Money is necessary to the structure of society. It is widely loved and searched for, but attaining the dollar requires effort. An effort that everybody makes, but that differs from service to service, such as a lawyer consulting a client or a Mexican Immigrant rolling dough at a Little Caesars. But a lawyer clocking into work can have a different purpose for making money than an immigrant making pizzas, as perhaps such lawyer only wants to clock in, clock out, and go about his life, looking forward to their weekend and dreading their job. However, this immigrant’s perspective sparkles an inspiration embedded within their motivation: Family. My father, Jorge Rodriguez, began his American Dream as a crew member to Little Caesars, flattening out the dough of the pizzas as he flatted out his spirits to provide for his four children and wife at home. Each day, he would come tired and beat yet savored each dollar made; Not only did my father teach me how to value money, but Jorge Rodriguez made me realize the lengths a man should sacrifice for his family. Growing up, I was handed many things in my life considered deviant towards some children. At times, I would not have to proceed with chores for a day, collecting a weekly allowance for minimal to no effort, with no regard for service. And while I collected my daily allowance, my father and mother worked countless hours to satisfy my privileges. Yet, I was utmost thankful for the work and services my parents provided because I viewed their hard work as the duty of a parent, who looked to provide them with the most they can offer. But, I still failed to recognize the true intention in their acts - love. Both my parents, Jorge and Maria Rodriguez, were immigrants upon coming from Mexico, yet jumped straight into labor. They were without money, but full of hope and ambition about the propensity America could bring for them. They had dreamed of a strong family with healthy children, an envisionment of their perfect reality, and for this vision to become true, they worked and found streams of money to fund their expenses. They encountered difficulties that altered their pursuit of happiness but remained unified throughout. To this day, I would ask them what helped them through the horrors of bankruptcy and credit failure, and their answer remains the same, “Each Other.” Love is what blinds most people, yet unifies each other in action. Both my father and mother loved each other dearly but loved me much more. Each day, after work, I would see a tired, beaten-up individual, different from the parent I knew to grow up admiring. I could not understand the pain and stress they had to undergo due to financial issues, but I was able to understand the purpose behind their actions. All the hours clocked in were to provide me a better future. Countless 6 AM shifts they endured all for me to go play club volleyball, and late-night shifts were to ensure that I had a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and a bed to sleep in. I not only thank them for the work they placed before me, sacrificing their bodies before mine, but also for teaching me how to be a proper man. How to put my desires before the safety of my loved ones. I love my parents, Jorge and Maria Rodriguez, for working 30 tiresome years, but I utmost thank them for teaching me how to be a proper person, responsible for his money and family.

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. And soon enough, my cousin, Rudy, was sentenced to jail for possession of a firearm. As members of my community began to become eradicated through incarceration or murder, my family met the same fate, such as Rudy. Emotions of pain and sorrow flooded my body during this realization, yet I faced a harsh reality. I began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to immigration and minority discrimination. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. However, I somewhat understand the feeling of oppression and resentment. A feeling of displeasure that only glares and comments can flare. But I only slightly understood these feelings, whereas my family dealt with shame throughout their citizenship here in the United States of America. With a sociology degree and a liberal arts education, I will be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Acquiring a sociology degree will propel that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious and ambitious about the world - to conquer dis

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. And soon enough, my cousin, Rudy, was sentenced to jail for possession of a firearm. As members of my community began to become eradicated through incarceration or murder, my family met the same fate, such as Rudy. Emotions of pain and sorrow flooded my body during this realization, yet I faced a harsh reality. I began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to immigration and minority discrimination. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. However, I somewhat understand the feeling of oppression and resentment. A feeling of displeasure that only glares and comments can flare. But I only slightly understood these feelings, whereas my family dealt with shame throughout their citizenship here in the United States of America. With a sociology degree and a liberal arts education, I will be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Acquiring a sociology degree will propel that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious and ambitious about the world - to conquer discrimination, and enact reform for a better tomorrow, as a lawyer, one step at a time.

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. And soon enough, my cousin, Rudy, was sentenced to jail for possession of a firearm. As members of my community began to become eradicated through incarceration or murder, my family met the same fate, such as Rudy. Emotions of pain and sorrow flooded my body during this realization, yet I faced a harsh reality. I began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to immigration and minority discrimination. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. However, I somewhat understand the feeling of oppression and resentment. A feeling of displeasure that only glares and comments can flare. But I only slightly understood these feelings, whereas my family dealt with shame throughout their citizenship here in the United States of America. With a sociology degree and a liberal arts education, I will be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Acquiring a sociology degree will propel that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious and ambitious about the world - to conquer discrimination, and enact reform for a better tomorrow, as a lawyer, one step at a time.

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. And soon enough, my cousin, Rudy, was sentenced to jail for possession of a firearm. As members of my community began to become eradicated through incarceration or murder, my family met the same fate, such as Rudy. Emotions of pain and sorrow flooded my body during this realization, yet I faced a harsh reality. I began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to immigration and minority discrimination. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. However, I somewhat understand the feeling of oppression and resentment. A feeling of displeasure that only glares and comments can flare. But I only slightly understood these feelings, whereas my family dealt with shame throughout their citizenship here in the United States of America. With a sociology degree and a liberal arts education, I will be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Acquiring a sociology degree will propel that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious and ambitious about the world - to conquer discrimination, and enact reform for a better tomorrow, as a lawyer, one step at a time.

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my mental health. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. And soon enough, my cousin, Rudy, was sentenced to jail for possession of a firearm. As members of my community began to become eradicated through incarceration or murder, my family met the same fate, such as Rudy. Emotions of pain and sorrow flooded my body during this realization, yet I faced a harsh reality. I began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to immigration and minority discrimination. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. However, I somewhat understand the feeling of oppression and resentment. A feeling of displeasure that only glares and comments can flare. But I only slightly understood these feelings, whereas my family dealt with shame throughout their citizenship here in the United States of America. With a sociology degree and a liberal arts education, I will be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Acquiring a sociology degree will propel that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious and ambitious about the world - to conquer discrimination, my mental health, and enact reform for a better tomorrow, as a lawyer, one step at a time.

Money is necessary to the structure of society. It is widely loved and searched for, but attaining the dollar requires effort. An effort that everybody makes, but that differs from service to service, such as a lawyer consulting a client or a Mexican Immigrant rolling dough at a Little Caesars. But a lawyer clocking into work can have a different purpose for making money than an immigrant making pizzas, as perhaps such lawyer only wants to clock in, clock out, and go about his life, looking forward to their weekend and dreading their job. However, this immigrant’s perspective sparkles an inspiration embedded within their motivation: Family. My father, Jorge Rodriguez, began his American Dream as a crew member to Little Caesars, flattening out the dough of the pizzas as he flatted out his spirits to provide for his four children and wife at home. Each day, he would come tired and beat yet savored each dollar made; Not only did my father teach me how to value money, but Jorge Rodriguez made me realize the lengths a man should sacrifice for his family. Growing up, I was handed many things in my life considered deviant towards some children. At times, I would not have to proceed with chores for a day, collecting a weekly allowance for minimal to no effort, with no regard for service. And while I collected my daily allowance, my father and mother worked countless hours to satisfy my privileges. Yet, I was utmost thankful for the work and services my parents provided because I viewed their hard work as the duty of a parent, who looked to provide them with the most they can offer. But, I still failed to recognize the true intention in their acts - love. Both my parents, Jorge and Maria Rodriguez, were immigrants upon coming from Mexico, yet jumped straight into labor. They were without money, but full of hope and ambition about the propensity America could bring for them. They had dreamed of a strong family with healthy children, an envisionment of their perfect reality, and for this vision to become true, they worked and found streams of money to fund their expenses. They encountered difficulties that altered their pursuit of happiness but remained unified throughout. To this day, I would ask them what helped them through the horrors of bankruptcy and credit failure, and their answer remains the same, “Each Other.” Love is what blinds most people, yet unifies each other in action. Both my father and mother loved each other dearly but loved me much more. Each day, after work, I would see a tired, beaten-up individual, different from the parent I knew to grow up admiring. I could not understand the pain and stress they had to undergo due to financial issues, but I was able to understand the purpose behind their actions. All the hours clocked in were to provide me a better future. Countless 6 AM shifts they endured all for me to go play club volleyball, and late-night shifts were to ensure that I had a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and a bed to sleep in. I not only thank them for the work they placed before me, sacrificing their bodies before mine, but also for teaching me how to be a proper man. How to put my desires before the safety of my loved ones. I love my parents, Jorge and Maria Rodriguez, for working 30 tiresome years, but I utmost thank them for teaching me how to be a proper man, who is responsible for his money and family.

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. And soon enough, my cousin, Rudy, was sentenced to jail for possession of a firearm. As members of my community began to become eradicated through incarceration or murder, my family met the same fate, such as Rudy. Emotions of pain and sorrow flooded my body during this realization, yet I faced a harsh reality. I began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to immigration and minority discrimination. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. However, I somewhat understand the feeling of oppression and resentment. A feeling of displeasure that only glares and comments can flare. But I only slightly understood these feelings, whereas my family dealt with shame throughout their citizenship here in the United States of America. With a sociology degree and a liberal arts education, I will be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Acquiring a sociology degree will propel that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious and ambitious about the world - to conquer discrimination and enact reform for a better tomorrow, as a lawyer, one step at a time.

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. And soon enough, my cousin, Rudy, was sentenced to jail for possession of a firearm. As members of my community began to become eradicated through incarceration or murder, my family met the same fate, such as Rudy. Emotions of pain and sorrow flooded my body during this realization, yet I faced a harsh reality. I began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to immigration and minority discrimination. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. However, I somewhat understand the feeling of oppression and resentment. A feeling of displeasure that only glares and comments can flare. But I only slightly understood these feelings, whereas my family dealt with shame throughout their citizenship here in the United States of America. With a sociology degree and a liberal arts education, I will be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Acquiring a sociology degree will propel that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious and ambitious about the world - to conquer discrimination and enact reform for a better tomorrow, as a lawyer, one step at a time.

Playlist Name: Jay and his Sun Rays Songs: 1. Smells like Straight B.O. in Ikenberry 2. 2 AM in the Student Center 3. Super Broke Kids with Nothing But Ramen 4. Me, Myself, and My Laptop 5. Drowning in my homework and my emotions 6. Drop Some Dimes (Diss Track at the Financial Aid Office) 7. Broken Brain Rapper Name: JayBay I am pictured on the left; My total reaction about school.

Money is necessary to the structure of society. It is widely loved and searched for, but attaining the dollar requires effort. An effort that everybody makes, but that differs from service to service, such as a lawyer consulting a client or a Mexican Immigrant rolling dough at a Little Caesars. But a lawyer clocking into work can have a different purpose for making money than an immigrant making pizzas, as perhaps such lawyer only wants to clock in, clock out, and go about his life, looking forward to their weekend and dreading their job. However, this immigrant’s perspective sparkles an inspiration embedded within their motivation: Family. My father, Jorge Rodriguez, began his American Dream as a crew member to Little Caesars, flattening out the dough of the pizzas as he flatted out his spirits to provide for his four children and wife at home. Each day, he would come tired and beat yet savored each dollar made; Not only did my father teach me how to value money, but Jorge Rodriguez made me realize the lengths a man should sacrifice for his family. Growing up, I was handed many things in my life considered deviant towards some children. At times, I would not have to proceed with chores for a day, collecting a weekly allowance for minimal to no effort, with no regard for service. And while I collected my daily allowance, my father and mother worked countless hours to satisfy my privileges. Yet, I was utmost thankful for the work and services my parents provided because I viewed their hard work as the duty of a parent, who looked to provide them with the most they can offer. But, I still failed to recognize the true intention in their acts - love. Both my parents, Jorge and Maria Rodriguez, were immigrants upon coming from Mexico, yet jumped straight into labor. They were without money, but full of hope and ambition about the propensity America could bring for them. They had dreamed of a strong family with healthy children, an envisionment of their perfect reality, and for this vision to become true, they worked and found streams of money to fund their expenses. They encountered difficulties that altered their pursuit of happiness but remained unified throughout. To this day, I would ask them what helped them through the horrors of bankruptcy and credit failure, and their answer remains the same, “Each Other.” Love is what blinds most people, yet unifies each other in action. Both my father and mother loved each other dearly but loved me much more. Each day, after work, I would see a tired, beaten-up individual, different from the parent I knew to grow up admiring. I could not understand the pain and stress they had to undergo due to financial issues, but I was able to understand the purpose behind their actions. All the hours clocked in were to provide me a better future. Countless 6 AM shifts they endured all for me to go play club volleyball, and late-night shifts were to ensure that I had a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and a bed to sleep in. I not only thank them for the work they placed before me, sacrificing their bodies before mine, but also for teaching me how to be a proper man. How to put my desires before the safety of my loved ones. I love and appreciate my parents for working 30 tiresome years, but I utmost thank them for teaching me how to be a proper man, who is responsible for his money and family.

To think that a book about a kid with a scar, proclaimed to be the boy who lived against the great enemy of the Wizard world, changed my life makes a lot of sense. Harry grew up thinking he was a regular kid, a regular kid who was shunned out of the love of his extended family but blinded by his own potential and cut back by his own limitations. But, as we all know, he was the boy who lived, a child who went on to save the Wizard world and fulfill his destiny as the chosen one. Harry's story reminds me of myself, in some ways, to be quite frank. Although I will never waver a wand or score a goal during a quidditch game, I like to think that Harry and I are similar. We are just two boys who think that life is against them, where it is weighed out of our favor. Yet, for Harry, his life was aligned in a matter that allowed him to flourish, fulfilling his destiny of becoming the Wizard who saved the world. And while Harry and I share various similarities, his opportunity and alignments in life are the one difference that sets us apart. I was never destined to attend college, but I enrolled with a 4.0 GPA my first year. Neither was I supposed to accomplish great accolades and rewards, such as making the Dean's List. But I did. Harry Potter was my favorite book because I recognized the difference between his story and mine. While he began destined to become a hero, I grew up destined to join gangs. And as his story aligned, I wrote my own. After all the events that occurred for Harry, his story ended. As for me, it is only getting started.

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. And soon enough, my cousin, Rudy, was sentenced to jail for possession of a firearm. As members of my community began to become eradicated through incarceration or murder, my family met the same fate, such as Rudy. Emotions of pain and sorrow flooded my body during this realization, yet I faced a harsh reality. I began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to immigration and minority discrimination. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. However, I somewhat understand the feeling of oppression and resentment. A feeling of displeasure that only glares and comments can flare. But I only slightly understood these feelings, whereas my family dealt with shame throughout their citizenship here in the United States of America. With a sociology degree and a liberal arts education, I will be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Acquiring a sociology degree will propel that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious and ambitious about the world - to conquer discrimination and enact reform for a better tomorrow, as a lawyer, one step at a time.

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. And soon enough, my cousin, Rudy, was sentenced to jail for possession of a firearm. As members of my community began to become eradicated through incarceration or murder, my family met the same fate, such as Rudy. Emotions of pain and sorrow flooded my body during this realization, yet I faced a harsh reality. I began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to immigration and minority discrimination. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. However, I somewhat understand the feeling of oppression and resentment. A feeling of displeasure that only glares and comments can flare. But I only slightly understood these feelings, whereas my family dealt with shame throughout their citizenship here in the United States of America. With a sociology degree and a liberal arts education, I will be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Acquiring a sociology degree will propel that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious and ambitious about the world - to conquer discrimination and enact reform for a better tomorrow, as a lawyer, one step at a time.

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. And soon enough, my cousin, Rudy, was sentenced to jail for possession of a firearm. As members of my community began to become eradicated through incarceration or murder, my family met the same fate, such as Rudy. Emotions of pain and sorrow flooded my body during this realization, yet I faced a harsh reality. I began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to immigration and minority discrimination. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. However, I somewhat understand the feeling of oppression and resentment. A feeling of displeasure that only glares and comments can flare. But I only slightly understood these feelings, whereas my family dealt with shame throughout their citizenship here in the United States of America. With a sociology degree and a liberal arts education, I will be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Acquiring a sociology degree will propel that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious and ambitious about the world - to conquer discrimination and enact reform for a better tomorrow, as a lawyer, one step at a time.

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. And soon enough, my cousin, Rudy, was sentenced to jail for possession of a firearm. As members of my community began to become eradicated through incarceration or murder, my family met the same fate, such as Rudy. Emotions of pain and sorrow flooded my body during this realization, yet I faced a harsh reality. I began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to immigration and minority discrimination. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. However, I somewhat understand the feeling of oppression and resentment. A feeling of displeasure that only glares and comments can flare. But I only slightly understood these feelings, whereas my family dealt with shame throughout their citizenship here in the United States of America. With a sociology degree and a liberal arts education, I will be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will be able to create opportunities that do not differ our skin colors, which inspires discrimination. Instead, I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Studying the science of society would offer people the opportunity of chance and share the glimpses of hope humanity still holds. Acquiring a sociology degree will propel that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious and ambitious about the world - to conquer discrimination and enact reform for a better tomorrow, as a lawyer, one step at a time.

1. A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. And soon enough, my cousin, Rudy, was sentenced to jail for possession of a firearm. As members of my community began to become eradicated through incarceration or murder, my family met the same fate, such as Rudy. Emotions of pain and sorrow flooded my body during this realization, yet I faced a harsh reality. I began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to immigration and minority discrimination. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. However, I somewhat understand the feeling of oppression and resentment. A feeling of displeasure that only glares and comments can flare. But I only slightly understood these feelings, whereas my family dealt with shame throughout their citizenship here in the United States of America. My father, who received the majority of the wage responsibilities in my family, dealt with numerous people each day, from coworkers to customers. It varied from his job as well, but his treatment usually remained the same. Comments varied in tones, but ended in the same adjective. My father went home with the same feeling of worthlessness, an emotion of displacement that only he could bear with. He would go nights speaking to my mother about his treatment, an echo of pain that was only expressed through brief conversations before he had to go to bed to relive his nightmare. Yet, from all my father’s encounters, the only conversation I remember clearly was a cry, a cry that exclaimed why he must be colored. No different from the other man in work attributes, but in attributes that only differentiated his skin. His cry rang through my ears for months as a child, and still do to this day, but I recall his actions as a blessing. And though this lesson was not seen as a blessing at the time, I used my father’s pain as a motive to influence immigration changes, more specifically individuals impacted by the horrors of the process. I wanted to change people’s lives from a young age, but witnessing my father’s discrimination motivated me to change the world, one person at a time. In order to highlight the differences among people, there must be a leader. A person motivated to enact a difference, who experienced the hardship of discrimination and immigration. I not only feel as if I fit the qualities of a leader, but also as a witness to the discrimination and result of immigration discrimination. A result that can conclude that immigration discrimination produces advocates for change, feeding the motivation for justice and accountability. Two words that can sustain influence that can drive America to become a better country, and soon a better society. But such steps begin with a leader who has a vision, who takes small steps to enact a revolution. A revolution that begins with a victim, and ends with a victor who accomplished not only his dream, but also the vision of millions of people, looking to better their lives for family and future. With a sociology degree and a liberal arts education, I will be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will be able to create opportunities that do not differ our skin colors, which inspires discrimination. Instead, I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Studying the science of society would offer people the opportunity of chance and share the glimpses of hope humanity still holds. Acquiring a sociology degree will propel that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious and ambitious about the world - to conquer discrimination and enact reform for a better tomorrow, as a lawyer, one step at a time.

Money is necessary to the structure of society. It is widely loved and searched for, but attaining the dollar requires effort. An effort that everybody makes, but that differs from service to service, such as a lawyer consulting a client or a Mexican Immigrant rolling dough at a Little Caesars. But a lawyer clocking into work can have a different purpose for making money than an immigrant making pizzas, as perhaps such lawyer only wants to clock in, clock out, and go about his life, looking forward to their weekend and dreading their job. However, this immigrant’s perspective sparkles an inspiration embedded within their motivation: Family. My father, Jorge Rodriguez, began his American Dream as a crew member to Little Caesars, flattening out the dough of the pizzas as he flatted out his spirits to provide for his four children and wife at home. Each day, he would come tired and beat yet savored each dollar made; Not only did my father teach me how to value money, but Jorge Rodriguez made me realize the lengths a man should sacrifice for his family. Growing up, I was handed many things in my life considered deviant towards some children. At times, I would not have to proceed with chores for a day, collecting a weekly allowance for minimal to no effort, with no regard for service. And while I collected my daily allowance, my father and mother worked countless hours to satisfy my privileges. Yet, I was utmost thankful for the work and services my parents provided because I viewed their hard work as the duty of a parent, who looked to provide them with the most they can offer. But, I still failed to recognize the true intention in their acts - love. Both my parents, Jorge and Maria Rodriguez, were immigrants upon coming from Mexico, yet jumped straight into labor. They were without money, but full of hope and ambition about the propensity America could bring for them. They had dreamed of a strong family with healthy children, an envisionment of their perfect reality, and for this vision to become true, they worked and found streams of money to fund their expenses. They encountered difficulties that altered their pursuit of happiness but remained unified throughout. To this day, I would ask them what helped them through the horrors of bankruptcy and credit failure, and their answer remains the same, “Each Other.” Love is what blinds most people, yet unifies each other. Both my father and mother loved each other dearly but loved me much more. Each day, after work, I would see a tired, beaten-up individual, different from the parent I knew to grow up admiring. I could not understand the pain and stress they had to undergo due to financial issues, but I was able to understand the purpose behind their actions. All the hours clocked in were to provide me a better future. Countless 6 AM shifts they endured all for me to go play club volleyball, and late-night shifts were to ensure that I had a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and a bed to sleep in. I not only thank them for the work they placed before me, sacrificing their bodies before mine, but also for teaching me how to be a proper man. How to put my desires before the safety of my loved ones. I love my parents, Jorge and Maria Rodriguez, for working 30 tiresome years, but I utmost thank them for teaching me how to be a proper man, who is responsible for his money and family.

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. And soon enough, my cousin, Rudy, was sentenced to jail for possession of a firearm. As members of my community began to become eradicated through incarceration or murder, my family met the same fate, such as Rudy. Emotions of pain and sorrow flooded my body during this realization, yet I faced a harsh reality. I began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to resolution and peace. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. With a sociology degree and a liberal arts education, I will be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will be able to create opportunities that do not differ our skin colors, which inspires discrimination. Instead, I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Studying the science of society would offer people the opportunity of chance and share the glimpses of hope humanity still holds. Acquiring a sociology degree will propel that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious about the world - to conquer discrimination and enact reform for a better tomorrow.

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. And soon enough, my cousin, Rudy, was sentenced to jail for possession of a firearm. As members of my community began to become eradicated through incarceration or murder, my family met the same fate, such as Rudy. Emotions of pain and sorrow flooded my body during this realization, yet I faced a harsh reality. I began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to resolution and peace. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. With a sociology degree and a liberal arts education, I will be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will be able to create opportunities that do not differ our skin colors, which inspires discrimination. Instead, I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Studying the science of society would offer people the opportunity of chance and share the glimpses of hope humanity still holds. Acquiring a sociology degree will propel that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious about the world - to conquer discrimination and enact reform for a better tomorrow.

Considering myself as an American citizen, I remain a blessed individual. Without the sacrifices and hardships my parents have faced, this title would never have been placed upon me. From mowing lawns to flattening out the dough in the back of Little Caesars, both my mother and father placed much effort into their daily work with the hope that their future children would be given a better life. Nonetheless, through much effort, optimism, and perseverance, my parents gifted one child the opportunity to reach the goals they sought to offer their kin. The dream of attending a university, graduating with a diploma in hand, with the pride of being a first-generation Latino student. I am honored and humbled with the opportunity to attend college, especially when considering my family’s educational history. But as a high school graduate and now college student, the responsibility of feats has endured my mind for the past two years of my life. The responsibility of all aspects of life had been placed onto me the moment I attended my first lecture in college, but I remained a mature and calm individual. The constant fear of student debt and failure are only two of the several concerns when regarding my future. However, these dilemmas did not conflict with my goals, instead feeding my hunger to prove myself and succeed. I now have two jobs as a busboy at a Japanese restaurant and a position at Dick’s Sporting Goods as a cashier. On top of 20 hours weeks, I maintained a well-assembled grade point average at my university while also being an athlete at the school. I can recall memories of coming off a six-hour morning shift to then close as a busboy until 10 PM, while having homework due that night. Even after all the prolonged days and sacrificed weekends, I grew to appreciate all things happening in my life. My parent’s finances became stable due to my taking on student debt, my knowledge of the real world expanded, and most importantly I came to understand the importance of these experiences. Walking into work no longer grew painful, and finishing my homework satisfied all emotions I had. Not only did I overcome fear during this moment, but I also took full control of my future. Continuing my education at the UIUC has been nothing but a dream for myself and my family. With the opportunity to further my education, I am able to reevaluate all aspects of my life. Each time I open a textbook, I recall the sacrifices my family’s made to support this path. But now, I find myself in a greater dilemma than ever. Due to COVID-19, I am not able to work as many hours at my current employer. However, this does not faze me in my pursuit of success. My search for financial aid will end after my education is complete, and if made the winner of this scholarship, the dream of a family of immigrants will come to fruition.

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. And soon enough, my cousin, Rudy, was sentenced to jail for possession of a firearm. As members of my community began to become eradicated through incarceration or murder, my family met the same fate, such as Rudy. Emotions of pain and sorrow flooded my body during this realization, yet I faced a harsh reality. I began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to resolution and peace. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. With a sociology degree and a liberal arts education, I will be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will be able to create opportunities that do not differ our skin colors, which inspires discrimination. Instead, I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Studying the science of society would offer people the opportunity of chance and share the glimpses of hope humanity still holds. Acquiring a sociology degree will propel that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious about the world - to conquer discrimination and enact reform for a better tomorrow.

It is funny to think that a teenager dressed in tights and named a menace to the New York Community shaped my life. To think that a web-slinging, cat-saving superhero motivated me to see every Spider-Man movie, collect each Peter Parker action figure, and remember Uncle Ben’s word of wisdom is funny to look back on. However, to think back on a Superhero who had experienced great losses and dealt with great pain reminds me of my childhood and adolescence. Peter Parker and Spider-Man’s story had been a part of my childhood for as long as I can remember, and so has its lessons, ideologies, and philosophies. Each day, I mirror Peter Parker, and it made me feel like can overcome any obstacle in my way, whether it was dealing with a school bully or finishing an assignment. Spider-Man was Peter Parker, and I was Spider-Man every day.

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. And soon enough, my cousin, Rudy, was sentenced to jail for possession of a firearm. As members of my community began to become eradicated through incarceration or murder, my family met the same fate, such as Rudy. Emotions of pain and sorrow flooded my body during this realization, yet I faced a harsh reality. I began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to resolution and peace. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. With a sociology degree and a liberal arts education, I will be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will be able to create opportunities that do not differ our skin colors, which inspires discrimination. Instead, I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Studying the science of society would offer people the opportunity of chance and share the glimpses of hope humanity still holds. Acquiring a sociology degree will set that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious about the world - to conquer discrimination and enact reform for a better tomorrow.

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. And soon enough, my cousin, Rudy, was sentenced to jail for possession of a firearm. As members of my community began to become eradicated through incarceration or murder, my family met the same fate, such as Rudy. Emotions of pain and sorrow flooded my body during this realization, yet I faced a harsh reality. I began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to resolution and peace. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. With a sociology degree, I would be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will be able to create opportunities that do not differ our skin colors, which inspires discrimination. Instead, I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Studying the science of society would offer people the opportunity of chance and share the glimpses of hope humanity still holds. Acquiring a sociology degree will set that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious about the world - to conquer discrimination and enact reform for a better tomorrow.

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican-American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. I soon began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to resolution and peace. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. With a sociology degree, I would be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will be able to create opportunities that do not differ our skin colors, which inspires discrimination. Instead, I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Studying the science of society would offer people the opportunity of chance and share the glimpses of hope humanity still holds. Acquiring a sociology degree will set that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious about the world - to conquer discrimination and enact reform for a better tomorrow.

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. I soon began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to resolution and peace. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. With a sociology degree, I would be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. I will be able to create opportunities that do not differ our skin colors, which inspires discrimination. Instead, I will look to amplify our voices and unify our actions to fight hate. Studying the science of society would offer people the opportunity of chance and share the glimpses of hope humanity still holds. Acquiring a sociology degree will set that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious about the world - to conquer discrimination and enact reform for a better tomorrow.

A skin tone consisting of various pigmentations dictates my life. Pigmentations that categorize people, differentiate societies, and describes a social class that represents the breeding of an American Dream. As a Mexican- American boy, I grew up wide-eyed and open to the world, taking in its various events. From news, media, to stories passed around the neighborhood in Rockford, Illinois, discrimination was a norm in my life, and unfortunately, so was violence. Each time I paged the newspaper or switched a channel, another murder was announced, and watching the ounces of humanity drain from my hometown weighed on me, but guilt can only last so long. I soon began to contemplate and question the cause of differences between minorities in Rockford, asking why we, people, choose to divide rather than unite. It was then, I decided to inflict a change where I would understand society’s structure and fluidity. Identifying the pillars that our society was built on always intrigued me, and finding the solution to the hatred that is buried in it constantly ate at me, encouraging me to continuously draw up answers as to why actions such as racism and discrimination exist. Coming from Mexican heritage and intertwining my heritage with Native American knowledge, I became more involved in my community, particularly in low-income areas through coaching and volunteering. Through my implication, I met several individuals who shared heartbreaking stories of pain, losing loved ones, and drugs and addiction. Each time I heard such stories, my heart shattered, as I can only compare these stories to the media’s outputs in the past, which influenced me to embark on this new journey. Helping these individuals refrain from their concerns was the goal, yet I set a new mindset for them. Whether it was coaching or serving as an altar boy, my initial goal was displacing people’s concerns, without approaching them, leaving them buried and unforsaken. But I now grew interested in their lives, offering advice and service to them individually, for example, offering them English lessons or help on homework. Instead of remaining in a state of ignorance and disconnected bliss, I woke up and took action. The true solution to resolution and peace. Society, a complex structured system, which serves as the foundation of civilizations, acts as a cruel setting for humanity. And for humanity, it seems to act upon the expression of cruelty, making life for people difficult, such as African Americans and Hispanics. But understanding society comes with its benefits, such as offering assistance to low-income areas and oppressed groups. Acquiring the opportunity to help others who struggle to find a living would satisfy the young boy who grew up curious about the world. A boy who looks to repay the lawyers who helped his parents attain their residency, an indication that hope for an immigrant's American Dream is alive and well. A boy who looks to spark the fire in those immigrants wishing to supply a better life for those around them. But, this boy's ambitions require much dedication and labor. However, I am not fazed, but rather motivated as my parents and fellow immigrants suffered worse days in order to gain better days. By going to law school, I would be able to touch the lives of those who relive the deaths of their loved ones. Studying the science of society would offer people the opportunity of chance and share the glimpses of hope humanity still holds. Acquiring a sociology degree will set that Mexican-American boy - who grew up curious about the world - to conquer discrimination and enact reform for a better tomorrow.

Considering myself as an American citizen, I remain a blessed individual. Without the sacrifices and hardships my parents have faced, this title would never have been placed upon me. From mowing lawns to flattening out the dough in the back of Little Caesars, both my mother and father placed much effort into their daily work with the hope that their future children would be given a better life. Nonetheless, through much effort, optimism, and perseverance, my parents gifted me the opportunity to reach the goals they sought to offer their kin. The dream of attending a university, graduating with a diploma in hand, with the pride of being a first-generation Latino student. I am honored and humbled with the opportunity to attend college, especially when considering my family’s educational history. But as a high school graduate and now college student, the responsibility of feats has endured my mind for the past two years of my life. The responsibility of all aspects of life had been placed onto me the moment I attended my first lecture in college, but I remained a mature and calm individual. The constant fear of student debt and failure are only two of the several concerns when regarding my future. However, these dilemmas did not conflict with my goals, instead feeding my hunger to prove myself and succeed. I now have two jobs as a busboy at a Japanese restaurant and a position at Dick’s Sporting Goods as a cashier. On top of 20 hours weeks, I maintained a well-assembled grade point average at my university while also being an athlete at the school. I can recall memories of coming off a six-hour morning shift to then close as a busboy until 10 PM, while having homework due that night. Even after all the prolonged days and sacrificed weekends, I grew to appreciate all things happening in my life. My parent’s finances became stable due to my taking on student debt, my knowledge of the real world expanded, and most importantly I came to understand the importance of these experiences. Walking into work no longer grew painful, and finishing my homework satisfied all emotions I had. Not only did I overcome fear during this moment in my life, but I also took full control of my future. Continuing my education has been nothing but a dream for myself and my family. With the opportunity to enhance my education, I am able to reevaluate all aspects of my life. Each time I open a textbook, I recall the sacrifices my family’s made to support this path. But now, I find myself in a greater dilemma than ever. Due to COVID-19, I am not able to work as many hours at my current employer. However, this does not faze me in my pursuit of success. I draw inspiration from my parents, and I am fueled by their sacrifices, as I look to change the lives of others the way my parents did mine.

Considering myself as an American citizen, I remain a blessed individual. Without the sacrifices and hardships my parents have faced, this title would never have been placed upon me. From mowing lawns to flattening out the dough in the back of Little Caesars, both my mother and father placed much effort into their daily work with the hope that their future children would be given a better life. Nonetheless, through much effort, optimism, and perseverance, my parents gifted one child the opportunity to reach the goals they sought to offer their kin. The dream of attending a university, graduating with a diploma in hand, with the pride of being a first-generation Latino student. This child of prophecy was I. I am honored and humbled with the opportunity to attend college, especially when considering my family’s educational history. But as a high school graduate and now college student, the responsibility of feats has endured my mind for the past two years of my life. The responsibility of all aspects of life had been placed onto me the moment I attended my first lecture in college, but I remained a mature and calm individual. The constant fear of student debt and failure are only two of the several concerns when regarding my future. However, these dilemmas did not conflict with my goals, instead feeding my hunger to prove myself and succeed. I now have two jobs as a busboy at a Japanese restaurant and a position at Dick’s Sporting Goods as a cashier. On top of 20 hours weeks, I maintained a well-assembled grade point average at my university while also being an athlete at the school. I can recall memories of coming off a six-hour morning shift to then close as a busboy until 10 PM, while having homework due that night. Even after all the prolonged days and sacrificed weekends, I grew to appreciate all things happening in my life. My parent’s finances became stable due to my taking on student debt, my knowledge of the real world expanded, and most importantly I came to understand the importance of these experiences. Walking into work no longer grew painful, and finishing my homework satisfied all emotions I had. Not only did I overcome fear during this moment in my life, but I also took full control of my future. Continuing my education at Rock Valley College has been nothing but a dream for myself and my family. With the opportunity to enhance my education, I am able to reevaluate all aspects of my life. Each time I open a textbook, I recall the sacrifices my family’s made to support this path. But now, I find myself in a greater dilemma than ever. Due to COVID-19, I am not able to work as many hours at my current employer’s. However, this does not faze me in my pursuit of success. My search for financial aid will end after my education is complete, and if made the winner of this scholarship, the dream of a family of immigrants will come to fruition.