I am who I am, is the most common phrase I have ever heard when people decide that they know who they are. I've never been a fan of this phrase, because I have not been confident enough to believe in saying the phrase within myself. How do we decide that we know exactly who we are? The question that I repeat to myself over and over again. The way that we are told who we are is based on our culture, personal beliefs, and morals. The problem for me has been being in the middle of things. One of these experiences that I face is from my culture. I was born and raised in America but have Mexican and Guatemalan parents. I was raised in a household where my parents spoke Spanish around me and I spoke mainly English because of school I learned English and it has become my dominant language. This has caused issues for me in forming my identity. If you don't know enough Spanish you are considered whitewashed and not a true Hispanic. This comment has been told to me by my family as they consider it important to be able to speak Spanish as a part of our culture. On the other hand, not knowing enough English made me feel less important than others in school since they spoke fluently. I've always wanted to be from a different culture because of the white-based community I live in. It makes me feel so different from everyone else since there is a small community of Hispanics. I struggle with finding a balance between both cultures and choosing what is acceptable and non-different from everyone else. This took a toll on me and made me develop the belief that I had to be perfect. Being around my friends who were raised differently from me made me question what I believed in. I still learn today the difference between what is right and wrong. I was the only Latina in a my AP classes I questioned everyday if I was good enough. I am someone different from everyone else makes me feel uncomfortable and inferior to who I am. It's difficult for me to balance what is acceptable in my Christian beliefs and society's beliefs no. I want to become someone great a person who will help others and maybe if God allows me to receive an education I will become a missing persons investigator who will for Gods children, those who were wrongly taken, i know i can support my fellow Latino community through my skills and knowledge of their culture and language. I am majoring in criminal justice in high point university a Christian based University, that is loyal to God and his morals,I want to be able to bring people back home it’s something I haven’t heard, a Latina victim advocate. using my knowledge of our culture and language to help victims who have suffered and feel as if they can not speak up. I want to be the someone who they feel comfortable enough to trust me to help them someone from their community. So I cannot successfully say “I am who I am”, well not yet anyway.

Pretty isn’t pretty enough, this phrase hit close to home, for me my beauty has always been something I have questioned, am I like everyone else beauty standards am I a basic type of beauty that no one cares about, I was told when I was young if I put on makeup I would be much prettier they would tell me put a little bit of mascara to make your eyes pop, put on some blush so you’re not so pale these words hurt my self esteem that I decided to do it not because I wanted to but because I wanted people to think I was “pretty”. As I started putting makeup I decided that now finally, I would be considered attractive and people would like me more, as I got more attention, my feelings didn’t change at all I still felt like I was not pretty enough, even with the blush and mascara, I felt like a I needed more and more as I put on more makeup I felt even more insecure than. Now, as I think about it, I didn’t need anyone’s approval; I just needed my own. When I heard this verse from Olivia Rodrigo, I felt so heard. I knew that she was speaking to girls like me who try their best to become “pretty,” but it is never enough. Our worth should not be because of our beauty but because of our souls and minds. Olivia has always been an inspiration because of her age, which is close to mine. I feel like through her music, she is so relatable and allows young girls to not feel alone. Her music talks to those who are going through situations in their lives. She has become an icon in society by inspiring through her music. It has allowed me to feel heard by knowing that there are girls in the industry in Hollywood, where everything seems pitch perfect is not and who struggle with how they look; sometimes they struggle with how their body they have insecurities that make them question their self-worth. Everyone has those moments in which they wish they could change something about themselves. The song “Pretty Isn’t Pretty” is my favorite song from the most amazing album ever from“guts”, this album really spoke to me as well, but nothing like this song. It was like my whole life story being told to me in this rich and vulnerable song. Her voice and music really emphasized the pain and heartache of trying to achieve the idea of beauty. I can not chase something unachievable. No woman will ever feel "pretty" because of society's pressure. There is always something to fix or add. Women are all beautiful, and our voices and souls are more important than how we look. We are so much more than just a pretty face.

My whole I’ve been told that I was meant to pursue education. This was an expectation that I have always put in my heart. This expectation was a hard and difficult process, life has always shown that there will always be adversity in our lives and that everything that is considered successful is not without hardship. I am grateful that I am able to attend a prestigious university but it is difficult to feel such pride when there are bills to be paid. There is much growth in the process and I am thankful to have such hardworking parents but sometimes there efforts are not enough, I have gathered loans to achieve my dreams. As immigrant parents they are not as knowledgeable about universities and education but there efforts of pursuing to learn is what motivates me everyday. This is a new chapter with great opportunities but since it is their first child who is going to a university so everything is new and unique to us. I chose criminal justice because I believe that I can achieve my dreams I grew up with different career options but never heard of someone in my family being in the criminal justice program. My goal is to use my bilingual skills and experience of cultural diversity to use in investigative forces. My dream job is to become a victim advocate helping victims of sexual assault/ domestic violence. Being able to help them navigate through the legal procedures can help ease the stress and help them have someone to rely on during this difficult process. Fighting for them to get the resources and justice they deserve. Simply being there for them when they need feel all alone. Speaking two languages allows me to connect with minorities who are afraid to speak up.I also am studying psychology this is a big thing for me and my family by learning about mental health resources and coping mechanisms I can use these skills to educate those around me. This knowledge can allow for personal growth and will improve my families relationships. I graduated as one of two Hispanics on the top 10 percent of high school class, and from the AP capstone academy. Doing these classes and achieving my goals was often critical by my friends as they preferred partying and having fun. I dedicated my whole life to my educations and family. I learned how to become independent and grateful for everything no matter how small or big. I believe that my hard work will pay off. God has played the biggest role through church and friends I have learned about who I am and what I can do for others. I have seen the impact of victim advocacy in in women, children and men. I am waiting for the day to be apart of their process of healing and being apart of their way back to the world. If I win this scholarship it is no small thing because I will be grateful for everything to achieve my dreams.

My whole I’ve been told that I was meant to pursue education. This was an expectation that I have always put in my heart. This expectation was a hard and difficult process, life has always shown that there will always be adversity in our lives and that everything that is considered successful is not without hardship. I am grateful that I am able to attend a prestigious university but it is difficult to feel such pride when there are bills to be paid. There is much growth in the process and I am thankful to have such hardworking parents but sometimes there efforts are not enough, I have gathered loans to achieve my dreams. As immigrant parents they are not as knowledgeable about universities and education but there efforts of pursuing to learn is what motivates me everyday. This is a new chapter with great opportunities but since it is their first child who is going to a university so everything is new and unique to us. I chose criminal justice because I believe that I can achieve my dreams I grew up with different career options but never heard of someone in my family being in the criminal justice program. My goal is to use my bilingual skills and experience of cultural diversity to use in investigative forces. My dream job is to become a victim advocate helping victims of sexual assault/ domestic violence. Being able to help them navigate through the legal procedures can help ease the stress and help them have someone to rely on during this difficult process. Fighting for them to get the resources and justice they deserve. Simply being there for them when they need feel all alone. Speaking two languages allows me to connect with minorities who are afraid to speak up.I also am studying psychology this is a big thing for me and my family by learning about mental health resources and coping mechanisms I can use these skills to educate those around me. This knowledge can allow for personal growth and will improve my families relationships. I graduated as one of two Hispanics on the top 10 percent of high school class, and from the AP capstone academy. Doing these classes and achieving my goals was often critical by my friends as they preferred partying and having fun. I dedicated my whole life to my educations and family. I learned how to become independent and grateful for everything no matter how small or big. I believe that my hard work will pay off. God has played the biggest role through church and friends I have learned about who I am and what I can do for others. I have seen the impact of victim advocacy in in women, children and men. I am waiting for the day to be apart of their process of healing and being apart of their way back to the world. If I win this scholarship it is no small thing because I will be grateful for everything to achieve my dreams.

My whole I’ve been told that I was meant to pursue education. This was an expectation that I have always put in my heart. This expectation was a hard and difficult process, life has always shown that there will always be adversity in our lives and that everything that is considered successful is not without hardship. I am grateful that I am able to attend a prestigious university but it is difficult to feel such pride when there are bills to be paid. There is much growth in the process and I am thankful to have such hardworking parents but sometimes there efforts are not enough, I have gathered loans to achieve my dreams. As immigrant parents they are not as knowledgeable about universities and education but there efforts of pursuing to learn is what motivates me everyday. This is a new chapter with great opportunities but since it is their first child who is going to a university so everything is new and unique to us. I chose criminal justice because I believe that I can achieve my dreams I grew up with different career options but never heard of someone in my family being in the criminal justice program. My goal is to use my bilingual skills and experience of cultural diversity to use in investigative forces. My dream job is to become a victim advocate helping victims of sexual assault/ domestic violence. Being able to help them navigate through the legal procedures can help ease the stress and help them have someone to rely on during this difficult process. Fighting for them to get the resources and justice they deserve. Simply being there for them when they need feel all alone. Speaking two languages allows me to connect with minorities who are afraid to speak up.I also am studying psychology this is a big thing for me and my family by learning about mental health resources and coping mechanisms I can use these skills to educate those around me. This knowledge can allow for personal growth and will improve my families relationships. I graduated as one of two Hispanics on the top 10 percent of high school class, and from the AP capstone academy. Doing these classes and achieving my goals was often critical by my friends as they preferred partying and having fun. I dedicated my whole life to my educations and family. I learned how to become independent and grateful for everything no matter how small or big. I believe that my hard work will pay off. God has played the biggest role through church and friends I have learned about who I am and what I can do for others. I have seen the impact of victim advocacy in in women, children and men. I am waiting for the day to be apart of their process of healing and being apart of their way back to the world. If I win this scholarship it is no small thing because I will be grateful for everything to achieve my dreams.

My whole I’ve been told that I was meant to pursue education. This was an expectation that I have always put in my heart. This expectation was a hard and difficult process, life has always shown that there will always be adversity in our lives and that everything that is considered successful is not without hardship. I am grateful that I am able to attend a prestigious university but it is difficult to feel such pride when there are bills to be paid. There is much growth in the process and I am thankful to have such hardworking parents but sometimes there efforts are not enough, I have gathered loans to achieve my dreams. As immigrant parents they are not as knowledgeable about universities and education but there efforts of pursuing to learn is what motivates me everyday. This is a new chapter with great opportunities but since it is their first child who is going to a university so everything is new and unique to us. I chose criminal justice because I believe that I can achieve my dreams I grew up with different career options but never heard of someone in my family being in the criminal justice program. My goal is to use my bilingual skills and experience of cultural diversity to use in investigative forces. My dream job is to become a victim advocate helping victims of sexual assault/ domestic violence. Being able to help them navigate through the legal procedures can help ease the stress and help them have someone to rely on during this difficult process. Fighting for them to get the resources and justice they deserve. Simply being there for them when they need feel all alone. Speaking two languages allows me to connect with minorities who are afraid to speak up.I also am studying psychology this is a big thing for me and my family by learning about mental health resources and coping mechanisms I can use these skills to educate those around me. This knowledge can allow for personal growth and will improve my families relationships. I graduated as one of two Hispanics on the top 10 percent of high school class, and from the AP capstone academy. Doing these classes and achieving my goals was often critical by my friends as they preferred partying and having fun. I dedicated my whole life to my educations and family. I learned how to become independent and grateful for everything no matter how small or big. I believe that my hard work will pay off. God has played the biggest role through church and friends I have learned about who I am and what I can do for others. I have seen the impact of victim advocacy in in women, children and men. I am waiting for the day to be apart of their process of healing and being apart of their way back to the world. If I win this scholarship it is no small thing because I will be grateful for everything to achieve my dreams.

My whole I’ve been told that I was meant to pursue education. This was an expectation that I have always put in my heart. This expectation was a hard and difficult process, life has always shown that there will always be adversity in our lives and that everything that is considered successful is not without hardship. I am grateful that I am able to attend a prestigious university but it is difficult to feel such pride when there are bills to be paid. There is much growth in the process and I am thankful to have such hardworking parents but sometimes there efforts are not enough, I have gathered loans to achieve my dreams. As immigrant parents they are not as knowledgeable about universities and education but there efforts of pursuing to learn is what motivates me everyday. This is a new chapter with great opportunities but since it is their first child who is going to a university so everything is new and unique to us. I chose criminal justice because I believe that I can achieve my dreams I grew up with different career options but never heard of someone in my family being in the criminal justice program. My goal is to use my bilingual skills and experience of cultural diversity to use in investigative forces. My dream job is to become a victim advocate helping victims of sexual assault/ domestic violence. Being able to help them navigate through the legal procedures can help ease the stress and help them have someone to rely on during this difficult process. Fighting for them to get the resources and justice they deserve. Simply being there for them when they need feel all alone. Speaking two languages allows me to connect with minorities who are afraid to speak up.I also am studying psychology this is a big thing for me and my family by learning about mental health resources and coping mechanisms I can use these skills to educate those around me. This knowledge can allow for personal growth and will improve my families relationships. I graduated as one of two Hispanics on the top 10 percent of high school class, and from the AP capstone academy. Doing these classes and achieving my goals was often critical by my friends as they preferred partying and having fun. I dedicated my whole life to my educations and family. I learned how to become independent and grateful for everything no matter how small or big. I believe that my hard work will pay off. God has played the biggest role through church and friends I have learned about who I am and what I can do for others. I have seen the impact of victim advocacy in in women, children and men. I am waiting for the day to be apart of their process of healing and being apart of their way back to the world. If I win this scholarship it is no small thing because I will be grateful for everything to achieve my dreams.

I am who I am, is the most common phrase I have ever heard when people decide that they know who they are. I've never been a fan of this phrase, because I have not been confident enough to believe in saying the phrase within myself. How do we decide that we know exactly who we are? The question that I repeat to myself over and over again. The way that we are told who we are is based on our culture, personal beliefs, and morals. The problem for me has been being in the middle of things. One of these experiences that I face is from my culture. I was born and raised in America but have Mexican and Guatemalan parents. I was raised in a household where my parents spoke Spanish around me and I spoke mainly English because of school I learned English and it has become my dominant language. This has caused issues for me in forming my identity. If you don't know enough Spanish you are considered whitewashed and not a true Hispanic. This comment has been told to me by my family as they consider it important to be able to speak Spanish as a part of our culture. On the other hand, not knowing enough English made me feel less important than others in school since they spoke fluently.. I've always wanted to be from a different culture because of the white-based community I live in. It makes me feel so different from everyone else since there is a small community of Hispanics. I struggle with finding a balance between both cultures and choosing what is acceptable and non-different from everyone else. A struggle with my identity has been because of my religion and the expectations that come from being a Christian. My beliefs were taught at a young age by both my parents and grandparents. My family is known for being missionaries and pastors. This caused a list of expectations that I had to follow in order to be considered a good daughter and a Christian. This took a toll on me and made me develop the belief that I had to be perfect. Being around my friends who were raised differently from me made me question what I believed in. I still learn today the difference between what is right and wrong. I believe something different from everyone else makes me feel uncomfortable and inferior to who I am. It's difficult for me to balance what is acceptable in my Christian beliefs and society's beliefs no. I want to become someone great a person who will help others and maybe if God allows me to receive an education I will become a missing persons investigator who will for Gods children, those who were wrongly taken, i know i can support my fellow Latino community through my skills and knowledge of their culture and language. I am majoring in criminal justice in high point university a Christian based University, that is loyal to God and his morals,I want to be able to bring people back home it’s something I haven’t heard, a “christian Latina private investigator” who will find them to bring them to where they belong and to fight against those who sin. So I can not successfully say “I am who I am”, well not yet anyway.

I am who I am, is the most common phrase I have ever heard when people decide that they know who they are. I've never been a fan of this phrase, because I have not been confident enough to believe in saying the phrase within myself. How do we decide that we know exactly who we are? The question that I repeat to myself over and over again. The way that we are told who we are is based on our culture, personal beliefs, and morals. The problem for me has been being in the middle of things. One of these experiences that I face is from my culture. I was born and raised in America but have Mexican and Guatemalan parents. I was raised in a household where my parents spoke Spanish around me and I spoke mainly English because of school I learned English and it has become my dominant language. This has caused issues for me in forming my identity. If you don't know enough Spanish you are considered whitewashed and not a true Hispanic. This comment has been told to me by my family as they consider it important to be able to speak Spanish as a part of our culture. On the other hand, not knowing enough English made me feel less important than others in school since they spoke fluently.. I've always wanted to be from a different culture because of the white-based community I live in. It makes me feel so different from everyone else since there is a small community of Hispanics. I struggle with finding a balance between both cultures and choosing what is acceptable and non-different from everyone else. A struggle with my identity has been because of my religion and the expectations that come from being a Christian. My beliefs were taught at a young age by both my parents and grandparents. My family is known for being missionaries and pastors. This caused a list of expectations that I had to follow in order to be considered a good daughter and a Christian. This took a toll on me and made me develop the belief that I had to be perfect. Being around my friends who were raised differently from me made me question what I believed in. I still learn today the difference between what is right and wrong. I believe something different from everyone else makes me feel uncomfortable and inferior to who I am. It's difficult for me to balance what is acceptable in my Christian beliefs and society's beliefs no. I want to become someone great a person who will help others and maybe if God allows me to receive an education I will become a missing persons investigator who will for Gods children, those who were wrongly taken from their families. By being a proud Latina I can provide help to those who are immigrants to the U.S by understanding their language and culture. High point university a Christian based University, that is loyal to God and his morals,I want to be able to bring people back home it’s something I haven’t heard, a “Christian Latina private investigator” . So I can not successfully say “I am who I am”, well not yet anyway.

My mother is the purest and most virtuous person I know, she is always true to herself even when the whole world seems to come against her. She has gone through a lot, she was a victim of domestic violence and suffered great tragedies at a young age. She went to the United States when she was only fourteen, and by that time she had moved almost ten times through the U They both worked hard When my big brother was born we were constantly being babysat by different people. She taught me how to always push myself even when I feel like I can not keep going, this motivates me to keep studying to make my mom proud and make all the financial and emotional struggles worth me being able to have a career through my mom working hard while also taking care of my siblings all while managing our financial struggles". If God allows me to get this money, it will help to relieve a little of the financial burden that is on my mother has for me to have an education, while I’ve been told that I was meant to pursue education. This expectation was a hard process, life has always shown that there will always be adversity in our lives. I am grateful that I can attend a prestigious university, but it is difficult to feel such pride when there are bills to be paid. There is much growth in the process, and I am thankful to have such hardworking parents, but sometimes their efforts are not enough. I have gathered loans to achieve my dreams. As immigrant parents, they are not as knowledgeable about universities and education, but their efforts to learn is what motivates me every day. This is a new chapter with great opportunities, but since it is their first child who is going to a university so everything is new and unique to us. I chose criminal justice because I believe that I can help others. I want to help victims and provide support for them. I grew up with different career options but never heard of someone in my family being in the criminal justice program. My goal is to use my bilingual skills and experience of cultural diversity in investigative roles. I am also studying psychology, which is a big thing for me and my family, by learning about mental health resources and coping mechanisms, I can use these skills to educate my family. This knowledge can allow for personal growth and will improve my family's relationships. I graduated as one of two Hispanics on the top 10 percent of my high school class, and from the AP Capstone Academy. Doing these classes and achieving my goals was often criticized by my friends as they preferred partying and having fun. I learned how to become independent and grateful for everything, no matter how small or big. I believe that my hard work will pay off. God has played the biggest role through church and friends I have learned about who I am and what I can do for others, volunteering and donating is a big part of my church life there missionary programs where every month we see the impact of our donations in women, children and men I always see them so grateful for the smallest things because for them it isn’t so small. If I win this scholarship it is no small thing because I will be grateful for everything to achieve my dreams.

My whole I’ve been told that I was meant to pursue education. This was an expectation that I have always put in my heart. This expectation was a hard and difficult process, life has always shown that there will always be adversity in our lives and that everything that is considered successful is not without hardship. I am grateful that I am able to attend a prestigious university but it is difficult to feel such pride when there are bills to be paid. There is much growth in the process and I am thankful to have such hardworking parents but sometimes there efforts are not enough, I have gathered loans to achieve my dreams. As immigrant parents they are not as knowledgeable about universities and education but there efforts of pursuing to learn is what motivates me everyday. This is a new chapter with great opportunities but since it is their first child who is going to a university so everything is new and unique to us. I chose criminal justice because I believe that I can achieve my dreams I grew up with different career options but never heard of someone in my family being in the criminal justice program. My goal is to use my bilingual skills and experience of cultural diversity to use in investigative forces. I also am studying psychology this is a big thing for me and my family by learning about mental health resources and coping mechanisms I can use these skills to educate my family. This knowledge can allow for personal growth and will improve my families relationships. I graduated as one of two Hispanics on the top 10 percent of high school class, and from the AP capstone academy. Doing these classes and achieving my goals was often critical by my friends as they preferred parting and having fun. I dedicated my whole life to my educations and family. I learned how to become independent and grateful for everything no matter how small or big. I believe that my hard work will pay off. God has played the biggest role through church and friends I have learned about who I am and what I can do for others, volunteering and donating is a big part of my life in church there missionary programs where every month we see the impact of our donations in women,children and men I always see them so grateful for the smallest things because for them it isn’t so small. If I win this scholarship it is no small thing because I will be grateful for everything to achieve my dreams.

Pretty isn’t pretty enough, this phrase hit close to home, for me my beauty has always been something I have questioned, am I like everyone else beauty standards am I a basic type of beauty that no one cares about, I was told when I was young if I put on makeup I would be much prettier they would tell me put a little bit of mascara to make your eyes pop, put on some blush so you’re not so pale these words hurt my self esteem that I decided to do it not because I wanted to but because I wanted people to think I was “pretty”. As I started putting makeup I decided that now finally I would be considered attractive and people would like me more, as I got more attention, my feelings didn’t change at all I still felt like I was not pretty enough, even with the blush and mascara, I felt like a I needed more and more as I put on more makeup I felt even more insecure than. Now as I think about I didn’t need anyone’s approval I just needed my own,. When I heard this verse from Olivia Rodrigo I felt so heard I knew that she was speaking to girls like me who try their best to become “pretty” but it is never enough, our worth should not be because of our beauty but because of our soul and minds. Olivia has always been an inspiration because of her age that is close to mine I feel like through her music she is so relatable and allows young girls to not feel alone, her music talks to those who are going through situations in their life. She has become an icon in society by inspiraing through her music and acting her heritage also has allowed me to feel heard by knowing that their are girls in the industry in Hollywood where everything seems pitch perfect is not and they struggle with how they look sometimes they struggle with how their body they have insecurities that makes them question their self worth, everyone has those moments in which they wish they could change something about themselves. The song “pretty isn’t pretty” is my favorite song from the most amazing album ever from“guts”, this album really spoke to me as well but nothing like this song it was like my whole life story was coming to this rich and vulnerable song her voice really emphasized the pain and heartache of trying to achieve true beauty.

My whole I’ve been told that I was meant to pursue education. This was an expectation that I have always put in my heart. This expectation was a hard and difficult process, life has always shown that there will always be adversity in our lives and that everything that is considered successful is not without hardship. I am grateful that I am able to attend a prestigious university but it is difficult to feel such pride when there are bills to be paid. There is much growth in the process and I am thankful to have such hardworking parents but sometimes there efforts are not enough, I have gathered loans to achieve my dreams. As immigrant parents they are not as knowledgeable about universities and education but there efforts of pursuing to learn is what motivates me everyday. This is a new chapter with great opportunities but since it is their first child who is going to a university so everything is new and unique to us. I chose criminal justice because I believe that I can achieve my dreams I grew up with different career options but never heard of someone in my family being in the criminal justice program. My goal is to use my bilingual skills and experience of cultural diversity to use in investigative forces. I also am studying psychology this is a big thing for me and my family by learning about mental health resources and coping mechanisms I can use these skills to educate my family. This knowledge can allow for personal growth and will improve my families relationships. I graduated as one of two Hispanics on the top 10 percent of high school class, and from the AP capstone academy. Doing these classes and achieving my goals was often critical by my friends as they preferred parting and having fun. I dedicated my whole life to my educations and family. I learned how to become independent and grateful for everything no matter how small or big. I believe that my hard work will pay off. God has played the biggest role through church and friends I have learned about who I am and what I can do for others, volunteering and donating is a big part of my life in church there missionary programs where every month we see the impact of our donations in women,children and men I always see them so grateful for the smallest things because for them it isn’t so small. If I win this scholarship it is no small thing because I will be grateful for everything to achieve my dreams.

My mother is the purest and most virtuous person I know, she is always true to herself even when the whole world seems to come against her. She has gone through a lot, she was a victim of domestic violence and suffered great tragedies at a young age. She went to the United States when she was only fourteen, and by that time she moved almost ten times through the U.S. When she met my father they were determined to make a living out of the poverty and pain that they had lived in adolescence. they both worked hard when my big brother was born we were constantly being babysat by different people. My mom would always stay true to who she was and always kept her dignity even when it was difficult and she was allowed to make the wrong decisions. As a Mexican immigrant she has worked through all the hardships that come with being an alien in this country, the racism and fear of being sent back home did not stop her from reaching her goals. She taught me how to always push myself even when I feel like I can not keep going, this motivates me to keep studying to make my mom proud and make all the financial and emotional struggles worth me being able to have a career through my mom working hard while also taking care of my siblings all while managing our financial struggles. My mom taught me how to stay humble even when things are going our way and I am seeing success, there is never room for selfishness or egocentrism, the quote that will always stay with me is when she told us that "we came to this world to bless and help others never to harm or compete with them". If God allows me to get this money, it will help to relieve a little of the financial burden that is on my mother that she has for me to have an education. My goal in the future is to use my criminal justice degree and a minor in psychology to become a victim specialist when they go through trauma to help the police in solving crimes, I would love to be able to help them and reach more people through those who have difficult in language, by being bilingual I will be able to communicate with them and help them. The education that I receive will give me the knowledge to be able to handle situations and know how to empathise and talk to them efficiently with patience and kindness that I will try my best to help them get medical and mental help If they need it. There is so much evil in this world that it's easy to forget that it is good, my mother taught me to never forget there is good in this world, and that I can achieve anything with just a little bit of faith and love and motivation of your family it goes a long way. -"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path" ~ Anonymous

I am who I am, is the most common phrase I have ever heard when people decide that they know who they are. I've never been a fan of this phrase, because I have not been confident enough to believe in saying the phrase within myself. How do we decide that we know exactly who we are? The question that I repeat to myself over and over again. The way that we are told who we are is based on our culture, personal beliefs, and morals. The problem for me has been being in the middle of things. One of these experiences that I face is from my culture. I was born and raised in America but have Mexican and Guatemalan parents. I was raised in a household where my parents spoke Spanish around me and I spoke mainly English because of school I learned English and it has become my dominant language. This has caused issues for me in forming my identity. If you don't know enough Spanish you are considered whitewashed and not a true Hispanic. This comment has been told to me by my family as they consider it important to be able to speak Spanish as a part of our culture. On the other hand, not knowing enough English made me feel less important than others in school since they spoke fluently.. I've always wanted to be from a different culture because of the white-based community I live in. It makes me feel so different from everyone else since there is a small community of Hispanics. I struggle with finding a balance between both cultures and choosing what is acceptable and non-different from everyone else. A struggle with my identity has been because of my religion and the expectations that come from being a Christian. My beliefs were taught at a young age by both my parents and grandparents. My family is known for being missionaries and pastors. This caused a list of expectations that I had to follow in order to be considered a good daughter and a Christian. This took a toll on me and made me develop the belief that I had to be perfect. Being around my friends who were raised differently from me made me question what I believed in. I still learn today the difference between what is right and wrong. I believe something different from everyone else makes me feel uncomfortable and inferior to who I am. It's difficult for me to balance what is acceptable in my Christian beliefs and society's beliefs no. I want to become someone great a person who will help others and maybe if God allows me to receive an education I will become a missing persons investigator who will for Gods children, those who were wrongly taken, I believe God will give me wisdom to find them. I want to major in criminal justice in high point university a Christian based University, that is loyal to God and his morals,I want to be able to bring people back home it’s something I haven’t heard, a “christian private investigator” who will find them to bring them to where they belong and to fight against those who sin. So I can not successfully say “I am who I am”, well not yet anyway.

Pretty isn’t pretty enough, this phrase hit close to home, for me my beauty has always been something I have questioned, am I like everyone else beauty standards am I a basic type of beauty that no one cares about, I was told when I was young if I put on makeup I would be much prettier they would tell me put a little bit of mascara to make your eyes pop, put on some blush so you’re not so pale these words hurt my self esteem that I decided to do it not because I wanted to but because I wanted people to think I was “pretty”. As I started putting makeup I decided that now finally I would be considered attractive and people would like me more, as I got more attention, my feelings didn’t change at all I still felt like I was not pretty enough, even with the blush and mascara, I felt like a I needed more and more as I put on more makeup I felt even more insecure than. Now as I think about I didn’t need anyone’s approval I just needed my own,. When I heard this verse from Olivia Rodrigo I felt so heard I knew that she was speaking to girls like me who try their best to become “pretty” but it is never enough, our worth should not be because of our beauty but because of our soul and minds. Olivia has always been an inspiration because of her age that is close to mine I feel like through her music she is so relatable and allows young girls to not feel alone, her music talks to those who are going through situations in their life. She has become an icon in society by inspiraing through her music and acting her heritage also has allowed me to feel heard by knowing that their are girls in the industry in Hollywood where everything seems pitch perfect is not and they struggle with how they look sometimes they struggle with how their body they have insecurities that makes them question their self worth, everyone has those moments in which they wish they could change something about themselves. The song “pretty isn’t pretty” is my favorite song from the most amazing album ever from“guts”, this album really spoke to me as well but nothing like this song it was like my whole life story was coming to this rich and vulnerable song her voice really emphasized the pain and heartache of trying to achieve true beauty.