Education was never taken lightly in my household. My parents immigrated to the United States with very little, but they carried a deep belief that education could change the course of a family’s future. Growing up in a Hispanic household, I often heard the phrase “estudia para que tengas un mejor futuro,” which means study so that you can have a better future. My parents worked long hours in physically demanding jobs, and even when they were exhausted they still reminded my siblings and me that education was the opportunity they never had. Their sacrifices shaped the way I see school, work, and purpose. Today I am a first generation college student studying marketing and management. The journey to college was not always easy. Without parents who had gone through the college process, many things felt unfamiliar at first. From understanding financial aid to navigating applications and adjusting to the expectations of university life, there were many moments where I had to figure things out on my own. But those challenges also taught me resilience. They taught me how to ask questions, seek mentorship, and stay focused on the bigger goal of building a better future for my family and my community. Attending a predominantly white institution also brought new challenges. At times it felt like I had to work harder to prove that I belonged in those spaces. But those experiences motivated me to become more involved on campus and to help create community for others who might feel the same way. Today I serve as the president of the Latino Student Union. In this role I help organize events, build connections among students, and create spaces where Latino students feel supported and proud of their identity. Leadership in this organization has shown me that representation matters. When students see someone who shares their background succeeding in college, it helps them believe that they can do the same. One of the ways I hope to inspire other first generation students is by being open about my journey. Many students from immigrant families grow up believing that college might be out of reach because of financial limitations or lack of guidance. I want to show them that while the path may be challenging, it is possible. By sharing my experiences, mentoring younger students, and encouraging conversations about education within Hispanic communities, I hope to help others take that first step toward higher education. I also want to use my career to continue opening doors for others. As a marketing and management major, I am passionate about leadership and entrepreneurship. My long term goal is to build businesses that create opportunities for underserved communities, especially within Spanish speaking populations. Through mentorship programs, internships, and community outreach, I hope to create pathways that help young students see education as a powerful tool rather than an impossible barrier. Being a first generation student is not just a personal achievement. It represents the hopes and sacrifices of an entire family. My parents believed in education even when they did not have access to it themselves. Because of their faith and perseverance, I now have the opportunity to pursue a degree and create a different future. By sharing that story and lifting others along the way, I hope to inspire the next generation of first generation students to believe that they belong in college and that their dreams are worth pursuing.

I am BEYOND passionate about being a first generation Mexican American college graduate because it represents the fulfillment of sacrifice, faith, and generational hope. Every class I take, every assignment I turn in, and every leadership role I step into carries the weight of the hard work my parents put in just so I could have a chance. I am not walking this journey alone I carry my family, my culture, and my past with me. I grew up in Baltimore in an area where the odds were often stacked against us. My parents, both immigrants, worked long hours in physically demanding jobs. They never had the luxury of rest, but they always made sure my siblings and I knew the value of education. They would come home tired but still ask about our homework. They reminded us daily to trust in God, to stay focused, and to believe that our efforts would mean something. Even when we could not afford much, they gave us their encouragement, their strength, and their example. Attending a predominantly white institution has been a learning experience of its own. At first, I felt the weight of not seeing many faces that looked like mine. I felt like I had to work twice as hard to be seen, to be heard, and to be understood. But instead of letting that discourage me, I used it as fuel. I began to realize that my presence here matters that I bring a story, a voice, and a culture that adds value to every room I enter. And through that realization, I found purpose. That purpose led me to the Latino Student Union, where I went from being a member to now serving as the president. I saw how many Latino students felt isolated or underrepresented on campus, and I wanted to be part of changing that. I began helping plan events, mentor younger students, and speak up about our experiences. I worked hard to make our presence known and respected. Today, as president, I take pride in building community and pushing for spaces where our culture is not only accepted but celebrated. Being a first generation student is not easy. There are moments of doubt, financial stress, and pressure to succeed not just for myself but for everyone who believes in me. But I am proud. I am proud because I know how far I have come. I know how many prayers, early mornings, and silent sacrifices have brought me to this place. And soon, I will be the first in my family to walk across that graduation stage. I will not just be earning a degree I will be fulfilling a dream that started generations ago in Mexico, carried through sweat and faith by my parents, and now lives in me. This is why I am passionate about becoming a first generation Mexican American college graduate. Because it is about more than just me it is about honoring the past, embracing the present, and opening doors for those who come next.

My field of study is business with a focus in marketing and management. This WILL empower me to shape the future of construction and manufacturing by bridging the gap between tradition and innovation. These industries have always been built on hard work, experience, and grit. I deeply respect that. But I also believe they are in desperate need of a new vision. A future where the industrial world speaks not only to the seasoned experts who built it, but also to the younger generation who will carry it forward. I work at a hydraulic hoses and pneumatics workplace , where I have hands-on experience in the hydraulics industry. Every day I see the importance of construction and manufacturing systems that rely on tools like hydraulic hoses and crimping machines. But I also see the limitations. Crimping machines are outdated, heavy, and stuck in one place. Technicians waste time moving hoses back and forth when they could be more productive in the field. Watching this unfold day after day made me realize something important. We are using old tools to try to meet the demands of a modern world. This is where my business education becomes key. I want to help lead the shift toward smarter tools, cleaner systems, and marketing that speaks to my generation. I plan to create a lightweight crimping machine made with polyamide imide, a strong and heat resistant material that can handle up to 21,000 pounds per square inch. That kind of innovation will make the work faster and more mobile, helping technicians build and repair on site rather than always returning to the shop. I also want to develop an adjustable crimping die that works for many sizes, removing the need for constant changeouts and saving time and money. But I want to do more than change toolsI want to change the culture. Too often, the industrial market targets only the older generation. The advertising, the language, the systems, they all assume a certain way of doing things that can push young people out. I want to flip that. I want to make the trades and the hydraulics world more attractive to people like me young, driven, and looking for purpose. Through marketing and business leadership, I want to help the industry welcome younger voices without losing the respect for old-school values. We can bring in the future while still honoring the foundation that got us here. This scholarship would lift the financial burden I carry as a first generation college student. It would allow me to keep learning, dreaming, and building without distraction. More importantly, it would remind me that my ideas matter. That my vision for a more innovative and youth-focused industrial world has value. With this support, I will be able to invest in my education, build relationships, and one day create a company that not only improves construction and manufacturing, but also inspires others from underestimated communities to believe they can do the same. I am not just studying business I am preparing to lead a movement that makes the industrial world smarter, more accessible, and ready for the future.