Going to school in Southeast San Diego comes with stereotypes that students are unsuccessful and don’t attend or apply to college. However, I realized the invaluable opportunity that college offers to break generational barriers within my family. As a sophomore with no one to seek guidance from about college applications, I joined my high school’s First Gen Club to gain a better understanding of the college application process. At first, I joined just to learn. I attended every meeting, soaking up advice about financial aid, personal statements, and summer opportunities. One upperclassman, the Vice President at the time, mentored me personally. He guided me through summer program applications, answered all my questions, and helped me discover what my future could hold. His impact stuck with me. By senior year, I knew I wanted to give back in a meaningful way. I didn’t just join the club’s cabinet, I applied to become Vice President of the club in order to expand our support for first-gen students and make it more accessible, personal, and empowering. As VP, I launched new, self-initiated workshops tailored to the most pressing needs of our members. One Series, “College Help 101,” breaks down topics like FAFSA, choosing the right college, and writing strong supplemental essays. I also created “The Writing Process,” a workshop focused on helping students develop strong personal statements through brainstorming, drafting, and peer review. Both sessions came from my own experience of not knowing where to start. Now, I make sure others dont feel that same uncertainty. I continue to pass on the knowledge I have previously received, fostering our club members’ legacy of becoming the first in our families to attend college. In addition to workshops, I expanded our one-on-one mentorship system. I actively mentor underclassmen and fellow seniors, answering questions, reviewing essays, and offering emotional support throughout the stressful college process. I also share opportunities like summer programs and internships, many of which I completed myself, so students can build their resumes early and feel confident navigating competitive spaces. What makes this initiative innovative is how peer-led and personalized it is. We’re not waiting for counselors to tell us what to do, we’re guiding each other. As someone who had to figure things out without a clear path, I’ve designed this support network based on what I wish I had, consistent and community help. I see myself in every student who walks into our meetings unsure of where to begin, and I’m committed to meeting them with tools, time and belief in their potential. The struggle to access guidance is far too common in first-gen and low-income communities like mine. Through this work, I’ve realized I’m not just applying to college but building a legacy of educational empowerment for those who come after me. Tis mission will follow me throughout college and into my career, where I hope to work in healthcare and continue advocating for equity and access in marginalized communities. My journey began with receiving help. Now, I lead by giving it and helping rewrite the narrative of students like me.

Growing up as a first-generation Latina, conversations about higher education and financial stability were rare in my household. My family often lived paycheck to paycheck, burdened by generational debts and poor financial decisions. As I got older, witnessing these challenges motivated me to break these barriers and change the course of my family's future. Throughout high school, it was uncommon to discuss financial literacy as well. Oftentimes, we hear we need to be smart with our money, but never get taught how to be smart with our money. The first time I was exposed to financial literacy was through an internship with the Second Chance Youth Garden. Here, I not only maintained a garden for a low income community but also learned valuable life skills. One day at my internship, we had a guest speaker from a bank to teach us a lesson on making smart financial decisions. For instance, we learned the difference between a debit and credit cards, while also discussing smart ways to fund your future. Here, I realized how accessible financial literacy resources are, which changed my perspective on funding my future education and career goals. As someone who strives to become the first in my family to attend and graduate from a four year university, I know I will have to learn to fund my own education. My family is unable to provide that support, which is why I have gotten a job and done many internships throughout my high school career with the goal of creating my own college savings account. Knowing generations of my family have bad poor financial decisions, I aim to educate myself on making the right financial decisions to succeed. I want to learn more on investing, managing a credit card, building credit, and of course graduating college debt free. I have already been doing my own research to reach these goals, but I plan to continue reaching out to community leaders to gain the right knowledge on finances before moving to Columbia University in the fall. With the right knowledge in finances, I aspire to become the first homeowner in my family, the first to graduate from college, and a role model showcasing the capacity for success that exists within my community. Being financially literate is essential to achieving these goals, and I hope to not only transform my own life but also pass on this knowledge to future generations of my family.

As a first-generation student, attending college is more than just a personal goal, but a commitment to breaking generational barriers. Growing up in Southeast San Diego, I became aware of the inequalities that existed between my community and more privileged areas, especially when it came to access to healthcare. This awareness led me to want to become a pediatric nurse practitioner and provide children and families from underserved backgrounds with the quality care they deserve. My passion for pediatrics began through my five years of experience volunteering in my church’s childrens minsitry. Each Sunday, I created lesson plans, led activities, and formed meaningful connections with the kids. I realized how much I loved working with children, and it was through these interactions that I discovered I wanted to go into nursing. I knew that I wanted to provide care, comfort, and advocacy for young patients. Nursing allows me to merge my love for science with my commitment to helping others. I want to take a multicultural approach to patient care, ensuring that children from diverse backgrounds are seen, heard, and treated equally. As a future pedatric nurse practitioner, I hope to not only provide medical care but also to educate families and empower them to live healthy lives. Continuing my education will allow me to address health disparities and advocate for inclusive, diverse care in communities like my own. However, making a difference in my community goes beyond my future career in nursing, I have also taken initiative to start making a change now. Going to school in Southeast San Diego often comes with stereotypes that students are unsuccessful and incapable of pursuing higher education. I’ve experienced this uncertainty myself as a first-generation student with no one to turn to for guidance about college. That's why I joined my school’s First Gen Club and, eventually, became Vice President. I’ve hosted multiple workshops like “The Writing Process” and “College Help 101,” to share resources for the college application process. I have also mentored underclassman through our clubs mentorship program, encouraging them to take on summer programs and internships after benefitting from many myself. I’m committed to giving them the resources, encouragement, and representation I once needed myself. Through nursing, I plan to carry this same desire forward. My goal is not only to heal but uplift others, to ensure that people from all backgrounds feel supported in achieving their goals. I will use my platform as a nurse to advocate for patients, promote health education, and serve as a role model for young people in my community.

As a first-generation student, attending college is more than just a personal goal, it’s a commitment to breaking generational barriers. Growing up in Southeast San Diego, I became aware of the inequalities that existed between my community and more privileged areas, especially when it came to access to healthcare. This awareness inspired my passion for pediatric nursing and my desire to provide children and families from underserved backgrounds with the care they deserve. My passion for pediatrics began through my five years of volunteering in my church’s childrens minsitry. Each Sunday, I created lesson plans, led activities, and formed meaningful connections with the kids. I realized how much I loved working with children, and it was through these interactions that I discovered I wanted to go into nursing. I knew that I wanted to provide care, comfort, and advocacy for young patients. Nursing allows me to merge my love for science with my commitment to helping others. I want to take a multicultural approach to patient care, ensuring that children from diverse backgrounds are seen, heard, and treated equally. As a future pediatric nurse practitioner, I hope to not only provide medical care but also to educate families and empower them to live healthy lives. Continuing my education will allow me to address health disparities and advocate for more inclusive and equitable care in communities like my own. However, making a difference in my community goes beyond my future career in nursing, I have also taken initiative to start making a change now. Going to school in Southeast San Diego often comes with stereotypes that students are unsuccessful and incapable of pursuing higher education. I’ve experienced this uncertainty myself as a first-generation student with no one to turn to for guidance about college. That's why I joined my school’s First Gen Club and, eventually, became Vice President. I’ve hosted multiple workshops like “The Writing Process” and “College Help 101,” to share resources for the college application process. I have also mentored underclassman through our clubs mentorship program, encouraging them to take on summer programs and internships after benefitting from many myself. I’m committed to giving them the resources, encouragement, and representation I once needed myself. Through nursing, I plan to carry this same desire forward. My goal is not only to heal but uplift others, to ensure that people from all backgrounds feel supported in achieving their goals. I will use my platform as a nurse to advocate for patients, promote health education, and serve as a role model for young people in my community.

As a first-generation student, attending college is more than just a personal goal, but a commitment to breaking generational barriers. Growing up in Southeast San Diego, I became aware of the inequalities that existed between my community and more privileged areas, especially when it came to access to healthcare. This awareness led me to want to become a pediatric nurse practitioner and provide children and families from underserved backgrounds with the quality care they deserve. My passion for pediatrics began through my five years of experience volunteering in my church’s children's minsitry. Each Sunday, I created lesson plans, led activities, and formed meaningful connections with the kids. I realized how much I loved working with children, and it was through these interactions that I discovered I wanted to go into nursing. I knew that I wanted to provide care, comfort, and advocacy for young patients. Nursing allows me to merge my love for science with my commitment to helping others. I want to take a multicultural approach to patient care, ensuring that children from diverse backgrounds are seen, heard, and treated equally. As a future pediatric nurse practitioner, I hope to not only provide medical care but also to educate families and empower them to live healthy lives. Continuing my education will allow me to address health disparities and advocate for inclusive, diverse care in communities like my own. However, making a difference in my community goes beyond my future career in nursing, I have also taken initiative to start making a change now. Going to school in Southeast San Diego often comes with stereotypes that students are unsuccessful and incapable of pursuing higher education. I’ve experienced this uncertainty myself as a first-generation student with no one to turn to for guidance about college. That's why I joined my school’s First Gen Club and, eventually, became Vice President. I’ve hosted multiple workshops like “The Writing Process” and “College Help 101,” to share resources for the college application process. I have also mentored underclassmen through our clubs mentorship program, encouraging them to take on summer programs and internships after benefitting from many myself. I’m committed to giving them the resources, encouragement, and representation I once needed myself. Through nursing, I plan to carry this same desire forward. My goal is not only to heal but uplift others, to ensure that people from all backgrounds feel supported in achieving their goals. I will use my platform as a nurse to advocate for patients, promote health education, and serve as a role model for young people in my community.

Going into high school, I was unsure about my future career. But having a transformational experience with my high school honors chemistry teacher, Mrs. VG, made a difference. She was unique compared to my past reachers, making learning engaging, chellnging her students to think outside the box, and ensuring that her students were heard. We had circles every Friday, taking a break from science and focusing on community building, making the class even more enjoyable. But by far the most impactful part of her class was the hands-on labs she insisted we do every week. Her labs opened my eyes to the possibilities within science, encouraging me to further grow my knowledge outside of the classroom. Throughout the school year, I could tell how much her students meant to her when she shared internship opportunities for us to pursue. One internship she shared was at Scripps Research, which would allow me to choose a lab that most interested me. At first, I doubted my ability to thrive in this rigorous environment, I had no prior hands on experience, I lacked knowledge in cellular biology, and I hadn’t seen our community represented in these opportunties. But, Mrs. VG supported me through every step of the way. She wrote me a letter of recommendation and helped me on my application. By the end of the school year, I knew I would be interning at Scripps Research. In my internship’s lab, our main focus was to research activation of the Integrated Stress Response (ISR) without causing specific stresses to occur within a patient. At first, this rigorous environment felt challenging, but this didn't stop me from making the most of the opportunity. I worked with my mentor to read many articles and asked questions to help me understand the material. Additionally, I made sure to communicate with my principal investigator, ensuring we had a clear plan to succeed for my final research project. Within the first week, I learned so much and grew confident working in the lab setting. Coming to the lab every morning eager to make progress, I worked independently after shadowing my mentor, became efficient in qPCR and cell culture protocol, and analyzed my data more efficiently. I felt accomplished and became confident in my capability. Most importantly, I worked with purpose knowing my work contributed to my mentor’s research that will develop beneficial outcomes for fighting disease and providing disease therapy. At the end of my 7-week internship, I felt accomplished and became confident in my capability. Engaging chemistry experiments at school had already helped me apply science to real-world challenges, such as when I investigated the impact of environmental factors on our school’s trees. I was encouraged to see that our findings led to actionable improvements in our campus ecosystem. But it was this internship, made possible by the help of Mrs. VG, that shpowed me the power of science to help others. Most importantly, through my internship I found that through research, I can merge my passion for helping others and my joy of creating a lasting impact through science. To fight for important issues, such as climate change affecting my global community and health disparities impacting my low-income community, I now see science as the gateway to make a difference. I still talk to Mrs. VG today, inviting her to my Scripps Research symposium in the summer and getting help on my college applications. She didn’t just teach me chemistry, she helped me discover my passions and what my future could hold.

Jack Terry’s story showcases the power of perseverance, resilience, and education. Despite the challenges he faced, he rebuilt his life through learning and hard work. As I have also faced hardships, his journey inspires me to push barriers that make success feel out of reach. Similar to Jack, I’ve learned that education can be a way to succeed, not just for me, but also for others I meet along the way. Going to school in Southeast San Diego comes with stereotypes that students are unsuccessful and don’t attend or apply to college. I had no one in my family to turn to for guidance on figuring out applications, financial aid, and summer programs. At first, I believed I was incapable of attending college without the resources available in my community. However, I realized the invaluable opportunity that college offers to break generational barriers within my family. As a sophomore with no one to seek guidance from about college applications, I took on the same determination Jack did at 15 years old when coming to the U.S. and I joined my high school’s First Gen Club to gain a better understanding of the college application process. When going to their meetings, I was surprised at how supportive and hands-on club officers were. One of the Vice Presidents especially made an impact on me my Junior year. Guiding me through summer program applications, answering questions about school, and helping me discover what my future could hold. Inspired by the impact he had on me, I applied for a cabinet position my senior year. Now, as Vice President of the club, my goal is to provide the same support by mentoring underclassmen, preparing them for college, and helping them break generational barriers within their families too. I’ve particularly enjoyed helping underclassmen navigate their professional career journeys, giving them access to internship and summer program resources after benefiting from many myself. But, my support does not just stop with her one-on-one mentorship, I have also organized workshops such as “The Writing Process” and “College Help 101” to support my fellow seniors in the college application process. I continue to pass on the knowledge I have previously received, fostering our club members’ legacy of becoming the first in our families to attend college. Although my experiences in navigating higher education have been unique, the struggle to find guidance within my community is far too common. I see myself in every student in our First Gen Club, and I am committed to ensuring they have the support and resources to succeed. Jack didn't just overcome adversity, but he used his journey to help others, which is what I strive to do in my future. With the support of my mentors and community, I now envision myself attending a four-year university and eventually earning a master’s degree in nursing to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. My experiences have fueled my passion for healthcare and desire to help underserved communities, ensuring every child receives the care they need regardless of their background. Jack Terry dedicated his career to healing others, and I aim to do the same as a pediatric nurse by providing care to children who need it most. I have gained confidence to excel in higher education and want to make sure that students like me on my future college campus also have the support they need to succeed. I hope to continue my initiatives, proving that people from my community can attend and graduate from college, just as Jack Terry proved that perseverance can lead to finding purpose in life.

Education is more than just learning from a textbook or conducting experiments in the lab, but is shaped by people in your life who guide and support you along your journey. Throughout my journey in STEM, I have faced challenges that have tested my confidence and determination. However, the mentors and peers I have met along the way have encouraged me to make a difference and grow beyond my fears. Their support has shaped me into the person I am today, motivating me to do the same for others in my future. One of my most rewarding experiences was mentoring a junior through her COSMOS application, a prestigious math and science summer program I also attended the summer of my junior year. As a fellow Latina and first-generation student, she faced similar obstacles as me in accessing STEM opportunities. I peer-reviewed her essays daily, gave her feedback, and encouraged her to write passionately about her interest in STEM. We not only worked on her application, but also had conversations about her future career goals, and I helped her envision herself in STEM despite the obstacles we may face. Together, we successfully submitted a well-rounded, competitive application, and we are still working on applying to more STEM opportunities to help prepare for rigorous work environments in the future. Engaging Biology and Chemistry experiments at school allowed me to apply scientific concepts to real world challenges, such as when I investigated the impact of campus environmental factors on the health of our school’s trees. I was encouraged to see that our findings led to actionable improvements in our campus ecosystem. This motivated me to participate in the Scripps Research High School Internship where my goals were to deepen my scientific understanding and develop skills necessary to make a meaningful difference through STEM. In my internship’s lab, our main focus was to research activation of the Integrated Stress Response (ISR) without causing specific stresses to occur within a patient. At first, this rigorous environment felt challenging. I had no prior hands-on experience, I lacked knowledge in cellular biology, and I haven’t seen our community represented in these opportunities. But, this didn't stop me from making the most of the opportunity. I worked with my mentor to read many articles and asked questions to help me understand the material. Additionally, I made sure to communicate with my principal investigator, ensuring we had a clear plan to succeed for my final research project. Within the first week, I learned so much and grew confident working in the lab setting. Coming to the lab every morning eager to make progress, I worked independently after shadowing my mentor, became efficient in qPCR and cell culture protocol, and analyzed my data more efficiently. I felt accomplished and became confident in my capability. Most importantly, I worked with purpose knowing my work contributed to my mentor’s research that will develop beneficial outcomes for fighting disease and providing disease therapy. At the end of my 7-week internship, I proudly presented my findings at a research symposium to Scripps Faculty. Not only did I gain technical skills, but I discovered the power of resilience. I realized that I did not have to know everything from the start of my internship, but instead be willing to learn, grow, and adapt. Above all, I found that through research, I can merge my passion for helping others and my joy of creating an impact through science. To fight for important issues, such as climate change affecting my global community and health disparities impacting in my low-income community, I see science as the gateway to make a difference. As I listened to my junior mentee express her doubts about her ability to excel in rigorous summer programs, I recognized her fear of feeling unprepared. But, instead of just telling her she would be okay, I shared my own experience with her. I explained how I once felt out of place but knew my role through curiosity, perseverance, and willingness to ask for help. I reassured her that no one starts as an expert, and that what really mattered was her ability to adapt and grow. I gave her practical advice, such as, finding a mentor in the program to help answer her questions, take detailed notes daily, and embrace learning new things. Reflecting on both my experience and my role in mentoring others, I now understand that one of my biggest challenges in STEM was overcoming self-doubt. Many students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, are scared to pursue rigorous opportunities because they fear they are not “good enough.” But, my advice to these future students is to face these challenges with the belief in your own potential to succeed. The connections we make along our educational journeys shape who we become. I would not be where I am today without the mentors who have guided me, and I want to use these experiences to pass on the support I have previously received. If I can make a difference in the lives of others like me, then I know I am contributing to a more inclusive and diverse future in STEM. Ultimately, education is not just about the knowledge you gain, but the people along the way who help us grow and inspire us to keep going.

Being a student-athlete has played a significant role in shaping my resilience, personal growth, and career aspirations. As a Varsity Soccer player for all four years of high school, I have learned the value of teamwork, perseverance, and hardwork, which are all qualities that are crucial on the field and in the medical field. Balancing rigorous academics, leadership roles, and competitive soccer has improved my time management skills and my ability to perform under pressure. Whether it's pushing through tiredness during a playoff match or staying focused on the final minutes of a close game, I have developed a strong work ethic that I plan to carry over into my future as a pediatric medical professional. Soccer has also taught me the importance of being adaptable and problem-solving. Just like in medicine, there are never identical situations and you must be quick on your feet and collaborate with my peers to achieve a common goal. These experiences have reinforced my desire to work in pediatric healthcare, where I will need to think critically and act quickly to ensure the well-being of my patients. Additionally, as a leader on my team, I have learned to uplift others, offer guidance, and create a supportive environment, which is something I hope to bring into my future career by providing compassionate and effective care for children and their families. Along with my passion for pediatrics and sports, I also have the opportunity to address health disparities through research opportunities. My passion for STEM began when I saw how scientific research could be used to make meaningful change. In high school, engaging in biology and chemistry experiments allowed me to apply scientific concepts to real-world challenges, such as investigating how campus environmental factors affected the health of our school’s trees. Seeing our findings lead to actionable improvements in our campus ecosystem motivated me to explore research further, leading me to participate in the Scripps Research High School Internship. At first, the rigorous lab environment felt challenging, I had no prior hands-on experience, lacked knowledge in cellular biology, and hadn't seen my community represented in these opportunities. But, this didn't stop me. I worked with my mentor to read articles and asked questions to understand the material. Within the first week, I learned so much and grew confident working in the lab. After shadowing my mentor, I worked independently, became efficient in qPCR and cell culture protocol, and analyzed my data efficiently. Most importantly, I worked with purpose knowing my work contributed to developing disease therapy and treatments. At the end of my 7-week internship, I proudly presented my findings at a symposium for Scripps Faculty. Through patient care and research, I can merge my passion for helping others and my joy of creating an impact through science. As I continue my journey toward a career in pediatrics, I carry the valuable lessons I have learned through both soccer and research. The discipline, adaptability, and leadership I have developed as a student-athlete will help me navigate the challenges of medicine, just as my experiences in research have deepened my understanding of the impact healthcare can have on underserved communities. My time on the field, in the lab, and in leadership roles has shaped me into who I am today, preparing me to tackle the challenges I will face in my future.

As a first-generation student, I am determined to break generational barriers and pursue a career as a pediatric nurse practitioner. My passion for pediatric nursing began through my work in my church’s children’s ministry, where I discovered my love for caring for children. Pediatric nursing is more than just a career to me—it’s a way to provide essential healthcare to children from underrepresented communities. By working in clinics that serve low-income families, I hope to contribute to public health and improve the lives of underserved children. Realizing that I won’t have the same family guidance as others, I joined First Gen Scholars, a program that provided me with invaluable resources to navigate the college application process. It also inspired me to help other underrepresented students in my community break through barriers in education and healthcare. Through my involvement in extracurricular activities such as Varsity Soccer, Girls Inc., Key Club, and the Environmental Club, I’ve led workshops on the college application process, organized campus clean-ups, and worked to promote diversity in STEM. As President of Girls Inc., I’ve advocated for women’s empowerment and mental health, ensuring young women have the support they need to pursue their educational dreams. My involvement with San Diego Squared, a nonprofit focused on increasing diversity in STEM, further deepened my passion for the STEM field. Mentors from top STEM companies encouraged me to help underrepresented students gain access to resources in rigorous careers, and I’ve shared my experiences with summer programs and internships to motivate others to explore STEM pathways. In the future, I hope to become a pediatric nurse practitioner and a role model for first-generation students, proving that success is possible despite the challenges we face. I am committed to increasing diversity in STEM, uplifting my community, and inspiring others to pursue their dreams. Now as Vice President of the club, I strive to make a similar impact by mentoring underclassmen and preparing them for the college application process. I’ve organized workshops such as “The Writing Process” and “College Help 101” to assist my peers and have shared internship and summer program resources. I also provide one-on-one mentorship through our club’s program, helping others navigate the challenges I once faced. Though my experiences have been unique, the lack of guidance in my community is far too common. I’m committed to ensuring that students from all backgrounds receive the support and resources they need to achieve their goals, both in higher education and beyond. Earning the Kalia D. Memorial Scholarship would allow me to overcome financial barriers that would otherwise limit my ability to fully focus on my education. As a first-generation student, I have worked hard to excel academically while actively contributing to my community. However, without financial support, I will likely need to work long hours to afford tuition, limiting my time to focus on my coursework, research, and leadership opportunities. With this support, I can fully focus on my goal of contributing to public health as a pediatric nurse practitioner while continuing to uplift underserved communities. This financial assistance will not only help me achieve my academic and professional goals, but also empower me to expand my impact beyond my community, ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have access to the healthcare they need.

As a first-generation student, I am determined to break generational barriers and pursue a career as a pediatric nurse practitioner. My passion for pediatric nursing began through my work in my church’s children’s ministry, where I discovered my love for caring for children. Pediatric nursing is more than just a career to me—it’s a way to provide essential healthcare to children from underrepresented communities. By working in clinics that serve low-income families, I hope to contribute to public health and improve the lives of underserved children. Realizing that I won’t have the same family guidance as others, I joined First Gen Scholars, a program that provided me with invaluable resources to navigate the college application process. It also inspired me to help other underrepresented students in my community break through barriers in education and healthcare. Through my involvement in extracurricular activities such as Varsity Soccer, Girls Inc., Key Club, and the Environmental Club, I’ve led workshops on the college application process, organized campus clean-ups, and worked to promote diversity in STEM. As President of Girls Inc., I’ve advocated for women’s empowerment and mental health, ensuring young women have the support they need to pursue their educational dreams. My involvement with San Diego Squared, a nonprofit focused on increasing diversity in STEM, further deepened my passion for the STEM field. Mentors from top STEM companies encouraged me to help underrepresented students gain access to resources in rigorous careers, and I’ve shared my experiences with summer programs and internships to motivate others to explore STEM pathways. In the future, I hope to become a pediatric nurse practitioner and a role model for first-generation students, proving that success is possible despite the challenges we face. I am committed to increasing diversity in STEM, uplifting my community, and inspiring others to pursue their dreams. If I could start my own charity, I would focus on providing equitable resources for higher education to low-income, first-generation students. This charity would offer mentorship and guidance, ensuring students have the resources needed to succeed. Growing up in Southeast San Diego, I experienced the stereotypes that students from my community don’t attend or apply to college. Recognizing the value of higher education in breaking generational barriers, I joined my high school’s First Gen Club as a sophomore. The support I received from club officers, especially one Vice President who helped me navigate summer program applications, made a lasting impact on me. Now as Vice President of the club, I strive to make a similar impact by mentoring underclassmen and preparing them for the college application process. I’ve organized workshops such as “The Writing Process” and “College Help 101” to assist my peers and have shared internship and summer program resources. I also provide one-on-one mentorship through our club’s program, helping others navigate the challenges I once faced. Though my experiences have been unique, the lack of guidance in my community is far too common. I’m committed to ensuring that students from all backgrounds receive the support and resources they need to achieve their goals, both in higher education and beyond.

Growing up in Southeast San Diego, I became aware of the inequalities that existed between my community and more privileged areas, specifically in access to resources like healthcare. This awareness of limited access to quality medical care shaped my aspiration to ensure that communities like mine have access to the care and resources they need to thrive, regardless of their background. As the first in my family to attend college, I aim to break generational barriers and inspire others in my community to succeed. Through my work, I aim to empower future generations to access the resources and care we deserve. My passion for healthcare stems from my five years of volunteering with my church’s children's ministry, where I develop lesson plans, engage with parents, and mentor children every Sunday. Seeing the children excited to learn and see me each week confirmed my purpose; providing care and support for children. Nursing gives me the platform to advocate for patients, foster inclusivity, and contribute to a healthcare system where everyone feels seen and valued. As a future pediatric nurse practitioner, I want to take a multicultural approach to caring for my patients, making sure children from diverse backgrounds receive equitable treatment. I am committed to growing my knowledge and skills while ensuring my patients feel seen, valued, and supported. Along with my passion for pediatrics, I also have the opportunity to address health disparities through research. My passion for STEM began when I saw how scientific research could be used to make meaningful change. In high school, engaging in biology and chemistry experiments allowed me to apply scientific concepts to real-world challenges, such as investigating how campus environmental factors affected the health of our school’s trees. Seeing our findings lead to actionable improvements in our campus ecosystem motivated me to explore research further, leading me to participate in the Scripps Research High School Internship. At first, the rigorous lab environment felt challenging, I had no prior hands-on experience, lacked knowledge in cellular biology, and hadn't seen my community represented in these opportunities. But, this didn't stop me. I worked with my mentor to read articles and asked questions to understand the material. Within the first week, I learned so much and grew confident working in the lab. After shadowing my mentor, I worked independently, became efficient in qPCR and cell culture protocol, and analyzed my data efficiently. Most importantly, I worked with purpose knowing my work contributed to developing disease therapy and treatments. At the end of my 7-week internship, I proudly presented my findings at a symposium for Scripps Faculty. Through patient care and research, I can merge my passion for helping others and my joy of creating an impact through science. To fight for important issues, such as addressing health disparities in low-income communities and the effects of environmental factors on public health. Nursing is my gateway to making a difference, I am determined to create a future where all children receive the care they deserve.

Going to school in Southeast San Diego comes with stereotypes that students are unsuccessful and don’t attend or apply to college. However, I realized the invaluable opportunity that college offers to break generational barriers within my family. As a sophomore with no one to seek guidance from about college applications, I joined my high school’s First Gen Club to gain a better understanding of the college application process. When going to their meetings, I was surprised at how supportive and hands-on club officers were. One of the Vice Presidents especially made an impact on me my Junior year. Guiding me through summer program applications, answering questions about school, and helping me discover what my future could hold. Inspired by the impact he had on me, I applied for a cabinet position my senior year. Now, as Vice President of the club, my goal is to provide the same support by mentoring underclassmen, preparing them for college, and helping them break generational barriers within their families too. I’ve particularly enjoyed helping underclassmen navigate their professional career journeys, giving them access to internship and summer program resources after benefiting from many myself. One of my most rewarding experiences was mentoring a junior through her COSMOS application. COSMOS is a math and science summer program that I attended the summer of my junior year, where I researched early Alzheimer's diagnosis. I saw myself in her, she was also a Latina student interested in STEM and navigating the challenges of being a first-generation student without access to mentorship, just as I once had. I made sure to act as both a mentor and a friend, ensuring her application was as strong as it could be. I peer-reviewed her essays daily, gave her feedback, and encouraged her to write passionately about her interest in STEM. We not only worked on her application, but also had conversations about her future career goals, and I helped her envision herself in STEM despite the obstacles we may face. Together, we successfully submitted a well-rounded, competitive application, and we are still working on applying to more STEM opportunities to help prepare for rigorous work environments in the future. But, my support does not just stop with her one-on-one mentorship, I have also organized workshops such as “The Writing Process” and “College Help 101” to support my fellow seniors in the college application process. I continue to pass on the knowledge I have previously received, fostering our club members’ legacy of becoming the first in our families to attend college. Although my experiences in navigating higher education have been unique, the struggle to find guidance within my community is far too common. I see myself in every student in our First Gen Club, and I am committed to ensuring they have the support and resources to succeed. With the support of my mentors and community, I now envision myself attending a four-year university and eventually earning a master’s degree in nursing to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. My experiences have fueled my passion for healthcare and desire to help underserved communities, ensuring every child receives the care they need regardless of their background. I have gained confidence to excel in higher education and want to make sure that students like me on my future college campus also have the support they need to succeed. I hope to continue my initiatives, proving that people from my community can attend and graduate from college.

As a first-generation student determined to break generational barriers within my family, I aim to graduate from a four-year university and pursue my master’s degree in nursing to specialize as a pediatric nurse practitioner. My passion for peditric nursing stems from my work in my church’s children’s minstry, where I realized how much I enjoy caring for and supporting children. Pediatric nursing is more than just a career, but an important form of civil service that ensures children receive quality care, regardless of their socioeconomic background. By working in community clinics or hospitals that serve low-income families, I will contribute to public health and improve the health of underrepresented children. Knowing I will not have my family for guidance, I have joined organizations such as First Gen Scholars to keep me on track to achieving my goals. This program has not only given me access to resources to complete the college application process, but has also inspired me to help other underrepresented students in my community navigate barriers to healthcare and education. Going to school in Southeast San Diego means facing stereotypes that students from my area are unsuccessful and are incapable of attending college. However, I quickly realized the invaluable opportunity college offers to uplift and transform my community. Wanting to help other students at my high school recognize their potential to pursue higher education, I became Vice President of the First Gen Scholars club. My goal was to have an impact by mentoring underclassmen, preparing them for college and breaking generational barriers within their families just as I strive to do with my own. I’ve already begun organizing workshops, sharing resources for underclassmen to pursue internships, and participating in our club’s mentorship program to give one-on-one support to members. I continue to pass on the knowledge I previously received, fostering our club’s legacy of becoming the first in our families to attend college. Just as I have broke barriers in education, I aim to do the same in healthcare by advocating for accessible healthcare. The same drive that has led me to empower first-generation students in my community will be used in my future healthcare career, where I will empower families to improve their well-being. Through my leadership, I have learned the importance of public service to uplift my community toward education and similar to what I want to achieve in healthcare. Earning the Janet and Jim Boettcher Memorial Scholarship would allow me to overcome financial barriers that would otherwise limit my ability to fully focus on my education. As a first-generation student, I have worked hard to excel academically while actively contributing to my community. However, without financial support, I will likely need to work long hours to afford tuition, limiting my time to focus on my coursework, research, and leadership opportunities. With this support, I can fully focus on my goal of contributing to public health as a pediatric nurse practitioner while continuing to uplift underserved communities. This financial assistance will not only help me achieve my academic and professional goals, but also empower me to expand my impact beyond my community, ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have access to the healthcare they need.

As a first-generation student determined to break generational barriers within my family, I aim to graduate from a four-year university and pursue my master’s degree in nursing to specialize as a pediatric nurse practitioner. My passion for pediatric nursing stems from my work in my church’s children’s ministry, where I realized how much I enjoy caring for and supporting children. Knowing I will not have my family for guidance, I have joined organizations such as First Gen Scholars to keep me on track to achieving my goals. This program has not only given me access to resources to complete the college application process, but has also inspired me to help other underrepresented students in my community so they too can achieve higher education. Going to school in Southeast San Diego means facing stereotypes that students from my area are unsuccessful and are incapable of attending college. However, I quickly realized the invaluable opportunity college offers to uplift and transform my community. Wanting to help other students at my high school recognize their potential to pursue higher education, I became Vice President of the First Gen Scholars club. My goal was to have an impact by mentoring underclassmen, preparing them for college and breaking generational barriers within their families just as I strive to do with my own. I’ve already begun organizing workshops, sharing resources for underclassmen to pursue internships, and participating in our club’s mentorship program to give one-on-one support to members. I continue to pass on the knowledge I previously received, fostering our club’s legacy of becoming the first in our families to attend college. Although my experiences in reaching higher education have been unique, the struggle to find guidance within my community is far too common. I see myself in all of our members and am committed to ensuring people from all backgrounds are supported in achieving their goals with the resources needed to do so. As I've been encouraged to reach my educational dreams, I've begun to explore my interest in STEM. Engaging in experiments at school allowed me to apply scientific concepts to real-world challenges, such as when I investigated the impact of campus environmental factors on the health of our school's trees in my biology class. This experience motivated me to further my scientific knowledge by interning at Scripps Research. In my internship lab, I researched the activation of the Integrated Stress Response (ISR) and worked with purpose knowing my work contributed to beneficial outcomes for fighting disease. This experience reinforced my problem-solving skills and adaptability, which are all qualities I hope to take on through my pediatric nursing career. Through this, I increased my confidence in rigorous settings and increased representation within my community. Above all, I found that through research, I can merge my passion for helping others with my joy of making an impact through science. Earning the Aurora Rocha Memorial Scholarship would allow me to overcome financial barriers that would otherwise limit my ability to fully focus on my education. As a first-generation student, I have worked hard to excel academically while actively contributing to my community. However, without financial support, I will likely need to work long hours to afford tuition, limiting my time to focus on my coursework, research, and leadership opportunities. With this support, I can fully focus on my goal of becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner while continuing to uplift underserved communities. This financial assistance will not only help me achieve my academic and professional goals, but also empower me to inspire other first-gen students to pursue their dreams.

As a first-generation student determined to break generational barriers within my family, I aim to graduate from a four-year university and pursue my master’s degree in nursing to specialize as a pediatric nurse practitioner. My passion for pediatric nursing stems from my work in my church’s children’s ministry, where I realized how much I enjoy caring for and supporting children. Knowing I will not have my family for guidance, I have joined organizations such as First Gen Scholars to keep me on track to achieving my goals. This program has not only given me access to resources to complete the college application process, but has also inspired me to help other underrepresented students in my community so they too can achieve higher education. Going to school in Southeast San Diego means facing stereotypes that students from my area are unsuccessful and are incapable of attending college. However, I quickly realized the invaluable opportunity college offers to uplift and transform my community. Wanting to help other students at my high school recognize their potential to pursue higher education, I became Vice President of the First Gen Scholars club. My goal was to have an impact by mentoring underclassmen, preparing them for college and breaking generational barriers within their families just as I strive to do with my own. I’ve already begun organizing workshops, sharing resources for underclassmen to pursue internships, and participating in our club’s mentorship program to give one-on-one support to members. I continue to pass on the knowledge I previously received, fostering our club’s legacy of becoming the first in our families to attend college. Although my experiences in reaching higher education have been unique, the struggle to find guidance within my community is far too common. I see myself in all of our members and am committed to ensuring people from all backgrounds are supported in achieving their goals with the resources needed to do so. As I've been encouraged to reach my educational dreams, I've begun to explore my interest in STEM. Engaging in experiments at school allowed me to apply scientific concepts to real-world challenges, such as when I investigated the impact of campus environmental factors on the health of our school's trees in my biology class. This experience motivated me to further my scientific knowledge by interning at Scripps Research. In my internship lab, I researched the activation of the Integrated Stress Response (ISR) and worked with purpose knowing my work contributed to beneficial outcomes for fighting disease. This experience reinforced my problem-solving skills and adaptability, which are all qualities I hope to take on through my pediatric nursing career. Through this, I increased my confidence in rigorous settings and increased representation within my community. Above all, I found that through research, I can merge my passion for helping others with my joy of making an impact through science. Earning the Sean Kelly Memorial Scholarship would allow me to overcome financial barriers that would otherwise limit my ability to fully focus on my education. As a first-generation student, I have worked hard to excel academically while actively contributing to my community. However, without financial support, I will likely need to work long hours to afford tuition, limiting my time to focus on my coursework, research, and leadership opportunities. With this support, I can fully focus on my goal of becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner while continuing to uplift underserved communities. This financial assistance will not only help me achieve my academic and professional goals, but also empower me to inspire other first-gen students to pursue their dreams.

As a first-generation student committed to breaking generational barriers within my family, I aim to graduate from a four-year university and pursue my master’s degree in nursing to specialize as a pediatric nurse practitioner. Knowing I will not have my family for guidance, I have joined organizations such as First Gen Scholars to keep me on track to achieving my goals. This program has not only given me access to resources to complete the college application process, but has also inspired me to help other underrepresented students in my community achieve higher education. For me, success is not only defined by my degree, but also by creating pathways to success for students like me. Going to school in Southeast San Diego I often witnessed stereotypes suggesting students from my community being unsuccessful and incapable of attending college. However, I quickly realized the invaluable opportunity college offers to uplift my community. Wanting to help other students at my high school recognize their potential to pursue higher education, I became Vice President of the First Gen Scholars club. My goal was to have an impact by mentoring underclassmen, preparing them for college and breaking generational barriers within their families just as I strive to do within my own. I’ve already begun organizing workshops, sharing resources for underclassmen to pursue internships, and participating in our club’s mentorship program to give one-on-one support to members. I continue to pass on the knowledge I previously received, fostering our club’s legacy of becoming the first in our families to attend college. Although my experiences in reaching higher education have been unique, the struggle to find guidance within my community is far too common. I see myself in all of our members and I am committed to ensuring people from all backgrounds are supported in achieving their goals with the resources needed to do so. As I've been encouraged to reach my educational dreams, I've begun to explore my interest in STEM. Engaging in experiments at school allowed me to apply scientific concepts to real-world challenges, such as when I investigated the impact of campus environmental factors on the health of our school's trees in my biology class. This experience motivated me to further my scientific knowledge by interning at Scripps Research. In my internship lab, I researched the activation of the Integrated Stress Response (ISR) and worked with purpose knowing my work contributed to beneficial outcomes for fighting disease. This experience reinforced the importance of problem-solving, dedication, and precision, which are all skills I will carry into my future as a pediatric nurse practitioner. Through this, I increased my confidence in rigorous settings and helped expand representation within my community. Above all, I found that through research, I can merge my passion for helping others with my joy of making an impact through science. Earning the Redefining Victory Scholarship would allow me to overcome financial barriers that would otherwise limit my ability to fully engage in my education. As a first-generation student, I have worked hard to excel academically while actively contributing to my community. However, without financial support, I may need to work long hours to afford tuition, limiting my ability to focus on my coursework, research, and leadership positions. With this support, I can fully focus on my goal of becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner while continuing to uplift underserved communities. This financial assistance will not only help me achieve my academic and professional goals, but also empower me to inspire and support future generations of first-gen students, ensuring they can also redefine victory for themselves.

My passion for STEM began when I saw how scientific research could be used to make meaningful change. In high school, engaging in biology and chemistry experiments allowed me to apply scientific concepts to real-world challenges, such as investigating how campus environmental factors affected the health of our school’s trees. Seeing our findings lead to actionable improvements in our campus ecosystem motivated me to explore research further, later leading me to participate in the Scripps Research High School Internship. This experience opened my eyes to the power of research to solve real-world problems and the role it can play in pressing issues such as health disparities and climate change. At first, the rigorous environment in the lab felt challenging as I had no prior hands-on experience, lacked knowledge in cellular biology, and hadn't seen my community represented in these opportunities. But, this didn't stop me from making the most of my experience. By my second week I worked independently, becoming efficient in qPCR and cell culture protocol while analyzing my data efficiently. Most importantly, I worked with purpose knowing my work contributed to developing disease therapy and finding that through research, I can merge my passion for helping others and my joy of creating an impact through science. During my time as a Scripps Intern, I read many articles to expand my knowledge and improve my performance. However, one article, The Integrated Stress Response: From Mechanism to Disease by Mauro Costa-Mattioli and Peter Walter, especially stood out to me. It deepened my understanding of how cellular stress responses contribute to neurodegenerative disease, fueling my curiosity and commitment to complete my research project. This piece of literature made me realize that understanding these pathways through research could lead to groundbreaking therapies for people in need. This opened my eyes to believe that research is not just about the discoveries you make, but the contributions you make to society, medicine, and patient care. Through my reading, I grew aspirations of pursuing pediatric research, where I hope to study genetic mechanisms behind diseases impacting children and overall develop innovative treatments to transform their lives. As a Latina in STEM, I have also been aware of the lack of diversity in the field. But through organizations such as San Diego Squared, I began meeting people of all backgrounds and found what I didn’t have in my household through top STEM company visits. One site visit to Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography (ASML) allowed us to ask a panel - a third of which were women of color - questions and gain insight into life in STEM. I felt impacted by their journeys and challenges faced as some of the only women in a male-dominated field lacking diversity. Their initiatives within ASML to create representation within the workplace gave me inspiration for my own career. I also want to follow in their footsteps, break stereotypes, increase diversity, and most importantly, make a significant impact on the world around me. I have already taken initiative, sharing my own experiences with resources like COSMOS, a STEM summer program, to my underrepresented high school and increasing the amount of our students that attend. I have built a community that breaks stereotypes and promotes diversity within STEM, ultimately helping more students pursue STEM opportunities. Earning the “Code Breakers & Changemakers” Scholarship would be a transformative opportunity, allowing me to focus fully on my STEM education and continue advocating for diversity in the field. I hope to use my platform to break stereotypes, uplift my community, and address issues such as climate change and health disparities that have affected my underrepresented community. By pursuing a career in pediatric research and healthcare, I aim to make change, not only in medicine but also in creating a future where people of all backgrounds have the opportunity to thrive in STEM.

My passion for STEM began when I saw how scientific research could be used to make meaningful change. In high school, engaging in biology and chemistry experiments allowed me to apply scientific concepts to real-world challenges, such as when I investigated how campus environmental factors affected the health of our school’s trees. Seeing our findings lead to actionable improvements in our campus ecosystem motivated me to explore research further, later leading me to participate in the Scripps Research High School Internship. This experience opened my eyes to the power of research to solve real-world problems and the role it can play in pressing issues such as health disparities and climate change. At first, the rigorous environment in the lab felt challenging as I had no prior hands-on experience, lacked knowledge in cellular biology, and hadn't seen my community represented in these opportunities. But, this didn't stop me from making the most of my experience. By my second week in my lab I worked independently, becoming efficient in qPCR and cell culture protocol while analyzing my data efficiently. Most importantly, I worked with purpose knowing my work contributed to developing disease therapy and finding that through research, I can merge my passion for helping others and my joy of creating an impact through science. As a Latina in STEM, I have also been aware of the lack of diversity in the field. But through organizations such as San Diego Squared, I began meeting people of all backgrounds and found what I didn’t have in my household through visiting top STEM companies around San Diego. One site visit to Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography (ASML) allowed us to ask a panel - a third of which were women of color - questions and gain insight into life in STEM. I felt impacted by their journeys and challenges faced as some of the only women in a male-dominated field lacking diversity. Their initiatives within ASML to create representation within the workplace gave me inspiration for my own career. I also want to follow in their footsteps, break stereotypes, increase diversity, and most importantly, make a significant impact on the world around me. I have already taken initiative, sharing my own experiences with resources like COSMOS, a STEM summer program, to my underrepresented high school and increasing the amount of our students that attend. I have built a community that breaks stereotypes and promotes diversity within STEM, ultimately helping more students pursue STEM opportunities. Earning the Julie Adams Memorial Scholarship would be a transformative opportunity, allowing me to focus fully on my STEM education and continue advocating for diversity in the STEM field. In the future, I hope to use my platform to break stereotypes, uplift my community, and address issues such as climate change and health disparities that have affected my underrepresented community. By pursuing a career in pediatric research and healthcare, I aim to make change, not only in medicine but also in creating a future where people of all backgrounds have the opportunity to thrive in STEM.

My passion for STEM began when I saw how scientific research could be used to make meaningful change. In high school, engaging in biology and chemistry experiments allowed me to apply scientific concepts to real-world challenges, such as investigating how campus environmental factors affected the health of our school’s trees. Seeing our findings lead to actionable improvements in our campus ecosystem motivated me to explore research further, later leading me to participate in the Scripps Research High School Internship. At first, the rigorous environment in the lab felt challenging as I had no prior hands-on experience, lacked knowledge in cellular biology, and hadn't seen my community represented in these opportunities. But, this didn't stop me from making the most of my experience. By my second week I worked independently, becoming efficient in qPCR and cell culture protocol while analyzing my data efficiently. Most importantly, I worked with purpose knowing my work contributed to developing disease therapy and finding that through research, I can merge my passion for helping others and my joy of creating an impact through science. As a Latina in STEM, I have also been aware of the lack of diversity in the field. But through organizations such as San Diego Squared, I began meeting people of all backgrounds and found what I didn’t have in my household through top STEM company visits. One site visit to Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography (ASML) allowed us to ask a panel - a third of which were women of color - questions and gain insight into life in STEM. I felt impacted by their journeys and challenges faced as some of the only women in a male-dominated field lacking diversity. Their initiatives within ASML to create representation within the workplace gave me inspiration for my own career. I also want to follow in their footsteps, break stereotypes, increase diversity, and most importantly, make a significant impact on the world around me. I have already taken initiative, sharing my own experiences with resources like COSMOS, a STEM summer program, to my underrepresented high school and increasing the amount of our students that attend. I have built a community that breaks stereotypes and promotes diversity within STEM, ultimately helping more students pursue STEM opportunities. Earning the “Innovators of Color in STEM” Scholarship would be a transformative opportunity, allowing me to focus fully on my STEM education and continue advocating for diversity in the field. I hope to use my platform to break stereotypes, uplift my community, and address issues such as climate change and health disparities that have affected my underrepresented community. By pursuing a career in pediatric research and healthcare, I aim to make change, not only in medicine but also in creating a future where people of all backgrounds have the opportunity to thrive in STEM.

Engaging Biology and Chemistry experiments at school allowed me to apply scientific concepts to real world challenges, such as when I investigated the impact of campus environmental factors on the health of our school’s trees. I was encouraged to see that our findings led to actionable improvements in our campus ecosystem. After identifying the reason behind declining health of trees on campus and writing letters to our Principal with a proposed solution, I saw a significant difference in our campus ecosystem within the next year. I learned that I enjoyed using science to create an impact and make a difference in my community. I also realized there was more to learn, which motivated me to participate in the Scripps Research High School Internship. My goals were to deepen my scientific understanding and develop skills necessary to make a difference through STEM. In my internship’s lab, I researched the Integrated Stress Response (ISR), a cellular signaling pathway that reacts in response to stress. Our main focus was to activate this pathway without causing specific stresses to occur within a patient. At first, being in this rigorous environment was a challenge. I had no prior hands-on experience, I lacked knowledge in cellular biology, and I haven’t seen our community represented in these opportunities. But, this didn't stop me from making the most of the opportunity. I worked with my mentor to read many articles and asked questions to help me understand the material. Within the first week, I learned so much and grew confident working in the lab setting. Most importantly, I worked with purpose knowing my work contributed to my mentor’s research that will develop beneficial outcomes for fighting disease and providing disease therapy. Above all, I found that through research, I can merge my passion for helping others and my joy of creating an impact through science. In my future, I see myself using these same scientific resources for the benefit of others in need. Being especially interested in the medical/biomedical field, I now see science as a tool to progress the health of the world around me. Noticing a lack of initiative to fight issues such as climate change and health in my low-income community, I see science as the gateway to make an impact, and I hope one day that my efforts will combat these issues.

Being a first-generation Latina student has shown to be a challenge, causing me to feel alone in my journey. I wasn't supported in pursuing higher education or a career in STEM by my hispanic household. Instead, traditional gendered roles of serving others rather than myself were pushed. With these standards, I had no one to turn to for guidance in my academic journey. This ultimately led to me becoming self motivated, pursuing opportunities to become the first in my family to graduate from college on my own. Engaging Biology and Chemistry experiments started my passion for science, as it at allowed me to apply scientific concepts to real world challenges, such as when I investigated the impact of campus environmental factors on the health of our school’s trees. I was encouraged to see that our findings led to actionable improvements in our campus ecosystem. After identifying the reason behind declining health of trees on campus and writing letters to our Principal with a proposed solution, I saw a significant difference in our campus ecosystem within the next year. I learned that I enjoyed using science to create an impact and make a difference in my community. This passion was further fueled through organizations such as San Diego Squared, I began meeting people of all backgrounds and found what I didn’t have in my household through top STEM company visits. One site visit to Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography (ASML) allowed me to ask a panel - a third of which were women of color - questions and gain insight into life in STEM. I felt impacted by their journeys and challenges faced as some of the only women in a male-dominated field lacking diversity. Their initiatives within ASML to create representation within the workplace gave me inspiration for my own career. I also want to follow in their footsteps, break stereotypes, increase diversity, and most importantly, make a significant impact on the world around me. I have already taken initiative, sharing my own experiences with resources like COSMOS, a STEM summer program, to my underrepresented high school and increased the amount of our students that attend. I have been able to build a community that breaks stereotypes and promotes diversity within STEM. In my future, I see myself using these same scientific resources for the benefit of others in need. Being especially interested in the medical/biomedical field, I now see science as a tool to progress the health of the world around me. Noticing a lack of initiative to fight issues such as climate change and health in my low-income community, I see science as the gateway to make an impact, and I hope one day that my efforts will combat these issues.

Growing up as a first-generation Latina, it was rare to discuss further education, especially within STEM. I wasn't supported in pursuing higher education or a career in STEM by my hispanic household. Instead, traditional gendered roles of serving others rather than myself were pushed. With these standards, I had no one to turn to for guidance in my academic journey. This ultimately led to me becoming self motivated, pursuing opportunities to become the first in my family to graduate from college on my own. As I went into highschool, I began to explore my interest, becoming excited about science, the medical field, and trying to find opportunities that could help me reach success. Though I felt like I had no one to turn to for guidance, I made it my goal to explore educational opportunities that would help me become the first in my family to attend college and achieve a career in STEM. Through organizations such as San Diego Squared, I began meeting people of all backgrounds and found what I didn’t have in my household through top STEM company visits. One site visit to Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography (ASML) allowed us to ask a panel - a third of which were women of color - questions and gain insight into life in STEM. I felt impacted by their journeys and challenges faced as some of the only women in a male-dominated field lacking diversity. Their initiatives within ASML to create representation within the workplace gave me inspiration for my own career. I also want to follow in their footsteps, break stereotypes, increase diversity, and most importantly, make a significant impact on the world around me. I have already taken initiative, sharing my own experiences with resources like COSMOS, a STEM summer program, to my underrepresented high school and increased the amount of our students that attend. I have built a community that breaks stereotypes and promotes diversity within STEM, which motivates me to take on a STEM major in my future. Through these experiences I also realized there was more to learn about science, which motivated me to participate in the Scripps Research High School Internship. My goals were to deepen my scientific understanding and develop skills necessary to make a difference through STEM. In my internship’s lab, I researched the Integrated Stress Response (ISR), a cellular signaling pathway that reacts in response to stress. Our main focus was to activate this pathway without causing specific stresses to occur within a patient. At first, being in this rigorous environment was a challenge. I had no prior hands-on experience, I lacked knowledge in cellular biology, and I haven’t seen our community represented in these opportunities. But, this didn't stop me from making the most of the opportunity. I worked with my mentor to read many articles and asked questions to help me understand the material. Within the first week, I learned so much and grew confident working in the lab setting. Most importantly, I worked with purpose knowing my work contributed to my mentor’s research that will develop beneficial outcomes for fighting disease and providing disease therapy. Above all, I found that through research, I can merge my passion for helping others and my joy of creating an impact through science. In my future, I see myself using these same scientific resources for the benefit of others in need. Being especially interested in the medical/biomedical field, I now see science as a tool to progress the health of the world around me.