The impact I hope to make begins with something I believe every person deserves: the ability to communicate and be heard. As a graduate student studying Speech-Language Pathology, I am preparing for a career where I can help children and individuals with communication difficulties express themselves, build relationships, advocate for their needs, and participate more fully in their communities. My education is giving me the knowledge and clinical skills to make a difference, but it is my experiences with children, families, and individuals with disabilities that continue to shape the kind of professional I want to become. Before pursuing Speech-Language Pathology, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Child Development and worked for approximately five years as an early childhood teacher. This experience taught me that every child learns differently and that meaningful progress begins when we take the time to understand the individual. I saw how important it was for children to have adults who believed in their abilities and created opportunities for them to succeed. My experiences as a teacher ultimately inspired me to pursue a career where I could provide more specialized support for children with communication needs. One area I am especially passionate about is augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). I want to help individuals who are nonspeaking or have limited verbal communication access reliable ways to express their wants, needs, thoughts, feelings, and choices. Communication should never be limited to those who can speak. I hope to advocate for AAC users and educate families, teachers, caregivers, and other professionals about the importance of providing consistent communication opportunities across environments. My goal is to help individuals become more independent and confident while ensuring that their voices are respected. The people who inspire me most are the children and families I have encountered throughout my educational and professional journey. Their perseverance reminds me that progress does not always happen quickly or look the way we expect. I am inspired by individuals who continue to communicate, participate, and pursue meaningful relationships despite barriers. Their experiences motivate me to become an SLP who sees the person before the diagnosis and focuses on strengths rather than limitations. I also hope to give back to my community by making communication services more accessible, inclusive, and family-centered. I want to collaborate with families and professionals so that communication strategies are not limited to therapy sessions but become part of everyday life. Whether I am working in a school, medical setting, or community environment, I want to create spaces where individuals feel safe communicating and where their differences are respected. My education is more than a pathway to a career; it is an opportunity to create meaningful change. I am determined to use what I learn to advocate for individuals who may not always have the ability to advocate for themselves. I want to help build a future where every person, regardless of disability or communication ability, has the tools and support necessary to be heard. Ultimately, the future I envision is one where communication is recognized as a fundamental part of inclusion, independence, and human connection. As an SLP, I hope to use my education, compassion, and determination to help make that future a reality.

Being a first-generation college student means being willing to create a path that did not already exist within my family. It means learning how to navigate college applications, higher education, financial responsibilities, and graduate school while figuring out many of the steps along the way on my own. Although this journey has not always been easy, being a first-generation student has taught me to be resilient, independent, and determined to pursue opportunities that can create a better future. My journey into higher education began with earning my bachelor’s degree in Child Development and working five years as an early childhood teacher. During that time, I discovered how deeply I cared about helping children communicate, learn, and develop. I eventually realized that I wanted to do more to support children with communication needs, which led me to pursue graduate school in Speech-Language Pathology. Continuing my education has required sacrifices, persistence, and learning how to balance the demands of graduate school with the financial responsibilities that come with it. Graduate school has challenged me and there have been moments when I questioned whether I was capable of reaching my goals, but those moments have also shown me how determined I am. Instead of allowing challenges to define me, I have learned to use them as motivation. Each difficult class, clinical experience, and unfamiliar situation has helped me become more confident and prepared for the professional I hope to become. What drives me is the desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. As a future SLP, I hope to work with children and individuals who experience communication difficulties and help them find ways to express themselves, connect with others, and participate more fully in their lives. I want my future clients to feel heard, respected, and valued regardless of their abilities. My dream is to become an SLP who combines clinical knowledge with compassion and advocacy. I want to continue learning, work collaboratively with families and other professionals, and provide care that recognizes the individual rather than focusing only on a diagnosis. My journey as a first-generation student has shown me that reaching a goal requires more than talent; it requires persistence, courage, and the willingness to keep moving forward when the path becomes difficult. This scholarship would help reduce the financial burden of graduate school and allow me to focus more fully on my education and clinical preparation. Tuition, books, transportation, and other graduate school expenses can be challenging to manage, and financial assistance would bring me one step closer to completing my degree. More importantly, receiving this scholarship would remind me that the journey I am taking matters. I am proud of how far I have come, and I am determined to continue forward. My goal is not simply to earn a degree, but to use that degree to give others the opportunity to have a voice.

Working with a child like Rebecca would begin with one fundamental belief: every child has a voice, even when they cannot communicate through spoken words. As a graduate student studying Speech-Language Pathology, I have learned that communication is much more than speech. A child’s gestures, facial expressions, body movements, eye gaze, vocalizations, behaviors, and use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can provide meaningful insight into what they want, need, feel, and think. My goal would be to understand the individual behind the disability and create opportunities for that child to communicate and participate as independently as possible. When working with a child like Rebecca, I would first take the time to learn who they are as a person. I would want to understand their interests, routines, preferences, dislikes, strengths, and what makes them feel successful. I would work closely with the child’s family, teachers, and multidisciplinary team to understand how they communicate and identify opportunities throughout the school day. I would use evidence-based strategies, including AAC, aided language stimulation, visual supports, modeling, repetition, and meaningful opportunities for the child to make choices and express themselves. Rather than expecting the child to fit one method of communication, I would adapt my approach to fit the child. Rebecca’s story demonstrates how important it was for the people around her to understand her personality and interests. If a child loves music, dancing, sports, or sensory activities, those interests can become powerful tools for teaching communication, academic, social, and functional skills. I would incorporate preferred activities into therapy and classroom instruction so the child is motivated to participate. I would celebrate all forms of communication and measure success not simply by how many words a child can say, but by whether they can communicate effectively, build relationships, make choices, advocate for themselves, and participate in meaningful activities. I believe educators and therapists should also view families as partners rather than simply recipients of recommendations. Collaboration allows strategies used at school to carry over into the home and community, creating consistency and opportunities for the child to communicate and learn. My experience working with children began as an early childhood teacher, where I spent approximately five years supporting young children with diverse developmental and learning needs. I am now pursuing graduate education in Speech-Language Pathology, where I have gained clinical experience working with children with speech, language, and communication needs, including individuals who use AAC. These experiences have strengthened my passion for helping children develop functional communication and ensuring that they are included in their classrooms and communities. I confirm my intent to work with children in special education from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. I am particularly passionate about supporting children with complex communication needs. Rebecca’s story reminds me that effective professionals take the time to truly know the child. I hope to be that person for my future students and clients: someone who sees their abilities before their limitations, listens even when they cannot speak, and helps others recognize that every child has something meaningful to say. As a graduate student, funding my education is an ongoing challenge. Graduate school requires significant financial investment in tuition, books, clinical requirements, transportation, and other educational expenses. I am committed to completing my degree and becoming an SLP, but scholarship assistance would reduce the financial burden of graduate education and allow me to focus more fully on my academic and clinical preparation. Receiving this scholarship would support me financially while helping me prepare for a career dedicated to making a lasting difference in the lives of children and families.

My journey toward higher education has been shaped by perseverance, growth, and a strong desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Pursuing graduate education in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) has required me to overcome challenges, step outside of my comfort zone, and continuously remind myself why I chose this profession. As a graduate student, I have learned that success is not simply measured by academic achievement, but also by the ability to overcome obstacles, learn from experiences, and use those experiences to become a better professional and advocate for others. Before entering my graduate program, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Child Development and spent approximately five years working as an early childhood teacher. Working with young children was incredibly meaningful and helped me develop a strong understanding of child development, communication, behavior, and the importance of creating supportive environments for children to learn and grow. However, my experiences in education also made me recognize how significantly communication impacts every area of a person's life. I became increasingly interested in understanding why some children struggle to communicate and how professionals can help them find their voices. This realization ultimately inspired me to pursue Speech-Language Pathology. Transitioning from working as a preschool teacher to becoming a graduate student in SLP has been challenging, but it has also been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Graduate school has required dedication, time management, critical thinking, and the ability to balance academic responsibilities with clinical experiences. I have had to learn how to approach unfamiliar situations, accept constructive feedback, and continually improve my clinical skills. I am proud of the progress I have made because I have learned not to view challenges as indications that I am incapable, but rather as opportunities to grow. One of the areas in which I have excelled is my ability to connect with children and families. My previous experience as a preschool teacher provided me with a strong foundation for understanding children's individual needs and meeting them where they are developmentally. In graduate school, I have been able to build upon that foundation by learning how to evaluate and treat communication disorders using evidence-based practices. My clinical experiences have included working with children with speech and language difficulties, supporting individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and learning about communication and swallowing disorders across different populations. I have also developed a strong interest in medical Speech-Language Pathology. My experiences observing and learning about hospital-based services have shown me how important SLPs are within interdisciplinary healthcare teams. I have become particularly interested in working with individuals who experience communication and swallowing difficulties following stroke, neurological conditions, cancer treatment, surgery, and other medical events. I am also interested in gaining experience with patients across the lifespan, including infants in the NICU and PICU, children, and adults in acute and rehabilitation settings. My field of study is Speech-Language Pathology, and my goal after graduation is to become a compassionate, knowledgeable, and culturally responsive SLP who can serve individuals across the lifespan. I hope to work in a medical setting where I can collaborate with physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, dietitians, teachers, families, and other professionals to provide comprehensive care. I want to support patients not only in improving their speech and language skills, but also in maintaining their ability to communicate their needs, participate in meaningful relationships, make decisions, and maintain their independence. My personal experiences have also influenced the kind of SLP I hope to become. Seeing a family member experience the effects of a stroke gave me a personal understanding of how suddenly communication and physical abilities can change. It helped me recognize that behind every diagnosis is a person with a family, identity, goals, fears, and relationships. This experience strengthened my desire to work in healthcare and reinforced the importance of treating the whole person rather than focusing solely on a diagnosis. As an SLP, I hope to contribute to positive changes within my field. I want to advocate for patients who may have difficulty expressing themselves and for individuals whose communication needs may be overlooked. I am especially passionate about AAC and ensuring that individuals who cannot rely on natural speech have consistent access to reliable communication systems. Communication is a fundamental human right, and I believe every individual deserves access to a way of expressing their wants, needs, thoughts, emotions, and choices. I hope to educate families, caregivers, teachers, and healthcare professionals about the importance of supporting communication across environments rather than limiting communication to therapy sessions. I also want to promote greater awareness of the role SLPs play in medical settings. Speech-language pathologists provide essential services related to communication, cognition, voice, feeding, and swallowing, yet many people may not fully understand the breadth of the profession. I hope to help increase awareness of how SLP intervention can improve quality of life and help individuals regain independence following illness or injury. For myself, I want to continue challenging myself professionally and personally. I am willing to work hard, seek mentorship, pursue continuing education, and remain open to learning throughout my career. I understand that becoming an SLP does not mean I will know everything when I graduate. Instead, it means committing to lifelong learning and being willing to grow alongside my patients and colleagues. I am prepared to advocate for myself and my patients, ask questions when I need guidance, and continue developing the knowledge and skills necessary to provide ethical and effective care. Ultimately, my goal is to use my education and experiences to become an SLP who makes people feel heard, respected, and valued. I want my patients and their families to know that their voices matter, regardless of the severity of their communication or swallowing difficulties. The challenges I have overcome on my path toward higher education have strengthened my determination and reminded me that meaningful accomplishments require persistence. I am committed to continuing this journey, expanding my clinical knowledge, advocating for equitable access to communication and healthcare, and becoming the kind of speech-language pathologist who creates lasting and meaningful change in the lives of others.

Growing up, I thought mental health was something people only talked about in private, hidden behind closed doors or disguised with phrases like “just tired” or “having a hard time.” It wasn't something openly discussed in my community or among my peers. Over time, however, my experiences with mental health, both personally and through the people around me have profoundly shaped the way I see myself, the relationships I build, and the goals I pursue for my future. For much of my life, I viewed success through a narrow lens: achievements, grades, and outward accomplishments. I believed that being strong meant handling everything alone and never showing vulnerability. Yet mental health challenges taught me that strength is not about pretending to be unaffected; it is about learning how to persevere, ask for help, and continue moving forward even when things feel overwhelming. These experiences forced me to develop resilience and self-awareness in ways I never expected. There were moments when stress, anxiety, and self-doubt felt impossible to escape. Balancing responsibilities, expectations, and uncertainty often left me emotionally exhausted. At times, I struggled to express what I was feeling because I feared judgment or misunderstanding. However, these challenges ultimately became turning points in my personal growth. Instead of ignoring my emotions, I learned the importance of reflection, communication, and self-care. I began to understand that mental health is just as important as physical health and deserves the same compassion and attention. One of the most significant ways mental health has shaped me is through my relationships with others. Experiencing emotional struggles made me more empathetic and attentive to the people around me. I started noticing how many individuals silently carry burdens that others cannot see. A classmate who appears disengaged may be battling depression. A friend who constantly jokes may be masking anxiety. Realizing this changed the way I interact with others. I became more patient, more understanding, and more willing to listen without judgment. These experiences strengthened my friendships and deepened my appreciation for human connection. I learned that small acts of kindness such as checking in on someone, offering support, or simply listening; can all have a impact on someone. Mental health taught me that people do not always need solutions; sometimes they just need to feel seen and heard. Because of this understanding, I have tried to create supportive spaces for the people in my life, whether through honest conversations, encouragement, or simply being present during difficult moments. My experiences with mental health have also strongly influenced my educational and career goals. I am currently attending graduate school to earn my master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, a field that requires patience, compassion, and emotional resilience. Graduate school can be an extremely stressful environment, with demanding coursework, clinical responsibilities, and the pressure to constantly grow both academically and professionally. There are days when the workload feels overwhelming, and moments when self-doubt creeps in. However, despite these challenges, I have remained encouraged to continue pursuing this path because of the strong support system surrounding me. My classmates have become a source of encouragement and understanding because we are all navigating similar struggles and victories together. My family has continuously reminded me of my strength and potential, especially during moments when I question myself. Most importantly, my faith in God has grounded me through difficult times and given me the perseverance to keep moving forward. My faith has taught me that challenges can shape us into stronger and more compassionate individuals, and it reminds me that my purpose extends beyond personal achievement. What motivates me most is the opportunity to one day help my future clients find and use their voices. Whether I am working with an adult in a hospital or recovery home who is relearning how to communicate after illness or injury, or helping a young child develop language skills for the first time, I want to make a meaningful difference in their lives. Communication is deeply connected to identity, independence, and human connection. Being unable to express oneself can be isolating and emotionally painful. Through my work as a future speech-language pathologist, I hope to empower individuals to speak up for themselves, communicate their needs, and regain confidence in their abilities. Mental health has also changed the way I understand the world. Before, I tended to see challenges as personal failures. Now, I recognize how social pressures, financial hardship, family responsibilities, cultural expectations, and trauma can deeply affect a person’s mental and emotional well-being. This perspective has made me more open-minded and less quick to judge others. It has also shown me the importance of accessible mental health resources and supportive communities. In today’s world, many people face overwhelming pressures while feeling obligated to hide their struggles. Social media often promotes unrealistic standards of perfection, making it easy to compare ourselves to others and feel inadequate. My experiences taught me that everyone is fighting battles that may not be visible. I value authenticity over perfection. I have learned that growth comes not from appearing flawless, but from confronting difficulties honestly and continuing to grow through them. Although mental health challenges can be painful, they have ultimately helped shape me into a more resilient, compassionate, and self-aware person. They taught me how to advocate for myself, how to support others, and how to redefine success in a healthier and more meaningful way. Most importantly, they showed me that vulnerability is not weakness, it is a part of being human. As I continue my academic and personal journey, I carry these lessons with me. I know there will still be challenges ahead, but I also know I am capable of facing them with empathy, determination, faith, and resilience. My experiences with mental health have not limited my potential; they have expanded my understanding of myself and the world around me. They have inspired me to pursue a future built not only on achievement, but also on compassion, connection, purpose, and the ability to help others find their voice.

My passion for early childhood education has developed naturally over time through both personal experiences and professional growth. I have always felt a strong connection to young children, especially those in the preschool age range of 2–6 years old. There is something incredibly meaningful about being part of a child’s earliest learning experiences, when curiosity is high and every moment becomes an opportunity for discovery. This passion began during my middle school years when I volunteered in the children’s ministry at my church. My mom, who was the director, played an important role in introducing me to this environment. Being surrounded by young children in a space focused on learning, guidance, and care sparked something in me early on. I enjoyed helping them understand simple concepts, watching their excitement as they learned new things, and building relationships with them. That experience laid the foundation for my desire to continue working with children. As I got older, I continued to build on that foundation through babysitting and gaining experience with children ranging from infancy to school age. While I value all of these experiences, I consistently found myself drawn back to working with younger children. The preschool years stand out to me because they are such a critical stage of development. During this time, children are forming the building blocks of their social, emotional, and cognitive skills. Being able to support and guide them through these milestones feels both important and rewarding. Becoming a preschool teacher allowed me to turn that passion into a career. In the classroom, I have seen firsthand how impactful early education can be. Whether it’s helping a child learn how to express their emotions, develop friendships, or gain confidence in their abilities, each small moment contributes to their overall growth. I appreciate how teaching this age group requires patience, creativity, and understanding. It challenges me to think in new ways and to create an environment where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. Now, as I pursue a degree focused on early childhood education, I feel even more committed to this path. Continuing my education is an important step in strengthening my skills and deepening my understanding of child development. I want to be the best educator I can be, not only by providing care but also by making a lasting impact on the children I work with. Working with young children is more than just a job for me, it is a lifelong passion and dream. I am motivated by the opportunity to shape young minds, encourage growth, and be a positive influence during such an important stage of life. I truly believe that early childhood education plays a vital role in a child’s future, and I am dedicated to continuing my work with this age group for years to come.

My name is Vanessa and I'm an undergraduate student at the University of La Verne in California. My major is in Child Development with a concentration in early childhood teaching. I am currently in my last year at the university and I am scheduled to be graduating by Spring 2024. A little bit about me is that I am the youngest of two daughters and I currently live with my parents. My father is a retired elevator mechanic and my mom is still working as a rehab nurse. I am also working part-time as a head preschool teacher and have been teaching for almost 3 years now. I work at a preschool that is play-based and is a Reggio-Emilia-inspired school. I love working with the younger kids and I am so thankful to have the opportunity of being able to teach the little minds of two and three-year-olds. By working with students at such a young age. I need to be able to connect with them and show how I am a positive outlet that they can trust and feel comfortable with. The first step when working with children is to always build a strong relationship first. This allows the child to not be so anxious, scared, sad, or upset when they are to be left alone for the first time. It also helps me to better understand the students and know their interests, dislikes, comforts and more. While I am getting to know the students and parents that I meet, I make sure to have a positive attitude and outlook on how I am going to be connecting with them and how I can provide the best education and care to the child. I am a person who likes to accept differences and challenges first before I shut them out right away. I like to take a look at how things are going to play out and then if they end up not working for the best, I am content with finishing because I know that I at least tried to work it out first. I would say that this is a way of how I have a positive impact on those around me and is something that I will continue to use in the future. I like to accept a challenge if I know that I will be helping someone else out because the joy I get from accomplishing something on my own and helping out a person in need is one of the greater feelings I get. It also helps me to step out of my comfort zone at times and I can try something new or I get the chance of doing something that I did not think I was capable of doing before. Having a positive attitude and impact on other people is a core value I have for myself and I know how powerful of a tool it can be when you use it around others and in your career. This scholarship will personally help me to be less stressed financially and have a positive outlook on finishing my undergraduate degree knowing that I won't have any student loans or financial burdens once I am done. The university I go to is a private university with higher tuition, so by getting this scholarship. I will be able to pay off my tuition debt free. Thank you so much for reading my response!

In 2022, I left an old job to start a new one. At my old job I was working full time and going to school full time. I was at a place in my life where the only thing that mattered was getting my hours at work and completing all of my assignments for school. It was definitely draining and felt like I was doing the same thing daily. I was working in an environment that was very stressful, toxic, and only mattered about the numbers. There was not much care for the employees and I would get caught up in the amount of work I had to do and with so many different priorities my head was spinning. Until one day in the spring, I got a message from a preschool director who asked if I would be interested in working with her. I ended up going in for an interview and instantly felt the connection and that this next step would be the right one for me. After a couple interviews and going in person to see the preschool, I was offered the job of being a teacher. Once I left my old job of working full time and started this new one that was part time. Everything felt calmer, happier, and that I was in a place where I can feel accomplished with the things that I am doing. During this time, I was still going to school full time and was focusing on starting a new school due to me finishing my associate degree and transferring to a four year for my bachelor’s degree. Everything was starting fresh and new for me, I was so excited to be having a clean start with a new job and starting a new school. I was feeling like I am growing into the adult that I was supposed to be and that there is nothing that is going to stop me from completing my degree and working hard in this new job. Ever since I started working at my new job. I have made so many connections with my coworkers, the parents, students, and my director. I have been blessed with the fact that my director is also a professor and adjunct advisor at the school I am attending for my bachelor’s degree. She has been so helpful and understanding when I have any issues with school and has been there to make me feel better. By leaving an old job that had nothing in store for me and starting a new one where I would be able to grow. It has taught me how working in an environment that is uplifting, connecting, and rewarding. Will help me be successful, happy, and more hardworking. I have learned that this new journey in my life is exactly what I needed to be successful in my work and school and that I am able to accomplish all of my goals.

I have always been inspired by kids when working with them at a young age. I started working with kids when I was in middle school and have loved it since. Although I was still young and working with kids; it taught me how to be caring, professional, and respectful to them and the people around me. I am grateful to still be working in early childhood education today because it is what brings me joy and I have been able to learn so much about children due to the different ages and developmental factors. Working with kids at this age has shown me how important it is for them to have love, care, openness, respect, and close relationships with the people in their lives. I have learned how being a teacher to two years olds is a lot of work but has so many benefits. By working with this young age, my students have allowed me to grow into a person and teacher that I did not know I was capable of. They are the ones who have allowed me to be there for them, build relationships, find new ideas, and learn different ways to handle the same conflicts. I have also learned how diversity, inclusion, and acceptance is very important when it comes to working in early childhood education. I have worked with children that are on different learning levels, are autistic, have ADHD or ADD, speak a different language, or may have separation anxiety. All of these components that one person may find hard, troubling, or too much to deal with. I actually think it is rewarding and allowing me to grow and learn how to deal with the challenges that comes when working with children. All children are unique and so by going through the challenges with them, it makes me feels closer and more connected to the student because I am the one who is there when their parents are not. I am the one who is there to help them feel better through the hard times. It is my responsibility as an educated and care taker to always make sure that my students feel safe, comfortable, and respected when they are with me. This is why I am passionate about early childhood education. I have been so grateful to have a place of work where I am able to learn, grow, and help the students do the same.

I currently work as a early childhood preschool teacher and I am in charge of the 2 years old class. My students are usually there at school for the very first time and I am the one in charge of helping them through the transitions and encouraging them to learn, play, and interact with new people. While working with children at such a young age. I feel that it is very important for them to feel safe, cared for, and of course inspired by me and their peers. I am able to help these students feel inspired by providing open ended activities, materials, and questions so they are able to explore and have the opportunities to do more. I also want to be able to build close relationship’s with each of my students so they are comfortable to be themselves and are wanting to explore topics with me and their friends.

The most helpful piece of financial advice I have ever received is, “Even if you have money, act like you do not”. This quote is explaining how we should not go out and spend all of our money on expensive items or items that we do not need. The main focus of this quote is about learning how to save your money by acting like you actually do not have a lot of money in your account. I feel that this tip has helped me a lot and has actually worked on me saving my money. It can be very hard for some people to save their money and want to spend it on anything they see or like. But when you have the mindset of not having enough money to buy things when you actually do. Than you will eventually have enough money in the future to purchase those items and not feel regret for wasting your money or even purchase something that may be more expensive. This piece of advice is also helpful because it allows you to have discipline on your views on items and spending. By having discipline on spending and my money, I am able to have control and focus on what I am buying and what important items I use. I feel that all of these points are very helpful for someone who wants to have control and not have to worry about their finances. This piece of advice is what has been the best one that has helped change my view and help me.

As I got older and realized what I want to do in the future. I saw that I have a huge love and care for children. I grew up babysitting my cousins and helping my mom in the children's ministry at our church. So from the previous years of working with children, it made me grow a love from them and showed me how I want to work with kids in the future. As I do get older, my dreams for the future would be to eventually get a bachelors from University of La Verne and hopefully a masters degree in child development. Once I am done with school, I hope to have a career where it is focused on children. Whether it be in a classroom, office, or hospital building. Working with children is what truly makes me happy and while I hope to one day work with them. I also hope to one day have a few of my own because having your own kids is where the real teaching and practices come to life.

As I grew up and got older I realized how much I love kids and that in the future I know that I want to work with children. So a goal of mine is to graduate with a bachelors degree in child development from University of La Verne. I am currently in the process of finishing up my associates degree and once I am done I will be transferring to ULV in the fall of 2022. A few steps that will help me accomplish my goal of graduating from La Verne would be to apply for scholarships due to the tuition being very expensive for myself and my family. Not only will scholarships help but also focusing on my grades and getting the help from my professors, peers, tutoring, and finding all of the resources I need to succeed. Going to university of La Verne is truly a dream of mine and to know that there are people who can help provide the resources and money is what will help me accomplish my goals.

I grew up living in Southern California with my two parents and older sister. I went to a public school my whole life and when I was in fourth grade I moved to a new city. This new change in my life was both upsetting yet exciting. I was sad to be leaving my friends back home but also excited to see this new city I was living in and making new friends. I am so thankful that I moved to a this small new town because I feel that it has shaped me into the person that I am today. I know now that it was a good change for me and my family and I feel that if I would have stayed in the same city my whole life. I would not be having the same experiences now, which are experiences that have truly lined up for what I wanted in life. By starting a new chapter when I was in elementary school. It has caused a chain reaction of good memories and experiences that have changed who I am and how I view my life.