My name is Iris Jocelyn Corrales, and I am about to graduate from high school. Studying in the United States was never part of my plans. I lived with my mom and siblings in Mexico until my sophomore year when my godparents gave me the opportunity to receive a better education here and, naturally, move in with them, as this is my birthplace, and it was more convenient to build my life here. When I started high school, my mom supported me financially as much as she could, and my godfather helped me with my basic needs, also supporting my cousins and my godmother. From the start, I realized that it wasn’t as easy as people say to “succeed in the United States.” Pursuing a college degree is exhausting both financially and emotionally. When I realized this, I began pushing myself harder every day to achieve my goals. From then on, I promised myself that the end of one goal is just the beginning of a new one. Things became more difficult when my godfather passed away last summer. He was a pillar for our family. I don’t have a relationship with my biological father, but for my family, my godfather played the role of a father for my siblings and me. Now, my godmother cannot work because my 6 year old cousin still needs her. Many people might think our world is falling apart, but I want to see it as a need to overcome. I share this because our reality is not easy, and I want to express my determination to move forward and excel. I’ve always been clear about my goal of studying business. In my second year of high school, the class I felt most confident in was business because I’ve always been interested in it. Although I didn’t interact much with my classmates at first, my teacher, Ms. Kit Rendon, supported me constantly. By my junior year, I had more friends in class and a deeper understanding of topics like Excel usage, business vocabulary, marketing, and social media management, all of which will help me in college. Ms. Rendon has been a great support, always highlighting my creativity and problem-solving skills. Last year, I finished the two-year program, but I didn’t settle for that. I decided to stay involved and joined the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) club, which Ms. Rendon also manages. I ran for the position of public relations officer, which I currently hold. In the club, we sell popcorn after school to raise funds, and we participate in conferences and competitions. This year, two of our teams won first place at regionals, and now we are preparing for state. I truly want to be a successful woman. I’ve faced many challenges in my short life, and I believe those experiences have shaped me into who I am today. There are thousands of students, especially women, who cannot continue their studies. One of my future goals is to create a foundation to help them. What I value most is the community we’ve built. I am incredibly grateful for Ms. Rendon’s support, as she’s helped me surpass my own limits. I never imagined I would represent my school in a state competition or study at the University of Arizona. Though the phrase “dreams come true” sounds cliché, I believe God has plans for everyone. Now, I realize those plans are much greater than I imagined, and I would be very grateful if you could provide the support I need to make this dream, which once seemed impossible, a reality.