Even though I'm entering my sophomore year of college at IU Indianapolis, it feels like it was yesterday that my brother and I graduated from high school. We took AP courses, graduated with honors, and even received scholarships from within our school. My mother was in tears, my father was trying his best remain composed, and we were all planning for what was to come. Our parents were very concerned about how we would pay for college, but I reassured both that my brother and I would do our best to cover the costs. So, I applied for scholarships, obtained jobs on-campus, and helped my brother follow in my footsteps. We had no one to help us navigate through college, but I've taken the initiative to get more involved, excel in my courses, and work on gaining experience relevant to my field. I'm majoring in neuroscience and chemistry; also minoring in math. Initially, I was working toward becoming a neurologist; I'd care and treat patients, conduct research in neurodegenerative diseases, and provide for my parents. However, I changed my career path after being a mentor for chemistry. As a mentor, I lead a class of 10 students as they solve challenging practice problems in groups. I encourage them to cooperate, problem-solve, and I also check their understanding by asking questions. Seeing them learn and have fun in class made me incredibly happy. I realized that I wanted to commit my life to this, to helping others succeed and achieve their career goals. It's fulfilling to see my students learn, and I hope to leave an impact on their lives. After my undergrad, I plan on pursuing a PhD in neuropharmacology and becoming a professor, as well as having my own lab. As a professor, I will help my students learn to the best of their ability and connect them with others to help them achieve their goals. I'm currently helping my students connect with professors and I've even been a reference for one of my students. My ultimate goal in life is to help as many people as possible and leave a lasting impact on society. However, to get there, I understand it requires an immense amount of time, effort, dedication, and sacrifice. This scholarship would help me focus on my studies, my outreach, and my journey toward becoming a helping hand for future students. Due to my experience as a first-generation student, I understand how terrifying it is to start college; to be in an entirely different environment that isn't your home. I'm thankful for my professors, mentors, and those who have given me the opportunity to apply for scholarships. They've all inspired me and motivated me to keep pushing forward. Your support will not only aid me, but it'll also aid future first-generation students through my work.

Growing up, my mother always told me to work hard, be a role model for my brother, and, most importantly, help those who need it. She's a single mother, yet every time a friend or family member needed assistance, she was the one to help. She would help others even when she could barely provide for herself. To me, she is the embodiment of humanity. The world needs more of her. As I progressed through my academic career, I took the hardest classes, eventually earned a job, and helped my brother plan out his future. When we graduated from high school, I could see in my mother's eyes that she was proud, scared, and happy all at once. Everyone told her that she had raised exceptional boys, and she'd tear up every time. She's my inspiration. I'm entering my sophomore year of college at IU Indianapolis, majoring in neuroscience and chemistry, minoring in math. Thus far, I've been working as a mentor for chemistry and as a program assistant for Upward Bound, an organization that helps high school students from underserved communities prepare for college and provides resources to support them along the way. Initially, I was working toward becoming a neurologist, and I was on the pre-med track. That all changed after this summer. This coming year, I'm continuing my role as a chemistry mentor, but I will also be working as a mentor for Intro to Biology. I decided to apply for that role because of my experience as a chemistry mentor. During the spring and summer of 2026, I led classes of around 10 students where students worked on challenging practice problems together. I helped with their learning, created a comfortable environment for them to cooperate, and mentored them outside of class. After those two semesters, I realized that I wanted a long-term career in education. I told my summer students that thanks to them, I decided I wanted to become a professor. Seeing them collaborate and succeed brought immense joy to me. They cheered, and several of them thanked me for my help. That feeling is still indescribable. As a professor, I'd make it clear to my students that they matter to me, even if I have 400. My responsibility isn't dependent on class size. My professors, especially my chemistry professor, pushed me to get more involved and gave me opportunities to work closely with them. That's exactly the type of professor I aspire to be. Now, more than ever, students are struggling from the stress of college and everything that comes with it, like finances, workload, and uncertainty. I understand how it affects one's mental health, and I'm helping to minimize that stress as a mentor. I've seen students grow frustrated with the material, heard them stress about next semester, and listened to how they felt lost. I would either give them advice or help them. I helped create study plans and had conversations with professors about how we can help students improve, specifically during lectures. For now, I will be guiding my students through their courses so that they may achieve their goals. Alongside education, I also want to contribute to the field of medicine, specifically neuroscience. I'm planning on obtaining my PhD in neuropharmacology and finding better ways to treat those who suffer from neurodegenerative diseases and disorders. I look forward to meeting students from all around the world, helping them navigate through college, and working with them to give back to the world. This is how I plan to give back, and I know my mother will be proud.

Although I have yet to begin my sophomore year of college at IU Indianapolis, I know that I have a lot on my plate. I'm majoring in neuroscience and chemistry, pursuing a minor in math. My ultimate goal is to teach as a professor for a university, conduct research, and help the new generation find their place in society. This coming semester, I will be taking 16 credits, which are composed of higher-level courses. They include organic chemistry lab and lecture, systems of neuroscience, and a class on drugs and behavior. On top of my courses, I will be committing 25 hours per week working across my three positions. I'll be working as an intern for a neuroscience lab at STARK Institute that studies neurodegenerative disorders and as a mentor for a chemistry class and for a biology class. I enjoy working, especially as a mentor since I get to meet new students and help them throughout the semester. It allows me to get a peek into my life as a professor. Despite the looming challenges of this semester, I don't feel overwhelmed. I faced a similar challenge last year as a freshman. In my freshman year of college, I took 34 credits total and worked on campus as soon as possible. Initially, I worked as a program assistant for TRIO Upward Bound, an initiative at IU that aims to help high school students who come from underserved backgrounds better prepare for college and incentivize them to give college a try. I would work 10 hours a week, where I made calls to the parents of our applicants, marketed our program, scheduled interviews, processed sensitive data, and assisted with program events for our students. The job had several responsibilities, but I enjoyed the workload. I was taking 17 credit hours in the fall, and the workload was often overwhelming. I was taking general chemistry, intro to biology, multidimensional math, and intro to psychology. However, I studied and poured more effort into my classes, and after Fall 2025, I passed all my classes with an A+. After Fall 2025, I decided I should push myself further. I began working more hours by becoming a mentor for general chemistry and working at the medical library, while staying with Upward Bound. This added 10 more hours of work per week, bringing my total up to 20. I took 17 credit hours once again, this time with more challenging courses. When midterms came, I was incredibly worried. I needed to study for 4 exams that I was taking in one week. I still worked my regular hours, but I asked my bosses in each position if I could spend some time studying. They were all understanding and allowed me to study while working if I had finished all my tasks for that shift. So, I took advantage of each and every moment to study, and I was able to earn at least an A- on all my midterms. By the end of Spring 2026, I'm proud to say that I passed all of my classes with at least an A. Freshman year was exceptionally challenging, and it taught me that balancing my work and school life didn't mean I simply had to commit less time for sleep. I learned to prioritize my coursework, plan ahead, try new study methods, and, most importantly, ask questions. With my experience, I feel prepared for more challenging semesters that are yet to come.

I'm currently entering my sophomore year at Indiana University Indianapolis, working toward a degree in neuroscience and chemistry, as well as a minor in math. After earning my degrees, I will continue studying at IU and pursue a PhD in neuropharmacology, specifically on how medicine can be better used for mental disorders. With my PhD, I'll help students grow academically as a professor, while also conducting important research in neuropharmacology. I currently have 72 credits left to earn between both degrees and my minor, meaning I could potentially graduate early, but I don't plan on doing so. Almost any time I get free time, I plan for the future, even if it's several years beyond. For now, my short-term goal is to earn at least an A- in all my courses, save money, and gain more laboratory experience. I will be working 25 hours per week between my internship at STARK Institute and my role as a TA for chemistry and biology. I volunteer at a lab for 5 hours per week and will spend around 30 hours studying each week for my courses, as well as 12 hours in class. Including eight hours of sleep each day, this leaves me with about 40 hours per week of available time for eating, additional studying, researching, personal responsibilities, and transporting my brother. For my junior and senior years, I plan on taking between 15-17 credit hours, continuing to work as a TA for chemistry and biology, and working toward presenting my research. As a graduate, I'll continue researching in neuropharmacology and learning how to properly educate students. As for my financials, I've been able to cover my first two years through financial aid and scholarships, with the first year being roughly $28,000 and the second being $25,000. I receive two scholarships that cover $20,000 annually. For my last two years of undergraduate school, I expect my cost of attendance to remain at around $25,000 to $28,000, meaning there's $50,000 to $56,000 left to pay. Again, I have my annual scholarships, as well as federal aid that will help me. I've received the maximum award for the Pell Grant, which is $7,395, and will likely continue to receive it. For my last two years of undergrad, I have roughly $54,000 in aid covering my cost of attendance or potentially leaving at most $2,000 left to cover. On to graduate school for my PhD, I have several options. I could go through the IBMG program with IU and not worry about tuition costs and even receive a living stipend of around $36,000. While that's helpful, it would be very difficult to live off that money alone. The program requires me to spend 40 to 50 hours per week on my research, and I'm not allowed to pursue a secondary job; however, I have several options. I can apply for grants and scholarships and borrow if necessary. My goal is to minimize my debt as much as possible. I can also rely on my savings. I currently have around $30,000 distributed among a high-yield savings account and investments. I'll continue to earn more money to contribute to my savings so that I can truly focus on my research. As daunting as this is, I'm optimistic. I come from a very humble family, and although my parents can't support me, I've already begun working hard to secure my future. With the scholarships I receive, as well as additional support, I'll spend less time worrying about how to pay for my education and focus on my career and achieving my goals.

From simple addition when I was four to quantum chemistry in college, I have always enjoyed learning about STEM. Initially, math piqued my interest the most. It was like a third language for me. But then I took DC Chemistry, and suddenly, I couldn't stop reading and watching videos about it. The concepts clicked with me, and I found it incredible just how complex our world is. All the while, in school, I was often surrounded by my classmates and friends. They would ask for help solving a problem or for me to explain certain concepts to them more clearly. Every time I helped someone, I was grateful for the opportunity to make their day just a bit better. With that in mind, I entered Indiana University Indianapolis majoring in neuroscience, and eventually chemistry, with a minor in math. Growing up, I was always interested in how people think and behave. Neuroscience studies both and incorporates several sciences, such as my favorite field, chemistry. Initially, I was on the pre-med track so I could work toward becoming a neurologist. As time passed, I became more involved. I enrolled in several clubs, was invited to the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and became a mentor for both chemistry and biology. As a mentor, I lead study sessions for chemistry and biology students, engage my students in their learning, create a comfortable environment, and encourage cooperation. I plan on mentoring both subjects for several years to come. Through these roles, I learned that I want a career in education, specifically higher education. Helping my students perform better in their courses brings me so much joy and pride. As a professor, I will help students from all walks of life work toward achieving their goals, as well as conduct research in neuropharmacology. While I may no longer become a doctor who treats patients, I'm becoming a doctor who will educate future doctors. They'll be able to treat many more patients than I could alone. Getting to where I am today wasn't easy. I was raised by the best single mother I could've asked for, but she struggled. We relied on welfare because my mother wasn't paid enough at her job. Even then, she struggled to make ends meet for two boys and her family in Honduras. Oftentimes, she would find comfort in talking to me as another adult about her stress. I always try my best to comfort her and make sure she's feeling a bit better after every conversation. She's the major reason I'm interested in neuroscience and psychology; I want to better understand people so that I may help them as much as possible when they need it. Before college, I constantly worried about how I was going to pay for it. To confront this, I began working, applying for scholarships, taking college-level courses, and saving as much as possible. Going into college, I was lost, but I was able to cover a majority of my costs. I wasn't entirely sure what I was going to do, nor how I would manage being apart from my family. But I asked questions, sparked conversations, and I was able to involve myself at IU. I'm grateful for the people I've met, especially the professors and faculty. They push me to work harder toward my career goals, no matter the challenge. My adversities taught me that they should never be faced alone, at least not entirely. As a professor, I will help students navigate uncertainty so that they can prosper.

Nowadays, mental health awareness has grown exponentially. and for good reason. Throughout my life, I have either been witness to the perils of stress and how it affects the mind or been the victim of that stress. I understand just how difficult it is to manage through life. In my senior year of high school, I challenged myself immensely. I enrolled in six AP courses, while also working part-time as a Stocking Associate for Wal-Mart. Due to my work ethic and dedication, I'm scheduled for 27 or more hours per week. As a result, this limits how much time I have to study, and as every other person would feel in my situation, I felt overwhelmed. I couldn't count on one hand just how many times I had broken down due to the amount of work I had to do, it was something I never dealt with before. As a result, instead of studying as much as I should've, I would push off work for one specific class, that being AP/DC Physics C: Mechanics, in order to spend time with my partner. She made me happy despite the stresses I encountered and allowed me to clear my mind. Our relationship has flourished and we have been together for more than a year now. She is my rock, and I am forever indebted to her for her care and love towards me. My mother as well did her best to support me and alleviate me from the stresses I endured. I began to understand what it was like for her, to stress about work, money, and time management. I live in a single parent household, my mother being the provider for the family, and it has been that way for 13 years now. As a young boy, I would see my mom in tears because she didn't know how she would pay for rent, for the electricity, or even food. Yet, she persevered. This taught me to endure all the suffering life brings to me because I have to keep living, otherwise, the worst would happen. Thanks to my mother, I'm hard-working, determined, and, most importantly, passionate about the field of neuroscience because of the good I can bring to the world. I want to be the beacon of hope for those suffering from neurological disorders, mental disorders, or anything of the sort relating to the brain. This drive to become a neurologist and study the mind further grew when I met my partner's grandmother. My partner had told me that her grandmother has been living with dementia for eight years now, and it has been difficult for her father to see his own mother essentially become someone else that doesn't recognize him. I witnessed this first-hand, and all I could think to myself was, "I need to find a way to prevent this, to help families be happy again." I aspire to find ways to improve the mental health of millions and preserve the healthy state it is in because I understand that mental health doesn't only affect one single person that has these issues, but the people that care for them. Given my experiences, it's encouraged me to continue down this path of rigorous studying, massive time commitment, and intense work in order to achieve that dream. While I understand the potential risk to my own mental health, from my perspective, if it means I can help possibly millions upon billions of people with my dedication and research, then it'll be worth every stressful moment of my life. I plan on volunteering over this summer at the IU Health Neuroscience Center in order to make a necessary step forward in my medical career, so that way I gain more knowledge on the field and my what my future will look like once I have obtained my license to practice. I hope that through my research and my care, I am able to further spread mental health awareness, as well as find innovative ways to treat mental health problems. I may just be a high school graduate entering his freshman year at college, but I know that in order to make change, I must take action now.

As a child, I was always fascinated by mathematics and science. I enjoy solving mathematical equations, understanding scientific concepts about everything essentially, and I enjoy spending my free time learning on my own concerning the two subjects. Initially, I wanted to be an astronomer. However, after my sophomore year of high school, I realized that astronomy wasn't what I desired to dedicate my life to. What I want to do in life is help as many people as possible in any way. So, I looked into fields of medicine that aligned with my interest and that was when I came across neuroscience. I'm interested in how the brain functions and how the nervous system reacts to the world we live in. Thus, I decided that I would become a neurologist so that I may assist those that are suffering from neurological disorders. All my life, my mother encouraged me to be kind, respectful, and supportive of others. She always made sure that I never put myself over others, for there was no good reason to. I followed in her footsteps by helping fellow classmates understand the material in class and outside of class, I've always treated others with respect, and I assist Latinos who don't speak Spanish by translating for them. I plan to continue helping people but in different ways as a neurologist. I desire to save people's lives, to help better their lives by giving them health advice, and to provide comfort for their families that must endure their loved one's suffering. I understand how hard it is to bear witness to a loved one's suffering; therefore, I want to help those patients' families find relief. For all of my life, I've constantly seen my mother stress about money. She would often tell me about how she's worried she can't pay the bills, or won't have enough money for food. Fortunately, we've received SNAP benefits that have helped us, but that did not quell my mother's stress. When I was a boy, I vowed to pursue higher education and to pursue a career that paid well. What I wanted more than anything was to see my mother happy and relaxed. I wanted to care for her and allow her to live the life she deserves after working for so long. I've taken AP and DC courses, received college credit for those courses, studied, worked, and maintained my impressive grades because I know it'll get me closer to achieving that goal for my mother. I have experienced burn out several times, but each time, I got back to work, and there was never a significant dip in my performance shortly after. I will continue to push forward, always keeping my mother in the back of my mind as a reminder of why I'm doing all of this.

It was my sophomore year of high school, and I was committed to becoming an astronomer. At the time, I was entirely encompassed by the wonders of our universe and the theories that surrounded several strange phenomena. I also considered the salary I would be making, and I was content with continuing forward. However, as time passed on, I grew less and less interested in becoming an astronomer. I knew that I wasn't going to feel fulfilled with that career. So, I started looking into careers that fell under my interests. That was when I began to research neuroscience, a field I had been interested in previously. I always had an interest as to how the mind worked, as to why we have our senses, our conscience, and our unique behaviors. I realized then what I could do if I majored in Neuroscience, how many people I could help and possibly save. I decided I would become a neurologist and start taking initiatives towards that career. Since then, I have had two people be the motivations for my goal: my mother and my grandmother. My grandmother is a nurse and has helped countless people throughout her life. Despite her age, she continues to help those in Honduras, giving them immunizations prescribed to them, advising them on their habits, and providing care for the sick. She does all of this without asking for a single penny. I aspire to do that some day, to help those who are less fortunate, free of charge. As for my mother, she always demonstrated to my younger brother and I what it meant to be good. She would provide a home to friends who needed a place to stay, free of charge. She has helped several of her boss' clients with their health by tailoring to their every need. Most importantly, she has treated everyone she meets with kindness and respect. In my eyes, she is a perfect example of who a person should be, all of which she learned from my sweet grandmother. I desire to be the same person that they are. Through my career as a neurologist, I will assist those suffering from neurological disorders, guiding them towards a healthier life, and comforting the families of those patients that unfortunately bare witness to the pain that their loved one is suffering from. Once I have aged and my future kids have left the nest, I plan on going around the world to help those that aren't able to afford medical care. With the salary I'll make during my career, I plan on taking care of my dear mother, for she is deserving of all that is good in the world. She has sacrificed so much for my younger brother and me, so I want her to enjoy the rest of her life by caring for her and taking her around the world. It is through my career that I'll be able to help out as many people as possible; not just others, but my family as well.

My name is Marco Escoto-Dominguez. I am currently a senior at Southport High School with an innate passion for helping others. In the upcoming fall semester, I will attend Indiana University - Indianapolis as a major in Neuroscience; however, over the summer I have applied to do student volunteering at IU Health University Hospital so that I may begin my Neurological career. I've already made significant progress towards my goal. I have taken several AP and DC courses in order to get a head start. I have earned impressive grades in all of my courses and I have passed all of my AP tests. On top of this, I'm working at Wal-Mart as a Stocking Associate. On average, I work 25 hours a week and I have been setting money aside for college expenses. However, I understand that the money I have stored will not be enough to entirely cover my tuition; thus, I have applied for several scholarships. I am somebody who is dedicated to their future, someone who will stop at nothing to reach their goals. I have always been engrossed in learning. My subjects of interest are math and science. I've always excelled in both fields and I have fun solving math problems, understanding scientific concepts, and helping others in both subjects. I especially enjoy helping others in any way possible. Every day, I'm helping someone, whether it is in school, at work, or at home. That's in large part thanks to my mother, who has raised me with the same principles that my grandmother taught her. She taught me to be kind, respectful, honest, modest, and brave. She has given back to several people in our community, to our friends, and to our family. She's provided a home to friends of ours free of charge, she has helped her boss' clients by tailoring to their every need, always going the extra mile, and she sends money to our family back in Honduras. She is my inspiration, and my motivation, to keep moving forward. Through my medical career, I plan on helping people who suffer from neurological disorders and comforting their families throughout the treatment process. Family wise, I desire to give my mother what she deserves: happiness. Throughout my childhood, I've seen how much stress she undergoes. She has endured so much pain and suffering in her life, yet, always made sure that my brother and I were alright. For that reason, I desire to give my mother the life she deserves, as well as helping as many people as possible.

My family isn't the most educated, my mother had to leave the U.S during her first year of high school to Honduras and my father only completed grade school. Both were forced to work at young ages and for lower wages. However, that hasn't negatively affected my educational career, in fact, it has empowered me to do more. Throughout my life, I've striven to learn more and to succeed so that I may secure a better future not just for myself, but for my mother and my future family. My parents separated when I was five, and since then, I've never seen my mother feel completely relaxed and calm. She has constantly been stressing about our financial situation, trying her best to provide for my younger brother and I. Every time I see my mother stressing, I can't help but feel hurt, constantly thinking about how she doesn't deserve this. I've seen my parents have awful arguments, ones that no child should be witnessing. Yet, she continues to persevere, providing for us while also trying to help others with the little bit we have by providing a home for some of her friends without charging rent or anything. I admire my mother for who she is, and she's been my motivation to do more. Along with taking the hardest AP classes at my school, I also work at Wal-Mart as a stocking associate for 25 hours a week on average. Outside of work, I study when necessary, always complete my work for my classes, and I've maintained stellar grades all throughout my education. That isn't to say I haven't struggled. Stress has become a large part of my life, something I now share with my mother, but she has helped to put me back on track. I often wish my situation was better, that my father wasn't so awful to my mother, that my mother wasn't as stressed as she is about money or my brother and I, and that I wasn't so stressed in my life. But I keep pushing forward, I put in as much effort as possible into my education and into my life. It's been difficult, I'll admit that, but it's also taught me several lessons. I've learned to be committed to my future no matter what is thrown my way, to be kind to others because one day I might need help, to embrace learning not just in school, but outside of school, and to never despise others, it affects you more than it affects them. Each year, I have grown and become a better version of myself thanks to my efforts and thanks to my mother. She is my constant reminder to be better and to persevere. My mother encourages me to overcome adversity, as she has done all her life, and I hope that one day, I can finally see my mother no longer stressed, just happy.

Being a first-generation college student pushes me to set an example not only for my brother, but for my future kids. I set the standard for my brother. However, they aren't your typical standards. I don't want him to take the most difficult classes just to be the best. I want him to be committed to his interest, to his future. As such, I take the AP courses that I am interested in, as well as ones that I know will help me in college. I always try to be two steps ahead so I am performing well in the future. I study, help others, maintain a job at Wal-Mart in which I work 25 hours a week on average, maintain stellar grades, and make sure I have time for my family and friends. I help my brother along the way, whether it be studying, encouraging, or just talking to him. My brother is quite introverted, but I have helped him become more social by involving him in group activities with my friends and I talk with him, brother to brother. I want him to do certain things that'll benefit his future, as well as our mother's. Oftentimes, I remind him of what our mother has done for us, and how we should strive to be successful so we can help her later in our lives. As for career goals, I've chosen to major in Neuroscience at Indiana University-Indianapolis, and I've been taking several AP and DC courses so I have plenty of college credits. I've been applying for scholarships, applying for IU programs pertaining to medicine, saving money, working, and I've been planning for what's next every single day. I want to become a neurologist and I know how difficult it will be, but I've been preparing for this. I don't want my younger brother to be just like me, I want him to be his own person and go through life his own way, as long as it helps him get closer to what he wants to be. In the future, I see my brother and I spending time together, bringing our families with us, and talking about our past lives, but also our lives now. And in the background, I see my mother smiling, proud of her boys for achieving their dreams.

My goal is to become a neurologist in order to help as many people as I can. I've been preparing myself for the next step: college. In order to prepare myself, I have been working at Wal-Mart as a stocking associate for seven months now, taking several AP and DC courses, passing the AP tests in order to receive college credit, applying for several scholarships, and I have applied to volunteer at IU Health over the summer. I've been admitted to Indiana University-Indianapolis and into the School of Science. Despite the joy and fulfillment I have been experiencing lately, there's been one thing lurking in my mind: cost. I've researched and calculated how much it would cost me to become a neurologist, and the number is massive. For that reason, I've been applying for several scholarships on Bold.org, several scholarships offered at IU-I, and local scholarships. I have been saving money for college, completed my FAFSA form, and I plan on applying for several more scholarships and grants. This scholarship would greatly aid me in paying for college, especially since my mother has told me she would not be able to help pay for tuition. My mother already stresses immensely about our financial situation, and I know she'll be more stressed when my brother and I go to college, worried about our well-being and for her own. This scholarship would help lessen the strain tuition has already put me under. Again, I've researched and looked into just how much it would cost in order to become a neurologist, and it is of great concern to me. However, this scholarship can help quell this concern. I'll be completely responsible for my life in college, responsible for my education, my finances, and essentially everything. That does not deter me; in fact, it has encouraged me to take initiative in my future. I am doing the most I can with the time that I have considering my busy schedule. If I am not working, I am studying or completing assignments. Typically, I am preoccupied with work. Even though I have applied for several scholarships and completed several essays, it is not guaranteed that I will receive them. If I'm able to win this scholarship, it would help propel me forward in life. With this money, I would use it for boarding costs, possibly textbooks and other college supplies, or perhaps tuition. Thank you for providing students with this opportunity.

My mother raised me to be hard-working, determined, strong-willed, and proud of my heritage. My family is from Honduras, both of my parents are Honduran. They separated when I was five years-old, and since then, my mother has been raising my younger brother and I all by herself. She never held us to any standards, but she always encouraged us to pursue our interests. Ever since I was in kindergarten, I enjoyed learning. Every subject interested me, especially math, science, and history. I always excelled in my classes, largely because I wanted to take pride in what I did. However, this was not enough, so I started to work on my fitness, and eventually, I began looking for a job. I've been working at Wal-Mart for seven months now, while also maintaining stellar grades in my AP courses during my senior year of high school. Throughout my life, my mother always raised me to be kind to others, help as many people as I can, and to remember where I come from. She herself is one of the kindest, most giving people I know. She's provided friends with a place to stay, free of charge, she's sent money back to her family in Honduras despite us always being in financial hardship, and she is always kind to others, even when they have been rude to her. She doesn't hold an ounce of hate in her heart, for she always told me that hate will do more harm to you than the other person. So far, I've followed in her footsteps. I've helped others with their schoolwork, I've helped translate for kids, students, and adults who only speak Spanish, and I've always treated others with kindness. However, just like my mother, I always feel the need to do more, to give more back to my community. As such, I plan on becoming a neurologist. I want to help those suffering from neurological disorders and their families. I understand how much strain that medical problems put not only on the patient, but also their families. Along the way, I desire to continue helping others academically, volunteer at hospitals or neuroscience centers in order to help patients, as well as gain experience, and I'd like to have enough money to donate to charities some day. My main goal, the reason why I do everything that I do, is to eventually give my mother a peaceful life. She's been working for so, so long, and I can see how stress has affected her emotionally. However, she is the strongest person I know. She is the first person I'd give back to.

Throughout my life, I always looked up to my parents, especially my father, despite the fact that my parents were separated. I thought he was the prime example of who a man should be: one who is hard-working, cares for his kids, and who is financially smart. However, as I grew older I would discover the reason behind their sudden separation; how my father would constantly yell at my mother, belittle her, and even kick her out of our house when she was pregnant with me. Not once has my mother done anything malicious to my father, and the only time she raises her voice at him is if they're arguing, which my father often starts. As I learned more about the past, I realized my father wasn't who I thought he was; he wasn't a proper man. When I came to terms with this revelation during middle school, I no longer looked up to my father. I vowed to myself to never act the way my father did; to never be a husband who disrespects his wife; to never be someone who disrespects others as a whole; to never be a selfish person; and perhaps, most importantly, to never be someone who prioritizes frivolous things such as money over those who matter most. These vows have influenced who I am today, where I now follow in my mother's footsteps. I am kind to others, I am hard-working in and outside of school, I try to help as many people as I can, oftentimes dropping what I am doing in order to help someone else, and I respect everyone I meet. My mother, who has raised my younger brother and I alone for 13 years, has always stressed about being able to support us. We rely on SNAP benefits, my mother has to send money to my grandmother and older brother in Honduras, she's had to borrow from several people, and she always worries about not being able to pay the light bill and rent. My mother has already told me that she would not be able to support me financially in college, for it'll be both my brother and I leaving at the same time. My father had promised a college fund for my brother and I; however, he recently told me that he had to use said fund in order to pay for bills. For these reasons, I've been applying to several scholarships since I won't have my parents to aid me with these costs. This scholarship would greatly aid me on my journey to become a neurologist, which I know will be a costly endeavor. With this money, I will be able to pursue my major in neuroscience, and get one step closer to achieving my goal in life, which is to support my family and give back to the community that has afforded to my family many opportunities, just as my mother has done.

I am the son of an incredibly hard-working, single mother who has raised me to be determined, kind, passionate, and supportive toward others. Throughout my life, since I was in kindergarten, I always enjoyed learning, from math and science to history and literature. I excel in all my subjects because I want to succeed, I want to secure a better future for no only myself, but my future family and my mother. Alongside this, I desire to help as many people as I can throughout my life medically. Thus, I looked into several medical fields and I was particularly interested in one, neuroscience. I want to help those suffering from neurological disorders so I can provide comfort to not only the patient, but their family as well. However, in order to reach this future, I must spend more than a decade becoming a neurologist, which I'm committed to doing. I know how expensive it'll be, and as such, I've been applying for several scholarships in order to cover the cost of college. I've also been working at Wal-Mart as a stocking associate, saving some money that I can use in order to cover certain costs. My mother has told me she wouldn't be able to help pay for tuition, so I'm taking the initiative in order to relieve my stress as well as my mother's. I've also been encouraging my younger brother to apply for scholarships and I've been preparing him for college so my mother doesn't stress even more. I believe I should be selected for this scholarship due to who I am, what I've done, and what I will do in the future. I've worked incredibly hard to be where I am at currently, and I will continue to put in the effort for my future since I know it can affect not only my family, but those who need help. As a neurologist, I will help those suffering from neurological disorders, and I desire to help find some sort of treatment for dementia and Alzheimer's since millions suffer from it, as well as their families. During my journey to becoming a neurologist, I plan on helping people through volunteer work at IU Health, specifically in the neuroscience center. Also, I desire to help people less fortunate than I around the world, for my family comes from humble beginnings. I am Honduran, I can speak both English and Spanish, and I've seen how those who only speak Spanish struggle understanding the world around them. I've helped translate for kids, my peers, and adults, and each time, I've felt proud to be helping those like me. By being a neurologist, I can better provide help to those that only speak Spanish understand what is going on. This scholarship would help me get one step closer to my goal.

My name is Marco Escoto-Dominguez. I am 18 years-old, I'm Honduran, I'm a senior at Southport High School, I'm a dedicated worker, and I strive to make the world a better place. I desire to help those with neurological disorders by becoming a neurologist, while also helping my future family and my mother live stress-free lives. I want to travel the world in search of people who need medical attention but cannot afford it, for I come from a low-income family but recognize how fortunate I am to be in this country, for I still have access to healthcare thanks to the government. My family is from Honduras and my parents are the toughest workers I know. My father always worked tirelessly at his job, averaging 60 hours a week, while my mother worked around the same amount of hours while also taking care of us when she could. Then they separated, and my mother had to raise us on her own. My mother is the strongest person I know due to the challenges she's faced all her life. She's sacrificed so much for us, and so I feel the need to succeed in my life in order to allow her to see what her sacrifices led up to. I'm proud to be Honduran, I'm proud of my culture, especially our food. Oftentimes, in school, I notice there aren't many Latino students in my AP classes and I often worry others may think less of my people. Classmates have told me before how they hate the Hondurans at our school, and while I understand, it still hurts to know that people don't like my people. Despite all I've achieved in school and all the hard work I've put in, I've never felt completely proud of myself. I always felt like I could do more, even though I have a job, I have stellar grades, I take the hardest AP classes, and I go to the gym, I always feel as if I have to do more. This has led to some self-esteem issues, however, thanks to my family and my girlfriend, I've bounced back and lately I've taken pride in what I've done. My mother and I have always been close, and as for my girlfriend, I've never been happier being around someone before I knew her. They drive me to be better, to do more, so I can have a better future for all of us. I want to spend my life with her, as does she with me, and we both want a career in the medical field. We want to make an impact on the world, help those who need it most. My mother raised me to be considerate and kind, and I thank her for that. She has done so much for others despite not being in the medical field, and I hope to do the same. I admire her for that.

My name is Marco Escoto-Dominguez, I am 18 years-old and I'm a senior at Southport High School. I'm an academically gifted student, I've maintained stellar grades while taking the hardest classes in my school. Outside of school, I work at Wal-Mart as a stocking associate for on average 25 hours a week. I'm an older brother, a son, a boyfriend, a friend to many, and somebody you can come to and ask for help. That last quality is the reason why I want to pursue a career in the medical field, specifically neurology. I desire to help those who suffer from neurological disorders and diseases so not only can they be relieved of their suffering, but their families as well. I've always put others first, especially in the classroom. My mother raised me to be kind and considerate to others, which I've done all my life, even when I was in kindergarten. I enjoy seeing the look on people's faces when I help them with something, whether it be understanding something or helping somebody locate an item at Wal-Mart. If I can make someone's day just a bit better, I'll do whatever I can in order to do so. My mother is my inspiration, for she is the hardest worker I know. She's worked long hours while also raising my younger brother and I as a single mother. She also tries her best to support my eldest brother and my grandmother down in Honduras. However, I can see just how much stress she is under every day. It is a horrible thing to witness, to see your own mother stress so much that she can't stop talking about it with you because she doesn't know how she will manage to pull through. Yet, she always does it. She is an incredible person, and I can only wish to be a fraction of who she is. It's her work ethic and her kindness towards others that inspires me to pursue a career in the medical field. I know the path will be grueling and long, but I have the patience, the motivation, and the will to go through it all. In the end, I want to be able to provide not only for my future family, but for my mother as well. She has done so much for everyone, for once, I want to do something for her that'll change her life for the better. If I could give her the world, I would.

I am Marco Escoto-Dominguez. I am 18 years-old, I'm Honduran, I'm a senior at Southport High School, I'm an academically gifted student, and I'm an extremely hard worker. Once I graduate from high school with academic honors, I plan to attend Indiana University-Indianapolis and major in neuroscience. I've already been accepted, and so far I've been saving money but also applying for scholarships since they will be the best way to pay for college. I plan to become a neurologist and help those with neurological diseases and disorders. I very much enjoy assisting others and making their lives easier. My mother brought me up this way. Speaking of her, my first language is English since she spoke to me in English despite being able to speak Spanish as well. However, I am bilingual. I speak both English and Spanish. I learned Spanish through school and speaking with other Hispanics so I could better communicate with my father and my family down in Honduras. When I told my mother that I was going to take Spanish II back in 7th grade, she was immensely proud of me and urged me to continue taking Spanish as I progressed through school, so I did. I also wanted to learn Spanish so I could honor my heritage, where I came from. Right now, I am in Spanish VI, and I've used my Spanish-speaking capabilities to help translate for high school students, teach kindergartners English, and help translate for my father and family members. Doing all of these things has made me feel proud of who I am and what I can do with the two languages I know. I will say, however, I do slip up when it comes to speaking both languages, especially Spanish. The issue is, one's environment can affect them greatly. In my case, if I am ever in an environment where I know only English will be spoken, I'll have a slightly harder time thinking or talking in Spanish. However, if I'm in an environment where I am surrounded by Hispanics, then speaking in Spanish comes naturally and my English is still the same. I am more proficient in English than I am Spanish, but I can still utilize Spanish to help others. In fact, in my job at Wal-Mart, I often help customers who don't speak English but speak Spanish find items they're looking for or receive some additional assistance. Each and every time, I can see the relief on their faces when I speak to them in Spanish. It's unfortunate the stress they must go through to receive help since they can't really say what they need help with in English. To be able to help them is of great pride for me, and I greatly appreciate my ability to speak both English and Spanish. When I have my kids, I've already planned to speak to them in both English and Spanish so they have a grasp on both languages. I want them to know where they came from, what their heritage is, and how they should honor that culture. That may be difficult, but I believe I will be able to continue carrying my family's culture onto my children.

My mother raised me to be humble. Humility is something I hold close to my heart. Throughout my academic life, I was always regarded as the smartest in the classroom. Classmates would compliment me and praise me for my academic achievements. I have a younger brother who is also in the same grade as me that people praise as well. However, I often get asked if I believe I'm smarter than him. Which I always reply with no, I am not smarter than my brother. We both are intelligent yes, but where he lacks academically compared to me, he makes up for in creativity, I have always acknowledged that. Besides, I would never put myself above my brother, or anyone for that matter. I've never felt like I was the best, even though people would tell me otherwise. I always viewed myself as someone who does his best in school because he wants a better future, he has the drive to learn. Thus, I don't put myself above others and prove to them my worth, I'm only doing that with myself. I want to be proud of myself for the effort I've put into my future while not putting others down. My friends regard me as the smartest, but I don't like it when they do. We're all intelligent, we're in high level courses. While yes, I may be doing the best academically, that does not make me better than anyone else, at least in my eyes. Those compliments from classmates and friends all make me proud, but not to the point where I begin having an ego. I always thank the person for their compliment, especially when it came from those who were of a higher grade. I've never had an ego, and the thought of me having one makes me sick. It isn't what my mother would've wanted. Besides, I come from a humble family. We aren't necessarily middle class, we're in the lower middle class. Thus, I have no reason to have an ego, it's unreasonable. I can tell that I'm seen as a kind person due to the fact that there is another student like me that is considered smart, but people don't like him whatsoever due to his attitude. He isn't humble, and he even attempts to outwit teachers, which he usually is unsuccessful. I would never dare to try to outsmart a teacher, it's disrespectful. I believe that thanks to my humility, I've garnered a positive reputation in my school, something I've always desired. I thank my mother greatly for having raised me to be humble.

My parents both sacrificed their lives just to have a better future for not only my brother and I, but their families back in Honduras. My father and mother worked tirelessly to support their families in Honduras, and when they met here in Indiana, they had my brother and I. Despite raising us, both worked at least 60 hours a week, despite not being paid what they fully deserved. My parents are the toughest workers I know, they are always on the clock. I've seen the physical strain both my parents have been suffering from recently due to the years of working so much. This has influenced who I am, my work ethic and my values. For me, I must do the best I can, not to be the best in class or for my ego, but simply to succeed. I give my all to everything I do in my academics because I know it will lead me to my goal, which is to support not only my future family, but my parents. I want to "pay back" my parents for what they've done, all the work they've put in, all the sacrifices they have made. It hurts my heart whenever I see my parents visibly stressed about anything because they do not deserve it. Thus, I have made it my life's mission to succeed, to be financially well off by becoming a neurologist. In order to achieve this goal, I've maintained stellar grades in school, got a job and I've been working there for seven months now, and I've helped my brother succeed as well. I've received awards for my academic excellence, which obviously fills me with pride, but I do not do what I do for those awards, they are just a bonus. For now, I aim to cover my college tuition almost fully so my parents do not have to worry about paying it for me, especially due to the fact that it'll be my brother and I both attending college. In college, I plan to major in neuroscience and I will continue to have a job so I can pay for my car, insurance, gas, and other expenses that I know I must pay for. As for why I chose neurology, it's due to the fact that I've been very interested in the human brain and I desire to help those suffering from neurological disorders and diseases. My family values kindness, and that has passed on to me. I want to help others, make an impact in the world, prove my worth, and feel proud for the work I've done in order to improve the lives of others. I'm more than willing to put in the work and effort in order to become a neurologist, even though many people have warned me of what lies ahead. However, that does not deter me, in fact, it incentivizes me to keep going, to take on the challenge. It'll all be worth it in the end when I see my parents finally relaxed for once in their lives.

With a college degree, I'll be one step closer to becoming a neurologist, my dream career. I want to set the standard for my children and the generations to come, I want them to put in the effort in order to succeed not just for themselves, but for their families. I want to see my children and grandchildren pursue careers that fall into their interests, just as I did. As for my life, it'll be proof to me that all my work meant something, that I was acknowledged for my effort and hard work. All my life, despite being recognized in school as the "smart kid" and receiving awards for my excellence, I've never felt fully proud of what I've done. I believe that's largely due to the fact that I haven't truly achieved what I've been wanting to achieve, which is to secure a tranquil future for my family and myself. However, a degree would make me realize that I've made a giant leap towards that goal, I'm halfway to the finish line. What is it that'll drive me all the way? Well, it'd have to be my family, specifically my mother and younger brother. For my mother, I want to support her and give her the life she deserves. She's sacrificed so much for my brother and I, as well as being the best mother one could ever ask for. She raised me to be a proper man, one who is kind, considerate, honest, modest, humble, and hard working. I want to pay her back essentially by giving her a life without stress, only joy, for she has lived too long under stress. As for my younger brother, I want to be his role model and lead the way. He's already told me that he looks up to me, and that brought me nearly to tears. As such, I desire to succeed and do the best I can academically, as well as help him find his way in life so he can reach those same heights. I'm passionate about my family, as well as kindness. I believe this world needs a lot more kindness, and if I can provide even a tiny bit more of that to the world, I'd gladly do so. Through my job as a neurologist, I can help those with neurological diseases and disorders not only to alleviate them, but also their families. I've been excelling academically in high school as a senior, I've been working at Wal-Mart for seven months assisting customers, I've been admitted to Indiana University-Indianapolis, I've taken AP classes that are quite difficult, and I've been applying for scholarships so I can secure my goal of becoming a neurologist without having to worry about so much debt. And even if money becomes an issue, I will find a way to become a neurologist because I desire to help my family and others by any means possible.

STEM has always interested me since I was a boy. It first began with math, where adding and subtracting numbers came naturally to me. Then, in 1st grade, I gained an interest in astronomy. I loved looking up at the night sky and seeing all the stars and constellations that they formed, like the Big Dipper and Little Dipper. I would learn about the planets in our solar system and was fascinated by their characteristics. I remember, one night, when I was 8, my father took me to an observatory, where I got to use a telescope and I was able to see Jupiter in all its glory, my favorite planet. I couldn't help but be in awe. On that night, I decided I would be an astronomer. I would watch countless videos over exoplanets, black holes, theories of how the universe formed and functioned, the different kinds of matter, and the different stars that existed in our universe. As I grew older and progressed in school, I became more advanced in math, it would become my best subject, but I also grew an interest in chemistry. This would be the turning point in my life where I decided I no longer wanted to be an astronomer. Instead, I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. The one field that interested me the most was neuroscience since I was always interested in the way the human mind worked. Also, I have a desire to help those suffering from neurological disorders and diseases so not only would they no longer suffer, but their families as well. I kept advancing in both math and science, and currently, I am taking AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, and AP/DC Physics C: Mechanics. I've taken AP Chemistry, AP Calculus AB, and DC Chemistry, all classes that I greatly enjoyed. The STEM classes I'm currently taking have also been quite fun, for I have a love of math and I enjoy learning more about the physics of our world. It's fascinating how complex something as simple as a ball falling can be according to physics. Despite me changing my career of choice, I still hold astronomy near and dear to my heart. I still watch videos about astronomy and I keep myself up to date with astronomical news. When it comes to my path towards becoming a neurologist, I know I'll have to take more science classes such as biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and anatomy, all of which excite me. I can't wait to learn more about science in the coming future, while also keeping my affinity for math and astronomy.

I have chosen to pursue higher education for the future of not just myself, but my family now and my family in the future. I want my mother, the one who's sacrificed so much for my brother and me, to live a relaxed life, one where she isn't stressing about paying the bills or stressing about our well-being. I also desire to have my children live peaceful lives, I don't want them to see their mother or father stress about life and money. Aside from family, I have a drive to learn, to learn more about the world, about math, science, history, and medicine. This in turn leads to my success, I've received awards for my academic excellence, such as the Rising Stars of Indiana and the Honorary Science Award. However, I don't do what I do for awards, I do it because I enjoy learning and I know it'll get me a step closer to achieving my goal. The career I'm pursuing is neurology; I want to become a neurologist. I know that it'll be extremely challenging, but I am ready for it. I've already been admitted to Indiana University-Indianapolis, I've received a couple scholarships that'll help cover the cost of tuition though I still need more, I've been taking AP and Dual Credit classes so I can earn college credit, I've been working at Wal-Mart so I can balance both school and work, and I've been doing more independent learning. I've been successful at all of these, and I've been able to manage my time very well. I study when I need to, submit my assignments, and perform well on my tests. I've received a four on four AP tests and one five on an AP test. This year, I am taking 6 AP classes and I plan on passing each one so I can receive college credit in Indiana University-Indianapolis so I won't have to be there as long and worry about tuition costs. With my job, I've learned how to manage my time for both school and work, and I've proven I can handle both, even when I work 30 hours a week. At school, I am constantly focused on my learning, while also maintaining a healthy social life. My life right now is right how I want it to be, and I feel prepared for when the first day of college comes. I am not afraid, I am not stressed, instead, I am excited for what is to come.