I was born in Ecuador and migrated to the United States when I was 17. Arriving without any English skills was tough, so I quickly adapted, learning the language within a year. My natural curiosity and love for science led me to enroll in the Engineering Science program at Norwalk Community College (NCC). While pursuing my studies, I founded a Hispanic Club to create a supportive community for students who shared my heritage. As president, I organized my team to execute several impactful events throughout the year, including the 1st Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival, Flag Day, Undocumented Financial Aid Information Sessions, and Dance Workshops. These activities allowed us to celebrate the rich diversity within the Hispanic community, where every meeting revealed unique perspectives shaped by different cultural backgrounds. Through the club, I developed my leadership skills, learned to listen actively to students' needs, and helped build their confidence through social events and activities. In addition to my involvement on campus, I worked as a college tutor and secured a Research Experience for Undergraduate Students (REU) opportunity in New York. Balancing my responsibilities as a full-time student, researcher, club president, and tutoring job was very challenging, but I remained committed to my goals. During the REU, I worked on computer simulations of black holes, contributing to the astrophysics community as a co-author of a scientific paper," The origins of off-centre massive black holes in dwarf galaxies". This experience deepened my passion for research and solidified my desire to contribute to advancing scientific knowledge. However, my journey was not without setbacks. When I applied for my first scholarship, I fell short of the required 3.5 GPA, having a 3.4 GPA at that moment. The rejection felt crushing and made me feel like a failure. I also doubted whether my hard work would ever be enough to achieve my dreams and wondered if I would be able to continue my education without financial support. Yet, I refused to give up. I discovered new opportunities, including student loans, and other scholarship programs. Failing showed me the importance of asking questions and seeking support. This realization renewed my determination to keep moving forward, even when the odds seemed against me. While I may not have received that initial scholarship, the knowledge, experiences, and connections I gained along the way were invaluable. My involvement with the Hispanic community, my research endeavors, and my interactions with other scientists have helped me grow academically, personally, and professionally. That 0.1 GPA difference did not define my potential or diminish the impact I have made in my community. Today, I am proud to say that my greatest strengths are persistence, dedication, and perseverance. This scholarship would not only help me achieve my academic and career goals but also enable me to inspire others, proving that resilience can transform even the hardest challenges into success. Once I complete my degree, I aspire to lead my own research projects and collaborate with others to contribute meaningfully to society. This scholarship would bring me one step closer to making those dreams come true and show my son, as he grows up, that dreams are achievable through hard work and helping those around you.