It was a warm summer day, about a month after my 15th birthday. R5 was my favorite band and Ross Lynch was my ultimate celebrity crush. My family had been going through a rough patch but moving to southern California that summer seemed to be the change we needed. My parents gifted me with concert tickets to my favorite band. I was ecstatic. After years of listening to their music, I would finally get to see them live and experience my first concert. That summer night, my sister and I went to R5’s concert – a concert that would change my life. My parents had gotten me the VIP package and I got to meet the band. I was completely starstruck. I was hugging people I loved and whose music had always put a smile on my face. The moment feels like a blur but I still remember the feeling of happiness I felt during those few minutes. To this day, it’s one of my most cherished memories. After meeting the band, I went to the concert area and was eager for the show to start. I could not believe I would finally get to see my favorite band live. Curtains down, light outs, and If by R5 began to play. The concert had started and it was more than anything I could have imagined. R5 sounded amazing live; their stage presence was truly outstanding. It was easy to tell they loved being onstage, loved performing their songs, and loved hyping up the crowd and ensuring we had an amazing time. And that is exactly what I had. All my worries and thoughts vanished, I was simply in the moment enjoying the concert to the fullest and it was just me and my favorite band singing my favorite songs. That day I fell in love with concerts and they became my favorite thing to do. Ever since my first concert, concerts became the events I always wanted to go to because they gave me the best feeling. Concerts are the only thing I truly let myself spend money on because they make me the happiest. The way the whole world can disappear and it’s just me and the artist brings me comfort unlike anything else. It’s where I feel safe and joyful, where all my worries wash away and I immerse myself in the music – there for me in the best and worst of times. Music makes me feel understood and it helps me cope with everything around me. It is hard to say what my favorite concert is because they all gave me a special memory I will always cherish. From my favorite artists like Taylor Swift and The Driver Era, whose entire discography I have memorized, to artists like 5SOS and Dean Lewis, who I love but are not necessarily my top artists, every concert has given me an unforgettable experience. However, if I had to pick, I’d say the closing night of the Girlfriend tour by The Driver Era was my favorite concert. I went with my sister, they played my favorite songs, the crowd was so loud, and at the end of the show they brought out their family and the crowd went wild during the last song. It was all standing and everyone was pushing each other but in a friendly way; I somehow ended up at the front and I was having the most fun I’ve ever had. It was truly one of the best nights of my life, and that rush of happiness and excitement is the reason I love concerts.

The moment I heard Olivia Rodrigo sing “One phone call from you and my entire world was changed Trust that you betrayed, confusion that still lingers” I knew “the grudge" was going to be a song I’d relate to. I mean I knew that from the title because while it is not a trait I am proud of, I am aware that I tend to hold grudges. I am working on being able to let things go, however, when I heard Rodrigo sing those lyrics, I felt understood. It shows how easily it is for one thing to completely change your life. One moment you can be enjoying life with a person you love and the next that person can be leaving your life. It is heartbreaking but it is also part of life. However, change has been hard for me in the past. From moving countries to losing my grandparents there have been several instances when one moment changed my entire life, and Olivia does a perfect job of encapsulating how overwhelming that can feel. The line “confusion that still lingers” probably struck me the most because I am someone who always wants closure. I believe that while things might not always work out, honesty and transparency should be given to everyone, especially someone you care about. This year has taught me that not everyone thinks the same and sometimes people cannot give you the closure you think you need. When GUTS came out, I was struggling to make sense of a situation with a guy I was seeing, and listening to the grudge helped me understand my feelings, and as cringy as it might sound, it did make me feel less alone. Furthermore, loyalty and honesty are qualities that I value the most, and usually, when I hold a grudge it is because people lack those qualities. "The grudge" does a very good job of putting the feelings of hurt, confusion, and betrayal into words especially when it is from somebody that you cared about but is not exactly who you thought they were. I am someone who wants to know everything, and while I know I cannot always know everything in life, I am always trying to understand things. When people lie to you or betray you, it becomes hard for me to understand them. I am working on being more forgiving because I believe grudges only hurt those who hold them, but as Olivia says “It takes strength to forgive, but I'm not quite sure I'm there yet.” I do believe I have gotten better and I will keep trying because as I have learned this year, you can’t always understand others and you might not always get the closure you desire, but you can always choose how much you let it affect you. Being a teenager is hard because it comes with lots of change, growth, and simply as Olivia Rodrigo has said teenage angst. Rodrigo captures the struggles of doing the right thing or moving on when it feels like you cannot. When you are hurting, even if it is not the end of the world, as a teenager, it can feel that way and Rodrigo always makes me feel understood. My college best friend and I even have a joke that if we met Olivia, she’d be our best friend because she gets us. That is the power of songwriting that Olivia Rodrigo has and one that as a fellow 20-year-old, am very grateful for.

In my freshman year of high school, we had to give a speech on a potential future career or majors we would want to do when we grew up. I literally started my speech with the words "I love math." At the time, I was not sure what I wanted to do but I did know that I wanted it to involve math. I gave my speech on becoming an engineer, and while that has changed, my love for math has not. I will now be majoring in Biochemistry which, surprise, involves plenty of math. I love math because there is always an answer. It is not a subject that involves "what ifs" or unanswered questions, but rather a method to figuring it all out. As challenging as it can get, you can always count on it. Talking Calculus BC this year after one year of online math was definitely not easy; in fact, it was the first time I felt truly challenged when solving math problems. For me, part of my love for math came form being really good at it. I always got As and it felt very easy. I was always the one helping rather than asking for help because math came really easily to me. While it is still one of the subject I most excel at, this year definitely brought challenges. Series were not by cup of tea and I had to ask for help. It made me frustrated but once I understood it, it reclarified my love for math. Not that I ever stopped loving it, but knowing that it can always be understood, not matter how advanced, gave me a sense of tranquility. Knowing that there is an answer, that things are not uncertain, and that you can always solve the puzzle are the main reasons I love math. Life is extremely uncertain, and at times it feels like you can never figure it out, math, however,is the opposite, and I find solace in knowing I can always count on it. Unlike many other things in life, math is reliable and it is nice to know, even if its just with math, that you will always find an answer.

I am an immigrant. I am a woman. I am loyal. I am responsible. I am passionate. I am Irasema Loredo. Throughout my life, things have not remained constant yet these qualities of mine have. In 19 years of living, I've endured more change than I thought was possible and changed in ways I never thought I would. When I was 11, my family decided to move to a different country (United States) so my sister could pursue her dream of playing tennis. However, my dad had to stay in Mexico to work. Thus, I had to adjust to life in a new country with only my mom and older sister, and less comfort. Living in the U.S, and more specifically Dallas, TX, with a Mexican salary proves tougher than we thought. Resources were scarce, yet my family adjusted. Unfortunately, two years later, my mom got diagnosed with a brain tumor. Our lives forever changed at that moment. The process of adjusting our lives to deal with my mom’s surgery happened so quickly, that it still seems like a blur in my mind. All I remember is being in my mom’s hospital room in Mexico waiting for her surgery to end, and after her successful surgery flying to Dallas the next day where we lived so we could continue school. Three months later, my sister and I returned to Mexico and were reunited as a family. The rest of the year was extremely challenging for my family — my dad lost his job and my grandpa died — but those three months transformed me as a person. It made me mature faster, become more empathetic, and also more in tune with what truly made me happy. I'd like to say there was one defining moment that influenced who I am, but for me, it was the accumulation of everything I endured in a short period of time that turned me and my life into what it is. Obviously, I have grown since then. Moving to California posed new challenges and allowed me to grow as a person, friend, and leader. Nonetheless, I know I would not be who I am today if I had not endured everything I did in Dallas. I figured out I wanted to be a forensic scientist the summer before junior year. I had just become extremely interested in criminal law, chemistry, and helping people. I recall watching Lucifer and being intrigued by what Ella, the forensic scientist, did. She analyzed crime scenes, worked in the lab, and contributed valuable information to each case. That’s how I knew I wanted to be a forensic scientist. I’d always loved the idea of being a detective and bringing people to justice, but most of all I love the idea of helping. Being someone who has endured the pain of loss, separation, having to be alone, and simply abrupt change made me realize I wanted to do something with my life that was meaningful. I want to do something that is bigger than myself so that it will always stay alive. I want to make others feel seen and less alone. While everyone might always have moments of doubt, loneliness, and pain, I want to ease that and be there for others. Because while I was never alone, sometimes it feel like no one understood what I was going through, and I want to prevent that from happening to others. So how has my life shaped my career aspirations? Well, it's made me want to use my strengths and passions, like science and criminal justice, to help others.

The term “listening” means “giving one’s attention to a sound”, but to me listening is so much more than that. Listening is actively thinking of what people are saying to you so you can truly process it. It is paying attention to someone rather than just brushing off what they say with a “yeah” and moving on. When I listen to others, I try to put myself in their position to first understand where they are coming from. I think empathizing with others is the most important part of listening to others. If you are able to understand how they are feeling, you can better understand where they are coming from and what they are saying. Furthermore, when I listen to those around me I think about how I would want them to react. If they seem excited about it, then I get excited because it honestly sucks when you are excited about something, and the person you are telling does not reciprocate the feeling. If someone is telling me they are bothered by something I do, I truly consider my behavior and try to change it or explain my behavior. I believe listening is one of the most vital things we can do. It is how we can progress as a society, as a community, and how we can grow our relationships and our own personalities.

Life is constantly changing and so is my outlook on it, but the one constant in my life is the hope of things getting better. There is no denying that life has made being hopeful extremely difficult at times. My dad losing his job, my mom having brain surgery, my grandparents dying, and moving once again all in the span of 365 days are all times where being hopeful was difficult but it was also the only thing that kept me going. The hope of a better tomorrow is what drives me to keep going and it's also what inspires me to be the best version of myself that I can be. Throughout the hardest years of my life, the only thing that kept me from falling apart was the idea that things would turn out okay and improve from then on. 2016 was probably the worst year of my life; I remember my mom benign diagnosed with a tumor and when I found out, it felt like the world was falling apart. One of the hardest parts was the fact that I could not do anything about it. Removing it and saving her was not up to me. Being someone who likes to take control and take action when things get hard, it was really difficult to sit back. However, it was the only thing I could do. I remember watching one of my favorite shows, Once Upon a Time, during that time, and one of the characters said “Believing in even the possibility of a happy ending is a powerful thing, but living with that kind of belief.. That’s the most thing of all. That’s hope,” and that phrase struck something in me. I realized that was all I could do for my mom. All I could do is believe that she was gonna be okay and that we would come out of it, and thankfully we did. Ever since I carry hope with me all time because I have seen how great it is. Life is unexpected and never really goes how you think, but if you never lose hope that it will get better then you will never lose yourself. Hope drives me to keep going but it is also what inspires me to work for things to get better. While some things are out of my control, for most things, there are actions I can do to get them where I want. While I have faith that things will work out, I also have faith in myself to put 100% of my effort to make sure they are as best as they can be, and that is what constantly keeps inspiring me to work hard. The ability, we, as humans have to do better and work for a better tomorrow, is why I am constantly working hard and pushing myself. The people close to me and life itself have taught me the power of hope, and I apply it in my life anytime I can.

Molecules. DNA. Elements. Science. These are all elements that inspire my desire to major in biochemistry. In sophomore year, I fell in love with chemistry, and I knew it was something I needed to keep doing in my life. On the other hand, Biology dissects DNA and studies life through a purely scientific lens. One of the first things you learn in either class is that you can’t have one without the other. Biology and chemistry are forever intertwined, and I want to learn all about them. Biochemistry is the perfect major for me because not only do I love chemistry and biology, but I want to become a forensic scientist. Forensic scientists need a bachelor’s in either chemistry or biology because they are constantly using scientific knowledge in their jobs to solve crimes. I figured out I wanted to be a forensic scientist the summer before junior year. I had just become extremely interested in criminal law, solving crimes, chemistry, and helping people. I recall watching Lucifer and being intrigued by what Ella, the forensic scientist, did. She analyzed crime scenes, worked in the lab, and contributed valuable information to each case. That’s how I knew I wanted to be a forensic scientist. I’d always loved the idea of being a detective and bringing people to justice, but given that the job does not involve any hands-on science, I knew it was never something I could spend my life doing. Forensic science is. Forensic scientists analyze DNA fingerprints and any materials found at a crime scene. Their job is both crime and science. Biochemistry, mysteries, justice, and philanthropy are my passions, forensic science encompasses them all and my journey to it starts here, with a major in biochemistry. I want a career in S.T.E.M because I have always known it was the path for me. S.T.E.M-related subjects have always seemed interesting to me. My favorite one is Chemistry as it encompasses both scones and math. Although I love all S.T.E.M subjects, I desire to major in biochemistry because I believe Science can change the world, and I want to be a part of that. As a woman, there are many barriers I need to break, but with my insight as an immigrant, as a S.T.E.M major, and as someone who will also study criminology, I can provide new and unique perspectives that will revolutionize the world. There are many things I don’t have the answer to, but I do know that I want to major in Biochemistry and that I will put 100% of my effort into being successful in this field.

The year is 2016. Undeniably the worst year of my life. I think there’s a silver lining to that, though. 2016 was the year my mom got diagnosed with a brain tumor, and I had to live without her or my dad for two months. After receiving news that my mom needed surgery, all I remember is being in my mom’s hospital room in Mexico waiting for her surgery to end, and after her successful surgery flying back to Dallas the next day with my sister so we could continue school. Since my mom’s surgery was urgent our father stayed behind, which meant living with my parent’s friends until the end of the school year. Although grateful for their help, I was not excited. I felt angry. I could not understand why this was happening to me. However, at some point, I understood I wasn't the only one hurting and struggling, and I had to step up. I had to be responsible, mature, and someone my family could count on because they were dealing with stronger issues. I became focused on school and tennis because they were things I cared about that I could control. Through creating a steady routine, I kept my grades up, practiced tennis, and adjusted to my new life. I survived the two months, the awful year, but what truly helped me overcome the challenge was changing my mindset to one of focus, passion, and learning. I created goals and followed them. I worked toward my A’s for myself. Nowadays, I take classes I am passionate about. I’ve joined clubs that resonated with me and aimed to help others. Due to this journey, I became more empathetic. I endured life's challenges, chose to see the best in every situation, and I changed for the better.

Reading is one of the best hobbies I have. Reading is more than educational, it's an escape from the world's darkness and a door into its greatness. Books always provide me the knowledge that I'm not alone, and the hope that the world and my life can improve. Many times when I am feeling down, I simply pick up a book and instantly feel better. Reading immerses me into a different world where I can leave all my worries behind and simply care about the characters and their stories. It has become one of my favorite hobbies and my go-to activity when I need a mental health boost. Sarah Hogle's romance novel, You Deserve Each Other, provides me comfort by giving me hope that no matter how bad things are, they will always get better as long as you have someone by your side. Books that submerge me in reading while making me think and smile are the reason I love to read. When I read, I go to my own private place, stepping inside the story where the book and I become one. And when I’m done reading, I feel as if I can come back into the world, feeling empowered and at peace. Books are some of my best friends. Anytime, I need to do something aside from my responsibilities, I know I can turn onto a book to make me feel better. Hanging out with my friends is also a hobby of mine, yet sometimes when I'm reading it's as if I was with my friends. Reading is a hobby I know I will carry with me throughout college, and the rest of my life because my passion for it grows every year and so does the solace I find in it.

Kofi Ann once said “Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope,” and I could not agree more. Reading serves a bigger purpose than simply educating. Reading can save a life by providing an escape during a dark time, having the knowledge that you are not alone, and the hope that things will get better. Many times when I am feeling down, I simply pick up a book and instantly feel better. Reading immerses me into a different world where I can leave all my worries behind and simply care about the characters and their stories. It has become one of my favorite hobbies and my go-to activity when I need a mental health boost. I love reading several genres but my favorite comfort book is a romance novel called You Deserve Each Other — a book about a couple that has fallen out of love but falls back in love with each other and ends up a stronger couple than before. It provides me comfort because I always find solace in it. The familiarity of knowing the story ends well; that the characters were able to confront their struggles and come out stronger together. The characters are funny, a little chaotic even, and certainly relatable. It gives me hope that no matter how bad things are, they will always get better as long as you have someone by your side. Books that submerge me in reading while making me think and smile are the reason I love to read. When I read, I go to my own private place, stepping inside the story where the book and I become one. And when I’m done reading, I feel as if I can come back into the world, feeling empowered and at peace.

A Murder to be solved. High school teenagers having to solve it. The brainy. The criminal. The beauty. The athlete. All portraying stereotypes of who they are but revealing so much depth as they work together, discover themselves, and discover how their classmate died. One of Us Is Lying is the story of 5 students being stuck in detention where one of them dies and the rest become suspects of his death. While the police suspect them due to their personal secrets being exposed as possible motives, Brownyn decides to take over the investigation in order to clear their names. As the book advances, most characters realize their past friends were not real and the detention group starts working together. In the end, they clear their names as it was suicide while also becoming true friends and living a life for themselves without lies. One Of Us Is Lying is my favorite book because I love reading mysteries and trying to figure out who is guilty alongside the characters. As a future forensic scientist, reading mysteries lets me feel connected to what I wanna do and helps me prepare for the future. This book allows me to connect to my detective side and my high schooler side. Aside from trying to clear their names, every character was dealing with ordinary high-school pressures and problems. In fact, trying to fit in or pleasing everyone’s expectations were the reasons for the lies and the deaths in this book. One of the reasons I love reading is because it teaches you lessons and makes you realize important things in life which is exactly what this book does. It keeps you entertained and intrigued throughout the whole book while also teaching the importance of being there for people and focusing less on superficial stuff.

Summer before junior year I was researching careers because I wanted to find something that combined all my interests. Helping people. Science. Numbers. Mysteries. A different day every day. And after having just taking honors chemistry sophomore year, a career where the major I needed included chemistry. I always wanted to major in STEM and after loving chemistry, I knew science was my passion. Thus, forensic science stood out to me. It was the perfect career for me. I could envision myself being happy and excelling at the job. Forensic science as an undergrad major is very rare so I decided to major in biochemistry and minor in criminology. Two fields that encompass my dream. After achieving my bachelor of science in biochemistry with a minor in criminology, I will have interned with the FBI and continue learning as I gain a master’s in forensic science. After several rigorous courses and hard work, I will work as a forensic scientist helping to solve murders and repairing the world through the power of S.T.E.M. Louis Paster once said “Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world,” and these words have stuck with me ever since I first read them. There are so many reasons why I want to be a biochemist. I always wanted to major in STEM. I love chemistry. Biology is really interesting. But mostly because I want to become a forensic scientist, so I can change the world. Science has the power to improve the world. I’ve seen this in real life and even in fiction. Tony Stark, Leo Fitz, Ella Lopez, all characters that have inspired my interest in science. Tony Stark repeatedly used science to save the world. He became a hero thanks to his knowledge. Leo Fitz is a rocket scientist that saved the world through building gadgets, understanding time travel, and using science to change the world. Ella Lopez is a forensic scientist who continuously identifies the true wrong guy and grants justice. That’s what I want to do. I want to grant people justice by doing something I love. I could help by becoming something else but science is facts, it is indisputable, and it’s evolution. It’s the best way I can help solve the many wrong things with the world. The system is indeed broken but if with every case I help solve, someone gets justice and no innocent person goes to jail, then I am contributing to fixing the system and illuminating the world one case at a time.

Summer before junior year I was researching careers because I wanted to find something that combined all my interests. Helping people. Science. Numbers. Mysteries. A different day every day. And after having just taking honors chemistry sophomore year, a career where the major I needed included chemistry. I always wanted to major in STEM and after loving chemistry, I knew science was my passion. Thus, forensic science stood out to me. It was the perfect career for me. I could envision myself being happy and excelling at the job. Forensic science as an undergrad major is very rare so I decided to major in biochemistry and minor in criminology. Two fields that encompass my dream. After achieving my bachelor of science in biochemistry with a minor in criminology, I will have interned with the FBI and continue learning as I gain a master’s in forensic science. After several rigorous courses and hard work, I will work as a forensic scientist helping to solve murders and repairing the world through the power of S.T.E.M. Louis Paster once said “Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world,” and these words have stuck with me ever since I first read them. There are so many reasons why I want to be a biochemist. I always wanted to major in STEM. I love chemistry. Biology is really interesting. But mostly because I want to become a forensic scientist, so I can change the world. Science has the power to improve the world. I’ve seen this in real life and even in fiction. Tony Stark, Leo Fitz, Ella Lopez, all characters that have inspired my interest in science. Tony Stark repeatedly used science to save the world. He became a hero thanks to his knowledge. Leo Fitz is a rocket scientist that saved the world through building gadgets, understanding time travel, and using science to change the world. Ella Lopez is a forensic scientist who continuously identifies the true wrong guy and grants justice. That’s what I want to do. I want to grant people justice by doing something I love. I could help by becoming something else but science is facts, it is indisputable, and it’s evolution. It’s the best way I can help solve the many wrong things with the world. The system is indeed broken but if with every case I help solve, someone gets justice and no innocent person goes to jail, then I am contributing to fixing the system and illuminating the world one case at a time.

All my favorite scientists are fictional like Leo Fitz, an outstanding engineer, a genius, someone who inspires me to pursue S.T.E.M, and a problem solver that you can watch anytime in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, but since he is not technically real, I'll describe my favorite artist: Ross Lynch. He is a genuine, hardworking, talented, passionate, kind human being. Ross Lynch's biggest virtue is that no matter what he always stays true to himself pursues his dreams. Even though he is extremely talented and his music is phenomenal, he is my favorite because he is an amazing person.

Life is constantly changing and so is my outlook on it, but the one constant in my life is the hope of things getting better. There is no denying that life has made being hopeful extremely difficult at times. My dad losing his job, my mom having brain surgery, my grandparents dying, and moving once again all in the span of 365 days are all times where being hopeful was difficult but it was also the only thing that kept me going. The hope of a better tomorrow is what drives me to keep going and it's also what inspires me to be the best version of myself that I can be. Throughout the hardest years of my life, the only thing that kept me from falling apart was the idea that things would turn out okay and improve from then on. 2016 was probably the worst year of my life; I remember my mom benign diagnosed with a tumor and when I found out, it felt like the world was falling apart. One of the hardest parts was the fact that I could not do anything about it. Removing it and saving her was not up to me. Being someone who likes to take control and take action when things get hard, it was really difficult to sit back. However, it was the only thing I could do. I remember watching one of my favorite shows, Once Upon a Time, during that time, and one of the characters said “Believing in even the possibility of a happy ending is a powerful thing, but living with that kind of belief.. That’s the most thing of all. That’s hope,” and that phrase struck something in me. I realized that was all I could do for my mom. All I could do is believe that she was gonna be okay and that we would come out of it, and thankfully we did. Ever since I carry hope with me all time because I have seen how great it is. Life is unexpected and never really goes how you think, but if you never lose hope that it will get better then you will never lose yourself. Hope drives me to keep going but it also what inspires me to work for things to get better. While some things are out of my control, for most things, there are actions I can do to get them where I want. While I have faith that things will work out, I also have faith in myself to put 100% of my effort to make sure they are as best as they can be, and that is what constantly keeps inspiring me to work hard. The ability, we as humans have to do better and work for a better tomorrow is why I am constantly working hard and pushing myself. The people close to me and life itself have taught me the power of hope, and I apply it in my life anytime I can.

Whenever I talk about mental health I feel like a hypocrite. It has taken me a while and some courage to write this essay because being vulnerable is not easy for me. I advocate for mental health and speak to others about mental illnesses, yet when it comes to me I keep quiet. I use denial and creating playlists as coping mechanisms. Honestly, I do not have a doctor's diagnosis, but every time I google symptoms or hear mental health experts talk about signs regarding depression and anxiety, I feel like I have them all. Furthermore, my mom had depression when I was little, my aunt has terrible depression right now, and my mom keeps revealing how mental illnesses run in her family which convinces me that I could easily have it. "I'm okay though" by Sara Kays is the perfect embodiment of how I treat my mental health. I'm still on my journey to mental health, and I know I have many steps I must be willing to take to improve my mental health, not taking them makes me feel like a hypocrite. Although, I will advocate that mental health and dealing with mental illness is a long and uneasy process, so taking your time and taking care of yourself are the most important things. You might be wondering, how am I going to use my experiences with mental health to positively impact the lives of others who are battling mental illness? Well, it is quite simple. I will be there for them. I am currently dealing with a loved one battling with mental illness, thus, I've seen first hand the things that can help and the actions that trigger them or simply do not help them. I'm also involved in an association that advocates for mental health constantly, and I got the honor to manage a campaign about it which allowed me to further educate myself on the topic and find resources to help. Mental illnesses are difficult to deal with; the most important thing is to make sure you are there for those who need it.

Mexico City, San Luis, Dallas, California: all the places I have lived in so far. I was born in Mexico City and lived there for most of my childhood. While everything I remember from that time, which is honestly not that much, was great, I know our family's economic struggle started there. My dad's business unfortunately failed and he started to get in debt in order to help his parents and provide for us. Our economic struggle was growing, so my dad took a slightly higher-paying job but in a different state. My mom, my sister, and I stayed in Mexico due to school, but it became extremely hard to be separated and we ended up moving to San Luis to be together. The move was hard. I had to make new friends; I kept my good grades but it felt like the education level was lower, and I was away from my external family whom I was really close to. A year after moving, my sister got a chance to move to Dallas and work on her tennis career. That was the hardest decision my family has taken. We truly hoped it would be for something better, but it was kind of the opposite. My dad was spending more, my sister was alone, I missed my sister, and it was hard on all of us. My dad, trying to make things better for us yet again, paid for us to move to Dallas with her. I can not say there were not great things that happened in Dallas, but most of what I remember is struggling. We could barely buy food because what my dad gave us and made was cut in half due to pesos and dollars conversion, so we did not have much money. My mom could not even afford a bed for herself that she slept on the floor for months. Eventually, we got a mattress, but it was not even a full bed. We were away from our family, we could not afford much, I barely saw my dad, and then my mom got diagnosed with a tumor, and my dad lost his job. Safe to say, it was terrible. Honestly, attending school was the only thing that was going well for me. I had good grades, friends, and it felt like an escape. Eventually, our months of terrible things started to improve. My dad worked effortlessly to find a job and he found one in California. We moved to California for my 8th-grade year and my sister's senior year. Change is never easy, but I believe it was truly needed for us. I have been living in California for about 4 years now, and like everything in life, it has had its challenges. I go to a highly competitive and challenging school which I am grateful for because it challenges me. I take APs, I have joined clubs, and I am an A student. I work really hard and passionately to learn and obtain good grades because I think succeeding in school is important. My dream and plans are to attend college, major in biochemistry and minor in criminology, and become a forensic scientist. I truly want to have a great education that will lead me to have the career I want, and one which I will hopefully be able to help others. College is expensive, and obtaining scholarships is not easy, but however much money I obtain, I will put into college tuition so that I am able to solely focus on my studies and be successful in them.

Many times. Many times I have felt like a misfit in my life, mostly within my friends or my classmates. It is somewhat hard to fit in when you move so much. When everyone has a history with each other, or they have that story that everyone knows from where they are little or simply that place that every kid went to in their hometown, it is effortless to feel like a misfit. Personally, it's hard to know where I belong when I have parts of myself in several different places. In my hometown, I know my friends from when we were kids but have stopped knowing them now, and my friends from where I live, I know them now but it feels like I can never bond with them the same way as their childhood friends. Furthermore, I definitely don't do things or act "normal", so naturally, that makes me feel like a misfit too. I esteem sports, but I am not super passionate about playing them which contradicts everyone in my family who is. It's kinda hard when you are the one in the family who cares more about books, shows, and chemistry than sports. I constantly create playlists to help me cope or to match my mood, and I seem to enjoy sad songs which no one understands, and sometimes I crave that I was close with someone who did. I wouldn't say I'm a nerd, not that that wouldn't be kinda cool since they are very smart, but I have a soft spot for obsessing over fictional characters or just find comfort with them which makes me feel like a misfit with my friends. They are more "basic" and they don't really get passionate about those things. Don't get me wrong, I still have plenty in common with them, and we are close. However, those little things cannot help but make me feel like a misfit like there is no place I can be myself 100% and fit in perfectly. I am 17 and I have moved 4 times in my life. The moves occurred during crucial parts of my development, thus the moves shaped me into who I am today. It definitely has made me feel like a misfit and being a misfit has definitely shaped not only how I act but what I want to do with my life. I want to help people. I need to do what I am passionate about regardless of what people think. I desire to be a forensic scientist and honestly, that is greatly inspired by my love for TV and fictional characters. If I didn't constantly fall in love with characters such as Leo Fitz or be inspired by Ella Lopez, I probably would still want to be in business or major in the same thing as my dad. There is nothing wrong with those careers, but I've simply realized those are not for me. My career seems to be different yet again. However, feeling like a misfit for most of my life, I don't let it bother me. I know what I'm passionate about and I'm determined to be successful at it. My perspective on being a misfit has helped me love myself for who I am without wanting to change things just because other people don't fancy them, so that is what I want to do for others. I wish to use my perspective to help others love themselves and make the world a little brighter. As cheesy as the quote "leave this world a better place than you found it" might be, I truly live by it. I want to do what I love and help others in whatever way I can. I want to be kind to people and be there for those I love. The world is extremely dark; therefore, I hope to make it a little brighter. I desire to inspire people to be true to themselves because I truly believe that can make the world a better place.

I want to study biochemistry and criminology in college. While it is surprising to see these two different subject areas as both things I want to study, there is a simple reason why. They both interest me, and they are both relevant to the career I want to have: forensic science. I have not known what I wanted to do and study all my life, in fact, I have changed my mind several times. However, after taking honors chemistry sophomore year and being passionate about helping people and maybe just making the world a little better and maybe a bit too many action and sci-fi shows, I became really passionate about becoming a forensic scientist. I have always known I wanted to major in STEM, so I did research on what STEM-related careers, hopefully with chemistry because I love chemistry, would suit my career in the future. Biochemistry and forensic science were the most adequate. I would love to study forensic science, but this career is limited as an undergraduate. Therefore, my biggest passion is majoring in biochemistry. It checks all my boxes; it is in the STEM field, has chemistry, and it is useful for my career. Furthermore, criminology is extremely interesting to me and essential for my future career. Unfortunately, some colleges do not have criminology, but thankfully, most colleges have an alternative or similar option. Criminology majors explore the physic behind criminals, and crime scenes in general which I feel is crucial for being a successful forensic scientist. I have not decided if I want to double major or major and minor, but I know that I care about these two subjects. I am immensely eager to learn everything about these fields, and I desire to study them in college.

2020 started rough for me even before the pandemic but it turned out to be a good year for me. I know that's crazy, so many awful things happened in 2020, but I kinda chose to see the best in it. In 2020 I lost my best friend, she didn't die or anything, I just decided to stop being friends with her because of how toxic the relationship had become. It sucked at first but it turned out to be a very healthy thing for me and led me to get closer with better friends. Then, the pandemic hit, and as awful as it was globally, it came at a good time for me. While that may sound selfish, I needed the break from normal life and I missed my sister; quarantine allowed me to have both. Spending time with my sister who was in college, my parents, and having a social and mental break from school was extremely needed, and I am grateful for it. However, the fact that the pandemic remained during the summer sucked. I was looking forward to going back home to Mexico and seeing my relatives, going outside, and seeing friends. 2020 was unexpected and chaotic but the hardships taught me to never take things for granted, enjoy every moment, and make the most out of what you have (yeah I know, kinda cheesy). I will cherish all my zooms with my relatives, spending time with my sister, and all the different foods we tried. Furthermore, I will remember all the social and political turmoil that occurred during the pandemic. Black Lives Matter and the election are events I will not forget from 2020. While I already tried to be involved in politics, 2020 was a year where most everyone had a political awakening, and it was inspiring to see. It is important to not forget moments like these, the injustices others face, and the work that must be done to stop them. Posting on social media, signing petitions, and having meaningful conversations with those close to me is something I will not forget from 2020, and I will carry on for the future. 2020 definitely shifted my plans for the future because it changed my whole junior year which is such a significant and busy year of high school. Adjusting to online school was incredibly hard for me, and the uncertainty of standardized tests and the future of college admissions did not make it easier. Junior year was the year I was going to visit colleges, but that has not really been possible. Nevertheless, I did research and did virtual tours, and I am still excited yet nervous for college. I am very determined to go to college, work my hardest, stay organized, and hopefully have a successful future.

I have several role models in my life, from my parents to celebrities to, yes, fictional characters. All of them have shaped my life and who I am as a person; however, my older sister is my biggest role model. She is genuinely the strongest person I know, not physically, even though she does beat me in our sisterly fights, but mentally and emotionally. Our life has not been normal or easy, yet she continues to work hard, so she can have a successful life. I have learned and continue to learn so much from her. She has taught me to be a kind caring person. Her ability to help those around her, and care about not only those close to her but the rest of the world is truly inspiring, and it has made me a kinder more considerate person. She has also taught me the importance of being resilient and finding new ways to achieve what you want when things go wrong. The most valuable thing she has taught me is to stay true to oneself no matter what life throws at you. I have applied her lessons by caring for others and honestly by using my voice for the issues that revolve around the world that I am passionate about and know they need change for the better. I also work really hard in school so that in the future I will be able to go to college. I will use her life-lessons to never give up on my dream career, and I will work my hardest to be able to get into a good college, graduate, and work towards my goals. Both my sister and I know life never goes how you expect it to, but I have come to learn that that is not always a bad thing because it can lead to new opportunities. 2016 was the worst year of my life, yeah shockingly not 2020. 2016 threw at me the death of someone close, a surgery of someone close, leaving without my parents for a couple of months, and while I can not say that did not suck, I also can not say it did not change me because it changed me greatly. It made me a slightly more private person, but it also made me extremely more emotional and compassionate. I am more aware of the hardships people face and how can that affect them. It highlighted the importance of being kind and thinking about others, which is something I did plenty during that year. Furthermore, everything that happened that year led me to move states. Moving to California was a much-needed change and it has been for the better. I was able to take a great opportunity and make the best out of it which is all we can do in life. Take what life gives you and make the most of it. Thus, I work immensely hard for what I want, but I also take time to take care of myself and my well being because all the terrible things that have happened in my life taught me that happiness is one of the most important things in life and that is one thing you should always work towards having. My sister has gone through so much yet she continues to be herself and the strongest person I know. She makes me believe I can go through anything and that is why I will always work towards that: anything and everything. I have learned that working towards things you are passionate about and bring you happiness, no matter how hard they are or how difficult it gets, is the most valuable thing we can do.

Science. Technology. Engineering. Math. Not only are they all part of STEM but they are all fields of study that I have been interested in my whole life. I have literally explored all of them. When I was little, I wanted to learn how to code and use computers. I remember watching shows and seeing the nerdy hackers, and I wanted to be like them (obviously I would never hack). Then, I grew, and I still wanted to be able to use technology but I took more of an interest in engineering. I took a class, and I decided that while it was cool, engineering was not my passion. I had never considered a career in math and science, but I always knew I loved those two subjects. Sophomore year I took honors chemistry, and I loved it, especially because it involved math. It was so fun and I started researching careers that involved chemistry and could lead to having a job that I can be passionate about. I decided that biochemistry was the major I wanted to do. Gaining a degree in biochemistry means that I can study my favorite subjects, be passionate about my studies, and learn about how things connect such as DNA and molecules. Both chemistry and biology are subjects I find extremely interesting and every time I talk about them, I feel ecstatic. Furthermore, they fall under science, which falls under STEM, and ever since I was little I have always wanted to have a STEM field degree. I hope to build a career in forensic science with a biochemistry degree. Being a forensic scientist is a dream for me. Not only is it extremely interesting, but forensic scientists help people find justice and keep the streets safe. I want to be able to help people, and as cheesy as it sounds, I want to make the world a better place. A degree in biochemistry grants me knowledge regarding different chemicals or ways of analyzing a sample which is part of a forensic scientist's career. Furthermore, I have read that the most successful forensic scientists come from having a degree in biology or chemistry. What better way to become a successful forensic scientist than by having a degree in a subject that contains both biology and chemistry? A degree in biochemistry means being able to pursue my dream, and I know that if I am able to do study biochemistry, I will be successful in my studies and even more so in my career afterward, especially because of the effort, time, and passion I will invest in it.