I was destined to be a point guard—just not a very good one. Before a wave of ridiculously talented freshmen came in, my job was to run the offense and put points on the board. But the moment I saw our new point guard casually drop 30 like she was out for a light jog, I had an important realization: my playmaking career was over before it started. I could have fought it, maybe launched a few ill-advised threes to prove a point—but I like winning. So, I adapted. If I wasn’t going to be the one scoring, I was going to be the reason we scored. While she ran up the scoreboard, I was the one making it possible—grabbing rebounds over girls who had at least half a foot on me, diving for loose balls like my life depended on it, and turning defense into easy buckets. I led our team in rebounds, steals, and assists—not because I was the biggest or fastest, but because I was the one willing to outwork everyone else. Some people want their name in lights—I just wanted to make sure the lights stayed on. That’s how I approach everything. I don’t need to be the star. I need a purpose. Whether it’s on the court, in the classroom, or in my community, I thrive in the hustle. As ASB Head of Athletics, I work behind the scenes to make sure every athlete at my school gets the recognition they deserve. I plan spirit events, celebrate overlooked players, and push for a culture where every team feels supported. Just like in basketball, my job isn’t to be the face of the operation—it’s to do the work that keeps everything running smoothly. That same mindset carries into my career goals. I want to be a veterinarian, not because it’s glamorous (I am fully aware I will spend a concerning amount of time dealing with animal bodily fluids), but because it’s necessary. Animals can’t speak for themselves, so I want to be the one fighting for them. I know veterinary medicine, like basketball, isn’t just about talent—it’s about persistence, problem-solving, and stepping up when it matters most. It’s long nights, early mornings, and doing the work no one else wants to do—but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. I qualify for this scholarship not because I was the best scorer, but because I was the glue. The one who made sure everything and everyone worked together. The one who found ways to contribute, no matter the circumstances. That’s who I am—on the court, in my school, and in the future career I’m chasing. And while I might not be the one dropping 30, you can bet I’ll be the one making sure someone else can.

A mantra that keeps me going is "Si se puede," a phrase passed down to me from my abuelo, who immigrated from Mexico to the United States and worked tirelessly to provide for his family. Meaning "Yes, it can be done”, it expresses the same sentiment as Joe Gilroy's motto, "Plan your work, work your plan." Both reflect the power of persistence and committed action; both have fueled my perspective on life and dream of becoming a veterinarian- I’ll be serving with resilience and commitment just like my family and Joe. My vision is to open a community veterinary practice that provides sliding-scale services, pet education, and affordable care for underserved populations. My plan has three phases: undergraduate studies, veterinary school, and building my clinic. Phase 1: Undergraduate Education and Pre-Veterinary Experience I'm applying to universities with strong pre-veterinary programs to major in biology or animal sciences and minor in ecology. This academic path will set a solid foundation for veterinary school by covering animal behavior, biology, and environmental issues. I'm particularly interested in programs with animal care internships, clinical labs, and partnerships with local animal shelters to gain early hands-on experience. To fund tuition, living expenses, and transportation, I plan to apply for scholarships, grants, and financial aid, while also working part-time at a veterinary clinic or animal shelter. These jobs will provide valuable experience, connect me with mentors, and immerse me in the veterinary community, all while helping to ease the financial burden. Phase 2: Veterinary School After earning my undergraduate degree, I aim to attend a veterinary school with strong programs in community health and outreach, such as UC Davis or Cornell. Veterinary school is costly, with tuition potentially reaching $200,000 over four years, so I'll apply for scholarships and programs like the National Health Service Corps' Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, which supports students who work in underserved areas. In veterinary school, I’ll focus on small animal care and community outreach, blending classroom knowledge with practical experience. I plan to join clubs and volunteer opportunities aligned with my goals, such as low-cost spay/neuter clinics, shelter work, and rural medicine programs. These experiences will hone my communication skills, strengthen my empathy, and further my vision of accessible veterinary care. Phase 3: Building a Low-Cost Veterinary Clinic Following veterinary school, I plan to work in established practices to gain real-world experience and save toward my clinic. This phase will allow me to learn from seasoned veterinarians, develop strong client relationships, and acquire the business skills needed to run a practice. I’ll save $50,000 and secure a small business loan for startup costs, including equipment and renovations. To make care affordable, I’ll seek partnerships with nonprofits and government grants. By using a sliding-scale model, my clinic can offer lower rates to clients with limited incomes. I also plan to provide workshops on pet care and health to empower pet owners, foster stronger bonds between people and their animals, and strengthen our community’s commitment to animal welfare. With each step, I carry the spirit of "Si se puede" and "Plan your work, work your plan." This vision of a low-cost, community-based veterinary clinic reflects my family’s values of resilience and compassion. Every step toward becoming a veterinarian is motivated not only by my love for animals but by a deep sense of duty to serve my community—something I know would make my family, and Joe, proud.

I must have been seven years old when I took care of my very first injured animal. It was a little bird that I had found on the sidewalk, with a broken wing. Knowing absolutely nothing about how to take care of it, I nonetheless knew I would not give up. I wrapped it in a cloth as gently as possible and laid it inside a box, sitting beside it and waiting. That little bird, though fragile, taught me the use of resilience and instilled in me a deep desire to take care of those creatures that could not take care of themselves. As I grew up, animals became my companions and taught me lessons about patience, compassion, and empathy beyond words. Now, I am prepared to take my lifelong passion and turn it into a career as a veterinarian, focusing my work on meeting the needs of under-resourced communities. My mission is not just to treat the animals, but to fill the gap that causes so much distress for families who rely on their pets for comfort and stability, just like I did. Animals were always there for me, offering the companionship that was sometimes missing elsewhere, and I would like other families to experience that same delight and support without this barrier of inaccessible care. That path has really cemented my motivation for leadership and advocacy. Since I come from an immigrant family, I can understand a little better how tricky it is to access resources, and I want to be the kind of leader who brings genuine, accessible help to those in need. I will major in either biology or animal sciences and go on to attend veterinary school, afterwards opening mobile clinics, outreach programs, and providing preventive care within municipalities that lack veterinary services. I want to be the resource for all of those families who otherwise might have to make impossible choices due to financial constraints, helping them keep their pets healthy and safe. As an Afro-Latina woman, I know representation matters, especially when it comes to areas like veterinary medicine where diversity is still at its growing stages. With this role accepted, I hope to be a source of encouragement for young minds that may be from diverse backgrounds and will encourage them to pursue their dreams and make all the positive difference in their respective communities. The bottom line is, my vision goes further than just the animals themselves by strengthening the connection among people, animals, and the environment. Animals have a huge impact and presence throughout our lives; by protecting them, we add to the vitality of the ecosystems upon which we all depend. The next important step toward my goals would be to garner the education and skills I need to bring my dream of community-focused veterinary care a little closer to reality.