My name is Vanessa Aguilar, and I’m from Yonkers, NY. I'm currently finishing my senior year of high school. My parents were born and raised in El Salvador, and I carry that rich culture with me wherever I go. Growing up as a Latina in my community has always felt meaningful, especially since people from all kinds of Hispanic backgrounds have surrounded me. It’s been a journey of self-discovery through my friendships with people from cultures that are both unique and familiar. My closest friends are Puerto Rican and Dominican, but they feel like sisters to me. I’ve developed a deep love for connecting with others and hearing their stories, and I’ve realized that this is something I want to focus on in college. I truly believe in the power of networking and meeting new people, because you never know who you might encounter. While opportunities haven’t always come easily, I’m confident that in college, this ability will help open doors I never thought possible for myself. At first, the idea of going to college intimidated me. I wasn’t sure if it was the right choice, mainly because I couldn’t decide on a major. It would keep me up at night, as I’m the type of person who feels the need to have everything figured out right away. I now understand that it’s okay not to have all the answers immediately, but back then, I believed that having a clear direction would allow me to prepare and seize opportunities more effectively. While I still have a strong belief in better preparing myself, I learned to handle it differently. During the time I was figuring out what I wanted to major in, I listened to the things I liked to do. I’ve always had a passion for conversing and meeting new people, as well as experiencing new places. Once I am In college I will have to branch out and I want to come out of my comfort zone. I believe college will give me the chance to connect with countless individuals who will help shape me into the best version of myself. Stress was something I struggled with throughout high school, and it was one of my biggest challenges. Over time, I learned to take things one step at a time, and that’s exactly how I approached the process of applying to colleges. When the time came, I knew it was time to move forward into the next phase of my life. I genuinely believe that the relationships I build in college will be invaluable, which is what ultimately convinced me to pursue higher education. Growing up as the only girl with two older brothers—one who didn’t attend college and one who did—gave me two very different perspectives. Although I often felt pressure to make the right choices and avoid distractions, I always knew that going to college was something I wanted for myself. I’ve always been seen as the responsible one among my friends, but I’ll admit I also tend to be the most stressed. I sometimes struggle with taking on too much, which can lead to procrastination. While I’ve made progress, I know I still need to improve my time management. I’m confident that going to college will help me reach my full potential. I truly believe I have a lot to offer, both in terms of my passion for learning and my unique insights. Every day, I look forward to exploring my future, and I have many ideas I want to share.

Senior year came around, which meant my last time playing with my team. I was officially captain and extremely excited to start playing. In the first game of the season, we were playing a good team with only a few points down. With 18 minutes left in the 2nd half, I had the ball ahead of me when the girl on the opposite team launched the ball straight to my face, quite literally knocking me off my two feet and landing on the back of my head. I remember seeing black for a second and feeling my nose starting to bleed out. The adrenaline of the hit didn't let me feel any pain. I was in a mix of laughing and crying because it was the very first game of the season, and I somehow managed to get injured. The athletic director from the opposite school happened to be my old health teacher from middle school, so everyone laughed when I pointed him out with my nose gushing out blood. I didn't want to go to the emergency room because I couldn't bear to miss any games of my senior season. I knew I would be crushed. As I sat in the stands with a dried bloody jersey, watching the boy's football team play, I felt the pain from the hit. I knew I had to call my mom to take me to the hospital. After almost 6 hours of being at the ER, I was told I had a concussion and was out for at least 2 weeks. I was crushed because this meant I was missing the City tournament that I had been preparing for all year after our loss from the season prior. This was my last chance to bring the City Cup home and unfortunately, I had to watch from the sidelines. No one wanted to win as much as I did, considering I was one of the only seniors and captain. We ended up losing 1-0 and the game was in our favor with two missed penalties. I couldn't fathom the loss because we had lost to this team years before, and this game was given to us to win. As I got better and the season went on I struggled to get my form back and felt that I had lost my passion. I soon realized that I still had a league to win, and I had to score at least once this season. There were about 2 more games in the season, and I still hadn't scored. My team had officially won the league, and I felt static. It was the last game against a team in my city. I knew it was going to be a good game when we were already up 4 in one half. I didn't know I played my very last game until after I played it. Second half I came in ready to get my goal, and after a couple of attempts I ended up scoring two goals. The best thing about this was that for the first time in my high school years, my entire family came to this game. In a way, I'm glad I didn't know it was going to be my last game because I feel that I got the closure I deserved after the season I had. Things happen, and they happen for a reason looking back now, I wish I could tell myself that it's going to be okay because it did. This scholarship will help me embrace that passion I have, whether it is for me or my future career.

I used to be the kid that would be upset over a 99. For as long as I can remember, I always knew I had to be the best version of myself. I was always a studier, even in the 1st and 2nd grades, I had an obsession with Xtra math just because I wanted to be the fastest kid who knew how to multiply. In the 6th grade, I had the highest math average in the entire grade. Being one of the only girls in the more advanced math class, I felt that I could have an ego just as much as the boys did. As I entered high school, I entered a different territory and realized I wasn't as advanced as I thought. I was put into an extra English class because I needed more help. I fought to get out of the class, but I had no choice but to stay. I felt like a failure because I didn't want an extra class when I could've had a free period. I had all 90's in my classes, but I still had to stay in that class. Little did I know that this particular English class would ultimately change my entire perspective of school. I used this class as a breather class. When I was overwhelmed with work, I would sit and complete what I had to do. I took so much time to think and process my day in this period, considering it was the 8th period by then. I managed to be placed in honor classes my sophomore year, and it was truly a gift for me. None of my friends were in any of my classes because of it, but I felt that it would be one less way that I could distract myself. I knew I would see them at lunch, and that's what mattered. I learned how to find balance. I knew that I didn't have to be perfect all the time, but I still had to work hard. I want to become the best version of myself in my academic career. I plan to use my abilities to my full potential in college and in whatever opportunity I get. I want to go to college not just because I want to further my education, but truthfully, it's because I am especially looking forward to the people I am going to meet. Throughout the 4 years, I am bound to meet hundreds of new people. I want to use this to my full advantage. I believe in being at the right place at the right time. I plan to make connections to better myself and prove to myself that I can do what I was meant to do. At first, I struggled to decide what I wanted to major in. I wanted to be everything and nothing at the same time. I took time, but I know I finally made the right decision. I plan on majoring in marketing in college. I truly feel a calling when it comes to speaking to people and networking. I should receive this scholarship because I am not only going to just accept it, but I am going to use it to its full capacity.

In my junior year of high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I told myself that I would figure it out as the year progressed. The next thing I knew, it was March, and everyone was starting their college essays, but I was still stuck. All my friends knew exactly what they wanted to do and where they were going. This would eat me up in my sleep. I knew I had to think about what truly interested me and what called my attention. I soon realized that I should pay attention to things I did as a child because, under all the stress I had, the answer was waiting to be unfolded. I love talking to people, and I know some people despise it, but there was always something calling me to hear people's stories. I learned to use this to my full advantage. I've spoken to so many people with different backgrounds and goals in their lives. Believe it or not, people will take any opportunity to talk about themselves, especially their achievements. The way my brain began to grasp the concepts of how to get people to talk and listen truly amazed me. From a young age, I was always persuasive and managed to get things, more specifically, I knew how to sell a point. My elementary school needed funding, so as a way to bring money, we had a magazine filled with items we could sell. At the early age of 7, after convincing everyone that they needed the products on the listing, I managed to get all my neighbors to buy from me. As I got older, this skill not only became more advanced, but I used it to my benefit and others. As part of my High School's tradition, every year at the prep rally, all the senior magnet classes come up with a theme that they showcase at the ceremony. I am in the fashion program, and although we are the best dressed, the past year's themes weren't as creative. There was a competition for the best theme, and my class knew we wanted to win, but we had to think long and hard about our idea. My brain started to analyze a way to come up with an idea that was exciting and different. Fast Fashion was my idea; we dressed up as racecar drivers and different cars had fast fashion store names on them, such as H&M and Shein. I came up with this theme because it's trending in today's world, and it's related to my magnet program; I knew all the other themes were completely off-topic to their classes. Soon enough, the prep rally came, and as I was looking at everyone else ideas, I knew my idea had won. Of course, the next day, when they announced the winners at the prep rally, Fashion was announced as 1st place. My entire class was ecstatic that we won because we worked hard to execute my concept through costume, skit, and performance. After years of fashion not winning prep rallies, I was proud that I was able to fulfill that for my senior piers and, of course, the fashion program. From this, I knew that choosing marketing as my career was the best decision I could've made for myself. I look forward to bringing my ideas to the future and continuing to win over projects. I want people to use my ideas to increase clientele and benefit from them because I truly have a million ideas running in my head.

Growing up with two Hispanic parents who didn't speak English has been a long journey for the past 17 years of life. Fortunately, I have had two older brothers who have also experienced what I have. The difference between them and me is that because I was the youngest girl in the family, I needed more help and attention with school. My mother had no idea how to spell in English, but she would make me trace letters that she dotted repeatedly until I made them straight. My mother's cousin had children my age, and they would always laugh at my mother's tactics in teaching me. Now, looking at today, I have completely overruled all my cousins in every academic aspect. As I got older, I never had to rely on my parents to help with my homework. When it came to projects, all I had to say was, " Mom, I need a few pictures printed," and that was the end of that. By the 3rd grade, I was already tutoring my younger cousins in the family because my mom claimed I was too advanced for everyone my age. The truth was, they didn't know how much pressure I was feeling to do well in school. Every spelling test I would have had to have consisted of having a fat 100 with a sticker on my paper, or else I wasn't happy. My parents wouldn't have been mad if I brought home a 90 or even a 70, but to me, it was almost as if there was a zero circled in red. My father made a promise that every time I would get a 100 on a spelling test, he would take me to McDonalds to get an Oreo Mcflurry. I received many 100s in my elementary days; I was only taken to McDonalds once. At one point, I think I got tired of waiting to get rewarded, so I simply forgot about the deal I had with my father. I soon realized it was more of a luxury to go out and enjoy ice cream. This made me want to work harder. My parents never went to high school, nor did they finish grade school. I never really noticed how uneducated they were till I got to high school. Their support is there for me, whichever way I believe is right for me. If I decide to go to college, they are with me to go, but they don't want me picking the wrong career, and they most definitely don't want me paying too much tuition. At the end of the day, I want to prove that I could do more in life than they did because despite not being educated they are people who give to the world. Now I want to be the one who provides good to them.

During the holidays in 2023, I volunteered at Untermeyer Garden's Holiday light shows, I served free hot chocolate to guests and welcomed people into the park. Despite the cold night and almost burning my hand from the hot chocolate, I got the opportunity to meet so many new people and give them tours of the park. I grew up seeing this garden often and was well aware of the place so this was super exciting to see new people's reactions to the beautiful architecture of the park. As the night continued I truly realized just how much I actually enjoy talking to people. Most seventeen-year-olds loathe speaking to adults simply because they are "old" and "annoying". However, I find these conversations to be the complete opposite. Any chance I get to meet someone new I am always interested to hear stories from their lives because believe it or not adults will take any opportunity to remember their youth. I truly think that life is all about the people we encounter throughout our lives. Even if they are good or bad meetings, we learn from these experiences. I have always enjoyed helping people with communication, whether this may be due to language barriers, shyness, and sometimes even the smallest conversations. For the longest time, I had no idea what I wanted to do after high school. I didn't have much to go base on. My parents didn't go to college, actually, they never even went to high school. Ultimately, I had to figure out this passion for myself. I have been torn between so many fields I started to believe that none of them was the right pick for me. I've grown up in a city where everyone knows each other, even if you may not know someone, I guarantee that your friend whom you have known your whole life someone knows them. I started to learn that the people around us, whether we see them every day or not, can provide us with connections we never thought we could have. I plan to go to college to make these connections and hopefully provide someone with the insight that I know. I am driven to meet hundreds of people in my life and experience countless events. Not only do I want to do this college, but I plan to carry this trait for the rest of my life, wherever my career takes me.