Growing up as a first generation college student from an immigrant family, I learned you gain independence fast and growth comes with sacrifice. These experiences in life have helped me grow into the person I am today and that is filled with faith and purpose to always give back and help others. Having financial struggles, growing up caused there to be early signs of worry as a young child and paying attention to every price tag when my parents were trying to buy me a simple candy. Feeling responsible for my parents' financial struggles was a burden I felt as a child because I didn't want to add more financial responsibility for my parents. Time has passed and I know it's not my fault but I still carry guilt every time I use their money on simple things like groceries. These experiences have shaped me to become someone who is independent and motivated to reach all of my goals. I want to be able to share my personal gift and that is sharing my kindness and love with those around me. I want to contribute to that by helping those in need in my healthcare profession and to my community , and overall my parents for coming to this country to give me a better life and education. Ultimately I am grateful for this experience because although it was a struggle it taught me empathy, awareness and the want to help others.

I am a first generation Mexican American household and my first language was Spanish. I learned English in kindergarten and continued in the ESL program until fifth grade. Growing up , I struggled most with speaking in confidence and feeling shameful when speaking the only language I first knew. Even now, I sometimes feel nervous expressing myself, especially in unfamiliar situations. As a child, it was difficult to participate because I was afraid of making mistakes or being judged on not pronouncing words right or looking like everyone else. However , over time, I began to use myself to speak more, even when it felt uncomfortable. Learning English has shaped my resilience and taught me patience with myself and others. I am proud of how far I've come. Earning the Seal of biliteracy in English and Spanish reflects my growth and dedication, and it represents my ability to. Communicate across languages, which will be important in my future healthcare career. One major obstacle I have faced in my education journey is bullying, feeling not included , and anxiety when speaking English in large groups, especially during presentations or speeches. I enjoy learning and participating , but in l my AP courses, I often feel less confident compared to my peers. This anxiety and fear holds me back from fully being myself , expressing my ideas, even when I understand the material. This challenge has affected both my academic participation, and my confidence in high-pressure situations, making it something I have to actively work through. I began overcoming this obstacle by asking for support from my teachers and pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I worked on changing my mindset, reminding myself that making mistakes is part of learning and growing as a person. Instead of avoiding speaking opportunities, I started to see them as a chance to share my voice and my love for writing like speaking in graduations, writing a poem in front of my whole school. My internship experience in healthcare also played a major role in building my confidence. Being in a real- world environment helped me focus less on fear and more on my purpose by helping others. Even though I am still growing. And struggling, I have developed stronger confidence and resilience. My parents are the people I look up to in my education. They started from nothing and worked to build a better life for our family. They have faced many challenges, they never gave up and continued to push forward with determination and faith. Their resilience and work ethic pushes me to stay focused on my goals, even when things feel difficult. Watching them overcome obstacles motivates me to take my education seriously and make the most of every opportunity. I strive to reflect their strength and dedication in my journey of life. I unfortunately cannot afford a four year school but I'm grateful for an open door near me and that is attending Danville Area community college and pursuing a career in fetal echocardiography within pediatrics. I am passionate about healthcare, especially working with children, because I want to make a difference in their lives during vulnerable moments like mine. Education is important to me because it helped me find a voice and it is the pathway to achieving my goals and creating a beautiful future. My goal is to help diagnose and support the health of unborn children while also comforting families during emotional times. Growing up, I struggled feeling confident , seen and safe, and that experience has shaped my desire to create a different environment for others. I want the children and families I work with to feel seen, supported, and cared for and over all never alone or ashamed for what they are going through. My goal is to not only succeed in my Career but also to make a meaningful impact through my empathy and compassion. Outside of school , I give back to my community by volunteering at the hospital and participating in various community events. Through these experiences, I have had the opportunity to support patients, give food to families in need , and contribute to a positive environment. I also take on responsibilities within my family , helping where i am needed. These experiences have taught me the importance of service, empathy, and being present for others. Giving back is importance to me because i understand how meaningful support can be, especially during difficult times.