Age
18
Gender
Female
Hobbies and interests
Swimming
Writing
Directing
Math
Art History
Roller Skating
Reading
Adventure
Fantasy
Science Fiction
Realistic Fiction
Magical Realism
Drama
I read books multiple times per week
LOW INCOME STUDENT
Yes
FIRST GENERATION STUDENT
Yes
Giselle Palucho
4,795
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
WinnerGiselle Palucho
4,795
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
WinnerBio
Hello, I'm Giselle, a passionate individual who enjoys writing, reading, and learning new things. When not burying myself in books or working, I can usually be spotted at my city's swim center swimming laps or roller skating in nearby skate parks.
From a young age, I was fascinated by the written word and how it communicates complex ideas and evokes emotions.
As I grew older, my love for writing and reading expanded to encompass a much broader range of topics, including science, medicine, and healthcare. I have always been interested in the human body and how it works, which led me to pursue a degree in biology.
Now, I am pursuing a career in anesthesiology, in which I hope to use my knowledge and skills to help patients manage pain and ensure that surgeries and other medical procedures are as safe and comfortable as possible.
Earning scholarships would allow me to dedicate more of my time to focus more fully on my studies and clinical opportunities, rather than worrying about how to pay for my education. Scholarships are instrumental in helping me achieve this goal, as the cost of medical school and the intense coursework can be incredibly challenging, I hope to positively impact the lives of my patients and contribute to the field of medicine in a meaningful way.
Education
Monterey Peninsula College
Associate's degree programMajors:
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Seaside High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
- Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
- Medicine
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
- Health and Medical Administrative Services
Career
Dream career field:
Medicine
Dream career goals:
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
Hostess and Room Service
Monterey Bay Plaza Hotel and Spa2022 – Present2 years
Sports
Soccer
Junior Varsity2017 – Present7 years
Swimming
Varsity2019 – 20223 years
Research
American History
Monterey Peninsula College — Writer / Researcher2021 – 2021
Arts
Monterrey Peninsula College
Performance ArtTwelfth Night2019 – 2019
Public services
Volunteering
G.I Josie — Food Prep and Serving Food to at Laguna Seca2023 – 2023Volunteering
Upward Bound — Clearing out invasive plants and planting native plants2022 – 2022
Future Interests
Advocacy
Politics
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Entrepreneurship
Pangeta & Ivory Nursing Scholarship
My academic end goal is to earn a Doctorate in Nursing Practice degree to become a CRNA. Currently, I am enrolled full-time at MPC to complete all the prerequisites needed to enroll in nursing school. While I study to be a nurse I plan on becoming a CNA to gain hands-on experience in the field.
I decided to pursue nursing after an experience that occurred during my senior year of high school; I had become very ill and was in and out of hospitals which led to me falling into a depressive episode. There were two particular nurses who helped me during my time in the hospital that I still think about today, one was named Erika and the other was named Lavi. Both nurses not only helped me feel better physically but mentally as well. My family was not always able to be with me in the hospital so they provided great help in making sure that I was okay and did not feel alone. Once I no longer needed to stay in the hospital I was still unable to return to school or work for several months. I felt isolated for those months and when I returned to school the feeling did not fade. Thanks to this experience, I learned to be comfortable being alone and I realized what career I wanted to pursue.
When I returned to school, the semester was nearly over and I was completely overwhelmed with all the work that had accumulated. All my grades were below passing and I had been dropped from my dual enrollment course for English which meant I no longer had enough English credits needed to graduate. I worked double time to be able to turn in assignments from my time in the hospital as well as new assignments. In addition to that I needed to take two English classes to be able to complete all the credits needed to graduate. My most meaningful achievement is that despite being gone from school for several months, I worked diligently to acquire all the needed credits to complete high school and I did so with a 4.1 GPA.
I am passionate about reading, since I was little I always enjoyed envisioning the world through different perspectives and learning the different ways I could make a difference like the characters in my books. A book series that had a big part in making me who I am today was the Percy Jackson series. Regardless of all the tragedies the kids in the series would go through, they would still find a way to pick themselves back up and save the world. Growing up reading those books helped me become more confident and sure of myself which is why I am so passionate about reading.
Earning a scholarship would not only help me afford college but also reduce the number of hours I work to dedicate more time to my education and have a better chance at meeting my academic end goal.
SmartSolar Sustainability Scholarship
Ever since I was young, I have always had a keen interest in environmentalism and the preservation of the world we live in. I live in California and several years ago we were in the midst of a terrible drought that lasted from 2011 through 2017. The drought started when I was six years old therefore I grew up having environmentalist and water perservation advocate experts and speakers come speak at my elementary and middle schools. In my household we are very careful how water is used because we understand that the amount of freshwater we have is very limited, only 2.5 percent of the earths water is freshwater and 6.87 percent of that freshwater is frozen.
Having educated myself in the main contributers to global warming I have participated in the following:
- Reducing energy consumption. Turning off lights, electronics, and other devices when they're not in use can help to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Walking, biking, or using public transportation. Choosing to walk, bike, or use public transportation instead of being driven in a car alone can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Use reusable water bottles and shopping bags. Using reusable water bottles and shopping bags instead of disposable ones can reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions that are created from single use plastics.
- Eating a plant-based diet. Eating a plant-based diet or reducing consumption of animal products can reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with animal agriculture. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency a single cow produces between 154 to 264 pounds of methane gas per year. Not counting for the emissions of any other livestock
- Support local and seasonal produce. Buying locally and seasonally grown produce can reduce the amount of energy needed to transport food long distances, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
- Plant trees or support reforestation efforts. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, so planting trees or supporting reforestation efforts can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Amazon Rainforest's flora absorb 1.5bn tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) a year, equivalent to 4% of emissions from fossil fuels. IMagine what plating more trees and native plants can do!
- Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Reducing consumption, reusing items, and recycling materials can reduce waste that ends up in landfills and produces greenhouse gases.
- Support renewable energy. Encouraging the use of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, or hydropower can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Vote for politicians and policies that address climate change. Supporting politicians and policies that prioritize reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change can make a difference. It is important to be educated in what policies politions are advocating for and what they stand for. It it imperative that poeple vote in their local elections as well as state and congressional elections.
- Educate others about global warming. Spreading the word about the importance of reducing global warming can inspire others to take action and make a positive impact.
Climate Conservation Scholarship
Ever since I was young, I have always had a keen interest in environmentalism and the preservation of the world we live in. I live in California and several years ago we were in the midst of a terrible drought that lasted from 2011 through 2017. The drought started when I was six years old therefore I grew up having environmentalist and water perservation advocate experts and speakers come speak at my elementary and middle schools. In my household we are very careful how water is used because we understand that the amount of freshwater we have is very limited, only 2.5 percent of the earths water is freshwater and 6.87 percent of that freshwater is frozen.
Having educated myself in the main contributers to global warming I have participated in the following:
- Reducing energy consumption. Turning off lights, electronics, and other devices when they're not in use can help to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Walking, biking, or using public transportation. Choosing to walk, bike, or use public transportation instead of being driven in a car alone can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Use reusable water bottles and shopping bags. Using reusable water bottles and shopping bags instead of disposable ones can reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions that are created from single use plastics.
- Eating a plant-based diet. Eating a plant-based diet or reducing consumption of animal products can reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with animal agriculture. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency a single cow produces between 154 to 264 pounds of methane gas per year. Not counting for the emissions of any other livestock
- Support local and seasonal produce. Buying locally and seasonally grown produce can reduce the amount of energy needed to transport food long distances, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
- Plant trees or support reforestation efforts. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, so planting trees or supporting reforestation efforts can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Amazon Rainforest's flora absorb 1.5bn tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) a year, equivalent to 4% of emissions from fossil fuels. IMagine what plating more trees and native plants can do!
- Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Reducing consumption, reusing items, and recycling materials can reduce waste that ends up in landfills and produces greenhouse gases.
- Support renewable energy. Encouraging the use of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, or hydropower can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Vote for politicians and policies that address climate change. Supporting politicians and policies that prioritize reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change can make a difference. It is important to be educated in what policies politions are advocating for and what they stand for. It it imperative that poeple vote in their local elections as well as state and congressional elections.
- Educate others about global warming. Spreading the word about the importance of reducing global warming can inspire others to take action and make a positive impact.
FLIK Hospitality Group’s Entrepreneurial Council Scholarship
WinnerCurrently, I work in the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa in the room service and restaurant departments. Here I built rapport with new and returning guests to promote the company's mission and values, optimized workflow by maintaining a clean and organized workplace and managed the reservation log with accuracy and detail, making sure to note any special occasions and requests. After I graduate high school I intend to continue working in this establishment to fund my education as I study to be an Anesthesiologist.
I am also part of a program called Upward Bound which provides its student with various opportunities for community service as well as tutoring and college opportunities. Through Upward Bound I have gone to beach clean-ups, removal of invasive plant species, planting native plants, rock painting, Christmas toy donations, and more. After I graduate high school I intend to either continue to work with Upper Bound as a tutor or join other groups that promote environmentalism such as the Environmentalist club at Monterey Peninsula College. In addition to that I plan on raising money to create care packages for homeless shelters and homeless people not residing in shelters. These care packages would Include hygienic products such as tissue, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc. as well as first aid supply and feminine products.
Within the next five years, in order to create a more positive environmental impact on my local and global communities through wellness and health implement the following into my daily and monthly routines.
Promote active transportation: Encourage people to walk, bike, or use public transportation instead of driving alone. This can reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, as well as promote physical activity and improve overall health.
Reduce waste: Promote the reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste. This can include composting food scraps, reducing single-use plastics, and opting to use reusable containers.
Support sustainable agriculture: Promote local and sustainable agriculture practices, such as organic farming and regenerative agriculture, which can improve soil health, reduce carbon emissions, and provide healthier food options.
Promote plant-based diets: Encourage people to eat a plant-based diet or reduce their consumption of animal products. This can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve health outcomes.
Protect natural areas: Protect and preserve natural areas, such as parks and forests, which provide important opportunities for physical activity and mental health.
Support clean energy: Advocate for clean energy sources, such as wind and solar power, which can reduce air pollution and improve respiratory health.
Encourage community involvement: Support community programs and events that promote health and environmental sustainability, such as community gardens or bike-sharing programs.
PAC: Diversity Matters Scholarship
I am pursuing a career in Anesthesiology, where my primary responsibility would be to ensure that patients are safe and comfortable during surgical and other medical procedures. Anesthesiologists work with other medical professionals to evaluate patients' medical histories and develop individualized anesthesia plans to ensure that patients receive the appropriate level of anesthesia for their needs. Anesthesiologists monitor patients' vital signs during procedures, adjust anesthesia levels as needed, and provide pain management and critical care services in postoperative settings. They also play a crucial role in emergencies, such as trauma cases, where they may need to administer emergency anesthesia to patients.
As a woman of color, I understand that police are to men of color, what healthcare workers are to women of color. There are many misconceptions in medicine surrounding women of color, one of them being that black women have higher pain tolerances than white women. There is a disproportionate amount of black women and other women of color who have a more difficult time accessing anesthesia. This causes various dangerous consequences in pregnancy and childbirth, one of the most painful and life-threatening operations in medicine. According to the National Institution of Health, black women are three times more likely to die during surgeries. These disparities also exist with mental health evaluations. Black children have a 75 percent chance of going undiagnosed for ADHD while Latinx children have a 50 percent chance of going underdiagnosed according to Prism.org.
These disparities exist outside of healthcare as well. Many inventions made by men are created with women being an afterthought. An example of this is car companies only test dummies with male anatomy. A paper from the University of Virginia's research team published this paper, which found that the odds of serious injury or death for female car-crash victims is 73 percent higher than for males and have a 17 percent more likely hood of succumbing to their injuries. Having more women in engineering positions would allow for safer transportation.
Having a more diverse demographic in medicine would allow for further research into Black and Indigenous women of color which would help address racial and cultural healthcare disparities since scientists from underrepresented groups are more likely to be familiar with, and motivated to develop solutions for, health issues facing the demographic groups to which they belong.
Overall, the power of diverse voices in public relations can have a transformative impact on shaping public narratives. By including a wide range of perspectives, public relations efforts can help to build more inclusive and understanding communities and create positive change not only socially but also ethically.
Barbara Cain Literary Scholarship
One of my favorite fantasy novel in middle school were The Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan. Percy Jackson and the Olympians are a popular young adult fantasy series that follows the adventures of a demigod named Percy Jackson and his friends as they navigate the world of Greek mythology. The books are filled with action, adventure, mythology, and themes of friendship, courage, loyalty, and heroism.
One of the key themes of the Percy Jackson books is the importance of embracing your identity and using your unique strengths to achieve your goals. Percy, for example, is dyslexic and has ADHD, but he learns that these traits are actually signs of his demigod powers and help him in battle. This message can encourage readers to embrace their own differences and realize that they too have unique strengths that can help them succeed. Percy is an outcast in the world before he finds his place among other kids who are just like him in Camp Half-blood.
Another theme in the Percy Jackson books is the power of teamwork and friendship. Percy and his friends rely on each other to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies, and they learn to trust and support each other even when things get tough. This message can inspire readers to value their relationships and work together to achieve common goals.
Here are some things that I have be learned from the Percy Jackson books:
Embrace your differences: Percy Jackson is a demigod, a child of a Greek god, and a mortal, which makes him different from other kids. However, instead of feeling ashamed or embarrassed about his differences, Percy learns to embrace them and use them to his advantage.
Loyalty and friendship are important: Percy Jackson has a tight-knit group of friends, and they stick together through thick and thin. They are loyal to each other and have each other's backs, no matter what.
Everyone has a role to play: In the Percy Jackson books, every character has a specific role to play, and they are all important in their own way. This teaches us that everyone has something to contribute, and no one is insignificant.
Overcoming obstacles: The characters in the Percy Jackson books face many obstacles and challenges, but they don't give up. They persevere and find a way to overcome their problems, which teaches us the importance of determination and resilience.
Overall, the Percy Jackson books can teach readers important life lessons about identity, resilience, and community, and these messages can shape their goals and values as they grow and mature.
The Percy Jackson series has been highly influential to me since I was young, and it has certainly shaped some of my goals and aspirations. Because of the series I grew up with a fascination with the myhtology of different cultures and have even explored some of my own culture's folk tales and mythology.
The series has even inspired me to pursue my own creative projects, and have been motivated to write my own stories.
Overall, the impact of Percy Jackson on individual goals and aspirations is likely to vary from person to person, but the books have undoubtedly served as a source of inspiration and motivation for many readers.
Novitas Diverse Voices Scholarship
I am pursuing a career in Anesthesiology, where my primary responsibility would be to ensure that patients are safe and comfortable during surgical and other medical procedures. Anesthesiologists work with other medical professionals to evaluate patients' medical histories and develop individualized anesthesia plans to ensure that patients receive the appropriate level of anesthesia for their needs. Anesthesiologists monitor patients' vital signs during procedures, adjust anesthesia levels as needed, and provide pain management and critical care services in postoperative settings. They also play a crucial role in emergencies, such as trauma cases, where they may need to administer emergency anesthesia to patients.
As a woman of color, I understand that police are to men of color, what healthcare workers are to women of color. There are many misconceptions in medicine surrounding women of color, one of them being that black women have higher pain tolerances than white women. There is a disproportionate amount of black women and other women of color who have a more difficult time accessing anesthesia. This causes various dangerous consequences in pregnancy and childbirth, one of the most painful and life-threatening operations in medicine. According to the National Institution of Health, black women are three times more likely to die during surgeries. These disparities also exist with mental health evaluations. Black children have a 75 percent chance of going undiagnosed for ADHD while Latinx children have a 50 percent chance of going underdiagnosed according to Prism.org.
These disparities exist outside of healthcare as well. Many inventions made by men are created with women being an afterthought. An example of this is car companies only test dummies with male anatomy. A paper from the University of Virginia's research team published this paper, which found that the odds of serious injury or death for female car-crash victims is 73 percent higher than for males and have a 17 percent more likely hood of succumbing to their injuries. Having more women in engineering positions would allow for safer transportation.
Having a more diverse demographic in medicine would allow for further research into Black and Indigenous women of color which would help address racial and cultural healthcare disparities since scientists from underrepresented groups are more likely to be familiar with, and motivated to develop solutions for, health issues facing the demographic groups to which they belong.
Overall, the power of diverse voices in public relations can have a transformative impact on shaping public narratives. By including a wide range of perspectives, public relations efforts can help to build more inclusive and understanding communities and create positive change not only socially but also ethically.
Fuerza y Ganas Scholarship
When my mother gave birth to my little brother she became very unwell and she almost lost her life. I was scared for her life but luckily she got better thanks to the doctors and nurses. Ever since then I knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. During the summer of 2022, I visited my grandmother alongside my mother who was terminally ill and was in and out of hospitals. Seeing my grandmother in this state and seeing how distraught my mother was only inspired me more to become a healthcare worker.
My senior was off to a good start as well until I became ill and had to be hospitalized twice during the first semester of my senior year. I struggled greatly while I was there. My mother was still in Maryland taking care of my grandmother therefore my father had to take time off work in order to take care of me. Here I experienced the kindness of nurses first hand and was sure this was what I wanted to become after college.
The two nurses that solidifyed my goals to work in health care were named Erika and Lavana. We met the second time I was hospitalized which last for about two weeks. Erika wasn't my nurse but she was there when I was admitted she had a thick chicana accent that made me feel imediatly at home. We talked until I was comfortable enough to be in the room alone after my dad had left the hospital. Even when she wasn't assigned to me she would still come visit me to see how was doing. Lavana was very very kind to be and would help make me feel comfortable when my family were not able to visit me. She made all the tedious procediures we had to do seem fun or at least manageable.
Doctors told me that I would be unable to go to school for two months. While I was unable to attend the school my grades began to go down and by the time I returned most of my grades were not passing. I had returned to school only two weeks before the semester was over and was completely overwhelmed by the amount of work I would have to do to raise my grades back up. Thankfully, I was able to raise my grades to pass thanks to the help of my counselors and teachers and finished the semester strong.
If granted with the opportunity I would use this scholarship money to help further my education to become an Aneisiologist. I want to be able to creat a comfortable safe space for patients in an environment that is otherwise very uncomfortable and even scary at times. I want to be an anthiesiologist rather than a nurse because I want to help patients manage their pain and recover after surgeries like the doctors who help my mother and grandmother. I hope to care for others the way Erika cared for me.
Margalie Jean-Baptiste Scholarship
Throughout my high school career, I have challenged myself with a rigorous course load consisting of AP, Honors, and dual enrollment courses. I was able to maintain a top rank in my class for the first three years, but my senior year was marked with unexpected challenges. Unfortunately, I became seriously ill and was hospitalized twice during the first semester. While I was away from school, I struggled with my health and academics. My doctors advised me and my family that I would have to take a break from school and work for several months. As a result, I lost a good amount of my finances due to not working. During this time mother was across the country nursing my grandmother in her final days, my father was also not working as much because he had to take care of me because I was not well enough to be left alone.
I believe the worst part of this experience was that my grades began to suffer greatly, and by the time I returned, most of my grades were not passing. I was disheartened that all the intense work I had put into building my academics for college was for naught. However, through perseverence and resiliance along with the help of my supportive counselors and teachers, I was able to pull through and finished the semester strong, raising my grades to passing levels.
Despite the difficulties I faced, I was able to participate in two prestigious programs: Carnegie Mellon University's Pre-College program and the California Girls State program of the American Legion Auxiliary, both of which I received scholarships for. These programs provided me with invaluable learning opportunities and allowed me to connect with other bright and like-minded students. In the Pre-College program, I was able to explore my interests in computer science and gain hands-on experience. In California Girls State, I was able to develop my leadership and communication skills, and gained a sense of community that is essential for success in college.
Receiving a scholarship would mean everything to me. It would enable me to focus on my studies and extracurricular activities without worrying about the financial burden of textbooks and school supplies. Additionally, it would provide me with the opportunity to pursue internships and other academic pursuits that will help me in my future career. I am passionate about my education and my desire to make a positive impact in the world. With the help of a scholarship, I can achieve my goals and dreams.