As Jane Goodall, the esteemed conservationist, so eloquently said, “The least I can do is speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.” A career in wildlife biology is centered around these very words, focusing on the care, research and conservation of many species. I hope to specialize in big cats, specifically mountain lions, in the Rocky Mountains. I have always had an immense fascination with this type of animal, and I believe that this passion will truly help me succeed in this field. The profession of a wildlife biologist is multi-faceted in its efforts to create awareness for climate issues and animal advocacy. It will allow me to work closely with wildlife, conducting research on their behavior, movement patterns, and population numbers, while also providing an opportunity for spreading awareness to protect forests, natural resources, and of course, the animals that inhabit them. This profession is also incredibly rewarding. It may take much hard work, team effort, and late nights but with diligent determination this career provides the opportunity to create significant change in this world, for those with four legs, and those with two. What I love about this career path is that I am already able to have a positive impact on the environment. For instance, I am in an organization called Aggie Eco-Reps which allows me to take part in events that promote sustainability within the Texas A&M University campus. Some of the events we have planned are pop-up thrift shops to reduce clothing waste, research on the amount of food waste at dining halls, and a 5k run with proceeds going toward sustainable organizations. Another organization I am a part of is Aggie BSM. Through this organization I am able to meet new freshmen who want to learn more about God and their faith journey. It is truly an incredible experience to be involved in, and I am so blessed to see the impact it has had on our small community. My future career may seem like a far cry from humanitarian work, but in reality it has deep implications for people as well, not just wildlife. The truth is, humans and animals share this earth, and in order to do that we have to ensure that we are conscious of our impact on the environment because all creatures play a crucial role in their own habitat. My goal for the future is to gain knowledge and information on wildlife, so we can better protect them and their homes. I believe that I was called to work in this field, and I know that I would not be able to pursue higher education if it weren’t for generous donors. My parents are incredibly hardworking, but at the end of the day, college is incredibly expensive, and they can’t afford to pay for it. The Cuervo Rincon scholarship would be an absolute blessing to both me and my family, who are so supportive of my future goals. I hope to one day create a scholarship fund myself to support students who are unable to fund their higher education, and to give back since I have been given so much. I truly thank you for this opportunity and your generosity, as well as the time and effort you have spent creating this scholarship fund.

As Jane Goodall, the esteemed conservationist, so eloquently said, “The least I can do is speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.” A career in wildlife biology is centered around these very words, focusing on the care, research and conservation of many species. I hope to specialize in big cats, specifically mountain lions, in the Rocky Mountains. I have always had an immense fascination with this type of animal, and I believe that this passion will truly help me succeed in this field. It may be a cliche, but I have always known I wanted to work with wildlife. It took a few years to determine what field to go into, but now that I have found and committed to a career in wildlife biology and conservation, I know that it is the perfect choice for me. In terms of what makes me deserving of this scholarship, the truth is I can’t boast a handful of awards and honors. That being said, I have worked very hard in school, evident through my GPA and spot on the Dean’s Honor Roll. I also have done my best to volunteer, and be active on campus as well through Aggie Eco-Reps, a sustainability organization, and Aggie Baptist Student Ministries, where I have been surrounded by the most supportive community. Through these organizations I have been able to give back to my community, strengthening both my college town and my passion for others simultaneously. The most important reason I would be honored to receive this scholarship, however, isn’t just for my benefit. The profession of a wildlife biologist is crucial because it can raise awareness for climate issues and animal advocacy. It will allow me to work closely with wildlife, conducting research on their behavior, movement patterns, and population numbers, and providing an opportunity for spreading awareness to protect forests, natural resources, and the animals that inhabit them. While a focus on mountain lions may seem like a very specific career path, the reality is that within an ecosystem every organism is connected. They all rely on each other to maintain balance, without which devastating consequences like extinction can occur. Now more than ever, human intervention is needed to fix human mistakes and negligence. I firmly believe that with education and awareness every habitat can be saved, and working together is the only way to accomplish this feat. Lastly, I hope to encourage the next generation of STEM students to pursue a career in wildlife conservation by starting my own scholarship fund. Knowing the impact they can have makes this an important dream of mine. I hope to create a scholarship dedicated to those who have pledged to commit their lives to protecting and conserving wildlife, helping the next generation in doing their part to save our beautiful earth. After all, what better way to make the world a better place than to provide for the next generation of thinkers and innovators? I have poured everything I have into my studies, in pursuit of a career that will truly have an impact on the world. If there is a reason to select me for this scholarship, I hope that this is it. To know that this money will not go to waste. This money will play a major role in allowing me to complete college without the added weight of financial debt. Winning would be such a blessing for me, and I am so thankful to Beyond the C.L.O.U.D for creating this opportunity. Thank you for your time, effort, and consideration.

A self that lives for others, strives to be better daily, and pursues her passion regardless of the difficulties thrown her way, so when she looks in the mirror she sees not her flaws, but just how far she's come.

Having student debt is stressful. So many Americans are still paying off their student loans long after college, and my hope is that I will not be one of them. For the past two years, since I was a senior in high school, I have been applying to as many scholarships as I can get my hands on. Unfortunately during the school year, it is difficult to make time to write the long essays many of them require. As a result, I have had to find other ways to make money to pay off the student loans. One example of this is that I sell clothes and other items on the resale app Poshmark. It was difficult starting out, but my page has grown to have over twenty five thousand followers. I also sell some sports paraphernalia on Ebay as well. Still, I don’t make enough, but it is one realistic way in which I am able to chip away at the money I owe. Planning to reduce my student loan debt started as early as high school. I took as many Advanced Placement classes as I could to earn college credit, and this semester I was able to apply 29 credits to my degree, meaning I will graduate a year early from A&M. This will allow me to save about twenty six thousand dollars, as I will only be in college for three years instead of four. When choosing a college, I talked to my family and we decided that choosing a public college would reduce the total amount of money that I would owe in the long run. Consequently, I chose to attend Texas A&M University in College Station. I also have an on campus job working in the game room outside of my dorm. I make about eleven dollars an hour and about three quarters of that money goes to pay off my loan. Next semester, I will even be able to reduce the amount I need for housing by working as a Residential Advisor in one the on campus dorms. With this job I am able to send the monthly stipend I receive to directly pay for my housing, taking several thousand dollars off of the loans I will need for next school year. I am so thankful for the opportunities that Texas A&M provides to work on campus because since I am without a car I am unable to drive elsewhere to find work. I will continue to plan out how to save money in the future, and to pay off the loan debt I have already collected. Scholarships like these can truly provide such a weight off the shoulders of the student that wins. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship, and for reminding me of the importance of planning for my future.

In a world that never sleeps, it seems practically impossible to find time to care for oneself, as each new day brings increasing responsibilities and stress. Personally, I wake up every morning at 5:20, leave my house at 6:00, and do not return home until around 6:00 in the evening. Just when I wish I could relax and unwind, I am met with other responsibilities such as taking care of my dog, cleaning, cooking and endless homework and college preparations. However, I am always sure to take time, even if that is only a few minutes, to relax, destress and practice self-care. Since my life is incredibly busy, I rely on my self-care routine to aid in stress relief and to help ground and center my mindset after a tiring day. My self-care routine varies from day to day, but I make time to do calming activities such as taking my dog for a walk, listening to music, yoga, prayer, and meditation. I find great peace in the outdoors and nature, so taking my dog for a walk, especially during sunset, allows me to reflect on my day and breathe fresh air after being inside all day. I also love listening to calming worship music, as my faith is the main source of my joy and stability. Additionally, I enjoy meditation because it allows me to clear my mind of any worries or anxious thoughts. I am able to see and truly feel the benefits of my self-care routine every day. I often feel much more at peace, less stressed, and focused on what is important overall, rather than small inconveniences or worries. In the end, practicing self-care is vital to my health and happiness and I plan to continue some form of self-care for the rest of my life.

To this day, it astounds me that with all of the organizations promoting awareness to this devastatingly preventable tragedy, it still occurs so frequently. It was quite a few years ago now, but I still think about him often. He was always so kind and encouraging. His name was Garret. He was a joyous light to all that knew him, and the sorrow his death caused to his friends and family is indescribable. I knew him because he was the son of my softball coach. I played with his two younger sisters, and he would often cheer for me just as loud as he did for them; he was, in short, the older brother I never had. I still remember the last words he said to me the Wednesday before the accident. We went to the same church together, and softball season was just around the corner. He grinned at me, “You’re still playing softball this season, right?”. I had every intention to, but the call my family received that Sunday changed everything. I remember my mom answering her phone on our way home from church, and in a hushed tone she told my dad to immediately drive over to the hospital. My sister and I, both in the backseat, were petrified. We begged to know what had happened, so she told us. Garret had been at a party Saturday night, and he and his friends were driving home in the early hours of the morning. The driver was drunk and had spun off the highway. Garret wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. The windows were down. They police had found him, sprawled yards away from the car. He had flown out of the window and suffered severe trauma to his head. His brain was swelling quickly, and the doctors were trying everything, but to no avail. Minutes before we arrived at the hospital, we received a text from Garret’s dad, “He didn’t make it.” My first thought was, “I didn’t even get to say goodbye”. He was sixteen years old. I never got to tell him he was the reason I loved to play. In all honesty, I believe his death hurt just as badly as it would if my own brother had died. All because the driver believed he was “sober enough”. No one is ever “sober enough”. The driver survived, and after being acquitted of all charges, he now must spend the rest of his life with the agony and guilt of his poor decision. I never played softball again after that. Despite all the encouragement I received from my family, friends and teammates. They all told me I was good enough to even make it to college if I worked hard. I just couldn’t bring myself to play anymore. Now, however, I have new aspirations. I plan to go to the University of Texas A&M and major in Animal Science. After that, I hope to graduate from vet school and become a zoo veterinarian. By the grace of God, I have long since healed from the pain of that devastating accident. I smile now, when I remember the joy he brought to my life. He may no longer be here, but I will carry his memory and strive to bring joy to others the way he always did. I have vowed to never drink, and though some doubt my ability to keep this promise, I will keep it nonetheless. I will continue to tell everyone I know his story, so that the beautiful life he lived, and the tragic death he suffered will not have been in vain.

I am a firm believer that true service often comes with sacrifice. I have always enjoyed serving others; I would perform small acts of service for my family even when I was younger. I often helped my mom, who is a teacher, sharpen pencils, staple papers or decorate her classroom. After my dad got home from work I would use all the strength my tiny seven-year-old body could muster to massage his back so he could rest. This passion to serve only grew as I got older, yet none of these acts of service required true sacrifice. However, this past year has brought on quite a change. I have been active in sports since I was young, which carried through middle and high school. I ran cross country my first three years of high school, and I made incredible friends and memories. Last summer, however, my mom had to begin teaching at a new elementary, and it resulted in a major issue. Due to the relocation of my mom, she was unable to drop my brother off for school. This meant he would have to walk a very long distance to school everyday, or I would quit cross country, since I would not be able to make it to morning practices or meets, and drive him to school everyday. Knowing that he would have to walk, alone, and often in the dark of the morning, I made the decision to quit cross country. I had been thrilled at the idea of senior year cross country, but I new that the service I could offer to him was of far greater importance. Despite the sacrifice, I find joy in knowing that my willingness to serve is infinitely more valuable than any of the experiences senior year cross country could have provided.

Simple pleasures are a rich delicacy. I discovered this truth on my first trip to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. We spent a week there and every day but one was filled with activities: visiting museums, riding ziplines, crawling through caves. For the last day, we had nothing planned; we resolved upon driving through a very scenic route by some hiking trails that lead up into the mountains. We eventually decided to take one of these hiking trails, to my great disapproval, and we set off on our way. However, our hike was immediately postponed as it began to pour, resulting in our desperate sprint to the nearby shop. I stood there by the window of the shop as the rain drenched the mountains, glad for a delay to our hike. Yet, when we walked outside again, after the rain had ceased to pour, the aroma of the aftermath of fresh rain gave way to a new sensation. In that moment I realized I would be perfectly satisfied sitting on a bench outside the shop and admiring the view of the mountains for hours. The hike turned out to be one of my most fond memories, and the beginning of a new treasure in my life. I reveled in awe of the glory of the mountains. The clear, winding streams, the massive, lush pine trees. When I returned home, to Texas I might add, I was wistful and somber. I no longer had the Rocky Mountains to admire. Now, I find simple pleasures in watching the sunset over my backyard fence and reading a novel sprawled out on the grass and gazing at the stars (always sure to find the big dipper). It is in these moments that I am truly at peace.

By the grace of God, I never had to face violence and poverty. I never had to leave my home, travel hundreds, in some cases thousands of miles, to an intimidating, foreign country that I knew didn't truly want to let me in. However, my grandparents did; they grew up in a small town in Northern Mexico, constantly experiencing oppression and fear as their government stood idly by and watched their suffering in silence. This is the story for so many people, a story of tragedy and devastation. Yet, so many Americans are determined to keep immigrants out, when all they are asking for is a place to call home. This social issue is easy to ignore, but if I was given the opportunity to instill change, I would do my very best to help these families, that so desperately need the help we can provide as a country. Immigration is often regarded as a political issue, but in reality, is it not more of a movement for basic human rights? I am well aware we cannot simply open our borders and allow every single immigrant to flow freely in. However, according to the New York Times, 400,000 immigrants entered the U.S. in President Biden's first year in office, with no effective plan on how to grant them either temporary or permanent citizenship. Many of these immigrants, similarly to my grandparents all those years ago, simply want to escape persecution, earn a living, and raise their families. If given the opportunity, many of them would work hard, thankful for the opportunity to support their loved ones. I am no strategist or politician, so therefore I cannot design a plan for successfully and effectively granting these immigrants citizenship, but I can advocate for them and ensure that their voice is heard through my own. I know that politicians have many issues to consider and handle, but with good strategy and organizing, I am confident that, with all of the brilliant minds in America, a plan can be made to provide these immigrants the home they so dearly need. Given the opportunity to influence this issue, I would encourage the formulation of a creative, yet functional plan to use the immense amount of American resources available to allow these immigrants to find safety and stability within our beautiful country. There is a way to help them, we simply have to care enough to find a way. We must, for once, put the needs of others ahead of our own, remembering that we have not even the slightest clue of what it is like to be in their position. I am thankful that my grandparents made the journey to America many years ago. They forged a path for their future family, my own parents, to live in a country where opportunities are available to those who work hard to achieve their dreams. This is how I would choose to influence this issue. By reminding American citizens that there is life beyond our borders that so desperately needs our assistance. Assistance that can be provided, if we choose to step up, think creatively, and find a solution.

In a world that never sleeps, it often seems to be a miracle when we can find a few spare moments for ourselves. With stress and anxiety levels at an all-time high, it is vital to practice self-care daily, in order to preserve our mental health, and in all honesty, just to help keep us sane. Self-care is practiced differently by everyone, but personally, self-care is doing little things to ensure that my mental health does not deteriorate under the pressure of everyday life. As much as I wish I had an abundance of time to have a detailed self-care routine, it typically isn’t realistic. Instead, I opt for smaller routines and practices that allow me to slow down and process everything, or just let out all of my emotions. I find great peace when I am outside, so I try to do homework outside when the weather permits. It may seem small, but I am a firm believer in the tranquility provided only by fresh air and beaming sunshine. At night before I go to bed, I finish out my long days with a journal entry. It could be something as simple as writing down a single moment from my day, so I can remember it later. Other times, I find myself scribbling down my worries or frustrations. Letting these emotions out and acknowledging them is so crucial to maintaining my mental health. When my emotions run even more rampant, I often write poetry. It is a feeling like no other; being able to express my emotions in an artistic way, while practicing self-care. After much experimenting, I have discovered that these small practices and routines help me practice self-care daily, leading to a much less stressful day, and ultimately preserving my mental health.