At age 12, I witnessed my dog, Sandy’s swollen jowls and bright red eyes. Terrified, I immediately rushed to tell my older brother. Once we arrived at the hospital, the veterinarian took my dog into the back room. I trembled as I sat in the waiting room. After what felt like hours, the vet finally returned and explained Sandy had an allergic reaction, but would be okay. I sighed in relief and looked up at the veterinarian in awe. I instantly knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a veterinarian. Since then I’ve aspired to help animals. One of my greatest memories was volunteering for the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. A small shelter that supports low-income families by providing animals with food, resources, and low-cost services, such as vacancies and check-ups. I worked alongside 10+ volunteers to organize tables and stands for a festival to raise money for shelter supplies and necessities. This experience made me take pride in my community for their effort to make owning a pet more affordable. I realized how important resources such as vaccines are, as due to financial burdens some pet owners might not have enough money to afford their pet's necessities and treatments. I was lucky enough that my brother had money saved up to afford my dog's allergy treatment, however, I realize others might not be so lucky. Thus I want to provide more resources to help the animals and people in my community. Moreover, during my senior year, I joined the Pre-Vet Student Diversity Club known as PSSD, a virtual mentorship program available for high school students. This allowed me to talk with a UC Davis pre-vet undergraduate to learn more about the veterinary field, such as the costs and required prerequisite courses for vet school. I also gained insight into the day-to-day life of a veterinarian, which only inspired me to continue my education. I plan to start my undergraduate degree in Animal Science at UC Davis in the fall. Over the next 4 years, I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through my coursework, volunteering, and internships to apply to veterinary school. With the skills and knowledge I gain, I am committed to helping animals to the best of my abilities. In the future, I plan to initiate projects and programs to help the animals and people in my community, similar to the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. I’ll provide pet owners with affordable necessities, such as food and treatments. Overall, witnessing my dog's unstable condition will always be unforgettable as it made me realize the importance of veterinary care. I want to ensure that no one has to go through the pain of not being able to help their pets due to financial hardships, as no animal should be left untreated. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a veterinarian allows me to try, as regular check-ups and vaccines can help prevent sickness and mean the difference between life and death. Moreover, I hope to one day save a little girl's companion and have her look at me in awe, similar to what I did, because in her eyes her pet means the world. I want her to know her pet is in the right hands.

At age 12, I witnessed my dog, Sandy’s swollen jowls and bright red eyes. Terrified, I immediately rushed to tell my older brother. Once we arrived at the hospital, the veterinarian took my dog into the back room. I trembled as I sat in the waiting room. After what felt like hours, the vet finally returned and explained Sandy had an allergic reaction, but would be okay. I sighed in relief and looked up at the veterinarian in awe. I instantly knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a veterinarian. Since then I’ve aspired to help animals. One of my greatest memories was volunteering for the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. A small shelter that supports low-income families by providing animals with food, resources, and low-cost services, such as vacancies and check-ups. I worked alongside 10+ volunteers to organize tables and stands for a festival to raise money for shelter supplies and necessities. This experience made me take pride in my community for their effort to make owning a pet more affordable. I realized how important resources such as vaccines are, as due to financial burdens some pet owners might not have enough money to afford their pet's necessities and treatments. I was lucky enough that my brother had money saved up to afford my dog's allergy treatment, however, I realize others might not be so lucky. Thus I want to provide more resources to help the animals and people in my community. Moreover, during my senior year, I joined the Pre-Vet Student Diversity Club known as PSSD, a virtual mentorship program available for high school students. This allowed me to talk with a UC Davis pre-vet undergraduate to learn more about the veterinary field, such as the costs and required prerequisite courses for vet school. I also gained insight into the day-to-day life of a veterinarian, which only inspired me to continue my education. I plan to start my undergraduate degree in Animal Science at UC Davis in the fall. Over the next 4 years, I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through my coursework, volunteering, and internships to apply to veterinary school. With the skills and knowledge I gain, I am committed to helping animals to the best of my abilities. In the future, I plan to initiate projects and programs to help the animals and people in my community, similar to the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. I’ll provide pet owners with affordable necessities, such as food and treatments. Overall, witnessing my dog's unstable condition will always be unforgettable as it made me realize the importance of veterinary care. I want to ensure that no one has to go through the pain of not being able to help their pets due to financial hardships, as no animal should be left untreated. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a veterinarian allows me to try, as regular check-ups and vaccines can help prevent sickness and mean the difference between life and death. Moreover, I hope to one day save a little girl's companion and have her look at me in awe, similar to what I did, because in her eyes her pet means the world. I want her to know her pet is in the right hands.

I always loved animals. The only thing holding me back from my wish was the large sign in front of the apartments reading “No pets allowed.” Moreover, my parents moved from Mexico to the United States and barely had enough to financially support and feed our family of six, let alone a dog. By the end of 6th grade, we were forced to move to Pittsburg due to the rent increase and I had to leave my middle school friends. A few months later, my older brother surprised my family with a 1-month-old puppy, named Sandy. With some convincing my parents approved and I was overjoyed with the news. At the start of 7th grade, I didn’t have a group of friends to hang out with. I ate lunch alone, stayed in the library, and was harassed by some classmates during gym class, but I never dared to tell my family about it. My school days were rough, and the only highlight of my day was hanging out with Sandy. No matter how hard my day was she was always the first to greet me and make me feel loved. With her around I never felt lonely and I know I wouldn’t have made it through middle school without her support. In high school, I joined my school's Animal Rescue Club, which helped me find volunteer opportunities and connected me with students with a similar love and passion for animals. One of my greatest memories was volunteering for the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. A small shelter that supports low-income families by providing animals with food, resources, and low-cost services, such as vacancies and check-ups. I worked alongside 10+ volunteers to organize tables and stands for a festival to raise money for shelter supplies and necessities. This experience made me take pride in my community for their effort to make owning a pet more affordable. However, on my way home from the shelter I encountered stray dogs and cats roaming around the street scrounging for food. Even though my experience at the shelter showed me how dedicated the staff are to ensuring animals are safe and comfortable, it wasn’t enough. I wanted to provide more resources to help the animals and people in my community. I plan to start my undergraduate degree in animal science at UC Davis in the fall where I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through volunteering and internships to apply to veterinary school. Becoming a vet is my dream, but I plan to make it a reality. With the skills and knowledge I gain, I am committed to initiating projects and programs to help the animals and people in my community, similar to the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. I’ll provide pet owners with affordable pet necessities, such as food and treatments, and open shelters so stray animals can find a loving home. My main goal is to make owning a pet more affordable because having a companion shouldn't be financially barring. As a first-generation student, I want to make a difference in the world and take advantage of the opportunity my parents gave me. I want animals and humans to coexist because my dog changed my life for the better and I know other animals can do the same if given the chance. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a vet allows me to try. Simple things like regular check-ups or vaccines can help prevent sickness in animals. By becoming a vet I’m not only assisting animals but also the people who love and care for them.

I always loved animals. The only thing holding me back from my wish was the large sign in front of the apartments reading “No pets allowed.” My parents moved from Mexico to the United states and barely had enough to financially support and feed our family of six, let alone a dog. However, by the end of 6th grade, my parents earned enough money to move and surprised the family with a 1-month-old puppy, named Sandy. I was overjoyed with the news, my only concern was that I had to leave my old middle school friends and start from the beginning. At the start of 7th grade, I didn’t have a group of friends to hang out with. I ate lunch alone, stayed in the library, and was harassed by some classmates during gym class, but I never dared to tell my family about it. My school days were rough, and the only highlight of my day was hanging out with Sandy. No matter how hard my day was she was always the first to greet me and make me feel loved. With her around I never felt lonely and I know I wouldn’t have made it through my middle school years without her support. During my junior year, I joined my school's Animal Rescue Club, which helped me find volunteer opportunities and connected me with students with a similar love and passion for animals. One of my greatest memories was volunteering for the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. A small shelter that supports low-income families by providing animals with food, resources, and low-cost services, such as vacancies and check-ups. I worked alongside 10+ volunteers to organize tables and stands for a festival to raise money for shelter supplies and necessities. This experience made me take pride in my community for their effort to make owning a pet more affordable. However, on my way home from the shelter I encountered stray dogs and cats roaming around the street scrounging for food. Even though my experience at the shelter showed me how dedicated the staff are to ensuring animals are safe and comfortable, it wasn’t enough. I wanted to provide more resources to help the animals and people in my community. I plan to start my undergraduate degree in animal science at UC Davis in the fall where I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through volunteering and internships to apply to veterinary school. Becoming a vet is my dream, but I plan to make it a reality with determination. With the skills and knowledge I gain, I am committed to initiating projects and programs to help the animals and people in my community, similar to the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. I’ll provide pet owners with affordable pet necessities, such as food and treatments, and open shelters so stray dogs and cats can find a loving home. My main goal is to make owning a pet more affordable because having a companion shouldn't be financially barring. As a first generation student I want to make a difference in the world and take advantage of the opportunity my parents gave me. I want animals and humans to coexist because my dog changed my life for the better and I know other animals can do the same if given the chance. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a vet allows me to try. Simple things like regular check-ups or vaccines can help prevent sickness in animals. By assisting animals I'm also helping the people who love and care for their companion and friend.

Growing up, I always loved animals. The only thing holding me back from my wish was the large sign in front of the apartments reading “No pets allowed.” However, by the end of 6th grade, my parents announced we were moving and the next day my brother surprised the family with a 1-month-old puppy, named Sandy. I was overjoyed with the news, my only concern was that I had to leave my old middle school friends and start from the beginning. At the start of 7th grade, I didn’t have a group of friends to hang out with. I ate lunch alone, stayed in the library, and was harassed by some classmates during gym class, but I never dared to tell my family about it. My school days were rough, and the only highlight of my day was hanging out with Sandy. No matter how hard my day was she was always the first to greet me and make me feel loved. With her around I never felt lonely and I know I wouldn’t have made it through my middle school years without her support. During my junior year, I joined my school's Animal Rescue Club, which helped me find volunteer opportunities and connected me with students with a similar love and passion for animals. One of my greatest memories was volunteering for the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. A small shelter that supports low-income families by providing animals with food, resources, and low-cost services, such as vacancies and check-ups. I worked alongside 10+ volunteers to organize tables and stands for a festival to raise money for shelter supplies and necessities. This experience made me take pride in my community for their effort to make owning a pet more affordable. However, on my way home from the shelter I encountered stray dogs and cats roaming around the street scrounging for food. Even though my experience at the shelter showed me how dedicated the staff are to ensuring animals are safe and comfortable, it wasn’t enough. I wanted to provide more resources to help the animals and people in my community. This scholarship will help make the road financially easier. Becoming a vet is my dream, but I plan to make it a reality with determination. I plan to start my undergraduate degree in animal science at UC Davis in the fall where I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through volunteering and internships to apply to veterinary school. With the skills and knowledge I gain, I am committed to initiating projects and programs to help the animals and people in my community, similar to the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. I’ll provide pet owners with affordable pet necessities, such as food and treatments, and open shelters so stray dogs and cats can find a loving home. My main goal is to make owning a pet more affordable because having a companion shouldn't be financially barring. I want animals and humans to coexist because my dog changed my life for the better and I know other animals can do the same if given the chance. No animal should be left untreated due to the high expense. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a vet allows me to try. Simple things like regular check-ups or vaccines can help prevent sickness in animals. By assisting animals I'm also helping the people who love and care for their companion and friend.

At age 12, I witnessed my dog's swollen jowls and bright red eyes. After a long day, I looked forward to eating my mom’s mouth-watering tamales. However, the sight of my dog made me forget about my hunger and I immediately rushed to tell my older brother. Without hesitation, he started the car and we drove to the vet hospital. Once we arrived, the vet instantly took my dog into the back room, and I began to tremble as I sat in the waiting room. After what felt like hours, the vet finally returned and handed me my dog, who was looking down at me wagging her tail. The vet then explained she had an allergic reaction, but would be okay. I sighed in relief and looked up at the vet in awe. I instantly knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a veterinarian. Throughout high school, I have always been motivated to work hard, I earned a 4.0 GPA and challenged myself by taking AP courses. During my junior year, I joined my school's Animal Rescue Club, which helped me find volunteer opportunities and connected me with students who love and want to work with animals. One of my greatest memories was volunteering for the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. A small shelter that supports low-income families by providing animals with food, resources, and low-cost services, such as vacancies and check-ups. I worked alongside 10+ volunteers to organize tables and stands for a festival to raise money for supplies and necessities. This experience made me realize how important it is to support local shelters, as it opened my eyes to the harsh reality some animals face. The next day, walking back from school I looked around my neighborhood only to encounter stray dogs and cats roaming around the street scrounging for food. I realized how a home, a bed, and food are privileges but are often overlooked. Overall, this experience made me realize I want to do more for the animals in my community. I plan to start my undergraduate degree in animal science at UC Davis in the fall where I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through volunteering and internships to apply to veterinary school. Becoming a vet is my dream, but with determination, I plan to make it a reality. With the skills and knowledge I gain, I am committed to initiating projects and programs to help the animals and people in my community, similar to the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. I want to make a positive impact in this world because all animals deserve to be loved and cared for, as no animal should go to sleep hungry or spend hours scrounging for food. Through the programs I create, I’ll provide pet owners with affordable pet necessities, such as food, treatments, and beds. As well as open shelters so stray dogs and cats can have a safe and warm place to stay until they find a new home. Moreover, I want to ensure that they receive the attention they need. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a vet allows me to try. Simple things like regular check-ups or vaccines can help prevent sickness in animals and can ensure that they can live a long and healthy life. Moreover, I hope to one day save a little girl's companion and have her look at me in awe, similar to what I did, because in her eyes her pet means the world. I want her to know her pet is in the right hands.

At age 12, I witnessed my dog's swollen jowls and bright red eyes. After a long day, I looked forward to eating my mom’s mouth-watering tamales. However, the sight of my dog made me forget about my hunger and I immediately rushed to tell my older brother. Without hesitation, he started the car and we drove to the vet hospital. Once we arrived, the vet instantly took my dog into the back room, and I began to tremble as I sat in the waiting room. After what felt like hours, the vet finally returned and handed me my dog, who was looking down at me wagging her tail. The vet then explained she had an allergic reaction, but would be okay. I sighed in relief and looked up at the vet in awe. I instantly knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a veterinarian. During my junior year, I joined my school's Animal Rescue Club, which helped me find volunteer opportunities and connected me with students who love and want to work with animals. One of my greatest memories was volunteering for the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. A small shelter that supports low-income families by providing animals with food, resources, and low-cost services, such as vacancies and check-ups. I worked alongside 10+ volunteers to organize tables and stands for a festival to raise money for supplies and necessities. This experience made me realize how important it is to support local shelters, as it opened my eyes to the harsh reality some animals face. The next day, walking back from school I looked around my neighborhood only to encounter stray dogs and cats roaming around the street scrounging for food. I realized how a home, a bed, and food are privileges but are often overlooked. Overall, this experience made me realize I want to do more for the animals in my community. I plan to start my undergraduate degree in animal science at UC Davis in the fall where I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through volunteering and internships to apply to veterinary school. Becoming a vet is my dream, but with determination, I plan to make it a reality. With the skills and knowledge I gain, I am committed to initiating projects and programs to help the animals and people in my community, similar to the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. I want to make a positive impact in this world because all animals deserve to be loved and cared for, as no animal should go to sleep hungry or spend hours scrounging for food. Through the programs I create, I’ll provide pet owners with affordable pet necessities, such as food, treatments, and beds. As well as open shelters so stray dogs and cats can have a safe and warm place to stay until they find a new home. Moreover, I want to ensure that they receive the attention they need. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a vet allows me to try. Simple things like regular check-ups or vaccines can help prevent sickness in animals and can ensure that they can live a long and healthy life. Moreover, I hope to one day save a little girl's companion and have her look at me in awe, similar to what I did, because in her eyes her pet means the world. I want her to know her pet is in the right hands.

At age 12, I witnessed my dog's swollen jowls and bright red eyes. After a long day, I looked forward to eating my mom’s mouth-watering homemade tamales. However, the sight of my dog made me forget about my hunger and I immediately rushed to tell my older brother. We drove to the vet hospital and once we arrived, the vet instantly took my dog into the back room. I began to tremble as I sat in the waiting room. After what felt like hours, the vet finally returned and handed me my dog, who was looking down at me wagging her tail. The vet then explained she had an allergic reaction, but would be okay. I sighed in relief and looked up at the vet in awe. I instantly knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a veterinarian. Since then I've aspired to learn more about animals and researched the best colleges for future veterinarians, UC Davis. With a future college set in mind, I was motivated to work hard and get good grades. I earned a 4.0 GPA, and challenged myself by taking 3 AP courses throughout my junior and senior years: chemistry, psychology, and biology. During my junior year, I joined my school's Animal Rescue Club, which helped me find volunteer opportunities and connected me with students who love and want to work with animals. One of my greatest memories was volunteering for the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. This small shelter helps support low-income families by providing animals with food, resources, and low-cost services, such as vacancies and check-ups. I worked alongside 10+ volunteers to organize tables and stands for a festival to raise money for supplies and necessities. This experience made me realize how important it is to support local shelters, as it opened my eyes to the harsh reality some animals face. The next day, walking back from school I looked around my neighborhood only to encounter stray dogs and cats roaming around the street scrounging for food. I realized how a home, a bed, and food are considered a privilege, but are often overlooked. To contribute to the science field, I plan to start my undergraduate degree in animal science at UC Davis in the fall where I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through volunteering and internships to apply to veterinary school. With the skills and knowledge I gain, I am committed to initiating projects and programs to help the animals and people in my community, similar to the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. Becoming a vet is my dream, but with determination and passion, I plan to make it a reality. I want to make a positive impact in this world because all animals deserve to be loved and cared for, as no animal should go to sleep hungry. I want to ensure that they receive the attention they need, despite the costs. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a vet allows me to try simple things like regular check-ups or vaccines can help prevent sickness in animals and can ensure that they can live a long and healthy life. Moreover, I hope to one day save a little girl's companion and have her look at me in awe, similar to what I did, because in her eyes her pet means the world. I want her to know her pet is in the right hands.

At age 12, I witnessed my dog's swollen jowls and bright red eyes. After a long day, I looked forward to eating my mom’s mouth-watering homemade tamales. However, the sight of my dog made me forget about my hunger and I immediately rushed to tell my older brother. We drove to the vet hospital and once we arrived, the vet instantly took my dog into the back room. I began to tremble as I sat in the waiting room. After what felt like hours, the vet finally returned and handed me my dog, who was looking down at me wagging her tail. The vet then explained she had an allergic reaction, but would be okay. I sighed in relief and looked up at the vet in awe. I instantly knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a veterinarian. Since then I've aspired to learn more about animals and researched the best colleges for future veterinarians, UC Davis. With a future college set in mind, I was motivated to work hard and get good grades. I earned a 4.0 GPA, and challenged myself by taking 3 AP courses throughout my junior and senior years: chemistry, psychology, and biology. During my junior year, I joined my school's Animal Rescue Club, which helped me find volunteer opportunities and connected me with students who love and want to work with animals. One of my greatest memories was volunteering for the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. This small shelter helps support low-income families by providing animals with food, resources, and low-cost services, such as vacancies and check-ups. I worked alongside 10+ volunteers to organize tables and stands for a festival to raise money for supplies and necessities. This experience made me realize how important it is to support local shelters, as it opened my eyes to the harsh reality some animals face. The next day, walking back from school I looked around my neighborhood only to encounter stray dogs and cats roaming around the street scrounging for food. I realized how a home, a bed, and food are considered a privilege, but are often overlooked. To get one step closer to my dream, I plan to pursue a STEM major with an undergraduate degree in animal science at UC Davis in the fall where I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through volunteering and internships to apply to veterinary school. Becoming a vet is my dream, but with determination and passion, I plan to make it a reality. With the skills and knowledge I gain, I am committed to initiating projects and programs to help the animals and people in my community, similar to the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. I want to make a positive impact in this world because all animals deserve to be loved and cared for, as no animal should go to sleep hungry. I want to ensure that they receive the attention they need, despite the costs. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a vet allows me to try simple things like regular check-ups or vaccines can help prevent sickness in animals and can ensure that they can live a long and healthy life. Moreover, I hope to one day save a little girl's companion and have her look at me in awe, similar to what I did, because in her eyes her pet means the world. I want her to know her pet is in the right hands.

At age 12, I witnessed my dog's swollen jowls and bright red eyes. After a long day, I was looking forward to eating my mom’s mouth-watering homemade tamales. However, the sight of my dog made me forget about my hunger and I immediately rushed to tell my older brother. We drove to the vet hospital and once we arrived, the vet instantly took my dog into the back room. I began to tremble as I sat in the waiting room. After what felt like hours, the vet finally returned and handed me my dog, who was looking down at me wagging her tail. The vet then explained she had an allergic reaction, but would be okay. I sighed in relief and looked up at the vet in awe. I instantly knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a veterinarian. Since then I've aspired to learn more about animals and researched the best colleges for future veterinarians, UC Davis. With a future college set in mind, I was motivated to work hard and get good grades. I earned a 4.0 GPA, and challenged myself by taking 3 AP courses throughout my junior and senior years: chemistry, psychology, and biology. During my junior year, I joined my school's Animal Rescue Club, which helped me find volunteer opportunities and connected me with students who love and want to work with animals. One of my greatest memories was volunteering for the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter, a small shelter that helps support low-income families by providing animals with food, resources, and low-cost services, such as vacancies and check-ups. I worked alongside 10+ volunteers to organize tables and stands for a festival to raise money for supplies and necessities. This experience made me realize how important it is to support local shelters, as it opened my eyes to the harsh reality some animals face. The next day, walking back from school I looked around my neighborhood only to encounter stray dogs and cats roaming around the street scrounging for food. I realized how a home, a bed, and food are considered a privilege, but are often overlooked. To get one step closer to my dream, I plan to start my undergraduate degree in animal science at UC Davis in the fall where I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through volunteering and internships to apply to veterinary school. Becoming a vet is my dream, but with determination and passion, I plan to make it a reality. With the skills and knowledge I gain, I am committed to initiating projects and programs to help the animals and people in my community, similar to the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. I want to make a positive impact in this world because all animals deserve to be loved and cared for. I want to ensure that they receive the attention they need, despite the costs. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a vet allows me to try simple things like regular check-ups or vaccines can help prevent sickness in animals and can ensure that they can live a long and healthy life. Moreover, I hope to one day save a little girl's companion and have her look at me in awe, similar to what I did, because in her eyes her pet means the world. I want her to know her pet is in the right hands.

At age 12, I witnessed my dog's swollen jowls and bright red eyes. After a long day, I was looking forward to eating my mom’s mouth-watering homemade tamales. However, the sight of my dog made me forget about my hunger and I immediately rushed to tell my older brother. We drove to the vet hospital and once we arrived, the vet instantly took my dog into the back room. I began to tremble as I sat in the waiting room. After what felt like hours, the vet finally returned and handed me my dog, who was looking down at me wagging her tail. The vet then explained she had an allergic reaction, but would be okay. I sighed in relief and looked up at the vet in awe. I instantly knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a veterinarian. Since then I've aspired to learn more about animals and researched the best colleges for future veterinarians, UC Davis. With a future college set in mind, I was motivated to work hard and get good grades. I earned a 4.0 GPA, and challenged myself by taking 3 AP courses throughout my junior and senior years: chemistry, psychology, and biology. During my junior year, I joined my school's Animal Rescue Club, which helped me find volunteer opportunities and connected me with students who love and want to work with animals. One of my greatest memories was volunteering for the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter, a small shelter that helps support low-income families by providing animals with food, resources, and low-cost services, such as vacancies and check-ups. I worked alongside 10+ volunteers to organize tables and stands for a festival to raise money for supplies and necessities. This experience made me realize how important it is to support local shelters, as it opened my eyes to the harsh reality some animals face. The next day, walking back from school I looked around my neighborhood only to encounter stray dogs and cats roaming around the street scrounging for food. I realized how a home, a bed, and food are considered a privilege, but are often overlooked. To get one step closer to my dream, I plan to start my undergraduate degree in animal science at UC Davis in the fall where I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through volunteering and internships to apply to veterinary school. Becoming a vet is my dream, but with determination and passion, I plan to make it a reality. With the skills and knowledge I gain, I am committed to initiating projects and programs to help the animals and people in my community, similar to the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. I want to make a positive impact in this world because all animals deserve to be loved and cared for. I want to ensure that they receive the attention they need, despite the costs. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a vet allows me to try simple things like regular check-ups or vaccines can help prevent sickness in animals and can ensure that they can live a long and healthy life. Moreover, I hope to one day save a little girl's companion and have her look at me in awe, similar to what I did, because in her eyes her pet means the world. I want her to know her pet is in the right hands.

At age 12, I witnessed my dog's swollen jowls and bright red eyes. After a long day, I was looking forward to eating my mom’s mouth-watering homemade tamales. However, the sight of my dog made me forget about my hunger and I immediately rushed to tell my older brother. We drove to the vet hospital and once we arrived, the vet instantly took my dog into the back room. I began to tremble as I sat in the waiting room. After what felt like hours, the vet finally returned and handed me my dog, who was looking down at me wagging her tail. The vet then explained she had an allergic reaction, but would be okay. I sighed in relief and looked up at the vet in awe. I instantly knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a veterinarian. Since then I've aspired to learn more about animals and researched the best colleges for future veterinarians, UC Davis. With a future college set in mind, I was motivated to work hard and get good grades. I earned a 4.0 GPA, and challenged myself by taking 3 AP courses throughout my junior and senior years: chemistry, psychology, and biology. During my junior year, I joined my school's Animal Rescue Club, which helped me find volunteer opportunities and connected me with students who love and want to work with animals. One of my greatest memories was volunteering for the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter, a small shelter that helps support low-income families by providing animals with food, resources, and low-cost services, such as vacancies and check-ups. I worked alongside 10+ volunteers to organize tables and stands for a festival to raise money for supplies and necessities. This experience made me realize how important it is to support local shelters, as it opened my eyes to the harsh reality some animals face. The next day, walking back from school I looked around my neighborhood only to encounter stray dogs and cats roaming around the street scrounging for food. I realized how a home, a bed, and food are considered a privilege, but are often overlooked. To get one step closer to my dream, I plan to start my undergraduate degree in animal science at UC Davis in the fall where I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through volunteering and internships to apply to veterinary school. Becoming a vet is my dream, but with determination and passion, I plan to make it a reality. With the skills and knowledge I gain, I am committed to initiating projects and programs to help the animals and people in my community, similar to the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. I want to make a positive impact in this world because all animals deserve to be loved and cared for. I want to ensure that they receive the attention they need, despite the costs. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a vet allows me to try simple things like regular check-ups or vaccines can help prevent sickness in animals and can ensure that they can live a long and healthy life. Moreover, I hope to one day save a little girl's companion and have her look at me in awe, similar to what I did, because in her eyes her pet means the world. I want her to know her pet is in the right hands.

At age 12, I witnessed my dog's swollen jowls and bright red eyes. After a long day, I was looking forward to eating my mom’s mouth-watering homemade tamales. However, the sight of my dog made me forget about my hunger and I immediately rushed to tell my older brother. We drove to the vet hospital and once we arrived, the vet instantly took my dog into the back room. I began to tremble as I sat in the waiting room. After what felt like hours, the vet finally returned and handed me my dog, who was looking down at me wagging her tail. The vet then explained she had an allergic reaction, but would be okay. I sighed in relief and looked up at the vet in awe. I instantly knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a veterinarian. Since then I've aspired to learn more about animals and researched the best colleges for future veterinarians, which was UC Davis. With a future college set in mind, I was motivated to work hard and get good grades. I earned a 4.0 GPA, and challenged myself by taking 3 AP courses throughout my junior and senior years: chemistry, psychology, and biology. During my junior year, I joined my school's Animal Rescue Club, which helped me find volunteer opportunities and connected me with students who love and want to work with animals. One of my greatest memories was volunteering for the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. I worked alongside 10+ volunteers to organize tables and stands for a festival to raise money for the shelter. This experience made me realize how important this shelter is, as it helps support low-income families by providing animals with food, resources, and low-cost services, such as vacancies and check-ups. These simple acts can prevent families from being separated and ensure pets have a safe and secure home. To get one step closer to my dream, I plan to start my undergraduate degree in animal science at UC Davis in the fall where I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through volunteering and internships to apply to veterinary school. Overall, becoming a vet is my dream, but with determination and passion, I plan to make it a reality. With the skills and knowledge I gain, I am committed to initiating projects and programs to help the animals and people in my community, similar to the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. I want to make a positive impact in this world because all animals deserve to be loved and cared for. I am excited about my future because no animal deserves to go to sleep hungry, I want to ensure that they receive the attention they need, despite the costs. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a vet allows me to try simple things like regular check-ups or vaccines can help prevent sickness in animals and can ensure that they can live a long and healthy life. Moreover, I hope to one day save a little girl's companion and have her look at me in awe, similar to what I did, because in her eyes her pet means the world. I want her to know her pet is in the right hands.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to challenge myself academically and thanks to my parents I am here in the United States to do so. My parents moved from Mexico to the United States without anything but two children by their side, my two older siblings. Throughout high school, I have always challenged myself in the classroom, by taking honor and AP courses. However, due to the pandemic, I couldn't take any AP or honor courses during my freshman year. But during my sophomore year, I took honors chemistry, and to step out of my comfort zone, I took 3 AP courses: Psychology, Chemistry, and Biology during my junior and senior years. Through these courses, I learned the value of hard work, time management, and commitment. I pushed myself to my limits as I spent countless nights studying for exams, tests, and quizzes. As well as, learn how to manage my time to ensure I complete my assignments, while also partaking in extracurricular activities. Through my hard work, I received a 4.0 GPA and an award for Academic Achievers for 6 consecutive semesters, spanning over 3 years. This award is given to students who earned a 3.00 GPA and above per semester. Moreover, as a senior about to graduate, I plan to continue to challenge myself academically through university. I want to continue to work hard towards a higher education.

At age 12, I witnessed my dog's swollen jowls and bright red eyes. I just got home after a long day and looked forward to eating my mom’s mouth-watering tamales. However, the sight of my dog made me forget about my hunger and I immediately rushed to tell my older brother. We drove to the vet hospital and once we arrived, the vet assistant immediately took my dog into the back room. I began to tremble as I sat in the waiting room. After what felt like hours, the vet assistant finally returned and handed me my dog, who was looking down at me wagging her tail. She then explained she had an allergic reaction, but would be okay. I sighed in relief and looked up at the vet assistant in awe. I instantly knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a Veterinary Assistant. I want to care for and look after injured animals, clean their cages, and work alongside a veterinarian to ensure every pet is safe. I hope to one day save a little girl's companion and have her look at me in awe, similar to what I did because in her eyes her pet means the world. I want her to know her pet is in the right hands. Growing up, my father loved farm animals because they reminded him of his childhood. Thus the first farm animals he bought were chickens. Since then my father taught me to raise and look after these chickens, which would later turn into food. Soon collecting chicken, filling up the chicken feeders, and water cans became part of my daily routine. Every day, I would wake up to the crawling of a rooster signaling the start of my day. Living with these chickens only fostered my love for animals and made me realize how both animals and humans are connected and need each other. Chicken provides us with eggs and meat, and in return, we care for them and ensure they are healthy. Thus I strongly believe it's our job to care for and look after all animals because just like humans animals also feel pain and emotion. Moreover, walking around my neighborhood, I’ve witnessed countless cats and dogs roaming the street with no collar on, covered in smudges of dirt. One of my greatest memories was volunteering for the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. I worked alongside 10+ volunteers to organize tables and stands for a festival to raise money for the shelter. This experience made me realize how important this shelter is, as it helps support low-income families by providing animals with food, resources, and low-cost services, such as vacancies and check-ups. These simple acts can prevent families from being separated and ensure pets have a safe and secure home. With the skills and knowledge I gain from university, volunteering, and internship opportunities, I am committed to initiating projects and programs to help the animals and people in my community, similar to the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. Therefore, allowing low-income families to be able to afford to bring a new family member into their home. I want to make a positive impact in this world and ensure animals receive the attention they need, despite the costs, in hopes of lowering the number of homeless animals in my neighborhood because all animals deserve to find a loving home.

“I am not a chicken” or “no soy gallina” as my mother would say. My mother has always been my idol, she would often tell me this simple phrase- “I am not a chicken”, based on her life in Mexico. When she realized chickens couldn’t fly or hunt for themselves, my mother knew she didn’t want to be a chicken who just waited for food to come her way, she wanted to find her path and so she did. She and my father moved to the United States without anything but 2 children by her side, my 2 older siblings. My parents have always been some of the most hardworking people I have known. I remember waking up at 4 am to the sound of footsteps coming from the bathroom. Growing up, I never paid attention to them, but as I got older I realized those footsteps were my father's. My father worked as a landscaper, mowing lawns, raking leaves, and trimming hedges. I’ll never forget the time when there was a major heat wave. Despite this, my father still went to work and when he came home he was completely exhausted and drenched in sweat. That same day, I begged him not to go to work and to relax. However, he looked at me and stated that we needed the money and he couldn’t afford to miss work. My mother, on the other hand, is unemployed and takes care of my little sister and the house chores, ensuring we always have something to eat. Moreover, my family, especially my mother, has always taught me to value myself and my goals. Growing up I always had a deep passion for animals, in hopes of becoming a veterinarian. During my junior year, I joined my school’s Animal Rescue Club, which helped me find volunteer opportunities at animal shelters and connected me with other students who also had dreams of working with animals in the future. One of my greatest memories was volunteering for the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. I worked alongside 10+ volunteers to organize tables and stands for a festival to raise money for the shelter. This experience made me realize how important this shelter is for its community and local pets. As it helps support low-income families by providing animals with food, resources, and low-cost services, such as vacancies and check-ups. These simple acts can prevent families from being separated and ensure pets have a safe and secure home. I plan to start my undergraduate degree in animal science at UC Davis in the fall where I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through volunteering and internships to apply to veterinary school. With the skills and knowledge I gain, I am committed to initiating projects and programs to help the animals and people in my community, similar to the Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter. I want to make a positive impact in this world because all animals deserve to be loved and cared for. I want to ensure that they receive the attention they need, despite the costs. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a vet allows me to try simple things like quality check-ups or vaccines can help prevent sickness in animals and can ensure that they can live long and healthy lives. Overall, I am motivated to learn and grow. I am not a chicken.

At age 12, I witnessed my dog's swollen jowls and bright red eyes. After a long day, I was looking forward to eating my mom’s homemade tamales. However, the sight of my dog made me forget about my hunger and I immediately rushed to tell my older brother. We drove to the vet hospital and once we arrived, the vet immediately took my dog into the back room. I began to tremble as I sat in the waiting room. After what felt like hours, the vet finally returned and handed me my dog, who was looking down at me wagging her tail. The vet then explained she had an allergic reaction, but would be okay. I sighed in relief and looked up at the vet in awe. I instantly knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a veterinarian. Since then I've aspired to learn more about animals. My greatest memory was sitting in my living room watching “Wild Kratts”, an animated show that followed the creature adventures of Martin and Chris Kratt, 2 brothers who loved exploring and researching animals. The show was only available at 3 pm and every day after school, I would rush home to ensure I didn't miss it. Through this show, I learned about different animals' abilities and their unique characteristics. With each new episode I encountered, my love for animals only grew. During my freshman year, I researched the best colleges for future veterinarians, which was UC Davis. With a future college set in mind, I was motivated to work hard and get good grades. I earned a 4.0 GPA, and took 3 AP courses throughout my junior and senior years: chemistry, psychology, and biology. During my junior year, I also joined my school's Animal Rescue Club, which helped me find volunteer opportunities at animal shelters and connected me with other students who also had dreams of working with animals in the future. One of my favorite memories was volunteering for Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter, where I organized tables and stands for a festival to raise money for the shelter. During this time, Halloween was right around the corner, and I witnessed countless dogs dressed up in adorable costumes matching with their owners. Seeing this, melted my heart and only made me excited for my future career. Moreover, I also joined the Pre-Vet Student Diversity Club, known as PSSD, a virtual mentorship program available to high school students. Through this club, I was able to talk with a UC Davis pre-vet undergraduate to learn more about the veterinary field. To get one step closer, I plan to start my undergraduate degree in animal science at UC Davis in the fall, where I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through volunteering and internships to apply to veterinary school. Overall, becoming a vet is my dream, but with determination and passion, I plan to make it a reality. I’m passionate about STEM because I want to gain quality knowledge to make a positive impact on animals by ensuring they receive the attention they need. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a vet allows me to try. Simple things like regular check-ups or vaccines that can help prevent sickness and ensure they can live long and healthy lives. Moreover, I hope to one day save a little girl's companion and have her look at me in awe, similar to what I did, because in her eyes her pet means the world. I want her to know her pet is in the right hands.

“I am not a chicken” or “no soy gallina” as my mother would say. My mother has always been my idol, she would often tell me this simple phrase- “I am not a chicken”, based on her life in Mexico. When she realized chickens couldn’t fly or hunt for themselves, my mother knew she didn’t want to be a chicken who just waited for food to come her way, she wanted to find her path and so she did. She and my father moved to the United States without anything but 2 children by her side, my 2 older siblings. Since I can remember, my parents have always been some of the most hardworking people I have known. I remember waking up at 4 am to the sound of footsteps coming from the bathroom. Growing up, I never paid attention to them, but as I got older I realized those footsteps were my father's. My father worked as a landscaper, mowing lawns, raking leaves, and trimming hedges. I’ll never forget the time when it was 100 degrees outside for over a week due to a major heat wave. However, despite this, my father still went to work and when he came home he was completely exhausted and drenched in his sweat. That same day, I asked him not to go to work tomorrow because the heat wave wasn’t over, however, he looked at me and stated that we needed the money and he couldn’t afford to miss work. My mother, on the other hand, is unemployed and tries her best to take care of my little sister and the house chores, but she suffers from type 2 diabetes and has to take medications. As a side effect, these medications make her feel drowsy and sleepy. I would often hear my parents arguing over the rent and bills, but despite my persistence to get a job, they would always refuse and urge me to focus on my education. Moreover, my family, especially my mother, has always taught me to value myself and my goals. Once my mother told me that I wasn’t a chicken and could choose my path, I gained the courage to try hard in everything I did. Whether in sports or school, I was always the last one to leave the courts or put down my book, because if my mother dared to leave her hometown to come to the United States to give her kids a brighter future. Then I want to be just like her and take risks. I decided to put in the work and through my hard work, I received a 4.0 GPA and managed to become the number five singles player on the varsity tennis team. Aside from my goals and achievements, I also have a great passion for animals and hope to one day work with them in the future. At age 12, I witnessed my dog's swollen jowls and bright red eyes. Her condition made my heart drop, but once my brother and I arrived at the vet hospital the vet immediately jumped into action and took my dog into the back room. A few moments later the vet returned and explained she had an allergic reaction, but would be okay. From that moment, I instantly knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a veterinarian. Since then I’ve aspired to learn more about animals. During my junior year, I joined my school’s Animal Rescue Club, which helped me find volunteer opportunities at animal shelters and connected me with other students who also had dreams of working with animals in the future. I also joined the Pre-Vet Student Diversity Club, known as PSSD, a virtual mentorship program available to high school students. Through this club, I was able to talk with a UC Davis pre-vet undergraduate to learn more about the veterinary field. Overall, to me, success means financially helping my parents and taking risks to make the most out of the life they worked so hard to give me. I plan to start my undergraduate degree in animal science at UC Davis in the fall where I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through volunteering and internships to apply to veterinary school. However, I’m aware that my parents aren’t going to be able to financially support me through college. This scholarship will provide me with financial support and help me get one step closer to making my dream a reality, which will allow me to make a positive impact on animals' lives. As all animals deserve to be loved and cared for, I want to ensure that they receive the attention they need. Overall, I am motivated to learn and grow. I am not a chicken.

At age 12, I witnessed my dog's swollen jowls and bright red eyes. I was wandering around the kitchen excited to eat my mom’s mouth-watering tamales. However, the sight of my dog made me forget about my hunger and I immediately rushed to tell my older brother. We drove to the vet hospital and once we arrived, the vet immediately took my dog into the back room. I began to tremble as I sat in the waiting room. After what felt like hours, the vet finally returned and handed me my dog, who was looking down at me wagging her tail. The vet then explained she had an allergic reaction, but would be okay. I sighed in relief and looked up at the vet in awe. I instantly knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a veterinarian. Since then I've aspired to learn more about animals. My greatest memory was sitting in my living room watching “Wild Kratts”, an animated show that followed the creature adventures of Martin and Chris Kratt, 2 brothers who loved researching animals. The show was only available at 3 pm and every day after school, I would rush home to make sure I didn't miss it. Through this show, I learned about different animals' abilities and their unique characteristics, which only fostered my dream. During my freshman year, I began researching the best colleges for future veterinarians, which was UC Davis. With a future college set in mind, I was motivated to work hard and get good grades. I earned a 4.0 GPA, and to step out of my comfort zone, I took 3 AP courses throughout my junior and senior years: chemistry, psychology, and biology. During my junior year, I also joined my school's Animal Rescue Club, which helped me find volunteer opportunities at animal shelters and connected me with other students who also had dreams of working with animals in the future. One of my favorite memories was volunteering for Furry Pet Relief Animal Shelter, where I helped organize tables and stands for a festival to raise money for the shelter. Halloween was right around the corner, and I witnessed countless dogs dressed up in adorable costumes matching their owners. Seeing this, melted my heart and only made me excited for my future career. I also joined the Pre-Vet Student Diversity Club, a virtual mentorship program only available to high school students. Through this club, I was able to talk with a UC Davis pre-vet undergraduate to learn more about the veterinary field. To get one step closer to my dream, I plan to start my undergraduate degree in animal science at UC Davis in the fall where I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through volunteering and internships to apply to veterinary school. Overall, becoming a vet is my dream, but with determination and passion, I plan to make it a reality. I want to make a positive impact in this world because all animals deserve to be loved and cared for. I want to ensure that they receive the attention they need. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a vet allows me to try simple things like regular check-ups or vaccines that can help prevent sickness and ensure they can live long and healthy lives. Moreover, I hope to one day save a little girl's companion and have her look at me in awe, similar to what I did, because in her eyes her pet means the world. I want her to know her pet is in the right hands.

The world against 2 brothers, where Demons, vampires, werewolves, and spirits roam the earth. At midnight, after my sister had just come off work, it was common for us to stay past 2 am to watch a movie or show. However, on this particular day, we spent minutes aimlessly scrolling through Netflix, when one of the shows finally captured our attention. That show was titled “Supernatural”. Since then for the next few months, on Friday nights I would force myself to stay up past midnight just to watch the next episode with my sister. “Supernatural” follows the journey of Dean and Sam Winchester, 2 brothers with a strong love for one another who hunt monsters and face the unexpected. Since the first episode, this show has captured my attention. From the moment 4-year-old Dean carried his baby brother, Sam out of their home that was up in flames, due to the yellow-eyed demon, Azazel who brutally killed their mother—leading their once-loving father to become obsessed with hunting, with his heart set on killing Azazel. Thus at a young age, instead of Sam and Dean playing football with their father, they were taught how to load and aim a gun. Dean was considered the obedient and protective brother who always followed his father's command and would do anything to keep his brother safe. Sam on the other hand was the smart brother who always wanted to have a normal life, go to college, and have a career, but his fate didn’t allow him to. As when he tried to leave his family to start a new life in college, the yellow-eyed demon returned and destroyed the life he created for himself, leading him back to the hunter path. However, Azazel is only one of the major entities Sam and Dean face and despite their differences, Sam and Dean still care about one another. From the 1967 Chevrolet Impala Dean drives, which has become my dream car, to the flannels Dean always wears to Sam and Dean's funny arguments or their long car rides. These simple things have made Sam and Dean human and relatable because they aren’t just hunters, they’re people who laugh, cry, and get angry. And with each new episode, my love for Supernatural only grew. Each new character introduced only improves the storyline and each new case they solve, makes me feel like I'm part of their investigation. Supernatural isn’t just a show, it's a journey as throughout the 15 seasons we watch both Winchester brothers grow and mature into selfless and kind men. Supernatural is a rollercoaster. In one minute your eyes are puffy from the constant crying after a heartbreaking scene, and the next your stomach is hurting from the laughter and joy Supernatural brings you. Overall, Supernatural is an amazing show that I will always recommend.

At age 12, I witnessed my dog's swollen jowls and bright red eyes. Her condition made my heart drop, and I immediately rushed to tell my older brother. We drove to the vet hospital and once we arrived, the vet immediately took my dog into the back room. I began to tremble as I sat in the waiting room. After what felt like hours, the vet finally came into the waiting room and handed me my dog, who was down at me wagging her tail. The vet then explained she had an allergic reaction, but will be okay. I sighed in relief and looked up at the vet in awe. I instantly knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a veterinarian. Since then my greatest memory was sitting in my living room watching Wild Kratts, an animated show that followed the creature adventures of Martin and Chris Kratt, 2 brothers who loved learning about animals. The show was only available at 3 pm and every day after school I would rush home to make sure I didn't miss it. Through this show, I was able to learn about different animals' abilities and their unique characteristics both on land and underwater. My love and interest in animals grew with each new episode I encountered. During my freshman year, I remember researching the best colleges for veterinarians, which turned out to be UC Davis. With a future college set in mind, I was motivated to work hard and get good grades. I was able to earn a 4.0 GPA and took 3 AP courses throughout my junior and senior years: chemistry, psychology, and biology. Moreover, I also joined my school's Animal Rescue Club, which helped me find animal experience through volunteer opportunities at animal shelters and connected me with other students who also had dreams of working with animals in the future. Through this club, I discovered the pre-vet student diversity club, also known as PSSD, a virtual mentorship program available to high school students, which helps high students learn more about the veterinary field. However, growing up I witnessed my parents argue about the rent and bills, especially since my family depended on my father's income. Thus during my sophomore year of high school, I would work for my aunts as an assistant cook, cooking and preparing mouthwatering tamales and atole. On weekday evenings, I was in charge of placing the tamale dough into the corn husk using a tortilla press and cutting and preparing the ingredients needed, such as chopping vegetables. Through this, I was able to earn enough cash to pay for my own necessities, such as clothes, and school supplies. A portion of my earnings would go towards my college savings to take some financial stress off my parent's backs. But I’m aware my savings won’t be enough to cover the cost of my tuition, book, and housing. Overall, becoming a vet is my dream but with determination and passion, I plan to make it a reality. I want to make a positive impact in this world because all animals deserve to be loved and cared for. I want to ensure that they receive the attention they need. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a vet allows me to try. Moreover, I hope to one day save a little girl's companion and have her look at me in awe, similar to what I did, because in her eyes her pet means the world. I want her to know her pet is in the right hands.

At age 12, I witnessed my dog's swollen jowls and bright red eyes. Her condition made my heart drop, and I immediately rushed to tell my older brother. We drove to the vet hospital and once we arrived, the vet immediately took my dog into the back room. I began to tremble as I sat in the waiting room. After what felt like hours, the vet finally returned and handed me my dog, who was looking down at me wagging her tail. The vet then explained she had an allergic reaction, but would be okay. I sighed in relief and looked up at the vet in awe. I instantly knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a veterinarian. Since then I've aspired to learn more about animals, in hopes of helping them in the future. My greatest memory was sitting in my living room watching Wild Kratts, an animated show that followed the creature adventures of Martin and Chris Kratt, 2 brothers who loved learning about animals. The show was only available at 3 pm and every day after school I would rush home to make sure I didn't miss it. Through this show, I was able to learn about different animals' abilities and their unique characteristics both on land and underwater. My love and interest in animals grew with each new episode I encountered. During my freshman year, I began researching the best colleges for future veterinarians, which turned out to be UC Davis. With a future college set in mind, I was motivated to work hard and get good grades in all my classes. I earned a 4.0 GPA, and to step out of my comfort zone, I took 3 AP courses throughout my junior and senior years, which included chemistry, psychology, and biology. Moreover, during my junior year, I also joined my school's animal rescue club, which helped me find volunteer opportunities at animal shelters and connected me with other students who also had dreams of working with animals in the future. Through this club, I joined the Pre-Vet Student Diversity Club also known as PSSD, a virtual mentorship program available to high school students. Through this club, I was allowed to talk with a UC Davis pre-vet undergraduate to learn more about the veterinary field. To get one step closer to my dream, I plan to start my undergraduate degree in animal science at UC Davis in the fall where I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through volunteering and internships to apply to Veterinary school. Overall, becoming a vet is my dream but with determination and passion, I plan to make it a reality. I want to make a positive impact in this world because all animals deserve to be loved and cared for. I want to ensure that they receive the attention they need. Simple things like regular check-ups or vaccines can prevent sickness and ensure that animals can live a long and healthy life. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a vet allows me to try. Moreover, I hope to one day save a little girl's companion and have her look at me in awe, similar to what I did, because, in her eyes, her pet means the world. I want her to know her pet is in the right hands.

At age 12, I witnessed my dog's swollen jowls and bright red eyes. Her condition made my heart drop, and I immediately rushed to tell my older brother. We drove to the vet hospital and once we arrived, the vet immediately took my dog into the back room. I began to tremble as I sat in the waiting room. After what felt like hours, the vet finally returned and handed me my dog, who was looking down at me wagging her tail. The vet then explained she had an allergic reaction, but will be okay. I sighed in relief and looked up at the vet in awe. I instantly knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a veterinarian. Since then I've aspired to learn more about animals, in hopes of helping them in the future. My greatest memory was sitting in my living room watching Wild Kratts, an animated show that followed the creature adventures of Martin and Chris Kratt, 2 brothers who loved learning about animals. The show was only available at 3 pm and every day after school I would rush home to make sure I didn't miss it. Through this show, I was able to learn about different animals' abilities and their unique characteristics both on land and underwater. My love and interest in animals grew with each new episode I encountered. During my freshman year, I began researching the best colleges for future veterinarians, which turned out to be UC Davis. With a future college set in mind, I was motivated to work hard and get good grades in all my classes. I earned a 4.0 GPA, and to step out of my comfort zone, I took 3 AP courses throughout my junior and senior years, which included chemistry, psychology, and biology. Moreover, during my junior year, I also joined my school's animal rescue club, which helped me find volunteer opportunities at animal shelters and connected me with other students who also had dreams of working with animals in the future. Through this club, I joined the Pre-Vet Student Diversity Club also known as PSSD, a virtual mentorship program available to high school students. Through this club, I was able to talk with a UC Davis pre-vet undergraduate to learn more about the veterinary field. To get one step closer to my dream, I plan to start my undergraduate degree in animal science at UC Davis in the fall. Where I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through volunteering and internships to apply to veterinary school. Overall, becoming a vet is my dream but with determination and passion, I plan to make it a reality. I want to make a positive impact in this world by ensuring animals receive the attention they need because all animals deserve to be loved and cared for. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a vet allows me to try. Moreover, I hope to one day save a little girl's companion and have her look at me in awe, just like I did, because I know her pet means the world.

“I am not a chicken” or “no soy gallina” as my mother would say. Growing up my mother had always been my idol, she would often tell me this simple phrase- “I am not a chicken”, based on her life in Mexico. When she realized the chickens her parents owned couldn't fly or hunt for themselves, my mother knew she didn’t want to be a chicken who waited for food to come her way, instead, she wanted to fly and find it herself. She wanted to find her path. She didn’t want her children to leave school to work in the fields like she did. Thus she moved to the United States without anything, but with 2 children by her side, my 2 older siblings. However, she never truly left Mexico and always encouraged me and my siblings to embrace our culture and traditions. Her simple analogy played an important role in shaping my personality, mentality, and values. Growing up, I remember waking up at 4 am to the sound of footsteps coming from the kitchen. When I was younger I never paid much attention to them, but as I got older I realized those were my mother's footsteps. To help my father with the bills my mother decided to work as a street vendor selling tamales and atole, a hot beverage from Mexico. Every morning at 4 am my mother would wake up to cook the tamales and prepare the atole. Despite the cold or hot weather she would drive to the nearest apartment complex and set up her stand. Every day after school I witnessed my older sister helping my mom make the tamales she was going to sell the next day, and once I was old enough, I could also help her by shredding the chicken and washing the dishes and corn husks. Moreover, my mother also introduced me to my Hispanic culture and traditions, including Spanish, the main language spoken in my household. During holidays, my mother always encouraged our family to stick together. On Christmas Eve we would stay up past 12 to open our gifts and every Saturday we would gather to make carne asada- a simple but mouth-watering dish from Mexico that consists of sliced beef cooked on a grill and each time my mother would make her famous spicy salsa. Moreover, these simple acts brought me closer to my aunts, uncles, and cousins. My mother is the sweetest, strongest, and most hardworking person. Her hands are covered in age spots due to years of sun damage from working in the fields and burn marks from all the mouth-watering meals she makes. She showed me that anything was possible and taught me to value myself and my goals. When my mother first told me that I had the potential to achieve greatness and wasn’t a chicken, I gained the courage to work hard in everything I did whether in sports or school. My mother's strength and compassion encouraged me as she left her home in Mexico for the United States to give her children a brighter future, despite challenges, as she didn’t know how to read or write in Spanish or English. I want to be just like her and take risks, even if it means being the last one to leave the tennis courts or put down my books. Through hard work, I became the number five singles player on the varsity tennis team out of 50+ girls trying out and received a 4.0 GPA. My mother made me who I am today. I am not a chicken.

At age 12, I witnessed my dog's swollen jowls and bright red eyes. Her condition made my heart drop, and I immediately rushed to tell my older brother. We drove to the vet hospital and once we arrived, the vet immediately took my dog into the back room. I began to tremble as I sat in the waiting room. After what felt like hours, the vet finally returned and handed me my dog, who was looking down at me wagging her tail. The vet then explained she had an allergic reaction, but will be okay. I sighed in relief and looked up at the vet in awe. I instantly knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a veterinarian. Since then I've aspired to learn more about animals, in hopes of helping them in the future. My greatest memory was sitting in my living room watching Wild Kratts, an animated show that followed the creature adventures of Martin and Chris Kratt, 2 brothers who loved learning about animals. The show was only available at 3 pm and every day after school I would rush home to make sure I didn't miss it. Through this show, I was able to learn about different animals' abilities and their unique characteristics both on land and underwater. With each new episode I encountered, my love and interest in animals only grew. However, out of all the animals I learned about, my favorite animal will always be the dog because it was my first pet and will always have a special place in my heart. Dogs are playful and energetic creatures, as my dog and I would spend hours at the dog park running and playing together. I strongly believe they are a man’s best friend. During my freshman year, I began researching the best colleges for future veterinarians, which turned out to be UC Davis. With a future college set in mind, I was motivated to work hard and get good grades in all my classes. I was able to earn a 4.0 GPA, and to step out of my comfort zone, I decided to take 3 AP courses throughout my junior and senior year, which included, chemistry, psychology, and biology. Moreover, during my junior year, I also joined my school's animal rescue club, which helped me find volunteer opportunities at local animal shelters and connected me with other students who also had dreams of working with animals in the future. Through this club I was able to join the Pre-Vet Student Diversity Club also known as PSSD, a virtual mentorship program that’s available to high school students. Through this club I was able to talk with a UC Davis pre-vet undergraduate to learn more about the veterinary field. I plan to start my undergraduate degree in animal science at UC Davis in the fall. Where I will gain knowledge and hands-on experience through volunteering and internships, needed to apply to veterinary school. Overall, becoming a vet is my dream but with determination and passion, I plan to make it a reality. I want to make a positive impact in this world because all animals deserve to be loved and cared for. I want to ensure that they receive the attention they need. I’m aware I might not be able to save every pet, but being a vet allows me to try. Moreover, I hope to one day save a little girl's companion and have her look at me in awe, just like I did, because I know her pet means the world.

If I ever went missing, the first place my parents would look at would be the tennis courts. They’ll find me practicing my serves with sweat running down my face, surrounded by tons of tennis balls. My first encounter with tennis was during my junior year on my school's tennis team. At first, I joined because I learned that some of the most famous tennis players are lefties. This similar connection sparked my interest, but even as a lefty that couldn’t be further from the truth. During conditioning, I struggled to perform at the same level as my teammates and my coach constantly told me I needed to move more, have light feet, and improve my backhand shots. At first, these comments discouraged me and made me feel helpless as I couldn’t help but compare myself to my teammates. Moreover, I knew securing a top spot would be difficult, due to the competition of 50+ students trying out. However, whenever I passed by the varsity practice I couldn’t help but be amazed. They had powerful serves and backhand shots and they were always light on their feet, ready to attack. I knew that someday I wanted to control the ball as well as they did. Thus I was always the last one to leave practice and made sure not to leave until I got 10 serves in the service box. Soon the coach began to acknowledge my progress and during my junior year, my partner and I managed to secure a spot as the 11th JV doubles team out of the 22 teams on JV. Once our season ended, I still worked to improve my skills. Twice a week, my friend and I would ask the coach to open the courts and we would spend hours pushing ourselves until we were exhausted. However, now as a senior, I proudly play on the varsity team as the number five singles player. Over the past 2 years, tennis taught me self-discipline and resilience. Due to tennis, I was able to meet teammates who are now one of my closest friends and together we were able to help each other improve. Tennis allowed me to self-reflect and focus on myself, which helped me prioritize my mental health and changed my perspective. Especially, due to my coach, who I’m thankful for as though he constantly corrected me, I believe deep inside he only wanted the best for me. Overall, my progress in tennis served as a reminder that nothing is impossible. When I first started I wasn’t the best player and even wanted to give up, but with time and some help, I was able to improve and make it on the varsity team. As a senior, I always encouraged new tennis players to trust the process and give it their all because even outside the tennis courts every victory requires dedication.