​My ambitions include acquiring a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with the hopes of becoming a pediatric nurse while assisting with labor and delivery. A future goal of mine is to become a Nurse Practitioner and contribute back to my community in the Rio Grande Valley. It is important to maintain the well-being of the ones who took care of me. Throughout my life as a student, I have been inspired by many people, yet Ms. Melissa Rodriguez quickly become a role model during my junior year. She helped me become the person I am today. Ms. Rodriguez has instilled in me a passion for nursing and helping others through love and kindness. My medical instructor and an old friend encouraged me to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse. They have inspired me to succeed in my endeavors. I was motivated by my teacher and friend and inspired by an incident that happened during Easter in 2022. That day, being outside with all the healthy children who could gather, made me understand how much I wanted to help those who couldn't join kids their own age have the same fun. It really upset me that there were kids who did not get to enjoy the delight of cracking an egg on a classmate because they were imprisoned in a room with four walls and no way out. Children bring me pure happiness, and being around them lifts my spirits, therefore I want to be able to do the same for them. Kids have the right to be happy and to be able to live freely and healthily; they do not have the choice to be confined in their room due to sickness. Therefore, I decided to attend Texas State University and pursue a profession as a Pediatric Nurse, eventually becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Without the assistance of one Easter experience, I would never have realized what the future held for me. I want to help those who are struggling because individuals deserve to live freely without being limited by illness. That is a challenge that they must overcome, but I want it to be my responsibility to assist the children in regaining their joy, like the one they bring into my life. I'd like to be able to give back to them by healing them and being by their side, reminding them that they are valued and that their health matters.

​My ambitions include acquiring a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with the hopes of becoming a pediatric nurse while assisting with labor and delivery. A future goal of mine is to become a Nurse Practitioner and contribute back to my community in the Rio Grande Valley. Not only is coming back to my home important, but it is special because I will be able to give back to the ones who inspired me. Throughout my life as a student, I have been inspired by many people, yet Ms. Melissa Rodriguez quickly become a role model during my junior year. She helped me become the person I am today. Ms. Rodriguez has instilled in me a passion for nursing and helping others through love and kindness. My medical instructor and an old friend encouraged me to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse. They have inspired me to succeed in my endeavors. I was motivated by my teacher and friend and inspired by an incident that happened during Easter in 2022. That day, being outside with all the healthy children who could gather, made me understand how much I wanted to help those who couldn't join kids their own age have the same fun. It really upset me that there were kids who did not get to enjoy the delight of cracking an egg on a classmate because they were imprisoned in a room with four walls and no way out. Children bring me pure happiness, and being around them lifts my spirits, therefore I want to be able to do the same for them. Kids have the right to be happy and to be able to live freely and healthily; they do not have the choice to be confined in their room due to sickness. Therefore, I decided to attend Texas State University and pursue a profession as a Pediatric Nurse, eventually becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Without the assistance of one Easter experience, I would never have realized what the future held for me. I want to help those who are struggling because individuals deserve to live freely without being limited by illness. That is a challenge that they must overcome, but I want it to be my responsibility to assist the children in regaining their joy, like the one they bring into my life. I'd like to be able to give back to them by healing them and being by their side, reminding them that they are valued and that their health matters.

Hello, my name is Lizette Martinez. I am a senior at Grulla High School, and I will graduate in May. I am the daughter of a Border Patrol Agent from the valley's lower regions. However, being the daughter of a government employee has taken its toll on me. I question myself every day about what my father does because I am either mocked or disliked by the students at my school because of my father's job. As I walk through the halls of my school, I am asked, "How can your father arrest his own people?" On a daily basis, I am questioned about the work of Border Patrol agents, but that is not the only part of the job description; there is more to it. However, I defend them because many people do not understand the importance of their job and how they risk their lives to protect the public. My father has been an agent for 15 years and risks his life every day for his people. My father has made a significant contribution to my community, and his efforts have had a significant impact. To answer the question, the people he arrests are not his people. His people live in our community, and he has promised to protect us. He not only handles immigration, but also drugs that enter the country. Drugs entering the country have had a significant impact on people, and they have made it their mission to keep them from harming anyone. Selling drugs can help someone, but the long-term consequences are severe. Preventing drugs from entering the country has made a significant difference for everyone, but it still happens. In some ways, the way my father interacts with people has made a difference in my community. He is a good person who treats everyone equally. My father's difference maker, on the other hand, has been recognized for the extensive work that he puts into his job every day. My dad and his team put in the extra hours and hard work to make sure the community is safe. For instance, there are days when I do not see my dad because every day is a mission for him. Even outside of work, my dad is still working day and night. I won’t exaggerate and say his job is either life or death, but it feels like it. I feel like one day he will not come back home or he will not be able to see me graduate as the job is getting tougher. However, my dad will be there even after putting others before himself. I am in my last year of high school, which means in about 6 months I will be deciding where I will be attending in the fall and my home for the next four years. I plan to major in nursing to become a pediatric nurse. My dad is my inspiration to become one. I see his interaction with kids and I want to one day help them as he helps them. This scholarship will help me because college is expensive and the money will help me get the classes that I need to one day heal the kids of our future. Not only will this money help me, but it will also help my parents from financial trouble. It will give me a step towards becoming one of the best nurses. It is a passion of mine and I dream of sharing it with others. I want to make a difference, and this scholarship can help me get one step ahead.