“Échale ganas mija.” My father always ended his phone calls with this reminder. He was born in El Salvador, and I’m a U.S. citizen. However, our pain doesn’t recognize borders. The guilty weight and inner pressure, duplicated every time my mom passed me the phone. In a society where freedom and mental health don’t correlate and papers aren’t guaranteed, I couldn’t process the hardships of being an immigrant daughter. My mother gained citizenship, but lacked a safe space; I became one for both. My father was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement for half a year and now actively risks a potential deportation on a daily basis. My parents were my role models, but I was their dream. The American Dream was the belief that success was attainable under any circumstance, but to what extent do my parents have to reach for me to be successful? Academically, it was evident I was a bright student. I was aiming for the stars they gazed upon that they were told they’d never reach. Though my heart will never stop aching for them because of our economic sacrifices, I sought to tackle this barrier. My name is Laisha Echegoyen and I am a first-generation Latina of immigrant parents. It has been a challenging battle to receive a higher education due to our lack of financial resources. As a self-driven and highly ambitious undergraduate student, it would be an honor to receive this scholarship and be funded at a private institution. I would take advantage of this financial support to achieve my medical aspirations. To further elaborate, this opportunity would allow me to apply my intellectual and educational pursuits and excel beyond expectations. I would be presented with the opportunity to not only highlight my proud roots but also apply a continuous meaning to the legacy of Catrina Celestine Aquilino. Being raised in a Mexican/Salvadoran household with values of cultural pride and diligence, a sense of resilience and great responsibility came upon me to serve underrepresented individuals in need. Growing up feeling marginalized and stereotypically accused of being uneducated, unarticulated, and underqualified, I strive to be a voice for the silenced. These characteristics translate into an aspiring career in the medical field. Over time, I have developed a deep passion to make a positive impact in the world and contribute my aid towards improving health conditions and making healthcare more accessible. My extended family had limited access to basic needs such as proper healthcare and filtered water. Upon coping with the loss of both my paternal and maternal grandparents due to cancer, I seek to explore how health education can heavily impact scientific research and global access. The exposure to these hardships has prompted inner confidence to investigate how the industry can universally transform lives and provide quality care for all. A decade from now, I desire to mentor many aspiring students in pursuit of higher education, medical school, and an opportunity to lead a healthy life. In that time frame, I aim to address health disparities and inequities as a registered nurse. My goal is to help fund marginalized clinics and raise cultural and social awareness among health providers to equally distribute healthcare. I want to expand equity in medical care and offer support for struggling families in underserved populations. Ultimately, my greatest reward will be the blessing of elevating my community and positively impacting society on a global scale. Although my parents weren’t destined for the life they endured, I can still make the best out of mine to make the next generation proud of who they can be too.

“Échale ganas mija.” My father always ended his phone calls with this reminder. He was born in El Salvador, and I’m a U.S. citizen. However, our pain doesn’t recognize borders. The guilty weight and inner pressure, duplicated every time my mom passed me the phone. In a society where freedom and mental health don’t correlate and papers aren’t guaranteed, I couldn’t process the hardships of being an immigrant daughter. My mother gained citizenship, but lacked a safe space; I became one for both. My father was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement for half a year and now actively risks a potential deportation on a daily basis. My parents were my role models, but I was their dream. The American Dream was the belief that success was attainable under any circumstance, but to what extent do my parents have to reach for me to be successful? Academically, it was evident I was a bright student. I was aiming for the stars they gazed upon that they were told they’d never reach. Though my heart will never stop aching for them because of our economic sacrifices, I sought to tackle this barrier. My name is Laisha Echegoyen and I am a first-generation Latina of immigrant parents. It has been a challenging battle to receive a higher education due to our lack of financial resources. As a self-driven and highly ambitious undergraduate student, it would be an honor to receive this scholarship and be funded at a private institution. I would take advantage of this financial support to achieve my medical aspirations. To further elaborate, this opportunity would allow me to apply my intellectual and educational pursuits and excel beyond expectations. I would be presented with the opportunity to not only highlight my proud roots but also apply a continuous meaning to the legacy of Barbara J. DeVaney. Being raised in a Mexican/Salvadoran household with values of cultural pride and diligence, a sense of resilience and great responsibility came upon me to serve underrepresented individuals in need. Growing up feeling marginalized and stereotypically accused of being uneducated, unarticulated, and underqualified, I strive to be a voice to the silenced. These characteristics translate into an aspiring career in the medical field. Over time, I have developed a deep passion to make a positive impact in the world and contribute my aid towards improving health conditions and making healthcare more accessible. My extended family had limited access to basic needs such as proper healthcare and filtered water. Upon coping with the loss of both my paternal and maternal grandparents due to cancer, I seek to explore how health education can heavily impact scientific research and global access. The exposure to these hardships has prompted inner confidence to investigate how the industry can universally transform lives and provide quality care for all. A decade from now, I desire to mentor many aspiring students in pursuit of higher education, medical school, and an opportunity to lead a healthy life. In that time frame, I aim to address health disparities and inequities as a registered nurse. My goal is to help fund marginalized clinics and raise cultural and social awareness among health providers to equally distribute healthcare. I want to expand equity in medical care and offer support for struggling families in underserved populations. Ultimately, my greatest reward will be the blessing of elevating my community and positively impacting society on a global scale. Although my parents weren’t destined for the life they endured, I can still make the best out of mine to make the next generation proud of who they can be too.