My journey through college has not been perfect, and I think that is what has made it meaningful to me. As a first-generation college student, I have had to figure out a lot of things on my own. I did not always know what questions to ask or what the right path was supposed to look like. There have been times when I have questioned my major, worried about finances, and wondered if I was making the right decisions for my future. Even with those challenges, I have continued to move forward because I know how important earning my degree is to me. Coming from a lower-income background has also influenced the way I think about my future. I have seen how financial struggles can limit the choices people have, and I want to work toward a life where I have more stability and independence. I want to be able to support myself, help my family when I can, and know that the hard work I put into my education created opportunities for me that I may not have had otherwise. I am currently pursuing a degree in business management. Choosing my career path has been one of the things I have struggled with the most because I want to make sure that I am investing my time and money into something that will actually help me build the future I want. I have considered other areas, including accounting, because of the security they can provide. However, I have realized that management fits my interests and the experience I already have much better. I also own a small floral business, and that experience has taught me more than I expected. I have learned how to communicate with customers, manage orders, organize my time, solve problems, and take responsibility when things do not go as planned. Running a business has shown me that I enjoy creating something of my own and that I want a career where I can continue learning and growing. My long-term goal is to use my business education to build a stable career while continuing to grow my own business. What drives me is the desire to prove to myself that where I start does not have to determine where I end up. I know I still have a lot to learn, and I do not have every part of my future planned out. But I do know that I want to keep going. I want to graduate, become financially independent, and create a life that I can be proud of. Receiving this scholarship would mean more to me than simply receiving financial assistance. It would take away some of the financial pressure that comes with being a college student and allow me to focus more of my energy on completing my education. It would also be meaningful to know that someone believes in my potential and is willing to invest in my future. I hope that one day I can look back at this part of my life and see it as the beginning of something bigger. I want my education to help me create opportunities not only for myself, but eventually for others too. I may still be figuring out exactly where my career will take me, but I know that I am willing to work for the future I want. That determination is what keeps me going.

Mental health is important to me as a student because I have learned that doing well academically is about more than simply studying and completing assignments. A person's mental and emotional well-being can affect their motivation, confidence, relationships, and ability to believe in themselves. College can already come with a lot of pressure, and when someone is struggling mentally, even everyday responsibilities can feel much more difficult. Throughout my education, I have experienced moments of stress, uncertainty, and feeling overwhelmed by everything I am trying to balance. There have been times when I have questioned my decisions, worried about my future, and put a lot of pressure on myself to make the "right" choices. I have learned that those feelings do not mean that I am incapable of succeeding. They are reminders that I am a person who needs to take care of myself while working toward my goals. One of the biggest things I have learned is that mental health should not be something people feel embarrassed to talk about. Many people struggle silently because they are afraid of being judged or seen as weak. I believe that simply creating an environment where people feel comfortable talking about what they are experiencing can make a significant difference. Sometimes, having someone listen without judgment can be the first step toward someone feeling supported. I try to advocate for mental health in my community by being someone people can talk to. Whether that means listening to a friend who is having a difficult day, checking in on someone who seems different than usual, or reminding someone that it is okay to take a break, I believe small actions matter. I also try not to judge people based on what I see from the outside because I understand that someone can appear completely fine while dealing with something difficult internally. As a student, I also believe that advocating for mental health means being honest about the importance of taking care of yourself. I have learned that there is a difference between giving up and recognizing when you need to slow down. Taking a break, asking for help, or admitting that you are struggling does not make someone less determined. Sometimes those things are what allow a person to continue moving forward. My own experiences have made me more compassionate toward other people and more understanding of the challenges students face. I want to contribute to a community where people feel comfortable being honest about their mental health without feeling ashamed. I may not be able to solve someone's problems, but I can listen, support them, and remind them that they do not have to face everything alone. Ultimately, mental health is important to me because I want to succeed in college while also becoming a healthier and more understanding person. My goal is not only to earn my degree and build a career, but also to become someone who makes the people around me feel supported and valued. I believe that creating a more compassionate community starts with small choices: listening, checking in, showing understanding, and reminding people that asking for help is not a weakness. It is a form of strength.

My experiences with mental health have changed the way I see myself, the people around me, and the future I want to create. There have been times in my life when I have struggled with stress, uncertainty, and feeling overwhelmed by everything I was trying to balance. Those experiences have not always been easy, but they have taught me lessons about myself that I do not think I would have learned otherwise. One of the biggest things I have learned is that struggling does not make someone weak. It is easy to look at someone and assume that they have everything figured out, when in reality, everyone is dealing with things that may not be visible. Experiencing my own challenges has made me more understanding and less judgmental toward other people. I have learned that sometimes people do not need someone to solve their problems; they simply need someone who will listen and remind them that they are not alone. Mental health has also changed the way I approach my goals. As a college student, I have experienced uncertainty about my education and career and have questioned whether I am making the right decisions. There have been moments when thinking about my future has felt overwhelming, especially when considering finances, school, and the pressure to choose a career that will provide stability. I have learned that I do not have to have my entire life figured out at once. I can focus on the next step, learn from my experiences, and allow myself to change direction when necessary. My experiences have also influenced my relationships. I have become more aware of the importance of communication and setting boundaries. I have learned that having healthy relationships means being able to be honest about how you feel while also respecting what other people may be going through. I want to be the type of person who makes others feel comfortable being themselves and who does not make someone feel ashamed for struggling. Most importantly, my experiences with mental health have taught me to have more compassion for myself. I used to think that I always needed to have an answer or know exactly what I was doing next. Now I understand that growth is not always a straight line. There are going to be setbacks, changes, and moments of uncertainty, and that does not mean I am failing. It means I am human. These lessons have shaped the goals I have for my future. I want to build a stable and meaningful career, but I also want to become someone who understands the importance of people beyond their accomplishments. My education in business management will allow me to develop leadership and communication skills, and I hope to use those skills to create environments where people feel respected and valued. My experiences with mental health have ultimately given me a different understanding of the world. They have taught me that everyone is carrying something, that success looks different for everyone, and that asking for help is a sign of courage rather than weakness. I cannot control everything that happens in my life, but I can choose how I respond to it. I want to carry that mindset with me as I continue my education, build my career, and become the person I want to be.

Books have taught me that learning does not always happen through personal experience. Sometimes, we learn by stepping into someone else's life, seeing the world through another person's perspective, and allowing their experiences to challenge the way we think. The books I have read have helped me become more thoughtful, open-minded, and willing to look at situations from different points of view. More than anything, reading has taught me that there is always something new to learn, even when we think we already understand something. One of the things I have learned through reading is the importance of perseverance. Many of the stories I have read include characters who experience failure, uncertainty, loss, or difficult circumstances but continue moving forward. Those stories have reminded me that struggling does not mean that you are failing. Sometimes, the hardest parts of a journey are what teach us the most about ourselves. That lesson has become especially meaningful to me as a college student because I have experienced moments when I have questioned my decisions and wondered whether I was on the right career path. Reading has also taught me the importance of understanding people before judging them. A book can allow you to experience a life completely different from your own. It can introduce you to different backgrounds, struggles, cultures, and ways of thinking. This has made me more aware that everyone has a story that may not be visible from the outside. I believe that understanding other people is an important quality in both life and a career, especially because I want to work in business management and eventually lead and work with others. My love of reading has also influenced my goals by encouraging me to continue learning. I want my education to be more than simply earning a degree. I want to develop into someone who is knowledgeable, confident, and capable of helping others. Reading has shown me that learning does not end when you leave a classroom. There is always another perspective to understand, another idea to explore, and another lesson to take with you. As I work toward my degree and my future career, I want to carry those lessons with me. I want to approach challenges with perseverance, treat people with understanding, and remain curious even when I feel like I already know enough. My goal is to build a successful career while continuing to grow as a person, and reading has played an important role in shaping that goal. Barbara's dedication to books and to the young readers she helped is what makes this scholarship meaningful to me. A love of books is not simply a love of reading words on a page. It is a love of learning, discovering new perspectives, and allowing stories to change the way you see the world. I hope to continue that passion throughout my education and my life. The books I have read have shaped not only what I know, but also who I want to become, and I believe that is one of the most valuable things reading can give a person.

Marcus Aurelius's statement, “You have power over your mind—not outside events,” is not simply telling the reader to think positively. The deeper meaning is that a person’s ability to move forward in life depends less on controlling what happens to them and more on controlling how they respond to what happens. Aurelius recognizes that outside circumstances will always exist beyond our control, but our judgment, attitude, and choices remain our own. I believe this idea is especially meaningful because it challenges us to stop measuring our strength by how much of the world we can control and instead measure it by how we respond when things do not go according to plan. The distinction between the “mind” and “outside events” is important. Aurelius does not say that outside events are unimportant or that difficult circumstances do not affect us. Instead, he separates what happens from the meaning we give to what happens. Two people can experience the same setback and respond completely differently. One may see it as proof that they are incapable, while another may see it as an opportunity to learn. The event itself has not changed, but the interpretation of it has. This is where Aurelius believes our power exists. The final sentence, “Realize this, and you will find strength,” suggests that strength begins with awareness. We cannot change every circumstance in our lives, but we can become more conscious of the choices we make in response to them. This is why the passage stood out to me. I have experienced moments in my education where I have questioned my decisions, worried about my future, or felt uncertain about whether I was on the right path. I cannot control every challenge that comes with college, finances, or figuring out my career. What I can control is whether I allow those challenges to stop me. I also think Aurelius is encouraging the reader to take responsibility for their own life. It would be easy to blame circumstances for every setback, but doing so gives those circumstances control over our future. Taking control of our minds does not mean pretending everything is easy. It means acknowledging difficulties while refusing to let them completely determine our actions. This passage reminds me that education is not only about memorizing information or earning a degree. It is also about learning how to think. Close reading this paragraph has made me realize that Aurelius is not simply offering advice about dealing with problems; he is presenting a philosophy of personal responsibility. His underlying message is that our greatest source of strength is not the ability to control the world around us, but the ability to choose how we meet it. That is a lesson I can carry far beyond the classroom and into every part of my future. As I continue through college and eventually enter my career, I know that there will be situations I cannot predict or control. I may face rejection, financial difficulties, changes in my plans, or moments when I question whether I am capable of reaching the goals I have set for myself. This passage reminds me that those moments do not have to define me. What will define me is how I respond to them and whether I continue moving forward. That is ultimately what I take from Aurelius's words. Strength is not always something dramatic or obvious. Sometimes strength is choosing to try again, changing your perspective, or continuing toward a goal when you are unsure of the outcome. As a college student, I want to carry that mindset with me because I know that my future will not always go exactly as planned. I may not have control over every circumstance I encounter, but I will always have some control over how I respond. In that sense, the passage is not only something I can understand academically; it is something I can use as a principle for the life I am trying to build.

My connection to the public safety community comes through my brother, who served as a first responder. Their service has given me a personal understanding of the commitment, sacrifice, and responsibility that comes with serving others. Growing up with someone who dedicated part of their life to protecting and supporting others has influenced the way I think about responsibility, perseverance, and the importance of helping the people around you. Their example has shaped many of the values I carry with me today. I have learned that meaningful service often requires putting others before yourself, staying committed even when things are difficult, and continuing to do what is right even when no one is watching. My educational journey has not always been easy. I have faced financial challenges and uncertainty about which career path would be best for me. However, seeing the dedication and sacrifices made by people in my family has encouraged me not to give up when things become difficult. I am currently pursuing my education in business management because I want to build a stable career while developing skills that will allow me to become a strong leader. My connection to public safety has helped me understand that success is not only about personal achievement. As I continue my education, I want to carry those values with me by becoming someone who works hard, supports others, and uses my opportunities to create a better future for myself and the people around me. Ultimately, the service of my brother has shown me the importance of dedication and perseverance. Those lessons continue to influence the way I approach my education and my future. I hope to honor those values by completing my degree, building a meaningful career, and becoming someone who can make a positive difference in my own community.

Being a first-generation college student means more to me than simply being the first person in my family to attend college. It means stepping into something that I did not always know how to navigate and learning along the way. There have been many moments when I have questioned whether I was making the right decisions, but becoming a first-generation student has taught me that I do not need to have everything figured out to keep moving forward. My college journey has not been perfect. I have struggled with figuring out what career path is right for me, managing the financial pressure that comes with college, and sometimes wondering if all of the time and effort will eventually pay off. I have considered different majors and career paths because I want to make a decision that will give me a stable future. There have been times when I have compared myself to other students who seem to know exactly what they want to do, while I have had to figure things out as I go. Instead of allowing that uncertainty to stop me, I have learned to keep asking questions, exploring my options, and making the best decisions I can with the information I have. Coming from a lower-income background has also made my education especially meaningful to me. I understand that having a college education can create opportunities that may not have otherwise been available to me. I want to graduate not only because I want a degree, but because I want to change what is possible for my future. I want to become financially independent, build a stable career, and eventually be in a position to help my family. My dream is to build a career in business management while continuing to grow my own floral business. Owning a small business has already taught me how important communication, responsibility, organization, and determination are. I want to continue developing those skills and use them to create a career that gives me both stability and the opportunity to grow. What drives me is the belief that my circumstances do not have to determine my future. I know how hard I have worked to get to this point, and I do not want financial challenges or uncertainty to keep me from reaching my goals. Receiving this scholarship would help relieve some of the financial pressure of college and allow me to focus more on completing my education. More importantly, it would remind me that the work I am putting into my future matters. Being a first-generation student has taught me to be persistent, even when I am unsure of the next step. I may not have a perfect plan, but I have a purpose. I want to graduate, build a meaningful career, support the people I love, and create a future that I can be proud of. This scholarship would help me take another step toward making that future a reality.

My name is Jacqueline Bautista. The impact I want to make starts with becoming the kind of person who can use the opportunities I have been given to help others. My education is important to me because I see it as more than just a way to earn a degree. I see it as a way to build knowledge, confidence, and opportunities that I can eventually use to make a difference in my family and my community. Coming from a lower-income background has shaped the way I view success. I know what it feels like to have financial limitations affect the opportunities available to you, and that has made me determined to create a more stable future for myself. However, I do not want my success to stop with me. As I become more financially and professionally established, I want to be able to help my family and encourage other people who may feel like their circumstances are holding them back. My education in business management will help me develop skills in leadership, communication, organization, problem-solving, and decision-making. I want to use those skills not only in my career but also in my own community. I already have experience owning a small floral business, and that experience has shown me how rewarding it can be to create something of my own. In the future, I would like to continue growing my business while also pursuing a professional career. I hope to create opportunities for other people, whether that means eventually hiring employees, mentoring someone who is starting their own business, or simply encouraging someone who is trying to figure out their own path. The people who inspire me most are the people in my life who have worked hard despite difficult circumstances. My family has taught me the importance of perseverance and continuing to move forward even when life does not always go as planned. They have shown me that success is not always immediate and that sometimes you have to make sacrifices to create a better future. Their example motivates me to work hard for the life I want while remembering where I came from. I also want to be someone younger people can look at and see that their circumstances do not have to determine their future. I know how overwhelming it can feel to be unsure about college, finances, or what career path to choose. I want to encourage others to continue their education, explore their options, and believe that they are capable of accomplishing more than they may think. Ultimately, the future I want to create is one where I am not only successful for myself, but where my success allows me to help others. I want to use my education to build a stable career, grow as a leader, support my family, and create opportunities for people around me. I may not know exactly where my career will take me, but I know the kind of person I want to become: someone who works hard, gives back, and uses what she has learned to make life a little better for the people around her. For me, that is what creating a meaningful impact looks like.

My name is Jacqueline, and I am a college student who is working toward building a better future for myself and my family. My journey through college has not always been easy or straightforward, but the challenges I have faced have taught me to keep going even when I am unsure of myself. I have learned that success is not always about having everything figured out; sometimes it is simply about continuing to move forward and making the most of the opportunities you are given. Family has always been an important part of my life. Coming from a lower-income background has made me appreciate the people who have supported me and has also shown me how important it is to have stability in life. I want to be able to build a career that allows me to support myself and, eventually, be in a position where I can help my family. My experiences have given me a strong desire to become financially independent and create opportunities that may not have always been available to me growing up. My education has also been a journey of figuring out what I truly want for my future. I am currently pursuing my bachelor's degree and have considered different career paths along the way. At times, I have questioned whether I was making the right decisions, especially when thinking about how much time, money, and effort college requires. However, those moments have taught me to take my future seriously and to make decisions based on the person I want to become. I am currently pursuing a degree in business management because I enjoy working with people, solving problems, and learning about how businesses operate. I also have experience running my own small floral business, which has taught me about responsibility, communication, customer service, organization, and the importance of working hard for something you care about. One of my biggest goals is to graduate from college and build a career that provides stability while also giving me opportunities to grow. I would eventually like to continue developing my own business, while also being prepared to work in a professional business environment. I want to be someone who can lead, make decisions, and create positive opportunities for the people around me. The qualities of ambition, drive, and impact are especially meaningful to me because I have had to learn how to keep pushing myself when things are difficult. My ambition comes from wanting a better future. My drive comes from knowing that no one else can accomplish my goals for me. My desire to make an impact comes from wanting my hard work to mean something beyond just myself. I want to be able to look back one day and know that the challenges I experienced did not stop me from becoming successful. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply for a scholarship that honors Stephan Laurence Wolley's life and the values he represented. Although I never had the opportunity to know Stephan personally, learning about his dedication to family, faith, competition, and his goals reminds me of the importance of making the most of the time and opportunities we are given. I hope to continue pursuing my education with that same mindset. Receiving this scholarship would not only help me financially, but would also encourage me to continue working toward the future I have been trying so hard to build. I would be honored to carry forward a small part of Stephan's legacy by continuing to pursue my goals with ambition, drive, and the desire to make a positive impact.

My name is Jacqueline Bautista, and I am pursuing a degree in business management at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Choosing a career path has not been an easy decision for me. For a while, I questioned whether I should continue pursuing management or switch to accounting because I heard that accounting offered better job security. I even had people tell me they were disappointed that I changed my major, which made me second-guess myself. However, after spending a lot of time thinking about my future, I realized that management is the path that best fits my goals, interests, and experiences. One of the biggest reasons I chose management is because I have always enjoyed working with people and finding ways to solve problems. I also own a small floral business, which has taught me many of the responsibilities that managers handle every day. Running my business has helped me develop skills in customer service, communication, organization, marketing, budgeting, and decision-making. Although my business is small, it has shown me how much I enjoy the business side of helping a company succeed. Another reason I chose management is because it gives me flexibility. A management degree can open doors to careers in many different industries, whether I decide to continue growing my own business or work for another company. I like knowing that I will have opportunities to lead teams, improve business operations, and continue learning throughout my career. While I still worry about finding an entry-level job after graduation, I know that success depends on more than just a degree. It depends on gaining experience, working hard, building relationships, and continuing to develop my skills. My experience as a business owner has already given me a foundation that many people do not have before graduating. Overall, I chose management because it matches both my interests and my long-term goals. It allows me to build on the experience I already have while preparing me for a career where I can lead, help businesses grow, and continue challenging myself. Even though I have questioned my decision at times, I believe management is the right path for me and the future I want to create. I also know that choosing a career is not about knowing exactly where my life will be years from now. I think it is more about choosing a path that gives me room to grow and allows me to use the strengths I already have. I want to be proud of the career I build and know that I made the decision for myself, rather than choosing something simply because someone else thought it would be better for me. I may not know exactly what job I will have after graduation, but I know that I want to have opportunities, financial stability, and the ability to continue growing as a person and as a professional. My experiences so far have helped me realize that I am capable of more than I sometimes give myself credit for. Choosing management is not just about earning a degree for me; it is about creating a future where I can use my skills, pursue my own goals, and eventually look back knowing that I trusted myself enough to choose the path that felt right for me.

My name is Jacqueline Bautista, and I am pursuing a degree in business management at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Choosing a career path has not been an easy decision for me. For a while, I questioned whether I should continue pursuing management or switch to accounting because I heard that accounting offered better job security. I even had people tell me they were disappointed that I changed my major, which made me second-guess myself. However, after spending a lot of time thinking about my future, I realized that management is the path that best fits my goals, interests, and experiences. One of the biggest reasons I chose management is because I have always enjoyed working with people and finding ways to solve problems. I also own a small floral business, which has taught me many of the responsibilities that managers handle every day. Running my business has helped me develop skills in customer service, communication, organization, marketing, budgeting, and decision-making. Although my business is small, it has shown me how much I enjoy the business side of helping a company succeed. Another reason I chose management is because it gives me flexibility. A management degree can open doors to careers in many different industries, whether I decide to continue growing my own business or work for another company. I like knowing that I will have opportunities to lead teams, improve business operations, and continue learning throughout my career. While I still worry about finding an entry-level job after graduation, I know that success depends on more than just a degree. It depends on gaining experience, working hard, building relationships, and continuing to develop my skills. My experience as a business owner has already given me a foundation that many people do not have before graduating. Overall, I chose management because it matches both my interests and my long-term goals. It allows me to build on the experience I already have while preparing me for a career where I can lead, help businesses grow, and continue challenging myself. Even though I have questioned my decision at times, I believe management is the right path for me and the future I want to create. I also know that choosing a career is not about knowing exactly where my life will be years from now. I think it is more about choosing a path that gives me room to grow and allows me to use the strengths I already have. I want to be proud of the career I build and know that I made the decision for myself, rather than choosing something simply because someone else thought it would be better for me. I may not know exactly what job I will have after graduation, but I know that I want to have opportunities, financial stability, and the ability to continue growing as a person and as a professional. My experiences so far have helped me realize that I am capable of more than I sometimes give myself credit for. Choosing management is not just about earning a degree for me; it is about creating a future where I can use my skills, pursue my own goals, and eventually look back knowing that I trusted myself enough to choose the path that felt right for me.

I have a lot of ambitions for both the now and the future, one of which is to earn a degree while maintaining financial stability. As a first-generation college student, I have had numerous challenges, such as not knowing how to get where I need to go, but I have been able to gain assistance from numerous people, such as my college advisors. Because my parents never truly had a chance when they were young, I have learnt to accept every opportunity that is offered to me. Building an emergency fund is one of my financial objectives since, in my opinion, you never know what can occur in the next minute, hour, or day. Being ready is something that one should always think about because, in the world we live in, you can never be sure how the future will turn out because life is unpredictable. Although you can't predict when an accident will occur, you can be prepared for it when it happens. A wise first step in handling your personal finances is to prepare for financial emergencies. Being able to support my parents financially is one of my secondary financial objectives. My parents have always supported me, even if they were not able to go to college, because they wish for me to achieve. I will always be grateful for everything my parents have done for me, and I believe they should be given something in appreciation since they simply expect me to behave well. My parents have always worked so hard to provide for me in every manner so that I can achieve my goals and be guided in the proper direction. I genuinely owe them credit for what I have accomplished. Although I am always very busy and committed to my academics in my nursing major, I have had the opportunity to work while in college. I still want to be able to have money on the side so I won't have to be in debt by the time I graduate. When I'm older, I want to work as a registered nurse but I also want to have my own business and perhaps be able to give back to my community by providing scholarships to students in the future who want to pursue degrees in all other kinds of fields. I want to make a difference in the world while also learning how to manage my time and money so that I can help my family, my community, and anyone else who is in need. As someone who has always been compassionate and desired that everyone would thrive in their own ways, I set objectives and strive to achieve them.

I have a lot of ambitions for both the now and the future, one of which is to earn a degree while maintaining financial stability. As a first-generation college student, I have had numerous challenges, such as not knowing how to get where I need to go, but I have been able to gain assistance from numerous people, such as my college advisors. Because my parents never truly had a chance when they were young, I have learnt to accept every opportunity that is offered to me. As a college student, it is crucial for me to manage my finances as effectively as possible. I do this by keeping 90% of my income in a piggy bank, where I can access it in case of an emergency. It is very crucial for me to be able to finance everything and just be able to prepare myself because I have numerous life goals that need a lot of time and money. Building an emergency fund is one of my financial objectives since, in my opinion, you never know what can occur in the next minute, hour, or day. Being ready is something that one should always think about because, in the world we live in, you can never be sure how the future will turn out because life is unpredictable. Although you can't predict when an accident will occur, you can be prepared for it when it happens. A wise first step in handling your personal finances is to prepare for financial emergencies. Being able to support my parents financially is one of my secondary financial objectives. My parents have always supported me, even if they were not able to go to college because they wish for me to achieve. I will always be grateful for everything my parents have done for me, and I believe they should be given something in appreciation since they simply expect me to behave well. My parents have always worked so hard to provide for me in every manner so that I can achieve my goals and be guided in the proper direction. I genuinely owe them credit for what I have accomplished. Although I am always very busy and committed to my academics in my nursing major, I have had the opportunity to work while in college. I still want to be able to have money on the side so I won't have to be in debt by the time I graduate. When I'm older, I want to work as a registered nurse but I also want to have my own business and perhaps be able to give back to my community by providing scholarships to students in the future who want to pursue degrees in all other kinds of fields. I want to make a difference in the world while also learning how to manage my time and money so that I can help my family, my community, and anyone else who is in need. As someone who has always been compassionate and desired that everyone would thrive in their own ways, I set objectives and strive to achieve them.

I have always valued the importance of my education because of how passionate I am of becoming a leader in the world. I aspire to be able to inspire and motivate others while also caring for them. A phrase my dad always told me since a young age is, "Be someone in life because I never had the opportunities you have today", I constantly think about that remark because he is correct; I now have so many opportunities to be someone who others admire, and all I have to do is work hard to get there. My parents both moved to the United States from different countries, where they met and chose to work so that they could send money to their parents back home. My dad was constantly working hard because he had big dreams but understood that if he did not reach them, he could possibly inspire his own children to achieve better goals than him. As for my mom, she did not finish high school because my grandparents could not afford it. I have been part of numerous organizations in school including Upward Bound, National Honors Society, Hispanic American Leadership Organization, Dance Team, and Student Council, where I have learned to be a better leader and be more confident in myself. While being in these organizations I have visited the nursing home and met some of the residents, as well as playing games with them, decorating their doors for them, planting flowers, but most importantly, being there for them when they need someone to talk to. When I visited the nursing home I realized how passionate the nurses were with their job and the patients, and it has encouraged me to keep working hard for that. After graduating high school, my ambitions are to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University and major in nursing. Someday, I aim to return to my hometown as a pediatric nurse, working to bring our community back together to do the best we can for each other. While attending college I plan on expanding my knowledge and learning more about how to take care of people in need and how to become a better leader. I intend to take classes to obtain my Certified Nurse Assistant license and then look forward to finding a job as a Certified Nurse Assistant to keep me on track for my future while also learning more each day in school about my major. I have always said that when I grow up I want to be a nurse, but it is no longer a dream; it is now a goal that I hope to achieve eventually. After all, I want to make my parents proud as well as improve my town and see everyone happy. I see how hard my parents have worked to provide me with everything I have, and they continue to do so even if they run into obstacles. I want to be part of a change in the world and I will try my best to reach that goal. College will not only teach me the skills I need for my career but it will also present me with the unexpected. I am confident that I will be successful one day. Receiving this scholarship would provide financial support for my family and I while also further motivating me to make a difference.

Instead of having a breakdown when confronted with a challenge, I attempt to relax by listening to music. I believe that this has made me a stronger person. Despite the fact that music is not for everyone, I believe that listening to music can help one become a better version of themselves. Music is not the only choice for stress relief in our society; we also have nurses and doctors who go above and beyond every day to make the world a better place. Music not only motivates me to be a better person, but it also motivates me to pursue my aspirations of being a nurse and giving back to the community as they have supported me. Many people, I suppose, have experienced periods in their personal life when they see no way out of their troubles, even when they seek professional aid. But nevertheless manage to find solutions to help them hold a different view. That is why I firmly believe that music aids in the regulation of emotions, the reduction of anxiety, the relief of depressive symptoms, and the enhancement of athletic performance. While I believe that music may make individuals feel more at ease, I also like giving them my undivided attention by listening to those who are in need. Everyone deserves serenity in their lives, whether it's my family, friends, or mentors. And I'd like to be a part of that. I'm working hard to improve my leadership skills in our community, with the hope of one day having an impact beyond my own. When I was younger, my family and I would sit down every Sunday evening to watch a Hispanic/Latino music show, and I would see all of these kids my age singing their hearts out because they had such an amazing passion for music, and it always inspired me because I realized that so many people were inspired from a young age. I believe that visiting the nursing home and meeting the residents inspired me to want to be a nurse. We played games, planted flowers in their gardens, and did many other fun activities with them, but most importantly, I felt like they were so happy to have me there because they didn't get visitors very often. Giving back to my community through nursing is essential to me because I believe that a healthy society is far more likely to flourish than one that is unconcerned about its own health and falls into poor habits. I enjoy being a part of a group that can motivate people to be better versions of themselves, but most importantly, I enjoy being a member of a group that can say all of this and feel the same way about themselves. I admire all of the wonderful health care professionals that look after everyone and make the world a better place, and I hope to be able to do the same eventually. I also enjoy seeing how famous musicians are as a result of their beautiful music motivating others because, believe it or not, certain music is so inspiring that it makes people recognize their own value and has such an affect on them that they want to alter themselves to be better.

To me being a first generation college graduate means that I am the first in my family that has had the amazing opportunity to continue my education at a higher level. Attending college is a goal that I have always had since I was little. I knew that it would get me to pursuing my dream of becoming a nurse. My parents never had the opportunity to finish their education in high school due to their parents not being very wealthy. My dad and mom had to start working at a young age to help my grandparents with expenses like groceries and bills. Although they did not get to continue to achieve their goals my parents are still very successful in my eyes. My parents have worked hard to make sure that I have a good education and that I pursue all of my goals. With being a first generation student, I want to make not only my siblings and parents proud but also the teachers and professors that have guided me throughout all of my years. With that being said, I have participated in my organizations that have helped me being the leader I am today. Many of those would me National Honors Society, Hispanic American Leadership Organization, Business Professionals Of America, Student Council, Dance Team, and Upward Bound. I have learned that I should never be afraid to step up and be a leader to those who look up to me. I look forward into getting a degree for nursing. I want to be able to help others when I’m older so that I can make our community a better place. Many of the professors and teachers that I have had in the past did not get the opportunity of having so much leaders in their life. Throughout their high school and college years they did not have the opportunity of having people to guide them through it all. This generation has so much to have and to give that we can all be successful as long as we put hard work into it all. With being a first generation college graduate I will continue to lead and help those in need of guidance into their goals. I want to continue my education because my ambitions will take me to where I know I will be able to help others. Being a first generation college graduate means to me that no matter the circumstances I am willing to work hard towards my goals because long ago they were only dreams.