My dream is to become a travel nurse and then specialize in pediatric nursing. This dream is deeply rooted in my personal struggles with scoliosis and my experience at Seattle Children's. You see, I've been through a lot with my scoliosis, and it has given me a unique perspective on the importance of healthcare and helping others. But it was my time at Seattle Children's that really opened my eyes to the incredible impact nurses can have on the lives of children. I want to contribute to making a difference in the lives of kids who are facing health challenges. Being able to bring comfort, care, and support to these young patients and their families is something that truly inspires me. And that's why becoming a travel nurse and then specializing in pediatrics is my ultimate goal. When it comes to how going to college will support this dream, there are a few different aspects to consider. Currently, I'm attending SPU, and I couldn't be more excited about it! By pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and completing my degree in 2026, I'll be equipped with the essential knowledge and skills needed to provide the best possible care for my future patients. College will provide me with a solid foundation in nursing theory, clinical practice, and critical thinking. It will teach me about the latest advancements in healthcare and give me hands-on experience through internships and clinical rotations. This education will be invaluable in preparing me to handle the unique challenges that come with being a nurse, especially in the field of pediatrics. But it's not just about the technical skills. Adding to this, the experience will also help me develop important qualities like empathy, compassion, and effective communication. These qualities are crucial when working with children and their families, as it's not just about treating their physical ailments but also providing emotional support and building trust. Being a first-generation student and the first-born in my family, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to pave the way for future generations. Going to college not only supports my dream but also sets an example for others in my community. It shows that with hard work, determination, and a supportive network, we can achieve our goals and make a positive impact on the world. As a nursing student, I have to maintain focus to effectively pass my courses and understand what it means to be a nurse. If I can have the opportunity to be relieved from some financial burden, it would be a dream come true.

I started Martial Arts when I was approximately 11 years old. My parents began looking into martial arts because I was severely bullied. I had moved to a predominantly white school, where my classmates treated me very differently. We visited multiple studios, but we chose impact martial arts because they focused on discipline and respect. Our Master had a more traditional approach than the other studios. He challenged our physical and mental abilities, while also helping us develop confidence and resilience. After around six months, I joined both the sparring and Poomsae classes. Poomsae developed my ability to control my movements and it worked my memory. I found peace in the ability to focus solely on the movements, and not have to think about anything else. The sparring class was the most rigorous, but most enjoyable class in my opinion. The master could be described as harsh or strict, but I do feel that his coaching helped me realize that being mentally vs. physically tired are two different things. I was able to find the strength to continue fighting even while feeling sore and bruised. While many difficult activities do not involve physical pain, they do require discipline to keep moving forward. In the 5 years that I spent doing martial arts (ended after covid), I feel that I learned more about myself and about how to strive for my goals than I had from anyone else. As an aspiring nursing student, I hold on to these experiences.

My health journey hasn't been a smooth one, but I feel like I've now found something that works for me. To maintain my mental health, I try to be outside as much as possible. Being a running start student makes it hard to find time to be away from my computer. I feel that spending so much time on homework, scholarships, essays and everything that happens on the computer during my senior year is very draining and definitely not healthy. I try to take breaks between classes and walk outside my neighborhood. Since the weather has been nice recently, I've been walking for 20 to 30 minutes each time. When I do this, I walk in silence. I do use music to relax and focus and also maintain my mental health, but I also spending time in silence can be a good way to avoid overstimulation. When it comes to my physical health, I do my best to stay active. Along with walking, I go to the gym. My community college has a free gym that I use, after my anatomy class and before public speaking. There, I am able to listen to music and focus on myself. When I'm stressed, I tend to do cardio for longer amounts of time. When I feel weak or just upset in general, I tend to lift more weights. After doing this, I feel refreshed. My mind feels less tense. Also, I attend classes and clubs at my high school. Fortunately, there is no bus to take me to school. I typically take a 25-minute walk every other morning to and from school. At home, we have limited transportation, so I've been walking to work in the mornings as well. Lastly, I wanted to mention my nutritional health. My mom has been very interested in everything food for a few years now. About two years ago during covid, I started an elimination diet. I was getting rashes, acne, and other issues. The elimination diet ended just a few months ago. I learned to live without sugars, processed flour, and processed oils. We try to find the best possible options when it comes to protein. Choosing grass-fed meats or wild-caught fish instead of farm-raised meats and fish. I very rarely consume grains, because they were one of the sources of my issues. During school season it has been harder to keep track of eating right, but I always try to maintain the same schedule I have in the summer. I don't skip meals, and I try to always eat dinner before 7pm. Personally, I used to struggle with dysmorphia and binge eating. I typically stay away from the kitchen to avoid eating when I don't need to. I eat my full three meals a day, full of proteins, vegetables, natural carbs, and fats. (I mean sweet potatoes and avocado) I feel that with diet, the facts are always changing. I do my best to maintain a balance, and continue to learn on ways to improve my nutritional, physical, and mental health.

Becoming a Nurse has been my dream for a few years now. I had always wanted to work in the medical field because I enjoyed science, helping others, and contributing to society. When I was younger, I assumed I would become a doctor, but that changed when I was a sophomore in high school. I was officially diagnosed* with mild scoliosis when I was nine years old. I sought help from multiple specialists, endured most of my entire middle school years wearing a thick back brace, and then went to physical therapy for a year. I could tell my curve was only getting worse, and my back pain was getting harder and harder to bear. My daily activities were limited. Then, we went to look for another opinion at Seattle Children's Hospital. The Doctor immediately scheduled a spinal fusion surgery. During the appointments before the surgery, during the pre-op and post-op areas, and after I was moved into a room to recover, I realized what huge impact nurses had on patients. While doctors made most of the bigger decisions and moved from patient to patient, I was moved by the attention and quality of care I received from the nurses. They made my stay as comfortable as possible, and I was eventually able to go home. Unfortunately, I had an accident when I went home, and I was rushed back to the hospital. The speed at which the nurses were working, and their attentiveness to my feelings while working was truly inspiring. I would like to pursue a specific nursing career in pediatrics. Working with children is something I enjoy, and being able to help them feel better is something I strive to do. I just recently attended a nursing camp at Seattle Children's Hospital, and I was able to shadow many nurses in different units and watch how they interact with patients and their families. I noticed their roles as nurses cover a lot of different aspects of providing care. Nurses provide medical insight, physical care, and even emotional support for the patient and their guardians. While I was staying at the hospital, I was initially nervous and even afraid to undergo a somewhat more complicated medical procedure. Thanks to the wonderful nurses who I met, they were able to ease my stress and make sure I would be able to go home safely. Thanks to them, I now have a straight spine and a strong motivation to become a nurse.

I have a love-hate relationship with food in general. I did not give much thought to what I was eating until the start of the pandemic (March 2020). I was struggling with different reactions around my entire body. They were not new, but no solution the Doctor gave us seemed to help. I applied multiple lotions, steroid creams, and extensive treatments. None of them helped me in the slightest. I endured drastic hormonal imbalances and even worse reactions from the strong ingredients in the lotions prescribed by my doctor. My mom and I were done. We were desperate for a solution and we were exploring alternatives. My mom also experienced reactions and she consulted a dermatologist. This was incredibly expensive and it did not solve any problems. After some research, we found a Nutritionist who specialized in skin problems and sensitivities. I have been on an ¨elimination diet¨ for a year now, and I have never seen more improvement. Everything in my diet was removed. To find what was causing my reactions, I was eating and drinking the bare minimum. Protein (pasture-raised eggs, grass-fed meat, organic chicken, wild-caught salmon), Vegetables (Organic Spinach, Brocolli, Arugula, Onion, Garlic, Asparagus, and Zucchini), Salt, Pepper, and water. During this process, I have learned so much about how crucial it is to eat the most natural foods. I never read the labels on anything, but now it is a good habit that I exhibit constantly. It is sad beyond words that animals can be bred and never see the light while living crowded and in their filth. It is horrible that they are purposefully fed corn which makes them sick. It is disgusting that they are accessible to everyone. It is nauseating that those diseases are transferred and can cause severe damage to humans. Yet, the industry continues to sell its meat. My regular diet also used to include packaged foods and processed flours. We did not know how harmful they could be. I have developed an eye for looking through products. There are so many toxic chemicals hidden in the food that we are advertised and advised to eat. Companies hide the use of these chemicals by giving them different names or generalizing them as ¨natural flavors. ¨ I was taught that so many foods were essential to my growth and development when all they did was hurt me and everyone else. One year later, I have gotten rid of my reactions. I am still on the elimination diet, but I have a more diverse collection of veggies to choose from. This experience has awoken a passion in me to help others achieve their goals and improve the quality of their lifestyles. The use of pesticides while growing crops is harmful to the environment and the consumer. The chemicals don´t ¨dissapear¨ from the vegetable once it is at your house on your plate. The toxins do not stay in the dirt either. They leave the soil and pollute the air we breathe. Neighborhoods residing around feedlots suffer from the quantity of animal waste that makes it into the water they drink and the pollution in the air. My Sole desire is to help others in every way I can. Spreading my knowledge of Nutrition would be taking the first step.

Being a first-generation student pursuing a career in the medical field has been a challenge. Along with the common obstacles one faces when applying to college, my disadvantage is not knowing. Since I am a first-born - first-generation student, I have to do individual research to find information that applies to me. If I don't, no one else will. My parents are both immigrants from Latin America. None of their advice applies to my situation. School in general, college, scholarships, GPA, and rank were a few of the many concepts that I researched myself. I did not have the same common knowledge as everyone else. Adding on to the responsibilities above, I also have immense pressure on my shoulders. My parents did the impossible to guarantee that I would experience the most successful future possible. This standard that I have to be my best self and help others as much as I can is stressful. It's something I feel very passionate about. My goals for the future founded on the values and experiences my parents influenced. My goals are focused on my desires, passions, and expectations. My dream is to become a Travel Nurse. I have a love for helping others and science. I want to be able to use my ability to speak different languages for a good cause. When I announced to my family that I had found a new and profound interest in pursuing a career in the medical field, they were very supportive. They were proud that I had chosen a profession that would change many lives. Their support is more meaningful than anything, but unfortunately, it cannot help me get into college. Without a guide, I constantly struggle with an abundance of inquiries. Most of which are personal. The answers can't be found by simply surfing the internet. I have reached out to some of the nurses in my area to find the answers I need. I was recently in for surgery. During this experience, I learned and heard multiple perspectives on nursing pathways and education. That situation, while being the most painful I've ever had, was also the most enlightening and helpful in pursuing my dreams. As a first-generation student pursuing a fulfilling career in the medical field, I have experienced an overload of stress and an extensive amount of research. If it means following my dream, I am determined to do whatever is necessary.

As a first-generation firstborn, I would describe my experience as “Stressful”. I am the oldest of my three siblings. My parents came to the United States in search of a better future. They struggled endlessly. They were rejected and thought of as less than everyone else because they were Hispanic. The obstacles they overcame allowed me and my siblings to have a future that my parents could only dream about. This huge burden is now on my shoulders. My responsibility is to care for and be a role model for my siblings. My purpose is to utilize everything my parents worked for to become the successful person they dream of. Being the firstborn, I had to go through most of the hardships that any other firstborn could relate to. I was constantly held responsible for the actions of my siblings. I have always been under the pressure of becoming my parent’s idea of a perfect adult. My mother admits that she was stricter with me. She was a star student in her school, and she got to travel across the country because of it. She was never able to use that potential in the U.S, because of the language barrier. My dad was rarely home because he works 24-72 hour shifts. My mom spent an extensive amount of time working on my skills. She taught me Spanish, but she would do her best to incorporate the little English she knew. I developed pretty quickly. (Walking/Talking/Eating). She used that to her advantage. At as young as three and a half, I was writing and counting. She would take out this red spiral notebook where she would write a letter/number/word. I would repeatedly write it throughout the whole page. If I wrote something that she found “unacceptable”, she would erase the entire page and make me start over. If I didn’t finish, she said I wouldn’t be fed. It was just extra encouragement, I was never malnourished. Thanks to that, I was always ahead of my class in elementary. I receive compliments on the neatness of my handwriting. Little do they know of the amount of work it cost me. As a First Generation, I faced many struggles. Alongside the stress that came with always being the best, the school was a challenge. I was always top of my class, so I had many friends. Some students felt the need to bring me down. They would make racist comments and exclude me from activities. Some kids took it as far as claiming equipment, down talking, and behaving as my superiors. They restricted my playing time, my equipment usage, and even my conversations. It only escalated. When I moved schools, I experienced more racism, but I did not let them control me. I used to get emotional over what I was told at school. I thought that it was my fault. I thought that If I didn’t look the way I did, I wouldn’t have any trouble fitting in. I felt ashamed of who I was. I was not the only minority at the school, but there were very few of us. We were all friends and we all sat at the table closest to the door. In recent years, our town has grown and is slowly becoming more diverse. The comments don’t affect me, and I am proud of who I am and where I come from. Being a First-Generation and First Born has affected me in all aspects of my life. Mentally, I have an unbreakable motivation to be the best that I can be. I want to make my parents proud. Their sacrifices should not be in vain. They have always said “You speak two languages and you are good in school. You have lots of opportunities open, just choose the right one.” I want to help as many people as I possibly can. One day, I hope to have a platform where I can help people internationally. I have overcome several physical challenges, especially this year. I suffer from food sensitivities, Keratosis Pilaris, Scoliosis, and Amblyopia. I want to spread awareness, provide insight and advocate against bullying. My goal is to make an impact in all communities. There are still some places where minorities are discriminated against. My drive for change is strong.

My experience growing up was... unique. For the first nine years of my life, I lived in a small one-story. My dad worked (He still does) for 24-72 hour shifts, so we didn't get to see him much. I grew a strong bond with my sister and mom. My mom was (is) very enforcing of discipline. My sister and I did whatever she asked, we loved seeing her happy. We did not have many toys, my dad was(is) the only source of income. We were constantly making forts, playing catch, and drawing on recycled papers. When we started going to school, things didn't change much at home. I always strived to do my best. I loved to come home to show my mom my graded assignments, even if they were just letter coloring worksheets. I was very well-known and I had made lots of friends, my age and older. After I turned nine, we moved to a more rural city. There was barely any diversity, which was a problem at school. I was a new student, so I was treated differently. The teachers were very nice to me, but I could only wish that the students had been as nice. I was excluded from games, lunch groups, I couldn't even hang my coat where I wanted. I came from a place where I had belonged to a place that was constantly reminded I was different. I became well-known and accepted because of the success I was having in my academics. The bullying continued. In middle school, things got worse. I worked my way up by becoming a school representative for my grade. I am very unproblematic, so I stayed out of the drama. Other students constantly picked on me because of the back brace I wore to school, the clothes I wore, and the way I looked in general. I have never worn makeup, especially not at that age. I have no interest in paying such an expensive amount to damage my skin. I often wore oversized clothes, to attempt to hide my brace. People would walk by and call me names, or knock on my brace. The story of my scoliosis is long and painful, and I want to make sure that other kids get help. As a nurse, I want to work in the orthopedic department. Being bullied for something I couldn't control felt horrible. I want to do everything in my power to aid kids who are struggling with scoliosis or other medical complications. I also want to build awareness. The scoliosis community is very large, but lots of people aren't aware of the struggle people go through. It is so unfair to deal with so much physical and emotional pain. I also want to encourage acceptance. My school experience could've been so much more enjoyable if kids treated me fairly. Alongside a nursing career, I'm also planning on gaining a following to become an influencer. I want to help as many lives as I can.

"So I work real hard each and every day. Now things for sure are going my way" The most valuable lessons are not always interpreted in long, live-action films. Tiana has her dream well established and she is ready to do whatever necessary to accomplish her goals. This film caught my attention from a young age but not because of the pretty dress and crown. Tiana's solid personality and determination inspired me to believe that I could be whoever I wanted if I worked persistently. She undergoes multiple unexpected hardships, but nothing stops her from getting her restaurant. This film shows the problem with taking shortcuts in life. Naveen and Lawrence receive aid from the shadow man. The easy route to happiness multiplied their problems. They faced the consequences of not accomplishing their goals correctly. Tiana guided Naveen through the process of working and Naveen explained relaxation to Tiana. Tiana is a strong and independent woman. She doesn't need Naveen. This concept is rarely expressed through children's literature and film. The idea that women can be strong without a partner is something that I find very important. Society has tried to push people together from a young age for a long time. Tiana's independence, ambition, and self-drive complete the animated masterpiece. Thus, my all-time favorite movie is the Princess and The Frog.