When my maternal great-grandmother, Mama Lupe, passed away, I turned to prayer and gratitude, thanking God for the privilege of knowing such a remarkable woman. Mama Lupe's love for life, her infectious laughter, and her kind heart were testaments to the beauty of human connection. Mama Lupe, or Lupita as we fondly called her, was not just a grandmother but a mentor, a friend, and a source of endless joy. She had a passion for life that was contagious, often dancing to the rhythm of cumbia music or swaying to the beat of cha-chas, embracing her Guatemalan heritage with pride. Her final days were a testament to her strength and resilience, and I am grateful to have been by her side, holding her hand and sharing moments of love and laughter. Navigating the emotions of grief was a profound experience that deepened my faith and strengthened my resolve. Through prayer and reflection, I found comfort in knowing that Mama Lupe's spirit lives on, watching over me like a guardian angel. Each day, I carry her memory in my heart, drawing inspiration from her kindness, her unwavering spirit, and her love for life. In addition to turning to prayer, I also utilized practices like meditation and journaling to navigate the complexities of grief. These tools became invaluable in helping me process my emotions, find moments of peace amidst the turmoil, and reflect on the lessons Mama Lupe imparted during her time with us. As I look towards the future and my aspirations for higher education, I am driven by a sense of purpose rooted in my faith and guided by the values Mama Lupe instilled in me. College represents not just a pursuit of knowledge but a journey of personal and spiritual growth, where I can continue to honor Mama Lupe's legacy by living a life of compassion, resilience, and gratitude. Reflecting on the biggest influences in my life, Mama Lupe stands at the forefront, alongside influential figures like Malala Yousafzai and Michelle Obama. Their courage, determination, and commitment to making a difference in the world inspire me to strive for excellence and contribute positively to my community and beyond. In conclusion, my journey through grief has been a testament to the transformative power of faith, love, and resilience. I am grateful for the lessons learned, the memories cherished, and the opportunity to carry forward Mama Lupe's legacy with pride and gratitude.

Architecture has always been my passion and my drive to achieve greatness in this field is unwavering. Growing up in the beautiful city of Oklahoma, I have always been fascinated by the towering skyline. my earliest memories as a child are of looking at the stunning skyline with my grandfather. You see, we are much like buildings if you pay close attention. As I embark on this journey to become an architect, my family is my foundation. They have nurtured and supported me to establish a firm base for my goals of creating magnificent structures that will leave a lasting impact on the world. My pillars of support are my morals and values. I strongly believe in working together as a team, practicing humility and gratitude, and never losing sight of my creator and religious beliefs. These pillars will hold me up as I strive to reach new heights in my career. The walls of my building are high, much like the high standards I set for myself every day. I am a person of great integrity and ambition, and I will not let any obstacle hinder me in my path. In addition to my determination and ambition, I have also worked diligently at Oklahoma City Community College to achieve one of my goals: graduating with an associates degree before I graduate from highschool! This achievement is a testament to my hard work and dedication to my education. I am proud of what I have accomplished so far, and I am excited to see what the future holds for me. I am always striving to be the best version of myself and to make a positive impact on the world. The roof of my building represents endless possibilities, and I am determined to make it grand and iconic. I want to make my parents proud of the man I am becoming and create something so magnificent that all of our hard work will pay off. I am confident that with the proper guidance, I will become an architect whose creations will exceed the heights of our skyscrapers.

As an aspiring architect, I am excited to share my thoughts about why I believe that I deserve this scholarship. I am passionate about the field of Architecture and am eager to pursue a career in this field. I believe that I have the necessary skills and qualities that make me an excellent candidate for this scholarship. Firstly, I am a creative individual who enjoys expressing myself through art and design. I have always been drawn to the idea of designing structures that are not only functional but also visually appealing. I believe that Architecture is a field that allows me to channel my creativity and design beautiful structures that make a positive impact on society. I am confident that my passion for design and creativity will enable me to excel in this field. Secondly, I am a natural leader who enjoys guiding teams towards achieving a common goal. During my high school years, I participated in several projects that required me to lead teams and work collaboratively. I believe that my leadership skills will enable me to effectively manage teams of architects and engineers in the future. I am confident that I can motivate my team members and bring out the best in them, which will help us achieve our goals effectively. Thirdly, I am a problem solver who enjoys thinking outside the box to find unique solutions to complex problems. In the field of Architecture, problem-solving skills are critical as the structures designed must be safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. I am confident that my problem-solving skills will enable me to design structures that meet the needs of clients while also being sustainable and environmentally friendly. Finally, I am committed to achieving my goal of becoming an architect. I have researched the courses and programs offered by the University of Oklahoma and believe that they are the best fit for me. I plan to intern at firms and gain hands-on experience alongside studying at the university. I am confident that this will provide me with a better understanding of the field and prepare me for a successful career. I am determined to work hard and achieve my goal of becoming a successful architect. In conclusion, I believe that I am an excellent candidate for this scholarship. I am passionate about Architecture, possess excellent leadership skills, am a problem solver, and am committed to achieving my goal of becoming an architect. I am confident that this scholarship will enable me to pursue my dream of becoming an architect and make a positive impact on society.

​​ Architecture has always fascinated me. Growing up in the beautiful Oklahoma City, my earliest memories as a child are looking at the stunning skyline with my grandfather. You see, we are much like buildings if you pay close attention. To begin an architecture monolith, we must develop a sound and sturdy base. My base is centered on my family, as it is where my roots grow. My family has blessed and nurtured me to establish a firm, concrete foundation for my goals of scraping skies. Next, a building needs to be supported. I believe that the columns that support me are my morals and values. Pillars that support me would be the ability to work together as a team, humility and gratitude towards the actions of others, and never losing sight of my creator and religious beliefs. I am a church oriented person and have a very religious background, so you could call that the paints and decorations of a building. Another key fundamental to a building is the walls or outer layer of the construct. Walls keep the inner part insulated and everyone comfortable. The walls of my building would be high to represent the high standard I put into myself every day. I am a person of great integrity and ambition and will not stop halfway through; what good does a half-made building do, anyway? I strive to be the best I can be and will not let obstacles stop me in my path. Building walls are to keep the cold outside our but also to let the warmth of humanity inside. I love to work with others and volunteer at my community-based church whenever it is needed. While my parents set an excellent example for me, I try my best to follow in their footsteps. Finally, the finishing part of any building would be the roof. I believe roofs represent endless possibilities. The roof is only tall if the structure allows it to be. For me, the roof of my building will be grand, iconic, and something to be proud of. I want to make my parents proud of the man I will become and am currently becoming. My parents are both Guatemalan immigrants who chose to migrate to Oklahoma to establish a better life for their children. Their first steps give me the opportunity to pursue my dream of becoming an architect and constructing something so magnificent that all of our hard work will pay off. At the end of my life, much like the tip of a roof, I want to look back at my creations and be proud of them. With the proper aid, I will become something that will exceed the heights of our skyscrapers.