My name is Merlina Moreno currently an undergraduate student at Cal State Bakersfield pursuing my first Bachelor's degree in Sociology. I took time off from school to have my family but returned stronger then ever to finish what I started. I am 29 years old, live in Tulare , CA and have two beautiful daughters that are my motivation to continue. I work full time and attend classes online with one class being in person therefore, commuting to the main campus in Bakersfield, CA twice a week. My parents immigrated from Mexico to the U.S. to have more opportunities. I was raised that hard work pay off in the long run and to excel academically in school. School was always emphasized as important and to do better given my parents never had a formal education in their country. We are five siblings with me being first generation college graduate and soon first generation to graduate from a University. My parents taught as to do our best in school and never to give up so easily. My parents immigrated from Mexico to have better opportunities for their children and I feel proud to be of Hispanic heritage. My parents start in the U.S. was not easy always having others look down on them and their children. My parents didn't know the English language and struggled throughout their start in the U.S. I was born in the U.S. but I embrace my Hispanic side through traditions and a high work ethic. I motivate my family by showing that anything is possible and to see that I am closer to accomplishing my goal of obtaining a Bachelor's degree. I always encourage my younger relatives to try their best in school and to embrace their Hispanic side because there is so much history that others have accomplished and for that to be their motivation to do their best. History has shown some great persons that have done great things and I hope to someday accomplish that for my community. I come from immigrated parents that taught me to excel in school and to have a high work ethic. By 2024 I will graduate from Cal State Bakersfield with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and further my education to obtain a master's degree in Social Work. Working full time and a mother of two I am accomplishing my goal and to inspire my family to continue their education.

My name is Merlina Moreno and I am currently an undergraduate at CalState Bakersfield. I graduated from Bakersfield college in 2015 with an Associate in science in Human services and continued to CalState Bakersfield University to pursue my first Bachelor's degree in Sociology. When I was in high school I had goals to further my education being first in my family to graduate from college and soon from a University. I took time off in my education to have my two children. I returned back to CalState Bakersfield in 2022 and just completed my second semester with Fall 2022 as a returning student. I currently work full time and for this past Fall 2022 semester I decided to take three courses instead of two. I challenged myself in order to finish with my estimate graduation date being for Spring 2024. I will continue for Spring 2023 with also enrolled in three courses and one in person. This Fall 2022 semester was a challenge due to needing to commute to campus to take an in person class and the other two courses online. I currently work in Hanford Ca and drove twice a week to Bakersfield for the in person class. This Fall semester was a challenge with driving, being unpaid from work to attend the in person class and getting home late with only interacting with my children for a few hours. There were times when I wanted to give up due to being so tried. I enjoy school and to continue my learning. I have always been a great student and continue that mentality and drive even from taking time off from school. I knew I had to return back to school to finish what I had started. I returned back to school more determined and knowing that I will soon be able to graduate with my first Bachelor's degree in Sociology. I have many goals and one of those goals is further continue for a Master's degree in Social work. All my sacrifice that I am doing will show when my name is called to receive that Bachelor's degree. My family are also my motivation to continue my education for my children to be proud of me. Also to demonstrate that anything is possible with determination. I will contine my education to one day getting a Master's degree in Social work as well. There are so many goals that I need to accomplish with determination I will reach those goals.

My name is Merlina Moreno and I am currently an undergraduate at Cal State Bakersfield with my goal of graduating with my first Bachelor's degree in Sociology. My estimate graduation will be by Spring 2024. I previously was attending back in 2019 but took time off to have my two beautiful daughters. I returned back to Cal State for Spring 2022 and just completed my second semester as a returning student for Fall 2022 semester. It was not easy returning back to school being a full time worker and taking my daughter's to daycare. This Fall semester was a difficult one due to commuting to Bakersfield to take in person class. I currently live in Tulare, work in Hanford and commuted twice a week to the Bakersfield campus. My job understood that my education was important and allowed me to take the time unpaid to attend my in person class. There were some challenges that came with driving to the main campus. For one was gasoline, not getting paid the hours I left from work to go to class and daycare for my daughter's. There were times when I wanted to give up due to being so tried with working, taking on three courses with one being in person, coming home late and only being able to interact with my children for a few hours and also studying as well. These challenges did not prevent me from continuing my education. During COVID 19 I was able to work from home but then came the time to transition back to in person and leaving my hildren at daycare. All those personal emotions was not easy but knowing I had to work and also needing to return back to school in order to obtain a better paying job and to be more local in my area of Tulare. I always have determination to better myself and for my family. I have a high work ethic and goals that I strive to achieve. I will be first from my family to graduate from a University therefore my family are my motivation to continue so I can show my family anything is possible with determination to reach ones goals. As a mother of two, working full time, taking on three courses, studying and making time for self care is alot of work but all that I am doing, I know that my goals will be reached.

These few years after COVID have affected me and my family in many ways. Personally becoming a mother during the pandemic has inspired me to continue striving for the best version I can me. Currently I am attending CalState Bakersfield, work full time and have two beautiful daughters. My daughters give me strength to continue with me education. I have become more patient with situations that are out of my control. Before it was difficult to control my patience I have learned to take things one at a time and to meditate. Before I would loose my patience and that is something that is not good for my health. Before becoming a mother I already was attending CalState Bakersfield but took time off to focus on motherhood. I returned to work and returned to school to accomplish my goal of graduating with my Bachelor's in Sociology. I have about a year and half left and I can see the finish line already. I have always been driven to do my best personally, with work and school. My self journey started during COVID being isolated from family and friends. Also being pregnant and being worried of the unknown. Once my first daughter was born all those worries washed away with this tiny person counting on me for everything. I knew I had to improve personally now going on three year after COVID is still in process. Self journey discovery never ends, it is a continuing process throughout ones life. Certain events in life prompts change either positively or negatively. I continue to work on myself while having so many things on my plate. I manage with everything that I have going on in order to have a better career path. My self journey is on the works to be a better version of myself for my family and myself. My drive to continue my goals motivate me to do my best and be positive for the future. My future is bright with my family giving me that extra push to continue and having their support is a great motivator. I will not stop just at my Bachelor's I also plan to continue to the master's program. My goals are attainable with effort, support of my family and my drive to conitue. I will an inspiration to my children to look up to when they set their goals for their futures to come.

How can I make a change in my eating habits? My poor eating habits began since childhood. The store was a short walking distance and right across the school. I remember I would always go to the store and buy junk food like chips, soda and chocolate. My friends, cousins and siblings will always go with me to the store and always share their food purchases woth me. Also another factor was the cooking of my mother. My mother never encouraged healthy eating and my poor eating habits started since early childhood. Currently there are many factors that do not help with changing my eating habits. There are many fast food restaurants that close to where I live or by my work where I can grab something quick to eat. Sometimes I don't have time to cook a healthy meal and eating out is easier. That is also something I am currently changing. I try to eat out once a month or twice a month. Also incorporating meal prepping to take to work or have for dinner. I want to change so my health can improve and be more active for my children. To be able live a more healthier lifestyle not just for me but for my children. I have always tried to change my unhealthy eating habits but always have failed. Now in my late twenties I want to restart that journey to improve my lifestyle. I want to adopt a healthy lifestyle for my children in order for them no experience my unhealthy past. Some changes that I can change is my diet that includes to change little eating habits. I will drink more water and minimize sugary drinks and eating out less. I have also implemented to eating out less or ordering more healthier versions of food. I will also exercise more and incorporate that to a better healthier lifestyle. Exercising will give me more energy in order to have more energy for my children. I can maintain this change by having the encouragement of my family and my kids being my motivation to keep going. Change will not be easy but it can be accomplished having the right motivation and mindset to achieve such goals. To have a healthy lifestyle is not easy to have but it can be accomplished. I will try and continue on this life changing journey to have a better healthier life.

The lost of my father has shaped my view of the world drastically. I lost my father five years ago to an illness that changed my perspective of the world. I viewed the world as a young energetic woman. I worked, I had a routine of life. My parents were very supportive of my schooling and always pushed me strive for my goals. My father got sick quickly and in a matter of months the illness took him from us. The lost of my father is without words but a feeling of raw pain I carry all the time with me. His passing was unexpected and my life was never the same. I continued my life as best I could knowing that my father would be pushing me to continue work and my schooling. His passing did have impact on me but at the same time gave more motivation to make him proud. My father always motivated me to finish my school being first of my family to complete college and to be an undergraduate at a Cal State University. I learned that life is unexpected to cherish my family and friends. I learned to see the world as a world where we come and go. The world is a very complicated and at times stressful but full of wonderful things as well. Sometimes I like to stare at the sky and remember the happy moments of my father. Those happy moments make me happy and the pain at bay. Also looking at the night sky or the rainbow after the rain brings happy moments and memories to me. Now I view the world as a woman, a woman who lost her father that many would not understand the pain but a woman determined to overcome challenges and the goals to accomplish.

The loss of a loved one is a very devastating thing to the heart. I have lost a very loved memeber of my family and that is the loss of my father. My father was a healthy strong man but his health declined quickly. It was very sad to see my father in those conditions. One day he was a very happy man always smiling to showing a face of defeat. I never imagined losing a parent. I thought my parents will always be with me and never thought of ever losing one of them. When I lost my father I saw the world as not worth living for it. But I would remember my father telling me always encouraging me to try my best at school to show that anything can be done with determination. My experience has taught me that life is truly short and unexpected at times. That with great loss comes great determination to continue and make that loved one proud. I always do my best in my job, schooling and family because that is what my father would tell me. With the loss of my father I have continued my schooling in order to achieve my goal of obtaining my Bachelor's degree being the first in my family to achieve such achievement. I know my father would be proud of my achievements to come.

What does joy mean to me? Joy in my personal definition is happiness. Joy is what makes one happy and brings a smile to ones face. Joy is a feeling where the bad is forgotten. Being happy is a feeling of no worry or stress. My children and family are my joy. Coming home from an 8 hour shift at work and seeing my kids smile and happy to see me is an overall high joy I feel. Feeling happy is not always easy. To be honest sometimes stress does get to me but overall seeing my kids play, laugh, and smile bring so much joy to my heart that all the stress is forgotten. Joy is an important factor in live that one needs to feel because it makes the heart younger. Joy is an important aspect that one needs to feel in life amist this world we live in.

Being a parent has impacted my life immensely not just personal but in education as well. I am a mother of two and returned to school this semester of 2022. I took some off but once I had my children I knew I had to go back to finish. I had to finish my education for my children to inspire them in the future. Being a parent and working full time has limited my time for school but currently attending as a part time student. As a parent I have to give time to my kids and time for my classes. It has not been an easy journey but I am accomplishing little by little. I enjoy being a mother, working and going to school as well. By me finishing my schooling in order to obtain my Bachelor's degree in Sociology will aid is my families future. It will aid by me able to obtain a higher paying job. Currently, the economy is going up and in order to have a good paying job higher education is necessary to have. In having a higher paying job will aid in my families economic situation and their future as well. All this is for my children in order for them to see their mom as an inspiration. I want my kids to know that their mom had nights where she had to stay up to study and that I had to work in order to give them a decent childhood. My children are my inspiration and motivation to keep going and to obtain my Bachelor's degree. My goal has always been to obtain my Bachelor's degree and this scholarship will immensely help in that aspect. My children, my family are my number one supporters in me finishing my schooling to graduate one day.

I had many career goals growing up from being a doctor to being a teacher. My parents always encouraged me to do my best in school. My parents always and still push me to continue my schooling. These goals have changed as time went on. I graduated college and wanted to further my education in attending a University which has always been my goal. I am a first generation college graduate from my family. I am currently attending CalState Bakersfield to obtain my Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. My current career goal to obtain a job in social work where I can help my community. I was born and rasied in a small town with my parents being immigrants. As immigrants my parents didn't know resources that were available at that time. I currently work in childcare working with my community in helping families having access to childcare in order to work or go to school. Also in going out to the community and providing resources to these families that may need such resources. I work with a non profit that have so many resources available to the community which I am proud to be proud if. There are so many families that one does not know their story and with just aiding in some help is such a rewarding feeling. Being a mother and working full time and also being a part time student has given me ambition to continue. But unfortunately, being a part time student FAFSA does not cover all the tuition therefore I had to take out student loans to cover the other half of my tuition. Given I have to work and cannot be a full time student like I hoped for. This scholarship will help in not taking out another student loan for next semester. Also not having to take a personal loan as well. Being in debt and interest is stressful and worrisome at the same time. I have been fortunate that at this time I do not have to pay back my student loans but of course will have to once my schooling is done. This scholarship will immensely aid me in not being so stressed and know that this scholarship will help in paying my tuition for school for semesters to come. Furthering my education is an inspiration to my children knowing that their mom continued schooling in order to obtain her Bachelor's degree.

How would I convince my fellow peer to attend college? Many of my fellow peers do not attend college for many reasons. Some stated it was going to be too expensive, too long to complete or they were too scared of attending a college. I myself was a bit scarred to continue my schooling. But once I attended it has been a great experience for me. I always tell my friends or colleagues it is never to late to continue ones schooling. I tell them of my experience and how rewarding it makes me feel knowing that If I can do it they can do it as well. I tell them about scholarship opportunities available and FASFA as well. Also that one can take courses either in person or online. I work full time and have been able to take online courses. I tell my peers of how advisors help you and to answer any questions one has concerning courses. I go on to tell my peers that going to college and furthering my education aids in getting a better job and to know that one day I will have my Bachelor's degree to show my family and friends that it is possible to achieve.

How to change the system of education? Education is an emphasis since childhood to have our children on the right path. We start Kinder to graduating High School and think what is next in life. The education system after high school can be costly for some. Financial aid helps in so many ways. But as an adult one needs to work. Tuition is expensive and that is something that needs to changs. If Education is so important then colleges need to be free and everyone to have access to higher education after high school. This change will impact so many and future generations to come. One will not need to worry about getting school loans or not going to college because of the cost. Everyone having access to free education will benefit our future, in aiding to get better jobs because of free education. Free education will aid in many going to college and not worrying about the burden of cost.

There are many happy memories to choose from. For me a happy memory are of my father. The memories I most treasure are of him and me. I always remember all the happy memories. One memory I always treasure is when I was younger every weekend me and my father would walk to the store early in the morning. That was one of many happy memories because it was just me and my dad walking and talking along the way. I would always look forward to the weekend because I knew we would go to the store together.

Patience plays an important role on ones health. Being patient is important to me not just because it is great for my health but because being patient is a great asset. To be patient takes a great deal of practice. I have never been patient I always want things and people to get to the point. Being a parent sure did test my patience. As a mother of two I had to learn to be patient to know that my kids could not tell me what they needed and I had to figure out why they were crying and fullfill their needs. As a parent I could not let my impatience get the best of me Patience is a great asset. Being patient does not come without difficulty. There will be people or events in our lives that will test us. So learning to be patient is not only good for one's health but a grand virtue to have.