Volunteering is a great opportunity, it can open many doors, through various things such as growth, compassion, and comprehension. When I signed up to volunteer at Saving Sage, an organization that rescues, and re-homes animals, I initially expected to experience the joy of taking care of animals. However, my volunteering experience turned out to be more fulfilling than I had imagined. Through my time at saving sage, I learned how the relationships between humans and animals can teach you a lot about both others and yourself. I learned to be more resilient, less judgmental, and more compassionate. At the PetSmart where I volunteered, there was a little small area where rescued cats were displayed. My duty was to clean their area and play with them to comfort them and ease their anxiety. There were 4 kittens, that were energetic and friendly, but one stood out from the rest-Tuesday. A frail, bright, yellow-eyed kitten, he always seemed scared, and reluctant to play like the others. Nevertheless, I always noticed him attempting to play with the toys I swung around, but as soon as he saw me, he would shy away. I felt sorry for him, as many potential adopters lost interest due to his detachment. Determined to gain Tuesday’s trust, I tried time after time to engage with him, but he didn’t let his guard down easily. I decided I would let him get used to my presence, but I only saw him once a week, and he still kept to himself. Seeing Tuesday’s fear mirrored some of my struggles and insecurities. I love forming connections and conversing with people, but it takes me extra courage to engage and express myself fully due to my fear of what people might think about me. Maybe I’m weird, my bangs are too short, my dyed hair looks bad, my voice is too high, or I don’t look like the person I truly am. Like Tuesday I wanted to engage but I was too scared. I wouldn't want anyone to give up on me, so I continued to gain Tuesday’s trust until then he wasn’t so scared of me anymore. With resilience and love, I was able to reach him and eventually, he let me pet him, and play from time to time. That experience taught me the importance of patience and understanding. Ironically enough for someone critical of herself, I realized that I had also been critical of others. While I was cleaning the kitten’s area, a very tall muscular man with a bunch of tattoos and piercings swiftly approached me. I was startled until I saw his dog, a fluffy chihuahua dressed up with a pink bow on her head. He amiably asked where he could find accessories for his Chihuahua, and from there we struck up a conversation. I discovered that we had more in common than I thought. For starters, we both had great taste in picking pet names; his dog’s name was Luna just like my cat’s. We spoke the same two languages and had similar tastes in music. His wife then joined the conversation and had a lovely discussion about how we spoil our pets. This encounter made me realize how preconceived judgments have led me to miss out on meaningful connections with others. As immigrants, my parents and I face numerous challenges. Supporting a family of five isn’t easy, and receiving this scholarship will be a much-needed financial relief for me and my family. It would warm my heart to be able to help them financially just as much as they have supported me.

Christmas is many people's favorite time of the year; it is the time when I get to look at and make silly presents that I learned from Pinterest for people I love. One night before Christmas while crafting, there was one specific craft that caught my attention the most--it was a snow globe. The snow globe I was making was designed to resemble the place where my family and I live, and it was also going to have mini versions of my family. As I finalized the snow globe, I could not help but realize how alike I felt to my mini self-inside the snow globe. We were both trapped in a beautiful place. That beautiful place is a small part of the world that is at risk of being plundered away by its own humankind. That risk is the side effects of climate change, global warming, and overconsumption. The damage that has been inflicted on our earth is not as visible as the injuries that would result from a scratched knee, but my dream future looks like a world in which we come together and reverse the damage that one day could end our only home--earth. At the age of 16, I had my first environmental science class. Previously to that, I was unaware of the severity of our actions and the high contribution of damage it was doing to our environment. Since then, I have become determined to make a change and an impact and it became my ultimate passion. I plan to major in environmental science and minor in marine biology. With a good education on the subject, I can make an even bigger impact and be part of the world’s leaders that are looking for solutions by spreading awareness and fighting for solutions and change. However, I am still trapped within the fragile glass of the snow globe. I am undocumented, alongside my parents and my younger brother. The snow globe reminded me of the limits I have due to my status. While I was in high school, I never felt confined, different, or limited. But now, with a goal in mind, there are many things that my status will not allow me to do. I tried to apply for internships, but I did not meet the requirements. I live with the fear that one day I will not be able to travel to make an even bigger impact and that I will not be able to obtain as many opportunities that will enhance my career goals and aspirations. While there is a limited area for me and space for fear, I had been focusing too much on the things I was incapable of doing, and I blinded myself to the things I can do. When my family and I first arrived in the United States my dad worked a 14-hours a day for minimum wage, but that did not stop him from fulfilling his dream of providing a better life for his family. Now, he works an average-hour day job, and my siblings and I have everything and more than what we need. While I might be “confined” in this snow globe, I am free to build my tomorrow, instead of focusing on the bad I will focus on the good. While I might have many closed doors, I will look harder for the open ones, so I will reach my dream tomorrow.

"Mom, why don't you eat any meat or your favorite beef tacos anymore?" that was the question I asked my mom when I was 11 years old. It was incomprehensible to me, how could someone let go of their favorite foods. My mom simply " because I love animals more than my love for their taste". Back then I half-understood what she meant, but as I grew older my curiosity for nature and animals grew, I always loved animals just like my mom, but to be quite frank I didn't feel like I knew them enough. With each book and article I read, the more my fascination and love grew for the animals and nature around me. It always feels so surreal being surrounded by bigger entities so different but so alike to us, I want to know more about it. But our world is not as perfect as it seems to be. Around 30,000 species per year are getting closer to extinction due to Anthropogenic activities around more than 95% of our world's population live in an area where the air is polluted and 97% of farm and factory animals are killed and treated with cruelty. Trepidation strikes me because unlike us Animals and nature don't have a voice but we do, I do. To make a difference I recycle in my own home, volunteer at my local shelter, spread awareness to my friends and family, and have become more aware of my purchases and consumption. But that isn't enough to make a difference which is why I plan to move forward and get educated and earn a major in Marine Biology and a minor in environmental science. My biggest goal is to take part in bigger organizations, Look for environmental solutions and be part of a team that is as passionate to save our environment. The more people that join the bigger the change the bigger our voice. Passion and love can make you do things you never knew you could do, many of us have heard that. I was never a picky eater, you could ask anyone who has known me for a while and they will tell you that I was a big foody. But my passion and love for animals made me change, just like my mom I became a vegetarian at the age of 17. I continue to make many sacrifices in this high consuming world, However I still have a long way to go.