
Hobbies and interests
Communications
Community Service And Volunteering
Graphic Design
Sally Perez
605
Bold Points1x
Finalist
Sally Perez
605
Bold Points1x
FinalistEducation
International School For Liberal Arts
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
- Marketing
Career
Dream career field:
Marketing and Advertising
Dream career goals:
Sports
Volleyball
Club2019 – 20201 year
Awards
- no
Jesus Baez-Santos Memorial Scholarship
One of the most significant moments in my life was a quiet yet powerful conversation I had with my mother the night before I left for college. As a first-generation student, the weight of my family’s sacrifices and expectations rested heavily on my shoulders. Sitting at the kitchen table, the warm glow of the overhead light casting soft shadows on her tired face, she reached across the table, held my hand, and said, “No matter how hard it gets, remember why you started.”
My mother holds an irreplaceable place in my life because she embodies resilience, sacrifice, and unconditional love. She immigrated to the United States with little more than a dream of a better future for her children. She worked tirelessly—long hours at a physically demanding job—so that I could have opportunities she never did. She never complained, never wavered, and always found a way to make ends meet. Her quiet strength taught me that success isn’t just about intelligence or talent; it’s about perseverance, grit, and an unwavering belief in oneself.
That night before I left for college, I saw something in her eyes I had never seen before—pride mixed with fear. She was proud that I was taking a step toward a future she had only dreamed of, but she was also afraid of what lay ahead for me in an unfamiliar world. That moment solidified my determination. I wasn’t just pursuing an education for myself; I was carrying the dreams of my family with me.
Being a first-generation student was both an honor and a challenge. The excitement of stepping onto a college campus for the first time was overshadowed by the daunting reality that I had no roadmap. I couldn’t call home for advice on navigating financial aid, picking classes, or handling the overwhelming sense of imposter syndrome. While my peers seemed to have a natural understanding of networking, internships, and office hours, I had to figure it out through trial and error.
There were moments when I questioned whether I truly belonged. In my first semester, I struggled in a class that many of my classmates seemed to breeze through. I remember calling my mother in tears, telling her that maybe college wasn’t for me. She listened patiently and then, in her usual steady voice, said, “Mija, we don’t quit.” Those four words reminded me of every hardship she had endured and every sacrifice she had made. If she could push through, so could I.
Despite the struggles, being a first-generation student also came with immense pride. Each milestone—passing a difficult exam, securing an internship, graduating—felt like a victory for my entire family. It was proof that their sacrifices were not in vain. More importantly, it gave me a sense of responsibility. I wanted to pave the way for others in my family and my community, to show them that higher education wasn’t just for the privileged—it was possible for all of us.
Looking back, I see how much my mother’s words shaped me. “Remember why you started.” Those words became my anchor during tough times and my motivation to keep pushing forward. Today, as I reflect on my journey, I realize that being a first-generation student was never just about earning a degree; it was about breaking barriers, rewriting narratives, and proving that our dreams are worth fighting for.