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.