Growing up in a household where mental health was dismissed as a weakness shaped how I saw the world. In my family, emotional struggles were either irrelevant or something to suppress. Success—especially academic and financial—was the only goal worth chasing. Until I was sixteen, I believed this wholeheartedly. I worked relentlessly to achieve top grades and develop skills that promised future wealth, convinced that being “rich and sad” was better than being “poor and happy.” I admit to this day—that mindset did bring me external success. I became one of the top students in my high school and was recognized for my achievements left and right. But beneath the surface, I was disconnected from others and from myself. I prioritized outcomes over relationships, self-discipline over self-awareness, and ambition over emotional health. I had no understanding of how deeply mental well-being affects every area of life. Things began to shift when I was 17. I formed deep bonds with people who valued mental health in ways I didn’t understand. At first, their views felt strange and even wrong to me. I resisted them, convinced that my mindset—success above all—was the only right one. But after many difficult conversations and lessons with people that had patience with me to calmly explain over and over again, their words began to take root. Over time, I finally understood what I had been too blind to see: mental health is not optional—it’s foundational. One of the most personal changes I’ve experienced is how I now handle conversations about mental health with my family, particularly with my mother. For most of my life, I didn’t feel I had a voice when my parents dismissed the importance of emotional well-being. But as my perspective changed, I began calmly advocating for myself and for the truth—that mental health matters. Rather than becoming defensive, I’ve learned to speak up while still listening with empathy. These conversations helped me grow, not just as someone passionate about mental health, but as someone who understands how difficult it is to challenge long-held cultural stigmas, especially at home. My passion for mental health isn’t just emotional—it’s academic. In my senior year of high school, I took a psychology class that deepened my interest in how people think and behave. It became one of the few classes I truly excelled in that year, which reflected how seriously I took the subject. I led several group projects and helped my team consistently earn top scores. These experiences not only confirmed my passion but also strengthened my communication and leadership skills—qualities I know are essential in this field. As I enter university, I plan to have a specialization in psychology to study how different environments, experiences, and disorders affect the mind. My goal is to build a career where I can help others heal—especially those from communities like mine, where mental health is still stigmatized. I want to make support more accessible, inclusive, and grounded in cultural understanding. I know from experience how hard it is to unlearn what you were taught, and how powerful it is to feel seen and heard for the first time. Mental health changed my life—not just because I learned to care for myself, but because I learned to care more deeply for others. I’m still growing every day, but I know this is the field where I can make a real difference. I want to help others build the foundation I once lacked: one rooted not just in achievement, but in emotional well-being, compassion, and connection.

Hearing my parent's soft, pained voices as they told me my father’s kidney was failing beyond recovery, I felt a pain in my heart, unlike anything I had ever experienced. As a child, I was always aware that my parents were sick. Monthly doctor visits had been a routine part of our lives for the past eleven years, and I understood that medication was essential for their daily survival. Yet, I never fully grasped the severity of their conditions. It wasn’t until I heard the doctor say my father’s kidneys were functioning at only 30% of their capacity—and that he would need to be placed on a transplant waiting list—that the weight of his illness truly hit me. Suddenly, I started noticing the changes more clearly: his exhaustion, his distant expressions, his growing irritability. These weren’t just symptoms on a chart; they were transformations unfolding before me, within the person I had always seen as strong. Watching my father change into a frail and terminally ill man right before my eyes was a painful reality to accept. This realization made me change my relationship with my father. The person I had once been distant from became the person I wanted to cherish. The indifferent “ok” I used to respond with when he said, “Love you, daughter,” became a “Love you too, Dad.” The solo trips he once made to the store became moments we shared. In the past, I refused to buy gifts for my parents on special occasions because of my broken relationship with them. Now, I make an effort to show appreciation, giving them meaningful gifts as tokens of my gratitude. More importantly, I have learned to prioritize their happiness, even if it means making sacrifices—choosing actions that encourage peace in our relationship over those that only serve my own immediate desires. Experiencing this level of hardship as a teenager has shaped me in profound ways. Many people do not face the reality of their parent’s severe illnesses until adulthood, but I have had to confront it early. While this has been incredibly difficult, it has also given me a deeper appreciation for the people in my life. I have learned to be grateful for those who support and care for me, especially my parents, who have dedicated themselves to my well-being and future. This lesson will stay with me throughout my life. It has strengthened my relationships and shaped my aspirations, inspiring me to pursue a career where I can provide support to others facing similar hardships. I want to pursue a minor in psychology when I am in college so that I can incorporate that knowledge into my career and use it to help people who are facing hardships similar to those my family has experienced. My journey with my father’s health has not only changed the way I see my loved ones, but it has also given me a sense of purpose—to ensure that others going through similar struggles know they are not alone.

My path is set for Business. A discipline where numbers, leadership, and ethics converge. Seeing stock market headlines on glass buildings on a trip in San Jose, I felt the spark of possibility. I developed an interest in this realm and excelled in subjects related. Finance, technology, and innovation weren’t just concepts–they were a way forward for me. I aim to gain a successful career through my declared major in Business.  Before quarantine, a significant loss plunged me into grief. My parents, expressing disappointment and labeling me a failure, exacerbated my mental health struggles. Trapped in a cycle of despair, my performance at school and outside of school suffered. My depression was misinterpreted as disrespect, resulting in the loss of my phone, my only emotional outlet. For two years, I endured isolation and battled my mental health alone. Entering high school, depression persisted, casting a shadow over my academics. Each day was a struggle against self-doubt and anxiety. My grades reflected this inner turmoil, as I lacked the energy and motivation to succeed. However, a realization emerged: I refused to live this way anymore. This pivotal moment shifted my perspective, understanding that setbacks shouldn't derail my future. This newfound outlook ignited a drive for change. I dedicated myself to improvement, both academically and personally, which is reflected in my enhanced transcript. I sought out growth and support through college-routed programs like Bright Prospect, Upward Bound, and AVID, gaining essential guidance and resources. These programs helped me visualize a brighter future, fostering a belief in my capabilities. These programs hold events and meetings that I still actively participate in, where I learn about time management, financial aid, college preparation, and other materials that prepare me with an optimistic mindset for college and life. They helped me focus on a successful future, always keeping college in mind. Through these experiences, I unlocked a side of myself I hadn’t known existed—a side capable of achieving academic excellence and excelling in extracurricular activities. I gained confidence, built valuable networks, and adopted a mindset focused on success. With college now firmly on my road to success, I’m determined to continue along this path. I’ve learned to take full advantage of every chance that comes my way, keeping my grades high and staying committed to my goals.

Pomona, California is a beautiful city that is a low-income, predominantly Hispanic community. There is a problem with homelessness and food insecurity. Growing up, I have seen families struggle to make ends meet and provide food for their families. Nearly one in ten households face challenges in accessing consistent, nutritious meals. Hearing my peers speak about not having enough food at their homes motivated me to take action in my community. I believe no individual should face food insecurity, as access to food is essential for overall health, education, and quality of life. Since last year, I have volunteered at a local non-profit organization named Hope Esperanza. Hope Esperanza’s mission is to combat food insecurities and have a food pantry for the local residents of Pomona. Here, I have organized donations and distributed food to hundreds of families every Sunday. This process involved collecting donations from grocery stores and sorting and packaging items to make sure families received enough food to encourage others to take part. I individually ran a social media awareness campaign for the non-profit. In this campaign, I dedicate about an hour or two weekly to gather statistical information about the food insecurity crisis in my community and state through Google and informational websites. I have received recognition from the director for taking action with the community. I promote my campaign by speaking with the food recipients and increasing followers on the non-profit’s page. Peers at my school who follow and are aware of my campaign have been inspired to take action through volunteering in food banks and creating an impact in our community. This initiative highlights the ongoing food insecurity in my city and state. I continue to take action towards the food insecurity issue in my community by volunteering my available time, connecting with the people in my community, and continuing to spread awareness about this crisis.

It began with a family trip to Northern California when I was 14 years old. As we stopped in San Jose for the night, I was struck by the sleek glass buildings and the flashing stock market headlines lighting up the streets and reflecting off a nearby lake. Among this bustling hub of innovation, I felt a spark of possibility. Finance, technology, and innovation weren’t just abstract concepts—they represented a future full of potential and a path I wanted to explore. That moment planted a seed of ambition in me, inspiring me to pursue a field where these worlds converge. Since then, I’ve actively sought out opportunities to immerse myself in this intersection. My fascination with business grew stronger as I explored its practical applications, and I transformed my dream of becoming an entrepreneur into actionable steps. I began by learning the fundamentals and then diving into real-world experiences that gave me a glimpse of the dynamic nature of the business world. One pivotal moment in this journey was my role as a Social Media Managing Team Intern at Tai Lopez Brands. I tracked industry trends, analyzed audience data, and optimized engagement strategies. This hands-on experience revealed how digital innovation drives business success and how impactful decisions are informed by data. Eager to enhance my skill set further, I pursued and completed Google Analytics certifications. Through this, I developed a stronger understanding of data analysis, consumer behavior, and strategic decision-making. These experiences not only reinforced my passion for technology-driven business solutions but also gave me confidence in my ability to contribute meaningfully to the field. These experiences solidified my passions and clarified my vision for the future—one centered on creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Beyond my personal ambitions, I am inspired by the idea of creating solutions that empower others and drive meaningful change in the world of business and technology. Building on this passion, I plan to pursue a Business major in college. This path will provide me with a deeper understanding of foundational concepts such as management, marketing, and finance, equipping me with the tools to navigate the complexities of the business world. I aim to connect what I learn in the classroom to real-world applications, from analyzing market trends to developing strategies that leverage technology to solve pressing challenges. By combining my education with the hands-on experiences I’ve already gained, I can grow into a leader who contributes meaningfully to the intersection of business and innovation. The Lucent Scholarship represents a vital step in my journey. By reducing the financial burden of college, it would allow me to fully immerse myself in business coursework, internships, and networking opportunities. With this foundation, I am excited to transform my aspirations into reality and play an active role in shaping the future of business and technology.

Right before quarantine, I lost someone close to me. Their absence pained me deeply, and I found myself crying numbly every day for a year, a struggle I kept entirely to myself. At the same time, my parents frequently expressed their disappointment in me, labeling me as a failure. Their words, combined with my grief, had a heavy effect on my mental health. I felt trapped in a cycle of despair, which affected my performance in everything I attempted. My parents interpreted my depression as disrespect, which led them to take away my phone—my only source of connection with friends and an escape from my overwhelming emotions. For two years, from ages 12 to 13, I suffered in silence, isolated and battling my mental health alone. Entering high school as a freshman, I was still struggling with depression. Each day felt like a never-ending battle against my self-doubt and anxiety, which consumed my focus and distracted me from my academics. My grades reflected this inner turmoil, as I struggled to gather the energy or motivation to succeed in my coursework. Over time, however, I noticed a troubling pattern in my life. I realized that I didn’t want to live this way anymore. This recognition marked a turning point. It became clear to my mind that I should not let moments like these bring me down and ruin my chances of having a successful and bright future. This newfound perspective sparked a drive within me to change. I began making an effort both inside and outside the classroom, and my improved transcript and extracurriculars reflect my growing dedication. I sought out opportunities for growth and support, joining programs such as Bright Prospect, Upward Bound, and AVID. These college-focused programs provided me with the guidance and resources I needed to envision a brighter future. With their combined support, I began to see myself as capable and deserving of success. These programs hold events and meetings that I still actively participate in, where I learn about time management, financial aid, college preparation, and other materials that prepare me with an optimistic mindset for college and life. They helped me focus on a successful future, always keeping college in mind. Through these experiences, I unlocked a side of myself I hadn’t known existed—a side capable of achieving academic excellence and excelling in extracurricular activities. I gained confidence in my capability, built valuable networks, and adopted a mindset focused on success. With college now firmly on my road to success, I’m determined to continue along this path. I’ve learned to take full advantage of every chance that comes my way, keeping my grades high and staying committed to my goals. I’m destined for Business. A discipline where quantitative skills, leadership, and ethics intertwine. Seeing stock market headlines on sleek glass buildings on a trip in San Jose, I felt the spark of possibility. I developed an interest in this realm and excelled in subjects related. Finance, technology, and innovation weren’t just concepts–they were a way forward for me. I aim to gain a successful career through my declared major in Business.

How everything falls into place when solving a problem in math always pleases me. When the teacher gives you a formula for a particular topic, and everything inputs where they need to go, sometimes it makes math satisfying and enjoyable. Also, the way how math answers are never too complex or complicated to explain like the subjects English or History never fails to satisfy me since there is only one solution (unless the topic uses more than one solution or no solutions). It makes math more pleasable since you don't have to do too much work explaining why your answer is that way, cause your math work already explains how you got it. Mathematics surrounds us wherever we may be, even more now today as many things are understood through statistical analysis and data. With this, you can go anywhere with math in the world. There are thousands of languages in the globe but math is one that everyone shares and understands each other with. Since it's a language that everyone is familiar with, it has united and helped countries to create and develop new creations that can help not only themselves but the world as well. For that reason, I desire to be in a career that requires lots of mathematical thinking. As new things progress and develop through mathematics, it opens up many opportunities for people who have an interest in that topic. Many new careers such as cybersecurity, web and software development, data analysis, and other future careers look for those who are familiar with and good at math skills. Plenty of these new careers offer high pay for the same reason that they are new, and also because they will have an impact on the world's future. Who wouldn't love a subject that can be turned beneficial to them through a career and will have an impact on the world? All in all, I love math because it is straightforward to me, and I can turn this interest beneficial by attaining a career that involves mathematics and will have an influence on the world's future.

After the loss of a close relative, I started to view my life differently. Their death caused me to focus on what really matters in my life and fight for what I want to achieve because their death made me realize that we don’t live forever, we only live once. It’s crazy in the sense that we don’t really think about how close to death we are until someone who was close to you passes away. Before that loved one passed away, for some reason I have never really thought about the phrase “You only live once” and took it into consideration. His death made me think of things I’ve never thought I’d think of before. Ever since my grandfather passed away almost a year and a half ago, I’ve changed my point of view of my life. I’ve become more focused on what I want to be in life. I’ve learned that I should cherish the times I spend with my loved ones. Now I just hope that whatever I do in life, I’ll succeed and make my grandfather proud. But I also know now that if I want to succeed in life, I’m going to have to work hard. My grandfather before he turned into an alcoholic was a professor at a University. And even as an alcoholic, he’s still always been a serious person when it comes to education. I guess you can say I get my seriousness about education from him. After his death, my grades/gpa has changed by a long shot. I went from having around a 2.8 gpa to having a 4.0 exactly. I stayed on top of myself and completed every assignment that was given to me, but also I did it by reminding myself that I have to become someone in this one life that we’re given to live. This last year, I ended the year with having a 4.4 gpa. I feel proud of myself actually, because now the thought of me succeeding in life excites me and I can’t wait for it to happen. If I want to continue doing good though, I know that I’m going to have to continue working hard and crush any barrier that comes my way. This is something I wouldn’t have thought of before his death. His death had a huge impact on me in the aspect that it’s caused me to think about what I seriously want to do in this only life I have, and how I plan to fight for it.