The United Nations reports that approximately 251 million children did not enroll in school in 2024. That's 251 million missed opportunities to cure cancer. 251 million missed opportunities to develop new renewable energy resources. 251 million missed opportunities to make our world a better place. Education shouldn't be a privilege; it should be a mandate, a right. Socioeconomic backgrounds shouldn't determine education or success. Millions of children are uneducated each year due to financial instability, child labor, and living in crisis-stricken communities. Honduras, where my family is from, has one of the lowest public education ratings in the world. Dropout percentages, poverty, and lack of literacy are still prevalent in Honduras, despite many efforts to expand and improve public education. My mother saw the lack of opportunity awaiting my sister and me, so she moved to America in hopes of us receiving a better education. To me, education means an opportunity to succeed. We all grow up constantly asking and being asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?", often changing answers every few months until we find our passion. I used to dislike the question, thinking it was annoying to have so many options and not know what to pick. I see now that some people can't even make this decision; they never got the chance to choose. I once asked my mom what she wanted to be. She said she wanted to own a restaurant. Unfortunately, my mom had to drop out of sixth grade to take care of her family and was never able to afford her own restaurant. I have changed my desired path many times, struggling to choose just one. To me, my education is a gift from my mom, but it shouldn't have to be. We deserve to live in a world where education is expected, supported, and available to whoever pursues it. The fact that we don't is what should make it even more valuable. Being a woman in STEM, I have faced unprecedented challenges that have only pushed me to try harder and prove my worth. Imposter syndrome, gender inequality, and financial insecurity have all made me doubt myself at some point. It's been a difficult journey, but ultimately I've discovered that I deserve, and have earned, my choice. That's why education is so valuable to me. It's an opportunity to choose who we want to be and become our best selves. Many feel burdened by this choice, but it's amazing to have it at all.

"Yo llegué aquí para que ustedes logren sus sueños." That’s what my mom tells us when my sister or I doubt the value of our education. In school, the path to success can get blurred, and we may stray off course. My family understands these hardships because we are still living them. Even when times get tough, our education comes first because we know it will give us a better future and set us up to accomplish our dreams, but that doesn't mean doubts go away. At the beginning of this school year, all I could think about was attorney fees and deportation rates, so I was not focused on learning things like integration in my calculus class. As a result, my grades started to drop. For the first time in my life, I was in danger of failing a class. My mom prayed and begged me to focus on my schoolwork, but no matter how hard I tried, I got stuck in a spiral of overthinking. After a few weeks of talking with teachers, counselors, and social workers, I slowly started to feel like myself again. I began to reassess how I was reacting to my family’s situation. My senior year has brought both the lowest lows and the highest highs of my life. It may sound hyperbolic, but it is true. During that time, the one thing that helped me most was thinking about my younger self. When I was in kindergarten, I knew no English and had to learn from scratch. It was not easy. I often think about the sense of ignorant bliss that comes with being a kid. I do not know exactly when that feeling disappeared. Maybe it was when I translated my first legal document, scheduled doctor appointments by myself, or noticed the mean looks from ICE agents at court. All I know is that bliss is gone, but the memory of it still motivates me. My mom says that when I was younger, I wanted to be a doctor. I also remember loving to read, and I still do, and being certain that I wanted to be an author. Then I wanted to be a teacher, and my goals kept changing until I eventually settled on engineering. No matter the career, they all had one thing in common: continued education. Every path leads back to college, which is why I have known since I was little that I wanted to go. Graduating from college as a first-generation Hispanic daughter of a single mother means more to me than words can express. It feels like butterflies in your stomach, a lump in your throat, and your vision blurring just thinking about it. It means seeing all of our hard work come into fruition. My mom never placed unrealistic expectations on my sister or me, but I would like to think we have exceeded them. I will leave high school having led four clubs, completed a NASA internship, participated in the prestigious Girls State program, been the Speaker of the House at a Hispanic Leadership Program (PR/HYLI), and more. This reflects the work ethic and determination my mother has instilled in us. My extracurriculars take more time and effort than simply cruising through high school, but they also make me feel like I am leaving a lasting impact. They have taught me what it means to go beyond the bare minimum and truly challenge myself. I will not graduate with regrets because I know I have made the most out of the stepping stone that is high school, and I am ready for college.

My mom used to say I needed to be more serious - that I had to take advantage of any opportunity I had, and so I did. What I did not do, however, was stop smiling. My entire life, I've tried to keep a smile on my face and use laughter as a way to lift myself up. As someone who runs four clubs, takes AP courses, and has a part-time job, my joy is sometimes the only thing that keeps me going (along with the occasional coffee run). I think life is an opportunity to live with no limits. Hearing about Kalia's story, I imagine she was stressed at times with school and track, but I can also imagine that as her stress grew, so did her smile - and that’s what I strive for every day. I am the president of a club called Letters for Rose at my school, where we create artwork for the elderly in nursing homes with the sole purpose of bringing a smile to their faces. As someone who hasn't seen her grandparents face-to-face in over 13 years, I hope to make the lives of others just a little sweeter. I know Kalia would love Letters for Rose and all it stands for, because people like her leave behind a lasting legacy that inspires others to be a little more like them in their own lives. While I have been accepted into a few universities I would like to attend, I am not sure I will be able to afford them. In my free time, I write essays for scholarships to lessen the financial load on my single mom, especially since she lost her full-time job a few months ago. The financial hardship has grown with my plans to attend college, but I know my mom doesn't want us to worry, and our education is her top priority. However, it would be selfish of me not to apply to scholarships such as this one to help my family. When I read Kalia's story, it resonated with me because even when we are going through tough times, we need to remind ourselves of our ultimate goals and stay motivated to achieve them. If I receive this scholarship, it will go directly toward my undergraduate studies and help me achieve my lifelong goal of attending college. I hope to major in mechanical/aerospace engineering and work on spacecraft in the future. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to be part of Kalia's legacy and for spreading happiness to those around us.

As an aspiring aerospace engineer, I am interested in developing technologies that make space more accessible and practical, such as advanced propulsion systems and sustainable habitats. While space exploration is often seen as distant, private companies have already begun transforming it into a commercial industry. I want to contribute to that shift by turning innovative ideas into real-world solutions. I want to be part of scientific breakthroughs and make those seemingly unrealistic sci-fi movies come to life. In recent years, I’ve realized that I naturally think in terms of solutions. Whether it’s designing futuristic habitats or simple everyday products, I am constantly identifying problems and imagining ways to improve them. Entrepreneurship allows me to take those ideas beyond imagination and turn them into something tangible that can benefit others. I think there's never a bad place to start when following your dreams. We are so conditioned to put ourselves down that it can be very hard to believe in our goals. Amidst pursuing my goals, I've tried everything my school has to offer: I played the violin, was on the tennis and badminton team, took AP courses, yet the thing I love the most are my extracurricular activities. I'm president of 4 clubs at my school, and while I'm always busy, running around, I love creating opportunities and, putting it bluntly, being in charge. I know I can be responsible, and I'm not afraid to put myself out there. As president of four clubs, I’ve learned how to build and manage organizations. By promoting through posters and word of mouth, I grew one club to over 200 members, which required communication, organization, and persistence, skills essential in business. Additionally, I helped raise over $600 for scholarships through fundraising efforts, where I focused on maximizing participation and resources, similar to how a business maximizes profit and efficiency. I have come a long way from the shy little girl in kindergarten who couldn't speak a word of English. My confidence isn't conceited; it's years of resolve, molding me to believe in myself. I've gone through my fair share of challenges in life, but I refuse to let them hold me back from living. I will be successful not simply because I work hard, but because I take initiative and follow through. I have already demonstrated this by building organizations, leading large groups, and taking risks in putting my ideas into action. My willingness to step outside my comfort zone, from overcoming a language barrier to leading hundreds of peers, has prepared me to navigate the uncertainty that comes with entrepreneurship. To me, a successful life is one where I have taken risks, created meaningful impact, and pursued my goals without hesitation. It means not only achieving personal success but also building something that improves the lives of others. I want to look back without “what ifs,” knowing I fully committed to my ambitions.

As I repeat "Hello ma'am/ sir, how is your day going? Would you like a bag?" for the hundredth time, I remember my calculus homework; I need to brush up on my derivatives. I then remember my dirty laundry; 3 hours at the laundromat will set me behind schedule. I also remember my English project that I need to continue. That's just the tip of the iceberg. When I get home from work, it's time to tackle all of the problems mentioned above, and many, many more. My room is filled with to-do lists and schedules --- things organized in order of importance and due dates. Sometimes, when I go to school with large bags under my eyes and have to drink 2 energy drinks to stay awake for my math test, I wish I didn't have to work. I don't dislike my job, and the money definitely helps, but the hours are long. New York state says I can't work more than 28 hours a week. Sometimes I cut it too close. I want to be able to balance my school and job because I need both of them. Scholarships would help to ensure I have some money to fall back on for school and future education, while ensuring I can cut down on my hours and not be so worn out. I would love to spend more time doing the extracurriculars I enjoy and being able to hang out with my friends guilt-free. I can't quit my job because, as a daughter of a single mom with an older sister in college, I'm expected to pay for my own education. My sister and I both know that our mom can't afford it, and federal grants don't cover all costs associated with continued education, so we have our jobs to try and save money to pursue our desired careers. We know our mom is trying her best, and we have to work hard to make her and ourselves proud of all our efforts. I want to go to college without worries of financial instability so that I can get my master's in aerospace engineering. I would love to help engineer spacecraft and, hopefully, get a job at NASA. At the moment, I am in 2 after-school programs that help me learn more about careers and education in STEM, and even more clubs that have helped me narrow down what I want to do after high school.

As I repeat "Hello ma'am/ sir, how is your day going? Would you like a bag?" for the hundredth time, I remember my calculus homework; I need to brush up on my derivatives. I then remember my dirty laundry; 3 hours at the laundromat will set me behind schedule. I also remember my English project that I need to continue. That's just the tip of the iceberg. When I get home from work, it's time to tackle all of the problems mentioned above, and many, many more. My room is filled with to-do lists and schedules --- things organized in order of importance and due dates. Sometimes, when I go to school with large bags under my eyes and have to drink 2 energy drinks to stay awake for my math test, I wish I didn't have to work. I don't dislike my job, and the money definitely helps, but the hours are long. New York state says I can't work more than 28 hours a week. Sometimes I cut it too close. I want to be able to balance my school and job because I need both of them. Scholarships would help to ensure I have some money to fall back on for school and future education, while ensuring I can cut down on my hours and not be so worn out. I would love to spend more time doing the extracurriculars I enjoy and being able to hang out with my friends guilt-free. I can't quit my job because, as a daughter of a single mom with an older sister in college, I'm expected to pay for my own education. My sister and I both know that our mom can't afford it, and federal grants don't cover all costs associated with continued education, so we have our jobs to try and save money to pursue our desired careers. We know our mom is trying her best, and we have to work hard to make her and ourselves proud of all our efforts. I want to go to college without worries of financial instability so that I can get my master's in aerospace engineering. I would love to help engineer spacecraft and, hopefully, get a job at NASA. At the moment, I am in 2 after-school programs that help me learn more about careers and education in STEM, and even more clubs that have helped me narrow down what I want to do after high school.

The United Nations reports that approximately 251 million children were not enrolled in school in 2024. That's 251 million missed opportunities to find a cure for cancer. 251 million missed opportunities to develop new renewable energy resources. 251 million missed opportunities to make our world a better place. My mom always told me that money doesn't buy happiness. I think she's right. She wouldn't be right, however, if she said money doesn't buy opportunity. A kid can be smart. They can be gifted. They can even be a genius, but if they can't afford school, or don't happen to be extremely lucky and fall under better financial circumstances than most, they'll miss out on the possibilities for their future. I'm not a genius, nor am I gifted, but I'm disciplined. I have opportunities, such as scholarships and grants, that aren't presented to other kids. If I could afford to go to school, I would have a fighting chance to make a positive change in the world. I'm not talking about doing the bare minimum; passing classes and getting my degree. I mean, treating my continued education as the holy grail that it is. Thanks to my single mom, I don't have to be one of those 251 million missed opportunities. But a university is not a public high school. We all know how hard it is on parents to pay for tuition and education fees, but can you imagine knowing your parents can't help? My mom told us very early on that she wouldn't pay for our college tuition. It's not that she doesn't want to;1 her biggest hope for us is to continue our education, but she barely earns enough to pay our rent and bills. Me and my older sister each have jobs. My sister is paying for her own degree. I am expected to do the same. That's why I write essays like this one at 11:41 p.m., after I get back from work, after doing homework, after school. So that I can continue my education, continue "the grind" so that I don't become a missed opportunity.

How much is it? That was the question we asked whenever we bought anything. We weren’t poor, but we weren’t too comfortable either. As the years passed I learned to appreciate very thing we had, but that didn’t stop my inner child from dreaming to have the nice toys I saw on YouTube. Or the luxury cars we would pass on the highway. I'm only 14, but to quote MLKJ “I have a dream”. I want to go to college. I want to graduate high school and get into a good college, right here in America. My mom fought so hard to bring me and my sister here and I will ensure that I do whatever I can to make OUR dream come true. While getting into college may be a bit challenging, I know I can do it if I try. Which I will. Whilst I have thought deep into the future, I have thought deeper into the present. Right now I am doing everything I can to make sure that I get a good job that I enjoy. A job that I could only dream of getting in Honduras. I will break down any, and every obstacle I have to. I will study till the crack of dawn if it mean I can achieve my dream. My mom works harder than anyone I know. She comes form work, runs some errands, makes cleans, makes dinner, washes the dishes, and still has time to listen to OUR problems. I love my mom more than anything. She wishes nothing but the best for us, and I want to show her that we will get it. I want her to know that all that she has suffered is worth it. My mom deserves to be happy, and I know I can do that for her. I can make her even happier when I get into the college of my dreams. I will never stop trying. I will ALWAYS be grateful for every single sacrifice my mom has made to bring us to a country with a great education system. And I will take the most advantage of this education system that I can. I will breakthrough anything to get my mom and my family the happiness and satisfaction we deserve. I will NEVER give up.