From an early age, I found myself fascinated by the world around me. Whether it was the way things worked, how technology evolved, or the fundamental principles that govern nature, I was always eager to understand the mechanics behind everyday phenomena. Over time, this curiosity blossomed into a passion for STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The beauty of STEM lies in its capacity to shape the future, solve real-world problems, and fuel creativity in ways that can transform society. My love for STEM stems from its inherent curiosity, its problem-solving nature, and its ability to inspire innovation. One of the most significant reasons I love STEM is because it challenges me to think critically and solve problems. Every question in STEM is a puzzle waiting to be solved, and I thrive on the challenge of figuring out how things work. In science, I find the mysteries of nature intriguing, whether it’s understanding the laws of physics or studying the complexities of biology. Mathematics provides the structure to turn abstract concepts into real-world applications. Engineering opens the door to creating solutions to problems, whether it’s designing a sustainable building or developing medical devices that save lives. The problem-solving process in STEM pushes me to dig deeper, explore new ideas, and think beyond conventional boundaries. Another reason I’m drawn to STEM is its potential to make a positive impact on society. STEM fields are at the heart of solving some of the world’s most pressing issues, from climate change to health crises. The ability to innovate and find solutions that can improve people’s lives is incredibly motivating. For example, advancements in renewable energy technologies can help reduce the environmental impact of human activities, while breakthroughs in medicine have the potential to cure diseases and prolong life. The idea that my work could one day contribute to these kinds of solutions drives me to pursue a career in STEM. The ability to be part of a movement that can change the world for the better is something I deeply value. STEM also inspires me because of its constant evolution. Technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate, and new discoveries are being made all the time. This rapid pace of change makes STEM fields exciting and dynamic. As a STEM enthusiast, I have the opportunity to learn and grow alongside these advancements. From robotics to artificial intelligence, the possibilities seem endless. STEM provides me with the tools to not only keep up with these developments but to actively participate in them. It fuels my desire to push the limits of what is possible and to challenge myself with new ideas and technologies. Additionally, STEM encourages creativity. Although it is often seen as a discipline rooted in logic and precision, it also requires an imaginative approach to problem-solving. Whether it’s developing a new app or designing a more efficient engine, innovation in STEM is as much about creativity as it is about technical knowledge. I enjoy how STEM allows me to blend analytical thinking with creative exploration to develop unique solutions. In conclusion, my love for STEM comes from its ability to spark curiosity, solve real-world problems, drive innovation, and inspire creativity. It challenges me to think critically, constantly evolves, and offers the potential to change the world. As I continue to pursue my passion for STEM, I am excited to see how this field will shape my future and the future of generations to come.

As a child, my dreams were filled with the sound of roaring engines and the thrill of high-speed chases on race tracks. Becoming a racecar driver was the aspiration that captured my imagination. The idea of pushing a car to its limits, racing against time, and feeling the adrenaline rush seemed like the perfect path to me. However, as I grew older and began to understand the complexities of life, I realized that my passion for speed and precision could be channeled in a different way, leading me to choose a career in engineering instead. The dream of becoming a racecar driver was born out of my love for cars and speed. I would spend hours watching races on TV, studying the mechanics of the cars, and imagining myself behind the wheel, zooming past competitors. I admired the skill and bravery of drivers, each maneuvering their cars with precision, navigating tight corners, and overtaking opponents at breakneck speeds. The thought of being part of that world, experiencing the thrill of victory, and representing a team in high-profile competitions felt exciting and empowering. It was a world of fast-paced action, where every second counted. However, as I got older, the realities of pursuing a career in racing began to sink in. I began to realize that professional racing requires not only immense skill and talent but also an overwhelming amount of resources, support, and a bit of luck. It is a highly competitive field, and only a small percentage of drivers make it to the top levels of motorsport. As I considered the challenges and the financial costs involved, I understood that becoming a racecar driver was not as accessible as I had initially believed. At the same time, I realized that my passion for cars and racing extended beyond just the thrill of driving. I was deeply fascinated by how these incredible machines were built, how their engines functioned, and how every component contributed to the car’s overall performance. This interest in the mechanics of racing led me to engineering, where I could still be closely involved in the world of high-performance vehicles but from a different perspective. As an engineer, I could design, improve, and innovate vehicles, solving complex problems related to performance, safety, and efficiency. The idea of working on cutting-edge automotive technology and contributing to the development of faster, more reliable racecars was both exciting and fulfilling. In engineering, I could still be part of the thrilling world of motorsports, but in a way that aligned with my long-term goals. While I may not have become a racecar driver, engineering has allowed me to stay connected to my passion for cars and speed. It has provided me with the opportunity to help shape the future of automotive technology and pursue a career that challenges both my creativity and technical skills.

In my academic year there have been challenges much larger than previously anticipated by my younger self . The most difficult of challenges came from the most unexpected of place which was myself! Most of my setbacks seem to be traced to myself and that the fault for my struggles can be place on nobody other than myself. My procrastination is what made most of my academic career plunge as grades reflect that I don't do well in class when it was the complete opposite. Another setback that I unintentionally put upon myself is that of mixing with the wrong crowd as people with different ideals made me comfortable in failure and underachievement but I quickly that I needed to step away from them. These setbacks made me very disappointed with myself which has led to my recent drive to succeed. I realized that my goal of being a college student was not gonna be handed to me so I sprung to action, took what little I had , and made a plan that I have been sticking to. I have taken my SAT twice now and I have been doing my best to polish my academics as well as asking more questions on how to get to where i want to be. I am excited for college as it seems like such a unique experience that I will be very privileged and honored to have. I am excited to amass all the knowledge I need to expand my interest in engineering as well as math. College also seems very exciting in the sense that I will be closer to people who think similarly to myself and will increase my chances of socializing. I plan on using college as a means of getting the knowledge I need for engineering as well as a way of making contacts so that I may receive further guidance from experience individuals. I also plan on using college as an opportunity to meet more people and to learn how to hold professional conversations and to learn how to have professional relationships. College will also provide the ability to meet people more interested in my field which will help to serve as a foundation as we will from a group of tightly knit individuals who will hold each other accountable. College will allow me to redeem myself to not only my expectations but to those who I hold dearly in my life. My parents, siblings, and friends will see that I was able to turn myself around and succeed even though most thought I could not. I want to have a future where I hold a degree and I will be doing college to accomplish said goal but to have the satisfaction of making those around me proud will be such an amazing accomplishment within itself. My 2.9 gpa says that I fall way behind my classmates but college will allow me to show that the 2.9 gpa that i hold is nothing but a number.

Mental health has been a rising issue for me in the recent years. With the loss of a childhood friend to sucidie, the apparent reality of how close mental health struggles are hit me. I was raised conservatively by my Mexican immigrant parents who showed me a way of life that they knew. This way of life had many thoughts and opinions on how life should be lived. The Mexican way of life does not account for mental health as it was something that was never shown in that culture. Mexican childhoods consist of many struggles and don't have enough resources to give time to take care of ourselves. This has left generational trauma for the past generations. This came to do me harm when I myself fell into troubles of mental health. My parents inability to help me only lead to problems as they were frustrated, worried, and even scared. Their lack of reacting only sent me deeper into the pit I had dug myself in and it felt like was left to fend for myself. I went through what I believe to be the worst thing in my life and I did it alone. This has made me such a strong and determined person because I know that if I was able to defeat the feeling of dreadd that I would be able to do anything. My biggest motivator has been defeated said battle and knowing the taste of triumph. Knowing that I can climb such mountain has shaped me into a person who is more loving, kind, and caring for those who I know cannot express themselves as they wish. This has also made my faith in god grow tremendously. Prayer and mass has been one of my biggest shoulder to lean on. Deep inside I know that god had this in store for me and choose to send me such a large battle so that I could be who I am today. I can genuinely say that I am grateful for such a deppression because without it I believe I would have had a worse fate. The situation of Elijah seems to be one of pain and suffering but I see it as an opportunity to spread love and awareness. If it were not for this scholarship then this personal story would have only stayed with me and would have not been shared. Opening up about such experiences encourages me to raise awareness for mental health and to become a shoulder for others to lean on.