Embracing Change: Honoring Legacy, and Creating a New Path “Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away.” —Frida Kahlo. Being a first-generation, Mexican-American college student signifies to me carrying stories of pain, strength, and transformation. I am passionate about graduating not just for myself, but for the generations before me who didn’t have the choice, or the voice, to pursue education. My grandfather battled depression and substance abuse, shaped by ideas that therapy was weakness and change was impossible at his age. I was fourteen when he passed. To cope, I drew a portrait of him. His image still lives in my sketchbook, a reminder of all his love and also a reminder of what perpetuity with no change can cause. In my family, I’ve witnessed what happens when change is resisted, when outdated beliefs, shame, and silence prevent growth. That’s why I see college as more than just a degree. It’s a chance to rewrite my script and evolve. I want to break cycles and not repeat them. My dad passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic. It shattered me. For a month, I couldn’t draw at all, or anything at all, honestly. I had nothing to give. But eventually, as always, art pulled me back to myself. Art and my family helped me grieve and keep going. That’s why I bring it with me into everything I do, including my studies in industrial engineering. I see design and systems as creative processes, tools for transforming the world around us in positive ways, for my community, which I consider family and friends. Graduating as a first-generation student would mean proving that healing, growth, and education are possible, even when the past feels heavy. It means honoring my family, not by following the same steps, but by walking forward with purpose and love, continuing my career with what my heart and the lessons of life have taught me. Beyond my academics, I serve on the executive board of Huskies for Humanity, a student organization dedicated to community service. I design promotional materials and organize events that engage students in collective action. I want to create opportunities for others to change narratives, help those most in need in our community, and spread kindness. I am passionate because I know what it means to feel lost and to find my way through expression and learning every time. I want to show younger generations, my siblings, my cousins, and future students that change is possible. That your background isn’t a limitation. I have learned that change is not always easy or positive; sometimes it is forced upon us by loss or hardship, and other times it is just a consequence of the choices we make, but it is necessary. I hope that I can continue to embrace change, even when it is painful, and I pray that I will always have the courage to let go of what no longer serves me.

"From Nation building to health care, from intimate relationships to human rights and resources, art and interpretation affect practical interests and explore possibilities." (Sommer) Transportation systems are more than just functional infrastructure; they are the start of all opportunities, community, and social transformation. Inspired by Doris Sommer’s idea that “art and interpretation affect practical interests and explore possibilities,” I believe industrial engineering has the power to do the same: to improve lives, build equity, and shape a better future through efficient, human-centered systems. As an Industrial Engineering student at the University of Connecticut, I’ve grown passionate about designing systems that serve not just efficiency, but also community needs. My daily commute through Hartford has shown me how deeply public transportation is tied to people’s access to education, healthcare, jobs, and connection. It has inspired me to rethink how we design infrastructure, not solely for productivity, but for dignity, inclusion, and creativity. Beyond my academics, I serve on the executive board of Huskies for Humanity, a student organization dedicated to community service. I design promotional materials and organize events that engage students in collective action. This creative process has taught me how visual and functional design intersect. Each flyer is not limited to information or design; it has to motivate people to care and act. I see this same principle applying to industrial engineering: every system and design can affect how people live and engage with each other. I participated in the Sophomore Summer Program, which gave me hands-on experience with engineering fundamentals like CAD software and 3D printing. It deepened my commitment to creating systems that work both technically and socially. I want to specialize in sustainable, inclusive design within transportation and manufacturing, to transform public systems into tools for equity and empowerment in urban communities. In the long term, I hope to reshape public transportation and urban manufacturing by integrating community voices and creative perspectives (artists). I want systems where art, culture, and engineering coexist, where bus stops double as public galleries, where local makers and manufacturers are supported through efficient logistics, and where underserved communities have a real say in how infrastructure is built and maintained. This scholarship would help me continue pursuing these goals by supporting my education, access to design tools, and participation in research that aligns with my values. With the right support, I believe I can help engineer a future where construction and manufacturing aren’t just about building efficient things, but also about building connections, opportunities, and hope for everyone, regardless of their background.