My name is Diana, my parents migrated to the US when I was just 2 months old. I grew up knowing I was undocumented, but it wasn’t until my mother passed away when I learned I actually didn’t even have citizenship to any country. I know I was born in Mexico, but no record of my birth exists because my mom never registered my birth. Needless to say, my legal status situation has made everything difficult for me. Being “illegal” poses its hurdles. Being completely undocumented is much worse. I am unable to obtain the simplest of things. For example, opening a bank account, and obtaining any type of identification is virtually impossible for me since I have no documentation to prove I even exist. I’ve spent thousands of dollars on lawyers to try to fix the legal chaos my now deceased mother left me with but have been unsuccessful. I am now a mother to 4 children ages ranging from 23 months to 19 years. I’ve been a mom longer than I’ve been anything else. I dropped out of high school after completing 9th grade to stay home and raise my daughter, but I promised I’d return and complete high school before my daughter did. I stayed true to that promise and 17 years later obtained my HSED, 6 months before my daughter graduated from high school herself. The best way to teach and set high expectations for my children has been by leading by example. Shortly after obtaining my HSED, I completed the phlebotomy program through MATC and my academic studies inspired my daughter to continue her education, and always strive for more. While completing her first year of college at UWM, she became a certified Phlebotomist as well and is now working at a blood bank while she continues her college studies pursuing a career in the medical field. My biggest goal is to be able to work in the medical field, and be able to help provide for my family, overall providing a better quality of life to my children. My legal status prevents me from working, but not from continuing my studies, so I applied to the Medical Interpreter program and was accepted. Due to my legal status my education options are limited, but through MATC many obstacles have practically become nonexistent. My mom passed away when I was only 11 years old, but 11 years with her were enough to instill in me the passion to help others. I also learned to never give up, because she would always say that if there was a will there was a way. And through everything I’ve been faced with, and overcome successfully, her words have remained true. I was the first in my family to learn how to speak English as a child, and having that ability meant I was often relied on to interpret and translate for my family. My mom faced many health issues, and during her many doctor visits, my mom would offer to have me translate for others there who also had a language barrier. The relief I would see in their faces, and the expressed gratitude for something that to me seemed so insignificant would always make my day. I loved that being bilingual allowed me to help others. I came across many good people during my times of need, and today I pay it forward by serving in my community as much as I possibly can. Becoming a medical interpreter will help me continue helping others, while doing something that comes naturally to me.

My name is Diana, I am a mother to 4 children ages ranging from 23 months to 19 years. I’ve been a mom longer than I’ve been anything else. I dropped out of high school after completing 9th grade to stay home and raise my daughter, but I promised I’d return and complete high school before my daughter did. I stayed true to that promise and 17 years later obtained my HSED, 6 months before my daughter graduated from high school herself. The best way to teach and set high expectations for my children has been by leading by example. Shortly after obtaining my HSED, I completed the phlebotomy program through MATC and my academic studies inspired my daughter to continue her education, and always strive for more. While completing her first year of college at UWM, she became a certified Phlebotomist as well and is now working at a blood bank while she continues her college studies pursuing a career in the medical field. My biggest goal is to be able to work in the medical field, and be able to help provide for my family, overall providing a better quality of life to my children. My legal status prevents me from working but not from continuing my studies, so I applied to the Medical Interpreter program and was accepted. Due to my legal status my education options are limited, but through MATC many obstacles have practically become nonexistent. My mom passed away when I was only 11 years old, but 11 years with her were enough to instill in me the passion to help others. She faced many health issues, and during her many doctor visits, the relief in peoples faces when my mom would offer to have me translate for them would always make my day. I loved that being bilingual allowed me to help others. I came across many good people during my times of need as a child, and today I pay it forward by serving in my community as much as I possibly can. One way that I hope to do that is by helping bridge the communication barrier between non English speakers and their doctors. I’m so happy I found a profession that will allow me fulfill my personal, and professional goals. Continuing my studies, while raising kids and maintaining a home isn’t easy. Winning this scholarship would help alleviate some of the financial burden, allowing me to focus on my studies and continue paving the path for my kids to continue.