When I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 12, my world was flipped upside down. I still remember the moment the doctor looked up from his sheet and told me the news. His words didn’t sink in right away, but when they did, they hit like a wave. From that moment on, every single day, I would have to stick a needle in myself just to stay alive. The fear that consumed me was overwhelming. Diabetes had always been something that ran through my family, but it was never something I thought would become my reality. Unfortunately, it did. At that age, I was terrified of needles. I would beg my parents not to give me my insulin shot, throwing every excuse I could think of their way. My poor parents hated seeing me struggle, but they knew this was something I had to face. The truth was, I hadn’t fully accepted my diabetes yet. It felt like an unfair burden, something that made me different in a way I never wanted to be. Everything changed the day I was rushed to the hospital in middle school. I was in seventh-grade English class when it happened. That morning, I had been running late and, in my hurry, I forgot to check my blood sugar levels. As the day went on, I started feeling dizzy, but I ignored it, thinking I could push through. Then, everything went black. When I woke up, I was in the hospital, surrounded by beeping machines and worried faces. The doctors told me what had happened—I had passed out due to dangerously low insulin levels. That moment was a wake-up call. It was strange how another scary experience, even more terrifying than the first, shifted my entire perspective. From that day forward, I stopped feeling sorry for myself. I realized that my diabetes wasn’t something I could ignore or wish away. It was part of my life, and I had to take control of it. Instead of seeing it as something that held me back, I started seeing it as something that made me stronger. I became diligent about checking my blood sugar, making healthier choices, and understanding my body’s needs. But resilience isn’t just about overcoming challenges—it’s about doing so with kindness and strength, just like many others. I know how hard it is to feel different, to struggle with something invisible to most people. That’s why I’ve made it a point to support others who face similar challenges. Whether it’s helping a younger student newly diagnosed with diabetes or simply offering words of encouragement to someone feeling overwhelmed, I try to be the kind of person I once needed when I was younger. Life with diabetes isn’t easy, but I refuse to let it define me in a negative way. Instead, I choose to live fiercely, embracing every challenge with strength and kindness. My diagnosis may have changed my life, but it did not change my determination to make the most of every moment.

Growing up in a low-income household, I have always understood the value of hard work, perseverance, and education. College has always been my goal, but I also know that getting there will not be easy—especially since I will be paying for it myself. While many of my peers have financial support from their families, I have had to take on the responsibility of figuring out how to afford my education on my own. Despite these challenges, I have remained committed to my academics, my future, and my dream of pursuing psychology. This scholarship would be a huge step in helping me reach that goal. Psychology has fascinated me for as long as I can remember. I have always been interested in understanding people—why they think the way they do, what influences their emotions, and how mental health impacts daily life. My dream is to attend my top-choice college, which has an incredible psychology program, and eventually pursue a career where I can help people navigate their mental health challenges. Whether that means becoming a therapist, counselor, or working in mental health advocacy, I know that psychology is the path I want to take. But before I can get there, I need to take that first step: getting into and affording college. Throughout high school, I have dedicated myself to my education and my future. I have always been a hardworking student, balancing my academic responsibilities with extracurricular activities and personal challenges. I push myself to do my best, not only because I want to succeed but because I know that education is my key to breaking the cycle of financial hardship. My determination has only grown stronger through my involvement in Upward Bound, a pre-college program that has helped shape my academic journey. This program has given me the tools, resources, and motivation to stay on track for college. It has reinforced my belief that college isn’t just a dream—it’s something I can achieve with the right support and dedication. Beyond my academics, I have also been deeply committed to my school and my community. I believe in giving back and being someone that others can rely on. Whether it’s tutoring underclassmen, volunteering at school events, or helping my peers navigate their own college applications, I try to be the kind of person who uplifts others. I know how valuable it is to have guidance and encouragement, especially when facing obstacles, and I want to be that person for others—just as mentors and teachers have been for me. This scholarship would mean so much more than just financial assistance; it would be a bridge to my future. It would allow me to focus on my studies without the constant stress of how I will afford tuition, books, and other college expenses. It would give me the opportunity to attend a school that will help me reach my full potential. Most importantly, it would bring me closer to my dream of making a difference in people’s lives through psychology. I am determined to succeed, not just for myself but for my family and for others who, like me, have faced financial struggles but refuse to let them define their future. Education is my way forward, and this scholarship would help me take the next step toward achieving my goals. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and for the support it provides to students like me—students who are ready to work hard, overcome challenges, and turn their dreams into reality. Thank you for your time and consideration.

When I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 12, my world was flipped upside down. I still remember the moment the doctor looked up from his sheet and told me the news. His words didn’t sink in right away, but when they did, they hit like a wave. From that moment on, every single day, I would have to stick a needle in myself just to stay alive. The fear that consumed me was overwhelming. Diabetes had always been something that ran through my family, but it was never something I thought would become my reality. Unfortunately, it did. At that age, I was terrified of needles. I would beg my parents not to give me my insulin shot, throwing every excuse I could think of their way. My poor parents hated seeing me struggle, but they knew this was something I had to face. The truth was, I hadn’t fully accepted my diabetes yet. It felt like an unfair burden, something that made me different in a way I never wanted to be. Everything changed the day I was rushed to the hospital in middle school. I was in seventh-grade English class when it happened. That morning, I had been running late and, in my hurry, I forgot to check my blood sugar levels. As the day went on, I started feeling dizzy, but I ignored it, thinking I could push through. Then, everything went black. When I woke up, I was in the hospital, surrounded by beeping machines and worried faces. The doctors told me what had happened—I had passed out due to dangerously low insulin levels. That moment was a wake-up call. It was strange how another scary experience, even more terrifying than the first, shifted my entire perspective. From that day forward, I stopped feeling sorry for myself. I realized that my diabetes wasn’t something I could ignore or wish away. It was part of my life, and I had to take control of it. Instead of seeing it as something that held me back, I started seeing it as something that made me stronger. I became diligent about checking my blood sugar, making healthier choices, and understanding my body’s needs. But resilience isn’t just about overcoming challenges—it’s about doing so with kindness and strength, just like Carolyn. I know how hard it is to feel different, to struggle with something invisible to most people. That’s why I’ve made it a point to support others who face similar challenges. Whether it’s helping a younger student newly diagnosed with diabetes or simply offering words of encouragement to someone feeling overwhelmed, I try to be the kind of person I once needed when I was younger. Life with diabetes isn’t easy, but I refuse to let it define me in a negative way. Instead, I choose to live fiercely, embracing every challenge with strength and kindness. My diagnosis may have changed my life, but it did not change my determination to make the most of every moment.

I am and always was proud of Mexican heritage. As a first generation, low income student, I was always grateful for both my mamá and my papá’s actions in giving my brother and me a better life. To see their sacrifices that were made just so they can try and give their kids the best world possible and not have to live in the same dangerous world that they had to experience, really shaped my dreams of helping others as they helped me. It gives me much joy that I can call my mamá and papá my parents. Through the opportunity of my parents, I am able to enjoy highschool and pursue college, both things they weren’t able to produce. Through education, not only can I help others to be their best person, but most importantly, I can give back to my Mexican parents and try to give them much more than what they had. This scholarship will help me achieve my dreams of giving my amazing parents everything in return, by helping me pay for college. It is not easy to pay for everything yourself and that’s how this scholarship can help me. My parent gave me everything for my success and I do not plan to let it go to wast not one bit.

Success comes in many shapes and forms. One example of this could be overcoming a significant obstacle, such as paying off college tuition on your own. This is something I hope to accomplish and surpass on my journey toward success. To me, success means overcoming obstacles and feeling the sense of accomplishment that comes from them. It is also about turning hardships into self-achievement, which will later become a source of pride in my future. The idea of improving and succeeding both individually and as a community has been with me since I was a child. I have always believed that success should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. This belief has guided me in choosing a path toward clinical therapy, where I can help others who face challenges in achieving success. Growing up, I was often made fun of because of my ethnicity. As a Latino male, I was constantly compared to others and their successes. People would diminish my ability to succeed and would often target my background. Many doubted that I could rise to the top, and not only did they doubt my potential, but they also doubted me as a person. I was frequently shunned because of the color of my skin. As a child, I didn’t fully understand the concept of success because I wasn’t given the chance or the safe environment needed to thrive. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized some people weren’t there to encourage my best, so I had to become the one to motivate myself. By doing this, I was able to change and truly understand the meaning of success through my own experiences. By applying for this scholarship, I hope to show the world that not only am I capable of succeeding, but that I can do it on my own. Having the opportunity to prove this to myself and others is a powerful motivator that drives me to push forward, not just in my studies but in all aspects of my life. This scholarship will also provide the financial support I need to pursue my college education. As someone who is responsible for paying for their own education, scholarships like this are essential in helping me achieve my dreams. It would be another great successful thing added on if I would be given the opportunity to go to college without having to pay much.

It was the beginning of my freshmen year, when I was introduce to anxiety. The sudden rush and numbness I felt every time I would have anxiety attack would terrify me. I never wanted anyone to experience that horrifying experience I had when I was a freshmen. I had to learn to overcome this struggle and so I started focusing on myself. Not only did that vastly help me, but it also taught me to manage myself. My anxiety has pushed me farther and has given me person goals. My anxiety made me want to pursue psychology and how the human brain works so one day I can and will be a therapist. It has given me that first hand experience that I can help and spread it to others that might need it. Being able to help those who are in dire need to talk to someone or just need someone to look up make my will drive. I will always like to help those in need because in the end thats my dream. As well as shaping my goals, my anxiety has helped me improve my relationships. You see, when I was struggling throughout my freshman year, I isolated myself away from everyone. It really put a toll on me. I promise myself, after I improved, that I would never do that again. After that I became to my friends and family. I got to express myself more and worried less about people judging me and focused more on being the person I am today. Lastly, my anxiety helped my gain a better understanding of the world. It taught me a very crucial lesson which is that the world will never wait for you to get better so you have to improve and push harder and catch. I strongly belive in this because when I was struggling, I really hoped the world can give me a break. It wasn't until I came to conclusion that I had to be strong, that I began striving and helping myself. Overall, my mental health has shaped me into wanting to help people and achieveing my goals to become a therapist, helped me improve my relationships, and taught me that the world wasn't going to wait for me to catch up, so I had to do it myself. Looking back, I am grateful, that I went through that phase because it taught me many things. The only problem was that I felt alone and it was a little hard, but I strived for myself and it turned out really good.