LoginJoin Bold.org
user profile avatar

Isabella Mateos

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Dance
  • Ballet
  • Babysitting And Childcare
  • Cognitive Science
  • Agriculture
  • Health Sciences
  • History

Reading

  • Health
  • Romance
  • True Story
  • Politics
  • Academic

I read books daily.

Bio

I am a first-generation college student from Elba, New York—the Onion Capital of the World—where I made history as the town’s first Latina Onion Queen. As the daughter of Mexican farmworkers and one of only three students of color in my graduating class, I learned early how powerful representation can be. Rather than allowing stereotypes about my background to define me, I used them as motivation to challenge expectations and create space for others to see what is possible. My experiences have shaped my commitment to service, advocacy, and healthcare equity. During my freshman year of college, I supported my mother through her battle with breast cancer, an experience that deepened my awareness of healthcare disparities faced by rural and underserved communities. This reinforced my goal of becoming a nurse who advocates for patients who often go unheard. I am currently completing my bachelor’s degree as a History major and a Dance Studies major with Honors in Dance Research at the University of Rochester, preparing to apply to an Accelerated Bachelor of Science Nursing (ABSN) program. I am also a member of Dr. Caitlin Dreisbach’s research team, contributing to research on fetal weight estimation using ultrasound video. My long-term goal is to return to my rural community and provide compassionate, culturally informed care to immigrant and low-income families. I am driven by resilience, representation, and the belief that opportunity should not be limited by where someone comes from.

Education

University of Rochester

Bachelor's degree program

2023 – 2027

Majors:
  • History
  • Dance

Elba Junior-senior High School

High School

2019 – 2023

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
University of Rochester
Majors of interest:
Dance, History
Medical school interest:
No

Career

  • Media Production

    Media Production

    Jan 2025 – Present

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Arts
Dream career goals:
Nurse Practitioner
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Volunteering
Bick New York Scholarship
Winner
I grew up in Elba, New York, a rural community known as the “Onion Capital of the World.” As the daughter of Mexican farmworkers and one of only three students of color in my graduating class, I learned early what it felt like to stand out. Rather than allowing stereotypes about my background to define me, I used them as motivation to challenge expectations. I eventually made history as Elba’s first Latina Onion Queen, which taught me how powerful representation can be in a community where few people looked like me. Today, I am a first-generation college student entering my senior year at the University of Rochester. To me, being first-generation means creating a path that did not exist before me. It means learning how to navigate college while knowing that every opportunity I pursue can open another door for my family and those who come after me. That path has not always been easy. During my freshman year, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I’ve supported her throughout her treatment while continuing my education. Just 13 months after her diagnosis, she unexpectedly lost the job she had held for more than 30 years, leaving my father as our family’s only wage earner. Despite these challenges, I continued moving forward. I earned Dean’s List recognition, pursued Honors in Dance Research, became involved in research at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, and am now approaching the completion of my double major in History and Dance Studies. My experiences have also shaped what I want to do next. I entered college on the pre-medical track because I wanted to understand the human body and care for others, but my experiences as a caregiver showed me that nursing better reflected the healthcare professional I wanted to become. I want to combine clinical knowledge with advocacy, education, and meaningful relationships with patients. My long-term goal is to work in maternal and women’s health and eventually become a nurse practitioner, providing compassionate, culturally informed care to immigrant, low-income, rural, and underserved families. Right now, finances are the greatest barriers between me and that goal. Although my university provided additional financial aid after reviewing my family’s circumstances, for which I am incredibly grateful, I still have a substantial balance my family cannot cover. Without additional assistance, I am concerned about my ability to complete my final year. This scholarship would mean more than financial assistance. It would allow me to complete the education my family and I have sacrificed so much for, finish what I started, and take the next step toward becoming a nurse who provides compassionate and inclusive care. As a first-generation Latina, I know my education extends beyond me. The opportunities I receive can ultimately become opportunities to serve others. I first learned the importance of representation when I became Elba’s first Latina Onion Queen. Now, I hope to bring that same representation into healthcare—as a nurse who makes patients feel seen, heard, educated, and empowered.
Isabella Mateos Student Profile | Bold.org