Four years ago, I was an avid runner. However, I decided to dive into water polo. In my freshman year, I was supposed to run track and cross country, but the only sport offered during the pandemic was water polo. The coach was bossy, all the girls were way better than me, and I had no clue what an egg-beater kick was (imagine kicking both legs in a circular motion non-stop). After a few practices, I was left wondering why I had chosen a sport most people didn’t know existed. Even so, this year I was captain of the team. I’ve come to love the daily routine that comes with such a demanding sport. Waking up at five in the morning for weights doesn’t tire me out as much anymore, and when the ref blows the whistle, I know it means “back off.” Water polo has become one of my greatest skills after many years of training. It’s a sport I started with absolutely no experience, but it has taught me so much. Before jumping in the water, I was very self-conscious, but as I’ve grown as a player, so has my confidence. When I take a shot at the goal and it’s blocked or flies over, I move on and try again. It has also taught me to time-manage. In the beginning, I was not prepared for the fast pace of honors courses and didn’t have the tools to face them. When I would come home, I had limited time to finish my homework, and I also struggled with the content. With help from my coach and other teachers, I sought out tutoring and communicated in class when games would interfere with completing homework. Nowadays, you won’t find me without a physical planner on me. I will also mention, however, that in more recent years, my academics and shooting skills have improved dramatically! I’ve been on the honor roll consistently and even managed to throw in other extracurriculars during my season, like Model United Nations.  The biggest challenge I faced as a player was when my coach decided to work at a D3 college mid-season. I felt abandoned, as I didn’t have my favorite coach to yell at me from the pool deck or help me lead the team. I was left to lead a team of mostly new players! Despite this major setback, I led the best way I knew how: by example. There was not an afternoon or morning practice I missed because I was tired, and players could count on hearing my voice to lead exercises every day. Overall, it was a frustrating time for me, but my satisfaction came from knowing my teammates enjoyed their season.  Not only have I developed endurance, but also a lifelong passion. Participating in water polo, whether it be as a player, shot clock runner, or scorekeeper is exciting to me. Some way or another, I will continue growing this skill and show my appreciation for the game.

According to medical research, one in ten people will develop a pituitary adenoma. Until this year, I had no clue what an adenoma was or that it was possible to develop one in the pituitary gland. For a couple of months, I suffered from acne and hormonal imbalance, but when my doctor told me there was a chance I had a brain tumor, I was surprised, to say the least. It’s not common for people to think of tumors when talking about acne, but I went on living as I did before that shocking news. I wasn't scared of what my upcoming MRI would show or the 10 vials of blood they needed from me. At this time, finals were approaching and I was starting to burn out quickly. Life is funny with timing, and this was evidenced when my mother told me she needed to have a serious conversation with me. As you are probably thinking, I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma. At first, it was funny to me. Out of everything that happened in my life, I never expected that. Contrary to my initial reaction, I started to cry uncontrollably. I worried about how many doctor's appointments would set me back in school and if I’d be able to keep up with sports. This was a moment in my life where I turned to the people I trusted most: my mother and my coach. I didn’t want to disappoint either of them, but the news has pushed me down further, like a sinkhole in the landscape of my burnout, depression, and laziness. Fortunately, they reminded me that my life wasn’t over and I should continue to give the same effort I had all year and a little more. From that point on I used a physical planner and tackled my work head on. Furthermore, I had become comfortable sharing my diagnosis with my other teachers. Once I did, I was met with support and understanding. Suddenly, my teachers understood why my school work was affected but found ways to help me around it like extended deadlines or tutoring outside of class. Without realizing it, I had already made it to the finish line for junior year. With the support of my family and teachers, I ended my year strong. In fact, I ended the school year on the honor roll! Another plus is that now I have a jaw-dropping fact about myself.

I have a strong aversion to fruit. As strange as it may sound, it's the only thing I adamantly refuse to consume. My mother never quite understood this quirk of mine and would persistently pack fruit for me every day. Naturally, when lunchtime in third grade approached, I'd open my bag to a disappointing snack. All I had as snacks was an apple or a fruity yogurt. Meanwhile, my classmates had bright gummies or large bags of chips to choose from. Despite my repeated reminders of my distaste for fruit, it would appear in my bag! My solution to this predicament was to hide the food and pretend I had eaten it. I went on for weeks with my ingenious plan until my mother discovered my secret. “Candela, ven inmediatamente!” (Candela, come immediately!). I could already feel the sting of her disappointment. She was clearly upset, and to my horror, she opened up my closet to expose the small mountain of yogurt and fruit I had stashed away in secret. She scolded me, explaining how selfish I had been by hiding all the food away, especially when there were times she didn't have food as a child. At the time, I couldn't comprehend her perspective; all I wondered was why she refused to give me what I wanted. It took me time to truly understand her frustrations. My mom has fought laboriously to give me the best. Something as simple like taking the time to pack me fruit was a heartfelt gesture of her love and dedication. I couldn't see past the way she would yell at me to recognize all the ways she had pushed me forward. Her physical efforts went beyond food. When my father left, she put her profession aside to care for me. She has worked alone to put me into a prep school. All things I never asked her to do, but she did anyway. Our relationship has oftentimes been tumultuous, and I now realize how much of who I am today is a reflection of the lessons and experiences from my mother and I's relationship. As a result, I feel an undeniable sense of responsibility. For instance, I’m her first daughter to head off for college, hopefully paving the way for my brother to follow. This feeling of being the test run hasn’t come without its negatives. At times it feels as though my successes and limited failures are representative of my family, so I have a responsibility to excel in what I do. My shortcomings often feel like a sign of ungratefulness in the face of all the sacrifices made for me. Despite this, the pressure I've experienced has helped mold me into a motivated and determined person. When I encounter difficult situations, whether it be academically, athletically, or socially, I find comfort in the guiding voice of my mother, a constant presence in my journey. In these moments, my mother's sacrifices and constant support echo in my mind. I've learned from her to stand tall and carry myself with dignity, a lesson that exists beyond the bounds of the classroom. My mom has guided me to where I am today. By molding my character and giving me the strength to overcome challenges I may face in life, I have developed a base of fortitude that continues to develop every step I take. Thus acting as a reminder of my roots and the countless hopes my mother instilled in me. Quite humorously, I have come to find that the sweetest fruits are oftentimes the ones we initially reject or fail to appreciate

“Candela, la pelota va al otro lado! NOOO!” (Candela, the ball goes to the other side! NOOO!). The last thing any kid wants to hear is their mom or dad yelling in a maniacal tone during one of their sports games. Even as a six-year-old girl, I was embarrassed by my mother’s passionate cheers in soccer. Nevertheless, her unwavering support has pushed me to overcome many academic hurdles. While math never physically challenged me like soccer, it sure did challenge my mind like no other subject. I would sit with my mom, staring at the math homework I could not seem to comprehend. She, however, didn't wait around for more than a couple of minutes. The saying “where there is will, there is a way” personifies her. Although we couldn’t afford to hire a tutor, she had called and asked her teacher friends to help me. I didn’t know it at the time, but she had taught me a valuable lesson: to take advantage of every opportunity around me. Subsequently, when I entered high school, I was faced with the same challenge, times ten. I had tested into the Math 9 Honors class. Immediate confusion overtook me, as well as fear. I felt like I was being taught in a completely foreign language, and being on Zoom added another layer of difficulty. Despite this, I communicated with my teacher and academic counselor, who determined that I was capable of continuing in the class. My goal, however, wasn't just to keep going; I wanted to be proficient. I attended every study session, whether it was online or in person, and every extra credit assignment was completed with full effort. Even time during school breaks or lunch was allocated for math. As a result of such a catastrophic year, I have grown as a student. My mother’s support extends past teaching me to seek out every opportunity. As a single mother she has had to sacrifice things I could never repay her for. When I entered middle school she took on two jobs to support me and my brother. Despite having to work so much, she made my education a priority to her. When it came time for me to start high school she pushed me to apply to a prep school, which I was very fortunate to be able to attend with the help of scholarships. Thanks to her I’ve been able to excel in school and get accepted into most of the universities I’ve applied to. Although I’m scared to leave for college, I know I have the tools to succeed. When I encounter difficult situations, whether it be academically, athletically, or socially, I find comfort in the guiding voice of my mother, a constant presence in my journey. In these moments, my mother's sacrifices and constant support echo in my mind.

According to medical research, one in ten people will develop a pituitary adenoma. Until this year, I had no clue what an adenoma was or that it was possible to develop one in the pituitary gland. For a couple of months, I suffered from acne and hormonal imbalance, but when my doctor told me there was a chance I had a brain tumor, I was surprised, to say the least. It’s not common for people to think of tumors when talking about acne, but I went on living as I did before that shocking news. I wasn't scared of what my upcoming MRI would show or the 10 vials of blood they needed from me. At this time, finals were approaching and I was starting to burn out quickly. Life is funny with timing, and this was evidenced when my mother told me she needed to have a serious conversation with me. As you are probably thinking, I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma. At first, it was funny to me. Out of everything that happened in my life, I never expected that. Contrary to my initial reaction, I started to cry uncontrollably. I worried about how many doctor's appointments would set me back in school and if I’d be able to keep up with sports. This was a moment in my life where I turned to the people I trusted most: my mother and my coach. I didn’t want to disappoint either of them, but the news has pushed me down further, like a sinkhole in the landscape of my burnout, depression, and laziness. Fortunately, they reminded me that my life wasn’t over and I should continue to give the same effort I had all year. Furthermore, I had become comfortable sharing my diagnosis with my other teachers. Once I did, I was met with support and understanding. Without realizing it, I had already made it to the finish line for junior year. With the support of my family and teachers, I ended my year strong. Another plus is that now I have a jaw-dropping fact about myself. Above all, my dream is to go into dentistry. Women only make up about thirty eight percent of dentists in America, but the percent goes down to about six for Hispanics. I want to be part of the change in diversifying the STEM field. As funny as it sounds, I have had braces twice since I was in the second grade. It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I saw a woman as the head of the office and she was a Latina woman, like myself. Before I saw her, I had never thought of something in STEM as a pathway for me. I thought it would be too difficult or financially impossible, but when I talked to her I realized that wasn’t true. She told me about her path to becoming a dentist and how even though it took her some time and several scholarships that it was completely possible that I could do it too. I hope to bring my unique experiences and passion to learn with me into this field.

Candela means fire or flame. Growing up I didn’t see the beauty and meaning behind it. I knew when class attendance rolled around my name would lose a little bit of its elegance when a teacher would butcher my name (even after being in their class for many months). After a while I just decided to dim my flame and use a nickname or the Americanized version of my name. However, as the years passed and I grew, I came to embrace my name because of the woman who raised me. My mom has always had a fire in her that I admire. Her passion is her children and her life goal is that we become, in her words, “professionals”. Since I was young, my mom has emphasized the importance of obtaining a higher education and has sacrificed immeasurable things to ensure my brother and I with those opportunities. I have seen my mother take on the responsibilities my father left us with by taking on two jobs. Even though it has been exhausting being a single mother, she did it so I could take advantage of what she never had. Her sacrifices have brought me to this point. If she didn’t support me the way she always has I would not have been able to attend a prep school or discover my passion for sports and my heritage. I’m proud to say I’m the first Peruvian-American girls water polo captain at my school! When I first started sports, I didn’t expect it to be so draining both physically and mentally. Daily practices and tiring morning workouts all while balancing college prep classes proved to be difficult, but the sound of my mom’s voice told me to keep going. I’m glad I stuck with sports because I don’t groan at the thought of hard work and practice, instead I feel excited. I wouldn't be true to myself without mentioning my roots. Being Latina is an important part of my identity and it has brought both advantages and disadvantages. In the Latino community, it’s customary to embrace one another in a loving way but I haven’t always experienced that as a Peruvian. The main ethnic group at my school was Mexican so I did not fit the average mold of what they thought was Latina. My Spanish dialect and my food were different. Despite not always being welcomed in certain spaces, I have always been proud of where my family is from. This difference hasn’t made me worth any less in fact I think it’s part of what makes me special. My dream is to go into dentistry. Women only make up about 38 percent of dentists in America, but the number falls down to about 6 for Hispanics. I want to be part of the change in diversifying the STEM field. As funny as it sounds I have had braces twice since I was in the second grade. It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I saw a woman as the head of the office and she was a Cuban American woman. Before I saw her, I had never thought of something in STEM as a pathway for me. I thought it would be too difficult or financially impossible, but when I talked to her I realized that wasn’t true. She told me about her path to becoming a dentist and how even though it took her some time and several scholarships that it was completely possible that I could do it too. I hope to continue living up to my name and bring light wherever I go.

According to medical research, one in ten people will develop a pituitary adenoma. Until this year, I had no clue what an adenoma was or that it was possible to develop one in the pituitary gland. For a couple of months, I suffered from acne and hormonal imbalance, but when my doctor told me there was a chance I had a brain tumor, I was surprised, to say the least. It’s not common for people to think of tumors when talking about acne, but I went on living as I did before that shocking news. I wasn't scared of what my upcoming MRI would show or the 10 vials of blood they needed from me. At this time, finals were approaching and I was starting to burn out quickly. Life is funny with timing, and this was evidenced when my mother told me she needed to have a serious conversation with me. As you are probably thinking, I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma. At first, it was funny to me. Out of everything that happened in my life, I never expected that. Contrary to my initial reaction, I started to cry uncontrollably. I worried about how many doctor's appointments would set me back in school and if I’d be able to keep up with sports. This was a moment in my life where I turned to the people I trusted most: my mother and my coach. I didn’t want to disappoint either of them, but the news has pushed me down further, like a sinkhole in the landscape of my burnout, depression, and laziness. Fortunately, they reminded me that my life wasn’t over and I should continue to give the same effort I had all year. If I could share one piece of information with someone in the same situation I would say that it’s ok to vulnerable. I wasn’t sure if I should tell my teachers about my health issues because they didn’t feel that important, but it actually started to affect my performance and motivation. When I finally told a teacher why I had been behind, I was met with so much support. Because of this teacher I felt safe enough to tell my other teachers as well. There were so many people who wanted to help me but they couldn’t until I reached out, which is something I have learned from this experience. In the end I kept up with my studies and without realizing it, I had already made it to the finish line for junior year. With the support of my family and teachers, I ended my year strong. Another plus is that now I have a jaw-dropping fact about myself.

Candela means fire or flame. Growing up I didn’t see the beauty and meaning behind it. I knew when class attendance rolled around my name would lose a little bit of its elegance when a teacher would butcher my name. After a while, I decided to dim my flame and use a nickname or the Americanized version of my name. However, as the years passed, I came to embrace my name because of the woman who raised me. My mom has always had a fire in her that I admire. Even in times where it turned into persistence to excel in school. Her passion is my brother and I, as her life goal is that we become, in her words, “professionals”. Since I was young, my mom has emphasized the importance of obtaining a higher education and has sacrificed immeasurable things to ensure my brother and I with those opportunities. I’ve seen my mother take on the responsibilities my father left us with by taking on two jobs. Even though it has been exhausting being a single mother, she did it so I could take advantage of what she never had. Her sacrifices have brought this point. If she didn’t support me the way she always has I wouldn’t have been able to attend a prep school or discover my passion for sports and my heritage. I’m proud to say I’m the first Peruvian-American girls water polo captain at my school! When I first started sports, I didn’t expect it to be so draining both physically and mentally. Daily practices and tiring morning workouts all while balancing college prep classes proved to be difficult, but the sound of my mom’s voice told me to keep going. I’m glad I stuck with sports because I don’t groan at the thought of hard work and practice, instead I feel excited. Someday, I even hope to become a water polo referee. I wouldn't be true to myself without mentioning my roots. Being Latina is an important part of my identity and it has brought both advantages and disadvantages. In the Latino community, it’s customary to embrace one another in a loving way but I haven’t always experienced that as a Peruvian. The main ethnic group at my school was Mexican so I didn’t fit the average mold of what they thought was Latina. My Spanish dialect and my food were different. Despite not always being welcomed in certain spaces, I have always been proud of where my family is from. This difference hasn’t made me worth any less in fact I think it’s part of what makes me special. Women only make up about 38 percent of dentists in America, but the number falls down to about 6 for Hispanics. I want to be part of the change in diversifying the STEM field. As funny as it sounds, I have had braces twice since I was in the second grade. It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I saw a woman as the head of the office and she was a Cuban American woman. Before I saw her, I’d never thought of something in STEM as a pathway for me. I thought it would be too difficult or financially impossible to reach that type of job, but when I talked to her I realized it wasn’t true. She told me about her path to becoming a dentist and how even though it took her some time that it was completely possible that I could do it too. I hope to continue living up to my name and bring light wherever I go.

“Candela, la pelota va al otro lado! NOOO!” (Candela, the ball goes to the other side! NOOO!). The last thing any kid wants to hear is their parent yelling in a maniacal tone during their games. Even as a six-year-old girl, I was embarrassed by my mother’s passionate cheers in soccer. Nevertheless, her support pushed me to overcome academic hurdles and achieve more. While math never physically challenged me like soccer, it did challenge my mind unlike any subject. I would sit with my mom, struggling with math, but she didn't wait around. The saying “where there is will, there is a way” personifies her. Although we couldn’t afford a tutor, she would find a teacher friend to help me. I didn’t know it yet, but she’d taught me a valuable lesson: to take advantage of every opportunity. Subsequently, when I entered Villanova, I was faced with the same challenge. I tested into the Math 9 Honors class. Immediate confusion overtook me, as well as fear. I felt like I was being taught in another language, and online classes added another layer of difficulty. Despite this, I attended every study session, whether it was online or in person, and every extra credit assignment was completed with full effort. As a result of such a catastrophic year, I’ve grown as a student. Every school day is an opportunity for me to make sure I can go home feeling prepared, whether or not I skip a sports practice or am feeling tired.