Being a first-generation student means carrying the hopes and dreams of my entire family on my shoulders. My parents never got past high school, and watching them work so hard with limited opportunities has inspired me to push myself even harder. They didn’t have the chance to go to college or pursue their dreams, so everything I do feels like I’m doing it for them. I want to make them proud and show that their sacrifices were worth it. Growing up as the first in my family to navigate school beyond high school hasn’t been easy. There were moments when I felt lost, not knowing how to apply for scholarships, financial aid, or even how to plan my future. Without a roadmap or guidance, I had to learn to be resourceful and determined on my own. But instead of giving up, I worked harder. I’m proud of my ability to stay focused and keep going, even when things got tough. Being first-gen has taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of perseverance. This determination ties closely to why I chose to pursue medicine. My passion for healthcare comes from personal experience when I was young, my grandmother got very sick. Her medications were expensive, and because of this, my family struggled to provide her with the care she needed. We lost her partly because we couldn’t afford the treatment she required. That loss made me realize how unfair it is that something as basic as medicine is often out of reach for families like mine. My goal is to become a doctor who helps people from communities like mine and families who don’t have much and struggle to afford essential medications, especially when their children are sick. I want to make healthcare more accessible so no one else has to face the heartbreak of losing a loved one due to the cost of medicine. This dream has motivated me through every challenge I’ve faced as a first-generation student. This scholarship would mean so much to me. It would lift a huge financial burden off my family and allow me to focus more on my studies and less on worries about money. More importantly, it would help me continue on the path to fulfilling my dream of helping others and making a real difference in the world. Being a first-generation student isn’t just about me, it’s about breaking barriers for my family and community and building a better future. I am driven by the belief that with hard work, determination, and a little support, I can overcome any obstacle. This scholarship would be a powerful step forward, not just in my education but in my ability to honor my family and create a life that reflects all the sacrifices they’ve made for me.

Since I was young, I’ve known I wanted to work in healthcare, specifically in medicine. This isn’t just something I decided recently, it’s been a goal shaped by my own life experiences. Growing up, my family struggled with the cost of medicine, especially when my grandmother was sick. We didn’t have a lot of money, and her medications were so expensive that it was hard for us to get everything she needed. Losing her because we couldn’t get the proper help really stuck with me and made me realize how unfair it is that medicine can be out of reach for so many people. That’s why I want to study medicine to help families and communities who are going through the same struggles. I want to make a difference for people who don’t have a lot of money and who face barriers just trying to get medicine for their sick children. No one should have to watch their loved ones suffer because they can’t afford the medication that could help them. To me, access to medicine shouldn’t be a privilege; it should be something everyone can get, no matter where they come from or how much money they have. I work really hard and stay determined because I know becoming a doctor takes a lot of effort and commitment. I’m focused on my studies because every step brings me closer to my goal of helping people. I’m also someone who genuinely cares about others and I love helping people, whether it’s through volunteering or just being there for someone who needs support. Being kind and understanding is important to me, especially in healthcare, because people need more than just medicine; they need someone who listens and cares. My dream is to help build a world where everyone can live easier lives because they have access to the medicines they need. I want to be part of making healthcare fairer and more compassionate, so families don’t have to worry about how they’ll pay for medicine when their child is sick. This has been my goal since I was a kid, and losing my grandmother made it even more important. I’m determined to keep working hard and learning so I can make a real difference in people’s lives, especially those who are struggling the most. I want to help create a future where medicine is a right, not a privilege. This is how I will make a positive impact on the world through my career and studies.

My family’s story has been the foundation of my values, my outlook on the world, and my career aspirations. As a Hispanic student from immigrant parents, I have witnessed firsthand the sacrifices and struggles that come with building a life in a new country. My parents did not have much when they arrived, but they carried with them the determination to create better opportunities for me. They worked tirelessly, often at jobs that demanded long hours and gave little in return, but they never let me feel like I was missing anything. Despite limited resources, they gave me the world through their love, encouragement, and sacrifices. Growing up in a low-income household taught me resilience and humility. I learned early on that success is not handed to you it is earned through persistence, even when the odds are against you. My parents always emphasized the importance of education, not just as a means to financial stability but as a way to open doors they themselves never had the chance to walk through. Watching them push forward despite struggles instilled in me a belief in hard work, sacrifice, and hope. These lessons guide me daily as I begin my journey as a first-generation college student at UMass Lowell, pursuing pharmaceutical sciences. One of the most defining moments in my life was losing my grandmother. She was someone who radiated warmth and strength, yet when she became sick, the medication she was prescribed failed her. The healthcare system, which should have provided her with the care she needed, let her down. Watching her decline, despite placing hope in the treatments available, was heartbreaking for me and my family. It left me with a deep sense of helplessness but also a burning determination. I knew then that I wanted to dedicate my career to pharmaceutical sciences not just to study medicine, but to create new treatments that can truly save lives. My grandmother’s passing shaped my beliefs about the world in profound ways. It showed me the gaps that exist in healthcare and the devastating impact they have on families. It also reinforced the importance of compassion. Illness does not just affect the patient it affects everyone who loves them. I believe science should not only advance knowledge but also serve humanity. My career aspiration is to help develop medicines that bring real hope to patients and families, especially those who feel forgotten or underserved by the current system. At the same time, my parents’ journey as immigrants taught me perseverance in the face of challenges. Like them, I have had to balance responsibilities working long hours to help pay for tuition while keeping up with demanding schoolwork. There are nights when I am exhausted, staying up late to finish assignments after work. But I remind myself of the sacrifices made for me to be here. My parents never gave up, and neither will I. Their story fuels my determination to push forward, no matter how difficult the path may be. Together, my family’s sacrifices and my grandmother’s passing have given me a vision for the future. I believe in using my education not just to achieve personal success, but to make a lasting impact. My dream is to leave a mark in the world by creating medicines that work, so that no other family has to endure the helplessness mine did. My family’s journey has shown me that struggle can give birth to purpose, and that purpose can inspire change.

My faith has always been a source of strength, guiding how I approach challenges and how I interact with others. It has influenced my leadership style by teaching me the importance of compassion, resilience, and service. Faith, to me, is not just about personal belief; it is about living in a way that uplifts others, especially in difficult times. One of the most defining moments in my life was losing my grandmother. Her illness and the failure of her treatment shook my family deeply. During that time, my faith reminded me to lean on hope and to trust that even in loss, there can be meaning and purpose. This experience shaped my decision to pursue pharmaceutical sciences. I want to help create medicines that truly work, so that no other family has to feel the helplessness mine endured. In many ways, this is how faith inspires my vision for the future to transform pain into purpose and use it to serve others. My leadership style reflects this same belief. I see leadership not as giving orders, but as guiding with empathy, listening to others, and helping them realize their strengths. I’ve carried this with me as I’ve worked hard to balance school and long work hours to help pay tuition. Even when I am exhausted from staying up late to meet deadlines, my faith teaches me perseverance and reminds me that the struggles I face can inspire others who are walking similar paths. There was a time when I helped a close friend who was overwhelmed with schoolwork and personal challenges. Instead of just giving advice, I listened and reminded them that setbacks do not define who we are. I shared how I often stay up late after work to finish assignments, and how my faith encourages me to keep pushing forward because there is purpose behind the struggle. My honesty and encouragement gave them the motivation to keep going. For me, this was leadership through faith showing that resilience and hope are powerful tools when shared with others. That experience, along with my own journey, has shaped my vision for the future. I hope to lead not only in my career but also in my community, by being someone who inspires through action, persistence, and compassion. As I pursue pharmaceutical sciences, I know the work will be demanding, but my faith reminds me that serving others is worth every sacrifice. I want to bring that same faith-driven leadership into my future profession by creating medicines that offer people hope, healing, and a better quality of life. Ultimately, faith has taught me that leadership is about more than success it is about making a positive difference. By leading with empathy, resilience, and a commitment to serving others, I believe I can inspire those around me and leave a meaningful impact on the world.

Hello, my name is Ashley Jimenez. My understanding of mental health and the way it has shaped my life. comes from the most painful experience I’ve ever lived through. In May, I lost my best friend to suicide. To the world, she was joyful, radiant, the kind of person who could make anyone feel seen just by smiling. But I knew the truth behind that smile. I saw the exhaustion in her eyes. I heard the pain in her voice when she told me how invisible she felt at home, how her accomplishments were never enough, how her siblings got all the praise while she was left reaching for affection that never came. She opened up to me because she knew I would listen. I became her safe space. And I tried to hold her together. I took her out to eat, we played games, met new people, and shared dreams about our future. We were going to open a hospital one day, a place where no one would ever feel like they had to hide their pain. And for a moment, I believed I could save her. I believed maybe love, support, and friendship would be enough. But on May 30th, that hope was shattered. She died by suicide, and the world hasn’t felt the same since. That moment changed everything how I think, how I love, what I believe in, and who I want to become. I used to think mental health was something you could fix with positivity or distraction. Now I know it’s deeper than that it’s about being seen, being valued, and feeling safe enough to be vulnerable. I now believe that one of the greatest things we can do for each other is listen not just hear, but truly listen with patience, without judgment, and with love. Losing her made me realize how many people are silently suffering. It’s made me hyper-aware of how often we overlook pain that doesn’t scream out loud. It’s taught me that mental health is not just a personal issue it’s a community issue, a family issue, a human issue. That realization has deeply impacted the way I show up in my relationships. I’ve become more present. I no longer wait for people to reach a breaking point I check in, I ask deeper questions, I sit with discomfort if that’s what someone needs. But perhaps the biggest way this experience has shaped me is through my career aspirations. The hospital we dreamed of? I’m still going to build it. Not brick by brick maybe, but through action by studying mental health, becoming a psychiatric nurse or therapist, and being a voice for those who are afraid to speak. I want to be someone who can sit with people in their darkest moments and not flinch. I want to give others what my friend didn’t receive enough of understanding, validation, and real help. Her life and her loss became my purpose. I carry her memory with me in everything I do. And though she’s no longer physically here, she continues to guide me. Her story is the reason I believe so strongly in the power of empathy, connection, and mental health care. I may not have been able to save her, but I will spend my life fighting to save others. This isn’t just something I went through. It’s something that transformed me and it’s the reason I will never stop pushing for a world where no one feels like their only option is to disappear.

Hello, my name is Ashley Jimenez. My experience with mental health has been deeply personal, especially after losing someone who meant everything to me. In May, I lost a close friend a person who lit up every room she walked into. She had the kind of presence that made people feel warm, welcomed, and seen. Everyone loved her for her kindness, her smile, and her energy. But I knew there was more behind that smile something she didn’t show most people. Behind the laughter and perfect grades, she was quietly suffering. She often opened up to me about her family how no matter how much she achieved, she never felt truly seen by her parents. They praised her siblings constantly, but for her, it was as if she was invisible. I could feel how much that hurt her, even though she tried to hide it. She once told me something that truly scared me something that made me realize she was losing hope. From that moment on, I did everything I could to help her hold on. I took her out, made her laugh, introduced her to new people, and tried to remind her of how much she was loved even if her parents couldn’t show it. For a while, it worked. She smiled more. She felt lighter. I thought maybe things were getting better. But on May 30th, I lost her. She took her life, and I was never the same after that. Her death changed the way I see everything. It broke something in me, but at the same time, it lit a fire. We had a dream together we wanted to open a hospital, a place where people like her could feel seen and supported. A place where mental health wasn’t brushed off or hidden behind smiles, but talked about openly and treated with care. Losing her made that dream even more real to me. I know she would want me to keep going, to turn all the pain into something meaningful. She believed in me, and even though she’s not here anymore, that belief stays with me. Since her passing, I’ve learned how invisible pain can be. I’ve learned how important it is to truly listen to people to see them beyond the surface. My relationships are deeper now. I don’t take things for granted. I try to show up for people the way I wish the world had shown up for her. I’ve also learned how strong I am, even when I don’t feel like it. I carry her memory with me every day, and through that, I’ve grown to understand how powerful love, grief, and healing can be. Mental health is no longer just an issue I care about it’s a mission. My friend’s story fuels my goals, drives my passion, and reminds me that behind every smile could be a silent struggle. I want to be the kind of person who sees that, who acknowledges it, and who does something about it. I owe her that and I owe it to every person like her who is still fighting battles the world can’t see.

Growing up in a household where money was always tight has taught me many things the value of hard work, the strength of perseverance, and the importance of dreaming big even when the odds feel stacked against you. I’m an 18-year-old with a strong academic drive and a deep passion for helping others, but my journey hasn’t always been easy. Financial struggles have shaped the way I live, learn, and plan for the future. These challenges haven’t broken me, but they’ve certainly made things more difficult, especially as I work toward my dream of attending college and building a meaningful career. Choosing which college to attend was one of the biggest decisions I’ve ever faced. While many of my peers based their choices on programs or campus life, I had to think about what my family could afford. After careful thought and research, I set my heart on UMass Lowell. It offers a strong academic foundation, particularly in the sciences, and it’s a place where I believe I can truly grow and succeed. I want to pursue a career in pharmaceutical science because I’ve always been fascinated by how medicine works and how it can be used to improve or even save lives. But more than that, I want to make healthcare more accessible to people who, like my own family, have often had to choose between getting help and paying the bills. One of my long-term goals is to open a hospital or clinic where healthcare is affordable or even free for those in need. I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be for people without insurance or money to get basic medical care. It breaks my heart to think about how many lives are lost or affected simply because people can’t afford treatment. That’s why I want to be part of the change to use my education in pharmaceutical science to bring affordable care and medication to underserved communities. Receiving the Khai Perry All Star Memorial Scholarship would be a life-changing opportunity. It would allow me to attend UMass Lowell without the overwhelming burden of financial stress. It would give me the chance to focus fully on my education and career goals, and take one step closer to making a real difference in the world. With your support, I can continue to chase my dreams and work toward a future where healthcare is not a luxury, but a basic human right. Thank you for considering me

For me, selflessness isn’t always about doing something huge it’s about the little moments when you put someone else first just because you care. I try to live that way every day, whether it’s helping out friends, family, or even people I barely know. I think selflessness is about listening, showing up, and doing what you can, even when no one asks you to. One moment that really sticks with me happened during my junior year of high school. A friend of mine had recently come out and was having a really hard time with their parents not accepting them. They felt totally alone and were starting to shut down emotionally. I noticed they stopped showing up to class and weren’t talking to anyone. Even though I was dealing with my own stuff at the time like school stress and my own family problems I made it a point to check on them every day. I’d text them in the morning, bring them their favorite snacks, and sometimes just sit with them in silence if that’s what they needed. Eventually, they opened up, and we had some really deep talks. They told me later that just having one person who didn’t give up on them made a huge difference. That meant everything to me. Another time was when a classmate I didn’t know very well fainted during lunch. Everyone was freaking out, but I rushed over and helped them sit up and called for a teacher. I stayed with them until help came, even though I didn’t know them personally. I think moments like that show what kind of person you are not when you're helping your best friend, but when you're helping someone just because it's the right thing to do. Even at home, I try to be selfless. My family doesn’t have a lot, so I help out by cooking, watching my younger siblings, cleaning, and making sure things are okay when my parents are working late. I don’t mind doing it I know we’re all trying our best, and if I can make things a little easier, I want to. To me, selflessness is just about love. It’s about caring even when no one’s watching. It’s about giving without expecting something back. And honestly, it just feels right. Helping others reminds me that we’re all connected, and sometimes the smallest act of kindness can mean the world to someone.

As an 18-year-old pansexual person, being part of the LGBTQ+ community has shaped so much of who I am. It’s taught me how important it is to love yourself, stand up for others, and speak out when something isn’t right. My identity has given me strength, but it’s also opened my eyes to the struggles a lot of us go through whether it’s bullying, discrimination, or just feeling like we don’t belong. That’s why I want to be someone who gives back to the community that’s helped me grow. In high school, I was involved in my school’s GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance), and I helped plan events during Pride Month to educate others and bring us together. I made it a point to be someone that others could come to for support, especially younger students who were still figuring themselves out. Even just having someone to talk to can make a huge difference, and I want to keep doing that kind of work in college and beyond. One of my biggest goals is to be a role model for other LGBTQ+ youth someone who proves you can be successful, confident, and proud of who you are. Academically, I’m planning to study pharmaceutical science in college because I’ve always been interested in medicine and how it helps people. My dream is to one day open my own hospital or clinic and find ways to make healthcare more affordable for people who really need it. I know that’s a big dream, but I truly believe that with hard work and passion, it’s possible. I especially want to help underserved communities, including LGBTQ+ people, who often face unique challenges when it comes to healthcare access and feeling safe in medical spaces. I want to be able to learn and understand the life of what we cannot see. Financially, college is a huge challenge for me and my family. We don’t have a lot, and I’ll likely have to work while going to school just to help cover basic costs like books, housing, and food. Getting a scholarship would mean more than just money it would be peace of mind. It would allow me to focus on school, take on leadership opportunities, and continue helping my community instead of constantly stressing about how I’m going to make ends meet. This scholarship would truly be life-changing and help me move one step closer to my dream of making healthcare better for everyone especially people like me.