My grandparents housed their 16 children and grandchildren in a multigenerational immigrant household in the slums of Fresno, California. They immigrated from the mountains of Vietnam after the Secret War, with assimilation into American culture as a priority, using higher education as a primary path. Growing up surrounded by hardworking individuals, I learned early that diligence was crucial for survival. However, my parents discovered that hard work alone wasn’t enough; networking was equally important. This lesson shaped my career path. Choosing to major in Biomedical Engineering made me apprehensive, knowing that intelligence, hard work, and passion weren’t sufficient alone. To mitigate this, I connected with Engineering Chairs at my campus, joined clubs focused on my specialty, race, and gender, and engaged with online communities to build a strong support network. I aim to pave the way for future generations in my family, so they won’t fear exploring unknown paths. They will witness stories of hard work and success within our family, creating a generational domino effect of pursuing and excelling in their passions. The previous generation inspired my work ethic, goals, and dreams, proving that one can overcome adversity to write their own story. I aspire to craft my own narrative, inspiring younger relatives and making older relatives proud. I am the first in my family to graduate high school with a 4.33 GPA as an Academic Scholar of Distinction. Every club, sport, or academic achievement I pursued was a first for my family. I am immensely grateful to my parents for their sacrifices, which provided me with these opportunities. Recently, I earned my Associates of Arts in Engineering, Mathematics, and Sciences with honors from the College of the Sequoias at 18. I transferred to California State University, Long Beach as an aspiring Pre-med Biomedical Engineer. As a female Hmong American student, challenging stereotypes, especially in higher education without focusing on maternal duties, is difficult. Choosing a non-traditional path can create a sense of disconnection from my culture. However, I have learned that being Hmong means embracing and educating others about our culture and history, celebrating our holidays, and being proud of our heritage. This past semester, the hardest of my academic career, I was the youngest and only girl in my Calculus-based Physics class, which led to feelings of isolation. Meeting a fellow female STEM student who shared my feelings of isolation helped me regain confidence and engage with my peers. I am proud to be on course to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical Engineering from CSU Long Beach in 2026. I want to be a role model for young Hmong Americans, encouraging them to pursue their futures while embracing their heritage. Additionally, I hope to make the STEM field more inclusive and supportive for women, ensuring everyone's light shines brighter.

My grandparents housed their 16 children and grandchildren in a multigenerational immigrant household in the slums of Fresno, California. They immigrated from the mountains of Vietnam after the Secret War, with assimilation into American culture as a priority, using higher education as a primary path. Growing up surrounded by hardworking individuals, I learned early that diligence was crucial for survival. However, my parents discovered that hard work alone wasn’t enough; networking was equally important. This lesson shaped my career path. Choosing to major in Biomedical Engineering made me apprehensive, knowing that intelligence, hard work, and passion weren’t sufficient alone. To mitigate this, I connected with Engineering Chairs at my campus, joined clubs focused on my specialty, race, and gender, and engaged with online communities to build a strong support network. I aim to pave the way for future generations in my family, so they won’t fear exploring unknown paths. They will witness stories of hard work and success within our family, creating a generational domino effect of pursuing and excelling in their passions. The previous generation inspired my work ethic, goals, and dreams, proving that one can overcome adversity to write their own story. I aspire to craft my own narrative, inspiring younger relatives and making older relatives proud. I am the first in my family to graduate high school with a 4.33 GPA as an Academic Scholar of Distinction. Every club, sport, or academic achievement I pursued was a first for my family. I am immensely grateful to my parents for their sacrifices, which provided me with these opportunities. Recently, I earned my Associates of Arts in Engineering, Mathematics, and Sciences with honors from the College of the Sequoias at 18. I transferred to California State University, Long Beach as an aspiring Pre-med Biomedical Engineer. As a female Hmong American student, challenging stereotypes, especially in higher education without focusing on maternal duties, is difficult. Choosing a non-traditional path can create a sense of disconnection from my culture. However, I have learned that being Hmong means embracing and educating others about our culture and history, celebrating our holidays, and being proud of our heritage. This past semester, the hardest of my academic career, I was the youngest and only girl in my Calculus-based Physics class, which led to feelings of isolation. Meeting a fellow female STEM student who shared my feelings of isolation helped me regain confidence and engage with my peers. I am proud to be on course to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical Engineering from CSU Long Beach in 2026. I want to be a role model for young Hmong Americans, encouraging them to pursue their futures while embracing their heritage. Additionally, I hope to make the STEM field more inclusive and supportive for women, ensuring everyone's light shines brighter.

My grandparents housed their 16 children and grandchildren in a multigenerational immigrant household in the slums of Fresno, California. They immigrated from the mountains of Vietnam after the Secret War, with assimilation into American culture as a priority, using higher education as a primary path. Growing up surrounded by hardworking individuals, I learned early that diligence was crucial for survival. However, my parents discovered that hard work alone wasn’t enough; networking was equally important. This lesson shaped my career path. Choosing to major in Biomedical Engineering made me apprehensive, knowing that intelligence, hard work, and passion weren’t sufficient alone. To mitigate this, I connected with Engineering Chairs at my campus, joined clubs focused on my specialty, race, and gender, and engaged with online communities to build a strong support network. I aim to pave the way for future generations in my family, so they won’t fear exploring unknown paths. They will witness stories of hard work and success within our family, creating a generational domino effect of pursuing and excelling in their passions. The previous generation inspired my work ethic, goals, and dreams, proving that one can overcome adversity to write their own story. I aspire to craft my own narrative, inspiring younger relatives and making older relatives proud. I am the first in my family to graduate high school with a 4.33 GPA as an Academic Scholar of Distinction. Every club, sport, or academic achievement I pursued was a first for my family. I am immensely grateful to my parents for their sacrifices, which provided me with these opportunities. Recently, I earned my Associate of Arts in Engineering, Mathematics, and Sciences with honors from the College of the Sequoias at 18. I transferred to California State University, Long Beach as an aspiring Pre-med Biomedical Engineer. As a female Hmong American student, challenging stereotypes, especially in higher education without focusing on maternal duties, is difficult. Choosing a non-traditional path can create a sense of disconnection from my culture. However, I have learned that being Hmong means embracing and educating others about our culture and history, celebrating our holidays, and being proud of our heritage. This past semester, the hardest of my academic career, I was the youngest and only girl in my Calculus-based Physics class, which led to feelings of isolation. Meeting a fellow female STEM student who shared my feelings of isolation helped me regain confidence and engage with my peers. I am proud to be on course to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical Engineering from CSU Long Beach in 2026. I want to be a role model for young Hmong Americans, encouraging them to pursue their futures while embracing their heritage. Additionally, I hope to make the STEM field more inclusive and supportive for women, ensuring everyone's light shines brighter.

My grandparents housed their 16 children and grandchildren in a multigenerational immigrant household in the slums of Fresno, California. They immigrated from the mountains of Vietnam after the Secret War, with assimilation into American culture as a priority, using higher education as a primary path. Growing up surrounded by hardworking individuals, I learned early that diligence was crucial for survival. However, my parents discovered that hard work alone wasn’t enough; networking was equally important. This lesson shaped my career path. Choosing to major in Biomedical Engineering made me apprehensive, knowing that intelligence, hard work, and passion weren’t sufficient alone. To mitigate this, I connected with Engineering Chairs at my campus, joined clubs focused on my specialty, race, and gender, and engaged with online communities to build a strong support network. I aim to pave the way for future generations in my family, so they won’t fear exploring unknown paths. They will witness stories of hard work and success within our family, creating a generational domino effect of pursuing and excelling in their passions. The previous generation inspired my work ethic, goals, and dreams, proving that one can overcome adversity to write their own story. I aspire to craft my own narrative, inspiring younger relatives and making older relatives proud. I am the first in my family to graduate high school with a 4.33 GPA as an Academic Scholar of Distinction. Every club, sport, or academic achievement I pursued was a first for my family. I am immensely grateful to my parents for their sacrifices, which provided me with these opportunities. Recently, I earned my Associates of Arts in Engineering, Mathematics, and Sciences with honors from the College of the Sequoias at 18. I transferred to California State University, Long Beach as an aspiring Pre-med Biomedical Engineer. As a female Hmong American student, challenging stereotypes, especially in higher education without focusing on maternal duties, is difficult. Choosing a non-traditional path can create a sense of disconnection from my culture. However, I have learned that being Hmong means embracing and educating others about our culture and history, celebrating our holidays, and being proud of our heritage. This past semester, the hardest of my academic career, I was the youngest and only girl in my Calculus-based Physics class, which led to feelings of isolation. Meeting a fellow female STEM student who shared my feelings of isolation helped me regain confidence and engage with my peers. I am proud to be on course to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical Engineering from CSU Long Beach in 2026. I want to be a role model for young Hmong Americans, encouraging them to pursue their futures while embracing their heritage. Additionally, I hope to make the STEM field more inclusive and supportive for women, ensuring everyone's light shines brighter.

My grandparents housed their 16 children and grandchildren in a multigenerational immigrant household in the slums of Fresno, California. They immigrated from the mountains of Vietnam after the Secret War, with assimilation into American culture as a priority, using higher education as a primary path. Growing up surrounded by hardworking individuals, I learned early that diligence was crucial for survival. However, my parents discovered that hard work alone wasn’t enough; networking was equally important. This lesson shaped my career path. Choosing to major in Biomedical Engineering made me apprehensive, knowing that intelligence, hard work, and passion weren’t sufficient alone. To mitigate this, I connected with Engineering Chairs at my campus, joined clubs focused on my specialty, race, and gender, and engaged with online communities to build a strong support network. I aim to pave the way for future generations in my family, so they won’t fear exploring unknown paths. They will witness stories of hard work and success within our family, creating a generational domino effect of pursuing and excelling in their passions. The previous generation inspired my work ethic, goals, and dreams, proving that one can overcome adversity to write their own story. I aspire to craft my own narrative, inspiring younger relatives and making older relatives proud. I am the first in my family to graduate high school with a 4.33 GPA as an Academic Scholar of Distinction. Every club, sport, or academic achievement I pursued was a first for my family. I am immensely grateful to my parents for their sacrifices, which provided me with these opportunities. Recently, I earned my Associates of Arts in Engineering, Mathematics, and Sciences with honors from the College of the Sequoias at 18. I transferred to California State University, Long Beach as an aspiring Pre-med Biomedical Engineer. As a female Hmong American student, challenging stereotypes, especially in higher education without focusing on maternal duties, is difficult. Choosing a non-traditional path can create a sense of disconnection from my culture. However, I have learned that being Hmong means embracing and educating others about our culture and history, celebrating our holidays, and being proud of our heritage. This past semester, the hardest of my academic career, I was the youngest and only girl in my Calculus-based Physics class, which led to feelings of isolation. Meeting a fellow female STEM student who shared my feelings of isolation helped me regain confidence and engage with my peers. I am proud to be on course to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical Engineering from CSU Long Beach in 2026. I want to be a role model for young Hmong Americans, encouraging them to pursue their futures while embracing their heritage. Additionally, I hope to make the STEM field more inclusive and supportive for women, ensuring everyone's light shines brighter.

My grandparents housed their 16 children and grandchildren in a multigenerational immigrant household in the slums of Fresno, California. They immigrated from the mountains of Vietnam after the Secret War, with assimilation into American culture as a priority, using higher education as a primary path. Growing up surrounded by hardworking individuals, I learned early that diligence was crucial for survival. However, my parents discovered that hard work alone wasn’t enough; networking was equally important. This lesson shaped my career path. Choosing to major in Biomedical Engineering made me apprehensive, knowing that intelligence, hard work, and passion weren’t sufficient alone. To mitigate this, I connected with Engineering Chairs at my campus, joined clubs focused on my specialty, race, and gender, and engaged with online communities to build a strong support network. I aim to pave the way for future generations in my family, so they won’t fear exploring unknown paths. They will witness stories of hard work and success within our family, creating a generational domino effect of pursuing and excelling in their passions. The previous generation inspired my work ethic, goals, and dreams, proving that one can overcome adversity to write their own story. I aspire to craft my own narrative, inspiring younger relatives and making older relatives proud. I am the first in my family to graduate high school with a 4.33 GPA as an Academic Scholar of Distinction. Every club, sport, or academic achievement I pursued was a first for my family. I am immensely grateful to my parents for their sacrifices, which provided me with these opportunities. Recently, I earned my Associates of Arts in Engineering, Mathematics, and Sciences with honors from the College of the Sequoias at 18. I transferred to California State University, Long Beach as an aspiring Pre-med Biomedical Engineer. As a female Hmong American student, challenging stereotypes, especially in higher education without focusing on maternal duties, is difficult. Choosing a non-traditional path can create a sense of disconnection from my culture. However, I have learned that being Hmong means embracing and educating others about our culture and history, celebrating our holidays, and being proud of our heritage. This past semester, the hardest of my academic career, I was the youngest and only girl in my Calculus-based Physics class, which led to feelings of isolation. Meeting a fellow female STEM student who shared my feelings of isolation helped me regain confidence and engage with my peers. I am proud to be on course to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical Engineering from CSU Long Beach in 2026. I want to be a role model for young Hmong Americans, encouraging them to pursue their futures while embracing their heritage. Additionally, I hope to make the STEM field more inclusive and supportive for women, ensuring everyone's light shines brighter.

My grandparents housed their 16 children and their grandchildren in a multigenerational immigrant household in the slums of Fresno California. They immigrated to the United States after the Secret War from the mountains of Vietnam. Assimilating to American culture is what my family has always strived to do. In doing so, the pursuit of higher education was the path most ventured on. Living in the same household as this network of hardworking people, I was able to realize at a young age that this trait was critical for survival. I want the successors in my family to not have that fear of venturing into any unknown pathway because they will have seen countless stories of hardwork and success from their relatives. It will be a generational domino effect of entering and succeeding in one’s passion. The generation that came before me inspired my work ethic, goals, and dreams. They proved how you can overcome adversity to write your own story. I will make my own story that inspires my younger relatives and makes my older relatives proud. I am the first person in my family to graduate highschool with a 4.33 GPA as an Academic Scholar of Distinction. Every club, sport, or academic achievement was one of the first in my family. I have high gratitude for my parents who made sacrifices in order for me to have these opportunities and I hope to return the favor to them as well. That is why I continue to emphasize success in higher education. This past semester, I obtained my Associates of Arts in Engineering, Mathematics, and Sciences as an Honors graduate from the College of the Sequoias at 18. I transferred to California State University, Long Beach as an aspiring Pre-med Biomedical Engineer. I want to challenge the stereotypes set in place for me as a female Hmong American student. Pursuing higher education without the emphasis of maternal duties is looked down upon. Actively choosing to not perform the roles and venture in the traditional lifestyle can make me feel disconnected from my culture. However, I have realized being Hmong doesn’t mean adhering to outdated practices, but embracing and educating others on our culture and history. It is celebrating our holidays, participating in traditions, and being proud of where you come from. Choosing a male-dominated field comes with its own hardships. It was hard to make connections with the other students when they did not see you as their equal and you felt like you didn’t belong. Societal pressures and internal conflicts made me feel unwelcomed. There was this sense of isolation and uncomfortability in the classroom. Reaching out to other classmates, engaging in group study sessions, or even asking questions made me feel less than my peers. It was this societal pressure to try and fit in, but in doing so, I felt like I couldn’t take up space. I never want anyone to feel like the light inside of them is dimmed. I want to show my relatives that their sacrifices have been monumental observations that have fueled my drive and ambition. I want to be a role model for young Hmong Americans to pave the way for their future while embracing where they came from. I want to be a part of the community of women in STEM who strive to make it more equal, inviting, and safe. I want to help bridge the gap of isolation in the Engineering field for women. I want to make the world better and for everyone’s light to shine brighter.

If I were an emotion, I would be Sadness. Not by choice or preference, but by familiarity. I had always thought that everyone experiences life in the same way. Everyone also experienced life as being in the eye of a tornado. Chaos surrounds you while you are just stuck in it, hopeless. This past semester was the lowest point in my life. My academic life was challenged when I encountered Calculus based Physics. I was the youngest student in it whilst being the only girl. Choosing a male-dominated field comes with its own hardships. It was hard to make connections with the other students when they did not see you as their equal and you felt like you didn’t belong. Societal pressures and internal conflicts made me feel unwelcomed. There was this sense of isolation and uncomfortability in the classroom. Reaching out to other classmates, engaging in group study sessions, or even asking questions made me feel less than my peers. It was this societal pressure to try and fit in, but in doing so, I felt like I couldn’t take up space. That loneliness led to disengagement in the course and a lack of motivation to succeed that I had never experienced before. When office hours, tutoring, and extra academic support plateaued, I sought out a mental health professional - I got a therapist. I described how this class has broken me. I felt no joy in the things I loved to do. I felt no love from the people I cared most about. I felt like I was being tested in all areas of my life. Everyday was a constant battle in school, at work, with friends, with family, and with myself. After several sessions, I asked her for my diagnosis. I had anxiety and depression. It wasn’t just the very difficult class I had taken that propelled these feelings, but it had been a long time coming. I had always felt this uneasy feeling when it comes to school. This pressure I put on myself to do good so my family can be proud of me and maybe then I can be proud of myself. I persevered and passed the course. However, the feelings did not go away and recollecting on my past, the feelings have never gone away. No amount of A’s, rigorous courses, or awards can fill that void of empty loneliness I have. With my therapist, I am on the journey of finding a balance in my life to make myself happier. By being a happier person, I am able to reconstruct my thinking to succeed without having to sacrifice my identity or mental health for it. I struggle on a day-to-day basis, which is why I want to go into the medical field to help others who share these deep emotions. I want to break the stigma and bring awareness to those who struggle with depression and anxiety to make the world brighter.

Entering their third year of college at 18 is something not many can say. I am proud to say that I can through endless hours of blood, sweat, and tears, although it came with a cost. “This is me trying” by Taylor Swift encapsulates the emotional roller coaster I have experienced over the past year. In high school, I had all the potential to achieve my dreams. I am the first person in my family to graduate high school with a 4.33 GPA as an Academic Scholar of Distinction. Every club, sport, or academic achievement was one of the first in my family - I was destined for greatness. However, when I graduated in 2023, I faced the financial reality that I had to decline my university admissions and go to the local Community College. I was faced with the reality that all my cages were not mental and things were out of my control. It was as if a sinkhole had appeared and every accomplishment and award within those four years fell through it. It was difficult to see my peers with similar achievements go to their universities while I also worked tirelessly and had nothing to show for it. Nonetheless, I enrolled in the local community college with a shattered identity. This past semester was the most difficult one of my academic career. I was the youngest student in my Calculus-based Physics class whilst being the only girl. Choosing a male-dominated field comes with its hardships. It was hard to make connections with the other students when they did not see you as their equal and you felt like you didn’t belong. Societal pressures and internal conflicts made me feel unwelcome. There was this sense of isolation and uncomfortability in the classroom. Reaching out to other classmates, engaging in group study sessions, or even asking questions made me feel less than my peers. It was this societal pressure to try and fit in, but in doing so, I felt like I couldn’t take up space. That loneliness led to disengagement in the course and a lack of motivation to succeed that I had never experienced before. It was not until I met a fellow female STEM student who shared the same feelings of isolation. This support system helped me build the confidence to take up space in my classroom, engage with others, and get back on the right track. When I finally felt like I had a community, I transferred to California State University, Long Beach as an aspiring Pre-med Biomedical Engineer. This past semester, I obtained my Associate of Arts in Engineering, Mathematics, and Sciences as an Honors graduate from the College of the Sequoias at 18. Although this was a very big accomplishment to propel my education and career, it was another transition I had to endure. I moved hours away from my support system to a bigger, newer city. It is difficult to be proud of yourself for breaking the traditional route when those around you already experienced things you have yet to do. Those I room with have been here since freshman year and have built a community full of friends. My classmates are two years older than me and have more experience in college and my field. My Community College friends get to keep their supportive educational community. I have broken boundaries, but there are so many worries associated with it. I persevered through the difficulties presented to me in the past year, so I understand all I can do is try, and this is me trying.