Ever since I was a little girl, my parents always instilled a sense of fulfillment through giving back directly to our own community. To this day, even if my family is undergoing some financial hardship, they always find a way to help our relatives back home in Venezuela. This is not necessarily a form of community service, but I value seeing the smile on people’s faces when offered any form of help, even if it is uncalled for. I always try to maintain that sense of thoughtfulness because I know what it is like to be in debt, to not have enough food for dinner, etc. There will always be someone in a worse situation than you. I believe that the Hispanic/Latino community today is generally more open-minded with an increased awareness of many social issues. In terms of the first-generation American Latinos, they certainly have a different definition of what it means to be Latino/Latina. It means to embrace your culture and also proudly find the shortcomings that the culture may have. For example, there is certainly an anti-black sentiment as well as machismo. Although it is very prevalent in Latin America, there is absolutely nothing wrong with rejecting these mentalities that are debilitating the advancement of a more inclusive society. With the younger Latino generation and the increased accessibility of information, I believe that we are the ones that will resist sexist, misogynistic, homophobic sentiments that have for so long affected many Latinos. Becoming the Head Tutor of my high school’s Afterschool Chemistry Tutoring Program helped me realize my passion for sharing knowledge with others and inspiring confidence in students, as well. I will be attending Davidson College in the fall as part of the Class of 2025. I plan on double majoring in Neuroscience and Chemistry. Since the college’s research opportunities solely exist for undergraduate students, I will participate in pharmacology research and learn about the prevalence of substance abuse in my generation. As a recipient of the nationally recognized Posse Scholarship, I am part of a network of over 10,000 scholars and will have access to numerous internships and study abroad opportunities. Studying abroad in Switzerland, which is known for its major contribution to global pharmaceutical innovation, will give me access to the research of renowned scientists and like-minded classmates. In the future, I want to establish myself as a leader in pharmacology research in the private sector and later serve marginalized communities that do not have adequate resources for social mobility. As a first-generation Venezuelan American, I am aware of the hardships my parents faced when they left absolutely everything behind and started a new life, for the sake of my wellbeing. I always keep in mind that I was meant to receive a quality education, relentlessly pursue my goals, and empower others along with me. I may not be smart, but my curiosity will drive me forward.

I am not smart. While that may not come as a surprise to many of my fellow Type A classmates, I have come to terms with the fact. Instead, I am curious to a fault. I tend to go down internet rabbit holes of questions I have while completing my ionic bond structure homework assignment. “Why isn’t phosphorus found in nature?” “How does phenolphthalein indicate whether a substance is acidic or basic?” There’s no better feeling than when a question is left unanswered, only further quenching my curiosity. I am always in search of opportunities where I can grow as a global citizen and for the sake of learning. I am interested in the Natural Sciences, specifically in the field of chemistry. There is a sense of security that comes from studying the Natural Sciences that a description would not do justice. Accepting the things I do not know has been a lifelong challenge. Along the way, I have been able to recognize my strengths that can serve my community as well. My light-heartedness, frankness, and resilience help me understand my role as a young Latina immersing herself in the STEM field. Becoming the Head Tutor of my high school’s Afterschool Chemistry Tutoring Program helped me realize my passion for sharing knowledge with others and inspiring confidence in students, as well. I will be attending Davidson College in the fall as part of the Class of 2025. I plan on double majoring in Neuroscience and Chemistry. Since the college’s research opportunities solely exist for undergraduate students, I will participate in pharmacology research and learn about the prevalence of substance abuse in my generation. As a recipient of the nationally recognized Posse Scholarship, I am part of a network of over 10,000 scholars and will have access to numerous internships and study abroad opportunities. Studying abroad in Switzerland, which is known for its major contribution to global pharmaceutical innovation, will give me access to the research of renowned scientists and like-minded classmates. In the future, I want to establish myself as a leader in pharmacology research in the sector of higher education and later serve marginalized communities that do not have adequate resources for social mobility. As a first-generation Venezuelan American, I am aware of the hardships my parents faced when they left absolutely everything behind and started a new life, for the sake of my wellbeing. I always keep in mind that I was meant to receive a quality education, relentlessly pursue my goals, and empower others along with me. I may not be smart, but my curiosity will drive me forward.

“Meaning will keep you holding onto life when there seems to be an absence of hope.” Amid political calamity and social injustices being come to light, my psychology teacher reminded our class about the value of education and to always seek the truth. The truth grounds me. It is what drives my academic career and pursuit of knowledge. I am not smart. While that may not come as a surprise to many of my fellow Type A classmates, I have come to terms with the fact. Instead, I am curious to a fault. I tend to go down internet rabbit holes of questions I have while completing my ionic bond structure homework assignment. “Why isn’t phosphorus found in nature?” “How does phenolphthalein indicate whether a substance is acidic or basic?” There’s no better feeling than when a question is left unanswered, only further quenching my curiosity. I am always in search of opportunities where I can grow as a global citizen and for the sake of learning. I am interested in the Natural Sciences, specifically in the field of chemistry. There is a sense of security that comes from studying the Natural Sciences that a description would not do justice. Accepting the things I do not know has been a lifelong challenge. Along the way, I have been able to recognize my strengths that can serve my community. My light-heartedness, frankness, and resilience help me understand my role as a young Latina immersing herself in the STEM field. I believe that leaving one’s legacy means continuously inspire those who have yet to find their place in this world. By that, I mean that to inspire others, one must tirelessly fight to become the person your younger self would be proud of. Success is not only to be measured by the amount of money you make but by how much you genuinely enjoy your day-to-day life. It is essential to reevaluate one’s relationships and choices to ensure you are on the right path to success. There are good legacies, but there are bad ones as well. I believe that certain people have left legacies that, although bad, have taught me how I want to project myself onto the world. Thankfully, I have learned from unprecedented leaders such as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Singer Celia Cruz, that has unknowingly taught me about what it is like to be a woman in the workplace. What I am trying to say is that one can extract a piece of advice from those who have already passed and the achievements they had in their own lives. Becoming the Head Tutor of my high school’s Afterschool Chemistry Tutoring Program helped me realize my passion for sharing knowledge with others and inspiring confidence in students, as well. I will be attending Davidson College in the fall as part of the Class of 2025. I plan on double majoring in Neuroscience and Chemistry. Since the college’s research opportunities solely exist for undergraduate students, I will participate in pharmacology research and learn about the prevalence of substance abuse in my generation. As a recipient of the nationally recognized Posse Scholarship, I am part of a network of over 10,000 scholars and will have access to numerous internships and study abroad opportunities. Studying abroad in Switzerland, which is known for its major contribution to global pharmaceutical innovation, will give me access to the research of renowned scientists and like-minded classmates. In the future, I want my legacy to teach younger generations about the importance of empowering others along your journey. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for the selflessness and mentorship of my parents, closest friends, and teachers. They are the reason why I am more confident in my ability to pursue higher education and become a professional. I hope to establish myself as a leader in pharmacology research in the private sector and later serve marginalized communities that do not have adequate resources for social mobility. As a first-generation Venezuelan American, I am aware of the hardships my parents faced when they left absolutely everything behind and started a new life, for the sake of my wellbeing. I always keep in mind that I was meant to receive a quality education, relentlessly pursue my goals, and empower others along with me.