I am just what you’d assume, hard working Puerto Rican mother who did everything she could to give me a future beyond what most of my family had. I come from a big family, one that knows what it’s like to survive the struggles of the ghetto, where education was a dream but not a reality. Life was paycheck to paycheck, with no real thought of the future. My mom worked three jobs for as long as I can remember, juggling bills and late nights to give me everything she could. In my family, we weren’t really book smart; we were street smart. We knew how to fight for survival, but we didn’t know much about what it took to get to college or make something of ourselves. And then there was me. From a young age, I had a gift for learning, a drive that came from within. I wasn’t trying to be different, but my passion for education made me stand out. School wasn’t a chore; it was where I wanted to be. In middle school, I begged my mom to send me to a private high school. I wanted to learn the way the “rich girls” did. I wanted the same opportunities. My mom made it happen, but it wasn’t just her, it was my aunt, my grandma, everyone pitched in. I walked into that private school, surrounded by girls who came from money and privilege. I was different, but I didn’t care. I was there to learn, and prove I could do it too. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. I was fascinated by law, the complexities, the ethics, the way rules shape our lives. But as I got older, it became more than just a “cool job.” It became about making a difference. In my junior year, I chose to research the Zoot Suit Riots for a project in my Intro to Law class. That’s when everything clicked. I had to understand adversity, how it felt, and how it impacted people. During this project, a teacher who dedicated her career to advocating for underrepresented minority groups saw something in me. After reading my essay, she told me I would make a difference. Whether she said it to be nice or meant it, I’ll never forget that moment. She pushed me to join the mock trial team, and I did. I has found my voice, something I’d always had but never knew how to use. I was the loud kid who never backed down, and while some called it hard headed, I called it determination. Law isn't just a career for me, it's a calling. By senior year, I became president of my school’s Spanish National Honor Society. I was one of the only Latinas, surrounded by girls who didn’t look like me or come from where I came from. But it didn’t matter. That leadership role was a glimpse of the future I want to create a future where I can lead, inspire, and empower others, especially in my community. Being a first generation student, with no one in to show me the way, has made the journey harder, but it’s also made me stronger. I am now a freshman at the University of Connecticut, with many years ahead of me. This scholarship would help me financially take the next step in my education, allowing me to pursue my passion for law, advocate for marginalized groups, and use my voice to make a real difference for minorities and others who deserve to be heard.

I am just what you’d assume, the daughter of a tireless, hard working Puerto Rican mother who did everything she could to give me a future beyond what most of my family had. I come from a big family, one that knows what it’s like to survive the struggles of the ghetto, where education was a dream, but not a reality. Life was paycheck to paycheck, no real thought of the future. My mom worked three jobs for as long as I can remember, juggling bills and late nights to give me everything she could. In my family, we weren’t really book smart, we're street, smart. We knew how to fight for survival, but we didn’t know much about what it took to get to college or make something of ourselves. And then there was me. From a young age, I had a gift for learning, a drive that came from within, even when no one around me expected it. I wasn’t trying to be different, but my passion for education made me stand out. School wasn’t a chore, it was where I wanted to be. In middle school, I begged my mom to send me to a private high school. I wanted to learn the way the “rich girls” did. I wanted the same opportunities. My mom made it happen, but it wasn’t just her it was my aunt, my grandma, everyone helping. I walked into that private school, surrounded by girls who came from money and privilege. I was different, but I didn’t care. I was there to learn, and prove I could do it too. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. I was fascinated by law the ethics and the way rules shape our lives. But as I got older, it became more than “cool job.” It became about making a difference. In my junior year, I chose to research the Zoot Suit Riots for a project in my Intro to Law class. That’s when everything clicked. I had to understand adversity, how it felt, and how it impacted people. During this project, a teacher who dedicated her career to advocating for underrepresented minority groups saw something in me. After reading my essay, she told me I would make a difference. Whether she said it to be nice or meant it, I’ll never forget that moment. She pushed me to join the mock trial team, and I did. It was amazing. I found my voice, something I’d always had but never knew how to use. I was the loud kid who never backed down, and while some called it hard-headedness, I called it determination. I knew law wasn’t just a career for me, it was a calling. By senior year, I became president of my school’s Spanish National Honor Society. I was the only Latina, surrounded by girls who didn’t look like me or come from where I came from. But it didn’t matter. That leadership role was a glimpse of the future I want to create, a future where I can lead, inspire, and empower others. Being a first generation student, with no one in my family to show me the way, it has made the journey harder, but it’s made me stronger. I am now a freshman at the University of Connecticut, with many years ahead of me. This scholarship would help me financially take the next step in my education, allowing me to pursue my passion for law, and use my voice to make a real difference for Puerto Ricans and others who deserve to be heard.

My name is Lilliana Sande, and I am currently a freshman at the University of Connecticut, majoring in Political Science and Government, on the pre law track. I choose this career path because of the lack of representation minorities have. Weather that be in the media, justice system, or with resourced. I am a passionate person with no fear to speak my mind, I want to do more for people who cannot always use their voice. Because of this career choice, I have many more years of school ahead, and any scholarship at all will help, and be appreciated. My plans for the future are centered around becoming a lawyer who advocates for underrepresented communities. Growing up as a Hispanic girl, I have seen firsthand how minorities often struggle to have their voices heard, especially with my mother. It breaks my heart too see this happen to my family, I was blessed with the opportunity to attend school , learn English, and pave a future for myself. I want to use this blessing as a tool to share. This has inspired me to pursue a career in law, where I can make a difference by representing those who are often overlooked. I want to ensure that everyone has equal access to justice, regardless of their background. At UConn, I have been immersing myself in my studies, focusing on courses that will prepare me for law school. I am passionate about understanding our government and how laws affect people's lives. My high school GPA of 3.8 shows my dedication to academic excellence, and I am committed to maintaining a high standard in college. I have just finished my first semester and have successfully finished all my classes with an A! This scholarship will be a significant help in my journey. Law school is expensive, and the financial burden can be overwhelming. With this scholarship, I can focus more on my studies and less on the financial stress. It will allow me to take advantage of opportunities like internships and extracurricular activities that will further my understanding of the legal field and enhance my skills. Everything in college costs money, to join a club, join a social group for networking, and often finding an internship. I come from a low income family and am currently facing the struggle of, how are we going to make this work. Though I am determined. Additionally, receiving the Bright Lights Scholarship will be a validation of my hard work and dedication. It will motivate me to continue striving for excellence and give back to my community. I want to be a role model for other Hispanic women who aspire to make a difference. By showing that it is possible to overcome obstacles and achieve one's dreams, I hope to inspire others to pursue their passions. Like my little cousins, my generation all poses similar qualities of the blessings of education. I’m the oldest and it’s up to me to show them they can be somebody too. This scholarship will help me achieve my goals by easing the financial burden of my education and allowing me to focus on my studies. I am dedicated to making a positive impact and ensuring that everyone has a voice. Thank you for considering my application for the Bright Lights Scholarship.