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Maria Luisa Solorzano

655

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

Bio

Hi, my name is Maria Luisa and I am passionate about building a future where I can help others while honoring the sacrifices my family made for me. As the first person in my immigrant family to graduate, I carry a deep sense of pride and responsibility in everything I do. My life goals are to build a stable career in healthcare as a radiologic technologist, achieve financial independence, and be able to give back to my family and community. I am motivated by the desire to create opportunities not just for myself, but for future generations. I am passionate about healthcare because it allows me to combine technical skills with compassion, helping people during some of their most vulnerable moments. I believe I am a great candidate for scholarships because of my resilience, my commitment to my goals, and my proven ability to overcome obstacles. After being rejected from radiology programs three times, I never gave up — I worked harder, improved my skills, and stayed focused until I finally earned my acceptance. Every step of my journey has strengthened my work ethic and passion for learning. Receiving a scholarship would not just be an investment in my education — it would be an investment in someone who is determined to make a lasting difference. I am excited for what’s ahead and committed to achieving my dreams with dedication, perseverance, and gratitude.

Education

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

Associate's degree program
2025 - 2027
  • Majors:
    • Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians

Solano Community College

Associate's degree program
2016 - 2020
  • Majors:
    • Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Fairfield High

High School
2012 - 2015
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Hospital & Health Care

    • Dream career goals:

      Quality Temp Staffing Radiology Scholarship
      I chose to pursue a career in radiology because it perfectly combines two of my greatest passions: healthcare and technology. As someone who has always been drawn to helping others, working in a field that allows me to directly support patient care while using advanced imaging technology felt like the perfect fit. My background as a Certified Nursing Assistant showed me firsthand how important early detection and accurate diagnosis are to a patient’s journey. Radiology plays a crucial role in that process, often serving as the first step toward healing. It is a field that requires both compassion and technical skill, and I am excited to continue growing in both areas. As a woman entering this field, my long-term goal is to specialize in mammography. Breast cancer affects countless families, and early detection through mammograms can save lives. I want to be part of the solution — helping women catch potential issues early and giving them the best possible chance for successful treatment. Specializing in mammography feels especially meaningful to me because it empowers women to take control of their health. I hope to not only provide excellent clinical care but also offer emotional support during what can be a stressful and vulnerable experience. Radiology impacts healthcare in profound ways. Without medical imaging, many illnesses would go undiagnosed until it was too late. Radiologic technologists help uncover hidden conditions, assist in guiding treatment plans, and provide critical information to doctors and surgeons. Imaging is often the bridge between symptoms and solutions. Whether it’s identifying broken bones, diagnosing tumors, or detecting life-threatening illnesses early, radiology has the power to change — and even save — lives every day. Beyond diagnosis, radiology also improves patient outcomes and speeds up recovery. By catching conditions earlier, patients can receive less invasive treatments, avoid major surgeries, and have a greater chance at full recovery. In this way, radiology not only supports physical health but also contributes to emotional well-being by providing clarity and hope when patients need it most. Choosing radiology is more than just a career decision for me — it’s a commitment to making a difference in people’s lives. I am excited to work in a field that combines compassion, technology, and critical thinking. Specializing in mammography will allow me to focus on a cause that is deeply important to me while using my skills to create a positive impact in my community. I am ready to dedicate myself fully to this field, and I look forward to the many ways I can help improve healthcare through my work in radiology.
      New Beginnings Immigrant Scholarship
      My name is Maria Luisa Solorzano and I come from a proud immigrant mother who had no help from my father. Growing up in an immigrant family shaped every part of who I am. My mother came to this country with little more than hope for a better future. Watching her work long hours, often at difficult jobs, taught me that success is earned through sacrifice and perserverance. We faced many obstacles from financial struggles to language barriers, but my family never lost sight of the opportunities ahead. Their courage motivated me to work hard in school, stay focused, and never take the opportunities for granted. Being the first in my family to graduate is not just a personal achievement; it represents the realization of my mother's dreams and the foundation she built through years of hard work. I started my career in healthcare as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Being a CNA allowed me to see the true impact of skilled, compassionate care. I loved connecting with patients and supporting them during difficult times, but I knew I wanted to challenge myself further and build a lifelong career with more technical expertise. That realization led me to pursue radiologic technology. The road to radiology school was far from easy. I faced rejection three times. Each “no” was discouraging, but it never defeated me. Instead, it pushed me to improve, stay persistent, and continue believing in my goals. I gained more experience, refined my application, and remained committed until I finally earned my acceptance. That moment proved to me that perseverance and hard work truly do lead to success. What motivates me most to pursue a career in the trades is the opportunity to help my family and create a stable, secure future. Financial stability will allow me to give back to the people who have given me everything and make sure their sacrifices were not in vain. I also want to set an example for others in my community — showing that even if the journey is challenging, determination can turn dreams into reality. Choosing a career in a trade like radiologic technology is meaningful to me because it combines technical skills with real human connection. It allows me to work hands-on, stay engaged, and make a difference every day. I am excited for the future and committed to continuing the legacy of hard work, growth, and resilience that my family started.
      Brattican Scholarship
      My name is Maria Luisa Solorzano and I come from a proud immigrant family. Growing up, I watched my parents work tirelessly to build a better life, and their sacrifices taught me the importance of hard work, resilience, and perseverance. My mother workered multiple jobs and for that I am honored to be the first person in my family to graduate, and I carry that achievement not just for myself, but for my entire family. I started my career in healthcare as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Being a CNA allowed me to see the true impact of skilled, compassionate care. I learned how important it is to have patience, empathy, and strong comunication skills. I loved connecting with patients and supporting them during difficult times, but I knew I wanted to challenge myself further and build a lifelong career with more technical expertise. That realization led me to pursue radiologic technology. I love expanding my knowledge and being able to help more people in anyway i can. The road to radiology school was far from easy. I faced rejection three times. Each “no” was discouraging, but it never defeated me. Instead, it pushed me to improve, stay persistent, and continue believing in my goals. I gained more experience, refined my application, and remained committed until I finally earned my acceptance. That moment proved to me that perseverance and hard work truly do lead to success. What motivates me most to pursue a career in the trades is the opportunity to help my family and create a stable, secure future. Financial stability will allow me to give back to the people who have given me everything and make sure their sacrifices were not in vain. I also want to set an example for others in my community — showing that even if the journey is challenging, determination can turn dreams into reality. Choosing a career in a trade like radiologic technology is meaningful to me because it combines technical skills with real human connection. It allows me to work hands-on, stay engaged, and make a difference every day. I am excited for the future and committed to continuing the legacy of hard work, growth, and resilience that my family started. I am excited to continue growing in this field, developing specialized skills, and becoming a role model for others who come from similar backgrounds. I am ready to face every challange ahead with the same determination that brought me here.
      Maria Luisa Solorzano Student Profile | Bold.org