My name is Daniela Stevaliz Torres, and I am an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at El Paso, pursuing a degree in Information Systems with a minor in Supply Chain Management. One of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life has been founding and leading UMEPT (Un Mundo Mejor Empieza Por Ti), a nonprofit initiative dedicated to helping our community and honoring the memory of a close friend who passed away. When I first decided to start UMEPT in February 2022, I had no resources, no team, and no prior experience in organizing community projects. The idea was born out of a desire to make a difference, but the reality of turning that idea into action was daunting. I faced obstacles such as limited funds, difficulty recruiting volunteers, and the challenge of coordinating events while keeping up with my studies. At first, it felt overwhelming, and there were moments when I questioned whether I could truly make an impact. Instead of giving up, I focused on taking small, consistent steps. I reached out to friends and classmates to build a volunteer team, designed our first projects with clear objectives, and researched ways to fundraise effectively. Our first initiative was delivering meals to elderly individuals living alone. Coordinating logistics, sourcing food, and ensuring every delivery was safe and meaningful required persistence and creativity. Every obstacle whether a scheduling conflict, a limited budget, or logistical challenge taught me to problem-solve, adapt, and stay committed to my vision. Through this process, I discovered my capacity for leadership. Leadership, I learned, is not just about giving directions it is about inspiring others to act, empowering them to take responsibility, and creating a culture of collaboration and care. I led UMEPT by example: showing up early, staying organized, and demonstrating empathy for both the people we serve and the volunteers who joined me. I encouraged my team to share ideas, celebrate successes, and learn from setbacks. This approach allowed us to grow from a small idea into a team that successfully raised $18,000 MXN through a chocolate fundraiser, providing therapy sessions through Integra for those in need. The experience of overcoming these obstacles reinforced my belief that challenges are opportunities for growth. Strengthened my resilience and determination. I learned that perseverance is fueled by passion, vision, and the commitment to a purpose larger than oneself. Leading UMEPT motivate others, solve problems , and remain steadfast in the face of adversity. These lessons extend beyond UMEPT into my academic and personal life. Balancing a full course load, sports involvement, and community service has required discipline, time management, and a willingness to persevere through difficulties. I continue to apply the skills I developed through UMEPT organization, communication, and empathy to every aspect of my life, mentoring younger students, planning future initiatives to expand our community impact. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to continue pursuing my education while growing UMEPT’s programs and impact.- It would provide the resources I need to remain in school and dedicate myself fully to my studies and service. Most importantly, it would allow me to continue demonstrating the values I have learned through overcoming obstacles and leading others: perseverance, compassion, and a commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those around me. Through my experience with UMEPT, I have learned that true leadership emerges when we confront challenges head-on and turn them into opportunities to serve others. I am committed to carrying these lessons forward, using my skills, education, and passion to continue creating meaningful change in my community and beyond. Sincerely Daniela Stevaliz Torres

My name is Daniela Stevaliz Torres, and I am an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at El Paso, pursuing a degree in Information Systems with a minor in Supply Chain Management. Growing up, I was always surrounded by examples of hard work, resilience, and the importance of giving back. From a young age, I learned that true fulfillment comes not only from personal achievement, but also from lifting others and making a positive impact on the people around me. I have always been drawn to sports, which taught me discipline, perseverance, and the value of teamwork. Participating in track and other activities required focus, commitment, and balancing multiple responsibilities all skills that I have carried into my academics and community work. Built my leadership skills, and instilled in me the understanding that success is achieved through dedication and consistency. However, the experience that has most profoundly shaped who I am today is my community service. In February 2022, I founded UMEPT (Un Mundo Mejor Empieza Por Ti), a nonprofit initiative created in memory of a close friend who passed away. Starting from zero, I built a team of volunteers and worked tirelessly to organize projects that would benefit our community. Through UMEPT, we have delivered meals to elderly individuals living alone, provided resources and food to families in vulnerable situations, and conducted fundraisers to support therapy sessions for those in need. One of our most successful projects raised $18,000 MXN through the sale of chocolates, directly helping people who otherwise could not access mental health support through ''INTEGRA''. Being part of these projects taught me how to organize teams, manage resources, and communicate effectively more importantly, it showed me the transformative power of compassion and service. Through leading UMEPT, I learned the importance of empathy, patience, and inspiring others to take action. It is not just about giving; it is about creating opportunities for people to feel seen, supported, and valued. This experience solidified my passion for community service and my belief that even small actions can create lasting change. It has shaped my vision for my future and strengthened my commitment to use my skills and knowledge to improve the lives of others . Despite my dedication to academics and service, I currently face financial challenges. This semester, I received only $800 in FAFSA aid, which is far below what I need to cover tuition, books, and living expenses. Without support, I may have to step away from my studies, which would also slow the growth of UMEPT and the impact we can make in the community. My aspirations are to combine my education in Information Systems with my passion for service to create innovative solutions for social challenges. I want to leverage technology to make resources more accessible to underserved communities, expand UMEPT’s programs, and empower more young people to contribute meaningfully to society. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to continue pursuing my degree while growing UMEPT’s impact. It would relieve financial stress, enabling me to focus fully on my studies, leadership, and community projects. Most importantly, it would serve as a reminder that hard work, kindness, and dedication I am committed to living a life that reflects these principles every day, inspiring others to serve and lead with compassion. My background, passions, and experiences have shaped me into someone who believes in the power of service, the importance of resilience, and the need to lead with integrity. With continued support, I am ready to embrace the challenges ahead, make a meaningful difference, and contribute to a better, more compassionate world sincerely, Daniela Stevaliz Torres

My name is Daniela Stevaliz Torres, and I am an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at El Paso pursuing a degree in Information Systems with a minor in Supply Chain Management. While I have maintained a GPA above 3.0 and been involved in sports, the most defining part of my life has been my deep commitment to community service. That is where my heart, my leadership, and my purpose truly shine. In February 2022, I founded UMEPT (Un Mundo Mejor Empieza Por Ti), a nonprofit initiative born from the loss of a dear friend. What started as a simple desire to honor her memory grew into an organized movement dedicated to making a tangible difference in our community. Leading UMEPT has been my proudest accomplishment and my greatest lesson in compassion, perseverance, and responsibility. Our projects have ranged from preparing and delivering meals to elderly individuals who live alone, to organizing food drives for families in vulnerable situations. One of our most impactful initiatives was a chocolate fundraiser that raised $18,000 MXN—enough to provide therapy sessions for people who otherwise could not afford them, through our partner organization Integra. We have been featured on Canal 44 for our efforts, but the true reward has been seeing hope return to the faces of those we serve. Community service is not just an extracurricular activity for me—it is my calling. I have learned to organize teams of volunteers, secure resources, and adapt when challenges arise. More importantly, I have learned that real change happens when you treat people with kindness, dignity, and genuine care. Like Kalia D. Davis, I strive to be someone others can count on—for encouragement, for leadership, and for action. However, continuing my education, and by extension my community work, has become increasingly difficult. This semester I received only $800 in FAFSA aid, leaving a large financial gap that I cannot cover on my own. Without this scholarship, I may be forced to step away from UTEP, which would mean not only pausing my studies but also slowing the growth of UMEPT.This scholarship would allow me to remain in school and continue to expand our projects. With my background in Information Systems, I plan to integrate technology into UMEPT’s outreach digital platforms to connect resources with those in need more efficiently. I envision UMEPT becoming a model for youth-led community initiatives that combine empathy with innovation. Kalia’s legacy of living fully, loving deeply, laughing often, learning continuously, and leaving a lasting impact mirrors the values I hold close. Like her, I believe in giving my best in every area of my life and using my gifts to uplift others. My journey so far has been one of service, resilience, and hope, and I want to continue that journey for as long as I can.If given the honor of receiving this scholarship, I would see it not only as financial help but as a responsibility to carry forward Kalia’s spirit of kindness, ambition, and excellence, and to keep building a better world, one act of service at a time. Receiving this scholarship would not only remove the financial burden that threatens my education, it would be an investment in a student who is committed to multiplying that gift for others. Every class I take, every skill I learn, and every project I lead through UMEPT is fueled by the belief that service creates lasting change. With your support, I can continue building a life that reflects Kalia’s values serving with compassion, leading with integrity, and striving for excellence every day. Thank you for your consideration. Daniela Stevaliz Torres

My name is Daniela, and I am currently pursuing a degree in Information Systems with a minor in Supply Chain Management. I have always been passionate about helping others and finding creative ways to solve problems. From a young age, I knew I wanted my life to be centered around making a positive impact on the people around me. One of the most meaningful experiences in my life has been founding UMEPT, which stands for Un Mundo Mejor Empieza Por Ti (A Better World Begins With You). I created this initiative to support children with disabilities in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, by helping them access professional therapy through a local nonprofit called Integra. After volunteering at one of their camps, I saw the emotional and financial challenges these families face. That experience inspired me to act. I began organizing fundraisers, selling handmade items, and encouraging students and friends to get involved. Today, UMEPT continues to grow, and it has shown me the power of community and persistence. Through this project, I learned leadership, communication, and resilience. But more importantly, I realized that I want my future career to reflect the same values: service, innovation, and compassion. That is why I chose to study Information Systems. Technology has the power to reach millions and solve problems on a large scale. Whether it’s creating more efficient logistics systems for aid organizations, building accessible platforms for people with disabilities, or improving communication between communities and resources—I want to be part of that change. My career goal is to work in a company or start an organization that uses technology to create solutions for social challenges. I am especially interested in areas like nonprofit tech, ethical logistics, and digital access for underrepresented populations. I also want to continue growing UMEPT and eventually expand its impact beyond therapy, by creating educational and emotional support programs for children and families in need. Making a positive impact in my community is not something I see as a side project—it is the foundation of who I am and how I plan to live. I believe that every small action matters. Whether it’s spending time with elderly residents at nursing homes, helping children with disabilities smile, or supporting a classmate who’s struggling, I try to be present and intentional. I’ve also been involved with organizations like Doctor Sonrisas, where we visit children in hospitals, and I’ve led service projects as Vice President of Rotaract. Each experience has strengthened my commitment to kindness, action, and long-term impact. I know that the road ahead will come with challenges. Balancing school, work, and community service is never easy. But I’ve learned to stay focused, stay organized, and most importantly—stay passionate. My dream is not just to succeed, but to lift others with me as I grow. Thank you for considering my application. I hope to continue learning, serving, and creating systems that make the world more inclusive, connected, and kind.

A Better World Begins With Connection Being part of a community has completely changed the way I see the world—and my place in it. It has taught me that even when things feel heavy or uncertain, there is always hope as long as people come together. One moment that shaped this belief was when I founded UMEPT (Un Mundo Mejor Empieza Por Ti), a community project that supports children with disabilities in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. The idea started after I volunteered at a summer camp for kids with disabilities. I was only supposed to help for a few days, but what I experienced changed me forever. I saw children full of joy and love, but also families struggling—many of whom couldn’t afford the therapy their kids desperately needed. I left the camp feeling both heartbroken and inspired. I couldn’t just walk away and go back to my routine. I wanted to do something that could create real, long-term impact. I I'm founder of UMEPT. At first, it was just me with a notebook full of ideas and a heart full of hope. Slowly, friends started joining. We began fundraising by selling bracelets and crafts. We hosted events, shared stories on social media, and connected with the nonprofit Integra, which provides therapy services. We weren’t experts, but we had passion. Every help we raised felt like a miracle. Every child we helped reminded me why I started. There was one moment I’ll never forget. After one of our fundraisers, a mom came up to me with tears in her eyes. Her son had started therapy thanks to our support. She said, “You don’t know what this means to us. You gave us hope again.” That sentence has stayed with me. It taught me that kindness isn’t always about big gestures It’s about showing up, even when you’re unsure of the outcome. This project showed me what resilience looks like. There were times we doubted ourselves, when events didn’t go as planned, or when we felt too small to make a difference. But we kept going. We learned that community work is never perfect—it’s messy, emotional, and unpredictable. But it’s also beautiful, meaningful, and worth every second. Through UMEPT, I learned the power of connection. People who didn’t know each other came together for a cause. Strangers donated. Students volunteered their time. Families opened up about their struggles. I realized that when you lead with heart, others follow not because they have to, but because they want to be part of something bigger than themselves. Most of all, I’ve learned that hope is contagious. One person’s action can inspire another’s, and before you know it, change begins to grow. That’s why I believe so deeply in the future. Not because the world is perfect—but because people, when united by compassion, can make it better. Being part of a community has given me purpose. It has taught me that I don’t have to wait to be older, richer, or more experienced to help. I just have to care and act. That is how we create change. That is how we build a better world.