My name is Jessica Hernandez Espinoza, I am a 26-year-old Mexicana who has resided in Texas since the age of two. As I type this essay, I begin to reflect and ask who I am, what I have done, and where I am going. Living as an undocumented individual, I have experienced struggles and obstacles that others may not, but that has not stopped me from pursuing my goal of attending a university and graduating. I am considered a first-generation college student. I tear up when I think of this because I recognize that for me, continuing my education is an act of resistance against the barriers of oppression. Some of the most challenging aspects of being undocumented have been the fear and anxiety that come with deportation and interactions with law enforcement. I feel afraid of getting a simple traffic ticket or being in a car accident for fear of negative interactions or those incidents somehow having a negative effect on my legal record. Another challenging aspect of being undocumented is the added financial burden of the legal process when needing to renew and process my D.A.C.A paperwork. Although I am very grateful to be able to receive a work permit, which provides a sense of stability, I also experience the burden of financial expenses on top of all other necessities. The process to renew is every two years. Every two years, I hope my work permit is approved. I am currently attending the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Education with Core Subjects EC-6 and Bilingual Supplemental Certification. My goal in obtaining this degree is to become a certified bilingual educator and teach in an elementary school classroom. I knew I wanted to teach in a bilingual classroom after working as a pre-k bilingual paraprofessional. I truly feel passionate about pursuing this degree and envision myself teaching by 2026. This upcoming spring semester of 2025 would be my third semester attending UHCL. I am very proud of myself for coming this far in my education. When I first began college in 2017, obtaining a bachelor’s degree seemed so far-fetched and unattainable. It felt this way because learning and school have not come easy for the majority of my education. On the contrary, after attending UHCL for my first semester, I had a beautiful learning experience with peers and professors at this university, and it has made this part of my education very enjoyable, something I had not experienced before. I can now see the finish line of this chapter, and I know I will succeed. Receiving this scholarship will help me continue my education and provide financial assistance in paying for my college tuition as it seems I may have to pay out of pocket. Last fall semester, I was lucky enough to have received financial help from TASTA, which I used to cover the entire semester’s tuition. This was something that had never happened to me before, and it actually allowed me to finally be able to start saving money. However, because of the year term, I am not able to receive funding for this upcoming spring semester. Without financial aid, covering tuition and expenses is a constant struggle. This scholarship would allow me to focus on my studies rather than worrying about having enough money to pay for school. I am hopeful and determined to continue my education. Being undocumented poses struggles in my life, but I have come a long way, and I know I will have a positive impact on the children I will teach in the future.