I've always had a special kind of love for animals. My parents noticed it very early on as I was practically raised by the dogs they owned and the hundreds of cats that would gather in my grandfather's front lawn. All these animals in my life only fueled my want to help them in some way. Whether it was feeding them scraps of my own food or giving them a scratch on the head, I wanted to help. From a young age, I knew exactly what I wanted to be and what I wanted to do. I've always been a very head-strong and determined kid. Parents who would meet me could tell right away that I didn't let anyone tell me what to do or how I should do something. I grew up in Waco, Texas. An area that's riddled with strays and chained dogs. Adults in my life would try to steer me away from the mangy strays of the streets, fearful. Of course, they were only trying to protect me, because who lets a kid walk up to a random bleeding dog, but I wanted nothing more than to show that animal compassion. When people told me "no," or "you can't", it only fueled me more. Most strays had never had a kind hand touch them or ever even heard the words "good boy," and that shattered my heart as a kid. These animals are so filled with love from the moment they are born and because of the horrible world we live in, they've suffered at the hands of humans. So, I was always defiant and almost abrasive to those who would try to shoo me away. I was often their first belly rubs, their first kisses, their first gentle and kind hands. Although I couldn't take these dogs home myself, I'd help them anyway I could as a kid. Seeing their tails wag and hearing purrs heavily drove my ambitions to work with animals in some kind of way. I knew who I needed to be in order to help them. While working for this dream, I've noticed animals be turned away and labeled as "aggressive" or "killers". I've even had these animals bite me and yet, these animals are my favorite to work with. A different kind of fear plagues these animals, forcing them to be hostile. They are only products in their environment. Once I graduate, my home and my future farm will be a safe haven for them, where they will get to experience play, love, and eventually find their own families. I will work hard to not only give them a safe home, but to heal their wounds, cure their ailments, and mend their bones. Once they are healthy and happy, they can thrive. I have always said, an aggressive animal is a hurting one and I hope to be able to heal them from their pains. I know I cannot save them all, but I am more than willing to try. As I've gotten older, my mentality has remained the same. The more strays and animals in pain that I see only makes me want to work harder for my goals. I dream of the day I'm able to provide aid to the animals just barely surviving. I'm working hard to achieve this dream, studying to one day earn my doctorate in veterinarian medicine, in both small and large animals. I want to be able to foster dogs and cats, maybe even horses, and get them ready to stay with their forever families. Every animal deserves a chance at love.

I was born and raised in Texas, more specifically, born in Waco and raised in Leander, just on the outside of Austin. Growing up, I knew we weren't as financially stable as other families. Money was never the main point of my life, though. I always considered myself blessed enough just to have a big family. I grew up alongside my cousins and brothers, and that was enough for me. Being in such a big family, and being Hispanic, there always felt like a pressure on my shoulders to succeed. I always kept my nose in books and my interests on school. In my family, I was viewed as the one to break the generational curses. My father had dropped out of college, my mother never finished high school, and neither one of my grandparents had either. Even my older cousins had dropped out as well. But, my brother and I finally pushed through, even after people kept telling us we would be another Hispanic stereotype because of who our father is. My mother worked hard to get us where we are. She continues to support me, even now when I'm hundreds of miles away from home. She's been my biggest supporter through all of this. When I feel like I don't belong, or that I'm not smart enough to be here, or that I should just give up because it's too expensive, my mom keeps me going. She keeps telling me that I was meant to succeed. That I'm meant to be better than those before me. My education is everything to me. Its everything to my family, and they're more important to me than anything. Going into college, I had no idea what it would be like. As I said before, none of our family had ever been to college. No one knew what it would be like, especially with moving out of state and into a completely new environment. At times there are moments where I feel like I should have just done like the rest of my family. I should have stayed in Texas, got a labor inducing job, made money like that. But, that's not who I am. It's not just about pursuing a higher education, it's about pursuing a life long dream for me. From my earliest memories, I've always wanted to become a veterinarian. Since I was a child, it's all I've ever told anyone. This is who I am, and this is where I belong. Being a first generation student is hard in a number of ways, but for me its always been about belonging, feeling like I'm not enough, or just thinking that this was a mistake. Its taken a lot to keep going, not only through my first semester of college but through high school as well. I've made it this far and I have no intention of slowing down now. I'm just on the edge of becoming what I've always wanted to be, what I've prayed and dreamed and begged for. Its hard, and it probably won't get any easier, but I'm determined to one day finish schooling and open my own animal care clinic, under my own name. I know I have my entire family cheering for me. I know I'm paving the way for those who will come after me. I know I belong here.

I was born and raised in Texas, more specifically, born in Waco and raised in Leander, just on the outside of Austin. Growing up, I knew we weren't as financially stable as other families. Money was never the main point of my life, though. I always considered myself blessed enough just to have a big family. I grew up alongside my cousins and brothers, and that was enough for me. Being in such a big family, and being Hispanic, there always felt like a pressure on my shoulders to succeed. I always kept my nose in books and my interests on school. In my family, I was viewed as the one to break the generational curses. My father had dropped out of college, my mother never finished high school, and neither one of my grandparents had either. Even my older cousins had dropped out as well. But, my brother and I finally pushed through, even after people kept telling us we would be another Hispanic stereotype because of who our father is. My mother worked hard to get us where we are. She continues to support me, even now when I'm hundreds of miles away from home. She's been my biggest supporter through all of this. When I feel like I don't belong, or that I'm not smart enough to be here, or that I should just give up because it's too expensive, my mom keeps me going. She keeps telling me that I was meant to succeed. That I'm meant to be better than those before me. My education is everything to me. Its everything to my family, and they're more important to me than anything. Going into college, I had no idea what it would be like. As I said before, none of our family had ever been to college. No one knew what it would be like, especially with moving out of state and into a completely new environment. At times there are moments where I feel like I should have just done like the rest of my family. I should have stayed in Texas, got a labor inducing job, made money like that. But, that's not who I am. It's not just about pursuing a higher education, it's about pursuing a life long dream for me. From my earliest memories, I've always wanted to become a veterinarian. Since I was a child, it's all I've ever told anyone. This is who I am, and this is where I belong. Being a first generation student is hard in a number of ways, but for me its always been about belonging, feeling like I'm not enough, or just thinking that this was a mistake. Its taken a lot to keep going, not only through my first semester of college but through high school as well. I've made it this far and I have no intention of slowing down now. I'm just on the edge of becoming what I've always wanted to be, what I've prayed and dreamed and begged for. Its hard, and it probably won't get any easier, but I'm determined to one day finish schooling and open my own animal care clinic, under my own name. I know I have my entire family cheering for me. I know I'm paving the way for those who will come after me. I know I belong here.

I was born and raised in Texas, more specifically, born in Waco and raised in Leander, just on the outside of Austin. Growing up, I knew we weren't as financially stable as other families. Money was never the main point of my life, though. I always considered myself blessed enough just to have a big family. I grew up alongside my cousins and brothers, and that was enough for me. Being in such a big family, and being Hispanic, there always felt like a pressure on my shoulders to succeed. I always kept my nose in books and my interests on school. In my family, I was viewed as the one to break the generational curses. My father had dropped out of college, my mother never finished high school, and neither one of my grandparents had either. Even my older cousins had dropped out as well. But, my brother and I finally pushed through, even after people kept telling us we would be another Hispanic stereotype because of who our father is. My mother worked hard to get us where we are. She continues to support me, even now when I'm hundreds of miles away from home. She's been my biggest supporter through all of this. When I feel like I don't belong, or that I'm not smart enough to be here, or that I should just give up because it's too expensive, my mom keeps me going. She keeps telling me that I was meant to succeed. That I'm meant to be better than those before me. My education is everything to me. Its everything to my family, and they're more important to me than anything. Going into college, I had no idea what it would be like. As I said before, none of our family had ever been to college. No one knew what it would be like, especially with moving out of state and into a completely new environment. At times there are moments where I feel like I should have just done like the rest of my family. I should have stayed in Texas, got a labor inducing job, made money like that. But, that's not who I am. It's not just about pursuing a higher education, it's about pursuing a life long dream for me. From my earliest memories, I've always wanted to become a veterinarian. Since I was a child, it's all I've ever told anyone. This is who I am, and this is where I belong. Being a first generation student is hard in a number of ways, but for me its always been about belonging, feeling like I'm not enough, or just thinking that this was a mistake. Its taken a lot to keep going, not only through my first semester of college but through high school as well. I've made it this far and I have no intention of slowing down now. I'm just on the edge of becoming what I've always wanted to be, what I've prayed and dreamed and begged for. Its hard, and it probably won't get any easier, but I'm determined to one day finish schooling and open my own animal care clinic, under my own name. I know I have my entire family cheering for me. I know I'm paving the way for those who will come after me. I know I belong here.

I've always had a special kind of love for animals. My parents noticed it very early on as I was practically raised by the dogs they owned and the hundreds of cats that would gather in my grandfather's front lawn. All these animals in my life only fueled my want to help them in some way. Whether it was feeding them scraps of my own food or giving them a scratch on the head, I wanted to help. From a young age, I knew exactly what I wanted to be and what I wanted to do. I've always been a very head-strong and determined kid. Parents who would meet me could tell right away that I didn't let anyone tell me what to do or how I should do something. I grew up in Waco, Texas. An area that's riddled with strays and chained dogs. Adults in my life would try to steer me away from the mangy strays of the streets, fearful. Of course, they were only trying to protect me, because who lets a kid walk up to a random bleeding dog, but I wanted nothing more than to show that animal compassion. When people told me "no," or "you can't", it only fueled me more. Most strays had never had a kind hand touch them or ever even heard the words "good boy," and that shattered my heart as a kid. These animals are so filled with love from the moment they are born and because of the horrible world we live in, they've suffered at the hands of humans. So, I was always defiant and almost abrasive to those who would try to shoo me away. I was often their first belly rubs, their first kisses, their first gentle and kind hands. Although I couldn't take these dogs home myself, I'd help them anyway I could as a kid. Seeing their tails wag and hearing purrs heavily drove my ambitions to work with animals in some kind of way. I knew who I needed to be in order to help them. While working for this dream, I've noticed animals be turned away and labeled as "aggressive" or "killers". I've even had these animals bite me and yet, these animals are my favorite to work with. A different kind of fear plagues these animals, forcing them to be hostile. They are only products in their environment. Once I graduate, my home and my future farm will be a safe haven for them, where they will get to experience play, love, and eventually find their own families. I will work hard to not only give them a safe home, but to heal their wounds, cure their ailments, and mend their bones. Once they are healthy and happy, they can thrive. I have always said, an aggressive animal is a hurting one and I hope to be able to heal them from their pains. I know I cannot save them all, but I am more than willing to try. As I've gotten older, my mentality has remained the same. The more strays and animals in pain that I see only makes me want to work harder for my goals. I dream of the day I'm able to provide aid to the animals just barely surviving. I'm working hard to achieve this dream, studying to one day earn my doctorate in veterinarian medicine, in both small and large animals. I want to be able to foster dogs and cats, maybe even horses, and get them ready to stay with their forever families. Every animal deserves a chance at love.

Going into college, I had no idea what it would be like. I didn't know where I'd go, how I'd pay, or if I'd even be accepted. None of our family had ever been to college. No one knew what it would be like, especially with moving out of state and into a new environment. At times, there are moments where I feel like I should have just done like the rest of my family. I should have stayed in Texas, got a labor-inducing job, and made money like that. But that's not who I am. It's not just about pursuing a higher education; it's about pursuing a lifelong dream for me. From my earliest memories, I've always wanted to become a veterinarian. Since I was a child, it's all I've ever told anyone. This is who I am, and this is where I belong. Being the first to obtain a degree is more than just saying I got an education. It's about saying that against all odds, I managed to conquer my dreams. I am more than the cards that were dealt to me. I can do more than what people think I can. It's about being honest and true to my heart and my purpose. As said before, becoming a veterinarian has always been my purpose in life. Animals have always been an interest but helping them is my passion. I want to pursue an undergraduate degree in Biology, work as many internship hours as I can under a DVM's guidance, and graduate with flying colors. After my undergraduate, I'll move on to vet school. I'll be learning at Texas A&M University, where I'll earn my doctorate and earn the title of Dr. Chavez. After that, I'll continue my work. I'll build myself up and build a name and reputation among my family and our peers. People will know who they can go to for trusted care in their animals, their family. Once I've saved and made enough money, I'll buy a huge chunk of land and build myself a lovely house with just enough room for my boyfriend and all the pets we'll have. I'll run the land like a sanctuary, a home for strays and sick animals. I'll have my own practice under my name and be like a traveling vet. Once my name is established, I'll provide mobile clinics. I'll set up in popular homeless spots, provide free care and checkups for their pets, and even offer free supplies. I'll help where I can to my community, to my people, and to our beloved animals. Everyone deserves healthcare, even our pets. I'll run rescues, fosters, and all things of the sort. It's an ambitious goal, one I have to keep myself in check with because passion can quickly become hoarding, and no pet deserves that. But, I'm determined to help the way I have wanted to since I was young. I want to build the community up and make an organization determined to help. I want to establish a name for generations to come so people will always know they can count on Chavez to help.

Growing up, I was always unsure of myself. I hated overly girly things and would insist that I was a tom-boy to anyone I met. It was always a quick and hard correction, too. No one was allowed to see me as a girly girl. I know that's not a determining factor of gender identity, but for so long, it confused me as to why I hated being seen as a girl. I don't mind it nearly as much now, mostly because I enjoy being feminine. Being younger, though, was my biggest insecurity. I was never introduced to the idea of being transgender until sixth grade when I met someone else who felt the way I did, but they were so much more sure of their identity than I was. Even after I'd discovered the LGBTQ+ and all of the different labels, I was more confused than ever before. During this time, I also was at the height of my insecurity. For a long time, I'd just called myself a trans-man because that was the easiest label to identify as. During that, I'd often surf between different pronouns, identities, and everything. When I first came out to my mother, she was completely against the idea. It took her years to understand how I felt finally. Now, she's much more open-minded, especially now that I've identified as gender-fluid for so long. Her support has meant everything to me. She may not understand completely, but I know she'll always be in my corner, no matter what. Her certainty in me also gave me certainty in myself. I currently attend Simpson College, where my mother continues to support me. At times, I felt as if my identity would prevent me from moving up in my education. It often felt more like a burden than a part of my identity. People's first impressions of me would always be how I identify, my appearance, and my beliefs. What if this identity is what detoured colleges away from me? What would happen if I couldn't find work in the vet industry simply because of how I identify? Since I was young, I've dreamed of opening my own veterinary practice. I wouldn't let bigoted people stop me from working for what I've always dreamed of. I'm only halfway on my journey, but I can't wait to see what the future holds for me, even if it may be running into people who hate me for who I am. I want to be the doctor that everyone brings their furry friends to. I want to be a friendly face with which people can trust their pets' lives. I want all LGBTQ+ individuals to know that despite the hate, they can still do amazing things. If not for people, then to improve the world itself. We don't have to have everyone love us. We don't need complete recognition. We need equity in our society, and it starts with giving everyone a fair chance, regardless of identity. No one should feel as if they have less of an opportunity because of who they are.

My first time playing Minecraft was on the PlayStation 3. I'm unsure of how old I may have been then, but even after playing once, I'd fallen in love. Most of the time, my brother and I were in creative mode, looking up different structures to create, but when we'd play in Survival, we had different goals. I wouldn't say I always had a set way of playing Minecraft, but that's the point of the game. It was created as a breeding ground for creativity, an outlet. There is no specific way to play the game. Sure, there is technically an end to it, a story behind it, but you're not forced to follow it. That's why it's so popular. That's what I love about it. Minecraft is a game of freedom. It's an endless expansion of possibilities. Each world has a different layout, each world is randomly generated, and everyone has a different way of playing. Every time you log on, you're presented with endless choices. I always explore. I'll search for hours for the perfect spot, the perfect chunk of land to house myself. Exploring the world is easily my favorite thing about the game. You're not required to stay at the spawn. You're free. Freedom is something everyone craves. When you live in a world bound by deadlines and assignments like mine, the chance of freedom rarely arises. Not only that, I can't travel everywhere, not with the income I have. Traveling costs too much; I have responsibilities, no time, and no money. In Minecraft, I have it all. Of course, even in the game, there are struggles, such as mobs, resources, and falling off a cliff, but that also makes it exciting. It's a thrilling kind of struggle, a fight without the severe risks. For me, freedom will always be what I love about Minecraft. I'm free to mine, build, and slay mobs as I please.

Everyone's familiar with the stereotypical dog breeds that Hispanic families own. Dogs like pit bulls, chihuahuas, and any little, crusty, white dogs are usually the main ones. I'm certainly not beating these allegations as someone who has owned two of the breeds listed. But, these breeds also influenced me to begin my veterinary journey. When I was younger, so far back that I can hardly remember, my parents owned a pit bull. They'd had her for a few years already before I was born. My dad bought her for my mom, who then named her Patches. She was a good dog, the best, even. Whenever my brother and I were in the yard, front or back, she was by our sides. Although I don't have many memories of her, Patches was loyal, loving, and a gentle giant. After she'd passed away, her daughter, Midnight, took over guarding duties. No dog could ever replace another, but she protected our family as Patches did. Even after Patches and Midnight were gone, my family owned more dogs, most of which were pit bulls. So, growing up, I was naturally obsessed with the breed. As I grew with them, I began to notice the opposition they faced: abuse, neglect, dog fights, and even killings of pits. Some vet clinics even refused to see breeds underneath the "pit bull" description. Witnessing these atrocities against an animal that knows nothing but love and loyalty broke my heart. This sentiment began to apply to all animals. Why, as beings who are considered to be emotionally intelligent, do we harm and hurt animals who only know love? Why isn't there more people willing to save them? We, as humans, crave companionship. The same can be said for nearly all domestic animals and even wild. I decided to pursue veterinary medicine because of this. My main goal in this field is to provide for creatures who can't help themselves, have been subjected to abuse, and have been thrown away like objects, to give them what they need most: companionship. This idea particularly pertains to shelters. Giving strays a second chance at a home, providing dogs labeled as aggressive a safe environment, and helping new mothers save their babies. Shelters are overrun with pets. An overwhelming amount of strays flood into facilities at an alarming rate, and the ones injured or labeled aggressive are the first ones they weed out. Most don't ever consider livestock or large animals like horses. It's not the shelter's fault. To keep a stream flowing, you have to clear the dam, or it will get backed up. I want to help keep the waters steady. I want to provide sanctuary for scared, hurt, and ill animals. I've always known what I wanted to be since I was young. Patches, Midnight, and every pet I've ever met have influenced me. It's soul-crushing to see these magnificent animals harmed at the hands of those who are supposed to care for them. It's heart-shattering to see an animal, who's made for companionship, only know survival. I want to be the person who picks up strays off the side of the road. I want to be the person who shows them what love is. I want to be the person who shows them that they don't need to fight anymore. Every animal, dog, horse, cat, and even cow should know what it's like to have a family and a home.

Spider-Man has always been a special and deep rooted interest of mine. I've collected all kinds of merch, comics, and trinkets over the many years I've loved him. He's the first superhero I can vividly remember admiring and watching in theaters alongside my brothers and parents. I think I first connected with him because of how young he's usually depicted as. He's witty, snarky, and overall the least uptight superhero. The actor who embodies that childlike behavior with a deeper craving for justice the most is Andrew Garfield, in the sense of the Spider-Man being portrayed is Peter Parker. He's not a pushover like Tom Holland's and he's not as serious as Tobey Maguire's depiction. I do think all three versions have their own specific specialties, but Andrew Garfield manages to balance out everything in an effortless blend. You can also see how much Garfield loved his role as Peter Parker and how naturally he seemed to fit it. The movies themselves and the scripts show so much of Spider-Man not only as some big and widely known superhero, but as someone who truly does care for his community and his home. In the first movie we see how Peter goes through his newfound powers, through his grief, and we see exactly the reason he becomes Spider-Man. He's always hated bullies and stood up for those who couldn't help themselves, as seen in multiple scenes in the first movie. When there's a kid being bullied in the courtyard, Peter steps in, before he ever even gets his abilities. The Amazing Spider-Man movies are some of the most underrated even though they present Peter in such a deeper and realer manner. Another thing that's very apparent in these two movies is how Spider-Man acts with the villains. Tom Holland's, though having the coolest villains out of the three, have always felt dull in the character development side of things. He has no real story behind these villains beyond just the shallow and overdone subplot of actually knowing the villain but not actually knowing them. Tobey Maguire's villains are a little better in that aspect, with Doc Ock by far being the best villain in his trilogy. Even then, Andrew Garfield's villains take the cake with having the most emotion towards his villains. Similar to Doc Ock's storyline of his professor becoming his enemy, The Lizard does this extremely well. Peter is the one who practically makes his own enemy and only realizes that when its already too late. Andrew Garfield has witty banter back and forth between his foes that doesn't feel forced, which is something I've always enjoyed, and he genuinely tries to help them before he gives up on them. Its seen again in Electro's subplot as well. Max is a man who feels like a nobody in the world and its Spider-Man who manages to make him feel like a somebody. He attempts to talk Electro down, encourages him, and doesn't give up until he absolutely has to. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, we even see again how Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man has a moment with Max and genuinely talks with him. All three movies embody Peter Parker in a different way, but Andrew Garfield's does it perfectly. The other two trilogies will always hold a special place in my heart as some of my favorite movies to watch, but Andrew Garfield and the Amazing Spider-Man duology will always and forever be my favorite. Save of course for the Into the Spider-Verse movies and Shameik Moore as Miles Morales, but they're pretty tied up for first place.