Being a first-generation, Mexican-American college graduate is more than just a personal achievement it is a powerful symbol of resilience, sacrifice, and hope. My passion for this journey is deeply rooted in honoring the struggles and hard work of my family, who made countless sacrifices to provide me with opportunities they never had. It is also fueled by the desire to break generational cycles and create a new path for my children and the future generations of my family. Every class I attend, every exam I pass, and every step I take toward my degree is a testament to the strength and determination that runs through my culture and my family’s history. Growing up in a Mexican-American household, I was raised with the values of hard work, humility, and deep respect for family. My parents and grandparents worked tirelessly, often in labor-intensive jobs, to provide for us. While they may not have had the opportunity to pursue higher education, they instilled in me a belief that anything is possible through perseverance and faith. Their sacrifices were not in vain; they planted the seeds of ambition and hope that now drive me to achieve more than they ever dreamed possible. Earning my college degree is not just for me it is for them and for every member of my family who came before me and paved the way with their courage and sacrifice. As a Mexican-American, I am proud of my heritage and the rich culture that has shaped who I am. However, I am also aware of the barriers that exist for people like me language barriers, financial hardships, and the lack of representation in higher education. These obstacles have only strengthened my resolve to succeed. I am passionate about proving that our background does not limit our future. In fact, it gives us a unique strength and perspective that can inspire and uplift others. By achieving this milestone, I hope to serve as a role model not only for my own children but also for young people in my community who may feel that a college education is beyond their reach. This journey is about more than personal success; it is about creating lasting change. I am passionate about using my education to give back to my community, to advocate for greater opportunities for underrepresented students, and to encourage others to dream big despite their circumstances. I want to help break down the barriers that often stand in the way of minority students pursuing higher education and show them that their dreams are valid and achievable. Becoming a first-generation college graduate as a Mexican-American is a powerful statement that hard work, faith, and cultural pride can overcome any obstacle. It represents a new chapter for my family, one filled with opportunity, progress, and hope. With every step I take on this journey, I carry the dreams of my ancestors and the hopes of future generations. This is not just my story it is our story, and it is only the beginning.

From an early age, I have always found joy in caring for others. Whether it was helping my younger siblings with their homework or volunteering in my church’s children’s ministry, I found fulfillment in providing comfort, support, and guidance to those in need. As I grew older and faced life’s challenges as a mother raising a family, I realized that this natural desire to nurture and serve was more than just a personal trait it was a calling. Pursuing a degree in nursing, particularly in the field of pediatrics, allows me to turn that calling into a lifelong career dedicated to helping children and their families through some of their most vulnerable moments. My decision to become a nurse is rooted in both personal experience and a deep sense of purpose. I have witnessed firsthand how compassionate and skilled nurses can make a profound difference in a patient’s life. As a mother, I’ve experienced the anxiety and helplessness that come with seeing a child in pain or distress, and I’ve also seen the peace that a kind and knowledgeable nurse can bring to worried parents. These experiences have strengthened my resolve to become that source of comfort and reassurance for other families. I want to be the nurse who not only provides excellent clinical care but also offers emotional support and hope during difficult times. Balancing the demands of raising a family while pursuing higher education has not been easy, but it has taught me resilience, time management, and the value of hard work. These are qualities that will serve me well in my nursing career. I believe that my experiences as a mother will allow me to connect with patients and families on a deeper level, offering empathy and understanding that goes beyond clinical knowledge. My ultimate goal is to specialize in pediatric nursing, where I can advocate for the health and well-being of children while providing compassionate, family-centered care. As a nurse, I also hope to make a meaningful contribution to my community. I plan to be actively involved in health education initiatives, offering workshops and resources to help families better understand childhood health concerns, preventive care, and wellness strategies. I want to empower parents with the knowledge and tools they need to keep their children healthy and safe. Additionally, I aspire to volunteer my time and skills in underserved communities, providing care to children and families who might not otherwise have access to quality healthcare. Through faith, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning, I am determined to become a nurse who not only meets the physical needs of my patients but also uplifts their spirits and strengthens the communities I serve. This journey is about more than earning a degree; it is about fulfilling a higher purpose to be a light in moments of darkness and a source of healing for those who need it most.

Pursuing my goal as a registered nurse has always been a dream of mine. As a first generation college student and single mother to my four children, I have made a goal to follow my dreams and pursue my career in nursing. No matter the obstacles I have to face, I will attain this goal of mine. After being a massage therapist for over a decade, it’s time to change my career and follow my true calling. My goal is to be working as a pediatric nurse in a hospital where I can impact the lives of little ones.Not only do I want to help them, but I want to be the reason their family gets to take that baby home. Most people do not realize how hard it is to have a loved one in the hospital, until you’re in that position. Experiencing this first hand with my premature boy, I realized this is the career I want to pursue. Being a single mother to children, I have experienced the joy of being their own personal nurse.While juggling work and school, I have faced the challenges of feeding and caring for my children all while trying to sustain our family’s well being. Which brings me to why I decided to pursue my nursing career, this is my passion and I love helping others feel good. The importance of this career is I can help by providing the best care to my patients and make enough money to provide for my family and change our future. Balancing the demands of raising a family while pursuing my dream of becoming a pediatric nurse has required dedication, strong time management, and unwavering faith. I have organized my schedule carefully to ensure that my children’s needs are met while staying committed to my academic responsibilities. Despite the challenges, I have remained focused on my long-term goals, using every available resource to support my studies, including attending late-night classes, studying during quiet moments, and seeking guidance from mentors. Through prayer and perseverance, I have developed resilience and a deeper sense of purpose, knowing that my journey not only sets a positive example for my children but also prepares me to provide compassionate care to young patients and their families in the future. Receiving this scholarship would greatly support my journey toward becoming a pediatric nurse by easing the financial burdens that often make balancing school and family life challenging. With this assistance, I can dedicate more time and energy to my studies without the added stress of worrying about tuition costs or educational expenses. This support would also allow me to invest in essential learning resources and clinical experiences that will better prepare me to provide high-quality, compassionate care to children and their families. Ultimately, this scholarship brings me one step closer to fulfilling my purpose of making a meaningful difference in the lives of my future patients while continuing to be a present and supportive mother to my children. I found out about this scholarship on a website I use for scholarships applications, bold.org.

Pursuing my goal as a registered nurse has always been a dream of mine. As a first generation college student and single mother to my four children, I have made a goal to follow my dreams and pursue my career in nursing. No matter the obstacles I have to face, I will attain this goal of mine. After being a massage therapist for over a decade, it’s time to change my career and follow my true calling. My goal is to be working as a pediatric nurse in a hospital where I can impact the lives of little ones.Not only do I want to help them, but I want to be the reason their family gets to take that baby home. Most people do not realize how hard it is to have a loved one in the hospital, until you’re in that position. Experiencing this first hand with my premature boy, I realized this is the career I want to pursue. Being a single mother to children, I have experienced the joy of being their own personal nurse.While juggling work and school, I have faced the challenges of feeding and caring for my children all while trying to sustain our family’s well being. Which brings me to why I decided to pursue my nursing career, this is my passion and I love helping others feel good. The importance of this career is I can help by providing the best care to my patients and make enough money to provide for my family and change our future. Balancing the demands of raising a family while pursuing my dream of becoming a pediatric nurse has required dedication, strong time management, and unwavering faith. I have organized my schedule carefully to ensure that my children’s needs are met while staying committed to my academic responsibilities. Despite the challenges, I have remained focused on my long-term goals, using every available resource to support my studies, including attending late-night classes, studying during quiet moments, and seeking guidance from mentors. Through prayer and perseverance, I have developed resilience and a deeper sense of purpose, knowing that my journey not only sets a positive example for my children but also prepares me to provide compassionate care to young patients and their families in the future. Receiving this scholarship would greatly support my journey toward becoming a pediatric nurse by easing the financial burdens that often make balancing school and family life challenging. With this assistance, I can dedicate more time and energy to my studies without the added stress of worrying about tuition costs or educational expenses. This support would also allow me to invest in essential learning resources and clinical experiences that will better prepare me to provide high-quality, compassionate care to children and their families. Ultimately, this scholarship brings me one step closer to fulfilling my purpose of making a meaningful difference in the lives of my future patients while continuing to be a present and supportive mother to my children.

Pursuing my goal as a registered nurse has always been a dream of mine. As a first-generation college student and single mother to my four children, I have made a goal to follow my dreams and pursue my career in nursing. I have applied to the nursing program twice already and have been denied until recently. No matter the obstacles I face, I will attain my goal. After being a massage therapist for over a decade, it is time to change my career and follow my true calling. My goal is to be working as a pediatric nurse in a hospital where I can impact the lives of little ones. Not only do I want to help them, but I want to be the reason their family gets to take that baby home. Most people do not realize how hard it isto have a loved one in the hospital, until you are in that position. Experiencing this firsthand with my premature boy, I realized this is the career I want to pursue. Being a single mother to three boys, I have experienced the joy of being their own personal nurse. While juggling work and school, I have faced the challenges of not only providing and caring for my children but also trying to sustain our family’s well-being. Being the sole provider for my children, the stress of earning enough money was always one of my biggest stressors. In the nursing program, I would love to explore oncology, as well as labor and delivery. My true passion is pediatrics, but I would be open to trying it all and see where I fit best. Oncology is important to me because my mother is a breast cancer survivor. She received the best care and during her recovery from a double mastectomy I was able to care for her and help her dress when she could not on her own. Which brings me to why I decided to pursue my nursing career, this is my passion and I love helping others feel good. I completed the CNA program in June. With my CNA certification I have been actively looking for a job in hopes to get as much work experience as possible. Ideally, I would love to get my foot in the door and work at Loma Linda hospital. The importance of this career is I can help by providing the best care to my patients and make enough money to provide for my family and change our future. Following my dream of becoming a nurse, means that I will do what is necessary to achieve that goal. During the Covid pandemic I managed to stay on top of completing my required prerequisites. Life was very uncertain during that time, but my dream of being a nurse lit that fire in me to continue. Most of my science classes went from being in person to strictly online. Although it was challenging it allowed me to use resources such as office hours and tutoring via zoom. As nurses during the pandemic, they were essential workers. I want to be that essential worker and provide for those in a time of need. My goal is to be the best nurse I can be and make a positive contribution to people’s lives. I am selfless, empathetic and have been working to make people feel better for many years. I am ready to pursue my career in nursing, although it may be challenging there is no challenge too difficult.