user profile avatar

Gabriella Briseno

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

I can’t wait to see what I can achieve in the future, and I am excited for this next step after graduating high school school! I graduated high school a year early at 17 years old with a nail technician license and I am currently opening my very own salon. I will attend technical school to get my facial specialist license and then go on to attend community college to get my registered nurse so I am able to work/own a med spa.

Education

Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Lakeland

Trade School
2025 - 2025

Kathleen Senior High School

High School
2023 - 2026

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Trade School

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      cosmetology

    • Dream career goals:

      Sports

      Soccer

      Varsity
      2024 – 20262 years

      Research

      • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other

        Research
        2025 – 2025

      Public services

      • Volunteering

        latinos in action — Volunteer
        2024 – 2024
      Love Island Fan Scholarship
      Love Island Challenge: “The Heart Rate Heist” If I could create a brand-new Love Island challenge, it would be called The Heart Rate Heist. This challenge would test attraction, communication, trust, and how well Islanders truly know each other. It would also create plenty of drama, surprises, and funny moments for both the contestants and viewers. The challenge begins with each Islander answering a series of private questions. Some questions would be romantic, such as “Who would you most like to kiss right now?” and “Who would you couple up with if your current partner left?” Others would be lighthearted, like “Who is the funniest Islander?” or “Who would survive longest in the villa alone?” Their answers remain secret. Next, the Islanders compete in a series of mini challenges while wearing heart-rate monitors. During each round, a mystery clue related to one of the secret answers is revealed. Islanders must work together to figure out who gave the answer and who it was about. Correct guesses earn points, while incorrect guesses lose points. The real twist comes during the final round. One by one, Islanders enter a private room where they can choose to reveal one of their secret answers to the entire villa or keep it hidden. If they reveal it, they earn points for honesty. If they keep it hidden, they may protect their relationship but risk looking suspicious. Their heart rates are displayed on a screen during the decision, making it obvious when someone is nervous. At the end of the challenge, the winning couple receives a luxury villa date and immunity from the next recoupling. The couple with the fewest points must complete a public villa dare chosen by the winners. What makes The Heart Rate Heist unique is that it combines romance, strategy, honesty, and suspense. Islanders must decide whether to tell the truth, protect their relationships, or take risks for rewards. The challenge would create unforgettable reactions, reveal hidden crushes, and spark conversations throughout the villa, making it the perfect addition to Love Island.
      José Ventura and Margarita Melendez Mexican-American Scholarship Fund
      Why I Am Passionate About Being a First-Generation Mexican-American College Graduate As a first-generation Mexican-American student, becoming a college graduate is more than just earning a diploma—it represents the sacrifices, hard work, and dreams of my family. Although I plan to attend a technical college to pursue a career in the beauty industry, I view this opportunity as a major accomplishment and an important milestone. No one in my immediate family has attended college before, which makes this journey especially meaningful to me. Growing up, I watched my family work tirelessly to provide opportunities for me and create a better future. Their determination taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and never giving up on my goals. Because of their sacrifices, I have been able to pursue my education and build a path toward a career that I am passionate about. Being the first in my family to attend college means I have the chance to honor everything they have done for me while creating new opportunities for future generations. I am proud of my Mexican-American heritage because it has shaped who I am today. My culture has taught me the importance of family, resilience, and supporting one another. These values have motivated me to work hard both academically and professionally. While still in high school, I became a licensed nail technician and started my own business. Through this experience, I learned responsibility, discipline, and the importance of serving others. However, I know that continuing my education will allow me to grow even further and expand my opportunities. Attending technical college to become a facial specialist is an important step toward my future. Some people may overlook trade schools, but I believe they provide valuable education and hands-on training that lead to successful careers. To me, earning a degree or certification from a technical college is just as meaningful because it represents dedication, commitment, and the pursuit of a better future. My goal is to expand my beauty business and offer services that help people feel confident and empowered. Being a first-generation college student also means becoming a role model for others in my family and community. I want my younger relatives to see that higher education is possible, regardless of the path they choose. Whether someone attends a university, community college, or technical school, pursuing education is something to be proud of. I hope my journey encourages others to believe in themselves and chase their goals. Most importantly, I want to make my family proud. Every class I take and every goal I achieve is a reflection of their support and sacrifices. Becoming the first person in my family to attend and graduate from college is an opportunity I do not take for granted. It is a chance to honor my roots, achieve my dreams, and show that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. For these reasons, I am passionate about becoming a first-generation Mexican-American college graduate and continuing to build a future that my family can be proud of.
      WCEJ Thornton Foundation Tools of the Trade Scholarship
      Winner
      Why I Chose the Facial Specialist Field Choosing to attend facial specialist school and pursue a vocational trade is an important step toward achieving my long-term goals. As a licensed nail technician and business owner, I have already experienced how rewarding it is to help people feel more confident about themselves. Through my work, I have seen firsthand how something as simple as a nail enhancement can completely change the way a person feels when they walk out of my salon. Seeing my clients smile, feel empowered, and gain confidence has inspired me to expand my skills and services even further. I chose this field because beauty is about much more than appearance. It is about helping people feel comfortable, confident, and happy in their own skin. Every day, I have the opportunity to make a positive impact on someone’s life through my work. Whether it is creating a beautiful set of nails for a special occasion or helping someone feel polished and put together, I love being part of that transformation. The confidence my clients gain from these services motivates me to continue growing in the beauty industry. Attending facial specialist school will allow me to expand my business and offer a wider variety of services, including lash extensions, brow services, makeup, skincare treatments, and waxing. By learning these skills, I will be able to serve more clients and help them achieve their personal beauty goals. I want to create a space where people can come not only to enhance their appearance but also to feel cared for, valued, and confident. My passion for this field also comes from my own experiences. I know how much confidence beauty services can provide because I have felt that confidence myself. Whether it is having my nails done, getting my brows shaped, or feeling put together for an important event, those small changes can make a huge difference in how a person carries themselves. Because I know how powerful that feeling can be, I want to share it with others. I want every client who sits in my chair to leave feeling more confident than when they arrived. Vocational education is the perfect path for me because it provides hands-on training and real-world skills that I can immediately apply to my business. I have already demonstrated my commitment to this career by becoming licensed as a nail technician while still in high school and building my own business at a young age. Continuing my education through facial specialist school will allow me to grow professionally, expand my services, and create even more opportunities for myself and my clients. My goal is not only to build a successful beauty business but also to make a positive impact on the people I serve. By pursuing a career as a facial specialist, I can continue helping others feel beautiful, confident, and empowered every day. That ability to uplift others is what makes this field so meaningful to me and why I am passionate about continuing my education in the beauty industry.