When I lived in Mexico, I saw stray dogs on almost every street. Many looked hungry or scared, and it hurt to know I could not help them. Those memories stayed with me and helped shape my goal of becoming a veterinarian who serves the community. I want to offer affordable care so low-income families can keep their pets healthy and safe. I also want to support homeless individuals who give everything they can to care for their animals. Their dedication inspires me, and I want to give their pets the treatment they deserve. My experience with my dog Laika strengthened this goal even more. My dad and I could not afford a high-quality veterinarian, so we went to a cheaper clinic. The vaccines they gave her did not work, and she became very sick. Losing her was painful, and it made me realize how important proper veterinary care is. If we had access to reliable treatment, she might still be with us today. A degree in animal science is the first step in my journey to prevent situations like this for other families. Studying animal biology, nutrition, and health will give me the foundation I need to understand how to care for different species. It will also prepare me for the challenges of veterinary school, where I will learn the skills needed to diagnose illnesses, provide treatment, and serve animals in a safe and effective way. With this education, I will be able to return to my community and offer trustworthy, affordable care so that pets and their families never have to go through what Laika went through. My goal is to make a real difference, and my path begins with an animal science degree and continues toward becoming the veterinarian my community needs.

My early life felt like a series of unfortunate events. At 11 years old, I moved to Mexico with my parents to take care of my grandparents, and was placed in a school taught entirely in Spanish, a language I was only familiar with from hearing my family speak. The following year, COVID hit my family hard, everyone got sick and my grandfather and mother both passed away. A year after that, I got a puppy who passed away seven months later. This same year, my uncle succumbed to his heart issues. After completing my freshman year in Mexico, my Dad encouraged me to move back to the U.S. without him to continue my education, here in California. Transitioning from the U.S. to Mexico, then back to the U.S. meant starting over twice, this time without the support of my family. I had to navigate new teachers, new classmates, and new environments, while also taking on responsibilities that most people my age have not, like handling money or making decisions independently. Growing up these past few years without having my Dad to lean on has been extremely difficult, but I have learned to create that stability for myself. These challenges felt overwhelming. Losing loved ones left me with grief that was difficult to carry, while moving between countries gave me a feeling of displacement. Instead of letting these challenges hold me back, I chose to adapt. The way I saw it, my life could go one of two ways; I could sulk and continue in my downward spiral or I could pick up the pieces of my life, and use this hurt as fuel. I taught myself how to be resourceful, how to stay organized, and how to advocate for myself. Education became my anchor; it gave me purpose and reminded me that all of the sacrifices I was making were leading toward something greater. In the end, my struggles have not defined me, they have prepared me. The independence and perseverance I developed will help me succeed no matter where I am. I have a dream, a purpose, and the determination to make it happen. I will do anything to be successful not only for myself, but also to honor my family. I want to make my mom proud of who I am and what I have accomplished and I want to pay back my dad for everything he sacrifices to support me. Living in the U.S. is expensive, and he works constantly to provide for me. Even though he won't admit it, I know he probably skips meals to save enough money for me to get a degree. He is motivated by his paternal love, and now it is my turn to show that his efforts are paying off. This reminds me every day why continuing my education matters, and the obligation I have to work hard in order to reach the future I envision for myself. I am now at the point in my life where I can pick up where he left off, to do what he couldn’t, and show him how truly grateful I am by going to college for animal science and becoming a veterinarian. My resilience combined with my passion for veterinary medicine make me confident that I will succeed. I am not just chasing a degree, I am chasing a dream that I, alongside my parents, have fought hard to keep alive.