Being a first-generation student means learning how to navigate a world without a map. My family sacrificed everything to give my sister and me opportunities they never had, but with that came uncertainty. There was no one to explain college applications, financial aid, or what it meant to plan for a future beyond survival. Growing up in a single-parent household, I watched my mother work tirelessly to keep us afloat. I began working at 14, not for independence, but out of necessity. By 15, I had also become the primary caregiver for my younger sister. I was growing up while still learning how to be a student. As a first-generation student, I learned early that failure was not an option because there was no backup plan. When I experienced years of abuse from my father, I found help through Casa de los Niños, a social service organization that supported children facing trauma. There, I met others who were navigating hardship without guidance or security, just like me. Over time, I became someone others turned to for support. Helping them gave me purpose and helped me understand that leadership often begins in moments of vulnerability. When my parents’ divorce left my mother, sister and I nearly homeless, I secured a job at a local music store. Without generational financial support, my paycheck mattered. What began as survival became growth. Working in sales and collections exposed me to people from all walks of life, many of whom were struggling financially. I took pride in helping customers find fair financing and affordable solutions because I understood what it meant to have limited options. That job transformed me from a shy student into a confident speaker who learned how to advocate for others. In June 2023, my sister passed away. As a first-generation student, grief did not pause my responsibilities. My mother and I found help through Tu Nidito, an organization that supports families facing loss. Through this program, I learned that asking for help is not a weakness but a strength. I will graduate from Tu Nidito in 2026 and plan to return as a volunteer so I can support children navigating grief without guidance, just as I once did. My goal is to attend law school and then work in intelligence, where I can protect communities and serve people who are often overlooked. I have joined Air Force ROTC, Blue Chip leadership, and the UA Police Community program to gain the structure, discipline, and mentorship I lacked growing up. This scholarship would ease the financial burden that first-generation students disproportionately carry and allow me to focus fully on my education and leadership development. More importantly, it would help me continue building a future that began with no blueprint, only determination.

Growing up in a single-parent, low-income household taught me resilience, determination, and the value of hard work. I watched my mother tirelessly provide for my sisters and me, often sacrificing her own needs. I took on responsibilities at home, such as caring for my younger sibling, who suffered from cerebral palsy and blindness. This experience challenged me but also taught me to persevere and manage my time. Becoming my sister's primary caregiver shaped my desire to make a positive impact in my community. I understand firsthand how barriers like financial instability and caregiving responsibilities can limit opportunities and affect mental health. I hope to empower those facing similar challenges through mentorship and service. Having to work at the age of 14 taught me the importance of hard work. Watching my mother leave early in the morning and not return until late at night kept me motivated to keep pushing forward. She often reminded me to give to my community and those around me, even if I received nothing in return. My mother taught me that any challenge can be overcome with patience and resilience. I actively work toward my goals by excelling academically and engaging in leadership roles. Whenever I have the chance, I volunteer and hope to help someone with experiences similar to mine. I actively volunteer in children’s group therapies and participate in community service. In the future, I plan to work in government, applying the lessons I have learned to inspire, support, and create meaningful change in my community and the world.

Some people help others in passing, a kind and quick gesture, sometimes, only to make themselves feel better. But for me, helping someone in need was something I lived with every day. My younger sister was born blind and with cerebral palsy. She couldn’t walk, speak, or feed herself. After my parents divorced, my immigrant mother went from being a stay-at-home mom to working multiple jobs just to keep our home afloat. Because of that, I had to step into the role of my sister’s primary caregiver. From a young age, I bathed her, fed her, lifted her in and out of her wheelchair. Since her condition was so complex, daily doctor appointments and therapy sessions were not out of the ordinary. Translating between medical professionals and my mother, who didn’t speak English fluently, was also very common and I didn’t realize it then, but every moment spent at my sister’s side was teaching me something powerful. With her, I learned the importance of love, responsibility, and what it truly means to show up for someone, even when it’s hard. There were nights where she couldn’t sleep from the pain, and I stayed up trying to calm her. Occasionally, I would miss school or would come home from work exhausted, but still had time for her. There were days where I would become so frustrated and ask myself: Why me? But, I never saw her as a burden. She was more than my sister, she was my best friend, my heart, and my purpose. One of the hardest moments of my life came when she needed surgery for scoliosis. We were told it would improve her quality of life. For years, my mother and I worked to get her to gain enough weight for the operation. Every day, I would cook high protein meals and shakes, I would put it in the blender and put it through her feeding tube. When the day of the surgery arrived, it went well, but a few days later, her condition took a sharp turn. Her organs began to fail, and 2 weeks later, she was gone. Losing her shattered me. For a long time, I blamed myself. I kept thinking, What if I had taken her to the hospital sooner? What if I had done more? But eventually, I came to understand that helping someone doesn’t always mean fixing everything. Sometimes, it just means showing up, being present, showing love, showing support. Offering love and comfort when it matters most overshadows any challenging barrier. I gave her everything I had, and she gave me a sense of meaning. Despite everything, I maintained my academic performance. But the financial burden is still heavy. Aside from the cost of my sister’s funeral, paying for lawyers, and purchasing a new car after my mothers was totaled in an accident, my mother continues to support our family by working 3 jobs and still having limited income. I am a first-generation college student, and I hope that future generations will look back and be proud that I broke the cycle. The cycle of survival without support. While I’ve been accepted to prestigious schools, the cost makes that dream hard to reach. This scholarship would help me attend college without the added stress of, “I don’t have the money.” It would allow me to perfect my leadership skills, and prepare for a career where I can advocate for those like me, who went through the same struggles, were ignored, underserved, or forgotten.

Growing up with immigrant parents, I saw firsthand how economic systems that exclude undocumented individuals can trap them in cycles of poverty. These experiences sparked my interest in understanding how these systems work and how they can be reformed to create a more equal world. I believe bridging diverse academic interests is key to creating meaningful change. My mother’s struggles shaped the way I approach education. From an early age, I learned that knowledge is power, and understanding the policies and structures that shape society is essential for advocating change. Witnessing my single mother deal with financial instability and legal barriers while working tirelessly to provide for our family gave me a deep appreciation for resilience. When my parents separated in September 2020 and finalized their divorce in October 2022, my mother was left without financial support. She had been a stay-at-home mom for years while my father was the sole provider, but after the divorce, he attempted to take everything from us and refused to pay child support. Since my mother did not have a work visa, her options were limited, and she had no choice but to take jobs cleaning houses to keep us stable. Success is about developing the skills and knowledge needed to break cycles of injustice. Academically, I follow subjects that helped me make sense of the world. For example, political science, economics, and philosophy. I became fascinated by how governments create policies, how economies function, and how diplomacy shapes international relations. My personal experiences gave me a unique perspective in these fields. Rather than studying them, I connect them to real-life struggles I have witnessed and endured. This passion has driven me to pursue rigorous coursework and leadership opportunities with my academic and career goals. Beyond the classroom, I took on responsibilities beyond my years. With my mother struggling to provide for us alone and receiving no financial support from my father, I started working at 14 years old to help support my family. I later became a collection manager at 15, balancing school, work, and extracurricular commitments. But my responsibilities didn’t stop there. From 2021 to 2023, I was also the primary caregiver for my little sister, who had cerebral palsy and was blind. In many ways, I considered myself more than just her sibling; I was her mother for those two years. I cared for her while also working and keeping up with my education, all while navigating the emotional weight of our family’s struggles. Losing her in 2023 was one of the most devastating moments of my life, but it also strengthened my determination to fight for change. These experiences have shown me that education is a priceless tool for creating lasting change, both on a personal and societal level. My background has also influenced my long-term aspirations. I plan to study international relations, political science, and economics with an interdisciplinary approach. Soon, pursuing a career in diplomacy, global security, or policy reform. I want to contribute to creating solutions that address economic inequality, public policies, and international cooperation. My childhood has given me a responsibility to advocate for marginalized communities and ensure that policies promote equality and opportunity for all. Having immigrant parents has shaped my identity, my ambitions, and my drive. Their sacrifices and struggles instilled in me a sense of purpose. I will work toward a future where economic and social mobility is not limited by immigration status.

Throughout my life, I have struggled with chronic migraines and severe stomach issues, which have disrupted my daily routine and well-being. While these conditions are challenging on their own, the greatest challenge has been navigating them without medical insurance. The inability to access proper care or even basic prescriptions has led me to endure the pain and uncertainty of my health. These experiences have inspired me not only a deep resilience but also a determination to advocate for individuals who face similar barriers to healthcare. I learned that healthcare was a privilege rather than a guarantee. When my migraines became draining in early 2020, I could not simply schedule an appointment with a specialist. Instead, I had to rely on home remedies, over-the-counter medication, or just push through the pain. Some days, the pounding in my head made it impossible to concentrate in online classes, participate in music rehearsals, or simple activities. The same was true for my stomach problems, which often affected my daily life, diet, or stress levels. Without access to treatment, I had no choice but to manage these issues on my own. One of the most humiliating moments of my life happened during a concert in Phoenix in 2023. In the middle of performing, a migraine hit me with such intensity. The bright stage lights felt like knives in my skull, and every note from the band pounded through my head like a hammer. I had no choice but to walk off stage mid-performance. The embarrassment was unforgettable as I was not only letting down my band members but my directors. Most recently this year, my stomach issues forced me to cancel performances in Las Vegas and at Disney. I had been looking forward to these opportunities for months, yet when the time came, I was in too much pain to even consider traveling. What made this even more frustrating was witnessing how different my experience was from those who had access to medical care. Some of my friends with similar conditions could visit doctors, receive treatments, and get answers. Meanwhile, I was left guessing at the root causes of my pain and hoping that my symptoms would eventually disappear. The ability to seek medical attention should not be a privilege for those who can afford it. These struggles have influenced my passion for healthcare advocacy, particularly for low-income and uninsured individuals. I want to work toward a future where no one has to suffer in silence simply because they cannot afford the proper medical care. My experiences have shaped my understanding of systemic inequalities, further igniting my desire to pursue a career that creates meaningful change. Whether through legislation, non-profit work, or public policy, I hope to contribute to a system that prioritizes access to healthcare as a fundamental right rather than an economic privilege. Overcoming these challenges has given me a deep sense of empathy. I understand what it means to feel helpless in medical uncertainty, and I want to ensure that others do not have to experience that same challenge. My goal is to advocate for policies that prioritize healthcare accessibility and that ensure that financial limitations do not determine a person’s ability to receive the necessary medical attention. Though my migraines and stomach issues have created obstacles, they have also given me a sense of realization. They have shown me firsthand the consequences of a broken healthcare system and have strengthened my desire to advocate for change. I will pursue a career where I hope to contribute to a world where access to healthcare is not a luxury, but a human right.

Through my education, I hope to create meaningful change by advocating for marginalized communities and reforming the systems that keep families trapped in cycles of poverty. I plan to study international relations, political science, and economics to contribute to policy reform, diplomacy, and global security. My goal is to ensure that economic opportunity is not limited by immigration status or financial hardship, and that communities like mine are given the resources they need to thrive. Growing up in a Mexican immigrant household, I saw firsthand the sacrifices my family made in search of a better life. My father’s struggles with alcoholism and his refusal to accept my younger sister’s disability created instability in our home. When my parents separated, my mother, who had been a stay-at-home mom for most of her life, was suddenly forced to find work without legal status. She cleaned houses to make ends meet, all while receiving no child support. With no financial stability, I stepped up. At 14 years old, I started working to help support my family, and by 15, I became a collection manager. At the same time, I was my younger sister’s primary caregiver. She had cerebral palsy and was blind, and for over two years, I took care of her as if she were my own daughter. Balancing my job, school, and caregiving was an enormous responsibility, but I carried it because I had no choice. When she passed away in June 2023, I not only lost my sister, I lost someone I had cared for every single day. These experiences have shaped me into someone who is resilient, disciplined, and deeply committed to advocating for others. My Mexican heritage has instilled in me a sense of responsibility, not just to my family, but to my community. I refuse to let economic and legal barriers define anyone’s future, and through my education, I will work to ensure that they don’t.