As a child of a Hispanic single mother, I have faced my fair share of challenges and obstacles. Growing up without a consistent father figure due to his involvement in the prison system made my childhood difficult. I never had that male role model to strive for. In my early years, I was raised around family and others in similar circumstances. I grew up alongside other children who, like me, didn't realize they were economically disadvantaged. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to enroll in a magnet school through a lottery. On my very first day at Rogers International School, I realized I was different. I was one of the few Hispanic or African American students, and I stood out. It was an unexpected challenge. As a child, I didn't understand racism, let alone microaggressions. Imagine my surprise when I was treated differently or considered a bother compared to my peers. For years I pondered the idea that I was some trouble kid. The adults that were supposed to care and nurture me to become a productive member of society had me thinking I was the issue. The teachers' total lack of respect for their minority students only fueled my determination. I was resolute in proving them wrong, demonstrating that I was worth investing in, just like any other student. I wish I could say that this was a one-time occurrence. Even after I left Connecticut and moved to Georgia, I continued to face multiple challenges due to my appearance and cultural background. The only difference now was that my peers were also contributing to these challenges, not just the teachers. Regardless of what they said or did, I never let them win. I maintained my composure, knowing that my academic results and involvement in extracurricular activities, such as band and orchestra, would speak for me. The mental disposition I acquired throughout the years has shaped me into the man I am today. With this mindset and the mantra of letting my results speak for me, I am confident that I can reach unprecedented heights beyond my wildest dreams. I would be naive to think that even in the world of pharmacology/pharmacy, there wouldn't be negative stereotypes for minorities like myself. However, just as I've faced challenges before, I am determined to be the bigger person and let my results speak for me, with a sense of pride and humility in the person I have become.

Growing up as an Afro Latino male with a single mother in a predominantly white magnet school in a city with a growing cost of living was an uphill battle that shaped my perspective on life and ignited a fire in me of resilience and determination. Watching my mother's neverending commitment to providing for me despite the challenges she faced, I learned the value of hard work and the importance of prioritizing education to secure a brighter future. My mother's sacrifice and dedication never went unnoticed. Waking up at the ungodly hour of 3 am to get work and ensuring I was taken care of in the company of my aunt before she would drive an hour to work demonstrated her selflessness and love for me. Her strenuous routine and long hours reflected her unwavering determination to shield me from the hardship that was happening around us. Despite her exhaustion, my mother always made time for me to be a carefree child and enjoy my innocence. She understood the importance of balancing responsibilities with the joys of childhood, and for that, I am forever grateful. These experiences were important for shaping me to be the man that I am today, it taught me the significance of cherishing the small moments in life and the impact of nurturing a positive mindset even in challenging circumstances. My mother's determination to keep us away from my abusive and drug-addicted father shaped my understanding of the importance of a safe and stable environment. Witnessing her bravery and strength inspired me to work tirelessly toward creating a better future for both of us. In pursuit of my dreams, I envision a future where my mother can be proud of my achievements and no longer worry about our financial stability. To turn this vision into reality, I am committed to excelling academically by dedicating myself to my studies, seeking support from teachers, and taking advantage of all available learning opportunities. Beyond the classroom, I plan to engage in internships and work-study programs within my desired field of study to gain practical experience and build a reputable name within the community. I firmly believe that education is a powerful tool that can break barriers and open doors to endless opportunities. By harnessing the power of knowledge and hard work, I am confident that I can uplift my family's circumstances and contribute positively to society. As I embark on my journey to college and beyond, I will carry with me the lessons learned from my mother's unyielding spirit, using them as the driving force to overcome any challenges that come my way. With my mother's love as my anchor and my determination as my compass, I am ready to navigate the future with hope and ambition.

As a Senior in high school who is involved in community orchestras and my school's fine arts department, I have always had a passion for giving back to my community through the arts. However, after acquiring a degree in pharmaceutical science, I plan to use my education and skills to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of my community. Currently, I am already making a difference in my community by volunteering at local health clinics and pharmacies. Through these experiences, I have seen firsthand the challenges that many people face in accessing quality healthcare, especially those in underserved and marginalized communities. This has motivated me to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry, where I can use my knowledge and skills to develop and distribute medications that can improve the lives of people in my community and beyond. After college, I plan to continue making my community a better place by working in the pharmaceutical industry and advocating for equitable access to healthcare for all. As an Afro-Latino male, I recognize the disparities that exist in our healthcare system and the importance of addressing these inequalities. I want to work with community leaders, healthcare providers, and policymakers to promote policies and initiatives that can increase access to affordable medications and healthcare services, particularly in underserved and marginalized communities. In addition to my professional work, I also plan to continue my involvement in the arts and use it as a tool for community engagement and empowerment. I believe that the arts can play a powerful role in bringing people together, promoting social cohesion, and fostering a sense of belonging. As a musician and artist, I want to continue to use my talents to inspire and uplift my community, particularly young people who may be struggling with social or emotional challenges. Ultimately, I believe that my passion for the arts and my commitment to healthcare equity can complement each other and help me make a positive impact on my community in meaningful ways. By using my skills and resources to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our society, I hope to leave a lasting legacy that inspires others to follow in my footsteps and work towards a better, more equitable future for all. In conclusion, I am committed to making my community a better place through my passion for the arts and my future career in pharmaceutical science. Whether through volunteering, advocacy, or community engagement, I plan to use my skills and resources to address the most pressing challenges facing our society and help create a more equitable and just world. I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and look forward to making a positive impact in whatever ways I can.

Firstly, volunteering can help you connect with your community and make a positive impact on the lives of others. By helping out at a local soup kitchen, animal shelter, or community center, for example, you can feel like you're making a difference in the world, even if it's just in a small way. This sense of purpose and fulfillment can be incredibly rewarding and can give you a newfound appreciation for the value of service and giving back. Secondly, volunteering can help you gain new experiences and skills that you may not have otherwise had. For example, if you volunteer at a hospital or nursing home, you can learn valuable interpersonal skills, such as how to communicate effectively with patients or elderly residents. You may also gain valuable insights into different professions or career paths that you hadn't considered before. Thirdly, volunteering can help you build your resume and college applications by demonstrating your commitment to service and your ability to work well with others. This can help you stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of getting into the college of your choice or landing a job in the future. Lastly, volunteering can help you meet new people and make new friends who share similar interests and values. This can be particularly beneficial if you're feeling isolated or disconnected from your peers, and can help you build a sense of community and belonging. In conclusion, volunteering can be a powerful way to change your mindset and outlook on life if you think it's pointless. It can help you connect with your community, gain new experiences and skills, build your resume and college applications, and make new friends. So if you're feeling stuck or uninspired, consider giving volunteering a try and see how it can change your perspective for the better. A reason why I need this scholarship is that I don't want my mother to worry about how I am going to afford school. She already has a lot on her plate when it comes to being a single mother and having to raise my sister. My financial well-being should not be a worry that she has to burden herself with. To be honest we didn't know how exactly I was going to make it to college, and until recently I didn't think I was eligible due to financial reasons. This scholarship would help me reach my dreams and help me give back to the community.

As a kid, my father was in and out of the jail system. At the time I didn't know why he went to jail. I just knew that I didn't have the father that everyone else had. I wanted a man in my life that would put me on his shoulders, roughhouse with me, a good cop whenever I was scolded by my mom. Instead, I got a man who was in and out of jail and had an addiction he couldn't shake. Every time he would come home there would be another issue that came up. Now that I think back on it, his being incarcerated was the worst thing for him. He needed help, that's something he never had the chance to get. This affected me in numerous ways; I became raised by a single parent, I wasn't taught what it means to be a "man", I lived in fear of when he came home intoxicated and high, and I was put through things that kids my age should never have to see, hear, or go through. I learned a lot because of this "setback", luckily for me, I had time to develop who I was. Seeing what happened with him I knew that I had to be better, and that is shown through my career choice, academics, and ambitions for myself. Unironically, something that I am passionate about is Pharmaceutical sciences. I plan to learn about drugs and how they can be beneficial to people. Unfortunately I, like many others who are applying for this scholarship grew up in a broken home. My ultimate goal in life is to start a family and show/give my children everything that I didn't have. I want to prove to myself that I can break this cycle of incarceration and drug abuse that runs rampant in my family.

When I was younger, around the 4th grade. My mom decided that she wanted to move to Georgia and live with my stepdad's family. I really didn't know what that meant at the time, I didn't pay much attention to it until we started packing. It all came crashing down, the thought that I was going to leave my family and live with my mom, stepdad, and sister. I would be leaving the family that kept me safe, the family that took care of me when my mom was at work, the family that I joked with, and my cousins that I would mistakenly call my siblings because of how often we hung out. I was going to move to a place that was unfamiliar and distant. The worst thing about it is that I don't know when I would see my family again, or even if I would see them again. A couple of years go by and I am starting middle school. At this point, I was still homesick and I didn't fit in with the people around me. I didn't understand why everyone was so laid back a calm, compared to the culture back home everything was so fast-paced and abrupt. I was out of touch with the environment I was forcibly moved to. However, within the first week of middle school, I fell in love. I knew that this was something that I would dedicate my life to, this is where my love for music started. Even now writing this I am filled with so much gratitude that I found music. As a middle schooler, it was odd that someone my age would have found something to pour all of their time into. I was obsessed with my Viola, I loved every second of it. From learning the ins and outs, how I fit in with everyone else, and how my "voice" could be used more than just being front and center. How I could create depth with and balance without being the center of attention. As a kid, this was an idea that would have never crossed my mind. Playing Viola has taught me how to be a well-rounded person. The ability I have to tap into my emotions and be able to express them, the way that I learned how to work with the group, and the value of hard work and persistence. After all those years of not being able to fit in somewhere, I feel like I have now found a place that I can call home. I will forever be grateful for music and how it impacted my life in a beneficial way.

There are multiple ways that I am trying to work and brainstorm on how I am going to get rid of the impending mountain of student loan debt I will have by the time I graduate. However, to reach my goals I know that this is something that I have to overcome, and I am more than willing to accept my challenge. With the help of this scholarship, it will lighten the burden of the financial struggle I will go through. For the last 8 years, I have been growing my resume of musical accomplishments. Recently it has been paying off, on top of some networking I managed to land my first wedding. I see myself soon doing gigs like these and hopefully finding other opportunities for me to work and network with new people. I have also had a passion to work as a bartender in college to make money while I am in my studies. To ensure that this happens, in March I will get my pouring license then over the summer I will take a mixology course and be able to become a bartender. Right now I have started to apply for almost every Scholarship I can. Knowing that my mom is a single mother with 2 kids I know that I don't have a lot to my name. With that being said, my FAFSA should help a great deal. My unrealistic goal is to make as much money through scholarships that I end up breaking even. I know that is really hard to do but I have faith in myself. I really don't want to worry about paying off debt after college, and I don't want my mom to feel like she has to help me with my financial status. I am extremely nervous about the upcoming future and what it holds for me financially. All I can do is control what I can control right now and apply for scholarships like these. I have heard of scholarships that put you up with a job right after school. I just hope to make great connections with professors or other teachers that work in the field that I wish to go in. I want to form good bonds with them and hopefully, I can make a couple of connections that will help me land a good-paying job. For the sake of me and my mother, this Scholarship will help us both.

There are many reasons to look outward and learn about the universe that we are involved in. In many cases when we look outwards we start to realize similarities that help us understand what is happening here on earth. Hopeful while we are looking up we find signs of life or something that motivates us ALL to work together and put aside our differences. Even though that is a childish idea to have, I truly believe that if something calls for us to work together I think we can. While working with each other we can begin to understand each other and look past our differences. On top of that, we can learn more about our universe and hopefully find our next “printing press” in terms of huge technological advances. I hope for the future at hand I know better than anyone that we as people can work together to make this place we call home better to live on. "Recently" I heard that scientists have found a way to "teleport" particles across the world. They have managed to follow a specific particle and when they did, they found that it showed up somewhere else on Earth. With this knowledge, I bet so many people are interested in seeing how far this phenomenon can go. If we look up and explore more about the universe we live in we could learn more about who we are and why we are here. We could learn about the laws of physics and more about what is and isn't possible. I have given time to think about how to answer this question. I can't even begin to comprehend the idea of the future. I know what movies have portrayed flying cars and spaceships. However, realistically I can't fathom of what the future might look like. That could be a good or bad thing, maybe in the future, the only thing that can kill off the human race is time. As a future pharmaceutical practitioner myself, I hope that that'll be the reality in the future. Maybe within my lifetime, we will be able to teleport small objects across the world or maybe be able to preserve the earth we live on. As I'm writing this I have so much hope for the future; I hope we learn from our adults of today, pave the way for our own children and our children's children, and maybe we will be happy to bring life on to this planet knowing that we have made a safe place for them to grow up in. Yes, it might be a little naive to think that the world would allow this to happen. However, all great things started with dreamers like me! I truly believe that if we all work together, we can make a world that we could live in peacefully and truly work together to find and understand the nature of our universe.