I have been a fan of Sabrina Carpenter since her Girl Meets World days. Her character had a tough exterior with a heart of gold, and that really spoke to me. We are close in age, so in many ways I felt like I was growing up alongside her. Watching someone I related to reach stardom, chase her goals, and achieve so much has been incredibly inspiring. I connect deeply with the things she talks about in her music, from vulnerability to confidence to heartbreak. Her current tour style has also become a big influence on how I express myself through fashion. Seeing her embrace fun, bold, and feminine looks without apology helped me feel more comfortable exploring my own style. The first time I saw her live was at Hershey Park in 2015 during the Show of the Summer. I got to see her again on her emails i can’t send tour, which meant a lot to me. I really wanted to go to the Short n’ Sweet tour, but I unfortunately could not afford tickets. Even so, I continue to follow her journey closely. Her growth, confidence, and creativity remind me that it’s okay to take up space, pursue what you love, and reinvent yourself along the way.

My name is Emma Velazquez, and I am an Afro-Latina and first-generation graduate student studying marine ecology and conservation science. I have wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as I can remember. Even before I understood the different branches of veterinary medicine, I knew my future would involve caring for animals. That childhood dream guided me to major in biology as an undergraduate student so I could build a strong scientific foundation. As I learned more about ecology and the ocean, my focus shifted toward marine biology and conservation. The more I understood about coral reefs, marine wildlife, and the pressures these ecosystems face, the more I realized that my passion lay in becoming a marine veterinarian. From the beginning, my ambition has been shaped by resilience. As a woman, I have been told many times that the spaces I wanted to enter were male dominated and difficult to navigate. I have been in rooms where I was not taken seriously because of my gender. I have experienced being talked over, underestimated, and overlooked. But I have never once allowed that to deter me. I have never been someone who lets a man decide what I am capable of. Every time I encountered doubt or dismissal, it only strengthened my determination to move forward. My drive comes from knowing that I belong in this field and from wanting to make sure the women who come after me feel the same. My goal is to become a veterinarian specializing in marine wildlife, working at the intersection of clinical care, conservation, and research. Through my studies at Unity Environmental University and my research in the Wilson Lab at Brooklyn College, I have gained firsthand experience with how environmental stress affects reef-associated species. Working at the New York Aquarium has shown me how quickly marine life suffers when habitats decline. These experiences have deepened my commitment to protecting vulnerable species through rehabilitation, research, and public engagement. I plan to make a positive impact in two key ways. First, I want to contribute directly to conservation efforts by treating injured animals, supporting rehabilitation programs, and conducting research that strengthens marine ecosystem protection. Healthy reefs and healthy wildlife are interconnected, and I want my work to support the long-term survival of both. Second, I want to uplift and empower other women, especially those from underrepresented communities. Representation in STEM matters. As an Afro-Latina, I know how rare it can be to see someone who looks like you in marine science or veterinary medicine. I want to mentor young women, lead community programs, and create more accessible pathways into marine careers. Making space for others is just as important to me as my own success. My ambition and drive have carried me through challenges, shaped my academic path, and guided my commitment to marine conservation. My goal is not only to excel in marine veterinary medicine, but to use my career to protect ocean life and to open more doors for the next generation of women who will help protect it too.

My interest in marine science began during my coursework in ecology, when I learned how coral reefs function as nurseries, food sources, and protective barriers for countless marine species. Understanding how much life depends on reefs, and how rapidly these ecosystems are declining, shaped the direction of my academic goals. Coral reefs are among the most diverse yet most threatened environments on Earth, and I want to dedicate my time and energy to protecting the species and systems that rely on them. As a graduate student studying marine ecology and conservation science, I focus on how environmental stressors affect reef-associated species, especially fish and invertebrates that depend on complex habitats for survival. My research work in the Wilson Lab at Brooklyn College introduced me to the delicate physiology and behavior of species like pot-bellied seahorses. Watching how sensitive they are to changes in water quality, temperature, and flow helped me understand how deeply connected animal health is to the health of their surrounding ecosystem. This confirmed my desire to pursue a path where clinical knowledge and ecological understanding come together. At the New York Aquarium, I see how vulnerable marine animals are when their habitats deteriorate. Many of the species I work with depend on reef environments that are facing increasing pressure from storms, disease, warming waters, and pollution. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to learning how to protect marine wildlife through rehabilitation, research, and conservation policy. I want to be part of the next generation of scientists and caretakers who work to restore these ecosystems and support the animals that depend on them. My ultimate dream is to become a veterinarian who specializes in marine wildlife, particularly species connected to coral reef systems. I hope to work in environments where clinical care and conservation intersect, such as rehabilitation centers, aquariums, or wildlife field programs. I want to conduct research on reef-associated species, respond to environmental emergencies, and help develop strategies that protect vulnerable marine populations. Beyond the scientific and medical aspects, I also hope to help increase representation in marine science. As an Afro-Latina and first-generation graduate student, I know how important visibility is. I want to inspire other students of color to pursue careers in marine conservation and veterinary medicine, especially in communities where these paths are rarely seen as accessible. Financially, this scholarship would make a significant difference in my ability to continue pursuing my goals. As a full-time student living in New York, I am balancing high tuition costs, the rising cost of living, and the need to maintain experience through research and nonprofit work. These experiences are essential for building a strong foundation for veterinary school, but they also limit my ability to take on additional paid work without compromising my academic performance. This scholarship would reduce that burden and allow me to focus more fully on developing the scientific, analytical, and clinical skills required for my future career. Receiving this scholarship would not only support my education. It would help me continue preparing for a career devoted to protecting coral reef environments and the animals that depend on them. It would allow me to keep moving toward my ultimate goal of becoming a marine veterinarian who heals, advocates for, and protects our ocean’s most vulnerable species.

The first time I saw a seahorse in real life, I was touring a research lab at Brooklyn College. My ecology professor, who was also the principal investigator of a lab studying Pot-Bellied Seahorses, had invited me to visit because he was offering me a position with his group. It was the first moment I felt like I had a real opportunity to take a step toward my dreams. The seahorses were marvelous, brightly colored, curious, and swimming excitedly at the front of their tanks. Seeing them up close and eventually working with them made something settle inside me. I recognized, with a kind of certainty I had never experienced before, that caring for marine animals was not just a passion but a purpose. That feeling has quietly guided every academic choice, job, and service opportunity I have pursued since. My name is Emma Velazquez, and I am an Afro-Latina, first-generation graduate student studying marine ecology and conservation science. I was raised in Brooklyn, New York, where I still live, and my commitment to serving both my community and the ocean has grown with every experience I’ve had. My long-term goal is to become a veterinarian specializing in marine animals, blending clinical care, wildlife rehabilitation, and conservation research. In addition to my coursework at Unity Environmental University, I conduct research in the Wilson Lab at Brooklyn College and work at the New York Aquarium, part of the Wildlife Conservation Society, a global nonprofit dedicated to protecting biodiversity. Being surrounded by marine wildlife every day strengthens my determination to build a career that protects these species through both science and compassionate care. Service has always been at the heart of my work. Before I began working with marine animals, I volunteered with Lollypop Farm Humane Society, where I first learned how to care for vulnerable animals with patience and responsibility. Those early experiences showed me how deeply animals rely on us for their safety and well-being. They helped shape the kind of veterinarian I hope to become, someone who advocates for animals that cannot speak for themselves, whether they are shelter pets, stranded marine mammals, or species threatened by climate change and habitat loss. This scholarship would relieve significant financial pressure as I balance tuition, research responsibilities, and the high cost of living in New York. It would give me more space to focus on building the scientific, analytical, and veterinary foundations I will need for success in veterinary school. More than financial support, this scholarship would help me continue growing into the scientist and future marine veterinarian I am committed to becoming, one dedicated to healing, protecting, and uplifting the animals and communities I care so deeply about.