During my senior year of high school, I was cheering at an away football game two hours from home when something happened that changed how I see the world. In the middle of the game, the sound of gunshots rang out. People screamed. Everyone started running. My parents were not there and I was suddenly in a terrifying situation with no one to tell me what to do. I grabbed the hand of one of my cheer teammates who was frozen in fear, unable to move or speak. Her body was shaking and she began to sob uncontrollably. I could feel my own heart racing, my legs trembling, but I knew I had to stay strong for her. We ducked under the bleachers, completely exposed, but in that chaos, it was the only place we could go. I wrapped my arms around her as she cried into my shoulder, whispering that everything would be okay, even though I did not believe it myself. The noise was deafening, people screaming, running, trampling bleachers and sirens wailing in the distance. For a terrifying moment, I was sure we were living through a mass shooting. I kept waiting for more shots, for the sound of someone breaking through the crowd. The fear was paralyzing. Later we learned the shots came from a fight just outside the school and though someone was hurt, it was not what we feared. But in that moment, it did not matter, it was real, raw and unforgettable. That night changed something in me. It showed me how quickly fear can take control, how it can freeze you, cloud your thoughts and make the world feel completely unsafe. In that moment of chaos, what mattered most was having someone who could be steady when everything else was falling apart. That night made me realize the power of being that steady presence, someone who brings calm to panic, strength to fear and comfort to confusion. It shaped not only how I see myself but the kind of impact I want to make in the world. I am now studying psychology at San Diego State University and I plan to become a school psychologist. I want to work with children and teens who are dealing with fear, anxiety, trauma, or any emotional struggle that makes school feel unsafe or overwhelming. Many students, especially in underserved communities, do not have the mental health support they need. Some, like me, have been in situations where they felt completely alone and afraid. I want to be the person who helps them through it. That football game taught me how powerful it can be just to be present for someone else. I hope to carry that lesson forward in my work, creating safe spaces for students, listening when they need someone to talk to and helping them build the tools to face life’s toughest moments. Whether it is through one-on-one counseling, mental health education, or simply showing up for a student in need, I want my future to be about helping others feel seen, heard and supported, just like I needed in that moment under the bleachers.

I am a first-year psychology student at San Diego State University with a 3.89 GPA. I have always believed in the importance of helping others but my experiences with mental health have made me even more passionate about making a difference. I have seen how mental health is often overlooked, especially in immigrant and underserved communities and I want to change that. Growing up as a biracial student, both Asian and Hispanic, I noticed that mental health was not talked about in my family or culture. There was always a strong belief in pushing through struggles and handling problems alone. This made me realize how many people, especially children, do not have the support they need when they are struggling emotionally. I believe that mental health is just as important as physical health and I want to help create a future where students feel safe asking for help. One of the most meaningful experiences in my life has been volunteering at a migrant shelter through Jewish Family Services. Many of the children I work with have left behind everything they know and are now in a completely unfamiliar place. They arrive feeling scared, unsure and overwhelmed. I spend time reading with them and making sock puppets, just to bring them small moments of joy. Even though I cannot change their circumstances, I know that showing them kindness and care can make them feel safe, even if only for a short time. This experience has shown me how important emotional support is, especially for children in difficult situations. I have also seen the power of community through my leadership roles. In high school, I was captain of the varsity sideline cheerleading team and defensive captain of my school’s first-ever girls varsity flag football team. Through these experiences, I learned how to motivate others, create a positive team environment and help my teammates feel supported. Now, as President of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at SDSU, I continue to work on building a community where students feel heard and valued. College can be overwhelming, especially for first-generation born students like me and I want to make sure others know they are not alone. All of these experiences have shaped my career goals. I want to become a school psychologist so I can help students, especially those from immigrant and underserved communities, get the mental health support they need. Many children struggle with stress, anxiety and pressure at home and in school but they do not always have someone to turn to. I want to be that person who listens, supports and helps them find ways to succeed. This career is important to me because I believe that when students feel emotionally supported, they do better in every part of their lives. Mental health should never be ignored and I want to be part of the change that ensures students have the resources they need. Whether it is working one on one with students, advocating for better mental health programs in schools, or creating safe spaces for kids to express themselves, I know that I can make a difference. I plan to continue my education and eventually earn a graduate degree in school psychology. With this career, I hope to positively impact the world by making sure students feel seen, heard and supported. I know how powerful it is to have someone believe in you and I want to be that person for the next generation.

Growing up as a first generation Latina in the United States has shaped who I am in countless ways and it is an experience I carry with me into everything I do. My mother was born in Jalisco, Mexico and I come from a strong line of hard working and ambitious women. I feel it is my duty to continue in their legacy. My grandmother cleaned houses for a living and raised six children to include four girls. Those girls have all grown up to be the most influential women and role models in my life. I am surrounded by passion and success that came from determination and hard work. I am grateful to be in a position where I, too, can exercise my innate need to work hard and succeed. Being Latina has taught me the value of perseverance. It has also shown me the importance of representation in seeing people who look like you in positions of leadership. I remember watching Dora the Explorer as a little kid and feeling like I finally saw someone who looked and sounded like me. Dora’s grandmother spoke like my abuelita and her cousin Diego could have been my cousin. It was this feeling of recognition and connection that made the show so special to me. For the first time, I felt like my experiences, my culture and my family mattered. That kind of representation is so important, especially for young Latino children who might not always see themselves reflected in the world around them. That is why I want to become a school psychologist, particularly working in high need, minority serving schools. I know firsthand how much of a difference it makes to have teachers and role models who share your background and culture. When students see people who look like them in positions of influence, it changes how they see their own potential. It can inspire them to push through difficulties they might otherwise think are too much. As a school psychologist, I want to be that person for young Latino students, someone who not only understands their cultural experience but also advocates for their emotional well-being and success. In these communities, students often face challenges that go beyond academics. They face issues like language barriers, family stress or the pressure to navigate between two cultures. I believe my background allows me to connect with these students in a meaningful way. I want to be a source of support, not just in terms of academic achievement, but in terms of emotional and social growth. I know that being a strong Latino woman is about more than just succeeding, it is about lifting others up along the way, showing them that they can also overcome adversity and achieve their dreams. One of my main goals is to break down the mental health stigma that can exist in Latino communities. For many families, mental health is a taboo topic but it’s crucial for students to have access to the resources they need to thrive emotionally. I want to create safe spaces where students can talk about their struggles without fear of judgment and where they can find strength in knowing that their experiences are valid and their challenges are recognized. Ultimately, my experience as a Latina has shaped my passion for helping others and it is a passion I plan to carry with me into my career. By becoming a school psychologist, I hope to continue the legacy of the strong women in my family, while also giving back to the next generation of students who deserve to feel seen and understood.

Growing up as a first generation Latina in the United States has shaped who I am in countless ways and it is an experience I carry with me into everything I do. My mother was born in Jalisco, Mexico and I come from a strong line of hard working and ambitious women. I feel it is my duty to continue in their legacy. My grandmother cleaned houses for a living and raised six children to include four girls. Those girls have all grown up to be the most influential women and role models in my life. I am surrounded by passion and success that came from determination and hard work. I am grateful to be in a position where I, too, can exercise my innate need to work hard and succeed. Being Latina has taught me the value of perseverance. It has also shown me the importance of representation in seeing people who look like you in positions of leadership. I remember watching Dora the Explorer as a little kid and feeling like I finally saw someone who looked and sounded like me. Dora’s grandmother spoke like my abuelita and her cousin Diego could have been my cousin. It was this feeling of recognition and connection that made the show so special to me. For the first time, I felt like my experiences, my culture and my family mattered. That kind of representation is so important, especially for young Latino children who might not always see themselves reflected in the world around them. That is why I want to become a school psychologist, particularly working in high-need, minority serving schools. I know firsthand how much of a difference it makes to have teachers and role models who share your background and culture. When students see people who look like them in positions of influence, it changes how they see their own potential. It can inspire them to push through difficulties they might otherwise think are too much. As a school psychologist, I want to be that person for young Latino students, someone who not only understands their cultural experience but also advocates for their emotional well-being and success. In these communities, students often face challenges that go beyond academics. They face issues like language barriers, family stress or the pressure to navigate between two cultures. I believe my background allows me to connect with these students in a meaningful way. I want to be a source of support, not just in terms of academic achievement, but in terms of emotional and social growth. I know that being a strong Latino woman is about more than just succeeding, it is about lifting others up along the way, showing them that they can also overcome adversity and achieve their dreams. One of my main goals is to break down the mental health stigma that can exist in Latino communities. For many families, mental health is a taboo topic but it’s crucial for students to have access to the resources they need to thrive emotionally. I want to create safe spaces where students can talk about their struggles without fear of judgment and where they can find strength in knowing that their experiences are valid and their challenges are recognized. Ultimately, my experience as a Latina has shaped my passion for helping others and it is a passion I plan to carry with me into my career. By becoming a school psychologist, I hope to continue the legacy of the strong women in my family, while also giving back to the next generation of students who deserve to feel seen, understood and empowered.