“Hey Stephanie, can you grab somethi- " My grandpa paused as he realized he had called me by my mother’s name. My mom and I are incredibly similar, even in how we walk and talk. He constantly gets us mixed up, and every time, I smile. I remember watching TV alongside my grandpa, waiting to hear her keys unlock the front door. At the time, I didn’t understand why she came home so late. As I aged, I learned she went to school, worked full-time, and raised a toddler. She drove to Denver every morning, went to school, and then worked nights at a restaurant in town. After she graduated, she bought our first home. Though she had to budget intently and work long hours, the childhood I had never suffered. Although she worked often, she allowed me to be creative and silly– to be a kid. She pursued Veterinary Medicine and became a technician at a local clinic. Soon enough, she moved to Specialty Internal Medicine and found her passion. In middle school, I started visiting her work. Learning from the doctors about medical terminology and the meaning behind the diagnosis and watching surgeries sparked something within me. My mom would sit at dinner and tell us about her day after work. She would talk to me about some of the cases she saw. Some were grotesque, though I learned how my mom aided in the patient’s recovery. She would also teach me the correct terminology, certain IV fluids, and how to centrifuge blood. You name it, we talked about it. Our talks made me think about how I wanted to help patients someday. I will never forget the tense atmosphere in the ICU. Machines are beeping, Techs are talking, dogs are barking, and I look over to see my calm mom comforting her patients. Seeing her hard work as a full-time Technician and single parent motivates me daily to try my best and help others, whether humans or animals. Although medicine is fascinating, I doubt my interest would be as strong without my mom’s example. My mom’s story taught me that you overcome hardships and follow your passion regardless of the situation. I also learned to be inquisitive, “Why does this happen?” “What can I do to find the solution?” I am a Biological Sciences major at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. After I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. I will achieve my goals and ultimately want to give back to those without adequate healthcare. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but for women and other minorities, like my mother and I, to have the same level playing field as those who are more fortunate is still a continuous effort. My mother always provided me with the tools to be content and prosperous; she is why I continue to work hard in academics and strive to improve. I dream of walking across the stage at graduation, finding her in the crowd, and saying, “This is all for you.”

My lifelong passion is Science. I love to learn new and fascinating things about this beautiful world. I love humans, animals, and plants. As a Latina/ Native American girl, I have been overlooked in the past. I have a passion for science and helping others. I find inspiration from my mother, who is a Veterinary Technician. I admire her hard work and her passion for healing animals. I want to help others because of her, and I want to become a Cardiologist. I am an only child from a single-parent household. Because of this, scholarships and financial aid are vital for me to accomplish my goal. I wish this were not the case, but many students like me face this. Last year, I took AP Biology, and it was life-changing. I learned about DNA, Cell structure, Ecology, Cancer, and macronutrients. Biology has always been my favorite subject because it's knowing that never ends. Along with AP Bio, I took human anatomy for the first time. Learning about the various anatomical structures sparked my interest in human biology specifically. As humans, we constantly discover new species and learn about life structures we never knew before. I love biology because I can educate myself and others. I believe STEM is a constantly changing career, which is very exciting to me. I also think everyone should follow their passion, no matter the circumstances. The fear of student debt stunts growth and innovation. We lose bright minds because of money and the lack thereof. I have faith that my goals will be reached, but I want to also advocate for change in society and give those who are underrepresented a chance. I want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I like women and other minorities to have the same playing field as those who are more fortunate. In the future, I plan to complete a bachelor's degree in Biology and a minor in Spanish language. Spanish is important to me because I want to be able to speak to my patients and make them feel welcome. After I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. Although I am passionate about Cardiology, I am open to other specialties. My goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. I plan to still advocate for underprivileged students like myself.

“Hey Stephanie, can you grab somethi- " My grandpa paused as he realized he called me by my mother’s name. My mom and I are incredibly similar, even in how we walk and talk. He constantly gets us mixed up, and every time, I smile. I remember watching TV alongside my grandpa, waiting to hear her keys unlock the front door. At the time, I didn’t understand why she came home so late. As I aged, I learned she went to school, worked full-time, and raised a toddler. She drove to Denver every morning, went to school, and then worked nights at a restaurant in town. After she graduated, she bought our first home. Even though she had to budget intently and work long hours, the childhood I had never suffered. Although she worked often, she gave me the ability to be creative, silly, and just be a kid. She pursued Veterinary Medicine and became a technician at a local clinic. Soon enough, she moved to Specialty Internal Medicine and found her passion. In middle school, I started visiting her work. Learning from the doctors about medical terminology and the meaning behind the diagnosis, and watching surgeries sparked something within me. My mom would sit at dinner and tell us about her day after work. She would talk to me about some of the cases she saw. Some of them were grotesque, though I learned about how my mom aided in the patient’s recovery. She would also teach me the correct terminology, certain IV fluids, and how to centrifuge blood. You name it, we talked about it. Our talks made me think about how I wanted to help patients someday. I will never forget the tense atmosphere in the ICU. Machines are beeping, Techs are talking, dogs are barking, and I look over to see my mom, calm, comforting her patients. Seeing her hard work as a full-time Technician and single parent motivates me every day to try my best and help others, whether they be humans or animals. Although medicine is fascinating, I doubt my interest would be as strong without my mom’s example. My mom’s story taught me that regardless of the situation, you overcome hardships and follow your passion. I also learned to be inquisitive, “Why does this happen?” “What can I do to find the solution?” In the future, I plan to major in Biology, and after I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. I will achieve my goals, but I want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I want women and other minorities, like my mother and I, to have the same level playing field as those who are more fortunate. Overall, my goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. My mom has always provided me the tools to be happy and prosperous. She’s why I continue to work hard in academics and strive to improve. My dream is to walk across the stage at graduation, find her in the crowd, and say, “This is all for you.”

“Hey Stephanie, can you grab somethi- " My grandpa paused as he realized he called me by my mother’s name. My mom and I are incredibly similar, even in how we walk and talk. He constantly gets us mixed up, and every time, I smile. I remember watching TV alongside my grandpa, waiting to hear her keys unlock the front door. At the time, I didn’t understand why she came home so late. As I aged, I learned she went to school, worked full-time, and raised a toddler. She drove to Denver every morning, went to school, and then worked nights at a restaurant in town. After she graduated, she bought our first home. Even though she had to budget intently and work long hours, the childhood I had never suffered. Although she worked often, she gave me the ability to be creative, silly, and just be a kid. She pursued Veterinary Medicine and became a technician at a local clinic. Soon enough, she moved to Specialty Internal Medicine and found her passion. In middle school, I started visiting her work. Learning from the doctors about medical terminology and the meaning behind the diagnosis, and watching surgeries sparked something within me. My mom would sit at dinner and tell us about her day after work. She would talk to me about some of the cases she saw. Some of them were grotesque, though I learned about how my mom aided in the patient’s recovery. She would also teach me the correct terminology, certain IV fluids, and how to centrifuge blood. You name it, we talked about it. Our talks made me think about how I wanted to help patients someday. I will never forget the tense atmosphere in the ICU. Machines are beeping, Techs are talking, dogs are barking, and I look over to see my mom, calm, comforting her patients. Seeing her hard work as a full-time Technician and single parent motivates me every day to try my best and help others, whether they be humans or animals. Although medicine is fascinating, I doubt my interest would be as strong without my mom’s example. My mom’s story taught me that regardless of the situation, you overcome hardships and follow your passion. I also learned to be inquisitive, “Why does this happen?” “What can I do to find the solution?” In the future, I plan to major in Biology, and after I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. I will achieve my goals, but I want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I want women and other minorities, like my mother and I, to have the same level playing field as those who are more fortunate. Overall, my goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. My mom has always provided me the tools to be happy and prosperous. She’s why I continue to work hard in academics and strive to improve. My dream is to walk across the stage at graduation, find her in the crowd, and say, “This is all for you.”

“Hey Stephanie, can you grab somethi- " My grandpa paused as he realized he called me by my mother’s name. My mom and I are incredibly similar, even in how we walk and talk. He constantly gets us mixed up, and every time, I smile. I remember watching TV alongside my grandpa, waiting to hear her keys unlock the front door. At the time, I didn’t understand why she came home so late. As I aged, I learned she went to school, worked full-time, and raised a toddler. She drove to Denver every morning, went to school, and then worked nights at a restaurant in town. After she graduated, she bought our first home. Even though she had to budget intently and work long hours, the childhood I had never suffered. Although she worked often, she gave me the ability to be creative, silly, and just be a kid. She pursued Veterinary Medicine and became a technician at a local clinic. Soon enough, she moved to Specialty Internal Medicine and found her passion. In middle school, I started visiting her work. Learning from the doctors about medical terminology and the meaning behind the diagnosis, and watching surgeries sparked something within me. My mom would sit at dinner and tell us about her day after work. She would talk to me about some of the cases she saw. Some of them were grotesque, though I learned about how my mom aided in the patient’s recovery. She would also teach me the correct terminology, certain IV fluids, and how to centrifuge blood. You name it, we talked about it. Our talks made me think about how I wanted to help patients someday. I will never forget the tense atmosphere in the ICU. Machines are beeping, Techs are talking, dogs are barking, and I look over to see my mom, calm, comforting her patients. Seeing her hard work as a full-time Technician and single parent motivates me every day to try my best and help others, whether they be humans or animals. Although medicine is fascinating, I doubt my interest would be as strong without my mom’s example. My mom’s story taught me that regardless of the situation, you overcome hardships and follow your passion. I also learned to be inquisitive, “Why does this happen?” “What can I do to find the solution?” In the future, I plan to major in Biology, and after I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. I will achieve my goals, but I want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I want women and other minorities, like my mother and I, to have the same level playing field as those who are more fortunate. Overall, my goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. My mom has always provided me the tools to be happy and prosperous. She’s why I continue to work hard in academics and strive to improve. My dream is to walk across the stage at graduation, find her in the crowd, and say, “This is all for you.”

Community service means giving back what you have been given, and more. Community service has continuously been a part of my life, as I have been involved with volunteering and service groups since I was very young. As a child, I was part of a state choir here in Colorado; further, we would volunteer and complete service hours as part of our membership. I was a volunteer at the local bingo hall. I gained useful skills like communication and counting money; moreover, I made memories with the bingo participants and other volunteers. As I grew older and took on more responsibility, I was accepted into the National Junior Honor Society in middle school. During those three years, I met the best people and genuinely had the most fun volunteering. To name a few places we volunteered, we went to our local food shelter, local elementary schools, and Care and Share food bank. As I am in high school now, in the National Honor Society, we give back to our local school community often. Every year we hold a safe trick-or-treat. This event is run by NHS, and other clubs from the school have tables at the event. We give candy to the community's youth and vibrantly decorate our school to make the best experience for them. This event is always one of my favorites because I get to dress up for Halloween and see smiles on the kids' faces. Another event NHS holds is the teacher potluck at the end of the year after finals. Every member of NHS is required to bring a dish to serve, and this always yields diverse plates. I enjoy this event because we are able to sit with our teachers and create personal connections. Community service has always been more than the type of volunteering I have done, it has been about the people I have impacted because of my service. Human connection is something I value greatly in everyday life. When I decided on the career field I wanted to pursue, I knew that human connection had to play a big role. I have had a passion for science since I was very young. My mother is a Veterinary Technician, and learning from her compassion, drive, and ability to perform for her patients, I knew I also wanted to pursue medicine. My academic plan after high school is to complete a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Pre-Med; further, go to medical school afterward to become a Physician. I want to help others and leave this world better than I found it. I plan to give every future patient of mine every ounce of dedication and wellness. Thank you for your consideration.

“Hey Stephanie, can you grab somethi- " My grandpa paused as he realized he called me by my mother’s name. My mom and I are incredibly similar, even in how we walk and talk. He constantly gets us mixed up, and every time, I smile. I remember watching TV alongside my grandpa, waiting to hear her keys unlock the front door. At the time, I didn’t understand why she came home so late. As I aged, I learned she went to school, worked full-time, and raised a toddler. She drove to Denver every morning, went to school, and then worked nights at a restaurant in town. After she graduated, she bought our first home. Even though she had to budget intently and work long hours, the childhood I had never suffered. Although she worked often, she gave me the ability to be creative, silly, and just be a kid. She pursued Veterinary Medicine and became a technician at a local clinic. Soon enough, she moved to Specialty Internal Medicine and found her passion. In middle school, I started visiting her work. Learning from the doctors about medical terminology and the meaning behind the diagnosis, and watching surgeries sparked something within me. My mom would sit at dinner and tell us about her day after work. She would talk to me about some of the cases she saw. Some of them were grotesque, though I learned about how my mom aided in the patient’s recovery. She would also teach me the correct terminology, certain IV fluids, and how to centrifuge blood. You name it, we talked about it. Our talks made me think about how I wanted to help patients someday. I will never forget the tense atmosphere in the ICU. Machines are beeping, Techs are talking, dogs are barking, and I look over to see my mom, calm, comforting her patients. Seeing her hard work as a full-time Technician and single parent motivates me every day to try my best and help others, whether they be humans or animals. Although medicine is fascinating, I doubt my interest would be as strong without my mom’s example. My mom’s story taught me that regardless of the situation, you overcome hardships and follow your passion. I also learned to be inquisitive, “Why does this happen?” “What can I do to find the solution?” In the future, I plan to major in Biology, and after I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. I will achieve my goals, but I want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I want women and other minorities, like my mother and I, to have the same level playing field as those who are more fortunate. Overall, my goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. My mom has always provided me the tools to be happy and prosperous. She’s why I continue to work hard in academics and strive to improve. My dream is to walk across the stage at graduation, find her in the crowd, and say, “This is all for you.”

“Hey Stephanie, can you grab somethi- " My grandpa paused as he realized he called me by my mother’s name. My mom and I are incredibly similar, even in how we walk and talk. He constantly gets us mixed up, and every time, I smile. I remember watching TV alongside my grandpa, waiting to hear her keys unlock the front door. At the time, I didn’t understand why she came home so late. As I aged, I learned she went to school, worked full-time, and raised a toddler. She drove to Denver every morning, went to school, and then worked nights at a restaurant in town. After she graduated, she bought our first home. Even though she had to budget intently and work long hours, the childhood I had never suffered. Although she worked often, she gave me the ability to be creative, silly, and just be a kid. She pursued Veterinary Medicine and became a technician at a local clinic. Soon enough, she moved to Specialty Internal Medicine and found her passion. In middle school, I started visiting her work. Learning from the doctors about medical terminology and the meaning behind the diagnosis, and watching surgeries sparked something within me. My mom would sit at dinner and tell us about her day after work. She would talk to me about some of the cases she saw. Some of them were grotesque, though I learned about how my mom aided in the patient’s recovery. She would also teach me the correct terminology, certain IV fluids, and how to centrifuge blood. You name it, we talked about it. Our talks made me think about how I wanted to help patients someday. I will never forget the tense atmosphere in the ICU. Machines are beeping, Techs are talking, dogs are barking, and I look over to see my mom, calm, comforting her patients. Seeing her hard work as a full-time Technician and single parent motivates me every day to try my best and help others, whether they be humans or animals. Although medicine is fascinating, I doubt my interest would be as strong without my mom’s example. My mom’s story taught me that regardless of the situation, you overcome hardships and follow your passion. I also learned to be inquisitive, “Why does this happen?” “What can I do to find the solution?” In the future, I plan to major in Biology, and after I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. I will achieve my goals, but I want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I want women and other minorities, like my mother and I, to have the same level playing field as those who are more fortunate. Overall, my goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. My mom has always provided me the tools to be happy and prosperous. She’s why I continue to work hard in academics and strive to improve. My dream is to walk across the stage at graduation, find her in the crowd, and say, “This is all for you.”

“Hey Stephanie, can you grab somethi- " My grandpa paused as he realized he called me by my mother’s name. My mom and I are incredibly similar, even in how we walk and talk. He constantly gets us mixed up, and every time, I smile. I remember watching TV alongside my grandpa, waiting to hear her keys unlock the front door. At the time, I didn’t understand why she came home so late. As I aged, I learned she went to school, worked full-time, and raised a toddler. She drove to Denver every morning, went to school, and then worked nights at a restaurant in town. After she graduated, she bought our first home. Even though she had to budget intently and work long hours, the childhood I had never suffered. Although she worked often, she allowed me to be creative, silly, and be a kid. She pursued Veterinary Medicine and became a technician at a local clinic. Soon enough, she moved to Specialty Internal Medicine and found her passion. In middle school, I started visiting her work. Learning from the doctors about medical terminology and the meaning behind the diagnosis and watching surgeries sparked something within me. My mom would sit at dinner and tell us about her day after work. She would talk to me about some of the cases she saw. Some were grotesque, though I learned how my mom aided in the patient’s recovery. She would also teach me the correct terminology, certain IV fluids, and how to centrifuge blood. You name it, we talked about it. Our talks made me think about how I wanted to help my own patients someday. I will never forget the tense atmosphere in the ICU. Machines are beeping, Techs are talking, dogs are barking, and I look over to see my calm mom comforting her patients. Seeing her hard work as a full-time Technician and single parent motivates me daily to try my best and help others, whether humans or animals. Although medicine is fascinating, I doubt my interest would be as strong without my mom’s example. She has been my inspiration and my rock. My mom’s story taught me that you overcome hardships and follow your passion regardless of the situation. I also learned to be inquisitive, “Why does this happen?” “What can I do to find the solution?” In the future, I plan to major in Biology at Colorado State University. After I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school and potentially specialize in Cardiology or Family medicine. I will achieve my goals but want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I want women and other minorities, like my mother and I, to have the same level playing field as those who are more fortunate. Ultimately, my goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. My mom has always provided me with the tools and perspective to be happy and prosperous. She’s why I continue to work hard in academics and strive to improve. To be authentically me means pursuing my dream to the fullest extent. I dream of walking across the stage at graduation, finding her in the crowd, and saying, “This is all for you.”

“Hey Stephanie, can you grab somethi- " My grandpa paused as he realized he called me by my mother’s name. My mom and I are incredibly similar, even in how we walk and talk. He constantly gets us mixed up, and every time, I smile. I remember watching TV alongside my grandpa, waiting to hear her keys unlock the front door. At the time, I didn’t understand why she came home so late. As I aged, I learned she went to school, worked full-time, and raised a toddler. She drove to Denver every morning, went to school, and then worked nights at a restaurant in town. After she graduated, she bought our first home. Even though she had to budget intently and work long hours, the childhood I had never suffered. Although she worked often, she gave me the ability to be creative, silly, and just be a kid. She pursued Veterinary Medicine and became a technician at a local clinic. Soon enough, she moved to Specialty Internal Medicine and found her passion. In middle school, I started visiting her work. Learning from the doctors about medical terminology and the meaning behind the diagnosis, and watching surgeries sparked something within me. My mom would sit at dinner and tell us about her day after work. She would talk to me about some of the cases she saw. Some of them were grotesque, though I learned about how my mom aided in the patient’s recovery. She would also teach me the correct terminology, certain IV fluids, and how to centrifuge blood. You name it, we talked about it. Our talks made me think about how I wanted to help patients someday. I will never forget the tense atmosphere in the ICU. Machines are beeping, Techs are talking, dogs are barking, and I look over to see my mom, calm, comforting her patients. Seeing her hard work as a full-time Technician and single parent motivates me every day to try my best and help others, whether they be humans or animals. Although medicine is fascinating, I doubt my interest would be as strong without my mom’s example. My mom’s story taught me that regardless of the situation, you overcome hardships and follow your passion. I also learned to be inquisitive, “Why does this happen?” “What can I do to find the solution?” In the future, I plan to major in Biology, and after I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. I will achieve my goals, but I want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I want women and other minorities, like my mother and I, to have the same level playing field as those who are more fortunate. Overall, my goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. My mom has always provided me with the tools to be happy and prosperous. She’s why I continue to work hard in academics and strive to improve. My dream is to walk across the stage at graduation, find her in the crowd, and say, “This is all for you.”

“Hey Stephanie, can you grab somethi- " My grandpa paused as he realized he called me by my mother’s name. My mom and I are incredibly similar, even in how we walk and talk. He constantly gets us mixed up, and every time, I smile. I remember watching TV alongside my grandpa, waiting to hear her keys unlock the front door. At the time, I didn’t understand why she came home so late. As I aged, I learned she went to school, worked full-time, and raised a toddler. She drove to Denver every morning, went to school, and then worked nights at a restaurant in town. After she graduated, she bought our first home. Even though she had to budget intently and work long hours, the childhood I had never suffered. Although she worked often, she gave me the ability to be creative, silly, and just be a kid. She pursued Veterinary Medicine and became a technician at a local clinic. Soon enough, she moved to Specialty Internal Medicine and found her passion. In middle school, I started visiting her work. Learning from the doctors about medical terminology and the meaning behind the diagnosis, and watching surgeries sparked something within me. My mom would sit at dinner and tell us about her day after work. She would talk to me about some of the cases she saw. Some of them were grotesque, though I learned about how my mom aided in the patient’s recovery. She would also teach me the correct terminology, certain IV fluids, and how to centrifuge blood. You name it, we talked about it. Our talks made me think about how I wanted to help patients someday. I will never forget the tense atmosphere in the ICU. Machines are beeping, Techs are talking, dogs are barking, and I look over to see my mom, calm, comforting her patients. Seeing her hard work as a full-time Technician and single parent motivates me every day to try my best and help others, whether they be humans or animals. Although medicine is fascinating, I doubt my interest would be as strong without my mom’s example. My mom’s story taught me that regardless of the situation, you overcome hardships and follow your passion. I also learned to be inquisitive, “Why does this happen?” “What can I do to find the solution?” In the future, I plan to major in Biology, and after I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. I will achieve my goals, but I want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I want women and other minorities, like my mother and I, to have the same level playing field as those who are more fortunate. Overall, my goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. My mom has always provided me with the tools to be happy and prosperous. She’s why I continue to work hard in academics and strive to improve. My dream is to walk across the stage at graduation, find her in the crowd, and say, “This is all for you.”

“Hey Stephanie, can you grab somethi- " My grandpa paused as he realized he called me by my mother’s name. My mom and I are incredibly similar, even in how we walk and talk. He constantly gets us mixed up, and every time, I smile. I remember watching TV alongside my grandpa, waiting to hear her keys unlock the front door. At the time, I didn’t understand why she came home so late. As I aged, I learned she went to school, worked full-time, and raised a toddler. She drove to Denver every morning, went to school, and then worked nights at a restaurant in town. After she graduated, she bought our first home. Even though she had to budget intently and work long hours, the childhood I had never suffered. Although she worked often, she gave me the ability to be creative, silly, and just be a kid. She pursued Veterinary Medicine and became a technician at a local clinic. Soon enough, she moved to Specialty Internal Medicine and found her passion. In middle school, I started visiting her work. Learning from the doctors about medical terminology and the meaning behind the diagnosis, and watching surgeries sparked something within me. My mom would sit at dinner and tell us about her day after work. She would talk to me about some of the cases she saw. Some of them were grotesque, though I learned about how my mom aided in the patient’s recovery. She would also teach me the correct terminology, certain IV fluids, and how to centrifuge blood. You name it, we talked about it. Our talks made me think about how I wanted to help patients someday. I will never forget the tense atmosphere in the ICU. Machines are beeping, Techs are talking, dogs are barking, and I look over to see my mom, calm, comforting her patients. Seeing her hard work as a full-time Technician and single parent motivates me every day to try my best and help others, whether they be humans or animals. Although medicine is fascinating, I doubt my interest would be as strong without my mom’s example. My mom’s story taught me that regardless of the situation, you overcome hardships and follow your passion. I also learned to be inquisitive, “Why does this happen?” “What can I do to find the solution?” In the future, I plan to major in Biology, and after I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. I will achieve my goals, but I want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I want women and other minorities, like my mother and I, to have the same level playing field as those who are more fortunate. Overall, my goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. My mom has always provided me with the tools to be happy and prosperous. She’s why I continue to work hard in academics and strive to improve. My dream is to walk across the stage at graduation, find her in the crowd, and say, “This is all for you.”

“Hey Stephanie, can you grab somethi- " My grandpa paused as he realized he called me by my mother’s name. My mom and I are incredibly similar, even in how we walk and talk. He constantly gets us mixed up, and every time, I smile. I remember watching TV alongside my grandpa, waiting to hear her keys unlock the front door. At the time, I didn’t understand why she came home so late. As I aged, I learned she went to school, worked full-time, and raised a toddler. She drove to Denver every morning, went to school, and then worked nights at a restaurant in town. After she graduated, she bought our first home. Even though she had to budget intently and work long hours, the childhood I had never suffered. Although she worked often, she gave me the ability to be creative, silly, and just be a kid. She pursued Veterinary Medicine and became a technician at a local clinic. Soon enough, she moved to Specialty Internal Medicine and found her passion. In middle school, I started visiting her work. Learning from the doctors about medical terminology and the meaning behind the diagnosis, and watching surgeries sparked something within me. My mom would sit at dinner and tell us about her day after work. She would talk to me about some of the cases she saw. Some of them were grotesque, though I learned about how my mom aided in the patient’s recovery. She would also teach me the correct terminology, certain IV fluids, and how to centrifuge blood. You name it, we talked about it. Our talks made me think about how I wanted to help patients someday. I will never forget the tense atmosphere in the ICU. Machines are beeping, Techs are talking, dogs are barking, and I look over to see my mom, calm, comforting her patients. Seeing her hard work as a full-time Technician and single parent motivates me every day to try my best and help others, whether they be humans or animals. Although medicine is fascinating, I doubt my interest would be as strong without my mom’s example. My mom’s story taught me that regardless of the situation, you overcome hardships and follow your passion. I also learned to be inquisitive, “Why does this happen?” “What can I do to find the solution?” In the future, I plan to major in Biology, and after I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. I will achieve my goals, but I want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I want women and other minorities, like my mother and I, to have the same level playing field as those who are more fortunate. Overall, my goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. My mom has always provided me with the tools to be happy and prosperous. She’s why I continue to work hard in academics and strive to improve. My dream is to walk across the stage at graduation, find her in the crowd, and say, “This is all for you.”

“Hey Stephanie, can you grab somethi- " My grandpa paused as he realized he called me by my mother’s name. My mom and I are incredibly similar, even in how we walk and talk. He constantly gets us mixed up, and every time, I smile. I remember watching TV alongside my grandpa, waiting to hear her keys unlock the front door. At the time, I didn’t understand why she came home so late. As I aged, I learned she went to school, worked full-time, and raised a toddler. She drove to Denver every morning, went to school, and then worked nights at a restaurant in town. After she graduated, she bought our first home. Even though she had to budget intently and work long hours, the childhood I had never suffered. Although she worked often, she gave me the ability to be creative, silly, and just be a kid. She pursued Veterinary Medicine and became a technician at a local clinic. Soon enough, she moved to Specialty Internal Medicine and found her passion. In middle school, I started visiting her work. Learning from the doctors about medical terminology and the meaning behind the diagnosis, and watching surgeries sparked something within me. My mom would sit at dinner and tell us about her day after work. She would talk to me about some of the cases she saw. Some of them were grotesque, though I learned about how my mom aided in the patient’s recovery. She would also teach me the correct terminology, certain IV fluids, and how to centrifuge blood. You name it, we talked about it. Our talks made me think about how I wanted to help patients someday. I will never forget the tense atmosphere in the ICU. Machines are beeping, Techs are talking, dogs are barking, and I look over to see my mom, calm, comforting her patients. Seeing her hard work as a full-time Technician and single parent motivates me every day to try my best and help others, whether they be humans or animals. Although medicine is fascinating, I doubt my interest would be as strong without my mom’s example. My mom’s story taught me that regardless of the situation, you overcome hardships and follow your passion. I also learned to be inquisitive, “Why does this happen?” “What can I do to find the solution?” In the future, I plan to major in Biology, and after I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. I will achieve my goals, but I want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I want women and other minorities, like my mother and I, to have the same level playing field as those who are more fortunate. Overall, my goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. My mom has always provided me with the tools to be happy and prosperous. She’s why I continue to work hard in academics and strive to improve. My dream is to walk across the stage at graduation, find her in the crowd, and say, “This is all for you.”

“Hey Stephanie, can you grab somethi- " My grandpa paused as he realized he called me by my mother’s name. My mom and I are incredibly similar, even in how we walk and talk. He constantly gets us mixed up, and every time, I smile. I remember watching TV alongside my grandpa, waiting to hear her keys unlock the front door. At the time, I didn’t understand why she came home so late. As I aged, I learned she went to school, worked full-time, and raised a toddler. She drove to Denver every morning, went to school, and then worked nights at a restaurant in town. After she graduated, she bought our first home. Even though she had to budget intently and work long hours, the childhood I had never suffered. Although she worked often, she gave me the ability to be creative, silly, and just be a kid. She pursued Veterinary Medicine and became a technician at a local clinic. Soon enough, she moved to Specialty Internal Medicine and found her passion. In middle school, I started visiting her work. Learning from the doctors about medical terminology and the meaning behind the diagnosis, and watching surgeries sparked something within me. My mom would sit at dinner and tell us about her day after work. She would talk to me about some of the cases she saw. Some of them were grotesque, though I learned about how my mom aided in the patient’s recovery. She would also teach me the correct terminology, certain IV fluids, and how to centrifuge blood. You name it, we talked about it. Our talks made me think about how I wanted to help patients someday. I will never forget the tense atmosphere in the ICU. Machines are beeping, Techs are talking, dogs are barking, and I look over to see my mom, calm, comforting her patients. Seeing her hard work as a full-time Technician and single parent motivates me every day to try my best and help others, whether they be humans or animals. Although medicine is fascinating, I doubt my interest would be as strong without my mom’s example. My mom’s story taught me that regardless of the situation, you overcome hardships and follow your passion. I also learned to be inquisitive, “Why does this happen?” “What can I do to find the solution?” In the future, I plan to major in Biology, and after I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. I will achieve my goals, but I want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I want women and other minorities, like my mother and I, to have the same level playing field as those who are more fortunate. Overall, my goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. My mom has always provided me the tools to be happy and prosperous. She’s why I continue to work hard in academics and strive to improve. My dream is to walk across the stage at graduation, find her in the crowd, and say, “This is all for you.”

“Hey Stephanie, can you grab somethi- " My grandpa paused as he realized he called me by my mother’s name. My mom and I are incredibly similar, even in how we walk and talk. He constantly gets us mixed up, and every time, I smile. I remember watching TV alongside my grandpa, waiting to hear her keys unlock the front door. At the time, I didn’t understand why she came home so late. As I aged, I learned she went to school, worked full-time, and raised a toddler. She drove to Denver every morning, went to school, and then worked nights at a restaurant in town. After she graduated, she bought our first home. Even though she had to budget intently and work long hours, the childhood I had never suffered. Although she worked often, she gave me the ability to be creative, silly, and just be a kid. She pursued Veterinary Medicine and became a technician at a local clinic. Soon enough, she moved to Specialty Internal Medicine and found her passion. In middle school, I started visiting her work. Learning from the doctors about medical terminology and the meaning behind the diagnosis, and watching surgeries sparked something within me. My mom would sit at dinner and tell us about her day after work. She would talk to me about some of the cases she saw. Some of them were grotesque, though I learned about how my mom aided in the patient’s recovery. She would also teach me the correct terminology, certain IV fluids, and how to centrifuge blood. You name it, we talked about it. Our talks made me think about how I wanted to help patients someday. I will never forget the tense atmosphere in the ICU. Machines are beeping, Techs are talking, dogs are barking, and I look over to see my mom, calm, comforting her patients. Seeing her hard work as a full-time Technician and single parent motivates me every day to try my best and help others, whether they be humans or animals. Although medicine is fascinating, I doubt my interest would be as strong without my mom’s example. My mom’s story taught me that regardless of the situation, you overcome hardships and follow your passion. I also learned to be inquisitive, “Why does this happen?” “What can I do to find the solution?” In the future, I plan to major in Biology, and after I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. I will achieve my goals, but I want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I want women and other minorities, like my mother and I, to have the same level playing field as those who are more fortunate. Overall, my goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. My mom has always provided me the tools to be happy and prosperous. She’s why I continue to work hard in academics and strive to improve. My dream is to walk across the stage at graduation, find her in the crowd, and say, “This is all for you.”

“Hey Stephanie, can you grab somethi- " My grandpa paused as he realized he called me by my mother’s name. My mom and I are incredibly similar, even in how we walk and talk. He constantly gets us mixed up, and every time, I smile. I remember watching TV alongside my grandpa, waiting to hear her keys unlock the front door. At the time, I didn’t understand why she came home so late. As I aged, I learned she went to school, worked full-time, and raised a toddler. She drove to Denver every morning, went to school, and then worked nights at a restaurant in town. After she graduated, she bought our first home. Even though she had to budget intently and work long hours, the childhood I had never suffered. Although she worked often, she gave me the ability to be creative, silly, and just be a kid. She pursued Veterinary Medicine and became a technician at a local clinic. Soon enough, she moved to Specialty Internal Medicine and found her passion. In middle school, I started visiting her work. Learning from the doctors about medical terminology and the meaning behind the diagnosis, and watching surgeries sparked something within me. My mom would sit at dinner and tell us about her day after work. She would talk to me about some of the cases she saw. Some of them were grotesque, though I learned about how my mom aided in the patient’s recovery. She would also teach me the correct terminology, certain IV fluids, and how to centrifuge blood. You name it, we talked about it. Our talks made me think about how I wanted to help patients someday. I will never forget the tense atmosphere in the ICU. Machines are beeping, Techs are talking, dogs are barking, and I look over to see my mom, calm, comforting her patients. Seeing her hard work as a full-time Technician and single parent motivates me every day to try my best and help others, whether they be humans or animals. Although medicine is fascinating, I doubt my interest would be as strong without my mom’s example. My mom’s story taught me that regardless of the situation, you overcome hardships and follow your passion. I also learned to be inquisitive, “Why does this happen?” “What can I do to find the solution?” In the future, I plan to major in Biology, and after I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. I will achieve my goals, but I want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I want women and other minorities, like my mother and I, to have the same level playing field as those who are more fortunate. Overall, my goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. My mom has always provided me the tools to be happy and prosperous. She’s why I continue to work hard in academics and strive to improve. My dream is to walk across the stage at graduation, find her in the crowd, and say, “This is all for you.”

“Hey Stephanie, can you grab somethi- " My grandpa paused as he realized he called me by my mother’s name. My mom and I are incredibly similar, even in how we walk and talk. He constantly gets us mixed up, and every time, I smile. I remember watching TV alongside my grandpa, waiting to hear her keys unlock the front door. At the time, I didn’t understand why she came home so late. As I aged, I learned she went to school, worked full-time, and raised a toddler. She drove to Denver every morning, went to school, and then worked nights at a restaurant in town. After she graduated, she bought our first home. Even though she had to budget intently and work long hours, the childhood I had never suffered. Although she worked often, she gave me the ability to be creative, silly, and just be a kid. She pursued Veterinary Medicine and became a technician at a local clinic. Soon enough, she moved to Specialty Internal Medicine and found her passion. In middle school, I started visiting her work. Learning from the doctors about medical terminology and the meaning behind the diagnosis, and watching surgeries sparked something within me. My mom would sit at dinner and tell us about her day after work. She would talk to me about some of the cases she saw. Some of them were grotesque, though I learned about how my mom aided in the patient’s recovery. She would also teach me the correct terminology, certain IV fluids, and how to centrifuge blood. You name it, we talked about it. Our talks made me think about how I wanted to help patients someday. I will never forget the tense atmosphere in the ICU. Machines are beeping, Techs are talking, dogs are barking, and I look over to see my mom, calm, comforting her patients. Seeing her hard work as a full-time Technician and single parent motivates me every day to try my best and help others, whether they be humans or animals. Although medicine is fascinating, I doubt my interest would be as strong without my mom’s example. My mom’s story taught me that regardless of the situation, you overcome hardships and follow your passion. I also learned to be inquisitive, “Why does this happen?” “What can I do to find the solution?” In the future, I plan to major in Biology, and after I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. I will achieve my goals, but I want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I want women and other minorities, like my mother and I, to have the same level playing field as those who are more fortunate. Overall, my goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. My mom has always provided me the tools to be happy and prosperous. She’s why I continue to work hard in academics and strive to improve. My dream is to walk across the stage at graduation, find her in the crowd, and say, “This is all for you.”

“Hey Stephanie, can you grab somethi- " My grandpa paused as he realized he called me by my mother’s name. My mom and I are incredibly similar, even in how we walk and talk. He constantly gets us mixed up, and every time, I smile. I remember watching TV alongside my grandpa, waiting to hear her keys unlock the front door. At the time, I didn’t understand why she came home so late. As I aged, I learned she went to school, worked full-time, and raised a toddler. She drove to Denver every morning, went to school, and then worked nights at a restaurant in town. After she graduated, she bought our first home. Even though she had to budget intently and work long hours, the childhood I had never suffered. Although she worked often, she gave me the ability to be creative, silly, and just be a kid. She pursued Veterinary Medicine and became a technician at a local clinic. Soon enough, she moved to Specialty Internal Medicine and found her passion. In middle school, I started visiting her work. Learning from the doctors about medical terminology and the meaning behind the diagnosis, and watching surgeries sparked something within me. My mom would sit at dinner and tell us about her day after work. She would talk to me about some of the cases she saw. Some of them were grotesque, though I learned about how my mom aided in the patient’s recovery. She would also teach me the correct terminology, certain IV fluids, and how to centrifuge blood. You name it, we talked about it. Our talks made me think about how I wanted to help patients someday. I will never forget the tense atmosphere in the ICU. Machines are beeping, Techs are talking, dogs are barking, and I look over to see my mom, calm, comforting her patients. Seeing her hard work as a full-time Technician and single parent motivates me every day to try my best and help others, whether they be humans or animals. Although medicine is fascinating, I doubt my interest would be as strong without my mom’s example. My mom’s story taught me that regardless of the situation, you overcome hardships and follow your passion. I also learned to be inquisitive, “Why does this happen?” “What can I do to find the solution?” In the future, I plan to major in Biology, and after I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. I will achieve my goals, but I want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I want women and other minorities, like my mother and I, to have the same level playing field as those who are more fortunate. Overall, my goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. My mom has always provided me the tools to be happy and prosperous. She’s why I continue to work hard in academics and strive to improve. My dream is to walk across the stage at graduation, find her in the crowd, and say, “This is all for you.”

“Hey Stephanie, can you grab somethi- " My grandpa paused as he realized he called me by my mother’s name. My mom and I are incredibly similar, even in how we walk and talk. He constantly gets us mixed up, and every time, I smile. I remember watching TV alongside my grandpa, waiting to hear her keys unlock the front door. At the time, I didn’t understand why she came home so late. As I aged, I learned she went to school, worked full-time, and raised a toddler. She drove to Denver every morning, went to school, and then worked nights at a restaurant in town. After she graduated, she bought our first home. Even though she had to budget intently and work long hours, the childhood I had never suffered. Although she worked often, she gave me the ability to be creative, silly, and just be a kid. She pursued Veterinary Medicine and became a technician at a local clinic. Soon enough, she moved to Specialty Internal Medicine and found her passion. In middle school, I started visiting her work. Learning from the doctors about medical terminology and the meaning behind the diagnosis, and watching surgeries sparked something within me. My mom would sit at dinner and tell us about her day after work. She would talk to me about some of the cases she saw. Some of them were grotesque, though I learned about how my mom aided in the patient’s recovery. She would also teach me the correct terminology, certain IV fluids, and how to centrifuge blood. You name it, we talked about it. Our talks made me think about how I wanted to help patients someday. I will never forget the tense atmosphere in the ICU. Machines are beeping, Techs are talking, dogs are barking, and I look over to see my mom, calm, comforting her patients. Seeing her hard work as a full-time Technician and single parent motivates me every day to try my best and help others, whether they be humans or animals. Although medicine is fascinating, I doubt my interest would be as strong without my mom’s example. My mom’s story taught me that regardless of the situation, you overcome hardships and follow your passion. I also learned to be inquisitive, “Why does this happen?” “What can I do to find the solution?” In the future, I plan to major in Biology, and after I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. I will achieve my goals, but I want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I want women and other minorities, like my mother and I, to have the same level playing field as those who are more fortunate. Overall, my goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. My mom has always provided me the tools to be happy and prosperous. She’s why I continue to work hard in academics and strive to improve. My dream is to walk across the stage at graduation, find her in the crowd, and say, “This is all for you.”

Community service means giving back what you have been given, and more. Community service has continuously been a part of my life, as I have been involved with volunteering and service groups since I was very young. As a child, I was part of a state choir here in Colorado; further, we would volunteer and complete service hours as part of our membership. I was a volunteer at the local bingo hall. I gained useful skills like communication and counting money; moreover, I made memories with the bingo participants and other volunteers. As I grew older and took on more responsibility, I was accepted into the National Junior Honor Society in middle school. During those three years, I met the best people and genuinely had the most fun volunteering. To name a few places we volunteered, we went to our local food shelter, local elementary schools, and Care and Share food bank. As I am in high school now, in the National Honor Society, we give back to our local school community often. Every year we hold a safe trick-or-treat. This event is run by NHS, and other clubs from the school have tables at the event. We give candy to the community's youth and vibrantly decorate our school to make the best experience for them. This event is always one of my favorites because I get to dress up for Halloween and see smiles on the kids' faces. Another event NHS holds is the teacher potluck at the end of the year after finals. Every member of NHS is required to bring a dish to serve, and this always yields diverse plates. I enjoy this event because we are able to sit with our teachers and create personal connections. Community service has always been more than the type of volunteering I have done, it has been about the people I have impacted because of my service. Human connection is something I value greatly in everyday life. When I decided on the career field I wanted to pursue, I knew that human connection had to play a big role. I have had a passion for science since I was very young. My mother is a Veterinary Technician, and learning from her compassion, drive, and ability to perform for her patients, I knew I also wanted to pursue medicine. My academic plan after high school is to complete a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Pre-Med; further, go to medical school afterward to become a Physician. I want to help others and leave this world better than I found it. I plan to give every future patient of mine every ounce of dedication and wellness. Thank you for your consideration.

My lifelong passion is Science. I love to learn new and fascinating things about this beautiful world. I love humans, animals, and plants. As a Latina/ Native American girl, I have been overlooked in the past. I have a passion for science and helping others. I find inspiration from my mother, who is a Veterinary Technician. I admire her hard work and her passion for healing animals. I want to help others because of her, and I want to become a Cardiologist in the future. I am an only child from a single-parent household. Because of this, scholarships and financial aid are vital for me to accomplish my goal. I wish this was not the case, but many students like me face this. This year, I took AP Biology it was life-changing. I learned about DNA, Cell structure, Ecology, Cancer, and about macronutrients. Biology has always been my favorite subject because it's learning that never ends. As humans, we are constantly discovering new species, and learning about life structures that we never knew before. I love Biology because I am able to educate myself as well as others. I believe STEM is a career that is constantly changing, and that is very exciting to me. I also believe that everyone should follow their passion, no matter what the circumstances are. The fear of student debt stunts growth and innovation. I believe that we lose bright minds because of money and the lack thereof. I have faith that my goals will be reached, but I want to also advocate for change in society, and give those who are underrepresented a chance as well. I want to give back to my community and help others. Science and Medicine are fulfilling fields to be in, but I want women and other minorities to have the same playing field as those that are more fortunate. In the future, I plan to complete a bachelor's degree in Biology, and a minor in Spanish language. Spanish is important to me because I want to be able to speak to my patients and make them feel welcome. After I complete my degree, I plan to go to medical school. Although I am passionate about Cardiology, I am very open to other specialties. In all, my goal is to help others and allow them to have a successful future. I plan to still advocate for underprivileged students like myself.

In my high school career, I have had many opportunities to be an impactful leader in my community. My most important role is being president of my school's diversity club. We are Spartan's United. This incredible opportunity has allowed me to lead the club to improve our school. We have held events for the national movement, "No One Eats Alone". We have incorporated this fantastic initiative to make students at our school feel welcome. No One Eats alone encourages new conversation and inclusion at lunchtime. We held an info table during lunch, gave out bracelets, and offered company for those who were alone. With this campaign, we have had many new members join. To this day, I see students wearing the bracelets. Along with this, Spartans United joined the YCD (Youth Diversity Conference) in Denver, held annually. YCD provided us the opportunity to listen to mentors, speakers, and people from different backgrounds. We spent an entire day in January this year, with each of us listening to three different speakers. This allowed us to bring back ideas to our school on how we can improve inclusivity and empathy. We also listened to other diversity clubs in the state and incorporated their structure into ours. As a club, we meet every Tuesday during lunch. At these meetings, we make an agenda of what we are planning for the month. We also listen to music and watch recommended short documentaries. At the end of each semester, we have potlucks. Leading a diversity club has taught me so much. Not only did I learn about different people, stories, and hardships, but I learned how to organize and accomplish amazing tasks. I learned how to communicate efficiently, collaborate, and professionally organize to get tasks approved by the school's administrators. In the future, Spartans United plans to go bigger. We plan to hold diversity nights. These nights would invite everyone to bring music, food, and stories of their background. This will encourage conversation among diverse people. Spartans United also plans to invite public speakers, potentially from the YCD conference to speak to the student body. This will give our students the opportunity to see the world through another lens. We plan to join forces with the BSU (Black Student Union) at our school, to get more members and to create new ideas. Every month, we plan to have info sessions for a certain group that the month recognizes. For example, in February we held a Black History Month meeting. With all of this, I am happy to say I am the President of this wonderful club. I plan to pass on my role to a well-deserving individual when I graduate this year.