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Nohelia Ucaranza

1x

Finalist

Bio

I am a hardworking and determined student who is committed to making a positive impact in my community. I enjoy attending conferences where I can speak up for my people and advocate for meaningful change. These experiences have helped me grow in confidence and strengthened my passion for using my voice to support others. I take pride in my work ethic and my dedication to my goals, even when challenges arise. My aspiration is to continue my education in college and pursue a higher level of learning that will prepare me for my future career. Most importantly, I want to make my parents proud and honor the sacrifices they have made for me by achieving academic success and creating opportunities for a better future.

Education

Nestucca High School

High School
2024 - 2027

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Majors of interest:

    • Criminal Justice and Corrections, General
    • Law
    • History and Political Science
    • Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      • Lawyer
    • Dream career goals:

      Barreir Opportunity Scholarship
      Growing up, I was raised by my immigrant father who became both my parents after my mother left when I was young. Growing up without a mother figure was hard, and there were many moments where I felt that absence deeply. But through it all, my father and his family always had my back and made sure I never felt alone or less than. My dad sacrificed so much for me. He worked hard every day while also taking on the role of both parents. He washed my clothes, bathed me, dressed me, and even did my hair in the mornings, even if the part in the middle came out a little zig-zagged. What mattered most was not perfection, but love. He made sure I was cared for in every way possible, and he never let me feel like I was missing something just because our family looked different. As I got older, I began to understand how much strength it took for him to do everything on his own. Watching him shaped me into someone who values hard work, sacrifice, and family above all else. Even when things were difficult, he always pushed forward, and that taught me to do the same. Although growing up without a mother figure was painful at times, it also made me stronger and more appreciative of the people who stayed by my side. My stepmom, my siblings, and my extended family also played a big role in my life by showing me love, support, and stability when I needed it most. Now that I am older, my goal is to give that same love and support back to my family. Everything I do is motivated by wanting to make my dad proud and to repay him for everything he has done for me. I want him to see that his sacrifices were not in vain and that they built a future for me. I aspire to become a lawyer so I can help people in my community who may be going through struggles similar to my own. I want to be a voice for those who feel unheard and to stand up for people who need support. My father worked tirelessly to give me a better life, and I want to honor that by building a career where I can give back and make a difference. My story has not always been easy, but it has shaped me into a determined, hardworking, and compassionate person. Everything I have experienced has led me to this path, and I am committed to continuing my education so I can achieve my goals and make my family proud.