My name is Claudia Aguilar Vanegas, and I attend Georgia Chaffee TAPP Big Picture High School. I am a teen mother of two, I have a 3-year-old son, Emmanuel and a 1-year-old daughter, Guadalupe. I am 16 years old, graduating a year early from Georgia Chaffee TAPP. I enjoy creating art, playing with my children, and watching movies. I am a hard worker, and I enjoy helping other people. I have many great leadership skills and I am a responsible and kindhearted person. I plan to attend Medquest College and then later attend the University of Louisville where I can pursue my nursing career. Being a Single mother has helped me figure out my passion. I enjoy being a service to others. My dream career is to become a nurse. I plan to achieve those goals after high school. My goal is to create a better life for my children and to be able to provide for their wants and needs. Being a teen mom has been a challenge but I've learned to overcome those obstacles. I've been passionate about a career in nursing, I enjoy helping other people and I know I will be a light in my community. People have helped me along my journey and I would like to return the favor. My children keep me motivated and encourage me to keep going no matter how hard it gets. I’m very thankful for my parents, teachers, family, and people who have supported me through my journey. Getting pregnant at the age of 13 or 15 was not my dream. I’ve learned to embrace my blessings, and my children have helped me mature. Because of them, I am a better person. I've been a student at TAPP for 5 years. This is my last year, but not my final journey. I’ve made a lot of joyful, and happy memories and I’m truly thankful for my experience. This school has prepared me for my future through mentoring and all of the great resources they have available. I’ve attended field trips called “Leaving to Learn” which helped me learn and experience new things around the world. I am truly grateful for what this school has given me. TAPP allowed me to learn while being a mother, which was a great gift. My thinking has changed since becoming a mother and has made me realize that not everything you see in colors is the real color. I thought it would be easy since I took care of my younger siblings but I soon learned that it was not the same. Having children has changed me mentally in ways I never imagined. Especially being a teen at the same time. I now have a true sense of worth and purpose and have prioritized my goals. I do miss my teenage fun and I know it won't ever be the same, but my children have given me so much joy and love that I never even knew I needed and that love is what pushes me through this journey. Receiving this scholarship will not only help me with my dreams but will also help the lives of my children. I know I can and will be successful. The light that I carry shines bright and I know I will be a great nurse with great compassion. I once read, “ "Hardships often prepare people for an extraordinary destiny." I’m confident that my destiny will be just that extraordinary.