My passion for dental hygiene began over a decade ago when I worked at a dental clinic that also offered clinical facial treatments. I was employed as a licensed esthetician, and during slower hours, I had the unique opportunity to observe two incredibly skilled dental hygienists in action. I quickly fell in love with the profession and knew in my heart that this was what I was truly meant to do. Life got busy, as it often does. After two relocations and the birth of our two beautiful children, I finally took the leap and enrolled at my local community college to begin taking the prerequisite courses needed for a dental hygiene program. I am proud to share that I have just been accepted into the highly competitive Dental Hygiene program at Palo Alto College. This career means so much to me, and I’ve embraced every step it took to get here. I retook courses to maintain a high GPA, and completed additional observation hours at a local dental office to better prepare myself. I’m committed to doing everything I can to succeed in this program. My background as a licensed esthetician will likely benefit me in dental hygiene. In many ways, the roles are similar. I’ve worked one-on-one with clients to create personalized skincare regimens, just as hygienists would help their patients reach their oral health needs. I also have experience with documentation, hands-on treatments, and using tools with care and precision. Most importantly, I value the personal connections I’ve built with clients over the years, which is something I look forward to continuing with patients in the dental setting. Looking ahead, I plan to pursue continuing education and stay current on new procedures so I can offer the best care possible. I’ve also enjoyed observing pediatric dentistry and would like to explore the idea of one day work alongside a provider in a pediatric office. Although I have no doubt that this is the right path for me, the journey hasn’t been easy, especially financially. Since my daughter was born in 2020, my husband and I made the decision that I would stay home with our two young children. Even now, my daughter is still too young for public school, and we are unable to afford preschool or daycare. My husband has been a steady and supportive provider, but with rising costs, finances are tight. We’ve managed to set aside enough to cover some of the immediate costs for my school supplies, but any additional help would be a true blessing. Receiving this scholarship would ease the financial stress on our family, and allow me to focus more fully on my education and clinical training. It would bring me one step closer to becoming a licensed dental hygienist, a dream I’ve held onto for many years.

It is easy to take for granted what has always been there. Since I can remember, my brother and I were as thick as thieves. He was not only my friend but also my protector. As the older sibling, he always looked out for me. I remember countless days spent riding our bikes around the neighborhood, sometimes stopping by the convenience store to grab treats that we would share on our trampoline. We drove our parents crazy, often ignoring the streetlight curfew and wandering past the time we were supposed to be home. My mom’s voice would carry through the neighborhood as she called for us. Street rats, she’d call us. Preston was my constant companion. He built forts with me, played games, and even joined my tea parties, though only if he could wear his motocross gear, because somehow, that made him feel more masculine. Even as we grew older and he gained more friends and responsibilities, he always made time for me. He always had a look that he would give only me. I can see it now, a slight smile in his eyes, and knowing smirk. He was my big brother. Losing Preston in 2019 was a life-altering experience that left a permanent mark on my heart. He was only 31 when he was shot in broad daylight on a Sunday, in an altercation with a drug dealer. He had struggled with addiction for much of his adult life, and in the end, it took him. The shock and sorrow of his loss was overwhelming, to say the least. I was holding his hand when they took him off life support. It felt surreal, and even now, I sometimes struggle to accept that he is truly gone. His death forced me to reevaluate my perspective on life, priorities, and what truly matters. I realized how futile it is to worry over trivial things, like what people think of us, what we own and the small daily stresses. None of it really matters. Preston’s passing taught me that life’s true value lies in moments of happiness, authenticity, and purpose. More than anything, it instilled in me a sense of urgency. None of us know how long we have, so it’s essential to live fully, and without regrets. In the wake of this tragedy, I found myself motivated to pursue my career dream that I had put off. I had always wanted to return to college to become a dental hygienist, but for years, I struggled with self-doubt. I wasn’t sure I had the confidence or ability to go back to school, and life’s challenges often stood in my way. However, after my daughter was born, I felt a renewed sense of responsibility, not just to her, but to myself and to Preston’s memory. I wanted to live a life I could be proud of, a life he would be proud of too. He always encouraged me to push past fear, whether it was climbing a tree or taking a risk. Today, I am back in school, maintaining a strong GPA, and I just applied for the hygiene program at Palo Alto. My brother’s memory continues to inspire me to push past my fears and pursue a meaningful path. His loss will always bring sadness, but it has also become a powerful force that propels me forward, reminding me to cherish every day and make the most of the time I have.

Since I was a little girl, I have lived with an unexplainable sadness. A quiet, persistent presence within me, eventually identified as panic disorder and depression. Growing up in a family of five as the youngest, I was fortunate to have a happy upbringing and wonderful support from my parents. Yet, this inner sadness would surface unexpectedly, casting a shadow over my childhood despite the love and care around me. At around seven years old, my mother, recognizing my struggle, took me to a psychiatrist. I began antidepressants, which kept the sadness and anxiety at bay for years. While I was often shy and kept a small circle of friends, I came to see this as a blessing. My condition gave me the clarity to connect with people who genuinely understood and supported me. Those few friends became my true “people,” enriching my life with companionship rooted in empathy. As I entered my teens, however, I started experiencing reactions to the medications. With the support of my boyfriend, now my spouse, I made the difficult choice to wean off them. From that point on, managing my mental health required immense inner strength and daily effort. When I became a mother to my second child, however, my world shifted. I experienced one of the darkest episodes of my life, which lasted for years. The primary challenge I now face is health anxiety, manifesting as uncontrollable panic about my well-being. This period has tested me in every way, financially, emotionally, and in my marriage, but it has also deepened my resilience. Over time, I have found new methods to manage my mental health, including mindfulness, diaphragmatic breathing, and aromatherapy. Each of these practices has become a tool to help me regain calm and face each day with greater balance. The tragedy of losing my brother to homicide in 2019 was a turning point. This unimaginable grief pushed me to confront my fears and doubts, awakening a resolve to live without regret. When my daughter was born in 2020, that resolve took shape. I decided to return to school to pursue my long-held dream of studying dental hygiene. Today, I am close to applying for the program, focusing on maintaining my GPA while embracing this new chapter. My sadness, which once seemed like a weight, has become a driving force, a reminder to live fully and follow my dreams with purpose. Through these experiences, my understanding of the world, my relationships, and my goals have transformed. I have learned that while mental health struggles can feel isolating, they also open doors to resilience, empathy, and clarity. My journey has shown me that my life, and the lives of those I hold close, is enriched not by the absence of struggle, but by the strength built through overcoming it. Today, I move forward with the belief that my challenges have equipped me to embrace every opportunity and to live a life without regrets.

Losing my brother, Preston, in 2019 was a life-altering experience that has left a permanent mark on my heart. Preston was only 31 when he was shot in broad daylight on a Sunday, in an altercation with a drug dealer. He, unfortunately struggled with addiction in his life, and eventually was taken by it. The shock and sorrow of his loss was overwhelming to say the least. I was holding his hand when they decided to take him off life support. It felt surreal, and even now, I sometimes struggle to accept that he is truly gone. In my experience, his loss was also deeply eye-opening, forcing me to re-evaluate my perspective on life, priorities, and what truly matters. Preston’s passing taught me the futility of worrying over trivial things. All those everyday anxieties, such as how people see us, and the things we own seem insignificant to me now. His death showed me that life’s true value lies in moments of happiness, authenticity, and purpose. I realized that the most important thing is to pursue a life that brings us fulfillment and peace, rather than chasing after things that hold no lasting meaning. This realization instilled in me a deep sense of purpose and urgency. None of us know how long we have, so it’s essential to live fully, without regrets. In the wake of this tragedy, I found myself motivated to pursue dreams that I had once doubted. I had always wanted to return to college to become a dental hygienist, but for years, I struggled with self-doubt. I wasn’t sure I had the confidence or ability to go back to school, and life’s challenges often stood in my way. However, after my daughter was born, I felt a renewed sense of responsibility. Not just to her, but to myself and to Preston’s memory. I wanted to live a life that I could be proud of, a life he would be proud of too. Today, I am back in school, maintaining a strong GPA, and preparing to apply for the hygiene program at Palo Alto this winter semester. My brother’s memory continues to inspire me to push past my fears and to keep pursuing a meaningful path. His loss will always be a source of sadness, but it has also become a powerful force that propels me forward, reminding me to cherish every day and make the most of the time I have.

Becoming a mother has been the most transformative experience of my life. The experience thus far has really shaped both my personal identity and my career goals. As a mother to two young children, I’ve come to appreciate the balance between nurturing others while managing my own ambitions. The daily responsibilities of motherhood, such as late nights, early mornings, and endless tasks have taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of perseverance. Being a mother has also directly influenced my decision to pursue a career as a dental hygienist. For over a decade, I worked as a licensed esthetician, but I had always wanted to return to school to study dental hygiene. Life, however, was busy, and I didn’t make it a priority. It wasn’t until I became a mother that I felt the urgency to set an example for my children and show them that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Of course, an increase in salary also went into play, as I do dream of providing a certain lifestyle for my family. These realizations motivated me to return to school, despite the many challenges that come with balancing motherhood, studies, and professional life. Through my experiences as a mother, student, and professional, I’ve learned the importance of empathy and supporting others. I now fully understand the pressures of juggling so much, and this has made me more compassionate and attuned to the needs of those around me. These skills translate seamlessly into patient care, where I look forward to contributing to the oral health and overall well-being of my future patients. I’m driven to practice empathy in my work, recognizing that people may be dealing with their own struggles, and I hope to provide them with care that makes a positive difference in their lives. In addition to my professional aspirations, I’m also passionate about giving back to the community. Having experienced firsthand the financial challenges of balancing many responsibilities, I’m committed to finding ways to support those less fortunate. In the future, I hope to offer philanthropic services, such as providing dental care to underserved populations and those who might not have access to proper oral health care. By doing this, I aim to uplift the community, helping people like me who are working hard to overcome obstacles while striving to improve their lives. Furthermore, juggling multiple responsibilities has refined my time management and organizational skills, both of which are essential in the dental field. To stay on top of my schedule, I’ve had to create structure in my daily routine, such as prioritizing tasks.This has taught me how to balance multiple roles effectively, which is a skill I will carry into my career as I manage patients and adapt to the fast-paced environment of a dental practice. Moreover, motherhood has made me recognize the importance of self-care, both for myself and for others. By taking care of my own mental health through mindfulness, structure, and seeking professional support, I’ve been able to remain present for my family. This understanding of holistic well-being will inform my approach to patient care, as I encourage patients to care for their overall health. Ultimately, my experiences as a mother, combined with my previous professional experience and my drive to support others, have shaped my career goals. I am committed to becoming a dental hygienist who practices with empathy, contributes to the well-being of my patients, and gives back to my community. While the path has not been easy, the reward of achieving my goals and setting a positive example for my children makes every challenge worth it.

During my decade-long career as an aesthetician, I had the opportunity to work in a dental setting, which sparked my interest in dental hygiene. In 2013, while working at Dominion Dental Spa in San Antonio, TX, I managed the front office and provided facial treatments to clients. In my downtime, I observed dental hygienists at work and realized that while I was in the right field, patient care, I wasn't in the right industry. Dental hygiene called to me, and I decided to pursue it as my career. However, life got busy. After two moves and two babies, I finally took the leap and enrolled in my local community college. I aim to contribute to the field of dental hygiene by promoting preventative care and patient education. Preventive care is the cornerstone of dental health, and I am looking forward to educating patients about the importance of regular dental visits, proper brushing, and flossing techniques. Moreover, as technology advances, I am excited to keep up-to-date with the latest dental hygiene techniques and treatments. I understand the importance of being financially prepared for school, especially since I have been a stay-at-home mom and my husband has been the main breadwinner. To address this, I plan to return to work after my firstborn starts kindergarten this fall. I am in contact with the dentist I worked for at Dominion Dental Spa and hope to return to a front desk position. This will help me reacquaint myself with the dental world and improve our financial stability. Being financially prepared will allow me to focus on my studies without the added stress of financial instability. It ensures that I can take advantage of all learning opportunities, such as internships and additional certifications, which may come at a cost. Moreover, financial stability post-graduation is equally important. It allows me to invest in professional tools and certifications necessary for my growth as a dental hygienist. In summary, my passion for dental hygiene is driven by a desire to improve oral health and educate patients. My contributions to the field will be rooted in preventive care, and continuous professional development.