I chose to study veterinary medicine because it has been my lifelong passion. I have always known what I want to “be when I grow up” and have always adored all different types of animals - ranging from domestic ones, to livestock, to marine animals, reptiles, and more. Overall though, my favorite classification of animals is livestock. When I was around 5 years old, I was riding in the car and passing by a farm of dairy cows. My relatives pulled the car over so we could get a closer look. When I approached, one of the cows licked her long rough tongue along the side of my face. That’s the moment I fell head over heels for cows! Throughout my childhood, I would play in my neighborhood and bring all the stray animals home with me. I would feed them, care for them, and study them. I loved watching animal emergency television shows, particularly my favorite called Emergency Vets. I would be in awe of the medical personnel healing animals both physically and emotionally. I was captivated by those real life heroes and envisioned myself being just like them. My goal is to make a difference in the world of animal agriculture and science. I want a career in veterinary medicine and the opportunity to work for the United States Department of Agriculture. With an education in this specialized industry, I would work with large animals such as cows and pigs, usually on farms and ranches. I want to heal them, care for them, be their voice, and bring awareness to their needs. Additionally, I would work closely with farmers to explain proper care and help with any preventative measures. Although we as a society use animals in agriculture for human consumption, it is important that we treat them with compassion and humanity nonetheless. I know I can be a great advocate in the field of animal agriculture for both the animals and the people. My plans for my future also include fulfilling my dream of opening a non-profit organization focused on the education and rehabilitation of farm animals. I will educate the public about caring for animals, the planet, and ourselves. I will bring on staff and volunteers to help hands on with the animals and gain experience. On select days, I will offer visits exclusively for the special needs community. My career aspirations will greatly benefit my son, given that animal-assisted therapy is particularly effective when it comes to individuals with Autism. “As one person I cannot change the world, but I can change the world of one person.” I think of this quote when I reflect on my dreams of helping animals. I can make a difference in the lives of animals, even if it is just one animal at a time. Even the smallest good deed can make a huge difference to someone/something.

My plans for my future are to continue my education in animal science, transfer to veterinary school, and ultimately earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. I would like the opportunity to work for the United States Department of Agriculture. I have always had a passion for animals, especially livestock. When I was a young child, I was riding in the car and passing by a farm of dairy cows. My relatives pulled over so we could get a closer look. When I approached excitedly, one of the cows licked her long rough tongue along the side of my face. That’s the moment I fell head over heels for cows. My plans for my future also include fulfilling my dream of opening a non profit organization focused on the education and rehabilitation of farm animals. I will educate the public about caring for animals, the planet, and ourselves. I will bring on staff and volunteers to help hands on with the animals and gain experience. On select days, I will offer visits exclusively for the special needs community. My aspirations would greatly benefit my son, given that animal-assisted therapy is particularly effective when it comes to individuals with Autism. My inspiration stems from a combination of personal passion and my experience raising my special needs child. Once I became aware of my child’s disability, I began educating myself and realized I want to provide services to the special needs community. A unique aspect of my life is my strong humanitarian spirit. My lifelong goal is to make a difference in the world. I am driven by a desire to be a part of something, do something great, and make a positive impact on the world. I love to help others. In years prior, I have given others the ultimate gift of life: children. I am a former surrogate and have had 2 successful surrogacy journeys. I carried and birthed babies for their families. In 2019 I delivered a baby girl and in 2020 I delivered another baby girl, both for separate families. Giving families the gift of life was one of the most incredible things I have ever done. It is truly dear to my heart and I will cherish my experiences forever. The person that has impacted my life the most is my son, Christian Angel. Becoming a mother for the first time completely changed my life. It gave me a reason to live. I grew up without a mother, father, or amongst my siblings. I was passed from home to home and abused along the way. My traumatic childhood led me down a self-destructive path of depression and addiction, which I carried from my youth into adulthood. Upon discovering that I was with child, I abruptly changed my life. I knew my unborn baby deserved better. Motherhood allowed me to experience something I did not have growing up: love. Upon my son’s birth, I set out on a journey to clean up the wreckage of my past and have successfully overcome each of those obstacles. I then committed myself to enrolling in college and earning a higher education. I am dedicated to breaking the generational patterns that run in my family bloodline and I am creating my own legacy. And I do this all with my amazing 6 year old son by my side rooting for me. Despite Christian Angel's disability of Autism Spectrum Disorder, I would never wish to change who he is. He is incredible and he inspires me every single day.

Being a student and a parent is one of the most difficult things I have done in my entire life. As a student parent, I face many financial, psychological, and emotional stressors of being a college student while providing for my family at the same time. My journey comes with many highs and many lows. My entire parenting experience has solely been that of a single parent. This is not the circumstance I wanted, but it is my circumstance nonetheless and I fully accept the responsibility because I love my children and want better for them. I have 2 children: my 6-year-old Autistic son and my 7-month daughter. As a single mother, I am a provider, nurturer, protector, mentor, therapist, assistant, accountant, teacher, housekeeper, chef, doctor, and more - and still, I am a student. I have a household of 3, consisting of just myself and my kids, which means that I solely bear all of the responsibility of maintaining our home life. Regardless of my emotional, physical, or medical state, I cannot take a day off. After a day of work and school, I still cook dinner, wash dishes, bathe children, assist with homework, do laundry, clean up messes, change diapers, and more. There is nobody to help me. Through blood, sweat, and tears, I handle it all. We are a low-income household. Although I work, much of my time is dedicated to my schooling, making me less available to earn wages. Getting my education requires sacrifice along the way, resulting in my household financially struggling on a regular basis. With no financial support from my children’s paternal side, I solely bear the financial burden. I am accustomed to this by now, but it doesn’t make it any easier. I’ve just gotten better at adapting. I tap into community outreach services and resources when I can, and I’ve recently considered couponing to reduce money spent on groceries. Despite all I’ve described, the most challenging factor about the combination of being a student and a single parent is my lack of a family support network. I don’t have ties that are commonly had amongst families. I come from a broken childhood upbringing. I do not have a mother or father and I was not raised amongst my siblings. I have minimal communication with extended family members, seeing a few of them mainly for holidays. This means that my children don’t have grandparents, aunts, uncles, or relatives that are commonly involved. “It takes a village to raise a child,” is a common phrase and belief. Yet, I cannot provide a village for myself and my children. This is, by far, the most challenging and heartbreaking aspect of my single parenthood. I feel the struggle every single moment of my life. I don’t get the luxury of sending my children to grandma’s house for the weekend, or them going shopping with an aunt for the afternoon, or having relatives attend our school and sports events. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, I am mothering - all alone. All of these factors directly affect my educational experience. I schedule work and college around my children’s school and daycare schedules, which is incredibly difficult. My routine homework hours begin at 9 pm and end as late as 2 am. Then my alarm wakes me up at 6 am to start my day. I cook dinner while listening to class lecture videos. I’ve had to bring my children to class, workshops, and academic appointments so that I don’t get behind. Sometimes I am easily frustrated. I yell and I cry. Afterward, I feel terrible and apologize for being a mean mom. Then I get up every day and do this entire exhausting cycle all over again. Although I am stressed, I am also blessed. Single motherhood has been challenging but I have learned more about myself along the way. It has taught me to be a better mother. Motherhood is the driving force behind my pursuit of higher education. It ignited a fire inside of me, calling for me to tap into my potential. So that is exactly what I chose to do. Research shows that parents' education level has a significant impact on their children's success. By witnessing me in college, my children will have a greater influence to pursue college themselves. Being awarded this scholarship will pave the way for my future and the future of my children. I understand the value of higher education and personal achievement. My education is going to be the gateway out of economic duress. However, college has become increasingly unaffordable over the years. If awarded, I would strictly use the funds for my educational costs. This would include tuition, fees, parking, transportation, club memberships, books and supplies, and so much more. This would provide me with the financial assistance I need rather than the alternative route of charging my credit card, resulting in me paying high-interest rates. Additionally, not only would this scholarship have a great financial impact on my family, but it would also provide an even greater benefit for me personally. Winning this award would be a great boost in my self-confidence and would be an affirmation that I do belong. It would be a demonstration to myself that my efforts are not in vain and are not going unnoticed. Maybe some of the personal struggles of my single parenthood journey are blossoming in the form of recognition that I am doing something right in my life. As a student and single parent, I am making sacrifices to make a better future for my family. I am setting an example for them that it’s never too late to go for our dreams. When I graduate, I will have the 2 most influential people in my life in attendance: my son and my daughter. And I would be honored to say that the Organic Formula Shop Single Parenthood Scholarship has had a role in my success.