My name is Jessica Gomez Parral, and I am a first-generation Mexican-American student studying Emerging Media Technology with a minor in Computer Science. I carry with me the stories and lessons of my ancestors, especially my grandmother, who taught me how to plant corn when I was a child in rural Mexico. The memory of her hands gently pressing seeds into the soil reminds me of the importance of care, patience, and connection to the earth. It is a moment that planted the seed of purpose in me. Today, I want to use technology not just to innovate, but to nurture and support the people and land that shaped me. One of the real-world issues I feel most connected to is food accessibility and sustainability, especially in underserved communities. I have witnessed how food insecurity affects families both in Mexico and here in the United States. During the pandemic, I volunteered at a local church food pantry and helped distribute food to hundreds of families. That experience opened my eyes to how fragile our food systems are and how deeply they affect human dignity and health. I also volunteer at the St. Francis Migrant Center, where I serve as a bilingual translator for asylum seekers from Venezuela, Colombia, and Haiti. These experiences have shown me that access to food, safety, and opportunity are deeply intertwined and that technology can play a role in addressing these challenges. If I had the power to make a lasting change in this area, I would develop affordable, open-source agricultural tools that help small farmers and home gardeners monitor their crops. These tools would use sensors and environmental data to support water conservation, soil health, and climate adaptation. I am already building a version of this vision in my culmination project for graduation. I am building a smart plant monitoring system that tracks soil moisture, temperature, and light for a basil plant. The system is still in progress, but my goal is to develop a simple, user-friendly platform that anyone can use to better understand their plants and adapt to changing environmental conditions. If supported, I would expand this idea into a mobile-friendly system that serves farmers with limited resources and supports food sovereignty at the local level. I chose to study Emerging Media Technology because it offered a creative, hands-on way to bridge design, computing, and real-world impact. I was also drawn to the field because it values experimentation and storytelling, two things I naturally gravitate toward. As I explored courses in physical computing, data visualization, and AI, I began to see the connection between my skills and my values. My goal is to work in agricultural technology and eventually launch my own company focused on sustainable innovation. I want to build tools that reflect the needs of real people, especially those who are too often left out of the conversation in high-tech spaces. One goal I have set for myself in the next five years is to earn a master’s degree in digital agriculture and to continue developing my smart plant system into a scalable, community-centered platform. I plan to apply for fellowships, research opportunities, and possibly pursue graduate study abroad to expand my understanding of international food systems and sustainability models. To reach that goal, I am focused on finishing my bachelor’s degree with strong academic standing, growing my technical portfolio, and connecting with mentors who share my vision. Education has helped me find direction and define my purpose. I started my college journey with curiosity, but not always with confidence. Over time, I learned that the classroom is not just a place for learning facts, but for building identity. Through my coursework, my research, and the people I’ve met, I discovered that I belong in this field. I realized that technology is not separate from my roots—it can be a continuation of them. My education gave me language and tools to turn my lived experiences into innovation. As a woman in technology, I have often found myself in rooms where I am the only one who looks or sounds like me. While that can be intimidating, it has also taught me how to advocate for myself and for others. I am proud to bring a perspective shaped by resilience, cultural awareness, and compassion. My identity has helped me see the value of inclusion in every step of the design and development process. It has also taught me the importance of mentorship, and I hope to one day create pathways for more women and girls in tech. To me, leadership means showing up with consistency and care. It means using your voice even when it shakes. I have led by example in my volunteer work, in my academic presentations, and in encouraging others to get involved. When I won Best Presentation in the Honors Scholars Program at my college for my volunteer work, I realized how storytelling can inspire collective action. That moment reminded me that leadership can be quiet, grounded, and deeply personal. One of the most defining moments of resilience for me was when I decided to continue pursuing a degree in technology despite struggling with dyscalculia. Numbers don’t come easily to me, and learning programming has required extra time, creativity, and support. But instead of giving up, I found new ways to study, asked for help, and leaned on my strengths to learn the most I can. That challenge taught me how to be resourceful, patient, and proud of the progress I make, even if it looks different from others. If awarded this scholarship, it would ease the financial strain that comes with being a full-time student, especially as the cost of living continues to rise. It would allow me to stay focused on my studies and dedicate more time to developing my plant monitoring system without having to take on additional jobs that might slow my progress. This support would help me purchase components, test new designs, and explore open-source development so the tools I build can reach more people. More than anything, it would affirm that my background, my story, and my vision are worth investing in.

Why I’m Passionate About Being a First-Generation Mexican-American College Graduate The first time I translated for my parents during a parent-teacher conference, I realized I was not just conveying words. I was carrying their hopes and dreams. That moment made me understand how deeply education would shape my life, not only for myself but for my entire family. It planted a dream in me: to become the first college graduate in my Mexican-American family. My parents immigrated to the United States in search of a better life, leaving behind everything they knew. Though they never had the chance to finish school, they worked tirelessly so I could. I watched them wake before dawn, return home late, and face challenge after challenge without ever giving up. Their sacrifices taught me the value of hard work, but more importantly, they showed me the power of believing in a brighter future. Their faith in me has fueled my determination to succeed. As a first-generation college student, I step into unfamiliar territory every day. Without guidance at home on college applications, financial aid, or even classroom expectations, I have learned to navigate these challenges by asking questions, staying persistent, and reminding myself why I began this journey. Studying technology has allowed me to bridge my roots with my aspirations. My family’s agricultural background inspired me to explore sustainable tech solutions. For my senior project, I am developing a plant monitoring system that uses sensors to track environmental data and improve crop care. My goal is to create tools that help underserved communities access fresh food and manage resources efficiently. This passion stems from my experiences, my culture, and the belief that innovation should serve people like my family. Beyond academics, I volunteer as a translator at a center assisting asylum seekers, many of whom come from Latin America. Their stories echo my family’s journey. Their courage to rebuild in a new country reminds me why my voice matters. This work has deepened my commitment to using my education to uplift my community. Earning a college degree represents more than personal achievement. It means breaking generational barriers, opening doors for my family, and proving to my community that big dreams are attainable. Above all, it is about honoring those who came before me and becoming an example for those who will follow. This scholarship would empower me to continue pursuing my goals without hesitation. I am proud to strive toward becoming a first-generation Mexican-American college graduate because every step I take is part of something greater than myself. I want to stand as proof for others to know that it is possible to achieve academic success when resilience meets opportunity.

Growing up in Mexico, I was surrounded by farmland and the rhythms of agricultural life. My family’s involvement in agriculture gave me a firsthand understanding of how food systems function, from planting seeds to harvesting crops. This early exposure sparked my curiosity about the natural world and how it could be improved through innovation. However, it wasn’t until I moved to New York and experienced the loss of my grandmother that my interest in STEM, particularly in sustainable technology, became a true calling. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I volunteered at a local church food pantry, helping distribute meals to families in need. Many of the individuals I met were immigrants like myself, facing food insecurity on a daily basis. That experience reminded me of the abundance I grew up around and made me wonder how we could integrate modern technology into food systems to improve access. I began to imagine a future where smart systems monitor plant health, predict environmental changes, and support efficient food production, especially in urban areas. Motivated by this vision, I decided to pursue a B-Tech degree at New York City College of Technology. Today, I’m working on a culmination project that focuses on building a plant monitoring system. It uses sensors to gather data about the plant’s environment and sends the information to an app for easy tracking. While I initially wanted to include artificial intelligence in the system, I scaled back based on feedback from my professor to focus on creating a reliable core system first. This experience has taught me practical skills in programming, hardware integration, and user interface design, all of which are preparing me to build meaningful, real-world solutions. My journey in STEM has come with challenges. I live with dyscalculia, a learning difference that makes working with numbers difficult. Despite this, I’ve learned to approach problems creatively and adaptively. I believe this has shaped me into a more thoughtful and innovative thinker. Rather than seeing dyscalculia as a barrier, I see it as a reminder that success in STEM is not defined by traditional standards, but by perseverance and the willingness to learn in new ways. Being a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success has also played a significant role in my growth. Learning from inspiring speakers like Arnold Schwarzenegger taught me the importance of resilience and giving back to the community. I hope to one day create a company that merges technology and agriculture, open to underrepresented minorities who, like me, want to make a difference through STEM. My passion for science and technology is fueled by a desire to create accessible, sustainable solutions that serve the needs of real people. This scholarship would not only support my education, but also help me continue my mission to make technology a tool for positive change in the world.