I have always dreamed of being an educator－fantasizing about caring for other people and being the bridge to their learning. I have always been drawn to teaching, especially because of the impact my teachers have had on me. Quite recently I had one of the most meaningful encounters with the health system. After years of struggling with crippling depression and anxiety in silence, I had reached a breaking point that almost cost me my life. I was stuck in a cycle of thinking that I had to lead a singular experience through life, but this could not be any further from the truth. Thankfully, a three-day trip to the hospital and a village of people beside me has made me realize that we can enter this world alone, but we do not have to live through it unassisted. Being given the support to enjoy a new opportunity to attempt a better life, I have discovered many things about my character. I have discovered that I am strong, I have discovered that I am brave but, most importantly, I have discovered that I am more than the sum of my parts. Working together as a group doesn’t mean the individual is weak, it just means that together we are stronger. This trial has pushed me past what I thought I could handle; I now know the true meaning of perseverance. I have learned that there are dark days raging with cataclysmic storms that make even the strongest houses dissipate into rubble. However, there are also days filled with marvelous gold paved roads that end with rainbows and sunshine. Somewhere in between those two days is where the living occurs. This is where we climb the steep hills of life and slide down on the other side. It is within those moments that I have been given a second opportunity to do more than simply seize the day, but wholeheartedly continue to pave my path. It has been difficult to stand back up after being buried under six feet of dirt, but it has been worth every single struggle. Now more than ever I am empowered to follow my ambitions of becoming an educator and joining the support network of all of my students. I actively advocate for mental health days, teach them about mental health hygiene, and lead them by example. It is more than okay to have bad days as long as they know that they have someone that can help them out when they are ready to make a change. In my daily life, I am transparent about my struggles and also the slow joy that comes from learning to cope. I have been broken and remolded to be the person I am today. Helen Keller once said “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” This thought has been manifested in my life, and now I can use it as an example of triumph that I can do more than move mountains.

Vincent Van Gogh and his work hold a special place in my life. The beauty captured in his paintings is the epitome of the post-impressionism movement and makes the subjects relatable to the human experience. The art that emerged from his short life resonates with many for the emotions that are so clearly conveyed and exemplify how our experiences shape our perspective. The fame that outlives him inspires me to persevere with hopes of witnessing the fruition of my greatest work and passions.

As a child, I never had access to fancy computers or TVs, but I had a natural affinity for technology that could not be denied. My parents could tell a thousand stories about how I took our appliances apart repeatedly or how I reprogrammed all their remotes against their will. However, growing up in a low-income immigrant family meant I had to let go of many aspirations early on because the means we had could not be justifiably spent on my hobbies and interests. My family frequently had to make many tough decisions including moving many times to make ends meet and many of my childhood memories center around the huge economic crisis that afflicted my parents. Having this insecurity at such a critical age made me realize the importance of my education early on and its impact on my future since it became the only constant thing in my life. During a particularly hard move in the middle of my sophomore year, I became a new student at a large high school in my hometown. It was one of the most intimidating experiences I have had to overcome. I knew no one and had very little control over what classes I took since I transferred midway in the year. Fortunately, this meant that I ended up in a business technology class that altered the course of my education. Inadvertently I was put in an environment that would nurture my natural talents and gave me access to technology I had only dreamt of at that point. That teacher planted a seed of knowledge and sparked my curiosity about the impact that technology could have on the lives of students like me. The opportunity to take that class opened many doors and pathways to acknowledging how important access to technology is and inspired me into pursuing higher education in the subject. After completing this computer science program, I aim to mesh my education degree and my love for technology by implementing cutting-edge tech into specialized curriculum plans for K-12 students as a curriculum specialist. My goal is to widen access to technology, especially in rural areas, to give students more practical life skills that will smoothen their transition into college or the workforce. My combined experience as a former student in a rural setting and my extensive knowledge in education and technology offers me a unique perspective that makes me a great candidate for this scholarship. The opportunity to be able to complete this degree and receive this scholarship would signify great change for me. I would be an accomplished woman in STEM, a mentor for future generations, but most importantly a liaison that can introduce a love for technology for students just as my teacher did for me.