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Merilyn Delgado

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Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Exercise And Fitness
  • Reading
  • Writing

Reading

  • Adult Fiction
  • Action
  • Academic
  • Art
  • Romance
  • Magical Realism
  • Family

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

Merilyn Delgado is a first year college student, daughter of immigrants and tuba player from Los Angeles, California, and a senior at the California School of the Arts–San Gabriel Valley. She began studying tuba at the age of eleven and currently studies privately with Dr. Doug Tornquist. Merilyn has performed with the CSArts Philharmonic Orchestra,CsArts Wind Ensemble, CsArts Jazz Orchestra, Colburn Sinfonietta, Colburn Wind Ensemble, Colburn Concert band, Colburn wind ensemble, and Colburn Chamber institution. She was accepted in the Fortissima program at the Colburn school her sophomore year, and has participated in the Los Angeles Brass institute at The Colburn School every summer she has been in highschool. In addition to her performance experience, she also earned the Winds and Brass Award at her previous high school, LACHSA. Merilyn is passionate about sharing music with her community and has worked with children from underrepresented communities to introduce them to the Arts. She values discipline, respect, loyalty, and adaptability which she makes an effort to show in every aspect of her life. She plans to major in music performance and Music Education, and plans to start start a non-profit in Latin America that focuses on bringing a free quality k-12 education to students that focuses on both academics and the arts. Outside of music Merilyn is a Spanish speaker and enjoys learning about different cultures, exercise and working with kids.

Education

Northern Arizona University

Bachelor's degree program

2026 – 2026

Majors:
  • Education, Other
  • Music
GPA4.0 GPA

California School of the Arts - San Gabriel Valley

High School

2024 – 2026

GPA4.0 GPA

L.a. County High School for the Arts

High School

2022 – 2024

GPA3.8 GPA

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Majors of interest:
Music, Education, Other
Medical school interest:
No

Career

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Music
Dream career goals:
I want to start a non-profit in Latin America that focuses on bridging education and the arts
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Volunteering
Neil Margeson Sound Scholarship
As a first generation college student, daughter of Latin immigrants, from a low income family, music has always been engraved in my culture. From my mom blasting Spanish Gospel at 6:00am on a Saturday when she cleaned the house, to knowing when my neighbor was fighting with his wife since the iconic bassline of 'Mujeres Divinas' was playing in the background, and the times the ladies of the neighborhood were playing Loteria listening to Frankie Ruiz. I grew up with music around me, so, my parents’ surprise in middle school wasn't that I joined the Band Program; it was that I decided to play the tuba. Through this instrument, I learned that I wanted to start a non-profit in Latin America that focuses on bringing a free quality k-12 education to students that focuses on both academics and the arts. Since I had no connections in the music industry, it was hard for me to know where to start with music. I didn’t even know what private lessons were, or what a bass clef was, however, I did know that I loved music, and I wanted to play it well. So, I began learning my instrument through videos on Youtube, and asked my band director what I needed to do to get better. In 8th grade, I realized I wanted to pursue music professionally, so I ended up going to Los Angeles Country High School for The Arts my freshman and sophomore years of high school, and California School of the Arts- San Gabriel Valley my junior and senior year, in order to receive strong academic classes and instruction from professional musicians. Following the advice of one of my teachers I auditioned for and received the Herbert Zipper Scholarship at The Colburn School Community School my freshman year of high school. Not only giving me the opportunity to take Music Theory, Ensemble classes, Chamber music, and private lessons on the weekends, but also meet people in the music industry, find a support system that has been with me through thick and thin, and discover the power in the Arts. Like many Latinos in Los Angeles, my family was personally affected by I.C.E raids that went on throughout June and July. It wasn't just not being able to go to buy groceries, or go outside, but it was seeing the people in my community being detained, the ladies that always played Loteria being scared to play their music, and the fear of what was going to happen next. In those trying times, it was my music community to support me by letting me dorm at Colburn so I would still be able to participate in the LA Brass Institute, and support me and my family in any way they could. Not only that, but they inspired me to arrange and compose pieces that highlighted Latin American culture to express to those in power that I wouldn’t sit by watching such injustices happen. I have experienced how music makes positive changes in communities, and because of this, I, like Neil Margeson, share an unwavering passion for music and I want to share that with the world. Now that I am going to college, I am double majoring in Music Education and Music Performance to be one step closer to fulfilling my goals of starting a non-profit helping students in situations like mine have strong training in both academics and the arts. By doing this I hope to create opportunities and incite the passion for music in the future generations.
Sleep Deez Legacy Scholarship: For the Visionaries Who Shape Culture
As a first generation college student, daughter of Latin immigrants, from a low income family, music has always been engraved in my culture. From my mom blasting Spanish Gospel at 6:00am on a Saturday when she cleaned the house, to knowing when my neighbor was fighting with his wife since the iconic bassline of 'Mujeres Divinas' was playing in the background, and the times the ladies of the neighborhood were playing Loteria listening to Frankie Ruiz and Eddie Santiago. I grew up with music around me, so, my parents’ surprise in middle school wasn't that I joined the Band Program; it was that I decided to play the tuba. Through this instrument, I learned that I wanted to start a non-profit in Latin America that focuses on bringing a free quality k-12 education to students that focuses on both academics and the arts. Since I had no connections in the music industry, it was hard for me to know where to start with music. I didn’t even know what private lessons were, or what a bass clef was, however, I did know that I loved music, and I wanted to play it well. So, I found mentors and teachers that helped me develop my potential, leading me to discover the power in the arts. Like many Latinos in Los Angeles, my family was personally affected by the I.C.E raids that went on throughout June and July. It wasn't just not being able to go to buy groceries, or go outside, but it was seeing the people in my community being detained, the ladies that always played Loteria being scared to play their music, and the fear of what was going to happen next. In those trying times, it was my music community to support me by letting me dorm at Colburn so I would still be able to participate in the LA Brass Institute, and support me and my family in any way they could. Not only that, but they inspired me to arrange and compose pieces that highlighted Latin American culture to express to those in power that I wouldn’t sit by watching such injustices happen. I have personally experienced how music can be used for advocacy, and because of this, I, like Sleep Deez, want to build community and make the arts accessible to children of color and young people from low-income or disadvantaged backgrounds from around the world. Now that I am going to college, I am double majoring in Music Education and Music Performance to be one step closer to fulfilling my goals of starting a non-profit helping students in situations like mine have strong training in both academics and the arts. By doing this I plan to create opportunities for artists to grow, and to bring their voices into the space of art. I want to introduce students to all art forms throughout elementary school, so that when they reach middle school, they can choose what art form they want to develop to their fullest potential. There are many things in the world that I would like to change for a better tomorrow, and I know that if I don’t bring voices that have often been kept out of space into the conversation, change would never happen. By making this non-profit, I would make sure the ideas of social change don’t die. I want to ensure that the future generation continues making a change, planting a seed for a brighter future for all.
Women in Elementary Education Scholarship
As a first generation college student of Guatemalan descent, statistically the odds were not in my favor. However, I have been very lucky to have supportive teachers who encouraged me and supported me in any way they could, and by having access to arts training through the Title 1 school I went to. Which taught me to express myself through music. In order to give back to my musical community, I volunteered at Summer Encounter at The Colburn School. A day-camp designed to introduce elementary students in title 1 schools to the arts. Bonding with the kids and learning their stories showed me how wonderful it was to give back to a community and help guide the next generation. It was at that moment where I developed a deep love for teaching and nurturing young minds. I learned that children are sponges with a desire to explore the world around them and emulate ideas they resonate with. Unfortunately, children's love for learning is often confused with annoyance, and their love doesn't grow. The campers reminded me of my elementary aged cousins in Guatemala City. They have been struggling with their education because of the unqualified teachers flooding the public school system, and corruption prioritizing personal gain over quality education. Recognizing this injustice, I plan to start a free public school in Latin America, focusing on bridging the academics and the arts; bringing quality education and arts training to students k-12. In this school, I plan to introduce students to all art forms throughout elementary school, so that when they reach middle school, they can choose what art form they want to develop to their fullest potential. Meanwhile prioritizing engagement, Social Emotional Learning and implementing it in classrooms. I will engage with students by creating lesson plans that focus on real world application to show them the world possibilities of what they are learning. In a classroom, especially in elementary education, students are simultaneously learning life skills as well as emotional regulation. Providing them with positive language and preventive instructions, I aspire to frame their thoughts to be prepared to overcome obstacles, confront injustices and go further than what the world tells them they can go. I also aspire to include SEL lesson plans and dedicate time in class to learning self regulation techniques and healthy coping mechanisms. I will also advocate for my students to try to provide them with unique education experiences they would otherwise go without. A child's world is only as big as you make it, and they deserve to know that they can be the change they want to see. I am an example of how receiving an arts education from supportive and passionate teachers can change the world that you live in, and I want to guide the future generation in the same way. After the Summer Encounter these students had remarkable results in their behavior, attitude, and confidence. A simple 2-week program changed the odds for 40 children, many still in receiving arts instruction three years later. Every child can change the world, adults need to make sure they know that.
William Smith Scholarship
As a first generation college student from a low income family and daughter of immigrants, I have been trying to find opportunities to surpass myself since middle school. So in 6th grade, when I saw that I had the chance to learn an instrument, and borrow one for free, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I didn’t know what I was going to do with music, but I found music fun and saw that being in the school band was a free opportunity, so I took it. As I grew older, I realized that I needed professional guidance in order to become a better musician, and I also knew that my parents didn’t have the funds to pay for the private lessons and specialized classes that I needed. My local high school didn’t have the opportunities I was looking for or the advanced academic courses, so I researched high schools and talked to my band director about how I can receive the classes I needed. I ended up going to Los Angeles Country High School for The Arts my freshman and sophomore years of high school, and California School of the Arts my junior and senior year, in order to receive strong academic classes and instruction from professional musicians. Following the advice of one of my teachers I auditioned for and received the Herbert Zipper Scholarship at The Colburn School CSPA my freshman year of high school. Which allowed me to take Music Theory, Ensemble classes, Chamber music, and private lessons on the weekends. Although this caused my schedule to be packed, it made me realize the love that I have for music and how thankful I was for the community around me for helping me make this happen. I gave back to my community by tutoring other students to understand concepts in the Dual Enrollment English class I was in, and as a Spanish Speaker, helped students who had learned English as a second language in Accelerated Placement English classes that were struggling to understand the concepts they needed for the class and for the test. I continued my journey further in my senior year of high school. I began to give private lessons and I also helped lead warmups in my Brass Methods class under the guidance of my conservatory director. I volunteered as a Summer Encounter Camp Counselor at The Colburn School the summer before my sophomore year, where I took care of a group of eight year olds. Here, I witnessed the importance of the arts in children and how the arts and academic education they received changed the trajectory of their lives. I realized how much the campers reminded me of my cousins in Guatemala City who were struggling with their education because of the unqualified teachers flooding the public school system, and corruption prioritizing personal gain over quality education. This led me to want to start a non-profit in Latin America that focuses on bridging the academics and the arts; bringing quality education and arts training to students k-12. When I first started playing the Tuba in 6th grade, I didn’t imagine that I would be meeting my idols, learning from professionals that I admired, and developing a love for teaching and nurturing young minds. Now that I am going to college, I want to double major in Music Education and Music Performance in order to keep on fulfilling my goals of bringing a quality education to students in a financial situation like mine, and who want to make a positive difference in their community.
Jason Choi Memorial Scholarship
In my childhood, my dad worked grueling hours and I rarely had time to see him, so I used any opportunity to spend time with him. That meant we usually spent time working out together. He instilled the passion for fitness in me since fitness brought me closer to him and let me into his world. However, I still hold a passion for fitness because it helped me overcome the biggest health challenge I ever faced; an eating disorder and anorexia. Recovering and overcoming this not only bettered my life, but furthered instilled my passion for fitness. As a child, I had a severe anxiety disorder, perfectionist tendencies, and after seeing my mom have a stroke, felt I no longer had control of the things in my life. The anxiety resulted in unbearable stomach pains every time I ate, which developed into a fear of eating because of the stomach pains, and led me to avoid eating. I ended up losing a lot of weight, and people in my neighborhood praised me for being so thin, feeding into the eating disorder even more. I became weak, had brain-fog, and no longer focused on fitness since I was tired all of the time. I lost myself and my childhood due to these health challenges. My parents had begun to notice something was wrong, but since my mom was sick and my dad was working, their suspicions weren’t confirmed until I passed out one day at school; I was eleven at the time. In the hospital, I was fed through an IV and diagnosed with an eating disorder, anorexia, and an anxiety disorder. I began receiving therapy sessions in order to help me recover. Until I began these therapy sessions, I hadn’t realized how little I knew about myself. The eating disorder had not only taken away my health, and my ability to think clearly, but also has stripped me of everything that I loved, and was once passionate about. I didn’t know who I was before this illness, and I saw myself and an eating disorder as one. I voiced this realization during one of my therapy sessions, and my therapist then asked me, what did I remember being passionate about; the only thing that came to mind was those times working out with my dad. After leaving the hospital, I began to workout again. Not to be thin, or because of how I wanted my body to look, but instead to reconnect with myself and who I was as a person. I kept on going to therapy sessions, and put in the work in order to continue my recovery. Fitness helped me reconnect with my body, and see all of the things that I could do with it. I went from not being able to walk for 30 minutes, to running a 9 minute mile, and lifting weights almost double my weight. Recovery hasn't always been linear. I wouldn’t say I made a full recovery until my sophomore year of high school, and because of the malnutrition I faced in my childhood, I have a very weak immune system and get sick easily. But my passion for fitness has been a step in the right direction of helping me overcome this. It allowed me to play the tuba in sixth grade, since fitness helped me a lot for marching in concert band, and when high school got busy, I woke up at 4 am to go to the gym. But most importantly, fitness reminded me that I was more than a mental disorder.
Maria's Legacy: Alicia's Scholarship
As a first generation college student from a low income family and daughter of immigrants, I recognize the privileged position I am in compared to my cousins and family in Guatemala City. I have seen first hand how my cousins in Guatemala have struggled with their education. With unqualified teachers and hidden fees flooding the public school system, expensive private schools, and corruption prioritizing self-interest over quality education; Latin American countries treat quality education as a privilege for the elite, not a right. I plan to make a change in this system by using my passion for music in order to start a non-profit in Latin America that focuses on bringing a free quality k-12 education to students that focuses on both academics and the arts. I first began playing the Tuba in sixth grade and very quickly realized the love that I had for the instrument. However, my parents didn’t have the funds to pay for the private lessons and specialized classes that I needed. So, I went to Los Angeles Country High School for The Arts my freshman and sophomore years of high school, and California School of the Arts my junior and senior year, in order to receive strong academic classes and instruction from professional musicians. Not only that, but I also auditioned for and received the Herbert Zipper Scholarship at The Colburn School CSPA my freshman year of high school. Which allowed me to take Music Theory, Ensemble classes, Chamber music, and private lessons on the weekends. Although this caused my schedule to be packed, it made me realize the love that I have for music and how thankful I was for the community around me for helping me make this happen. In doing these programs, it led to me to volunteer as a camp counselor for Summer Encounter at The Colburn School, a program that focuses on bringing the arts to under-privileged communities. In doing this program, I realized how important having an arts in education is, and how many children don’t have that. I want to study Music Education and Music Performance. I know the crucial role the arts play in a child's development, and that any k-12 education is incomplete without it, so I want to have the skillset necessary to teach and meet the people necessary that would help me fulfill my goals of bringing a quality education to Latin America. Being the first in my family to receive a higher education makes my own cousins know that it is possible to leave the financial situation they are in, and that there is a possibility for a better life through education. My two youngest cousins, Abril and Jayden in Guatemala City by seeing how I have applied to college and the opportunity fora higher education I have received, are now also planning to attend college when the time comes. Not only that, but receiving a higher education also makes it so I can pave the way for my younger family members and the ones to come so they don’t feel that they are navigating the process of figuring out how to receive a higher education alone. Receiving a college degree will help me help others who are in a financial situation like mine, and who want to make a positive difference in their lives and in the lives of the people around them.
Nick Lindblad Memorial Scholarship
As a first generation college student, daughter of immigrants, from a low income family, it wasn’t written in the cards for me to receive a higher education. Many people in my community ended up having teen pregnancies, or having to drop-out of school in order to support their families with their finances. Music was my gateway to freedom, and through learning to play an instrument I was able to end up going to an Arts Charter school and Community School Performing Arts at The Colburn School. Being a musician taught me that I don't have to conform, and can always strive for more. I had originally started playing the tuba in sixth grade, and my parents didn’t have the funds to pay for music theory lessons, private lessons, ensembles, and all of the standard classes musicians take in order to become a musician. So, I ended up going to an Arts Highschool to receive strong academic classes and instruction from professional musicians. Following the advice of one of my teachers, I auditioned for and received the Herbert Zipper Scholarship at The Colburn School CSPA my freshman year of high school. Which allowed me to take Music Theory, Ensemble classes, Chamber music, and private lessons on the weekends. Although this caused my schedule to be packed, it made me realize the love that I have for music and how thankful I was for the community around me for helping me make this happen. I volunteered as a Summer Encounter Camp Counselor at The Colburn School the summer before my sophomore year, where I took care of a group of eight year olds. In doing this program, I witnessed the importance of the arts in children and how the arts and academic education they received changed the trajectory of their lives. The campers reminded me of my cousins in Guatemala City who were struggling with their education because of the unqualified teachers flooding the public school system, and corruption prioritizing personal gain over quality education. This led me to want to start a non-profit in Latin America that focuses on bridging the academics and the arts; bringing quality education and arts training to students k-12. Since I went to a school so far away from my house to study music, I had to take the bus to and from DTLA which led me to talk to people I wouldn’t typically talk to. The person that made the most lasting impact on my life was a homeless man, who took the same bus as me, and he would tell me stories about how he was a veteran and ended up on the street because of alcohol abuse and drug abuse. He told people judged or were afraid of him because of how he looked, but that I can learn something for everyone and it’s important to listen to what people have to say. In talking to him and many other people I talked to on the bus, it opened my perspective and changed the way I see others to be more empathetic and understanding. When I first started playing the Tuba in 6th grade, I didn’t imagine that I would be talking to veterans, meeting my idols, learning from professionals that I admired, and developing a love for teaching and nurturing young minds. Now that I am going to college, I want to double major in Music Education and Music Performance in order to keep on fulfilling my goals of bringing a quality education to students in a financial situation like mine. Making sure no one feels that they cannot surpass themselves.
Linda Kay Monroe Whelan Memorial Education Scholarship
In my upbringing, my parents didn’t have the funds to pay for music theory lessons, private lessons, ensembles, and all of the standard classes musicians take in order to become a musician. So, I was very thankful when in my freshman year of high school, I received a scholarship to attend the Colburn School Community School and even more when I received the Herbert Zipper Scholarship which allowed me to receive the instruction I needed to become the musician I want to become. In order to give back to my musical community, I volunteered as a Summer Encounter Camp Counselor at The Colburn School the summer before my sophomore year, where my responsibilities included taking care of a group of eight year old students. Doing this program opened my eyes to how receiving an arts as children can change the trajectory of their lives. Many of the campers in the program even received a full scholarship to the CSPA Program of The Colburn School which would allow them to receive an arts education until they graduate from highschool. I was very happy to have been a part of this program and extremely joyful for the students that received that scholarship, however, I then realized how many students around the world would never get that chance. Even people in my own family like my cousins in Guatemala City would never have the opportunity to receive an arts education or a quality academic education since unqualified teachers flood the public school system in Latin America. This led me to want to start a non-profit in Latin America that focuses on bridging the academics and the arts; bringing quality education and arts training to students k-12. I immediately started working on these goals by tutoring other students as well as began to give free private lessons and helped lead warmups in my Brass Methods class under the guidance of my conservatory director. Now that I am going to college, I plan to double major in Music Education and Music Performance in order to keep on fulfilling my goals of bringing a quality education to students in a financial situation like mine, who want to make a positive difference in their community. By double majoring in these two fields, I will gain the skills I need in order to become a qualified teacher, and meet people that would be willing to help me further with my goals. Not only that, but I also plan on continuing to give private lessons at an extremely reduced price or completely free. Helping me help young students who, like me, want to make the world a better place.
Our Destiny Our Future Scholarship
After volunteering at The Colburn School the summer before my sophomore year, I witnessed the importance of the arts in changing children’s lives. I realized how much the campers reminded me of my cousins in Guatemala City who were struggling with their education because of the unqualified teachers flooding the public school system, and corruption prioritizing personal gain over quality education. This led me to want to start a non-profit in Latin America that focuses on bridging the academics and the arts; bringing quality education and arts training to students k-12. I plan to make this positive impact on the world by first double majoring in Music Education and Music Performance. The reason that I want to study these two subjects is because as a musician, I know the crucial role the arts play in a child's development, and that any k-12 education is incomplete without it, so I want to have the skillset necessary to teach in the nonprofit I plan to start. Majoring in Music Education would give me the training and resources I need in order to teach and to be able to give a quality education to students. Not only that, but the other Music Performance would help me continue these goals by allowing me to be in spaces in which people that would be willing to support and help me start a non-profit would be. This would allow me to make the connections I need to get started on making this positive impact. In the meantime, I plan to continue making a positive impact in the world by giving free or reduced priced private lessons to young students who want to go into music or that simply want to learn how to play the tuba. I recognize the position of privilege that I am in when it comes to my education. Being able to not only exercise this right, but also to receive a free quality education is something that people in my own family don’t have. Currently, I help tutor other students who have English as a second language in English classes, as well as lead my brass classes under the guidance of my conservatory director in order to bring me closer to my goal of bridging this gap in education and getting a double major in Music Performance and Music Education would bring me closer to achieving this goal, because at the end of the day, I believe education shouldn’t have a border.
Helping Hand Fund
Success to me means to be able to do what you set your mind to, and helping others in my community do the same. The way in which this scholarship will help me reach my goals is by allowing me to pay for the education I need to help others and help me further my goal of bringing quality education to students in a situation like mine in Latin America. As a first generation college student from a low income family and daughter of immigrants, I recognize the privileged position I am in compared to my cousins and family in Guatemala City. I have seen first hand how my cousins in Guatemala have struggled with their education. With unqualified teachers and hidden fees flooding the public school system, expensive private schools, and corruption prioritizing self-interest over quality education; Latin American countries treat quality education as a privilege for the elite, not a right. I plan to make a change in this system by studying Music Education and Music Performance. My goal is to start a non-profit in Latin America that focuses on bringing a free quality k-12 education to students that focuses on both academics and the arts. The reason why I want to study Music Education for this is because as a musician, I know the crucial role the arts play in a child's development, and that any k-12 education is incomplete without it, so I want to have the skillset necessary to teach in the nonprofit I plan to start. Not only that, but I want to study Music Performance in order to make connections with people that would be interested in helping me reach my goals. However, even though I understand the privilege of my situation of having had a free public education that allowed me to learn how to play an instrument, as someone who comes from a lower economic background, I know what it is like to be behind your peers because of your economic situation, and although this fuels me with the motivation to help bridge this gap of education, it also leads to the only thing preventing me from receiving a higher education to be finances. My parents are not in a position financially where they can help or take out a loan to help me pay for my education. So the burden of paying for college falls entirely on my shoulders. Even with the financial aid the schools that I have been accepted to are offering me, I would still need to find $14,838 yearly in order to fund my education. Receiving this scholarship would help me put a dent in that amount. Putting me one step closer to help students who like me, are determined to reach their goals despite the challenges they face, and make a positive change in their community
Lori Nethaway Memorial Scholarship
As a first generation college student from a low income family and daughter of immigrants, I recognize the privileged position I am in compared to my cousins and family in Guatemala City. I have seen first hand how my cousins in Guatemala have struggled with their education. With unqualified teachers and hidden fees flooding the public school system, expensive private schools, and corruption prioritizing self-interest over quality education; Latin American countries treat quality education as a privilege for the elite, not a right. I plan to make a change in this system by studying Music Education and Music Performance in order to start a non-profit in Latin America that focuses on bringing a free quality k-12 education to students that focuses on both academics and the arts. The reason why I want to study Music Education for this is because as a musician, I know the crucial role the arts play in a child's development, and that any k-12 education is incomplete without it, so I want to have the skillset necessary to teach in the nonprofit I plan to start. Majoring in Music Education would give me the training and resources I need in order to teach and to be able to give a quality education to students. Not only that, but the reason I want to double major in Music Performance is because by also studying Music Performance, I would have the opportunity to network with others that could help me reach my goals of starting a non-profit. I understand the privilege of my situation of having had a free public education that allowed me to learn how to play an instrument. And as someone who comes from a lower economic background, I know what it is like to be behind your peers because of your economic situation, which fuels me with the motivation to help bridge this gap of education. Receiving a higher education would help me reach these goals of helping my community in order to make sure no student gets left behind.
Simon Strong Scholarship
At 8 years old, my mom had a stroke that left her bed ridden for six years. That day, I had stayed home from school, and I was helping my mom clean the kitchen, when all I remember was that I saw her stumble back and fall down. She fell on top of me suffering from her stroke. After struggling for about five minutes, I was able to squeeze myself out from under her and quickly called my dad. My mom was admitted to the hospital that same day. When my dad got home, he sat me down at the kitchen table and explained to me that I might never see my mom again. Over the six years we had this conversation multiple times and he would always end it the same way, “but life keeps on going, and it won’t stop for anyone, you keep on trying to better yourself and things will get better. Al mal tiempo, buena cara (to a bad time, good face)” My parents are undocumented Latino immigrants, so we have no family in this country to count on, our neighborhoods struggled with addiction, and my sister, like many people going through a hard situation, withdrew and was rarely home. That left me and my dad. For as long as I could remember, my dad has been the sole provider in my family, working extreme hours in order to make ends meet, not coming home until 2am. That left me as the only person who could respond for myself. For the two months my mom was in the hospital, I followed the recipes she had taught me to make lunch and dinner for me and my family, cleaned the house, and left everything ready so my dad could just come home and sleep. When we ran out of groceries, my dad would take me to the store and I bought what we needed to continue on. The words my dad told me were engraved in my head, so I excelled in school, joined advanced academic classes and the band program. When my mom was discharged, she had just recently relearned how to eat, and go to the bathroom by herself. Besides taking care of her and running the household, l learned to play the tuba by watching youtube videos, and developed a system. I would wake up at 5:00am, eat breakfast, make food for my mom and feed her breakfast. I would wake up my dad at 7:40 and get to school at 8. I did homework at school, fed my mom, practiced my instrument when I got home, cleaned the house, then put my dad’s dinner in the fridge. Things weren’t easy, but they became my new normal, and my mom made a full recovery by the time I got to high school. I wouldn’t wish the situation I lived through on anybody, but it changed my perspective, by making me much more compassionate and loving towards others, aiming to become the neighbor I didn’t have at the time. It made me want to help others who like me were trying to succeed while struggling through adversity. The advice I would give to someone going through adversity is that there is only so much you can control, and that you can’t let those problems bring you down. Life keeps on going and nothing will stop for anyone. Trying to control those aspects of life that you can control, and letting go of the rest is half the battle. Al mal tiempo, buena cara.
Marshall and Dorothy Smith Music Scholarship
As a first generation college student from a low income family and daughter of immigrants, I have been trying to find opportunities to surpass myself since middle school. So in 6th grade, when I saw that I had the chance to learn an instrument, and borrow one for free, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I didn’t know what I was going to do with music, but I found music fun and saw that being in the school band was a free opportunity, so I took it. My parents didn’t have the funds to pay for the private lessons and the classes I needed in order to become the musician I wanted to be, so I began learning my instrument through videos on Youtube. As I grew older, I realized that I needed professional guidance in order to become a better musician, but I also knew that my local high school didn’t have the opportunities I was looking for in music. So, after researching and auditioning, I ended up attending Los Angeles Country High School for The Arts my freshman and sophomore years of high school, and California School of the Arts my junior and senior year, in order to receive strong academic classes and instruction from professional musicians. I took advantage of my conservatory classes as well as auditioned for and received the Herbert Zipper Scholarship at The Colburn School CSPA my freshman year of high school. This allowed me to take additional Music Theory, Ensemble classes, Chamber music, and private lessons on the weekends. Although this caused my schedule to be packed, it made me realize the love that I have for music and how thankful I was for the community around me for helping me make this happen. At this point in my musical career I felt in my own life the positive impact that having an arts education alongside a quality academic education can have in a student, and I also knew that many people even in my own family did not have the same opportunities. My cousins in Guatemala City who were struggling with their education because of the unqualified teachers flooding the public school system, and corruption prioritizing personal gain over quality education. This led me to have the goal of starting a non-profit in Latin America that focuses on bringing a free quality k-12 education to students that focuses on both academics and the arts. Now, I am going to college to study Music Education and Music Performance at Northern Arizona University in order to receive the training and gain the performing skills necessary in order to become a qualified teacher and great musician that can give a quality education to students in underserved communities. I plan to start teaching and giving private lessons while I am in college in order to start gaining teaching experience in music, as well as audition in order to become a well-known name in the music industry. While I am building this career, I plan to start meeting the people necessary that can help me achieve my goals of starting this nonprofit. I hope to receive a Doctorate in Music Education and after receiving this degree, start actively working on starting my non-profit in Latin America, because at the end of the day, music doesn't have a border.
Julie Holloway Bryant Memorial Scholarship
“I’m sorry but I don't understand” “How do you not understand English? You are an English teacher” I was on a call with my cousin's English teacher from Guatemala City, asking her why she had failed my cousin in her class. I had personally helped him understand the language, and he showed me his test; it was perfect. Originally, I spoke in Spanish. I wanted to be respectful, but she had an arrogant attitude and refused to explain herself because she told me I would be “incapable of understanding.” As a daughter of undocumented immigrants living in a lower economic background, I’ve gotten used to people trying to look down on me for being in a less privileged situation. I was also taught to have my head held high, and not let others humiliate me. So, changed my approach and told her in English, “I do understand, all I am trying to do is learn what you are looking for so I could tutor him better next time.” She didn’t respond, and after I pressured her, she confessed she didn’t understand me. The English teacher did not speak English. Being bilingual in a Spanish speaking family has designated me as the family's translator, English tutor, and, in this case, lawyer. Although having to wear so many hats can be challenging, I’ve always loved being bilingual. I have always loved helping others, and being bilingual not only allowed me to connect with people and have a useful job skill, but also allowed me to help my family and people in my community. Allowing me to form instant friendships with people because we spoke the same language. The reason I speak Spanish (albeit with an accent) is because I grew up surrounded by the language and my mom taught me how to spell and read in Spanish. I learned English because of the country I grew up in. But my third language, music, I learned because of the education I received. I learned to play an instrument in a public middle school since I saw it as a free opportunity, which allowed me to excel in school, reach new fluency in the two languages I already spoke, and receive opportunities I could only dream of. But, I have seen how my cousins in Guatemala City struggle with their education. Not only with English and arts, but math and science. At first, I thought it was an issue of them not paying attention in class, but they can’t learn from someone that is unqualified for the job. This leads to those kids growing up uneducated, and unable to get the certifications needed to get out of the financial situation they are in, so when they grow up, they send their kids to the same type of school because that is all they can afford, starting the cycle of poverty all over again. Coupled with the corruption in the Latin American school system prioritizing self-interest over quality education, Latin American countries treat quality education as a privilege for the elite, not a right. However, it doesn't have to be that way. I plan to start a non-profit in Latin America that focuses on bringing a free quality K-12 education to students that focuses on both academics and the arts. Being trilingual paved the way for me to have these aspirations, allowing me to have the skillset necessary to teach, and speak my first language to students who like me want to make the world a better place.
“I Matter” Scholarship
In my upbringing, my parents didn’t have the funds to pay for music theory lessons, private lessons, ensembles, and all of the standard classes musicians take in order to become a musician. So, I was very thankful when in my freshman year of high school, I received a scholarship to attend the Colburn School Community School and even more when I received the Herbert Zipper Scholarship which allowed me to receive the instruction I needed to become the musician I want to become. In order to give back to my musical community, I volunteered as a Summer Encounter Camp Counselor at The Colburn School the summer before my sophomore year. In this program my responsibilities included taking care of a group of eight-year-olds by taking them from class to class, and filling in by teaching a class whenever there was a scheduling issue with the teachers supposed to be teaching them. I participated in hour-long meetings with the program organizers in order to discuss the students and at the end of the program discussed which students I believed deserved to receive a scholarship in a particular art. This scholarship would include a well-rounded art training at The Colburn School until they graduate high school. Not only that, but even at my every day highschool, California School of the Arts, I actively helped my community by helping others understand concepts in the Dual Enrollment English class I was in, and as a Spanish Speaker, helped students who had learned English as a second language in Accelerated Placement English classes that were struggling to understand the concepts they needed for the class and for the test. I also helped lead warm-ups in my Brass Methods class under the guidance of my conservatory director when I told him of my goals of becoming a teacher. I recognize that I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help, guidance, and support from my teachers, and mentors, however, I also wouldn’t be here if it wasn't for the Latino and Hispanic community who fought tirelessly in order to ensure their place in this country, and my parents, who although not knowing the language and being undocumented immigrants, worked tirelessly to make sure me and my sister had the support we needed to fulfill our goals. So, in June and July, when my home county of LA became I.C.E’s hunting grounds, I knew I couldn’t stay silent, and protested downtown with my brothers and sisters on February 2nd. I participated in a walk out of my school to express to those in power that I wouldn’t sit by watching such injustices happen. I helped my neighbors who were afraid to leave their homes by going grocery shopping for them, and providing emotional support.
Merilyn Delgado Student Profile | Bold.org