During my lifetime, in some shape or form, I hope to change the world for the better. I am fully aware that this is a bold and ambitious goal to set for myself, and I do not take it lightly. However, I firmly believe that every person has the power to contribute something meaningful to this world, no matter how big or small. For me, success means being able t look back on my live and know that I left the world in better condition than how I found it—through acts of service, moments of leadership, and a lifetime of standing up for justice and equality. To make this vision a reality, I am pursuing a path that allows me to live out my values: diplomacy, public service, and global cooperation. I hope to achieve this through my future career as a Political Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. From a young age, I've dreamed of being in the foreign service—engaging with international communities, building strong and respectful relationships among nations, and playing a vital role in conflict resolution and global peace efforts. I'm passionate about the mission of diplomacy: to maintain peace, enhance security, and strengthen global alliances that benefit humanity as a whole. Through this work, I would be contributing to something much greater than myself. Receiving this scholarship would be more than just financial support—it would be an investment in my ability to turn these dreams into reality. It would affirm my commitment to public service and give me the resources and encouragement to pursue opportunities that will shape me into the kind of leader the world needs. When I imagine myself living the life of my dreams, I picture a future where I am serving as the first female Latina President of the United States, having won the election in 2036. In this role, I would be a visible and powerful advocate for equity, education, climate action, and international cooperation. I would use my platform to uplift underrepresented voices and ensure that every child growing up—especially young girls of color—knows that their dreams are valid and achievable. My dream life isn't defined by luxury or fame, but by impact. It is filled with purpose, driven by service, and centered on creating a legacy of compassion and progress. Ultimately, my dream is to lead with integrity, bridge cultural divides, and dedicate my life to building a more just and unified world.

Military service is deeply woven into my family's story. My mother and two uncles served honorably—two in the U.S. Navy and one in the Air Force. Growing up with a parent who was both a Navy sailor and a single mother gave me a unique perspective on sacrifice, resilience, and responsibility. Likewise, our household was marked by constant transitions. We often moved, adapted to new environments, and navigated uncertainty, all while my mother managed the demands of solo parenting during her military service. These early experiences shaped my worldview and instilled values that continue to guide me: adaptability, perseverance, and service to something greater than myself. Watching my mother, along with my uncles, face challenges with grace and strength taught me how to remain grounded during times of instability. I also learned the importance of communication, leadership, and empathy—qualities that are central to my career aspirations in international relations and marketing. As someone who has witnessed the impacts of military service from a young age, I developed a natural interest in the systems and decisions that shape global interactions. This interest led me to pursue a path in international relations, with a focus on global cooperation, diplomacy, and public awareness. I am also passionate about the role that strategic communication and marketing play in shaping public understanding. These fields intersect in powerful ways, and I believe they can be used to build bridges between cultures, governments, and communities. Beyond career goals, I'm committed to addressing a specific gap that I've observed throughout my life: the lack of accessible education on international affairs, civics, and political systems—especially in underserved communities. Many people are excluded from global conversations simply because they were never given the tools to understand them. I want to change that. I hope to use my background and education to create platforms that simplify and humanize complex global topics so that more people—especially young people—feel empowered to participate in civic life and global problem-solving. Today, I am actively working toward this vision. I'm building professional experience in the international space, applying to academic programs that support global engagement, and seeking mentorship opportunities that align with my goals. I'm also committed to continuous learning, and I take every opportunity to refine my skills in communication, research, and public outreach. After graduation, I see myself working with international organizations, U.S. agencies, or NGOs that focus on global diplomacy, cross-cultural education, or civic engagement. My journey is rooted in my family's legacy of military service and strengthened by the challenges I've faced. I may not wear a uniform, but I intend to serve—by using knowledge, strategy, and compassion to foster connection and cooperation around the world.

Growing up in a single-parent household has taught me how to turn limitations into fuel. Watching my mother work tirelessly to provide for our family instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility, grit, and determination. Especially since there was no safety net—only the belief that hard work and education could carve out a better future. I also learned early on how to advocate for myself and seek out opportunities where none seemed available. Those experiences shaped my decision to pursue a career in international relations and marketing, where I could use my voice, empathy, and strategic thinking to create positive change on a global scale; not just locally. I've learned how to navigate complex systems, overcome financial setbacks, and build relationships that cross borders—all skills rooted in the perseverance I learned at home. Likewise, it helped me realize my passion for closing the knowledge gap in international relations, political concepts, and civics—especially among underrepresented communities. Too often, people are left out of crucial conversations that shape the world around them. I want to change that. I'm currently working towards my goals by building experience in the international affairs field, networking with professionals, and applying for programs that align with my vision/support for global engagement and public education. My long-term goal is to continue developing platforms and outreach strategies that make complex global issues more accessible and empower others to engage with them meaningfully. My journey started with struggle—but it's leading me towards impact, equity, and global connection.

Everybody in this world all grow up in different places, around different individuals, and under different circumstances, all of which causes various effects on their lives. As a result, people are who they are today because of those experiences that they faced. Ever since I was born, it was always just my mom and I; and even when my sister was born, it was still remained just the three of us. For me specifically, I never met my “dad”, not even from day one. I never was able to get to know him or see him (despite multiple attempts trying), but I did thankfully have a mom. Life caused me to have a single mother that has made me the strong and independent person that I am today. Even though I was too young at the time to understand, I could sense the stress, and the struggles my mom faced every day. Whether that was witnessing my mother live from pay check to pay check when I was young or not be able help me with homework due to working late, I could tell how difficult those situations were weighing on her. Even while she served in the U.S. Navy, it became challenging when she would have to leave to go on deployment--causing me to constantly wonder when (and at times if) she will come back home. Additionally, there were times when I wanted to get involved in sports and other extracurriculars, but couldn't due to financial reasons or lack of time to take me to practices, events, etc. However, that never stopped my mom from inspiring me to pursue my passions and find ways for me to have the best life possible. And because of her, I faced the odds of being the stereotypical kid with a single parent that went down the wrong path, which I never did become. At such a young age, I saw the impact of being a single parent, and the ways it changed my mom. She not only had to be a young mother but, she had to find ways to replace the void of a father or a father figure in my life. Not only did she have to watch over and protect me, but she also had to do that for the entire country; making sure we were all safe and were able to keep the freedoms we all love today. As a result of this, my mom has taught me the power of strength, independence, courageousness, and resiliency. Likewise, seeing her live her dreams under all the circumstances she faced, inspired me to strive for a better life for myself. It's because of her that I strive to become a diplomat, and hopefully, the president of the United States in the future-making a positive impact on our country just like she has. If it wasn't for my mother, I would not be where I am today--pursuing a Masters degree and helping create generational wealth for our family's future generations. I owe everything to my mom, and I can only hope I can return the favor-one way or another.

My absolute favorite Netflix series that everyone should binge-watch is the reboot version of "One Day at a Time." This comedy drama focuses on the life of single mother, Penelope Cruz (played by Justina Machado), and how she navigates the ups and downs of life while raising her two kids. Whether that was dealing with the transition of civilian life from the U.S. Army (and subsequently dealing with PTSD), the social stigma of being a Cuban-American (or Latino / Hispanic individual as a whole), or helping her daughter navigate life and the intersectionality of also being in the LGTBQ+ community--Penelope is able to do it all with the support of her family and friends along the way. You can also recognize other notable actors, like Rita Moreno, who plays Lydia or Abuelita to her grandkids. Abuelita is hell-bent on proving that she's not like other grandmothers. Rather, she is spunky, heartwarming, charming, funny, sassy, all at the same time. Lydia is the cause of many of the numerous hilarious moments on "One Day at a Time," and proves time and time again what an icon Rita Moreno is. The series offers a modern take on what life looks like in both good and bad times, and how loved ones can help make it all worthwhile. It also tackles the many social issues that we face in the United States; with one of the most notable topics relating to politics. "It turns out people want to believe what they believe more than what is actually true.” This phrase conveys how the polarization of politics, and individual candidates, can blind people from seeing the truth and finding effective solutions to our most troubling issues--both domestically and abroad. Similarly, "One Day at a Time" also embraces Latino/Hispanic culture and diversity; it highlights the strength of family; it champions love, no matter what that looks like; and most importantly, it advocates for lowering the stigma about mental health, especially in the military community. Despite it being a comedy series, its emotionally powerful storylines and scenes will make you tear up because its intimate moments help it hit close to home. With this in mind, "One Day at a Time" is a show for everyone because it includes a diverse range of audiences, where anyone watching it can relate to it in some way or another. Thus, making this show a much watch (both on Netflix with its first 3 seasons and its 4th season on the channel POP) and a show that will stick with you even after you finish the series.

If I had to choose just one book for everyone in the world to read, it would be "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr. This is a powerful book that dives into the impacts of war, the power of knowledge, and the legacy of the past. Likewise, the book speaks to the idea that goodness can still exist in the world even when darkness and destruction seem to dominate the narrative. The brutality of war is a driving force that alters the fates of individuals and corrupts people into betraying their moral principles. As a result of this, the characters in the book constantly face physical and psychological trauma experienced by the events that take place during World War II. This, in turn, shows that both combatants and non-combatants alike end up being affected by war in ways that cannot be anticipated or protected against. Even though Marie-Laure, the main character of the book, loses her sight--she continues to learn and read as much as she can about the natural world. Because of her persistence, she eventually becomes a scientist who explores unknown regions and identifies new species. This desire to learn gives Marie-Laure hope in the midsts of depression, especially as she struggles to survive during the war. A quote that I truly enjoyed in this book was "to really touch something, she is learning." This emphasizes Marie-Laure process to learn about the world in a new way. Touch becomes her new and main method of absorbing the information that she gains, and details the value of her experience when learning. This allows her to feel a deeper connection to the world that lies at her fingertips and empowers her to confidently move forward despite her lack of sight. Individuals in the novel are always shaped by the events that have occurred before and can never fully leave their pasts behind. The book goes to demonstrate that people cannot simply break free from the past, especially if that past involves trauma/suffering. This becomes true to those who survived World War II. Marie-Laure was able to carry less trauma, compared to the other characters in the book; however, everything she experienced in the following years were still shaped by her memories of the past. This book inspires curiosity and courage beyond the pages; thus, anyone who comes across it--must be touched by the light of it.

Help me travel the world and make it a better place. All my life, I have been someone who has loved learning languages and world cultures, and meeting new people who have opened my mind to the endless possibilities that other nations have to offer. This has inspired me to pursue my degree in International Studies. My goals as an International Studies student, I aspire to have a career within the international community as an Ambassador / Foreign Service Officer and Interpreter, developing relations amongst various nations. My goal is to help continue the mission of maintaining international peace, security, and cooperation. By pursuing a career as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S State Department, being an International Studies major will be a real academic challenge. This is due to the fact that I will need to focus on tactical and conciliatory methods to handle situations dealing with international peace, diplomacy, U.S-Foreign relations and cooperation, and international security. This scholarship would help me focus on those tough courses and topics, rather than worrying about how to pay for them. This scholarship awarded would allow me to worry less about the financial burden of furthering my education; and instead, focus on graduating and achieving my goals in the Foreign Service. By achieving this goal of being a Foreign Service Officer, I will be able to promote diplomacy, peace, and international relations; and help lessen the violence we may face from those who may threaten that. This scholarship will also allow me to travel abroad and practice the languages that I study: Spanish, Russian, Turkish, and French. That in return will allow me to understand the languages better, their cultures, and be more globally competent. As result, these experiences that I would gain will make me into a better and more prepared Foreign Service Officer.