
Elena Murillo
165
Bold Points1x
Finalist
Elena Murillo
165
Bold Points1x
FinalistEducation
Chemeketa Community College
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Psychology, General
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
Career
Dream career field:
Professional Training & Coaching
Dream career goals:
Annika Clarisse Memorial Scholarship
I'd be lying if I said had much good personal stories to tell about being a trans individual. I've always kept it to myself out of fear that I'd get discriminated against due to living in a conservative area. even coming out to my family was less than stellar. I haven't had many opportunities to be myself, be "Elena", where I live. And so, when the opportunity for college came about, I knew it was my best at getting a way out of my town and into a more open community where I can be me.
And that leads me to what I want to pursue. I want to pursue psychology, therapy. In this day and age, where mental health is at an all time low, especially for the trans community, and depression remains the crisis of the 21st century, I want to do my part in helping people with their mental health, especially vulnerable communities such as my own. That's why I'm asking for this scholarship. So that it can help me in my goal of helping others in vulnerable communities.
Sure, moving to a new community for college will allow me to be myself since it's unlikely to be so hostile or transphobic. That is a win, and one I'd like to experience. I won't lie there. But I do believe it's better to focus on being able to help people. What good is it if I get to be myself and enjoy myself if others are struggling? If others can't be themselves or are experiencing poor mental health?
I plan to reach this goal by enrolling into college obviously. Study psychology and do what it takes to be able to be a therapist so I can help people. I can't say there has been someone specifically who has influenced me on wanting this direction, but I think I can confidently say that just hearing about the stories of other individuals, especially trans individuals who are suffering with poor mental health due to rejection or ostracization has told me that I've got to do my part to help others, especially others in my community which are especially vulnerable.
Being trans has only shown the need for this. We're a vulnerable group, and we have to help each other. I want to do what I can to help other trans individuals as much as possible. I would be lying if I said that being trans has changed my career aspirations and such. But I can say that finding out that I am trans has only shown me that there is a need for helping each other with mental woes.