If I were to explain my experience of growing up with a single mother in two words, they would be "challenging" and "appreciative." From a young age, I held a special bond with my mom; I was undoubtedly a mommy's girl, always yearning for her attention. Kindergarten mornings come to mind when she'd sit with me during breakfast, guiding me through each bite. As I transitioned to a new school in 3rd grade – tears flowed freely, unfamiliarity casting a shadow. On those tough days, my mom patiently remained in my class until the tears subsided, her presence a soothing balm. Her days were tough, juggling college while ensuring my sister and I were cared for, followed by late-night shifts at the Fresno Bee. Our living arrangements were humble – we all shared a bed in a room occupied by my grandmother and aunt. Her return home after work became my peace, her presence allowed me to sleep soundly. During this time, she faced the challenge of not having “Papers”, and also struggling with osteomyelitis since her youth. Then entered her now ex-husband during my sixth-grade year, altering the course of our lives. His treatment of us was harsh, marked by verbal and physical abuse directed at my mother. His unpredictable behavior would often force us out of his house, seeking refuge at my grandmother's. These experiences left a lasting impact, especially during my formative years. A hope arose through a nurse's intervention, enlightening my mother about the possibility of obtaining legal status through her situation. Throughout middle school and high school, a certain distance grew between us, naturally having a growing desire for independence and friendships. Regrettably, I disregarded my mother's advice at times, making choices, that were less than wise. College served as a turning point, rekindling our bond. During my initial semester, my mom helped me a ton in navigating financial aid, and assignments, and kept me on track. In many ways, I believe I was destined to have her as my mother; unwavering determination became my guiding light. A saying from her own past resonates within me – "Even though today was not a good day, there is always a tomorrow." This phrase anchors me when uncertainty clouds my path. It's through her that I learned gratitude and discovered an unyielding spirit within myself. Her influence continues to shape me today. Watching her return to college at the age of 50 exemplifies resilience, a trait she's passed down to me. This resilience fuels my passion for community service, like volunteering with ENP Read Fresno to teach literacy to young students. I aim to be their safe haven, just as my mom was for me. While there for my loved ones, I've also learned the importance of setting boundaries and distancing myself from negative influences. I give my all to every endeavor, even on the toughest days. I dream big – pouring my energy into my studies to create a better life for my mom and me. My ultimate aspiration is to support her in retirement, offering her financial stability and the chance to enjoy life to the fullest. Through it all, I've come to realize that my mom is my greatest confidante, the singular presence I rely on in this world. The thought of a future without her is daunting. There were moments when I longed for her company more frequently, yet I understood that her responsibilities in caring for us prevented that. If fate allowed for a do-over, I'd wish for her to be my daughter, giving us more time to be with one another.

My career aspiration in nursing is fueled by a strong sense of purpose and determination. The title "registered nurse" opens many doors for all kinds of opportunities and placements. I want to go into this career because of its many subdivisions and find out what is best for me. In addition to this, I am helping others in whatever division I choose to go into and wherever I am, whether it be in the hospital, in someone's home, or in a small clinic in the middle of a rural area. I love the fact that I could take this career and knowledge with me everywhere I go. Nurses are always going to be needed, and the job will always have positions available. The stability of a career is something I value too. As a first-generation student raised by a single mother who tirelessly supported our family of three, I witnessed the relentless dedication required to make ends meet. Nursing will give me money to obtain the life I have always wanted, which is financial security for me and my family without worrying about how bills will get paid. With the power that this career affords me, I am determined to provide my mother with the comforts she deserves: a car, the chance to experience vacations, and the luxury of an allowance. When patients arrive in pain, I am committed to being the nurse who possesses the unwavering energy to provide them with the utmost care they deserve. I am prepared to be the person someone puts their trust in to save their life or their loved one's life. I will make people feel the most comfortable in my care by listening to their problems and communicating effectively with the people I work with, whether it be the doctor, social worker, etc. I will be the nurse who advocates for her patients and will speak up no matter the potential professional risk because I know there will be another institution that is in demand for a nurse who is compassionate and effective at nursing care. At the moment, I am just taking my prerequisite, but I have seen what I have achieved and continue to do, so I pray that I will get into the program the first time I apply. With my grades being a 4.0 and my volunteer work with CVCC, I am positive they will see how driven I am to make a difference in people's lives. I am well aware of the immense stress that comes with a nursing career, but I am resolute in my conviction that the rewards outweigh the challenges. The knowledge that my actions can positively transform lives and instill a sense of security is a reward in itself. The turning point that decisively steered me toward nursing was not a personal experience but rather the poignant stories my mother shared about her own struggles during her numerous hospital stays. Her harrowing journey battling osteomyelitis since the age of ten, the choice to keep her leg despite the risks, and the moments of solitude she endured left an indelible mark on me. Her accounts of compassionate nurses who provided solace and support resonated deeply, and I yearned to be that comforting presence for someone in need. In the end, my aspiration to become a nurse is not just a career choice; it is a lifelong commitment fueled by compassion and a resolute desire to effect positive change in the lives of those I touch.

To me, the most important thing in nursing is that I am able to be there for another person in their most vulnerable state. They put their trust in me to take care of them and/or their loved ones, and that is something I cherish and want to do. Nursing also has limitless choices as a career; it is immensely broad, and there are many different positions to choose from. It is also being able to work anywhere that I really value, from working at a school or hospital to taking care of someone in their own home. To add to that, it is a job that is always going to be needed. As someone who came up on food stamps, lived with eight family members (not direct), and was a single mother who did everything to raise a first-generation student, nursing is something that I know will always have a job to pay rent and put food on the table. I will be able to give back to my mother, who pushed me through everything in my life. My goal in my career, currently an undergrad, is to network with other medical career paths, like kinesiologists, radiologists, and ultrasound technicians. I know that one day I will see them somewhere in the future, and I want to be able to be reliable to them as a known face. When I get into the nursing program, I want to find out what specialty I want to go into. As I heard, there are many jobs in the hospital in which I am mostly interested, such as a midwife, pediatrician, or aesthetic nurse.  My personal goal to succeed in this career is to first get into the program. An accomplishment that I have had is being on my college dean's list twice now, which will look good when I apply to the program. Also, being able to partner with CVCC as a volunteer with kids is something I would consider an accomplishment because if I do decide to work with kids, my employer can look at that as a reputable source. I do not have any medical experience, but I have changed my mom's bandage as she has osteomyelitis on her right leg that she has had since she was 15. I remember asking one time why she never complains about the pain, and she told me that she already went through so much unbearable pain when they had to take skin off of her thigh to put on her lower leg so that she could keep it. It is not much experience, but I think it has in a way made me inclined to go into nursing to help with other people's conditions as well.

Volunteering has been a heartwarming experience for me. Growing up in a low-income Hispanic family that relies on food stamps, I was ashamed of it, knowing it meant we were poor. That changed after I volunteered with the church called ICALL I was going to in 2019–2020. We would sort and distribute food to people that came by that needed it. As I saw people in line grab the different bags and boxes we had, I noticed that many of them were Hispanic, just like me. People thanked me with heartfelt words, saying, "Gracias por hacer esto que dios te bendiga," meaning, "Thank you for doing this; may God bless you." I then realized that I should not be ashamed of the situation I was in because we are all struggling, and having a victim mindset helps no one. Realizing that our efforts in volunteering to distribute resources could make a difference in the lives of others brought me satisfaction. It was a moment of feeling truly useful and capable of impacting the challenging circumstances we were all going through. Even at the age of 15, the experience changed me into a different person, instilling a strong desire to help others. However, the pandemic forced our volunteering activities to be put on hold, and I shifted my focus to my studies. But now, at my current age, I've been given a wonderful opportunity to volunteer again through the ENP Reads program here in Fresno, through College Corps. My main duty is to teach 3rd graders about literacy, but to me, it is something deeper. I aspire to be a supportive figure for these kids, someone they can turn to when they need help with personal issues at home or simply someone to talk to. Being their safe haven is important to me because I know how much it would have meant to have someone like that when I was their age. Looking ahead, I dream of starting a nonprofit, perhaps focused on children or women, because I intimately understand how it feels to be a child with limited resources, and I have witnessed my mom feeling hopeless in her challenging situation. If I could do anything to help others avoid feeling the way we did, I would wholeheartedly embrace that opportunity. My ultimate goal is to become a figure of hope for others, and I am confident that I will achieve it. Networking with like-minded individuals who share my dreams will play a vital role in fulfilling this vision. The reason I am applying for this scholarship is deeply rooted in my desire to alleviate the financial burden on my single mother by assisting with rent. This scholarship would not only enable me to pursue my education but also empower me to continue giving back to my community through volunteer efforts, making a positive impact on the lives of others. With this scholarship, I believe I can create a ripple effect of change and contribute to building a better future for everyone around me.