Growing up I was raised to serve others and help those who can't help themselves. I want to go to medical school and become a doctor so that I can continue to help those in need. I have always challenged myself, taking honors classes and being in the IB program, so I believe I am up to the task to excel in achieving what is necessary, but this scholarship would help me financially in pursuing a career to help others. I have consistently pushed myself and before the passing of my father, he would always tell me to do my best in everything I do. Leadership and adaptability are also qualities that I heavily value. Being a leader of my varsity football team and a board member of my American Sign Language club I have had to take up leadership roles. I might not have been the best athlete but I have the heart, and the passion for pushing through, while lifting up those around me by coaching them up if there was confusion. ASL is another passion of mine and is a form of communication that I want to pursue and become fluent in because I value the communication of those who are unable to verbally speak. Additionally, I have become the man of the house, and the primary caretaker of my mom who has gone through numerous surgeries. I am willing to put the needs of others before my own and have the desire to help those who need it. I was raised to always take care of others, and my mom taught me to stand up not only for myself but for others who could not fight for themselves. I have helped serve my community by volunteering in blood drives and donation distributions, so it would be an honor if I could continue to help others in my career. My whole life I have served others and helping those in need is what I enjoy doing. Growing up I was never sure what I wanted to do specifically for a career, the only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to help others. Now that I have had more time to think about it, I want to be a pediatrician because I not only want to help others, I want to help our future generations so that we can thrive as a community as a whole. I easily sympathize with others and serving others is not only something that helps those in need but it is something that gives me the satisfaction that what I am doing is what I am meant to do on this Earth, and this scholarship would help me in achieving that.

Growing up I was raised to serve others and help those who can't help themselves. I want to go to medical school and become a doctor so that I can continue to help those in need. I have always challenged myself, taking honors classes and being in the IB program, so I believe I am up to the task to excel in achieving what is necessary, but this scholarship would help me financially in pursuing a career to help others. I have consistently pushed myself and before the passing of my father, he would always tell me to do my best in everything I do. Leadership and adaptability are also qualities that I heavily value. Being a leader of my varsity football team and a board member of my American Sign Language club I have had to take up leadership roles. I might not have been the best athlete but I have the heart, and the passion for pushing through, while lifting up those around me by coaching them up if there was confusion. ASL is another passion of mine and is a form of communication that I want to pursue and become fluent in because I value the communication of those who are unable to verbally speak. Additionally, I have become the man of the house, and the primary caretaker of my mom who has gone through numerous surgeries. I am willing to put the needs of others before my own and have the desire to help those who need it. I was raised to always take care of others, and my mom taught me to stand up not only for myself but for others who could not fight for themselves. I have helped serve my community by volunteering in blood drives and donation distributions, so it would be an honor if I could continue to help others in my career. My whole life I have served others and helping those in need is what I enjoy doing. Growing up I was never sure what I wanted to do specifically for a career, the only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to help others. Now that I have had more time to think about it, I want to be a pediatrician because I not only want to help others, I want to help our future generations so that we can thrive as a community as a whole. I easily sympathize with others and serving others is not only something that helps those in need but it is something that gives me the satisfaction that what I am doing is what I am meant to do on this Earth, and this scholarship would help me in achieving that.

Growing up I was raised to serve others and help those who can't help themselves. I want to go to medical school and become a doctor so that I can continue to help those in need. I have always challenged myself, taking honors classes and being in the IB program, so I believe I am up to the task to excel in achieving what is necessary, but this scholarship would help me financially in pursuing a career to help others. I have consistently pushed myself and before the passing of my father, he would always tell me to do my best in everything I do. Leadership and adaptability are also qualities that I heavily value. Being a leader of my varsity football team and a board member of my American Sign Language club I have had to take up leadership roles. I might not have been the best athlete but I have the heart, and the passion for pushing through, while lifting up those around me by coaching them up if there was confusion. ASL is another passion of mine and is a form of communication that I want to pursue and become fluent in because I value the communication of those who are unable to verbally speak. Additionally, I have become the man of the house, and the primary caretaker of my mom who has gone through numerous surgeries. I am willing to put the needs of others before my own and have the desire to help those who need it. I was raised to always take care of others, and my father taught me to stand up not only for myself but for others who could not fight for themselves. I have helped serve my community by volunteering in blood drives and donation distributions, so it would be an honor if I could continue to help others in my career. My whole life I have served others and helping those in need is what I enjoy doing. Growing up I was never sure what I wanted to do specifically for a career, the only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to help others. Now that I have had more time to think about it, I want to be a pediatrician because I not only want to help others, I want to help our future generations so that we can thrive as a community as a whole. I easily sympathize with others and serving others is not only something that helps those in need but it is something that gives me the satisfaction that what I am doing is what I am meant to do on this Earth, and this scholarship would help me in achieving that.

“PALO!” that's what my father would yell at me when I was not doing that good in school. It means spanking, in Tagalog, but he would only threaten to do it, never actually following through. It was a form of discipline to make sure I was always in check and a way to push me because he knew that I could do better. When I was younger it was the push I needed to make sure I was always doing be best, and as I grew older even though I knew he was bluffing, it had become a reminder that I have the ability to do better, I can be better. He then became my motivation, and everything I do is for him. “You can do it, buddy,” that's what he would say to help me overcome the stress and the overwhelmingness of school, where even though it is hard I just do the best I can do. On the tragic day of March 8, 2021, I was faced with the emotional struggles of the passing of my father. After his passing, I had big shoes to fill becoming the new man of the house, and I became overwhelmed in school. However, school eventually no longer really became an issue because I do not see my dad at school and I could just pretend like nothing was wrong since ¨he was just at work.¨ It's the struggles at home that are more difficult since he no longer walks through the front door every night after work. Home is where we get the constant reminder that he is no longer around, so I have to put in extra effort to be strong for my mom. She´ll get episodes of distress and depression, where I need to be there to hold her hand and give her a hug because she says I'm ¨her rock.¨ I do this not only to bring my mom at ease but because I need to be my best to be strong and do better for her, just how my dad would want me to be. My dad would want me to always do my best, whether it was in school or on the football field. He was my number one supporter and he is my motivation to keep pushing through even though school or practices got tough. My dad has heavily inspired me throughout my life and he is the reason for me to keep on his legacy and pursue greater things in life.