As long as I can remember, I have always dreamed of making a name for myself. To be the first Ojeda in college to set a precedent that others could follow in my family. Growing up in a financially unstable environment taught me hard-earned lessons about overcoming adversity and relying on my own skills to succeed. After my dad's car accident at the end of my sophomore year, everything changed at home and school yet another adversity life threw at me. He spent months at the hospital and, unfortunately, had his leg amputated. As the youngest in a first-generation Hispanic household, adulthood hit me hard. As the rest of my family worked longer hours to compensate for my dad's absence, I took on extra responsibilities, including translating at hospital visits, shopping for groceries, and spending nights at the hospital. At the same time, I managed a full schedule of AP classes, dual enrollments, honors, and extracurriculars. My free time was nonexistent. Through this, I learned to be grateful for the little things, moments of victory one can steal away from the stress of life. I’ve always lived by the mindset “reach for the stars,” regardless of whether you make it or not, because the regret of not trying is worse than failing. I apply myself to every task, never leaving a job half-done. I have sought courage in every step I’ve taken to be closer to my dream, no matter what’s been thrown at me. It is my drive to continue, and this scholarship will allow me to stand at the doors of success and smile at everything I’ve done, from the countless nights studying to the hours dedicated to helping my family and community. To help people even in small ways always seemed so meaningful, and paired with my love for computer science, from hours spent coding and exploring platforms, my passion for biomedical engineering became the perfect fusion of both. When 2024 arrived, bringing my dad’s accident and new duties home. It was through helping my dad on his journey to recovery that I learned more about myself as well as about my career aspirations and commitment to helping. I pride myself on having done so much from so little with this scholarship I hope to be able to further apply myself. I understand the obstacles one must face and the willingness one must have to persevere, especially in terms of insufficient funds, having to bend yourself around this immovable barrier so as not to further strain your family. That is why education, to me, isn’t just a means to an end but an end in itself. It is a lifelong journey and a test of strength I’m more than willing to take.

Being financially literate is important to me as a first-generation student, as financial stability wasn’t always a certainty growing up, and there was no room to take risks that could result in a loss of basic necessities like food or a roof over my head. It signifies the development of one's financial skills, the will to empower oneself with money to achieve stability without fear of debt, and prosperity through building wealth. This is an ability that allows me to make informed decisions and foster independence for when I strike out into the world, as a safety net to avoid falling on hard times. I hope to carry these skills and mindset throughout my life and pass them on to future generations so they may learn resilience and build a foundation in financial knowledge. This has led me to prepare for any obstacles in college. While the scholarship will immensely help relieve some of the burden, a portion of the gap will remain. Therefore, I have developed a multi-layered plan to cover the remaining gap without putting my family at risk or relying on student loans. First, I will appeal my financial aid award due to special circumstances that impact my financial situation that are not reflected in my FAFSA, to qualify for professional judgment and evaluation for additional aid. Second, I will seek part-time employment, whether through checking eligibility for the federal work-study program, as availability is not known until August. If not, then I will immediately apply for a local part-time job to cover ongoing living expenses and supplies. Last, I plan to reduce costs by implementing strict budgeting measures and cost-efficient methods to minimize expenses. For example, opting for cost–effective textbook alternatives, through renting, buying used or digital versions, and lowering transportation costs by commuting to class on public transit or by foot, to ensure educational expenses remain within budget. To avoid the financial strain of lump-sum bills, my family will enroll in college payment plans to spread school costs evenly across several months. As a college graduate, I will pay it forward by researching healthcare accessibility as I work towards my own college degree. I’ll advocate for the creation of affordable medical devices and learning to ensure that this type of education is not hidden by a financial barrier for families who face hardships, as I have. Driven by personal experience, with a strong desire to improve and optimize patient care and medical treatment in biomedical engineering, ensuring high-quality care for all.

I contribute to the Hispanic/Latino community by participating in drives, donating, and organizing goods for those facing economic hardship. As the resources dwindle, grocery prices skyrocket, making it difficult for many to not be able to afford food. I aim to set up a school drive by the end of this month, donating to our local food distribution center in a high-density Hispanic population. My work is to donate and encourage others to do so, regardless of the amount. Every donation helps and influences others to act and participate, setting in motion the principle that food should be available to all. I have also mentored students, donating time to those at risk of falling behind in core courses through being a founding member of my high school’s program, where upperclassmen assist teachers in lower year classes. Especially in an underrepresented minority, a lack of guidance deters many from pursuing their educational goals. It is important to foster this passion so that it may grow into a fruitful career and influence others in return, creating a positive cycle in the community. To have pride in those who came before you and those who will come after you. I choose to support and guide others, regardless of obstacles. Every mentor has the responsibility to help and influence others to act, setting in motion the principle that education should be available to all, and make an effort to do so. I want to be a mentor to others so that I can be the guiding figure I wish I had in an overwhelming time. I pride myself on having done so much from so little. I am eligible for this scholarship because I understand the obstacles one must face and the willingness to persevere. As long as I can remember, I have always dreamed of making a name for myself. To be the first Ojeda in college to set a precedent that others could follow in my family. Growing up in a financially unstable environment taught me hard-earned lessons about overcoming adversity and relying on my own skills to succeed. I’ve learned to be grateful for the little things, moments of victory one can steal away from the stress of life. Education, to me, isn’t just a means to an end but an end in itself. It is a lifelong journey and a test of strengths I’m more than willing to take, and barriers in education or limited access to food should never stop anyone from pursuing their dreams.

My father, a contributor to our household income, is unable to work due to a severe car accident and subsequent medical complications and surgeries. The car accident and initial hospitalization occurred on June 3, 2024, and readmission to the hospital on July 2, 2024, for around 132 days due to severe infection and sepsis requiring a below-the-knee amputation during his stay until November 11, 2024, when he was discharged and returned home. This medical emergency has caused my father’s wages and other earned income reported in 2024 of $12,775 to drop to $0 and is expected to remain $0 for the 2026-2027 academic year. As a result of the length of the hospital stay exceeding 4 months and the complexity of the surgeries, the final out-of-pocket costs are currently unknown, and we cannot provide a final out-of-pocket medical cost estimate, as insurance claims are ongoing with no clear end date. We are facing imminent, unbilled costs for a prosthetic limb, specialized physical therapy, and other accommodations for his permanent disability. Between injuries, legal meetings, and hospital visits, school became impossible to concentrate on. I remember being dropped off at school after being told of the complications of my dad’s surgery, only to walk into AP Calculus and face a derivative exam. My mind was elsewhere; I couldn’t even read the instructions. I felt hopeless. Then, I saw my dad take his first steps in physical therapy. I was holding my breath, terrified he would fall, but he didn’t. He made it across the room. That moment didn’t erase the pain of this year, and instead, I regained hope. Proof that we would be alright and that we’re a resilient family who could overcome this challenge. I returned to school with a new mindset. I rebuilt my focus and reengaged in learning. Last year tested me, but also solidified my vision for myself regarding a career in medicine. With the help of this scholarship and newfound confidence, my commitment will be stronger than ever. I know who I want to be, someone capable of turning pain into purpose, alleviating it for others so they don’t suffer as I did.

My passion for an education in STEM is driven by career goals and aspirations for medical advancement through leveraging knowledge of engineering and biology. I am aware that mastering coding languages, computational modeling of biological systems, developing diagnostics and surgical robotics, creating software for medical devices and interfaces, and improving bioinformatics for analyzing complex data allows me to ensure public health improves, but achieving this requires a deeper foundational understanding, as it has evolved into a core infrastructure for modern healthcare. With a biomedical engineering degree, I can advance research in medicine and technology, developing innovative solutions to address existing health challenges. I am determined to learn to manage multiple data pathways, blending technology, data, and clinical judgment to deliver life-saving information. Overall, I aspire to improve and optimize patient care, ensuring accessibility and high-quality medical treatment to all, no matter their background. Growing up in a family with recurring health issues and limited access to technology. I had to become the bridge between my relatives and this digital age. I assisted my family in multiple ways, from processing legal documents and financial accounts to scheduling medical appointments online. This role lit a genuine interest in biomedical engineering, as technology becomes a core part of society, those unable to keep up are left behind. My greatest influence is my father. Arriving in the U.S. at 14 years old, he traveled the states alone looking for work, and later overcame a life-changing accident and amputation. His travels taught me the virtue of endurance and courage through sacrifices to build and provide a better life for his family without wavering. I hope to make him proud, with a resilient mindset that no matter what happens in life, to not let anything hold me back from following my dreams. A drive to honor him through my actions and accomplishments, overcoming any obstacle I may face, with "failure" being just another bug in a code, While I have known ever since I was young that I wanted to go into a career containing computer science, I just never knew which one. But now, my desire to pursue this degree is driven by the evolution of its role in the healthcare industry. With a family history of illness and their struggle to understand modern technology, I feel personally connected to this field. I hope to use my education to design accessible healthcare technology to help anyone in need of life-saving care.