Reducing our carbon footprint is critical for everyone's future. The U.S. is the second highest emitting nation in the world, and this has the greatest negative impact on the poor, both in and out of our country. My family comes from Mexico and Colombia, neither of which are huge carbon emitters, but are both very vulnerable to the effects of climate change and I have seen the impacts. As a result of greenhouse gas emissions, climate change is happening at an unprecedented rate. This causes areas that are more reliant on agriculture to be much more sensitive to flooding or drought, and they have little access to clean water sources. As pollution causes more and more health issues, we see a lack of resources, leaving those who need the most help behind. I have worked with urban wildlife and seen the consequences of commercial developments that result in habitat loss, causing animals to wander into neighborhoods and get hit by cars, shot, trapped, etc. Growing up in the 21st century, we've all been taught extensively about climate change since it is such a prevalent issue for our generation and those that follow. I've learned numerous techniques to reduce my energy and waste output. One thing I always make sure to do is turn off lights, water, and AC when they are not in use. To reduce my car emissions I try to use the campus shuttle to get around whenever possible. Eating less meat is harder for me, due to it being integral to Latino cultural cuisine, but I do try. To compact small waste like wrappers to prevent them from polluting water or food sources for animals, I make "trash bricks". I actually learned this from TikTok, where you have a clean empty bottle and put those tiny pieces of trash in there, compacting them until the bottle is full of material that is kept in confined area rather than flying around. The biggest thing I do and encourage others to do is buy clothing secondhand and donate rather than throwing away clothes. Since starting high school and buying my own things, almost everything has come from thrift stores, including decor and storage for my apartment. I'll send clothes with my family to Colombia to give to homeless and poor young women that they know. I wish I could do better to reduce my footprint, and entering this scholarship has inspired me to do so. As much as my stance on reducing emissions is related to personal and familial experiences, I don't think we should only care about our footprint if we are personally experiencing the consequences. We should all have enough empathy to realize that every living thing deserves to live peacefully.

Veterinary medicine only became a goal of mine when I was applying for colleges during my senior year of high school. I was born and grew up on a ranch in Hinkley, so animals have been immensely valuable to me my entire life. I was lucky enough to join a career technical class to learn about being a vet assistant since I had extra credits to fill, and it inspired my plans for the future. My teacher for that course was an accomplished veterinarian who spent her free time helping others. She was Korean-American, and explored the intricacies of intersectionality in the veterinary field, inspiring the students of color that filled the class. Excelling in this class with her guidance made me realize that my passion for helping others could be applied to this field, where animals and humans are so strongly intertwined. As I applied for college, I also applied for a veterinary assistant internship as part of that course, and decided to join a small practice owned by an Israeli couple. I truly believe that that experience's impact cannot be overstated. I started knowing nothing, and graduated high school with a job offer at their practice. I learned from other technicians and the doctors how different people will deal with various situations, and it really helped me decide what kind of provider I wanted to be. Joining the team during COVID, I experienced the staff shortage and being the "newbie", which was frustrating for seasoned technicians. I took all of my experiences and applied myself differently when working with others, both at school and when I returned to that practice the next summer. I began to stand up for myself and others when faced with toxic employees or clients, determined to keep an open mind and encourage others to do the same. I noticed myself getting frustrated when new hires didn't know "anything" about simple things, like vaccinations or restraint. I had to reflect and realize how little anyone knows unless they are taught, and how important it was to me to feel welcome enough to ask questions. When other technicians talked behind someone new's back about not doing enough, I remembered being the person who didn't know what I was allowed to do. So I took them around the office and showed them tasks they could do during down time, or where to find resources to learn more about the profession. My greatest takeaway from my experiences in life, whether they involved medicine or not, is that empathy is crucial. It is so very easy to forget when we are overwhelmed, but in a field with so much loss and lack of knowledge from clients or the public, it cannot be forgotten. My wildlife rehabilitation internship this last spring brought us critters that had been run over, shot, abused. It was incredible to see the lack of empathy people hold for the things they do not understand. I hope to make changes to how wild animals are viewed and treated, even by those in the domestic animal fields. Of the Israeli doctors that gave me my start, the husband passed away on my birthday this year unexpectedly; a perfectly healthy man leaving behind his wife and 4 children. Words cannot describe this loss. I imagined seeing him at my vet school graduation and telling him I made it thanks to him. He dedicated his life to his family and relieving the suffering of every patient and client he saw. I hope to follow in his footsteps and be the change I wish to see in this field.

My mother is Colombian and my father is Mexican. She emigrated with her single mother to the United States during the era of Pablo Escobar, seeking a safer place to live. Both of my parents lived in poverty with innumerable obstacles, and like every generation before them, became teen parents. I was born on my family's ranch in a desert. Since birth, I have been surrounded by animals, even wild animals that hunted our livestock. Over the years, they have managed to create a simpler life for my sister and I, and thanks to them I am able to pursue my dreams. My dream, however, wasn't always to work in veterinary medicine. Until my senior year in high school, I bounced back and forth between numerous careers that I wanted to pursue. When a course to prepare me for a veterinary assistant internship opened up, I jumped at the chance. After graduating, I got hired at the practice as I prepared for starting university. The doctors I worked under truly inspired me and introduced me to unique perspectives in veterinary medicine. During my first year in college, I volunteered at the local animal shelter to try and solidify what specific field I was interested in. My strongest interest is in wildlife medicine and rehabilitation, but a part of me has always been dedicated to helping humans in need too. I hope to do relief work for clinics that are struggling with the critical shortage of veterinary staff. I would also love to provide low-cost/free care for low-income communities locally and in other countries where veterinary care is not widely available. Even in the most advanced areas, education regarding pets and general animal care/welfare is lacking. Until I started working in the field, I knew hardly anything about properly raising pets despite having them my whole life. Being provided even the simplest information regarding nutrition, and behavior, etc can completely change the quality of life that an owner provides their pet. To be a part of this change in both lives would be a privilege. Along with this, educating the public about conservation would help keep our wild species safe and healthy, many of which are crucial to their ecosystems and are at huge risk of displacement and endangerment. I hope to receive scholarships to keep me in school for many years to come until I can start to help others.

My dream in life is to help others. I am dedicated to improving the lives of fellow humans and animals.

I am an 18 year old incoming college freshman for the fall of 2022. I’ve lived in Southern California my whole life; my first few years were spent on a ranch in Hinkley. Activism is a big part of my life, being a brown woman who’s always been involved in various minority communities. I love poetry, reading, animals, and creating art. Learning about traditions in different cultures fascinates me; I’ve always felt disconnected from my own and I'd love to change that. My life has been influenced greatly by so many people, from my family to coaches to my bosses. While all of these people have shaped and directed the course of my life, I think the title of my biggest influence belongs to my 5 year old pup, Tomasa. She is a beautiful, black, maltese-poodle mix. She is the love of my life; the first of many pets I’ve had that I’ve felt truly responsible for taking care of, given that I got her when I was older. At the time I got her after the seventh grade, I had spent years dealing with anxiety and depression that only worsened as I got older and made my way into high school. While I have two other dogs that I adore along with Tomasa, I truly feel as though she saved my life. At my lowest points, she provided a comfort and a sense of responsibility for her well-being that kept me going, and brought my attention to maintaining an animals health. As a younger child, parents are the ones responsible for pet care, and many needs are neglected due to lack of education. My dogs would rarely see the vet unless there was a noticeable problem, even vaccines were not diligently kept up with, which is the norm for many pet families. My growing interest in animal care had me applying for a unique occupational program that provided hands-on experience as a veterinary assistant intern. I quickly learned about the necessity of proper healthcare for animals, and now love to educate others on the topic as well. Looking back, I feel guilty for not being the perfect pet parent, although thankfully all of my pets have lived long healthy lives. Working as a vet assistant, I see some of the same misconceptions and lack of information my family had, which inspires me to provide these animals with the best care, because I would want nothing less for my own pets. The doctors I have been lucky enough to work for have furthered my interest in the profession, solidifying my path in veterinary medicine. I take everything I learn from them to improve the life of our patients and my Tomasa. She even helps me practice skills at home, like taking vitals, nail trims, restraint - providing me with a sense of support for my aspirations.

The meaning of life is an extremely personal and subjective concept. For some it is to make money, for others it’s creating meaningful relationships. To me, the meaning of life is to help others achieve happiness. Helping others has always been a passion of mine. I’m a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, I openly advocate for equal rights, and I’m committed to speaking up for those who cannot do so for themselves. Bringing in a bit of a cliche, as a woman of color whose family is part of marginalized groups, I’ve seen the difficulties that arise from these situations. How homophobia runs rampant even while “accepting” gay family members, how racism and colorism have shaped their perceptions of beauty and success, how speaking up for others has ostracized me from my own family. I am lucky to feel safe enough to stand up for what I believe in, but many do not have that privilege. For many, every day is lived in fear of attack and making that known feel impossible. Putting a foot down to encourage equal protections of every individual helps ease this fear and allows for happiness to make its way into their lives. Even in situations where all that is needed to advance someone’s happiness is a few dollars for a meal, or even a simple hug. We should all live with the intention of helping others, because all we have in this world is each other.

My dream career is in veterinary medicine. I have already begun my work in this profession as a veterinary assistant intern at a vet clinic in Camarillo, CA. I was lucky enough to find a program that spent a semester on classroom based education and the other semester in a practical setting. The veterinarians at this practice have further solidified my determination to continue in the field. I work with a wonderful, fun, young staff and an amazing, compassionate veterinarian. Every day I look forward to working and learning from them, but I know many veterinary workers don’t feel the same way in their occupations. Generally, it is a very strenuous field that causes too many to burn out due to stress and poor pay. I hope to fight to make a change in these all too common circumstances that have contributed to a widespread shortage of veterinary workers, and encourage others to do the same because it is an irreplaceable service we provide. I grew up on a ranch, surrounded by livestock and dogs. Animals have always been a part of my life, and I’m dedicated to maintaining their well being. In the future, I hope to work as a relief veterinarian in low income communities and countries that struggle to provide proper healthcare for pets. I’d love to work with wild animals, whether that be on land or in marine systems. My overarching goal is to help all living creatures, from humans to lions to tiny little fish.

Mental illness has had a huge impact on my life as well as the lives of my family. There were many days where I wasn’t sure how much longer I would last. Being in a Latin-American household, mental illness wasn't something that was talked about freely. Despite family history on both sides of anxiety, depression, and bipolar, it continued to be a very stigmatized topic that was brushed under the rug. Eventually, my family had no choice but to deal with my behaviors, and mental health became a conversation that included us all. My parents have learned to practice self-care and acknowledge the unhealthy cycle their families had perpetuated onto them; they learned to adjust their responses to stressors, and prided themselves on their progression. But, I didn’t forget the extreme pressure I was put under. I struggled with emotional issues my whole life, and was made to feel like a burden for years. Witnessing the approach my family and so many others had towards mental illness encouraged me to be open with my experience. I never had someone to talk to as a child, so I try to be that person for others. Working with young children especially enhances this desire, since many of them struggle at home. When I was put into psychotherapy, I was annoyed and didn’t think it made any difference. For most of my high school career, I felt so helpless that I didn't believe any of these resources could help me. I felt beyond help; and I know millions of other teenagers feel the same way. With time and maturity, I started noticing growth and I was lucky enough to have access to a psychiatrist. I was afraid to try medication because I was scared of getting better; I had lived so long with depression and anxiety and I didn't know how to live any other way. But, my life changed. I’m the happiest I have been in years, despite still having some bad days. I am fully aware of the limitations others face when dealing with mental illness, and I advocate for them as a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. I believe in equal access to all aspects of healthcare, and those who don’t have this access are most vulnerable. Trying to decide on a career path was a very strenuous and complicated process for me. I was dedicated to helping others, while also trying to appease my parents' wishes. I anxiously cycled through nursing, psychology, psychiatry, social work; I was desperate to help others like me. But I was also held back by my dad’s dream for me to pursue business and finance. For a period, I struggled to find a way to manage all of the things I wanted to do to live a fulfilling life, because I had lived so long feeling like I could never experience one. I realized that I needed to prioritize myself or I would fall back into the same cycles. I was lucky enough to get into a veterinary assistant class with technical training my senior year of high school, and I fell in love. I am 4 months into an internship at a veterinary hospital and it has helped me grow. As a restrictively shy person, this opportunity has allowed me to practice socializing with all kinds of people in a professional and personal setting. I can also feel connected to helping those with mental illness because veterinary medicine has the highest rate of suicide of any medical profession, and I am determined to battle this problem and encourage change in the field.

Mental illness has had a huge impact on my life as well as the lives of my family. There were many days where I wasn’t sure how much longer I would last. Being in a Latin-American household, mental illness wasn't something that was talked about freely. Despite family history on both sides of anxiety, depression, and bipolar, it continued to be a very stigmatized topic that was brushed under the rug. Eventually, my family had no choice but to deal with my behaviors, and mental health became a conversation that included us all. My parents have learned to practice self-care and acknowledge the unhealthy cycle their families had perpetuated onto them; they learned to adjust their responses to stressors, and prided themselves on their progression. But, I didn’t forget the extreme pressure I was put under. I struggled with emotional issues my whole life, and was made to feel like a burden for years. Witnessing the approach my family and so many others had towards mental illness encouraged me to be open with my experience. I never had someone to talk to as a child, so I try to be that person for others. Working with young children especially enhances this desire, since many of them struggle at home. When I was put into psychotherapy, I was annoyed and didn’t think it made any difference. For most of my high school career, I felt so helpless that I didn't believe any of these resources could help me. I felt beyond help; and I know millions of other teenagers feel the same way. With time and maturity, I started noticing growth and I was lucky enough to have access to a psychiatrist. I was afraid to try medication because I was scared of getting better; I had lived so long with depression and anxiety and I didn't know how to live any other way. But, my life changed. I’m the happiest I have been in years, despite still having some bad days. I am fully aware of the limitations others face when dealing with mental illness, and I advocate for them as a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. I believe in equal access to all aspects of healthcare, and those who don’t have this access are most vulnerable. Trying to decide on a career path was a very strenuous and complicated process for me. I was dedicated to helping others, while also trying to appease my parents' wishes. I anxiously cycled through nursing, psychology, psychiatry, social work; I was desperate to help others like me. But I was also held back by my dad’s dream for me to pursue business and finance. For a period, I struggled to find a way to manage all of the things I wanted to do to live a fulfilling life, because I had lived so long feeling like I could never experience one. I realized that I needed to prioritize myself or I would fall back into the same cycles. I was lucky enough to get into a veterinary assistant class with technical training my senior year of high school, and I fell in love. I am 4 months into an internship at a veterinary hospital and it has helped me grow. As a restrictively shy person, this opportunity has allowed me to practice socializing with all kinds of people in a professional and personal setting. I can also feel connected to helping those with mental illness because veterinary medicine has the highest rate of suicide of any medical profession, and I am determined to battle this problem and encourage change in the field.

I am a Mexican-Colombian high school senior in Southern California, and my career in veterinary medicine has already begun. I was lucky enough to be a part of a unique veterinary assistant class that incorporates technical education. This allowed me to join an animal hospital as a veterinary assistant intern and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity. I’ve loved animals since I was a baby; I grew up for my first years on a ranch with my parents and grandparents. We had dozens of dogs who lived on our land, cows, pigs, horses, donkeys, and more. We even had the occasional mountain lion creep over and try to eat one of our dogs. My early exposure to animal caretaking convinced me as a child that I was an animal whisperer; that I could connect with even the most wild animal. Luckily I never went up to a wild animal and tried to tame it, but as I grew up, my passion for animals grew as well. Never in my life was there a period where I didn't have at least one pet, always dogs and extending to birds, snakes, and rats. My participation in the veterinary assistant course has exposed me to creatures I never imagined dealing with. Reptiles freak me out, but a friend once brought his leopard gecko and bearded dragon and, after a few fearful screams, I didn’t want to let them go. My friend rescued a deserted baby possum, a friend fosters critical care kittens, my sister has fostered dogs. This program has opened my eyes to the many ways I can contribute to the welfare of animals. It is my dream to foster animals and work in relief vet care, especially in other countries, to keep them safe and healthy. Going into the field, I didn’t know how well I would handle the blood and things I had always thought were gross in human medicine. I flinch and fight the urge to cry when I get vaccines, or when I donated blood and I almost passed out. But now giving vaccines and drawing blood are exciting to me; gross surgeries are fascinating because I know that every act helps an animal in need. I will be attending California Polytechnic University Pomona under an animal science major. I plan on pursuing a pathway in veterinary medicine, and this program will allow me to become a registered vet tech, and when the time comes, I can go to veterinary school.

Mental illness has had a huge impact on my life as well as the lives of my family. There were many days where I wasn’t sure how much longer I would last. Being in a Latin-American household, mental illness wasn't something that was talked about freely. Despite family history on both sides of anxiety, depression, and bipolar, it continued to be a very stigmatized topic that was brushed under the rug. Eventually, my family had no choice but to deal with my behaviors, and mental health became a conversation that included us all. My parents have learned to practice self-care and acknowledge the unhealthy cycle their families had perpetuated onto them; they learned to adjust their responses to stressors, and prided themselves on their progression. But, I didn’t forget the extreme pressure I was put under. I struggled with emotional issues my whole life, and was made to feel like a burden for years. Witnessing the approach my family and so many others had towards mental illness encouraged me to be open with my experience. I never had someone to talk to as a child, so I try to be that person for others. Working with young children especially enhances this desire, since many of them struggle at home. When I was put into psychotherapy, I was annoyed and didn’t think it made any difference. For most of my high school career, I felt so helpless that I didn't believe any of these resources could help me. I felt beyond help, and millions of other teenagers feel the same way. With time and maturity, I started noticing growth and I was lucky enough to have access to a psychiatrist. I was afraid to try medication because I was scared of getting better; I had lived so long with depression and anxiety and I didn't know how to live any other way. But, my life changed. I’m the happiest I have been in years, despite still having my bad days. I am fully aware of the limitations others face when dealing with mental illness, and I advocate for them as a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. I believe in equal access to all aspects of healthcare, and those who don’t have this access are most vulnerable. Trying to decide on a career path was a very strenuous and complicated process for me. I was dedicated to helping others, while also trying to appease my parents' wishes. I anxiously cycled through nursing, psychology, psychiatry, social work; I was desperate to help others like me. But I was also held back by my dad’s dream for me to pursue business and finance. For a period, I struggled to find a way to manage all of the things I wanted to do to live a fulfilling life, because I had lived so long feeling like I could never experience one. I realized that I needed to prioritize myself or I would fall back into the same cycles. I was lucky enough to get into a veterinary assistant class with technical training my senior year of high school, and I fell in love. I am 4 months into an internship at a veterinary hospital and it has helped me grow. As a restrictively shy person, this opportunity has allowed me to practice socializing with all kinds of people in a professional and personal setting. I can also feel connected to helping those with mental illness because veterinary medicine has the highest rate of suicide of any medical profession, and I am determined to battle this problem and inspire change in the field.

There is so much more that can be done to help those who struggle with mental illness. The stigma itself is a huge obstacle in our advancement of mental health. What can we do? Improving access to mental health resources is the most practical and arguably the most important solution. Affordability is a significant barrier that everyone faces. With the lack of specialists in the field, the ratio of specialists to those they can help is one to hundreds, in some areas even thousands of people who need help and one qualified helper. Those is the lower class specifically are more susceptible to mental health problems given their circumstances, and are the least likely to receive the proper care, especially medication given high pharmaceutical prices. Many people don't even try to get help because it doesn't feel like an available resource for them. Improved access can come to life in different ways, starting in childhood. Developing children are very sensitive to their environment, and learning crucial skills to help them cope with conflicts at home and out in the world will help maintain a healthy mental state throughout their lives. Employing numerous psychologists in all levels of education is important; at all 5 schools I have attended the counselors are academic counselors that claim to help but they are not qualified. Another way to expand access is school and workplace programs that educate about mental health and actually encourage the use of therapies, whether that be psychotherapy, group, recreational, etc. Providing easily accessible, safe and confidential spaces for students, employees, and their families will help alleviate the stigma regarding mental health as we continue to work to normalize these experiences that are experienced by millions of people.

Love is everywhere, and I value it very highly. The members of my direct and extended family have been through innumerable obstacles, but I have learned from them that love will keep you going. I display love through many different mediums. I gift hand-knit and crocheted pieces with specific importance to the person they are for. Time and passion put into these projects, hundreds of thousands of stitches, speak louder than any declaration of "I love you" ever could. Food is a love language of all Latin American cultures. Baking goods for each individual in my family's taste exemplifies the sweet and content feeling of being cooked for, taken care of. Allowing others to be their truest selves with me frees them from carrying undue burdens. Acceptance from another is a stepping stone to acceptance of one's self. Educating is critical to a successful and fulfilling life. My parents and grandparents were never able to receive good education, dealing with poverty and challenges faced by many Latinos in the 90s. My love for them is displayed often by teaching them new things. Things I learn at school that they never had the opportunity to learn about. Exciting news from my work at the animal hospital. Interesting facts about everyday objects to make them laugh. My family has done everything they can to advance me further than they were able to go in their lives, and making them proud is my ultimate act of love.