Catapulted Into Sucess “What if they built a catapult, got in there, and set up a mattress on the other side?” I would throw out these types of unhinged ideas every time we drove by the Loop 375 Border Highway, from where I would see the places I used to visit in Juarez, Chihuahua, my hometown. We moved to El Paso, Texas after my mom met my step-dad, an American fugitive and although their marriage brought on a turbulent journey, one filled with economic uncertainty and legal battles, I am grateful because it made me who I am and it shaped my educational goals. As a first-generation student my desire to study History and Political Science was not ideal, I often encountered skepticism, people would respond, "What are you even going to do with that?" I grappled with the pressure to make my education worthwhile, exploring other career interests that never quite felt right until my senior year of high school when I joined Service Leadership Society. The Service Leadership Society (SLS) was the perfect fusion of government and debate club. I had found my place. As I explored the world of the American legislative process, I fell in love with it as I crafted the perfect oppositions and rebuttals. I cycled through a process of research, editing, and writing for a whole school year. The culmination of our efforts came when we competed in the Austin Capitol, where our bill received the highest number of votes in favor. Although our bill was being presented in mock legislation against other schools, Austin presented me with motivation and ambition. Being in the Austin Capitol while it was in session allowed us to meet a plethora of representatives and politicians from all over the state, who were from all socio-economic backgrounds. This experience solidified my commitment to public service. I realized how much I enjoyed mentoring the underclassmen; and I loved being able to understand government and laws to the point of being able to explain it to others. My amazing teachers and SLS mentors, Ms. Romo and Ms. Vazquez, were one of the main reasons I had such a transformative senior year. It was with their unwavering support; organizing field trips to meet city representatives, calling vendors to helps all of us fundraise enough money for the trip and giving plenty of opportunities to grow. Even though they were respectively an english and biology teachers, they inspired my passion for history and political science. After we had a presentation about the Grow Your Own Teacher Program (GYOT), I felt inspired by them, and I successfully applied. Maybe this was the beginning of my career. Pursuing a career in teaching allows me to complete a full circle moment. The place where I once felt alienated and lost in, I could work towards making it a safe space that encourages civic participation and growth. I know I want to make an impact beyond the classroom and pursue graduate school, which the GYOT fellowship allows me to do. Since then, I have been shadowing teachers and gaining hands-on experience in the classroom. In my first year, I mentored the Service Leadership Society, guiding students as they wrote a mock bill on AI for a statewide competition in Austin. This year, I organized fundraisers for the basketball team and planned a field trip to watch the UTEP women’s basketball team for National Women in Sports Day. These experiences have reinforced my commitment to empowering students with the knowledge and confidence to become active participants in society. While working for GYOT, I have pursued other opportunities. Due to financial hardship, I have struggled to be on campus and am forced to opt for online classes. My packed work schedule has also limited my ability to join organizations. My FAFSA does not accurately reflect my financial situation; despite my mom’s generous salary as a bartender, her gambling addiction, and my baby sister’s childcare expenses means she cannot contribute to my education. Despite these obstacles, I have made a conscious effort to seek growth through organizations that provide stipends or accommodate my limited schedule. I have participated in programs like the Undergraduate Fellows Program, Summer Democracy School, and the Political Economics Reading Group at UTEP. Additionally, I have worked as a tutor for El Paso Community College and joined the El Paso Women’s Volunteer Organization, which offers flexible opportunities that align with my busy schedule. These experiences have challenged me to grow as a scholar and educator, and I am determined to make myself a competitive candidate for graduate school. As I look ahead to graduate school and beyond, I am filled with excitement and anticipation. My goal is to make systematic changes in education or immigration, driven by a deep-seated desire to contribute to the betterment of our world. This scholarship would not only alleviate the financial burden of pursuing my dreams but also empower me to take on new challenges with confidence and determination. In closing, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for this opportunity. Thank you for considering my application and for believing in my potential to make a meaningful impact.

“What if they built a catapult, got in there, and set up a mattress on the other side?” I would throw out these types of unhinged ideas every time we drove by the Loop 375 Border Highway, from where I would see the places I used to visit in Juarez, Chihuahua, my hometown. We moved to El Paso, Texas after my mom met my step-dad, an American fugitive and although their marriage brought on a turbulent journey, one filled with economic uncertainty and legal battles, I am grateful because it made me who I am and it shaped my educational goals. As a first-generation student my desire to study History and Political Science was not ideal, I often encountered skepticism, people would respond, "What are you even going to do with that?" I grappled with the pressure to make my education worthwhile, exploring other career interests that never quite felt right until my senior year of high school when I joined Service Leadership Society. The Service Leadership Society (SLS) was the perfect fusion of government and debate club. I had found my place. As I explored the world of the American legislative process, I fell in love with it as I crafted the perfect oppositions and rebuttals. I cycled through a process of research, editing, and writing for a whole school year. The culmination of our efforts came when we competed in the Austin Capitol, where our bill received the highest number of votes in favor. Although our bill was being presented in mock legislation against other schools, Austin presented me with motivation and ambition. Being in the Austin Capitol while it was in session allowed us to meet a plethora of representatives and politicians from all over the state, who were from all socio-economic backgrounds. This experience solidified my commitment to public service. I realized how much I enjoyed mentoring the underclassmen; and I loved being able to understand government and laws to the point of being able to explain it to others. My amazing teachers and SLS mentors, Ms. Romo and Ms.Vazquez, were one of the main reasons I had such a transformative senior year. After we had a presentation about the Grow Your Own Teacher Program (GYOT), I felt inspired by them, and I successfully applied. Maybe this was the beginning of my career. Pursuing a career in teaching allows me to complete a full circle moment. The place where I once felt alienated and lost in, I could work towards making it a safe space that encourages civic participation and growth. I know I want to make an impact beyond the classroom and pursue graduate school, which the GYOT fellowship allows me to do. While working for GYOT, I was also part of the Undergraduate Fellows Programs at UTEP, continued to mentor SLS, and volunteered at Las Americas Immigration Advocacy Center. As I look ahead to graduate school and beyond, I am filled with excitement and anticipation. My goal is to make systematic changes in education or immigration, driven by a deep-seated desire to contribute to the betterment of our world. This scholarship would not only alleviate the financial burden of pursuing my dreams but also empower me to take on new challenges with confidence and determination. In closing, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for this opportunity. Thank you for considering my application and for believing in my potential to make a meaningful impact