Ever since I was little, I wanted to be in the medical field. Everything about the human body and human anatomy interested me. Where I grew up, I faced many adverse challenges from my teachers saying I would amount to nothing, and that I am not meant to be a doctor. I grew up in a low-income community, and I could have never thought I would be doing what I am today. I was always deterred by others around me that I would never have any opportunities and that I would amount to nothing but a low-end career. People had written my fate for me, but I crossed those boundaries and did what I could to foster a positive environment which led me to attend the prestigious University of California, Los Angeles. I hope to break the glass ceiling in the science/medical community as a whole because the percentage of female to male doctors is still very low. I have been through many adverse experiences where I had to overcome challenging experiences. I was born in Salinas, California but moved to Mexico at the age of 1 with my family. I lived most of my childhood in Mexico. My family and I moved back to the United States when I was in sixth grade, even though I was born in the United States I felt like a complete stranger to the environment. The language barrier was an obstacle. I challenged myself and channeled this as a learning experience, an experience where I could better myself and create it into a positive change. My experiences have made me who I am today. In terms of embracing challenges, I have dealt and overcame many challenges in my life. I never had any extra resources to enrich my education and further my academic skills. I never could have guidance from my parents because they were busy trying to build our future. When my parents brought us to the United States they started working in the fields. They would work long hours and I would rarely see them. As first generation my siblings and I were not given the same opportunities but we never took our adversity for granted and we used it as a learning experience. This scholarship can make a huge difference in my education. It will help me achieve my goals long term because I would be able to gain more experience through opportunities with the funds given from this scholarship. I will be able to further obtain more experience and certifications within medicine, such as obtaining my Phlebotomy license, so I can hone in on my blood drawing skills. My plan is to be more exposed and certified in the medical field, and I believe through a world class education and support, I can become the best medical practitioner I aspire to be without facing adversity or having many financial burdens.

Ever since I was little, I wanted to be in the medical field. Everything about the human body and human anatomy interested me. Where I grew up, I faced many adverse challenges from my teachers saying I would amount to nothing, and that I am not meant to be a doctor. I grew up in a low-income community, and I could have never thought I would be doing what I am today. I was always deterred by others around me that I would never have any opportunities and that I would amount to nothing but a low-end career. People had written my fate for me, but I crossed those boundaries and did what I could to foster a positive environment which led me to attend the prestigious University of California, Los Angeles. I hope to break the glass ceiling in the science/medical community as a whole because the percentage of female to male doctors is still very low. I have been through many adverse experiences where I had to overcome challenging experiences. I was born in Salinas, California but moved to Mexico at the age of 1 with my family. I lived most of my childhood in Mexico. My family and I moved back to the United States when I was in sixth grade, even though I was born in the United States I felt like a complete stranger to the environment. The language barrier was an obstacle. I challenged myself and channeled this as a learning experience, an experience where I could better myself and create it into a positive change. My experiences have made me who I am today. In terms of embracing challenges, I have dealt and overcame many challenges in my life. I never had any extra resources to enrich my education and further my academic skills. I never could have guidance from my parents because they were busy trying to build our future. When my parents brought us to the United States they started working in the fields. They would work long hours and I would rarely see them. As first generation my siblings and I were not given the same opportunities but we never took our adversity for granted and we used it as a learning experience. This scholarship can make a huge difference in my education. It will help me achieve my goals long term because I would be able to gain more experience through opportunities with the funds given from this scholarship. I will be able to further obtain more experience and certifications within medicine, such as obtaining my Phlebotomy license, so I can hone in on my blood drawing skills. My plan is to be more exposed and certified in the medical field, and I believe through a world class education and support, I can become the best medical practitioner I aspire to be without facing adversity or having many financial burdens. My goal is to volunteer in free clinics for the people who are unable to afford medical care.

Ever since I was little, I wanted to be in the medical field. Everything about the human body and human anatomy interested me. Where I grew up, I faced many adverse challenges from my teachers saying I would amount to nothing, and that I am not meant to be a doctor. I grew up in a low-income community, and I could have never thought I would be doing what I am today. I was always deterred by others around me that I would never have any opportunities and that I would amount to nothing but a low-end career. People had written my fate for me, but I crossed those boundaries and did what I could to foster a positive environment which led me to attend the prestigious University of California, Los Angeles. I hope to break the glass ceiling in the science/medical community as a whole because the percentage of female to male doctors is still very low. I have been through many adverse experiences where I had to overcome challenging experiences. I was born in Salinas, California but moved to Mexico at the age of 1 with my family. I lived most of my childhood in Mexico. My family and I moved back to the United States when I was in sixth grade, even though I was born in the United States I felt like a complete stranger to the environment. The language barrier was an obstacle. I challenged myself and channeled this as a learning experience, an experience where I could better myself and create it into a positive change. My experiences have made me who I am today. In terms of embracing challenges, I have dealt and overcame many challenges in my life. I never had any extra resources to enrich my education and further my academic skills. I never could have guidance from my parents because they were busy trying to build our future. When my parents brought us to the United States they started working in the fields. They would work long hours and I would rarely see them. As first generation my siblings and I were not given the same opportunities but we never took our adversity for granted and we used it as a learning experience. This scholarship can make a huge difference in my education. It will help me achieve my goals long term because I would be able to gain more experience through opportunities with the funds given from this scholarship. I will be able to further obtain more experience and certifications within medicine, such as obtaining my Phlebotomy license, so I can hone in on my blood drawing skills. My plan is to be more exposed and certified in the medical field, and I believe through a world class education and support, I can become the best medical practitioner I aspire to be without facing adversity or having many financial burdens.

Ever since I was little, I wanted to be in the medical field. Everything about the human body and human anatomy interested me. Where I grew up, I faced many adverse challenges from my teachers saying I would amount to nothing, and that I am not meant to be a doctor. I grew up in a low-income community, and I could have never thought I would be doing what I am today. I was always deterred by others around me that I would never have any opportunities and that I would amount to nothing but a low-end career. People had written my fate for me, but I crossed those boundaries and did what I could to foster a positive environment which led me to attend the prestigious University of California, Los Angeles. I hope to break the glass ceiling in the science/medical community as a whole because the percentage of female to male doctors is still very low. I have been through many adverse experiences where I had to overcome challenging experiences. I was born in Salinas, California but moved to Mexico at the age of 1 with my family. I lived most of my childhood in Mexico. My family and I moved back to the United States when I was in sixth grade, even though I was born in the United States I felt like a complete stranger to the environment. The language barrier was an obstacle. I challenged myself and channeled this as a learning experience, an experience where I could better myself and create it into a positive change. My experiences have made me who I am today. In terms of embracing challenges, I have dealt and overcame many challenges in my life. I never had any extra resources to enrich my education and further my academic skills. I never could have guidance from my parents because they were busy trying to build our future. When my parents brought us to the United States they started working in the fields. They would work long hours and I would rarely see them. As first generation my siblings and I were not given the same opportunities but we never took our adversity for granted and we used it as a learning experience. This scholarship can make a huge difference in my education. It will help me achieve my goals long term because I would be able to gain more experience through opportunities with the funds given from this scholarship. I will be able to further obtain more experience and certifications within medicine, such as obtaining my Phlebotomy license, so I can hone in on my blood drawing skills. My plan is to be more exposed and certified in the medical field, and I believe through a world class education and support, I can become the best medical practitioner I aspire to be without facing adversity or having many financial burdens.

As a first generation Mexican American, I have experienced many struggles and hardships during my undergraduate career. Growing up in a low-income family I always dreamed of going to college and eventually medical school, but that dream was always out of reach because my parents were financially unstable. Fortunately, I was accepted into UCLA, but little did I know that it was not going to be the experience that I saw on my television. The challenges that I have faced during college have shaped me into a resilient woman in the STEM field. Currently I am a teaching assistant for the American Academy of Medicine and Surgery, and it has been a rewarding opportunity that one can ever experience. One of the most important things that I have learned during my time as a teaching assistant is that no matter what obstacles are in the way as long as I have perseverance and patience, I will be able to reach my goals. Having the opportunity to learn more about cardiac surgery and being surrounded by students and doctors who are like minded and guide me in my education has really changed my perspective in the science community and the opportunities that are available to succeed academically and overcome adversity. Finding a community that has been supporting me through college has shaped my experience in both my academic and professional goals. I understood that my educational path was not going to be the same one as my acquaintances and that I had to challenge myself in different ways to learn and grow. Being a first-generation college student has been hard, but I realized that I am not alone and that finding a good support system and asking for help is the best option to succeed. My resilience has shaped me to always work hard and find resources to better my educational career and my professional career, while still having a long-lasting impact in my community. Through learning experiences, I have been shaped through overcoming obstacles in difficult and high-pressure situations, and I still yet have more to develop to be the best person I can be for myself and to catalyze a positive change in the community around me. My adversities have made me appreciate life more because my parents have worked so hard to come to the United States and let me live the American dream that they wish they could.

Ever since I was little, I wanted to be in the medical field. Everything about the human body and human anatomy interested me. Where I grew up, I faced many adverse challenges from my teachers saying I would amount to nothing, and that I am not meant to be a doctor. I grew up in a low-income community, and I could have never thought I would be doing what I am today. I was always deterred by others around me that I would never have any opportunities and that I would amount to nothing but a low-end career. People had written my fate for me, but I crossed those boundaries and did what I could to foster a positive environment which led me to attend the prestigious University of California, Los Angeles. I hope to break the glass ceiling in the science/medical community as a whole because the percentage of female to male doctors is still very low. I have been through many adverse experiences where I had to overcome challenging experiences. I was born in Salinas, California but moved to Mexico at the age of 1 with my family. I lived most of my childhood in Mexico. My family and I moved back to the United States when I was in sixth grade, even though I was born in the United States I felt like a complete stranger to the environment. The language barrier was an obstacle. I challenged myself and channeled this as a learning experience, an experience where I could better myself and create it into a positive change. My experiences have made me who I am today. In terms of embracing challenges, I have dealt and overcame many challenges in my life. I never had any extra resources to enrich my education and further my academic skills. I never could have guidance from my parents because they were busy trying to build our future. When my parents brought us to the United States they started working in the fields. They would work long hours and I would rarely see them. As first generation my siblings and I were not given the same opportunities but we never took our adversity for granted and we used it as a learning experience. This scholarship can make a huge difference in my education. It will help me achieve my goals long term because I would be able to gain more experience through opportunities with the funds given from this scholarship. I will be able to further obtain more experience and certifications within medicine, such as obtaining my Phlebotomy license, so I can hone in on my blood drawing skills. My plan is to be more exposed and certified in the medical field, and I believe through a world class education and support, I can become the best medical practitioner I aspire to be without facing adversity or having many financial burdens.

As a first generation Mexican American, I have experienced many struggles and hardships during my undergraduate career. Growing up in a low-income family I always dreamed of going to college and eventually medical school, but that dream was always out of reach because my parents were financially unstable. Fortunately, I was accepted into UCLA, but little did I know that it was not going to be the experience that I saw on my television. The challenges that I have faced during college have shaped me into a resilient woman in the STEM field. Currently I am a teaching assistant for the American Academy of Medicine and Surgery, and it has been a rewarding opportunity that one can ever experience. One of the most important things that I have learned during my time as a teaching assistant is that no matter what obstacles are in the way as long as I have perseverance and patience, I will be able to reach my goals. Having the opportunity to learn more about cardiac surgery and being surrounded by students and doctors who are like minded and guide me in my education has really changed my perspective in the science community and the opportunities that are available to succeed academically and overcome adversity. Finding a community that has been supporting me through college has shaped my experience in both my academic and professional goals. I understood that my educational path was not going to be the same one as my acquaintances and that I had to challenge myself in different ways to learn and grow. Being a first-generation college student has been hard, but I realized that I am not alone and that finding a good support system and asking for help is the best option to succeed. My resilience has shaped me to always work hard and find resources to better my educational career and my professional career, while still having a long-lasting impact in my community. Through learning experiences, I have been shaped through overcoming obstacles in difficult and high-pressure situations, and I still yet have more to develop to be the best person I can be for myself and to catalyze a positive change in the community around me. Finding a community that has been supporting me through college has shaped my experience in both my academic and professional goals. I understood that my educational path was not going to be the same one as my acquaintances and that I had to challenge myself in different ways to learn and grow. Being a first-generation college student has been hard, but I realized that I am not alone and that finding a good support system and asking for help is the best option to succeed.

Growing up, my opportunities were very restricted and limited to thrive in an educational environment. I did not have the necessary tools to flourish in a competitive environment to progress my education in a successful manner. As a first-generation student, I took it upon myself to create a productive and advanced educational environment. I enriched my learning and developing skills by creating lesson plans that would make a well-rounded academic. I have always been interested in the medical field, and ever since I conducted my own research, I knew the medical field was where I belong. I have had obstacles growing up, but I have never used those obstacles as an excuse. Every obstacle and challenge that has come my way, I channeled into a learning experience, where I can better myself and have the necessary knowledge to create a positive change. A major reason I want to pursue a career in medicine is because I believe it is devastating that one of the major leading causes of death in the United States is heart disease related. With that being said, I want to pursue my medical career as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon. In the environment I grew up in, I was always deterred by my family and my schoolteachers about having such high hopes and expectations, but their doubt was a catalyst for me to work harder to advance towards the next step of pursuing a career in medicine. With statistical numbers of medicine still being a male dominated profession, I would also want to break the glass ceiling of being a woman in the surgical side as there is a greater amount of men who are surgeons. It is very important to create a necessary change in this world that would positively affect everyone around me. With my extensive extracurriculars, I am ready to create a positive impact if awarded this scholarship. On the national level, I have interned at the American Academy of Medicine and Science Program which developed my knowledge about the medical field along with being in the highly selective program known as the Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills Summer Internship (CSSSI) at the prestigious Stanford University. On the local level, I have health countless leadership positions within student government within my high school. I have volunteered at my local library, church, and city nonprofit charity events. Being dedicated to a healthy environment, I have been a top student athlete for my high school’s cross country, swim, tennis, and cheer team. I would like to conclude that awarding this scholarship to me is an investment for me to have the opportunity to be successful in my studies and career, and once I achieve my goals, I would like to pay it back and create a program to fund other students who don’t have all the necessary resources to be the best they can be.

Growing up, my opportunities were very restricted and limited to thrive in an educational environment. I did not have the necessary tools to flourish in a competitive environment to progress my education in a successful manner. As a first-generation student, I took it upon myself to create a productive and advanced educational environment. I enriched my learning and developing skills by creating lesson plans that would make a well-rounded academic. I have always been interested in the medical field, and ever since I conducted my own research, I knew the medical field was where I belong. I have had obstacles growing up, but I have never used those obstacles as an excuse. Every obstacle and challenge that has come my way, I channeled into a learning experience, where I can better myself and have the necessary knowledge to create a positive change. A major reason I want to pursue a career in medicine is because I believe it is devastating that one of the major leading causes of death in the United States is heart disease related. With that being said, I want to pursue my medical career as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon. In the environment I grew up in, I was always deterred by my family and my schoolteachers about having such high hopes and expectations, but their doubt was a catalyst for me to work harder to advance towards the next step of pursuing a career in medicine. With statistical numbers of medicine still being a male dominated profession, I would also want to break the glass ceiling of being a woman in the surgical side as there is a greater amount of men who are surgeons. It is very important to create a necessary change in this world that would positively affect everyone around me. With my extensive extracurriculars, I am ready to create a positive impact if awarded this scholarship. On the national level, I have interned at the American Academy of Medicine and Science Program which developed my knowledge about the medical field along with being in the highly selective program known as the Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills Summer Internship (CSSSI) at the prestigious Stanford University. On the local level, I have health countless leadership positions within student government within my high school. I have volunteered at my local library, church, and city nonprofit charity events. Being dedicated to a healthy environment, I have been a top student athlete for my high school’s cross country, swim, tennis, and cheer team. I would like to conclude that awarding this scholarship to me is an investment for me to have the opportunity to be successful in my studies and career, and once I achieve my goals, I would like to pay it back and create a program to fund other students who don’t have all the necessary resources to be the best they can be.

Growing up, my opportunities were very restricted and limited to thrive in an educational environment. I did not have the necessary tools to flourish in a competitive environment to progress my education in a successful manner. As a first-generation student, I took it upon myself to create a productive and advanced educational environment. I enriched my learning and developing skills by creating lesson plans that would make a well-rounded academic. I have always been interested in the medical field, and ever since I conducted my own research, I knew the medical field was where I belong. I have had obstacles growing up, but I have never used those obstacles as an excuse. Every obstacle and challenge that has come my way, I channeled into a learning experience, where I can better myself and have the necessary knowledge to create a positive change. A major reason I want to pursue a career in medicine is because I believe it is devastating that one of the major leading causes of death in the United States is heart disease related. With that being said, I want to pursue my medical career as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon. In the environment I grew up in, I was always deterred by my family and my schoolteachers about having such high hopes and expectations, but their doubt was a catalyst for me to work harder to advance towards the next step of pursuing a career in medicine. With statistical numbers of medicine still being a male dominated profession, I would also want to break the glass ceiling of being a woman in the surgical side as there is a greater amount of men who are surgeons. It is very important to create a necessary change in this world that would positively affect everyone around me. With my extensive extracurriculars, I am ready to create a positive impact if awarded this scholarship. On the national level, I have interned at the American Academy of Medicine and Science Program which developed my knowledge about the medical field along with being in the highly selective program known as the Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills Summer Internship (CSSSI) at the prestigious Stanford University. On the local level, I have health countless leadership positions within student government within my high school. I have volunteered at my local library, church, and city nonprofit charity events. Being dedicated to a healthy environment, I have been a top student athlete for my high school’s cross country, swim, tennis, and cheer team. I would like to conclude that awarding this scholarship to me is an investment for me to have the opportunity to be successful in my studies and career, and once I achieve my goals, I would like to pay it back and create a program to fund other students who don’t have all the necessary resources to be the best they can be.

Growing up, my opportunities were very restricted and limited to thrive in an educational environment. I did not have the necessary tools to flourish in a competitive environment to progress my education in a successful manner. As a first-generation student, I took it upon myself to create a productive and advanced educational environment. I enriched my learning and developing skills by creating lesson plans that would make a well-rounded academic. I have always been interested in the medical field, and ever since I conducted my own research, I knew the medical field was where I belong. I have had obstacles growing up, but I have never used those obstacles as an excuse. Every obstacle and challenge that has come my way, I channeled into a learning experience, where I can better myself and have the necessary knowledge to create a positive change. A major reason I want to pursue a career in medicine is because I believe it is devastating that one of the major leading causes of death in the United States is heart disease related. With that being said, I want to pursue my medical career as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon. In the environment I grew up in, I was always deterred by my family and my schoolteachers about having such high hopes and expectations, but their doubt was a catalyst for me to work harder to advance towards the next step of pursuing a career in medicine. With statistical numbers of medicine still being a male dominated profession, I would also want to break the glass ceiling of being a woman in the surgical side as there is a greater amount of men who are surgeons. It is very important to create a necessary change in this world that would positively affect everyone around me. With my extensive extracurriculars, I am ready to create a positive impact if awarded this scholarship. On the national level, I have interned at the American Academy of Medicine and Science Program which developed my knowledge about the medical field along with being in the highly selective program known as the Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills Summer Internship (CSSSI) at the prestigious Stanford University. On the local level, I have health countless leadership positions within student government within my high school. I have volunteered at my local library, church, and city nonprofit charity events. Being dedicated to a healthy environment, I have been a top student athlete for my high school’s cross country, swim, tennis, and cheer team. I would like to conclude that awarding this scholarship to me is an investment for me to have the opportunity to be successful in my studies and career, and once I achieve my goals, I would like to pay it back and create a program to fund other students who don’t have all the necessary resources to be the best they can be.

Growing up, my opportunities were very restricted and limited to thrive in an educational environment. I did not have the necessary tools to flourish in a competitive environment to progress my education in a successful manner. As a first-generation student, I took it upon myself to create a productive and advanced educational environment. I enriched my learning and developing skills by creating lesson plans that would make a well-rounded academic. I have always been interested in the medical field, and ever since I conducted my own research, I knew the medical field was where I belong. I have had obstacles growing up, but I have never used those obstacles as an excuse. Every obstacle and challenge that has come my way, I channeled into a learning experience, where I can better myself and have the necessary knowledge to create a positive change. A major reason I want to pursue a career in medicine is because I believe it is devastating that one of the major leading causes of death in the United States is heart disease related. With that being said, I want to pursue my medical career as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon. In the environment I grew up in, I was always deterred by my family and my schoolteachers about having such high hopes and expectations, but their doubt was a catalyst for me to work harder to advance towards the next step of pursuing a career in medicine. With statistical numbers of medicine still being a male dominated profession, I would also want to break the glass ceiling of being a woman in the surgical side as there is a greater amount of men who are surgeons. It is very important to create a necessary change in this world that would positively affect everyone around me. With my extensive extracurriculars, I am ready to create a positive impact if awarded this scholarship. On the national level, I have interned at the American Academy of Medicine and Science Program which developed my knowledge about the medical field along with being in the highly selective program known as the Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills Summer Internship (CSSSI) at the prestigious Stanford University. On the local level, I have health countless leadership positions within student government within my high school. I have volunteered at my local library, church, and city nonprofit charity events. Being dedicated to a healthy environment, I have been a top student athlete for my high school’s cross country, swim, tennis, and cheer team. I would like to conclude that awarding this scholarship to me is an investment for me to have the opportunity to be successful in my studies and career, and once I achieve my goals, I would like to pay it back and create a program to fund other students who don’t have all the necessary resources to be the best they can be.

Growing up, my opportunities were very restricted and limited to thrive in an educational environment. I did not have the necessary tools to flourish in a competitive environment to progress my education in a successful manner. As a first-generation student, I took it upon myself to create a productive and advanced educational environment. I enriched my learning and developing skills by creating lesson plans that would make a well-rounded academic. I have always been interested in the medical field, and ever since I conducted my own research, I knew the medical field was where I belong. I have had obstacles growing up, but I have never used those obstacles as an excuse. Every obstacle and challenge that has come my way, I channeled into a learning experience, where I can better myself and have the necessary knowledge to create a positive change. A major reason I want to pursue a career in medicine is because I believe it is devastating that one of the major leading causes of death in the United States is heart disease related. With that being said, I want to pursue my medical career as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon. In the environment I grew up in, I was always deterred by my family and my schoolteachers about having such high hopes and expectations, but their doubt was a catalyst for me to work harder to advance towards the next step of pursuing a career in medicine. With statistical numbers of medicine still being a male dominated profession, I would also want to break the glass ceiling of being a woman in the surgical side as there is a greater amount of men who are surgeons. It is very important to create a necessary change in this world that would positively affect everyone around me. With my extensive extracurriculars, I am ready to create a positive impact if awarded this scholarship. On the national level, I have interned at the American Academy of Medicine and Science Program which developed my knowledge about the medical field along with being in the highly selective program known as the Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills Summer Internship (CSSSI) at the prestigious Stanford University. On the local level, I have health countless leadership positions within student government within my high school. I have volunteered at my local library, church, and city nonprofit charity events. Being dedicated to a healthy environment, I have been a top student athlete for my high school’s cross country, swim, tennis, and cheer team. I would like to conclude that awarding this scholarship to me is an investment for me to have the opportunity to be successful in my studies and career, and once I achieve my goals, I would like to pay it back and create a program to fund other students who don’t have all the necessary resources to be the best they can be.

Growing up, my opportunities were very restricted and limited to thrive in an educational environment. I did not have the necessary tools to flourish in a competitive environment to progress my education in a successful manner. As a first-generation student, I took it upon myself to create a productive and advanced educational environment. I enriched my learning and developing skills by creating lesson plans that would make a well-rounded academic. I have always been interested in the medical field, and ever since I conducted my own research, I knew the medical field was where I belong. I have had obstacles growing up, but I have never used those obstacles as an excuse. Every obstacle and challenge that has come my way, I channeled into a learning experience, where I can better myself and have the necessary knowledge to create a positive change. A major reason I want to pursue a career in medicine is because I believe it is devastating that one of the major leading causes of death in the United States is heart disease related. With that being said, I want to pursue my medical career as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon. In the environment I grew up in, I was always deterred by my family and my schoolteachers about having such high hopes and expectations, but their doubt was a catalyst for me to work harder to advance towards the next step of pursuing a career in medicine. With statistical numbers of medicine still being a male dominated profession, I would also want to break the glass ceiling of being a woman in the surgical side as there is a greater amount of men who are surgeons. It is very important to create a necessary change in this world that would positively affect everyone around me. With my extensive extracurriculars, I am ready to create a positive impact if awarded this scholarship. On the national level, I have interned at the American Academy of Medicine and Science Program which developed my knowledge about the medical field along with being in the highly selective program known as the Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills Summer Internship (CSSSI) at the prestigious Stanford University. On the local level, I have health countless leadership positions within student government within my high school. I have volunteered at my local library, church, and city nonprofit charity events. Being dedicated to a healthy environment, I have been a top student athlete for my high school’s cross country, swim, tennis, and cheer team. I would like to conclude that awarding this scholarship to me is an investment for me to have the opportunity to be successful in my studies and career, and once I achieve my goals, I would like to pay it back and create a program to fund other students who don’t have all the necessary resources to be the best they can be.

Growing up, my opportunities were very restricted and limited to thrive in an educational environment. I did not have the necessary tools to flourish in a competitive environment to progress my education in a successful manner. As a first-generation student, I took it upon myself to create a productive and advanced educational environment. I enriched my learning and developing skills by creating lesson plans that would make a well-rounded academic. I have always been interested in the medical field, and ever since I conducted my own research, I knew the medical field was where I belong. I have had obstacles growing up, but I have never used those obstacles as an excuse. Every obstacle and challenge that has come my way, I channeled into a learning experience, where I can better myself and have the necessary knowledge to create a positive change. A major reason I want to pursue a career in medicine is because I believe it is devastating that one of the major leading causes of death in the United States is heart disease related. With that being said, I want to pursue my medical career as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon. In the environment I grew up in, I was always deterred by my family and my schoolteachers about having such high hopes and expectations, but their doubt was a catalyst for me to work harder to advance towards the next step of pursuing a career in medicine. With statistical numbers of medicine still being a male dominated profession, I would also want to break the glass ceiling of being a woman in the surgical side as there is a greater amount of men who are surgeons. It is very important to create a necessary change in this world that would positively affect everyone around me. With my extensive extracurriculars, I am ready to create a positive impact if awarded this scholarship. On the national level, I have interned at the American Academy of Medicine and Science Program which developed my knowledge about the medical field along with being in the highly selective program known as the Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills Summer Internship (CSSSI) at the prestigious Stanford University. On the local level, I have health countless leadership positions within student government within my high school. I have volunteered at my local library, church, and city nonprofit charity events. Being dedicated to a healthy environment, I have been a top student athlete for my high school’s cross country, swim, tennis, and cheer team. I would like to conclude that awarding this scholarship to me is an investment for me to have the opportunity to be successful in my studies and career, and once I achieve my goals, I would like to pay it back and create a program to fund other students who don’t have all the necessary resources to be the best they can be.

My life began in Salinas, California where I was born. I grew up in an environment where education was not valued because my parents never made it past the first grade. Due to the fear of assimilation, I was forced to move to Mexicali, Mexico with my immediate family because we did not have a stable income, or a stable environment. I had most of my childhood in Mexico and continued education there. I had built a foundation to continue my life in Mexico even though I was born in the U.S. I had moved to Mexicali when I was a year old, but later my parents had decided to move back to America when I was 10. Moving back to America, I was a complete stranger to the environment. Even though I was born here, I felt like I was out of place. I did not know how to speak and read in English, and the school I was attending was not sufficient enough to provide the necessary resources for a quality education. Due to the fact that my family was barely getting by, I resided in an area for the underprivileged and underserved. I have always been classified as low income, living in an underrepresented area. Due to the challenges of living in an underrepresented environment, I did not have a ubiquitous amount of opportunities to be well rounded in school. My parents always told me that education is not a priority, but helping my immediate family is. I have always tried to go above and beyond in trying to create the most opportunities to help me excel and become my best self in regard to education. Even though I have had obstacles growing up, I never used those obstacles as an excuse. Every obstacle and challenge that has come my way, I channeled into a learning experience, and experience where I can better myself and have the necessary knowledge to create a positive change. All of my experiences have made me who I am today, a future woman of science. I want to create a necessary change in this world that would positively affect everyone around me, and I hope to break the glass ceiling in the science/medical community as a whole.