What does going to college mean to you, and what are you trying to accomplish? Going to college is more than a degree, but a path to be of service to my community while building stability. Being a first-generation college student from a low-income background, college is not just a personal milestone, but in a sense of beating the odds and becoming a net positive for my community. Intially, I planned to become a mechanic because I enjoyed being hands-on and had a knack for cars. That path changed when I was seventeen and experienced a moment that shifted my perspective on life and purpose. I learned that my automotive instructor had attempted to take his own life. At that moment, I felt completely powerless. Even though I was just a student, the feeling of being helpless lingered. Pushing me to rethink what I wanted to do with my life and ultimately led me toward healthcare and emergency medical services. Since then, college has allowed me to act on this new direction. Currently I am in nursing school while working full-time as an ER Tech, having earned both my CNA and EMT licenses whil in community college. With each exam needing a commitment, utilixing time management, and ultimately sacrifice, but it is all towards the right direction. I can still remember the times during EMT school when we’d be there from 0530 to 1800, Monday to Wednesday. It felt as a fever dream in retrospect, but I overcame. What I am trying to accomplish through college will take time, and alot of caffeine, but it is deeply important to me. I want to become a highly skilled and compassionate healthcare provider. My long-term goal is to become a nurse practitioner within the Los Angeles Fire Department, where I can combine clinical care with emergency response in the field. I want to be someone who can step into high-pressure situations, remain calm, and provide both medical care and emotional support to those who need it most. Beyond career goals, I am also trying to build a life where I can give back. I want to be in a position where my work has a direct impact on people during some of the hardest moments of their lives. College is the pathway that is allowing me to turn that goal into reality, and every step I take is a step toward becoming the best provider I can be. Kindest Regards, John P. Rosales

Before pursuing healthcare, I originally planned to become a mechanic. I was drawn to the hands-on nature of the work and fully committed myself throughout my last years of high school. I truly enjoyed building skills with my hands and taking things apart to understand how they worked. At the time, I saw myself pursuing this career to the grave That changed when I was seventeen. Toward the end of the school day, I learned that my automotive instructor had attempted to take his own life. Immediately I left class and darted to the shop where it had taken place. I felt helpless and a hundred thoughts played through my head. Even though EMS had already arrived and transported by the time I got there, the way I felt stayed with me for a long time. Looking back, that moment marked a turning point in my life. Where I understood how truly powerless you can feel, and it’s made worse when you don’t know what to do. I never wanted to experience that level of helplessness again. I wanted to become that person who can step up for those in their most vulnerable, while being calm and the most useful I can be. Which ultimately pushed me towards healthcare and emergency services. Since then, I have taken actionable steps toward that goal. I earned both my CNA and EMT licenses and began building real experience in patient care. Currently in nursing school and working as an ER Tech, where I have continued to hone my skills in the fast-paced, high-stress setting of the ER. Working in the emergency room has shown me what it truly means to be part of a team that is focused on giving patients the best chance, even if the outcome isn’t the one we wanted. Most importantly, I have learned that emergency care is not only about treating injuries or illnesses, but being able to bring humanity back to the situation. With most patients feeling that same sense of hopelessness I’ve felt, or fear, and pain. Being able to comfort them, explain what is happening, and make them feel seen is just as important as any medical intervention. Which is the provider I aim to become. My long-term goal is to become a nurse practitioner within the Los Angeles Fire Department, where I feel is the best of both worlds having in-hospital clinical knowledge and being on the field. Ultimately, whatever allows me to serve those in their most vulnerable is where I feel most accomplished; being able to have the skill and compassion. This scholarship would directly help me continue my education by easing the financial burden of tuition and supplies while I pursue my Bachelors in nursing. As a low-income student, balancing school, training, and working full-time has its challenges, but it has also strengthened my drive and commitment. Every step I take in this field is a step into the right path. I am pursuing this career because I want to make an impact with the lives I cross paths with. My goal is to be that someone who can step up when it is needed most.