My name is Fernando Morales, and I am a 21 year old second year student at Sam Houston State University studying criminal justice. I grew up in Mission, Texas, where I learned that service, sacrifice, and discipline are the foundations of a meaningful life. In 2023, I moved to Houston to continue my education while serving in the Army Reserves and working full time as a paralegal. These responsibilities have been demanding, but they have shaped my drive and confirmed my commitment to a career in public service at the federal level. From a young age, I was drawn to paths that required responsibility. In high school, I played varsity baseball for four years and captained my school’s mock trial team, leading us to the state finals for the first time in school history. Those experiences taught me that leadership means more than standing in front. It means preparing relentlessly, building trust, and giving everything for the people who depend on you. After graduation, I joined the Army Reserves, where I now serve as a paralegal. My service has taught me discipline, grit, and the importance of putting the mission and the team above myself. At the same time, I have worked full time as a paralegal and legal assistant at The Cobos Law Firm. This role has given me a front row view of the justice system. Every day I meet clients who remind me of the hardworking families I grew up with. When an accident takes away their ability to work, the legal process can feel impossible to navigate. I have seen the fear in parents’ eyes when they wonder how they will pay rent or feed their children. I have also seen the relief when our firm is able to provide resources and financial help even before their case is resolved. Those moments taught me that law is not only about trials and statutes. It is about restoring dignity and giving families hope in their hardest hours. My long term goal is to take these lessons and apply them as a federal agent or attorney serving within the justice system. I want to strengthen communities by ensuring fairness, protecting the vulnerable, and standing up to those who abuse power. Public service is demanding, but it is also the most direct way to make a lasting difference. Whether in the Department of Justice, Homeland Security, or another federal agency, I want to dedicate my career to safeguarding communities and ensuring that justice belongs to everyone. This scholarship would allow me to continue on that path with greater focus. As a first generation Mexican American student, I carry not only my own ambitions but also the sacrifices of my family. Balancing school, military service, and full time work has required discipline, but it has also come with financial strain. Support from this scholarship would ease that burden and allow me to devote more energy to my studies and preparation for law school. It would be an investment not just in my future, but in the communities I will serve as a public servant. I believe public service is one of the highest callings. It requires sacrifice, but it also offers the chance to protect people, strengthen communities, and leave the country better than we found it. That is the path I have chosen. With the support of this scholarship, I will continue building the discipline, education, and experience needed to one day serve at the federal level and make a meaningful impact on the world.

Books have shaped how I see the world and my place in it. One of the most impactful I have read is The Autobiography of Malcolm X. His journey of growth, struggle, and transformation showed me that adversity can become a source of strength, and that a single person can challenge injustice with courage and conviction. That lesson has stayed with me. It helped me understand that my own hardships do not have to hold me back but can fuel my commitment to make a difference. Like many young people, I have faced battles with mental health. Balancing school, full time work, and my service in the Army Reserves has tested me. There were days when the pressure felt overwhelming, when anxiety made me question if I could handle all of my responsibilities. Working through those moments forced me to lean on faith, discipline, and the support of others. It also gave me empathy for people who fight invisible battles of their own. I now know that success is not only about achievements but about having the courage to keep going when life feels heavy. Those experiences shaped how I treat people and how I see my career. I want to live with compassion, to listen first, and to make sure people feel heard. As a first generation Mexican American, I know what it feels like to be underestimated. That is why my goal is to use the law to give others a voice. I am a second year criminal justice student at Sam Houston State University, a paralegal at The Cobos Law Firm, and a paralegal in the Army Reserves. These opportunities have confirmed that my calling is to fight for fairness. At the law firm, I work with clients who are often in the hardest seasons of their lives. Many are hardworking families who lose everything after an accident or injury. I have seen parents come in worried about eviction or how to keep food on the table. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing how our firm can help families financially even before their case is resolved. The relief on their faces when they realize they will not have to go without has shown me the law is not only about courtrooms. It is also about giving people dignity and hope when they need it most. In the Army Reserves, I assist with military justice matters and legal documentation. This role has shown me how important access to justice is for service members as well. Whether in uniform or in civilian life, people deserve representation that is fair and compassionate. Working as a paralegal in both worlds has deepened my skills, my discipline, and my belief that justice should never depend on privilege. The social issue I am most determined to address is inequality in the justice system. Too many people are denied fairness because they lack money or resources. My career goal is to become a trial lawyer who fights for working families, accident victims, and small business owners who deserve someone in their corner. I also hope to mentor young people from backgrounds like mine to show them that education and service can change their futures. Books taught me resilience, mental health struggles gave me empathy, and my work as a paralegal showed me that the law can change lives immediately. My story is proof that struggle can create purpose. I want to be more than a lawyer who wins cases. I want to restore faith in the system by giving people hope when they need it most.

One of the most pressing issues facing the criminal justice system today is the lack of equal access to justice. Too often, people from working class or minority communities are left without proper representation or resources to defend themselves. Wealth and privilege can buy the best legal defense, while those without means are left to face a system that feels overwhelming and stacked against them. This inequality erodes trust in the system and leaves many to believe it exists only for the powerful. I plan to dedicate my career to addressing this issue by becoming a trial lawyer who advocates for individuals and families who might otherwise feel voiceless. Justice should never depend on how much money someone has or what community they come from. My goal is to stand beside clients who feel powerless and make sure their stories are heard in the courtroom. Since 2023, I have worked full time as a paralegal and legal assistant at The Cobos Law Firm while pursuing my criminal justice degree at Sam Houston State University. I meet directly with clients, organize case materials, prepare discovery, and assist attorneys in building cases. I have seen firsthand how proper representation can change the course of someone’s life. Many of the clients I meet remind me of the families I grew up around in Mission, Texas. They are humble, hardworking people who often find themselves in the worst situations imaginable through no fault of their own. For them, an accident or injury is not only a legal matter. It can suddenly strip away their ability to provide for their children, keep a roof over their heads, or access medical care. One of the most eye opening parts of my job has been seeing how our firm is able to help families financially even before their case is resolved. For many people, the months or years it takes for a case to settle could mean financial collapse. Through legal resources, medical funding, and other support systems, we are often able to bridge that gap and give families the breathing room they desperately need. I have seen clients walk into our office worried about eviction or how they would feed their children, and I have seen the relief when they realize they will not have to go without while we fight their case. That experience showed me that the law can make an immediate difference, not just a long term one. My service in the Army Reserves has also shaped me in profound ways. I serve as a paralegal in my unit, which allows me to use my legal training in a military setting. In this role I assist with legal documentation, military justice matters, and support soldiers navigating issues unique to service members. This dual perspective has strengthened my discipline, broadened my skills, and reinforced my belief that justice should never be limited by circumstance. These opportunities have given me both skills and vision. I have developed abilities in case preparation, legal writing, and client communication. More importantly, I have learned that listening to people, understanding their struggles, and fighting for them with empathy can restore their faith in the justice system. These experiences will propel me forward as I move into law school and into the courtroom. The criminal justice system is far from perfect, but it can be improved from within by people committed to fairness and integrity. I may not be able to change it overnight, but I can change lives one client at a time. My vision is to be the attorney who provides the kind of representation that working families deserve, the kind that not only handles their legal case but also gives them hope in the hardest moments of their lives. For me, law is not only a career. It is a calling. It is the path I have chosen to give back, to fight for fairness, and to continue the legacy of sacrifice that brought me here.

My name is Fernando Morales, and I am a 21 year old second year student at Sam Houston State University studying criminal justice. I grew up in Mission, Texas, a border town where faith, family, and perseverance were not just values but necessities. My story begins with sacrifice. My grandparents worked the fields. My parents worked long hours in jobs that demanded everything but gave little in return. And I grew up knowing that their sacrifices were not meant to end with them. They were meant to become opportunities for me. In high school, I threw myself into every challenge. I played varsity baseball all four years, where I learned discipline and resilience through both victory and defeat. I also captained my school’s mock trial team and led us to the state finals for the first time in school history. That experience taught me more than legal arguments. It taught me that leadership means lifting others to believe in what seems impossible. Standing in that courtroom, raising my voice for my team, I realized the power of advocacy. It gave me a glimpse of the career I wanted to pursue. After graduation, I joined the Army Reserves. The military pushed me beyond what I thought I could handle. I learned that strength is born from persistence, that unity is built on sacrifice, and that responsibility is something to carry with pride. Those lessons continue to shape me as I balance life as a student, a soldier, and a professional. In 2023, I moved to Houston to begin a new chapter. I started working full time as a paralegal at The Cobos Law Firm while pursuing my degree. Every day I meet clients who remind me of the families I grew up with in Mission. They are hardworking, humble people who suddenly find themselves in situations that feel impossible to overcome. They come in with fear and uncertainty, and when they leave with dignity and hope, I see the true power of the law. That is why I am determined to become an attorney. I want to fight for those who feel voiceless, to stand with those who feel powerless, and to show families like mine that justice can belong to them too. Outside of law, I have also found ways to give back to my community. Alongside my brother and close friends, I co founded Baja Fish Tacos, a food truck that became more than a small business. It became a place of connection, a way to create jobs, and a reminder that even something as simple as food can bring people together. Running the truck taught me responsibility, leadership, and how entrepreneurship can serve people, not just profit. My passions are rooted in service and hope. I want to use the law as a tool to protect and uplift others, but I also want to use my life as an example for young people who come from backgrounds like mine. Being a first generation Mexican American student is not just about finishing college for myself. It is about proving to others that they can do it too. My journey has not been easy, but it has been fueled by faith, family, and the belief that resilience creates opportunity. I carry the sacrifices of those before me, and I will use my education, my career, and my story to build a future that honors them and inspires others.

When I say I am a first generation Mexican American college student, it carries the weight of generations. My grandparents worked the fields. My parents worked long hours. And I work with the knowledge that every step I take in education is a step they never had the chance to take. I am the bridge between their sacrifices and the future they dreamed of but could not reach. I grew up in Mission, Texas, where faith, family, and grit were not only values but survival tools. I watched people I loved put their bodies on the line in labor that barely paid enough to keep food on the table. Education often felt like a distant dream, something meant for others. Yet even in the smallest moments, like my mother urging me to stay focused on my books or my father walking through the door at night with tired eyes but proud shoulders, I felt a responsibility forming. Their work gave me the foundation, and my job was to build something greater on top of it. In high school, I played varsity baseball all four years, learning discipline, leadership, and resilience from the game. I also captained my school’s mock trial team, leading us to the state finals for the first time in school history. Standing in that courtroom, raising my voice on behalf of my team, I discovered the true power of advocacy. I saw how words could move people and how preparation and courage could change the outcome of a case. That moment revealed the path I wanted to take for the rest of my life. After graduation, I joined the Army Reserves. The military tested my limits and gave me lessons that still guide me today. I learned that strength comes from persistence, that unity is built through sacrifice, and that responsibility is something to be carried with pride. Those lessons prepared me for the life I live now, balancing the demands of being a student, a soldier, and a professional. In 2023, I moved to Houston to begin the next chapter of my journey. I started working full time as a paralegal at The Cobos Law Firm while pursuing my criminal justice degree at Sam Houston State University. Each day I meet clients whose stories echo the struggles of the families I grew up around in Mission. They are hardworking people who face devastating setbacks, often through no fault of their own. They walk into our office discouraged and uncertain, but when they leave with dignity restored, I am reminded of why I want to be an attorney. Law is not simply a career for me. It is a calling to give hope where it has been lost and to fight for justice where it has been denied. Being a first generation Mexican American student is not about checking a box on an application. It is about carrying the weight of sacrifice, the dreams of my parents, and the pride of my culture into every classroom, every courtroom, and every community I serve. It is about making sure I am not the last in my family to achieve this, but the first of many. I believe stories shape futures, and mine is still being written. But one thing will never change. I will use my story, my education, and my career to open doors for others. I will make certain that the sacrifices of my family were not in vain, and I will prove that hope, faith, and perseverance can change not only one life but entire generations.

My name is Fernando Morales, and I am a 21-year-old second year student at Sam Houston State University studying criminal justice. I grew up in Mission, Texas, where I learned the value of faith, family, and perseverance. Those lessons shaped me into someone who does not shy away from responsibility and who sees challenges as opportunities. In 2023, I moved to Houston to continue my education while also beginning my professional journey in the legal field. In high school, I played varsity baseball all four years, which gave me discipline and resilience. I also served as captain of the mock trial team and led us to the state finals for the first time in school history. That experience showed me the power of advocacy and teamwork, and it confirmed my passion for the law. After graduation, I joined the Army Reserves, where I gained discipline and a strong sense of duty to something greater than myself. Both of these experiences continue to shape the way I approach every challenge. Since moving to Houston, I have worked full time as a paralegal and legal assistant at The Cobos Law Firm while pursuing my degree. This work has given me perspective that few students my age have. Every day I see how the law can transform lives. Clients often come into the office broken, scared, and uncertain of what comes next. When they leave with justice, support, and hope, it reminds me of the impact I want to make as an attorney. It is not just about winning a case. It is about restoring dignity and giving people the chance to rebuild. My plan for a career in law is rooted in service. I want to represent those who often feel powerless: accident victims, small business owners, and families without the resources to take on powerful institutions. Too many people in my community feel like the system is against them, and my goal is to change that. By becoming a trial lawyer, I will stand up for the voiceless and fight to ensure their stories are heard. Beyond the courtroom, I have also worked to make a positive impact through entrepreneurship. With my brother and close friends, I co founded Baja Fish Tacos, a food truck that has become a place of connection and opportunity. Running this business has taught me responsibility, leadership, and the importance of creating spaces where people feel welcome. It also showed me that business can be a tool for good when it is driven by service. In the long term, I see my work in law and business coming together. Both paths are about serving people and building something larger than myself. Whether I am in a courtroom defending someone’s rights or in my community creating opportunities for others, I want my efforts to leave people better than I found them. At the core of everything I do is hope. I believe that no matter where you come from, with faith, perseverance, and hard work, you can change your future. I grew up in Mission holding on to that belief, and I carry it with me in Houston today. Through my law career, I plan to give that same hope to the people and communities I serve.

My name is Fernando Morales, and I am a 21-year-old second-year student at Sam Houston State University majoring in criminal justice. I grew up in Mission, Texas, a small town where I learned the values of faith, family, and hard work. Those early years taught me not to shy away from responsibility and to see challenges as opportunities to grow. In high school, I played varsity baseball all four years, which gave me discipline, teamwork, and the ability to handle both victory and defeat with humility. I also captained the mock trial team, where I led us to the state finals for the first time in school history. That accomplishment meant more than just a competition result. It showed me that when you commit fully and push through doubt, you can take people further than they believed possible. After graduation, I joined the Army Reserves. That decision gave me a foundation of resilience and a deep sense of duty to something larger than myself. The training was demanding, but it taught me that setbacks are temporary and that persistence is the key to strength. Those lessons remain with me in everything I do. In 2023, I moved to Houston to build the next chapter of my life. I began working full time as a paralegal and legal assistant at The Cobos Law Firm while also pursuing my degree. Balancing school, work, and military commitments has not been easy, but it has given me perspective. Each day I see how much the law can impact someone’s life. Clients come into our office overwhelmed, uncertain, and often broken by their circumstances. When they leave with a sense of justice and hope, it reminds me why I am committed to becoming an attorney. Houston is a city filled with opportunity, but it is also a city with real challenges. Too many working families feel voiceless and powerless when tragedy strikes. My career goal is to change that. As a trial lawyer, I want to represent accident victims, small business owners, and everyday people who do not have the resources to stand up to powerful institutions. I want to be a voice for the unheard and a source of strength for those who feel like they have none. Outside the courtroom, I am also committed to serving my community. Alongside my brother and close friends, I co-founded Baja Fish Tacos, a food truck that has grown into more than a small business. It has become a way to connect with people, provide jobs, and create a welcoming space. Running this business has taught me leadership and responsibility, but it has also shown me that entrepreneurship can be a tool for positive change when it is built on service to others. In the future, I see my career in law and my work in business overlapping. Both are rooted in the same purpose: to serve, to lead, and to build something greater than myself. Whether I am standing in a courtroom fighting for justice or running a business that creates opportunity, I want my work to leave people better than I found them. At the center of everything I do is hope. I believe that no matter where you come from, you can change your future with faith, discipline, and perseverance. I grew up in Mission holding on to that belief, and I carry it with me in Houston today. Through my career and through my service to others, I plan to pass that same hope on to my community.

My path toward law has been shaped by challenge, responsibility, and a strong family foundation. I have always carried the mindset of the underdog, but I have not walked this journey alone. My family and I have pushed through obstacles together, supporting one another while building opportunities that might otherwise seem impossible for one person to handle. That balance of personal determination and family teamwork is what has prepared me to pursue a legal career. In high school I learned how to thrive under pressure. As captain of the mock trial team and a varsity baseball player, I developed leadership, resilience, and the confidence to use my voice. Recognition such as the Best Advocate award was meaningful, but it was only the beginning. What mattered more was discovering that I could stand in front of others, carry responsibility, and push past doubt. After graduation I joined the Army Reserves. The military taught me discipline, accountability, and the importance of working as part of a team. Those lessons became a foundation I rely on every day. When I returned from training I began working full time as a paralegal and legal assistant at Cobos Law Firm. There I saw firsthand how the law could completely change the direction of someone’s life. Clients did not just bring us cases, they brought us their struggles, and the chance to fight for them confirmed my desire to become a lawyer. Now, while working at the firm and helping operate our business, I am pursuing my degree in Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University. Balancing these roles is demanding, but I do not carry it alone. My family helps hold it together, and that teamwork allows me to keep moving forward. What draws me most to law is its ability to serve. I know what it feels like to be overlooked, and I want to dedicate my career to ensuring others are not. The discipline of the Army, the responsibility of running a family business, and the legal training I have gained at Cobos have all prepared me for this calling. My faith also grounds me. I believe God has given me the ability to lead, to advocate, and to endure challenges with persistence. Becoming a lawyer is not just a career choice, it is a purpose that allows me to live out values of justice, service, and discipline. I am pursuing law because it is where all of these lessons come together. My journey, shaped by resilience, strengthened by my family, and guided by faith, has prepared me not just to succeed in law school but to make a lasting impact as someone who stands up for others when it matters most.