Hi, my name is Reina Rodriguez. I am 17 years old and a senior at North Houston Early College High School, where I am working hard to graduate with both my high school diploma and associate’s degree. I am proud to be Honduran American and the daughter of two strong parents who have taught me the value of helping others and staying determined no matter what. Mental health is something I really care about because I have seen so many people especially in communities like mine struggle quietly. A lot of people I know deal with stress, anxiety, or depression, but do not get help because it is either too expensive or they are scared of being judged. That is not fair. I believe everyone should have access to mental health care and feel comfortable asking for support. I plan to become a surgical technician, but I also want to do more than just work in a hospital. Through volunteering with special needs kids at my karate program, I have learned how much people just want someone to listen and be there for them. In the future, I hope to start or help run local programs that bring affordable mental health workshops to schools and neighborhoods that need them the most. No one should ever feel alone just because they cannot afford help. I want to be part of the change that makes mental health support feel normal, open, and available to everyone. Thank you for considering me.

Hi, my name is Reina Rodriguez. I am 17 years old and a senior at North Houston Early College High School. I am currently working on earning my associate’s degree while finishing high school, which has been a big challenge but one that I am proud of. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and my parents are from Hispanic descent. Everything I do, I do for them and for the future I am trying to build. Throughout middle and high school, I have done karate to become stronger not just physically, but mentally too. It has helped me stay focused, push through tough times, and build confidence. One of the best parts about being in karate was volunteering to help kids with special needs in the program. I loved seeing how even the smallest support could make a big difference in their day. Helping people has always felt natural to me, and that is one reason I want to go into the medical field. My goal is to become a surgical technician. I plan to attend the College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) after graduation. I want to be there for people in scary or stressful moments and be someone who makes things a little easier for them and their families. I believe that helping people in any way I can big or small is one of the most important things we can do in life. I have kept a GPA above 3.0 throughout high school while also balancing college classes, karate, and life at home. It is not always easy, but I have learned to keep going even when things get hard. I want to be successful not just for myself, but to support my family and give back to my community. I want them to see that no matter where you come from, you can still achieve something great if you stay motivated and kind. This scholarship would really help me and my family. We have had to work hard for everything we have, and this support would take a big weight off our shoulders. It would give me the chance to focus more on my education and helping others, instead of worrying about how to afford it all. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and for giving students like me this opportunity. I promise to keep pushing forward and continue working hard to make a difference for myself and for others.

I am Reina Rodriguez, 17 years old, born and raised in Houston, Texas, and I am very proud to say that my path was influenced by several people and many experiences, but one person in particular left an impact on me that I will carry forever, my karate coach, Mr. Roy White. Even though Mr. White wasn’t a traditional classroom teacher, he taught me lessons that no textbook ever could. I met Mr. White when I first joined karate in middle school in 2019. I was quiet, unsure of myself, and honestly, I never believed I could achieve much. I come from a family where no one has gone beyond a middle school education, so it was hard being the only one that has gone that far. But from the moment we walked into his class, he didn’t care where we came from or what struggles we faced at home, everyone was equal in his class. He treated each of us like his own kids, with patience, respect, and care. What made Mr. White different wasn’t just how he taught karate, it was how he taught life. Every time I failed at a tournament or broke down from frustration, he was there reminding me that failure wasn’t the end. I remember it was my final State Tournament in Austin Texas where I completely froze up and lost a few points in the first round of my Kata. I felt embarrassed and worthless, wondering where all my hard work had gone. But Mr. White tapped my shoulder and said, “Rodriguez, your strength isn’t measured by how perfect you performed it’s measured by how many times you stayed up practicing and tried to prove yourself.” Those words stuck with me. They still echo in my head every time life gets tough. Because of his constant encouragement and my strong dedication, I worked harder than ever. And by the end of 2022, I was proud to be named Athlete of the Year in karate, an award I never believed I could earn. But Mr. White believed in me before I believed in myself, and it was the first time I ever felt proud of myself. Hearing my name being announced through the microphone, that moment truly impacted me. When Mr. White left, I cried more than I ever thought I would for a teacher. It was like losing a part of my support system. But even in his absence, his words and the confidence he built in me stayed . I now walk into every challenge knowing I am capable even when I’m scared. As I prepare to graduate and pursue my trade at The College of Health Care Professions to become a surgical technologist, I carry those lessons with me. Surgery is intense, high-pressure, and often intimidating, but Mr. White taught me to face fear head-on. He showed me the importance of staying calm under pressure, treating everyone with kindness, and never underestimating my worth. I am forever grateful for Mr. White. His influence didn’t just teach me martial arts; it taught me resilience, self-worth, and compassion. He changed my approach to life, reminding me that with dedication I can break barriers and be the first in my family to chase my dreams. His kindness and life lessons are the reason I stand where I am today, ready to fight for my future. I also want to sincerely thank you for considering me for this scholarship opportunity.

Isaiah 43: 18-19 “No os acordéis de las cosas pasadas, ni traigas a memoria las cosas antiguas. He aquí que yo hago cosa nueva; pronto saldrá a luz ¿no la conoceréis. As early as my memory can remember this was the first time, I felt the impact of a bible verse. And, now ill translate it to you the way I took it in “ I need to stop reminiscing in the past and holding onto the bad memories, because God is always going to help his children and continue to guide me to a new future, I may not see it coming, but it's always going to be there.” My name is Reina Rodriguez, I am 17 years old, born and raised in Houston, Texas born from Hispanic parents. Growing up I didn't have the same religious upbringing as my friends besides the part where they were all Catholic and I Cristian. In my early ages I remember my family and I going to our local Cristian church it was a small place with few people but the impact it had on me was big, but I didn't recognize it until I got older. The most memorable memory I have of it was how welcoming and encouraging the pastor was, seeing around me all the good-hearted people impacted me on the amount of good that there is to the world and how I should continue to spread it in any small way that I can. But sadly, my family stopped attending the church for years and funny as it may sound this is where my relationship with God truly started. I always tell this to anyone that I meet who stopped attending church or simply doesn't have the time too. “God is in your mind, in your heart and in your soul, don't feel that your connection with God isn't as strong as those who attend church, what connects us as all at the end of the day is the Bible and the glory we give to God. As the oldest sibling in my family, I always took it upon myself in setting a good example for my younger siblings teaching them to give back to those who may be struggling, to share with those that seek it and to overall treat others as they want to be treated. I always went out my way to help others who had a type of disability, it was in my heart to make them feel accepted and included. All the years that I spent doing martial arts were amazing, but especially when I was in charge of the students with special needs it warmed my heart seeing their skills grow and pushing them into the sections that they wanted to do. Knowing that the coaches only had them in a specific section because of their disability distraught me because they should have as many chances as the other students did. So, I was by their side teaching not only martial arts but encouraging them to speak up and to not let themselves be limited. I am a high school student, but at the same time a college student who has been pursuing an Associate of Science degree in order to access a higher education. Juggling high-school and college classes has teached me time management and dedication. I am going to study in The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) being a surgical technologist , one of the turning points in the life of a patient is the surgery, and I wish to be the one in the OR who helps save lives, assist the surgical staff, and be able to bring a little comfort to families that their beloved is in good hands. This scholarship would be a real necessity in my steps with God, my education, and my mission to serve people. God has been leading me through every step I have taken, even in the hardships in Isaiah 43: 18-19 that I should not look back on the past but have faith that he is putting a path to something new. I am going to be able to further my education more financially worry-free and pursue my objective to share kindness, assist other people and carry to live by faith, with this scholarship. I want to sincerely thank you for considering me for this scholarship opportunity.