Growing up with a single immigrant mother, my mother faced numerous financial challenges. I’ve seen my mother at her very lows, noticing my mom struggling financially trying to hide it from me. Even if I ask her if she needs money from my after school job, she denies, and tells me to save my money for college. As a young teen, you can’t really do much but just witness and take it all in, until I started to grow I knew I had to step it up. From struggling to make ends meet to experiencing the stress of debt, I observed and realized the importance of understanding and learning financial literacy. These experiences shaped my perspective and ignited my passion for understanding and discovering opportunities in the financial world. I understood more easily what money was when I witnessed the impact of financial decisions on my family’s well-being. I learned the hard way about the consequences of living beyond one's means and the importance of budgeting and saving. These lessons made me have a driven desire to learn more about managing money efficiently and effectively. I didn’t really have financial education or business classes throughout my elementary and middle school years, until I reached high school. I went out of my way to seek out resources independently as well. I read financial books,articles, and being closely connected to the financial world which led me to understand more about budgeting,investing, and understanding credit and taxes. Everything that I got to learn and retain I made sure I implemented for my financial future. As I prepare for college, I finally understood and recognized that financial education plays a huge role in trying to achieve my goals. Being knowledgeable and being smart with the tools and skills I’ve acquired, I’m planning to navigate this complex world of taxes,scholarships, student loans, and budgeting. I’m ready with anything that comes in my way and beyond, with things like borrowing and repaying loans, I’m certain that I will be minimizing debt when I attend college. Beyond my own academic pursuits, I am eager to share my knowledge and experiences with others. I believe that everyone deserves access to financial education, regardless of their background or circumstances. As a recipient of the Brian Lara Memorial scholarship, I am committed to paying it forward by volunteering in my community and advocating for increased financial literacy initiatives in schools and organizations. With all the unexpected cards I’ve dealt with, My experiences have shaped my journey and made me driven to learn more by majoring in the business/economic field in college. I’m confident that I will learn to build a secure, safe, and reliable future for myself and My environment.

Growing up with a single immigrant mother, my mother faced numerous financial challenges. I’ve seen my mother at her very lows, noticing my mom struggling financially trying to hide it from me. Even if I ask her if she needs money from my after school job, she denies, and tells me to save my money for college. As a young teen, you can’t really do much but just witness and take it all in, until I started to grow I knew I had to step it up. From struggling to make ends meet to experiencing the stress of debt, I observed and realized the importance of understanding and learning financial literacy. These experiences shaped my perspective and ignited my passion for understanding and discovering opportunities in the financial world. I understood more easily what money was when I witnessed the impact of financial decisions on my family’s well-being. I learned the hard way about the consequences of living beyond one's means and the importance of budgeting and saving. These lessons made me have a driven desire to learn more about managing money efficiently and effectively. I didn’t really have financial education or business classes throughout my elementary and middle school years, until I reached high school. I went out of my way to seek out resources independently as well. I read financial books,articles, and being closely connected to the financial world which led me to understand more about budgeting,investing, and understanding credit and taxes. Everything that I got to learn and retain I made sure I implemented for my financial future. As I prepare for college, I finally understood and recognized that financial education plays a huge role in trying to achieve my goals. Being knowledgeable and being smart with the tools and skills I’ve acquired, I’m planning to navigate this complex world of taxes,scholarships, student loans, and budgeting. I’m ready with anything that comes in my way and beyond, with things like borrowing and repaying loans, I’m certain that I will be minimizing debt when I attend college. Beyond my own academic pursuits, I am eager to share my knowledge and experiences with others. I believe that everyone deserves access to financial education, regardless of their background or circumstances. As a recipient of the Scorenavigator Financial Literacy scholarship, I am committed to paying it forward by volunteering in my community and advocating for increased financial literacy initiatives in schools and organizations. With all the unexpected cards I’ve dealt with, My experiences have shaped my journey and made me driven to learn more by majoring in the business/economic field in college. I’m confident that I will learn to build a secure, safe, and reliable future for myself and My environment.

Coming from a single immigrant parent, my mother came to the United States in order to pursue a better life. She is my role model and showed me the value of our heritage, being Mexican. I wake up every morning with an attitude to win the day, making sure I use every opportunity wisely, just as how my mother risked everything she left in Mexico and gave me the tools to live the American Dream. My mother motivates me to be a great student and leader not only in the classroom but in outside activities. I’ve seen my mother at her very lows, noticing my mom struggling financially trying to hide it from me. Even if I ask her if she needs money from my after school job, she denies, and tells me to save my money for college. As a kid you can’t really do much but just witness and take it all in, until I started to grow I knew I had to step it up. I knew the only way I could pay her back was with success. I had a goal in mind. To be the first collegiate student and athlete of my family. I put my head down and worked for the next 3 years of my life, with the intention to make not only myself proud, but keep on the purpose of why my mother came to his country, to make dreams a reality. School was always hard for me, growing up I had a speech impediment which was always hard when I tried to interact with other classmates. Going back i got got made fun of for having trouble speaking, saying words wrong, and difficulties remembering the football playbook and school. Something about me is that I always find a way even if that’s risking sleepless nights,social life, and asking for extra help. I was always driven. I sought my way with that idea with school, sports and work. After 3 years of hard studying, sleepless nights, and extra hours. I was blessed with a partial scholarship and the opportunity to further my academic and athletic career at Michigan Technological University participating in the most competitive division 2 conference in the nation. This was the start of the “American Dream” my mother has always told me about. Later throughout the year, I finally learned why I was struggling so much with school. I’ve been diagnosed with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder also known as (ADHD). Words couldn’t describe how I felt. All this time I was running for focus with untied shoes - always falling and getting back up to try to focus again. Studies show that Hispanics are less diagnosed with ADHD than Caucasians, this might be due to difficulties with accessing medical care or even if they are diagnosed with mental health disorders, Hispanics are less likely to want to receive treatment. This might be due to family morals or values. I remember an instance where the school told my mom that I was acting impulsively and it was difficult for me to be still back in elementary school. My mother thought that I was being “Lazy” and that I wasn’t trying enough, so I was never brought to the doctor for a diagnosis. But once I turned 18 that all changed. I forgave my mother due that she was disappointed in herself for not taking me to get an early diagnosis back in elementary school. Life is easier with a Purpose, my purpose was to work my heart out with anything that I came across to prove not only to myself but my family that I was driven to be successful, even with the untreated disorder I had. I put my head down and got it done. I want the Hispanic community to hear my story because I want to influence the importance of mental health illnesses and disorders and why they affect everyday life.

Coming from a single immigrant mother, my mom came to the United States in order to pursue a better life. She is my role model and the reason why I wake up every morning with an attitude to win the day, making sure I use every opportunity wisely. My mother motivates me to be a great student and leader not only in the classroom but in outside activities and in everyday life. I’ve seen my mother at her very lows. I always notice my mom struggles with money financially, trying hard to hide it. Even if I ask her if she needs money from my job, she denies, and tells me to save my money for college. As a kid you can’t really do much but just witness and take it all in, until I started to grow I knew I had to step it up. Life is meaningful without a purpose for what you are destined to do. My purpose in life is to be God's walking vessel doing his work, bringing excitement and prosperity to my environment and surroundings. While doing that, I made sure I worked hard at everything I do without asking help from my mom. Sometimes I feel like it’s disrespectful if I ask my mom for help. She gave me the opportunity to live the American Dream, knowing that, I made sure I can achieve anything my mind is driven to do. My sophomore year, I bought my first car without any help from my mother. I worked tirelessly everyday while balancing school,sports, and outside activities. But I always remembered my purpose, which gave me the drive everyday to be the very best version of myself or at least, better than who I was yesterday. I made sure also that I was going to get help financially for college sports as well. My junior year, I was focused on my grades and being the first collegiate student and athlete in my family. After much hard work and great academic and athletic performances. I was blessed with the opportunity to be a student athlete at Michigan Technological University. I took the offer and had the chance to be able to study Nursing. My plans for the future are set. After I graduate High school, I plan to work two jobs, seven days a week to raise some money for college. When I attend Michigan Technological University, I’m planning on majoring in nursing or business. I’m dedicated to keep doing great not only in the classroom but also in football. I’m the first collegiate student and athlete in my family, I’m making sure I give everything I got, just like how my single immigrant mother gave and is still currently making sure I’m on the road to success. I want to play football at the highest level possible if the opportunity is given, from that, I will pursue my career of nursing or business. When I’m out of college, I'm going to be dedicated to being financially set. I want to get ready for the happiest day of my life. When I marry the love of my life. I also want my mother to quit working and live with me, I promised her she won’t have to work a day in her life once I have my degree. I'm going to repay her for giving me the tools to be successful.

Coming from a single immigrant mother, my mom came to the United States in order to pursue a better life. She is my role model and the reason why I wake up every morning with an attitude to win the day, making sure I use every opportunity wisely. My mother motivates me to be a great student and leader not only in the classroom but in outside activities and in everyday life. I’ve seen my mother at her very lows. I always notice my mom struggles with money financially, trying hard to hide it. Even if I ask her if she needs money from my job, she denies, and tells me to save my money for college. As a kid you can’t really do much but just witness and take it all in, until I started to grow I knew I had to step it up. Life is meaningful without a purpose for what you are destined to do. My purpose in life is to be God's walking vessel doing his work, bringing excitement and prosperity to my environment and surroundings. While doing that, I made sure I worked hard at everything I do without asking help from my mom. Sometimes I feel like it’s disrespectful if I ask my mom for help. She gave me the opportunity to live the American Dream, knowing that, I made sure I can achieve anything my mind is driven to do. My sophomore year, I bought my first car without any help from my mother. I worked tirelessly everyday while balancing school,sports, and outside activities. But I always remembered my purpose, which gave me the drive everyday to be the very best version of myself or at least, better than who I was yesterday. I made sure also that I was going to get help financially for college sports as well. My junior year, I was focused on my grades and being the first collegiate student and athlete in my family. After much hard work and great academic and athletic performances. I was blessed with the opportunity to be a student athlete at Michigan Technological University. I took the offer and had the chance to be able to study Nursing. A dream my mother always told me she wanted to do but couldn’t due to no opportunities in Mexico. Like I said, God put me on this earth with a purpose to help people in need. Nursing will allow me to live out that opportunity. Although I received a scholarship for football, it still isn’t enough. My mother wants to help me financially but I will not allow her. The Jennifer Webb-Cook Gameplan Scholarship will help me not only financially but at the same time make sure my mom would understand that I won’t need financial support from her since she has given me the tools to live the American Dream.

Coming from a single immigrant mother, my mom came to the United States in order to pursue a better life. She is my role model and the reason why I wake up every morning with an attitude to win the day, making sure I use every opportunity wisely. My mother motivates me to be a great student and leader not only in the classroom but in outside activities and in everyday life. I’ve seen my mother at her very lows. I always notice my mom struggles with money financially, trying hard to hide it. Even if I ask her if she needs money from my job, she denies, and tells me to save my money for college. As a kid you can’t really do much but just witness and take it all in, until I started to grow I knew I had to step it up. Life is meaningful without a purpose for what you are destined to do. My purpose in life is to be God's walking vessel doing his work, bringing excitement and prosperity to my environment and surroundings. While doing that, I made sure I worked hard at everything I do without asking help from my mom. Sometimes I feel like it’s disrespectful if I ask my mom for help. She gave me the opportunity to live the American Dream, knowing that, I made sure I can achieve anything my mind is driven to do. My sophomore year, I bought my first car without any help from my mother. I worked tirelessly everyday while balancing school,sports, and outside activities. But I always remembered my purpose, which gave me the drive everyday to be the very best version of myself or at least, better than who I was yesterday. I made sure also that I was going to get help financially for college sports as well. My junior year, I was focused on my grades and being the first collegiate student and athlete in my family. After much hard work and great academic and athletic performances. I was blessed with the opportunity to be a student athlete at Michigan Technological University. I took the offer and had the chance to be able to study Nursing. A dream my mother always told me she wanted to do but couldn’t due to no opportunities in Mexico. Like I said, God put me on this earth with a purpose to help people in need. Nursing will allow me to live out that opportunity. Although I received a scholarship for football, it still isn’t enough. My mother wants to help me financially but I will not allow her. I am driven to be good role model to the people around me and hungry to succeed in life, I will make my latin roots proud of me,

Coming from a single immigrant mother, my mom came to the United States in order to pursue a better life. She is my role model and the reason why I wake up every morning with an attitude to win the day, making sure I use every opportunity wisely. My mother motivates me to be a great student and leader not only in the classroom but in outside activities and in everyday life. I’ve seen my mother at her very lows. I always notice my mom struggles with money financially, trying hard to hide it. Even if I ask her if she needs money from my job, she denies, and tells me to save my money for college. As a kid you can’t really do much but just witness and take it all in, until I started to grow I knew I had to step it up. Life is meaningful without a purpose for what you are destined to do. My purpose in life is to be God's walking vessel doing his work, bringing excitement and prosperity to my environment and surroundings. While doing that, I made sure I worked hard at everything I do without asking help from my mom. Sometimes I feel like it’s disrespectful if I ask my mom for help. She gave me the opportunity to live the American Dream, knowing that, I made sure I can achieve anything my mind is driven to do. My sophomore year, I bought my first car without any help from my mother. I worked tirelessly everyday while balancing school,sports, and outside activities. But I always remembered my purpose, which gave me the drive everyday to be the very best version of myself or at least, better than who I was yesterday. I made sure also that I was going to get help financially for college sports as well. My junior year, I was focused on my grades and being the first collegiate student and athlete in my family. After much hard work and great academic and athletic performances. I was blessed with the opportunity to be a student athlete at Michigan Technological University. I took the offer and had the chance to be able to study Nursing. A dream my mother always told me she wanted to do but couldn’t due to no opportunities in Mexico. Like I said, God put me on this earth with a purpose to help people in need. Nursing will allow me to live out that opportunity. Although I received a scholarship for football, it still isn’t enough. My mother wants to help me financially but I will not allow her. The Frantz Barron scholarship will help me tremendously to be able to pay for college while making my mother understand that I can do this on my own without her help.