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.

My name is Reina Rodriguez, I am 17 years old, and I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Both of my parents are originally from Honduras. I was born into a family where no member has received more than a middle school diploma. And I want to be the first one to do so. I am eager to make an impact in my community and change the lives of my siblings and young girls like me. I intend to study my trade at the College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) where I will become a surgical technologist. The reason behind my interest in the medical field is through personal experience and the interest in helping others. Surgery may turn out to be the defining experience of a patient, and I would like to be one of those persons who operate in the room and make a huge difference in saving the person, assisting the surgeons, and make the family members relieved that their loved person is in professional hands. I am only in high school but pursuing an Associate of Science degree at the same time to advance my knowledge and preparation to be in this career. The combination of a high school and college level workload has been difficult, yet it has taught me the importance of determination and time management as well as self-discipline. I would like to contribute to my community by making a difference that will motivate the rest of us to pursue our dreams, even though it may seem like a huge leap. One of the ways through which I intend to do so will be by making a social platform, especially on Tik Tok, to inform and inspire young girls such as myself. As a teenager, the topic of trade school made me think of welding or other construction trades that I did not think I would ever pursue or thought of not being capable of. I later discovered that trade schools have more to offer in the medical field, such as surgical technology in the healthcare profession. With my platform, I will be able to document my experience, the struggles I endure, and the achievements I experience and help other people understand that trade schools are the pathways to professions in the field of medicine, technology, and many more. The importance of representation cannot be underestimated, and I want young Hispanic girls, especially first-generation families like me to know that someone who looks like them can succeed in areas where they might have felt there was no opportunity. Finally, I would like to genuinely thank you for your decision to put me into consideration for this scholarship. This financial aid will be of great help in my life and in my studies. You believe in my future, and I do too, working hard, staying determined, and giving back to the community that shaped me. This is an opportunity, and I will do my best to pay it forward as you invest in my future.