I am a very lucky girl. Love has always surrounded me, even during the hardest seasons of my short life. When my parents were still together, my birthdays were always packed with family and unforgettable, made possible by the endless effort my mother put into making each one special. However, my tenth birthday marked a turning point. That was the year my parents divorced. In many ways, my mom had already been raising two children on her own, even while she was married. My dad chose to live his life separately and did not help much, believing he had already fulfilled his responsibilities after raising his younger brothers in his youth. The arguments between my parents were loud and constant, and eventually my mom decided it was time for a fresh start. She moved my little brother and me back to the city where she grew up, away from the hurt that had been trying to dim her light for years. That year, instead of a big party, my mom lit birthday candles on a Little Debbie Cosmic Brownie and promised my brother and me that she would work hard to give us a better life. The beginning of my parents’ divorce was also when I first understood financial struggle. My mom tried to shield us from that reality, so we spent long hours at places like McDonald’s or Starbucks—anywhere with free Wi-Fi—so she could continue working. When she went into the office, she would sell food to her coworkers out of my school duffle bag. Some of my favorite memories from that time are the early mornings we spent cooking together and packing everything up before the day began. Despite all of my mom’s effort, it was my grandfather who truly stepped in to support our small family. My grandfather was not a man who openly expressed his emotions, but he showed love through providing. He brought groceries every week, built me a bed frame for the room he fixed up for me, and became the father figure I needed during that time. Losing my grandfather was harder for me than my parents’ divorce. He taught me woodworking and how to appreciate quality craftsmanship. His career fixing up houses sparked my interest in architecture, as his work focused on preserving the beauty of homes. During the early months of living in a single-parent household, his presence gave me hope and reassured me that everything would be okay. On days when my mom had to work overtime, my Tía welcomed my brother and me into her home. She and my Tío became second parents to me. They never missed my sports games or fine arts performances, were the first to see my quinceañera pictures, and were the first people I told when I was accepted into college. While the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child,” they and their five kids were all the village I needed. Their love and consistency filled the gap left by losing my dad’s side of the family. As the oldest of the group of kids, I take great pride in opening doors for my loved ones. I participated in everything I could—sports, music, and new challenges—because I knew I was paving the way. When my grandparents came to this country, their goal was to create a better life for their children and their grandchildren. Carrying that legacy forward, I refuse to let anything hold me back.

Ten years have passed since my parents divorced. I was a nine-year-old girl who did not understand the rapid changes happening all around me. In the span of one week, I packed away my life from the house I was raised in and moved to a new city with a completely different culture. My mom moved away with my brother and me to start over. Although I was still allowed to visit my dad on the weekends, for a long time I felt like I did not belong anywhere. This feeling, one I could not explain at the time, split my character into two—one personality for house A and another for house B. In my family, it was rare for a couple to separate, let alone get divorced. Adults often approached me asking where things went wrong between my parents. Being ambushed with these questions at such a young age caused me to build emotional walls to protect myself. I carried anger and confusion that I could not explain. Looking back, I now realize that I was experiencing anxiety and depression caused by instability at home, new responsibilities, and being treated differently by people who called themselves family. When I was sixteen, my mom returned to church after reconnecting with her faith. She felt the love of God and wanted me to experience that same sense of belonging. At first, I was resistant. I believed strongly in science and facts, and I struggled to accept something I could not fully explain. Despite my hesitation, my mom never gave up. Every week, I attended Sunday morning services and Wednesday night Bible study. Over time, those settings slowly softened my heart and changed my way of thinking. Eventually, my broken sense of self began to heal, and I felt whole again. Finding faith gave me peace and allowed me to feel grounded during a time when my life had felt divided for so long. That peace gave me the clarity to realize that I could chase any dream I set for myself. Pursuing higher education means I will become the first person in my family to earn a college degree. Being the first—and doing so as a woman—fills me with immense pride. This achievement represents more than personal success; it represents progress for the women in my family who never had the opportunity to pursue this path. I hope to inspire the younger girls in my family to see that they have choices—that their future does not have to follow a single, expected path of marrying young and starting a family immediately. Choosing to enter the engineering field as a woman, I understand the challenges that lie ahead. The difficulty extends beyond demanding coursework to the realities of a male-dominated work environment. Still, I refuse to let these obstacles deter me. My experiences with mental health have taught me resilience, self-belief, and determination. I am committed to helping make the engineering industry a more inclusive and welcoming space for women like me. Making a meaningful impact in the workforce is one of my greatest goals—not only for myself, but for the many young girls who come from backgrounds similar to mine.

It had only been two months since I graduated high school when reality hit me hard. I was preparing to move away for college, excited about starting fresh, when I got into my first car accident. At the same time, I had applied for a campus job. Initially, I was denied, but the very next day I received an email congratulating me on being chosen. I celebrated with my mom, but as I reread the email, I realized I had only two weeks to get my affairs in order before moving away. One of the most important tasks was completing my I-9 form in person at the college. During that final week at home, I immersed myself in church. I attended my college girls’ Bible study, worship nights, and Bible study with my mom. I wanted to feed my soul before stepping into this new chapter. At one worship night, the sermon focused on truly relying on God. The preacher asked us to kneel and beg the Lord to break our hearts, so we could see what was holding us back from trusting Him fully. That moment stayed with me. Later that week, I drove alone to my college to complete the I-9 process. I prayed before leaving, asking God to calm my nerves and guide me. Just five minutes from my destination, my front tire blew out on the highway. Though the situation was intense, I managed to stay calm and pull over safely. I called my mom, and she arranged for Triple A to replace the tire. I waited three hours in the summer heat without food or water, but I was grateful to be safe. Still, I felt uneasy. I prayed, asking God why I felt unsettled. Eventually, I continued my drive, but I missed the I-9 appointment and felt defeated. On the way home, driving on the spare tire, I cried the entire two-hour trip. My mom called to check on me, but I was determined to get home. When my GPS suggested a quicker route, I took it—only to have an SUV suddenly cut in front of me. I couldn’t stop in time and collided with the vehicle. Shaken, I called my mom again. The other driver, an older woman, cursed at me and, after hearing me speak Spanish to my mom, made racial remarks. I was exhausted and emotionally drained, but instead of arguing back, I simply said, “Please give me some grace. I need my mother right now.” When my mom arrived, she told me to wait in the car while she handled the situation. I sat there, brokenhearted, asking God why this was happening. I felt unprepared to go off on my own. Yet the next day, I realized God had been with me the entire time. Despite everything, I came home without a scratch, and later I even won the insurance case. Now, I am at college, living independently and thriving. Every time I face a challenge that feels too big, I give it to God, because nothing is too big for Him to handle. This experience taught me that faith is not just about attending church or praying when things are easy. It is about trusting God in the middle of chaos, when everything feels impossible. My heart broke that day, but it also opened. I learned that God’s presence is constant, even in the most difficult moments. That truth continues to guide me as I pursue my education and future.

Women—a word full of strength and legacy. I was born into a loving family of courageous, intelligent, and kind-hearted women who shaped who I am. Above all, my mother has been my greatest inspiration. She came to this country young, navigating an unfamiliar world with resilience and determination. Through hard work, she began building her version of the “American Dream” and taught me that no dream is too wild or out of reach. Growing up, my mother was tough on me—not out of strictness, but because she knew the world wouldn’t be kind. I’m forever grateful for that. She equipped me to carve my own path and helped me become the strong, ambitious woman I am today. As a second-generation Mexican-American, I was spared one of the greatest challenges my mother faced: the language barrier. While she had to learn English on her own, I had the privilege of growing up with her guidance through school. She wanted me to have everything she didn’t—especially an education without the limits she faced. English became my superpower. It broke the chains that had held generations of women in my family back. Without that barrier, I excelled, sought help when needed, and advanced in my studies. Each school year felt like a victory—another step forward from relatives who never made it past sixth grade. By seventh grade, I was surpassing them all. Yet I was still asked, “When will you start your own family?” In my family, women have often followed the same path: marry young, have children early, and rely on their husbands. While I love and respect them, I’ve always known I wanted a different future. I refuse to be confined by outdated expectations. I will be the first woman in my family to go to college and earn a degree—not just for me, but to show my younger cousins that they can break the cycle too. As the eldest cousin on both sides, I know these younger girls look up to me. In a world where social media easily shapes young minds, I want to be their example. I want them to know that their futures can be bigger than marriage at sixteen or motherhood at eighteen. My drive for education goes beyond personal ambition—it’s about showing them that knowledge is power, and once you have it, no one can take it away. I’ve always loved learning, even when it meant stepping out of my comfort zone. Joining my school’s CTE Construction course was intimidating—walking into a male-dominated space felt scary. But inspired by strong women before me—my algebra teacher, orchestra director, and BIM instructor—I found my voice and earned my peers’ respect. Now, as I pursue a degree in engineering, I’m committed to helping make the industry more welcoming to women like me. It’s still nerve-wracking to walk into those rooms, but I push forward, knowing every step brings me closer to breaking barriers. My dream is not just to succeed, but to pave the way for others. The engineering world needs more minds like ours—innovative, determined, and resilient. Women have always been problem solvers, and I intend to be part of that change. With this degree, I will innovate, inspire, and advocate for a future where talent—not gender—defines success. My education is mine forever, earned through hard work and grit. As I begin this next chapter, I’ll continue proving that no dream is too big and no barrier too strong. And by doing so, I hope to inspire the next generation of girls in my family to write their own stories of strength and success.

As an 18 year old Mexican-American senior in high school, the hardships of my life have shaped me into the woman I am today. The drive to go to college comes from the work ethic my family has installed in me. Ever since I was little, my mother had always encouraged me to leave my comfort zone to reach my dreams she never got to reach. During my time in middle school I realized that normal classes were too easy for me and that I needed a challenge. Thus began me in high school taking advanced, AP, and Dual Credit classes. Taking these challenging classes has changed my mindset in so many ways every year. I used to think not getting the best grades meant I wasn’t smart at learning new things, now that mindset has changed to any growth is growth no matter how small. In my junior year I had moved to a new school that offered career trades. This new school led me to the construction field. Being in that class intimidated me in ways I’ve never felt before just because I was one of the only 3 girls in class of 23 boys. Being in this CTE program has taught me to be a leader, how to project my voice, and to be a problem solver. The biggest advantage of being in the construction class was improving my math skills. Math was my weakest subject in school, but since taking that class my skills have increased rapidly. Ever since my math skills have gotten better, I was no longer scared of taking the heavy math class I thought I wasn’t good enough for. Which led me to taking an architecture course and my first dual credit math class. These classes sparked my confidence to research harder majors to take in college, this research led me to engineering. Going to college to pursue my bachelors in civil engineering would just be my first stop to creating the best life for myself.I would be the first person in my family to go to college, and I want to uphold myself to be a role model for my younger family members. I don’t want my grandparents' sacrifice coming to America to go to waste.They built the best life they could for my parents, and my parents did their best to create a life of opportunities for me. In my couple months of being a senior, I had made my schedule packed to learn as much as I could before graduating in the spring next year. I took a principles of construction class, teaching me the basics of every construction career. In this class I learned how to draft plans for projects such as sheds and small houses. Next door is an engineering class, when I have time I will go in there to ask about the basics of what the class is learning. Since doing this I have learned how to use the CAT software to make simple objects. I have been blessed with the drive to learn and to be curious about things. I never want this to leave me as I have learned so many traits just from these characteris. Going to college will open so many pathways for me to keep learning and bettering myself. I hope to one day make a huge impact on our society, and to show my family we have the ability to accomplish any dream in our lifetime.