My passion for dental hygiene is deeply personal. As a teenager, I lived with a severe jaw misalignment that caused pain, difficulty eating, and breathing problems. At first, I was terrified of doctors and refused treatment. My oral surgeon changed my life by showing patience and empathy. Through his care, I found the courage to undergo a series of surgeries that improved my health and quality of life. That experience shaped my commitment to healthcare and inspired me to pursue a career where I can offer the same compassion to others. I graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M with a degree in Public Health, which gave me an understanding of the connection between oral health and overall wellness. Today I am pursuing a B.S. in Dental Hygiene at UT Health San Antonio, where I serve as Class Representative and ADHA Champion. These roles allow me to advocate for classmates and the profession. I lead study sessions and encourage bonding through uplifting notes, exercise, and coffee meetups. My classmates often share that my academic performance gives them confidence to trust my guidance. Our professors have noted that our class is the most connected they have ever witnessed. My work experience has also shaped my passion. I worked in orthodontic and pediatric offices, where I served patients of all ages. I was later promoted to trainer at the orthodontic office, where I wrote curriculum, delivered instruction, and provided hands-on training. My earlier experience as a camp counselor prepared me to work with children with special needs. Because of this background, I was asked to care for patients at the orthodontic office whom other staff struggled to connect with. These experiences strengthened my communication skills and deepened my commitment to education and advocacy, both for patients and the profession. The white coat carries a special meaning in my family. My great-great grandfather was a physician in Mexico who wore his white coat as a symbol of service to the poor. My grandmother wore hers as a butcher, where it represented skill and pride. For me, the white coat in dental hygiene represents both traditions. It reminds me to use my knowledge responsibly and to treat others with compassion. Carrying this legacy forward motivates me to uphold the same values of service and excellence. Looking ahead, my goal is to serve adult patients in a general dentistry office. I plan to become certified in administering local anesthesia to make treatment more comfortable, while also providing preventive screenings and education. My vision is to advance oral health by combining technical skill with compassion, ensuring patients feel supported and respected. Like many students, I carry loans from my undergraduate studies at Texas A&M while funding my current education. Receiving this scholarship would reduce a heavy burden and allow me to focus fully on my studies. With this support, I will continue working toward my goal of becoming a leader in dental hygiene who promotes health, compassion, and trust for every patient I serve.

As a dental hygiene student at UT Health San Antonio, I am honored to serve as Class Representative and ADHA Champion. These roles allow me to represent my classmates, promote collaboration, and advocate for the profession. One of my goals as Class Representative has been to ensure classmates not only succeed academically but also feel connected. I lead study sessions and encourage bonding through activities such as exercising, sharing coffee, and writing uplifting notes to one another. Our professors have remarked that this is the most bonded and supportive class they have ever seen. My advocacy has also extended into my work experience. While employed in an orthodontic office, I was promoted to trainer, where I created curriculum, delivered instruction, and provided hands-on training to new employees. Teaching others how to provide excellent care showed me that advocacy begins with education. By empowering peers, colleagues, and patients with knowledge, we strengthen both care and the profession itself. Service through Cross Trails Ministry has also shaped my approach to leadership. Growing from camper to board member, I learned that true leadership means walking alongside others with humility and responsibility. My own medical journey inspired me to take action. As a teenager, I overcame a fear of doctors through the patience of my oral surgeon, who helped me complete life-changing jaw surgeries. His example taught me how powerful empathy can be. My goal is to bring that same compassion to my career in dental hygiene, advancing oral health and supporting my community.

My decision to pursue a degree in healthcare comes from personal experiences. As a teenager, I lived with a severe jaw misalignment that caused constant pain, difficulty eating, and breathing problems. For years I was terrified of doctors and at first refused the care I needed. The turning point came when my oral surgeon treated me with patience and compassion. He earned my trust and gave me the courage to undergo a series of surgeries, including a major jaw realignment. That experience not only changed my quality of life but also shaped my future. I knew then that I wanted to be a healthcare professional who could bring that same comfort to others. At first my plan was to pursue anesthesiology. During my time at Texas A&M University, where I graduated magna cum laude in Public Health, I explored many areas of healthcare and found myself especially drawn to oral health. I began to see how deeply oral health connects to overall wellness and how access to quality care can change lives. This realization inspired me to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene at UT Health San Antonio. Today I serve as Class President and ADHA Champion, where I advocate for my classmates and for the profession. Leadership has been a consistent part of my journey. I lead study sessions with my classmates to help ensure that no one feels left behind, and my peers often share that my high grades give them confidence to follow my guidance. While in college I also worked in orthodontic and pediatric dental offices. In addition to serving patients as a Registered Dental Assistant, I was promoted to trainer at the orthodontist office. I wrote training curriculum, delivered instruction, and provided hands-on coaching while working directly with patients. This experience taught me that education, whether for peers or patients, is one of the most powerful ways to strengthen healthcare. My involvement with Cross Trails Ministry for more than ten years also shaped me as a person. Growing from camper to counselor, leadership coordinator, assistant program director, and now board member taught me the importance of service, responsibility, and walking alongside others with humility. These lessons continue to guide how I approach leadership and patient care. Running has been another defining influence. As a four year varsity cross country athlete and later a marathon runner, I developed perseverance and discipline. These qualities remind me that progress in healthcare, like training, comes step by step and requires patience and determination. As a woman in healthcare, I hope to make a positive impact by combining technical skill with compassion. My goal is to work in a general dentistry office serving adult patients, providing cleanings, screenings, and education that empowers healthier lives. I also plan to become certified in administering local anesthesia to make treatment more comfortable. Above all, I want to treat every patient as a whole person, replacing fear with comfort and helping them build trust in their care.

When I was a teenager, I needed multiple surgeries to correct a severe jaw misalignment. For years I lived with pain, difficulty chewing, and trouble breathing. What made it even harder was my deep fear of doctors. At first, I refused treatment, but my oral surgeon gained my trust by showing patience, empathy, and respect. His example not only helped me complete the surgeries but also inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare. Since then, I have worked to become someone who can provide that same reassurance to others. I graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M University with a degree in Public Health and am now pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene at UT Health San Antonio, where I serve as Class President and ADHA Champion. I also worked throughout college in orthodontic and pediatric offices, which strengthened my passion for patient care. Service has always been central to my life. For more than ten years I have been involved with Cross Trails Ministry, serving in leadership and now on the Board. I have also found discipline and perseverance through running, competing in varsity cross country all four years of high school and later completing a marathon. When I was younger, I was terrified of doctors. I can still remember sitting in the chair, anxious and refusing treatment, even though I desperately needed care. I had malocclusion that caused pain, breathing issues, and difficulty eating, and eventually I underwent multiple surgeries, including orthognathic surgery to realign my jaw. The turning point came when my oral surgeon treated me with patience and understanding. Instead of pushing me forward, he earned my trust. His example showed me that healthcare is about far more than procedures. It is about empathy. That experience gave me a deep understanding of what it feels like to be vulnerable in a medical setting. Empathy, to me, is the ability to step into a patient’s shoes, recognize their fear or discomfort, and respond with compassion. In dental hygiene, this quality is essential. Many patients arrive with anxiety or embarrassment, and my role is to help them feel safe while providing care. By listening carefully, explaining each step, and offering reassurance, I can transform a stressful appointment into a positive experience. I have already seen the difference empathy makes in practice. While working in a pediatric dental office, I helped calm a young patient who was too frightened to sit in the chair. I explained the tools, let him hold a mirror, and reminded him that he was in control. Slowly, he relaxed and allowed treatment. That day reaffirmed for me that small acts of compassion can have a big impact on a person’s health journey. I plan to become certified in local anesthesia, not only to expand my skills but to reduce patient discomfort. My background in Public Health also shapes the way I view oral care as part of overall wellness. Educating patients about prevention and long-term health will be as important as providing cleanings and screenings. Service has also reinforced my belief in empathy. My years with Cross Trails Ministry taught me that leadership means walking alongside others. Whether guiding campers or serving as a board member, I learned the value of listening, supporting, and helping people feel that they matter. Running has also given me perseverance and patience, qualities that remind me that progress, whether in health or life, is often a step-by-step process. Ultimately, empathy is not optional in healthcare. It is the foundation for trust, the key to better outcomes, and the reason patients feel cared for as whole people. My own journey from fear to healing shaped my passion for dentistry, and I am committed to ensuring that every patient I serve experiences that same humanity and heart.