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vilma pleitez

5,215

Bold Points

40x

Nominee

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

My name is Vilma, and I am a first generation college student. I attended an Engineering Academy for high school and was selected for a program called Femineers. A physics professor at Pomona College, Janice Hudgings, was my mentor for three years. Our projects were displayed at Pomona College and Cal Poly Pomona. Several made the news! Also, I worked with psychology professor Eric A. Hurley from Pomona College. We investigated low verve and high verve in a study we conducted to prove that minority students cannot thrive in a Euro-centric system. I graduated as class engineer. It has always been my dream to become a Patent Attorney. After all the hard work I input to my education, I hope to achieve financial independence one day. Here is a bit more about who I am personally. Since I was a kid, I've always loved playing video games, and I've played them all, from classics to the latest releases. Traveling and camping are also among my favorite activities. To date, Big Sur has been my favorite camping destination. Filmmaking, painting, and making music are my forms of self-care. Aside from that, I have a hidden disability. A severe food allergy, which makes my life difficult. The impact of food allergies goes far beyond what you'd anticipate, especially when you realize a bite alone of food can make all the difference. Even though growing up my family did not have much, I understood the sacrifice my mother did. For that reason, I always worked hard in school. My grandmother and I buy clothing, toys, and other items every year to donate to the communities in El Salvador.

Education

Chaffey College

Bachelor's degree program
2021 - 2023
  • Majors:
    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
  • Minors:
    • Business/Corporate Communications
  • GPA:
    3.2

Fremont Academy Of Engineering And Design

High School
2016 - 2020
  • GPA:
    3.8

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
    • Engineering, General
    • Law
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Law

    • Dream career goals:

      Patent Attorney

    • Supervisor

      Rite Aid
      2021 – Present3 years
    • Babysitter

      Independent
      2018 – Present6 years
    • Seasonal Sales Associate

      Bath & Body Works
      2021 – 2021
    • Seasonal Crew Member

      Chipotle Mexican Grill
      2021 – 2021
    • Food Delivery

      DoorDash
      2020 – Present4 years
    • Purchasing, Restocking, Customer Service, Personal Assistant, Business Errands, & coordinate events

      Got Pupusas
      2019 – 20212 years

    Sports

    Boxing

    Intramural
    2022 – Present2 years

    Cycling

    Club
    2020 – Present4 years

    Swimming

    Club
    2016 – 20204 years

    Research

    • Engineering, General

      Femineers — femineer
      2017 – 2020
    • Research and Experimental Psychology

      Pomona College Department of Psychology - DSCS Research lab — Data entry and operated trials
      2019 – 2019

    Arts

    • Choir

      suprano
      2
      2013 – 2014
    • Independent

      Painting
      25+
      2020 – Present
    • Art Program - Fremont Academy Of Engineering and Design

      Drawing
      5
      2017 – 2018
    • Femineers

      3D printing
      10+
      2017 – 2020
    • Independent

      Cinematography
      A Twist to The Salem Witch
      2018 – 2019
    • Independent

      Cinematography
      How to survive in the wild if you become staranded
      2019 – 2020
    • The Learning Centers at Fairplex

      Ceramics
      3
      2018 – 2018
    • Pomona College Theater Department

      Acting
      I was mentored by Rose Portillo and was in 3 productions
      2017 – 2019

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Independent — Help local homeless with food and clothes.
      2012 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Independent — Purchases items every year to send to a third-world country.
      2010 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Hope WorldWide — Cleaner
      2013 – 2014
    • Volunteering

      Femineers — Mentor
      2017 – Present
    • Advocacy

      Breath California of Los Angeles County — Activist
      2020 – Present
    • Advocacy

      Mental Health — Activist
      2018 – Present
    • Advocacy

      Planned Parenthood - Pro choice — Activist
      2014 – Present

    Future Interests

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    You Glow Differently When You're Happy Scholarship
    Winner
    While I did not realize it at the time, I was at Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur. My Fiancé took me to a secluded place on the beach and told me where we were. He and I had always discussed visiting Big Sur; however, for financial reasons, we could not do it. I was overjoyed and took in the view. My heart was overflowing with emotion as I turned around and saw him on one knee. I said yes in a matter of seconds. I visualized coming back when we're old, with a family of our own.
    Bold Self-Care Scholarship
    It takes time to experiment and find what works for you, but the simplest way I practice self-care is through hygiene, if I look good, I feel good. Mental illness can take a toll on one's actions, disabling you from performing everyday tasks. By committing to your hygiene, you will improve your life even in the smallest way. Being mindful of your alone time also contributes to self-care. It is fun to be a homebody until it starts to affect your mental health, so I joined a cycling group. It motivates me to get outside and socialize with others. When you cycle in a group, you feel part of something bigger than yourself. It's exciting and fun, but you can also dive into your own world to stay focused. Through music, many people experience self-care and so do I. As much as I love listening to music, I love making it. I learned to play the acoustic guitar myself. It was one of my most significant achievements, because even though my fingers hurt from learning, it was worth seeing my grandmother's face light up with a smile when I played. All the things I do for self-care impact me by keeping me grounded on a routine, or by making me feel as if I'm enjoying life from the people around me and my actions. The last self-care routine I perform is establishing small goals, those that can be achieved in zero to one year. Having a goal in life can provide you with a sense of purpose. When your goals are small, you will reach them faster therefore feeling more optimistic and secure.