My name is Suzy Garcia, and I am a proud Mexican-American, first-generation college student who is passionate about helping animals live healthier, happier lives. Ever since I was young, I’ve felt a strong connection to animals, not just as pets, but as living beings who need care, attention, and love. My goal is to become a veterinarian and use that role to help animals who can’t speak for themselves, especially in communities where access to proper animal care is limited. I currently volunteer at a VCA Animal Hospital, where I support the veterinary staff by cleaning, preparing rooms, comforting animals after procedures, and helping however I can. This experience has taught me so much about the dedication it takes to care for animals. I’ve seen how important it is to treat every animal with compassion, and how powerful it is when owners see their pets being cared for with love and professionalism. It’s confirmed for me that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. Outside of my volunteer work, I’ve had personal experiences that have shaped my future in veterinary medicine. When I was part of an escaramuza team, I formed a deep bond with my horse, Cash. Losing him to a chronic illness was heartbreaking and made me realize how crucial skilled animal care is, not just for the animals, but for the people who love them. Now, I’m training and raising Chevy, a horse I got at only 8 months old. I’ve learned how to feed, ride, and care for her completely on my own, without any formal training or farming background. She’s taught me responsibility, patience, and the importance of earning an animal’s trust. Lessons I’ll carry with me into my career. I’m also incredibly close to my 9-year-old dog, Coco, who’s been with my family since I was a child. He’s shown me the lifelong bond we share with animals and inspired me to continue this journey, even when it gets hard. My dream is to become a veterinarian who not only treats animals but makes a real impact in underserved communities. I want to open a clinic in a neighborhood where veterinary care is hard to find or too expensive. I want to educate pet owners on how to care for their animals and offer services in both English and Spanish to reach more people. My goal isn’t just to be a vet, it’s to be a bridge between animals and families, especially in places that need it most. Being a first-generation student hasn’t been easy. There’s no one in my family who’s done this before, so I’ve had to figure out how to navigate college, career paths, and financial aid mostly on my own. But I’m determined. I’ve come this far with the help of my family, my love for animals, and my desire to make a difference. This scholarship would bring me one step closer to my goal. I want to honor Andrea Claire Matason’s legacy by continuing her mission of helping animals through kindness, hard work, and community support. I hope to spend my life making a difference the same way she did.

Being a first-generation, Mexican-American college student means more to me than just attending school. It’s a way for me to honor the hard work and sacrifices of my family, break generational barriers, and show other young people in my community that we can achieve things our parents only dreamed about. I carry my heritage with pride, and I carry my future with purpose. My parents came to this country with nothing but hope and a strong work ethic. We don’t come from wealth or connections, we come from grit. My mom and dad have always done whatever it takes to keep our family moving forward. College wasn’t an option for them, but they always made it clear they wanted better for me and my sisters. That’s where my passion for education began, from watching their sacrifices and realizing that earning a degree isn’t just for me, it’s for all of us. Growing up Mexican-American, I was surrounded by a culture rich in family, pride, and tradition. But I was also surrounded by people who didn’t always believe we belonged in higher education. I’ve heard comments that students like me don’t usually make it far, that we “should be realistic.” Instead of letting those words defeat me, I let them fuel me. I want to prove that we can succeed not despite our roots, but because of them. I’ve always been someone who wanted to do more and give back. That’s why I started volunteering at a VCA animal hospital. I work directly with animals, help comfort them, clean their spaces, and support the veterinary team. I do this because I want to become a veterinarian one day. It’s not easy, and there have been moments where I’ve questioned if I’m smart enough, strong enough or even have the finances to accomplish my goals, but I think about all my parents have done for me and I know they deserve to see me be successful. Being first-generation means there’s no path laid out for me, I’m building it as I go. Sometimes that feels overwhelming, but mostly, it makes me proud. I’ve taught myself how to navigate college applications, how to talk to advisors, and how to push through when I feel alone in the process due to my parents language barrier. I’m also raising and training a young horse named Chevy, who I’ve cared for since she was just 8 months old. I learned everything on my own, how to ride, train, and care for her without any farming or ranching background. She’s shown me what it means to be patient, strong, and consistent, even when things feel impossible. I want to graduate college not just for the degree, but for what it represents. I want my family members and others in my community to see that it’s possible to come from a humble background and still aim high. I want to become a veterinarian, open a clinic in an underserved area, and give back to the people and animals who’ve shaped my journey. I’m passionate about being a first-generation, Mexican-American college student because I carry with me the legacy of sacrifice and the power of dreams. This isn’t just my story, it’s my family’s story, my culture’s story, and the beginning of what I hope becomes a bigger story of change.

Since I was young, I’ve always had a strong love for animals. Whether it was spending time with my dog Coco, taking care of horses, or volunteering at an animal hospital, I’ve always known that I wanted to work with animals for the rest of my life. Becoming a veterinarian is my dream because I want to help animals live healthier lives and give people the support they need to care for their pets. One of the biggest reasons I’m passionate about veterinary care is my experience with horses. I was part of an escaramuza team, which is a traditional Mexican horseback riding group where women ride in choreographed patterns. I had a very special bond with my first horse, Cash. Sadly, he became very sick with a chronic illness, and I had to make the hard decision to put him down. That moment really affected me, but it also made me realize how important it is to have trained professionals who can help both animals and the people who love them during difficult times. Now, I’m raising and training my second horse, Chevy, who I got when she was only 8 months old. I’ve been taking care of her for over a year and a half, and I’ve had to teach myself everything, from feeding and grooming to riding and training. My family doesn’t come from a farming or horse background, so this journey has pushed me to learn a lot on my own. It’s made me more patient, responsible, and confident, and it’s one of the main reasons I want to be a vet. Another big part of my journey has been my dog Coco, who is now 9 years old. He’s been part of our family since I was a kid, and he’s taught me what it means to care for an animal every day. I’ve learned how important things like check-ups, diet, and exercise are, and how much animals rely on us to keep them safe and healthy. I’ve also volunteered at a VCA Animal Hospital, where I help clean, comfort animals after surgery, and support the staff. This experience has shown me what it’s really like to work in a vet clinic, and it’s made me even more excited about my future. I’ve seen how much a vet’s work matters, not just for animals, but for the families who love them. As a bilingual, first-generation college student from an underrepresented background, I also want to be a role model for others who may not see themselves in this career. I want to work in communities that don’t have easy access to good veterinary care and help make those services more available and affordable. I believe that everyone, no matter where they live or how much money they have, deserves to have their pets cared for with kindness and skill. Veterinary school is going to be tough, but I’m ready for the challenge. This scholarship would help me get closer to my goal and allow me to focus on learning everything I can to become the best vet I can be. I’m passionate, driven, and ready to make a difference in the lives of animals and the people who care for them.

Animal care and welfare are at the heart of conservation because they focus on the well-being of individual animals and every individual matters. Whether it’s a wild animal recovering from injury or a companion animal receiving veterinary care, each life has value. When we care for animals with compassion and responsibility, we not only improve their lives but also protect the delicate balance of the ecosystems they belong to. Conservation isn’t just about saving species in the abstract, it’s about the direct care that helps animals survive, thrive, and contribute to the environment around them. My personal connection to animal welfare began with horses. I was an escaramuza, a traditional Mexican equestrian rider, performing synchronized routines on horseback in full traditional attire. It was there that I developed a deep bond with my first horse, a strong, intelligent animal I loved dearly. Sadly, due to a chronic illness, I eventually had to make the heartbreaking decision to put him down. It was one of the most painful moments of my life, but it also taught me about the emotional side of animal care and how important it is to offer animals dignity, comfort, and love, even in their final moments. A year and a half ago, I got a new horse just eight months old at the time. Despite having no farming or formal equestrian background, I’ve taken on the challenge of raising, training, and riding him on my own. This journey has been full of learning, patience, and a growing understanding of the responsibilities that come with animal care. It’s taught me to observe closely, to earn trust slowly, and to prioritize the physical and emotional well-being of animals above anything else. I’ve also volunteered at a VCA Animal Hospital, where I assist with daily care tasks like cleaning kennels, comforting animals after surgery, and supporting the veterinary team. Through this experience, I’ve witnessed how proper care can transform the life of an animal and bring peace to the humans who love them. Whether it’s a pet or a wild animal, the way we care for them directly affects their health, their ability to recover, and their future role in their environment. I plan to pursue a degree in veterinary science or animal health and welfare, with a long-term goal of working in both companion animal care and wildlife rehabilitation. I especially want to work with large animals like horses and livestock, and provide affordable veterinary care in underserved communities. My vision includes partnering with rescue centers and conservation groups to help heal and rehome injured wildlife, educate communities, and promote humane, sustainable animal care practices. As a first-generation, bilingual college student, I understand the importance of having strong role models and advocates in every field. I want to be that advocate — someone who not only treats animals medically but also teaches others how to respect and protect them. I believe that conservation starts with compassion, and I’m committed to being part of the next generation of caretakers who will protect animals and the planet they live on. This scholarship would help me continue my education and turn my passion into action, helping one animal, one species, and one ecosystem at a time.