Being the “Tinkerbell” in my family meant always being called for. Always. Whether it was to find a hidden small object, or to create a solution from scratch. My family knows me for my creativity as well as my curiosity. And, I have implemented both throughout my education and personal projects. My most recent project is probably the best yet, if I do say so myself. It all began when I thought to myself, what problems do I run into that I wish were solved? A memory flashed, I was in the middle of stormy weather, and I had gotten a call. With the sound of the rain against the umbrella, I could barely hear a word. And of course, everyone knows about the puddle an umbrella leaves when it closes. My team and I wanted to be the creators of the solution: Brella Parasol. An umbrella that reduces noise as well as minimizes the mess to keep homes clean. But, the project only expanded from there. I then began to think of several cases when an umbrella is used. Day, night, on a walk, or maybe even on a bike. Each scenario resulted in a new addition to Brella Parasol. We added reflective stickers so pedestrians could be seen at night. We also added attachable parts that could be attached to bikes, scooters, wheelchairs, and more. Through each addition, we aimed to make the umbrella convenient and accessible for all kinds of umbrella users. Here is the fun part. My team and I decided to add the ability for the user to collect water! From a funnel at the top of the umbrella, to the filter, to the bottle placed above the handle, users could safely drink water while out on the streets. Now, Brella Parasol stood above the rest! Throughout the engineering design process and overall problem solving, I kept coming back to the same approach: empathy. I think about others. I look for the small frustrations people quietly accept. I also keep in mind something my professor taught me: “Say ‘yes, and.’” Throughout this project, I never denied an idea. Instead, I build on them. With each suggestion from my team, I would say “yes, and,” leading us to adding features we never would have seen coming from the start! That mindset shapes the kind of engineer I want to become: someone who listens first, collaborates openly, and designs solutions that improve the quality of life. My curiosity pushes me to ask questions, but my creativity pushes me to answer them in ways that help people. That combination shapes how I want to make a positive impact in the world, by creating solutions that are thoughtful, practical, and centered on real human needs. Thank you for the opportunity. :) P.S. : My mother would always call me her Tinkerbell like the fairy, I felt this scholarship was a perfect match. :))

“Can you tell her that she needs to check her blood pressure twice a day?” the nurse asked. I looked over at my abuela, waiting for me to translate. From a young age, I have been involved in my family’s health. I grew up helping my family navigate doctor’s visits, medications, and instructions that were never written with us in mind. Unfortunately, my family has faced a long list of health challenges: diabetes, arthritis, cancer, genetic disorders, cardiac issues, and more. Because of that, I was exposed early to treatments, medical devices, and the small frustrations that come with managing harsh health conditions. I saw how something as simple as a confusing monitor or a poorly designed device could make a hard situation even harder. As I saw my family struggle, I couldn't imagine how many families internationally felt the same. What could have been frightening instead became familiar, and eventually, inspiring. After graduating with a degree in Biomedical Engineering, I plan to work with a focus on developing medical devices that improve accessibility, comfort, and dignity for patients. I want to design technologies that make healthcare easier for families like mine, families who often struggle with language barriers, financial limitations, or overall discomfort from their illness. I also hope to minor in material science. With that knowledge, I hope to use certain materials in a medical manner to provide stability and comfort, like artificial limbs and bone replacements. Being that my family has personally been affected by cancer, I am deeply interested in oncology. In my life, I have had 3 lives affected by cancer, 2 lost. As I move further in my education, I hope to conduct research and experiments on cancerous cells as well as potential cures that could save many beautiful lives around the world. To get there, I’m focusing on strengthening my engineering foundation through my coursework and hands-on projects. In fact, I recently prototyped an improved automatic pill dispenser! I also hope to conduct my own research. So far, I have been performing STEM related research and sharing that knowledge with women at an international level. And of course, I hope to participate in an internship that will help me gain experience as an engineer. My family’s health challenges shaped me as much as they motivated me. They taught me perspective, responsibility, and the importance of clear communication. Most of all, they taught me that engineering isn’t just about solving problems, it’s about improving lives. That’s the kind of impact I want to make. Thank you for this opportunity. :)

Us humans have the ability to adapt to change. When we discovered that the weather could get cold, we created sweaters. When we go through grief, we learn how to continue life without our loved ones. When traumatic experiences come into play, we find ways to heal and endure the pain. No matter the challenges we face, we continue to evolve and seek paths that make survival easier. The power of adaptation is not ours alone. As we evolve, so do diseases and genetic mutations. They continue to find ways to resist our medications. Just as we innovate, nature does as well, reminding us that progress is never one-sided. This constant battle of humans VS diseases challenges us to use science to design solutions that meet the needs of both the present and the future. I plan to pursue Biomedical Engineering, a degree that ties the arts and science together. With this degree, I aim to create medical devices to help improve the quality of life. By combining creativity with science, I hope to create solutions that not only treat illness but also restore dignity, independence, and hope to patients. Biomedical engineering is not simply about machines or formulas. It is about people. It is about ensuring that technology serves humanity in ways that are accessible, and transformative. While it is known for diseases and injury to cause damage to the body, they often leave behind more than physical trauma. It creates bruising, amputations, immobility, and disabilities. Of course, with the assistance of medical technology and professionals, these symptoms are aimed to be minimized. But, what no one speaks about of the dignity of patients. Any of these symptoms could have a negative toll on someone's confidence and self-worth. A prosthetic limb may restore mobility, but if it is uncomfortable, inauthentic, or a constant reminder of their disability, it will not restore dignity. My goal is to create technologies that address both the physical and emotional aspects of trauma, ensuring that patients are not defined by their limitations but empowered by their possibilities. I see myself using what I learn to benefit my community by bridging the gap between modern medical technology and everyday needs. Whether it is developing affordable prosthetics, or sustainable medical materials for bone replacements, my vision is to make adaptation not just about survival. It is about thriving together. As humanity continues to evolve, so will the challenges we face. Biomedical engineering allows us to meet that evolution with innovation, ensuring that our progress is not only measured in survival rates, but in the dignity, independence, and confidence of patients. Thank you for this scholarship opportunity! :)

Throughout high school, I've joined many clubs to put more effort into community service. NHS being one. I remember when I got inducted into NHS, being so excited to volunteer and share love to my community as someone who just loves to share a helping hand. I noticed how unmotivated my peers were. I ran for an officer role and I'm lucky to have been elected. I have contributed many ideas of service for students. I was able to share the passion for service to those around me by hosting food drives, events for elementary kids, tutoring sessions and more. Aside from hosting events, participating and encouraging others to do the same, I volunteer at animal shelters to spread love to beings aside from humans. I also create handmade cards in Spanish to nursing homes and share a helping hand when I visit, since community service should not be bounded by language. Each of these acts make me feel happy knowing I've made a difference in someones life and used my resources to share to others who may not have any. In college, I plan to continue taking part in community service and hopefully encouraging others to do the same.

The whistle blows. The game starts, kicking off the season. I take a deep breath as I step onto the field, a place not just for a Soccer match but to grow and shape my character. When I was younger, joining a team of strangers was my greatest fear. My anxiety would rise at the thought of making a mistake. On the field for the first time, my body felt electrified with nerves. What if I didn't score any goals? Would my team hate me? I can't play badly… To make matters worse, I was placed as the goalie. All I could think about was the ball coming toward my face. My teammate, Joshua, was positioned in defense in front of me. He sensed my fear. He looked at me and asked, “Have you played Soccer before?” I must have been visibly nervous. “Yeah, but I’m a bit scared, to be honest.” “That’s okay. I was like that my first time too. Don't worry. I'll be here to help you out, we all will be. And remember, pretend you are like a Crab. That helped me get the goalie position down. All you have to say is, ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme ball’,” he said, moving side to side with his hands up like a Crab. “I'll try to be the best Crab,” I laughed. As the game progressed, my nerves relaxed. The ball is inching towards me. Joshua is trying to keep the ball from getting into my territory. I take a deep breath, knowing the game can’t just be on him. I yell, “Joshua, I'm ready!” The ball gets launched to me. ‘Gimme ball’ I thought to myself. My hands reach out and I close my eyes in preparation for face impact. “ELIZABETH, YOU GOT IT,” I heard Joshua yell. I opened my eyes to see the ball in my hands. My team rushed to me, celebrating the first block of the season, with many more to come. Throughout the season, I never forgot Joshua's words: “I'll be here to help you out, we all will be.” With each game, I connected more with my team, realizing they were there for me, and I was there for them. Seasons passed, each with different teammates. In 2021, I became the captain of my Soccer team. One day, during practice, I met Valerie, a girl who reminded me of my younger self. I realized I gained responsibilities along with leadership, and it was my chance to use what Soccer had taught me. “Valerie,” I said, “I know it can be scary at first. But we're all here to support you. Just give it your best and trust that we have your back.” Some skills I gained from my Soccer experience branch into my daily life. My leadership I achieved from being captain shine through when I lead food drives in my community. My problem solving abilities from navigating the field aid me today in working out and adapting to tough situations. I also developed empathy and sportsmanship from working with my team allowing me to understand different perspectives. In every challenge, I remember the lessons from the field: to stay calm under pressure, trust my teammates, and always strive for improvement. Soccer has not just been a sport for me; it has been a training ground for life, shaping me into a stronger, more empathetic, and more resilient person. Whether on the field or in my community, these lessons continue to guide me, pushing me to be the best version of myself.