Being a first-generation college student doesn’t just influence my career goals, it defines them. I didn’t grow up with a clear roadmap to success. What I had was determination, grit, and the deep desire to create something different… for myself, and for those who come after me. My parents didn’t have the opportunity to pursue higher education. They worked hard to provide what they could, often sacrificing their own dreams so that I could one day chase mine. Their sacrifices taught me that education is more than a personal achievement, it’s a generational shift. Because of my background I’m not just pursuing a career, I’m pursuing impact. I want a role where I can protect others, challenge injustice, and navigate the systems that often leave people behind. That’s why I’ve chosen to work in investigation and law-related fields. I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is for vulnerable communities to be taken advantage of, especially when they don’t understand their rights or lack access to resources. My goal is to change that, and to be the kind of professional who not only understands the system, but uses it to fight for equity and truth. Being a first-gen student has taught me how to problem-solve, advocate, and endure. I’ve juggled work, caregiving, and school—often all at once—because giving up isn’t an option. This scholarship would provide vital support, helping to ease the financial stress so I can focus on continuing this journey with full force. I may be the first in my family to go to college, but I’m making sure I’m not the last.

My name is Bianca, and I’m a proud first-generation college student. For me, higher education isn’t just about getting a degree, it’s about rewriting a story that was too often shaped by sacrifice, silence, and survival. I come from a Hispanic household where strength wasn’t spoken about, it was shown. It looked like my mom working long hours even when she was sick, putting everyone else’s needs above her own. It looked like family dinners on folding tables, where love was served with arroz con pollo and stories that made us laugh even when we didn’t have much. And it looked like unspoken resilience… an understanding that we make do, we figure it out, and we don’t give up. Growing up in that environment shaped how I see the world. I learned early that community matters more than competition, and that helping someone rise doesn’t take anything away from you, it lifts you too. I learned that being bilingual isn’t just about switching languages, it’s about switching worlds, often acting as the translator not just of words, but of systems and opportunities. I’ve filled out forms for my family, made doctor’s appointments, translated legal documents, all before I was old enough to vote. It’s a responsibility, but also a privilege. It’s made me more compassionate, more grounded, and more aware of how invisible barriers can hold people back. My background has also made me fiercely ambitious. Not because I want to escape where I came from, but because I want to honor it. I want to prove that my family’s sacrifices weren’t in vain. I want to build a career that blends passion and purpose. Where I can advocate for others, investigate what’s broken in our systems, and be part of meaningful change. But even with that drive, the road hasn’t been easy. As a first-gen student, there are no inherited blueprints for how to navigate college. No one told me what FAFSA was. No one could explain the difference between a grant and a loan. Everything has been trial by fire, and sometimes, trial by tears. But I’ve kept going, because every step forward feels like I’m not just carrying my dreams, but my family’s, too. My Hispanic heritage has taught me that we find joy anyway. That we dance in the kitchen even when the bills are late. That we show up for each other. And that education, when we finally get the chance to pursue it, is a form of power no one can take from us. This scholarship isn’t just financial support, it’s fuel for a dream that’s been generations in the making. Thank you for considering me as part of Jose Prato’s legacy. I hope to carry it forward with pride, purpose, and a heart full of gratitude.

What interests me most is often what others overlook; the smallest things, the hidden systems, the delicate balances that keep everything functioning. That curiosity has shaped nearly every part of my life. It shows up in my love for scuba diving and macro photography, where I capture intricate underwater creatures barely visible to the naked eye. It also shows up in my academic pursuit of biomedical engineering, where the tiniest biological and technological components can mean the difference between life and death. My interest in science isn’t theoretical—it’s deeply personal. When I was 21, I became my mother’s full-time caregiver after she was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease. My mother immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico with only a middle school education, and spent her life working tirelessly selling food on the street, making sure my brother and I had what we needed. When she became ill, the roles reversed. I managed her medical care, medications, dialysis appointments, and daily needs while working full-time. That chapter of my life opened my eyes to the importance of medical technology—but also the gaps that exist in access, equity, and understanding. That’s why I’m studying biomedical engineering and plan to eventually pursue a career in intellectual property and patent law. I want to work at the intersection of science and justice, helping to bring life-saving innovations to the people who need them most; and ensuring that those innovations are protected and accessible. I want to be part of creating a more ethical, inclusive, and forward-thinking future in STEM. As a first-generation college student, the road hasn’t been easy. My mother passed away a few years ago, and I’ve had to navigate school and life without a safety net—financially or emotionally. But her strength is with me, and my curiosity and determination push me forward. I’ve taught myself how to apply for aid, register for classes, and balance my professional and academic life as I work toward my goals. Currently, I serve as a Senior Internal Security Investigator, where I use logic, detail, and persistence to investigate insurance fraud. It’s taught me the value of precision, something that echoes in both engineering and the legal world. What interests me is not just science, but the human stories behind it, the ones that often go unnoticed. Like Dr. Frederick Beretta, I hope to one day be the person who brings both comfort and solutions to others. And like Bernice, I want to be remembered not just for what I did, but for the kindness and care I gave along the way.

My path into STEM didn’t begin in a classroom, it began in a hospital room, surrounded by beeping monitors, dialysis machines, and the quiet courage of my mother. I was 21 years old when I became her full-time caregiver as she battled end-stage renal disease. The experience changed me in ways I’m still discovering, but one thing became immediately clear: I wanted to understand the science behind the machines that were keeping her alive. I wanted to know how they worked, who invented them, and how they could be made better. That moment, rooted in love, fear, and a desire to help, marked the beginning of my journey into biomedical engineering. I grew up in a household shaped by resilience. My mother came to the United States from Mexico with no possessions, no English, and only a middle school education. She worked tirelessly selling food to support me and my brother. We didn’t have much, but we had her strength—and that strength carried us through some of the hardest times. When she became ill, I stepped into the role of caregiver without hesitation. It meant putting my own plans on hold, I don’t regret a single moment. I learned to manage medications, understand lab results, communicate with doctors, and advocate fiercely for her care. It was overwhelming, but it sparked a fascination with the systems and technologies that supported her treatment. That fascination has grown into a full-blown passion for STEM, particularly biomedical engineering. I’m fascinated by the intersection of biology and technology, how we can design solutions that heal, enhance, and protect human life. I want to be a part of developing the next generation of medical devices, tools, and systems that will help people like my mom live longer, healthier lives. But I don’t want to stop at innovation, I also want to pursue a career in intellectual property and patent law to help safeguard those breakthroughs and ensure that life-saving ideas reach the people who need them most. Currently, I work as a Senior Internal Security Investigator, where I analyze fraud cases in the insurance industry. My role requires attention to detail, data analysis, and critical thinking—all essential skills in STEM. Investigating complex schemes and tracing hidden patterns has sharpened my mind and strengthened my desire to solve problems on a larger scale. Whether it’s investigating a suspicious claim or troubleshooting a mechanical issue in a biomedical device, the core of my work remains the same: seek the truth, improve systems, and protect people. Outside of work, I’m a scuba diver and macro photographer. Underwater, I’ve learned to appreciate the smallest organisms and the delicate ecosystems they form. Capturing tiny marine life through a camera lens has taught me to slow down, look closer, and find beauty in complexity—traits that also fuel my love for engineering. There’s something magical about exploring what most people overlook, whether it’s a nudibranch on a reef or a protein interaction under a microscope. As a first-generation college student, my path has not been traditional. I’ve had to navigate school, life, and grief with limited guidance—but I’ve never lacked purpose. My personal experiences have not only shaped my interest in STEM, but they’ve also given me a reason to pursue it with everything I have. I carry my mother’s strength with me, and through science, I plan to honor her legacy by helping others live longer, fuller lives.

My name is Bianca, and I’ve always been drawn to the hidden layers of the world, whether that’s the microscopic textures of coral under the ocean, the intricate mechanisms of fraud as an investigator, or the complex innovations shaping modern medicine. Curiosity is at the heart of who I am. It’s why I dive beneath the surface… literally, as a scuba diver and macro photographer—and intellectually, as I pursue a degree in biomedical engineering with the long-term goal of working in patent and intellectual property law. Currently, I serve as a Senior Internal Security Investigator. My role involves examining insurance fraud cases with a blend of logic, science, and skepticism. Every case is like a puzzle waiting to be solved, and success often comes down to patterns, probability, and precise analysis. It’s not just investigative, it’s deeply mathematical. I work with data sets, trace anomalies, and look for statistically improbable behaviors that could signal something bigger. It’s in this environment that my respect for scientific thinking and quantitative reasoning has grown exponentially. These experiences solidified my desire to return to school and pursue something even more technical—biomedical engineering. As a first-generation college student, the path hasn’t always been linear. My mother came to the U.S. from Mexico with only a middle school education and no English. She raised my brother and me by selling food on the streets, working grueling hours to ensure we had the basics. I became her full-time caretaker during her battle with end-stage renal disease, and after her passing, I knew I wanted to chase the opportunities she never had. Science gave me direction. It made me feel powerful in a world that once felt uncertain. Now, I’m preparing for a future that combines engineering, law, and equity. I plan to work in biomedical patent law to help protect medical innovations and ensure inventors, especially those from underserved communities, can safeguard and share their work. We need more representation in these spaces, and I want to be part of the bridge between brilliant minds and real-world impact. Outside of work and academics, I explore the natural world through scuba diving and macro photography. Underwater, I find some of the most exquisite examples of biology and physics in motion. Capturing close-up images of nudibranchs or coral polyps is more than a hobby, it’s a reminder that science is all around us, waiting to be noticed. It’s taught me to slow down, to look closer, and to appreciate the beauty in complexity. These experiences fuel my creativity and inspire me to approach engineering not just as a discipline, but as a form of exploration. Receiving the William Griggs Memorial Scholarship would not only support me financially, it would affirm the belief that science and math are not closed doors for people like me. I plan to contribute to the field through innovation, integrity, and advocacy. My journey has been anything but traditional, but I believe that’s what makes it meaningful. I bring with me a lived understanding of resilience, a passion for discovery, and an unshakable belief in using science to make life better, for everyone.