My name is Paulina Munoz, and I am a graduating senior from Middle College High School. My hometown is Stockton, California, infamous for its high rates of crime and downward trend in literacy rates in recent years. My goals in education are to earn a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Studies and Public Policy, followed by a Doctorate in Education. This would help me pursue a career as a teacher and become someone with active influence on California's educational policies. I strongly believe that educators have the chance to lay the groundwork for our society's prosperity as well as that of the next generation of students. Even while teachers are overwhelmed by this enormous duty, I also think that by educating kids, we may provide children the chance to discover a fulfilling future for themselves, and it is an obligation that is well worth striving for. It will be difficult to overcome the challenges of working with young people at such a dynamic and changing moment in their life, but I think the payoff of witnessing the youth thrive is well worth the time and effort invested. From a young age, I have played a transformative role in the lives of my younger and elder siblings. In many ways, I learned everything on my own. I didn't have many people around me to teach me how to read or speak English because Spanish was my first language. I discovered English-language books, which I sought out from the book bags of my elder siblings, and I over time I learned how to read. English was really quite similar to Spanish- Latin roots helped me understand the meaning of words. By the time I was five years old, I could read and write in both languages well. I also helped my siblings, who were in the third and sixth grades at the time, with their schoolwork. Over time, I became a model pupil in the classroom and a law-abiding citizen outside. My parents were my biggest influences in life since they had raised me with the e expectation that I would respect authority figures and my teachers, which is where my inspiration from teachers developed. I would frequently be partnered with students who the professors liked to refer to as "low achievers," and my job was to walk them through their assignments and aid them with solving fraction problems step-by-step. My innate power to influence children's thought processes and establish connections with them helped to mold my identity as a growing person. As I entered high school, I started tutoring kids grades K–12 and students at my community college. My career goals were heavily influenced by the neurodiversity I saw at my school and the difficulties in providing accommodations for a wide range of people. My goal is to work closely with elementary students who struggle with neurological issues, because I know what it's like to feel misunderstood. Additionally, I intend to fundamentally alter the curriculum that children are exposed to because a large portion of the state's curricula fail to address the most crucial component of learning, which is how students comprehend the content given to their growing brains. I would use this scholarship money throughout my journey in college to improve my professional skills and embark on various opportunities for me to explore the career field of being a teacher, educator, and policymaker.

Growing up, I never anticipated that my career path would be influenced by a personal experience so close to my heart. However, the events surrounding my dad's diabetic coma and subsequent memory loss ultimately shaped my decision to become a neurologist. It all started one fateful day when my dad, who had been living with diabetes for years, suddenly fell into a diabetic coma. The shock and fear that gripped our family were indescribable. As we rushed him to the hospital, I couldn't help but wonder what had caused this sudden health crisis. As days turned into weeks, my dad's condition slowly improved. However, the memory loss he experienced during his coma persisted. I watched as he struggled to remember simple things - names, faces, and even cherished memories. Witnessing his frustration and confusion, I felt a deep sense of helplessness. During this challenging time, I became increasingly fascinated by the complexities of the human brain. I delved into research, seeking answers and understanding about the mechanisms underlying memory and cognition. It was during this process that I discovered my passion for neuroscience and the field of neurology. My dad's experience not only ignited my interest in neurology but also fueled my determination to make a difference in the lives of others facing similar challenges. I realized that by pursuing a career in neurology, I could potentially help patients regain their memories, restore their cognitive abilities, and improve their quality of life. Driven by this newfound purpose, I embarked on a journey of education and training. I immersed myself in the study of neurology, eagerly learning about the intricacies of the brain and its various disorders. Through medical school, residency, and countless hours of research, I honed my skills and knowledge, preparing myself to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families. In retrospect, my dad's diabetic coma and subsequent memory loss served as a catalyst for my career choice. It was through his struggle that I found my calling as a neurologist. Today, I am grateful for the opportunity to help others navigate the complexities of the brain, and I am dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of those affected by neurological disorders. I am determined to make a difference, one patient at a time, and contribute to the well-being of future generations, and help those who are at risk of brain dysfuntion later in life.

Mental health has had a profound impact in my life, shaping my goals, relationship, and understanding of the world. It has been a journey of self-discovery and growth filled with challenges and valuable lessons. By prioritizing my mental health, I realized that self-care is among the most important factors in living a balanced and fulfilling life. It has made me aware of the prevalence of mental health issues and the necessity of greater awareness and acceptance. This understanding inspired me to reduce the stigma of mental health, which was previously a sign of weakness. Understanding myself has urged me to become more perceptive of the people around me, and by extension the world that I live in. My relationships have also improved significantly after becoming aware of my own mental health, growing closer to the things that I've established as being more important to me. When living with mental health challenges, I've learned to appreciate the small victories in life, knowing that every occasion and step into the future is a reason to celebrate. This mindset has prompted me to find happiness in even the simplest of moments and to grow my mental fortitude. Furthermore, navigating and maintaining my mental health has allowed me to build resilience. Through self-care practices and developing a support system, I've experienced opportunities of developing my strength. By overcoming these mental health issues, I became more perceptive, more organized, and much stronger in relation to how I see the world. My understanding of my mental health and that of others has shaped me into becoming a better person.

In this rapidly advancing world, it is indisputably crucial for people to embrace sustainable lifestyles to preserve natural order. Optimizing the state of the Earth is essential to a healthy life, which is the example that I want to set in the world. While the extent of climate change may be overwhelming at times, making intentional decisions and conscious choices can impact the creation of a sustainable life. To have a collective impact, community engagement and advocacy for sustainable practices are integral. A more sustainable society can be achieved by deliberate actions like supporting sustainable policies, taking part in neighborhood environmental initiatives, and teaching people about sustainable living. This includes supporting sustainable practices in local government, volunteering for environmental organizations, and taking part in clean-up campaigns in the community. Developing a feeling of community and shared responsibility can also result in beneficial changes to the environment and society. The deliberate actions that I carry out in my daily life include environmentally friendly habits. When I have a disposable item, such as an empty plastic bottle or a plastic bag, I either look for the nearest recycling bin or upcycle what I have. In the past, I hosted an "Upcycling Plastic" event at a community center, where students gathered bits of plastic they no longer needed and created a statue out of it to put in the art room. This activity instilled a sense of purpose in students, where they felt motivated to use all of their materials in every aspect of life to create something anew. A second intentional decision that I make as a student is walking or biking instead of driving. Although I have a driver's permit, I do not use vehicles to get around because all the places I need to go are within a 3-mile radius. Although not as convenient as driving, walking and bicycling can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and atmospheric pollution. Embracing eco-friendly modes of transportation benefits everyone, even if it may not seem like so in the moment. One day, a friend reached out to me asking for a ride to school. I told her that I would meet her outside her house to pick her up. I showed up in a helmet and knee pads, having brought two scooters for us to get to school. This experience is one we recall all the time. The unique experiences that one gets from finding new ways of getting places are far more rewarding than driving and other ways of transportation. A third way that I practice sustainability is by daring my family and friends to embark on a week-long flexitarian diet. This type of diet is known for lowering carbon footprints and deforestation caused by livestock farming. By educating others on ways to best benefit the environment in an exciting and adventurous way, more people will be interested in diving into the unlimited opportunities that are environmental conservation. In the flexitarian diet, we would consume primarily fruits and vegetables from farmer's markets, daring ourselves to try new things. For instance, we would try durians, kiwano, and lucumas for lunch and vegetables like mung beans, bitter melon, and purslane. With our newfound list of foods, we would make healthy pastries and explore rich cultures with documentary nights expanding our worldviews. In conclusion, practicing sustainability is an incredible habit to build over time. In my experience, contributing to community efforts, trying creative ways to tackle gas emissions, and exploring methods of creating connections with the environment has deepened my impact on the environment and mitigated my carbon footprint.

I am currently a senior at Middle College High School, a dual enrollment school where I plan on earning two associate degrees. My educational pathway has changed over time, as I have noticed and critiqued areas in which education can improve. During my time in high school, I have branched out to expose myself to various parts of my local society, and have realized many people have not experienced life the way I have. I've taken a look at disadvantaged communities and have seen that they are not improving, and economic inequality in my city- Stockton- remains at an all-time high. What used to be a beautiful city trademarked by diversity, at a peak of economic glory, turned into an unimpressive, dangerous society. As a Mexican-American girl, seeing the Spanish-speaking populations of my city suffer at the hands of financial burdens and deficits, I have made it a priority to improve my local area by conducting regional missions. I've proposed solutions to traffic calming in my neighborhood, petitioned with my neighbors to solve homeless crises and safety renovations, and developed numerous tutoring stations available to underrepresented chapters in the city. I hope to develop my skills and education upon entering college so that I can affect more than one area of Stockton. One issue that I am impassioned about within my community is the educational deficit experienced especially by children. According to Stocktonia, a news article reporting local events in the city, approximately 22% of students are reading at grade level. Much of this issue stems from economic inequality, which takes only a prospective investor in politics to fix. Being a teenager I felt that I could not offer much help, knowing that I was merely a high schooler with infiniteismal job experience and professionalism. The moment I changed my appearance, adopted a friendly demeanor, and became more forward in intentions, I realized that I was valued more than I thought I would be. I have spoken to parents about the educational inequity I see in students- their children- and offered to help them out free of charge. My education is immensely important to me, and I want kids to feel the same way. In college, I plan on majoring in neuroscience and public policy with a minor in education. I plan on conversing with the City Council to increase educational and environmental awareness and branch out my tutoring services as a supplement to underrepresented communities in my area. I also want to begin a podcast or radio show to be able to spread my voice to reach target demographics. I also want to partake in partnerships with local agencies to be able to tackle the issue of education in Stockton, and California as a whole.

It seems almost like a military drill how often people tell me "Paulina, I wish I had two of you! If only I could clone you!". This happens more often than I'd like to admit: at my job, at volunteer events, at meetings, and most drastically, at school. Teachers would always tell me how they long to have 30 of me. Heck, I wouldn't even know what to do with 30 of me! I've historically been deemed the good kid: the morally righteous, 'excellent in school' kid. Teachers have always taken a liking to me, perhaps because I paid attention in class. As a consequence, however, I would carry out several "teacher" functions. I would always be paired with "lower achievers", as teachers liked to call them, so that I could boost their morale and make them "smarter" somehow. Every year since Kindergarten I was paired up with these students, from holding their hand in line so they wouldn't get lost to spending several hours a week tutoring someone who didn't understand trigonometric functions. I spent countless hours in the same classroom with students like these, and yet I somehow knew the material better than they did, and was more 'disciplined' than they were. Why was this? Why was it that, even despite being conditioned to the same classroom for hours a day, doing the same classwork, and completing the same homework, there was such a big learning gap between us? This question struck me with great confusion and aching in elementary school and beyond. Now I'm a senior in high school, and I'm still working on a conclusive answer. Entering high school, I was prepared for a challenge and academic rigor. However, after a long wait, that challenge never came. Earning straight A's was easy, but the students around me had a different story. Many students were satisfied with a 'B', and struggled to get there. Why? Why was this happening, if we were exposed to the same teacher, classwork, and homework? To find out, I had to become that student. It was my mission to earn an unprecedented 'B'. I networked with my peers, asking about their daily routines. I replicated what they did for three months. I changed my mental state and altered my daily schedule. Lo and behold, 3 months later, my GPA dipped to a 3.8. I cried for weeks over my first 'B' grade, knowing it was an intentional feat. In the end, I felt proud; I still knew all the material much better than other students, yet my grade didn't reflect that. On the other hand, a handful of 'A' students forgot the material days later. This is when I lost faith in the grading system, realizing it was a standardized measure of student output. I was surrounded by intelligent students with sharp cognitive thinking, and yet they had also received low grades. They focused on sharpening their strengths as opposed to working on their weaknesses, whereas I did both, rigorously. Therefore, while I've always been a star student, I've also been a star critic. Education is something I prioritize over everything, and it's my mission to improve it. I understand the value of curriculums, how things can be improved, and how standards can be raised without diminishing student potential. Like an architect would construct blueprints for a skyscraper catered toward millionaires, I would construct lesson plans catered toward the students and true learning.

I remember the ghost-pale pallor of her skin as the teacher looked up from her desk after she dropped a hefty "History of Ancient Egypt: Student's Edition" on the floor-- per accident, of course. The teacher, an imposing force with heavy boots made for modern combat, rose from the chair and made her way to the front of the classroom, where there hung the clip chart of terror. The student watched in fear as she was demoted from "Teacher's Choice" to "Make Better Choices", a territory she'd never experienced. Her heart sank, as her peers watched in an almost ceremonial silence. The teacher grinned and stomped back to the assigned "teacher's desk". The student felt her student desk separate from her classmates, felt her feet hang off the chair, and darkness ensued from the confinement she was now subject to. She had made a mistake- dropped a book, and now she must pay the price of humiliation. The behavioral surveillance of elementary-grade students mirrors the entrapment of criminal facetiousness. The child is taught that from the early age of five years old, teacher-student domination is critical in their path toward success. The succession of a five-year-old to Kindergarten is an incentive fed to the student and follows through life. If you're good and righteous under authoritarian command, you get to go through to the 1st grade. If you're obedient, you get to be promoted to the next rank. Otherwise, you stay. And not growing is regarded as the end-all-be-all of a child's social reputation. Everything a student does through their academic career is incentivized, as though the task itself is not worth doing, or the person has reasonable cause for not wanting to perform it. If the said task is not made to authoritative, objective standards, it shall be dejected and that student will face consequences rather than learn from those "mistakes". The impact of an educational system is the most influential force in a child's life. It allows a roadway toward learning, but little leeway for growth. Seldom in traditional American public schools are students corrected through sincere pedagogical advice and feedback. The onerous role, then, that the teacher in the teacher-student role entails is a dogmatic cornerstone of a child's life. The impartation of a teacher's rulebook results in a central representation of what a good and behaving person who will continue to excel in life looks like. No element of conscious thinking is encouraged by the oppressors. The oppressed, then, are regarded as the pathologies for healthy, capable, and smart students. The teacher methodology is not nutritive to the student, and as having been an excellent student my entire life, I can attest that the restricted mode of learning geared toward non-lenient practices is inadequate in properly allowing a human being to grow, in all ways. While academics is the reigning factor in schools, even that is a region that policymakers in education falter in. The proponent of failure, one which meets the state of education sharply, shows how little critical thought is implemented into a student's learning. Common Core- whose goal is to provide a crisp, clear problem set to tackle critically- fails as a practice. This is because the skills students need to challenge the material with critical thought, as Common Core wishes to do, are not accurately purveyed by instructors onto the students. It truly is something that needs to be corrected. I plan to make a positive impact as not just a qualified educator but as a policy maker, and a person who assesses what a student's needs are in the real world.

Technology is a fickle matter in our society. It is a pressing entity that should not be glossed over, as it has to potential to change the course of our lives with usage that can last from 10 seconds to more than 10 years. Technology can be equipped for both the good and the bad, though many of us choose to believe that the good aspects of technology is what we are granted. Because it is so, a plethora of advancements have taken place since the creation of technological devices: I.e. motorized vehicles, natural resource conservation, and understanding key concepts in math and science. One governing piece of technology, and arguably the most positive and powerful, has been social media. The extents of social media has reached almost every inch of the globe. Because of its prevalent nature and accessibility to all (from children to the elderly), social media has not lived without its consequences. Its survival depends on our dependence on it. One rising social media app is TikTok, whose origins stem from China. It was first released in 2016 by the Chinese technology company ByteDance. TikTok now has a number of offices in places such as, Los Angeles, Beijing, Mumbai, and Tokyo. By 2022, this app has reached 1 billion daily views. Of course, this app used to be called Music.aly, which served as a dancing app predominantly for kids and teens. Now, it has become a place in which creators share content surrounding just about anything, from comedy bits to makeup tutorials to even political opinions. With a single vertical swipe you can get new content, letting the algorithm know what you like and don’t like. TikTok is not without its drawbacks. Individuals of all ages are available to this app, and exposed to all kinds of videos daily. Obviously, this can lead to addiction and contention which was not originally the plan. The rate at which viewers watch TikTok is astonishing, with the US at more than 94 million downloads of this app. Because it is such a popular app, if large contributors were to play a role in TikTok and post regular content, it is more than likely that ideas will spread like wildfire, inspiring people of all ages. In conclusion, social media is a way of reaching large audiences with digestible information. TikTok can serve as a platform for this, and can be life-changing.

In 2018 I lost my closest cousin. He and his brother always visited my family, and we'd host game nights, movie marathons, and play video games. He came over so often as a form of escape. Where he lived, he felt restrained by external forces: his mom, school, and pressure. He had always been known as the trouble-maker, his brother being a twinge on the calmer side to reel him back to the present. He was also short-tempered, so when something didn't go exactly as he wanted, he would throw tantrums or punch a hole in the wall (which happened more than once). My mom also had short tempers, so they never really got along well. When he would break a rule in the house, for example, my mom would be quick to punish him, which reminded him a lot of his life back at his home. The reality was a burden for him, so when school started back up again and he had no reason to come back to visit us, he would run away from his own home. He looked for other ways by which he would detach himself and yet be amongst a group of like people. He ended up falling into the wrong crowds, sorting himself into gang affiliations and dropping out of school. His mom was the same growing up, so she didn't know or care enough to reform his ways. My mom proposed the idea of adoption for these two brothers, but we never did go through with it. Years later, he was found shot at the base of the neck by a "friend". He didn't know who to trust, and that resulted in the worst possible scenario.

Technology is a fickle matter in our society. It is a pressing entity that should not be glossed over, as it has to potential to change the course of our lives with usage that can last from 10 seconds to more than 10 years. Technology can be equipped for both the good and the bad, though many of us choose to believe that the good aspects of technology is what we are granted. Because it is so, a plethora of advancements have taken place since the creation of technological devices: I.e. motorized vehicles, natural resource conservation, and understanding key concepts in math and science. One governing piece of technology, and arguably the most positive and powerful, has been social media. The extents of social media has reached almost every inch of the globe. Because of its prevalent nature and accessibility to all (from children to the elderly), social media has not lived without its consequences. Its survival depends on our dependence on it. One rising social media app is TikTok, whose origins stem from China. It was first released in 2016 by the Chinese technology company ByteDance. TikTok now has a number of offices in places such as, Los Angeles, Beijing, Mumbai, and Tokyo. By 2022, this app has reached 1 billion daily views. Of course, this app used to be called Music.aly, which served as a dancing app predominantly for kids and teens. Now, it has become a place in which creators share content surrounding just about anything, from comedy bits to makeup tutorials to even political opinions. With a single vertical swipe you can get new content, letting the algorithm know what you like and don’t like. TikTok is not without its drawbacks. Individuals of all ages are available to this app, and exposed to all kinds of videos daily. Obviously, this can lead to addiction and contention which was not originally the plan. The rate at which viewers watch TikTok is astonishing, with the US at more than 94 million downloads of this app. Because it is such a popular app, if large contributors were to play a role in TikTok and post regular content, it is more than likely that ideas will spread like wildfire, inspiring people of all ages. In conclusion, social media is a way of reaching large audiences with digestible information. TikTok can serve as a platform for this, and can be life-changing.