My family’s background in physical labor—construction, landscaping, and farming—has profoundly shaped my life. I respect their hard work and resilience, which inspired me to channel that effort into my passions: mathematics, engineering, and technology. Building my first computer felt like breaking through a wall. I realized that technology wasn’t just something to observe; it was something I could actively participate in. After school, I immersed myself in online resources and tutorials about CPUs, which run programs; GPUs, which render graphics; and motherboards, which connect components. As I pieced together the components and watched the computer come to life, I felt exhilarated. This project ignited a fire that led me to explore advanced concepts like artificial intelligence and machine learning, which rely heavily on mathematical algorithms. To further expand my skills, I enrolled in an AP Computer Science class, where I learned JavaScript and developed apps. I recall assisting an underclassman with an app to track daily water intake. He struggled to implement functions that calculate water consumption and set reminders. When he encountered errors, I helped him troubleshoot by explaining how to read error messages. For example, when a function for calculating average intake wasn’t returning the expected output, I noticed he used the wrong variable name. After correcting it, we rewrote the function, ensuring it properly iterated through the entries, allowing the app to accurately calculate and display the average intake. Then the app was able to successfully calculate the average water intake and return the correct output. This experience reminded me of my freshman year, when upperclassmen in my Algebra 2 class helped me adjust after returning to in-person school from online classes. Being able to assist my classmate made me feel proud, as I became that helpful upperclassman for someone else. As a first-generation Mexican American, I understand the barriers that exist for underrepresented communities in STEM. Only about 8% of STEM workers in the U.S. are Hispanic, and I want to help change that. Pursuing a degree in computer science and engineering will allow me to bridge this divide and bring more representation to the field. I plan to mentor students in my community, sharing my experiences to show them that technology isn’t out of reach. Whether through tutoring, outreach programs, or simply leading by example, I hope to inspire the next generation to embrace mathematics and technology with confidence. My journey—from building my first computer to developing applications—has shown me the power of persistence and knowledge. Now, I am determined to use my education to create opportunities for others, proving that we can succeed in careers that use both our minds and our hands.

As a first-generation Mexican American, I faced the unique challenge of navigating the U.S. educational system without family guidance. My parents, who dropped out of school at young ages to support their families, were unable to provide the academic support that I saw my peers receive. This left me to handle complex subjects and unfamiliar processes nervously on my own. We only speak Spanish at home, so the lack of exposure made advanced English courses, such as AP Language and AP Literature and Composition, especially difficult. I felt behind in my analysis and writing abilities, but I was determined to succeed. Mathematics also presented challenges; concepts like related rates in AP Calculus AB and infinite series in AP Calculus BC were tough. Knowing that no one at home could help added to my anxiety, but I sought support by staying after school for tutoring with my math teacher Ms. Serrano. My parents, though unaware of the stress I experienced, were always encouraging. After school, I spent hours processing payments to keep finances in order and managing client scheduling, which ate away at my study time. While out washing a deck on weekends, I often pictured the assignments I hadn’t been able to start. At school, my mind drifted to unfinished work or invoices I still needed to send for my dad. The pressure initially felt overwhelming, so I learned to step back and regroup when dealing with too much at once. Despite these challenges, my hard work paid off as I earned the title of AP Scholar, passing all my exams with strong scores. This experience profoundly shaped my outlook on education. I learned that education is not only a means to individual success but also a tool to uplift others. My struggles with language and complex academic subjects taught me resilience, self-advocacy, and the importance of seeking support when needed. These skills have fueled my determination to excel and to make higher education accessible for others in my community. In the future, I plan to use my education to give back to my community by providing mentorship and resources to students who, like me, navigate their educational journey without traditional support at home. Whether through tutoring or advocating for accessible educational programs, I aim to help others see challenges as opportunities for growth. My personal growth is one of my proudest achievements and has solidified my commitment to not only pursuing higher education but also ensuring that my community benefits from the opportunities I create.

My family’s background in physical labor—construction, landscaping, and farming—has profoundly shaped my life. Their hard work and resilience have always inspired me, but it was through my own experiences with mathematics that I discovered a passion that felt uniquely mine. From a young age, I was captivated by the idea that math could solve real-world problems. Whether it was figuring out how much paint was needed for a deck restoration or calculating the dimensions of a room to help my dad with estimates, math was always there, guiding my decisions. However, it wasn't until I encountered more advanced concepts in high school that I truly began to appreciate the beauty of mathematics. When I first started learning calculus, the idea of using mathematical principles to solve complex problems fascinated me. Concepts like derivatives and integrals felt like unlocking a new language that explained the world around me. I spent hours working through problems, trying to understand how small changes could lead to significant results. This curiosity expanded when I explored more advanced topics, like infinite series and related rates in AP Calculus, where math began to feel like a puzzle I couldn't stop solving. My passion for math grew even further when I realized that mathematics wasn't just about solving problems on a page. It was a tool I could use to understand and shape the world. I found myself drawn to the patterns and structures that appeared in everything, from physics to computer science. I loved how mathematics could model real-world phenomena and provide solutions to challenges in technology and engineering. My journey with math has been one of discovery and growth. It’s not just about numbers and equations—it’s about finding connections, solving problems, and thinking critically. This love for math has given me a sense of purpose and direction, and I’m excited to continue exploring its depths as I pursue a career in fields where I can apply mathematical concepts to make a meaningful impact. It’s a passion that not only shapes who I am but also drives me toward what I hope to achieve in the future.

As a first-generation Mexican American, I faced the unique challenge of navigating the U.S. educational system without family guidance. My parents, who dropped out of school at young ages to support their families, were unable to provide the academic support I saw my peers receive. This left me to handle complex subjects and unfamiliar processes on my own. We only speak Spanish at home, and the lack of exposure to English outside of school made advanced courses, such as AP Language and Composition and AP English Literature, especially difficult. I struggled with math concepts like related rates in AP Calculus AB and infinite series in AP Calculus BC. The weight of it all felt daunting, especially knowing that no one at home could help. But in the midst of this, I turned to something that had always been a constant source of strength: my faith. Daily reflection became part of my routine, helping me find peace during times of stress and uncertainty. I also sought support by staying after school for tutoring with my math teacher, Ms. Serrano, and tried to balance my time as best as I could. While my parents were unaware of the stress I was facing, they always encouraged me to keep going, even though they couldn’t help academically. After school, I spent hours helping with the family business, processing payments and managing client schedules. Weekends often found me washing decks, with thoughts of unfinished assignments and invoices still hanging over me. The pressure felt overwhelming at times, but my faith reminded me that perseverance in the face of adversity was part of the journey. I learned to step back, look for guidance in myself, and regroup when things felt like too much. Despite these challenges, my hard work paid off as I earned the title of AP Scholar, passing all my exams with strong scores. Looking back, I realize how much my faith, combined with the determination I inherited from my parents, shaped my success. My parents, who worked tirelessly despite their own lack of education, set an example of strength and sacrifice that inspired me. Their struggles became a foundation for my own drive to push forward. My commitment to pursuing higher education stems not only from my desire to succeed for myself but also from my intent to honor my parents' legacy. With faith as my guide, I’m determined to ensure their sacrifices were not in vain.