Life changed completely when I was seven years old and we moved to the US from Mexico. Once we arrived in the U.S., I struggled to adjust to a completely different environment. School was challenging—there was a new education system, a different way of life, and most difficult of all, I had to learn a new language. I remember relying heavily on Google Translate just to complete my homework. After school, I dedicated myself to learning English through the use of YouTube and Duolingo because I didn’t want to fall behind. Every mispronounced word left me feeling isolated from the others in class. My academic motivation came from understanding that I had to work harder than others because of the limitations I faced as an undocumented student. I had to pour more effort and dedication into my studies than anyone else in order to get by. High school has been a wonderful experience. I have been a CSF member throughout all the years and will be graduating in a CSF robe. My ambition and hard work have earned me a higher GPA than a 4.0. Taking AP classes throughout high school has helped me grow academically strong. This challenging courses have improved my critical thinking, writing proficiency, and college preparedness. Additionally, demonstrate commitment to my education and take opportunities to challenge myself. Even though AP chemistry was my hardest class, I didn’t give up like all the people who transferred out and continued to push through until the end. Even though summer break is supposed to be an academic break, I rathered being productive and get ahead of my college credits by taking Merced college classes. The support and faith from people I met along the way have kept me going. I am especially grateful to my fifth-grade teacher, my elementary school principal, my middle school basketball coach, and my high school AVID teacher. They all played significant roles in shaping the student I am today and reminding me, “You’re going to accomplish exceptional things in life.” Whenever I face academic challenges or discrimination and doubt my worth, I remember their words. The thought of letting my parents down after making sacrifices for me haunts me. My ultimate goal in life is to make those who believe in me proud by achieving my dream of becoming a pediatrician. My parents can't pay for my education due to being undocumented and having little benefits like everyone else. However, I would never let money be in my way of achieving my dreams

“We’re moving to the United States of America,” my mom told me the day she picked me up from school. At the time, I didn’t realize that the “American Dream” was something all many Mexicans aspired to achieve. Life changed completely when I was just seven years old. My dad worked as a manager at a pharmacy in Mexico, and his job often required us to move from one place to another. So, when I heard we’re moving again, I thought it was just another routine relocation-nothing unusual. What I didn’t understand at the time was how this particular move would shape me forever. Once we arrived in the U.S., I struggled to adjust to a completely different environment. School was challenging-there was a new education system, a different way of life, and most difficult of all, I had to learn a new language. I remember relying heavily on Google Translate just to complete my homework. After school, I dedicated myself to learning English through the use of YouTube and Duolingo because I didn’t want to fall behind. Every mispronounced word left me feeling isolated from the others in class. My academic motivation came from understanding that I had to work harder than others because of the limitations I faced as an undocumented student. I had to pour more effort and dedication into my studies than anyone else in order to get by. The support and faith from people I met along the way kept me going. I am especially grateful to my fifth-grade teacher, my elementary principal and vice principal, my middle school basketball coach, and my AVID high school teacher. They all played significant roles in shaping the student I am today and reminding me, “You’re going to accomplish great things in life.” Whenever I faced academic challenges or discrimination and doubted my worth, I remembered their words. As well as the thought of letting my parents down after making sacrifices for me haunts me. This scholarship will help me financially because my parents can't pay for my college. I am applying to as many scholarships as I can. I don't want money to be the reason I don't have the opportunity to pursue my dreams and goals. My ultimate goal in life is to make those who believe in me proud by achieving my dream of becoming a pediatrician. Knowing you're able to change kids' health is an unexplainable enjoyable feeling.

I fell in love with soccer at the age of 7. My dream at that young age was to become a professional soccer player however, I knew that it wasn't going to be easy due to the very small percentage of women making it pro and the support in women's sports was nothing compared to men's sports. The first time I knew about Alex Morgan she became my favorite player in the U.S. women's soccer team immediately. My favorite Women's World Cup was in 2015. I will always remember her iconic sipping tea celebration and the goals she made. She was an amazing, skillful player and excited to watch. Morgan recently retired from her professional career and I didn't have the chance to see her play. I am upset that I wasn't allowed that opportunity however, I will never stop admiring her and forget how she was key factor in improving women's sports in this unfair society that views women sports as insignificant. Every time during a school ice breaker I had to answer the question on who my inspiration was I would always say her name. She became my inspiration in sports and school. I wanted to be as successful as her. Her commitment among other female soccer players in the US women's soccer team in changing women's sports was very admirable. They were able to propose and make equal pay happen. No one has ever attempted and never less accomplished it. I will continue supporting and cheering for the women's U.S. soccer team because I know that they will follow her legacy and continue to fight for equality.

I didn't struggle with mental health until the beginning of middle school. I think because elementary we're still innocent kids who don't have to worry about any majority of society's norms. During middle school, I lost confidence in myself. The way I looked. The common thought I don't look like the pretty girls on social media. I felt like this during my entire middle school experience however, in 8th grade I was relieved I didn't have to see anyone in person to judge my appearance due to covid however, I hated the way I looked on my Zoom camera. That year was when I decided to straighten my hair and put it down I was the ponytail type most of my life before. That was the first change. My style of dressing also changed as well more moderate I would say rather than just jeans and a basic shirt. Crop tops were my new type of shirt and that was my first time. My lack of confidence didn't affect my relationships with family and friends because I didn't let my mental health pass through and affect those who have nothing to do with it. My freshman year of high school started and I still hadn't gained all my confidence I changed my style of clothing once again. Junior year is when my confidence was finally back. It was a rough journey because teenagers often struggle with appearance and want to look a certain way because that's how society has defined those physical norms in our heads. Everyone is unique in their own way and we never should change anything of ourselves for others. Thanks to the support of my relationships I was able to overcome this struggle within myself and now I come to school every day without the worries and anxiety of others judging how I look.

My life completely changed at the age of 7. My parents made the decision to pursue the “American Dream”. My family members who lived in the US were the factors of this decision. Since my dad was a manager at a pharmacy in Mexico he would get moved to different stores which caused us to move once a year. This simply made me think oh we’re moving once again nothing out of the ordinary. I didn’t understand how this was gonna change me as a person forever. It was hard at first because everything was new to me. I had to make new friends, a new teacher, adapt to a new economy, and the most difficult of them all I had to learn a completely new language. However, as time went by I got used to it quickly and eventually learned English. I liked the change and everything was better here. Through my school experience, I met people that I would never forget. My 5th grade teacher, vice principal, and principal in my elementary school were the first people who believed in me. That I was going to be successful in life. They were there for all my elementary track meets and encouraged me. In middle school my basketball coach didn’t only love how I played as a varsity player but my personality. Moving on to high school I met the best math teacher ever and my chemistry/ app chemistry teacher was my inspiration. She attended UC Berkeley and became a chemistry teacher. She inspired me to do well in high school so one day I can be as successful as her. I look back sometimes and I tell myself that I am proud of my younger self. This wasn't easy but one simple move helped my life for the better. I want to attend UC Davis because I want to become a pediatrician. I have always loved helping people, especially kids. Those few seconds of joy I get for helping someone is an unexplainable feeling. My parents due to being undocumented don't have the same opportunity as other people to have a job that pays very well. My parents won't be able to pay for my college that's why I am applying for as many scholarships as I can and praying I win. I want to have a career and be successful in life and I don't want money to be the interference of them. Most importantly, I want to thank all of those people who believed in me by achieving my dreams and making them proud.

My favorite aspect of Minecraft is survival mode. This has been my childhood friend and my favorite since the beginning. I am aware that Roblox has always been a good competitor of this game however, it would never beat this game, I mean statistics show that 180 million play Minecraft worldwide. In most games, you have to follow certain tasks/missions in a pattern. Minecraft is a game where you have the freedom to do anything you want at any pattern you want. You have the choice to experience that real adventure mode with no keep inventory and dealing with mobs on a daily basis or disable those mods and play a peaceful adventure. Build anything you want with unlimited land by using your creativity. For example, a farm, barn with animals, houses, bases, castles etc, literally anything. It is better to play with your friends online because all of you can help each other build and create the best world possible. Mining and gathering resources would be easier when the work is split up between people. Another fun thing about Minecraft is having the opportunity to fight powerful bosses like the ender dragon and the wither. Overall, this game is my escape from reality so in my free time I play this game to relieve my academic stress or whenever I feel like having a good time.

My life completely changed at the age of 7. My parents made the decision to pursue the “American Dream”. My family members who lived in the US were the factors of this decision. Since my dad was a manager at a pharmacy in Mexico he would get moved to different stores which caused us to move once a year. This simply made me think oh we’re moving once again nothing out of the ordinary. I didn’t understand how this was gonna change me as a person forever. It was hard at first because everything was new to me. I had to make new friends, a new teacher, adapt to a new economy, and the most difficult of them all I had to learn a completely new language. However, as time went by I got used to it quickly and eventually learned English. I liked the change and everything was better here. Through my school experience, I met people that I would never forget. My 5th grade teacher, vice principal, and principal in my elementary school were the first people who believed in me. That I was going to be successful in life. They were there for all my elementary track meets and encouraged me. In middle school my basketball coach didn’t only love how I played as a varsity player but my personality. Moving on to high school I met the best math teacher ever and my chemistry/ app chemistry teacher was my inspiration. She attended UC Berkeley and became a chemistry teacher. She inspired me to do well in high school so one day I can be as successful as her. I look back sometimes and I tell myself that I am proud of my younger self. This wasn't easy but one simple move helped my life for the better. I want to attend UC Davis because I want to become a pediatrician. I have always loved helping people, especially kids. Those few seconds of joy I get for helping someone is an unexplainable feeling. Winning this scholarship will help me financially. My parents due to being undocumented don't have the same opportunity as other people to have a job that pays very well. My parents won't be able to pay for my college that's why I am applying for as many scholarships as I can and praying I win. I want to have a career and be successful in life and I don't want money to be the interference of them. Most importantly, I want to thank all of those people who believed in me by achieving my dreams and making them proud.