheaper and a little more scarier methods. Nothing stopped us from competing and with innovation we were able to compete in Denver Colorado with our robot. This experience taught me the power of thinking outside the box and challenging conventional methods to achieve breakthroughs. Versatility has led me to open up and try lots of new things in my personal life and academics from volunteering for a food bank, staying in shape by going to the gym and participating in my school's sports, and joining my school's Congressional Award program. By being able to take part in so many different extracurricular activities it has allowed me to adapt to different roles and take on responsibilities effectively. Whether it was leading my soccer team, learning new social skills by volunteering with others or adapting to various environments. My versatility has helped me to thrive in diverse settings and to build bridges across my boundaries. Equality is very important to me. I engage in activities that contribute to a more inclusive society. I aim for a goal where everyone can feel welcomed and included. I am currently a lifeguard and at my pool, it is accessible for people with disabilities I helped fight to make it more accessible by getting a ramp installed into the pool as well as a motorized chair that helps people get in and out of the pool. I strive to create a more just and equitable environment for everyone. Nurturing, for individuals and the environment, is something I take pride in. I have volunteered to create new ponds and gardens around my city to help the wildlife strive. Through these opportunities Through these endeavors, I seek to make a positive impact on the lives of others and contribute to the preservation of our planet.