Growing up, I didn’t have the luxury of understanding my parents, at least not in a linguistic sense. They spoke Spanish, and I didn’t. No matter how much they tried to get me to learn, the words never quite rolled off my tongue the way they should. In a way, that became their secret weapon. They would talk about serious things right in front of me, knowing I wouldn’t be able to understand. Still, I listened, trying to piece things together. It didn’t take long for me to become aware of certain words and what they meant. Over time, one word kept popping up again and again. It seemed to dominate every conversation. That word was dinero. Money was always tight at my house; the topic of it always made the people in my household uneasy. Initially, I saw my upbringing as a disadvantage. I lacked the certain luxuries of my peers. I couldn’t buy new back-to-school clothes or shoes and dinners were usually the same every night, rice and red beans. I envied others, but I grew to understand that this background actually gave me a unique advantage. It allowed me to become aware of the importance of money, and if you properly handle it, you can do the things you’d like to freely. However, I also understood that others didn’t have this. During my junior year, I had an amazing opportunity to intern for VyStar Credit Union, which allowed me to gain hands-on experience as a bank teller and lead financial literacy presentations at school. In the presentations, I covered basic financial topics, such as budgeting, credit, and savings. It helped me learn so much about how to handle your money, and I still apply these skills today. But, I saw many students lacking this essential knowledge. And even though I was teaching them through these presentations, I wanted to do more. So, I decided to partner with VyStar and begin monthly Lunch and Learns at my high school. These were monthly, free events where students could sign up to attend a financial literacy session over lunch. We invited representatives from VyStar who could introduce complex financial topics into more understandable lessons. Students were encouraged to ask questions and openly discuss what was being taught. Even for our first session, the turnout was incredible. Many students were ready to take action for their futures and learn how to become financially successful, not through getting high paying jobs but through skills. Seeing each student leave, I saw how much more confident they felt. Their feelings reflected onto me as my efforts proved to be worth it. I was glad knowing that I had helped so many students gain access to valuable knowledge, knowing they will effectively apply it in their future. However, I still thrive to do more. I plan to continue making a positive impact in my community and others by volunteering at different high schools and educating students about the importance of becoming financially literate. I’ll expand the lessons that the “Lunch and Learn” sessions discussed and help even more students than before. By doing this, I want to help future generations not be afraid of money, and instead embrace it. I don’t want the topic of money to prove to be an uneasy topic in their families, and instead something they tackle head-on, knowing they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to do so. I can’t wait for what the future has in store for me, and the many others I hope to impact.

Growing up, I didn’t have the luxury of understanding my parents, at least not in a linguistic sense. They spoke Spanish, and I didn’t. No matter how much they tried to get me to learn, the words never quite rolled off my tongue the way they should. In a way, that became their secret weapon. They would talk about serious things right in front of me, knowing I wouldn’t be able to understand. Still, I listened, trying to piece things together. It didn’t take long for me to become aware of certain words and what they meant. Over time, one word kept popping up again and again. It seemed to dominate every conversation. That word was dinero. Money was always tight at my house; the topic of it always made my family uneasy. Initially, I saw my upbringing as a disadvantage. I lacked the certain luxuries of my peers. I couldn’t buy new back-to-school clothes or shoes and dinners were usually the same every night, rice and red beans. I envied others, but I grew to understand that this background actually gave me a unique advantage. It allowed me to become aware of the importance of money, and if you properly handle it, you have all the power in the world. However, I also understood that others didn’t have this understanding. During my junior year, I had an amazing opportunity to intern for VyStar Credit Union, which allowed me to gain hands-on experience as a bank teller and lead financial literacy presentations at school. In the presentations, I covered basic financial topics, such as budgeting, credit, and savings. It helped me learn so much about how to handle your money, and I still apply these skills today. But, I saw many students lacking this essential knowledge. And even though I was teaching them through these presentations, I wanted to do more. So, I decided to partner with VyStar and begin monthly "Lunch and Learn" sessions at my high school. These were monthly, free events where students could sign up to attend a financial literacy session over lunch. We invited representatives from VyStar who could introduce complex financial topics into more understandable lessons. Students were encouraged to ask questions and openly discuss what was being taught. Even for our first session, the turnout was incredible. Many students were ready to take action for their futures and learn how to become financially successful, not through getting high paying jobs but through skills. Seeing each student leave, I saw how much more confident they felt. Their feelings reflected onto me as my efforts proved to be worth it. I was glad knowing that I had helped so many students gain access to valuable knowledge, knowing they will effectively apply it in their future. However, I still thrive to do more. I plan to continue making a positive impact in my community and others by volunteering at different high schools and educating students about the importance of becoming financially literate. I’ll expand the lessons that the “Lunch and Learn” sessions discussed and help even more students than before. By doing this, I want to help future generations not be afraid of money, and instead embrace it. I don’t want the topic of money to prove to be an uneasy topic in their families, and instead something they tackle head-on, knowing they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to do so. I can’t wait for what the future has in store for me, and the many others I hope to impact.

When I became president of my high school’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter, I knew this position gave me great responsibility. It wasn’t just about leading the club, but also making a positive impact in our community. Every year, the president chooses a nonprofit organization for our club to work with. Once chosen, we begin to volunteer with them and help spread their cause. While there are many great charities and organizations to choose from, it was difficult to find one that truly resonated with our team. Until we were introduced to Forgotten Angels. Forgotten Angels is a nonprofit organization that brings cheer to those who live in underprivileged nursing homes. They do this by providing care packages for the residents or hosting holiday parties to entice socialization and connection. The founders became committed to this cause when they realized how very few charities focus on the well-being of the elderly. Instead of letting them be continuously overlooked, they created Forgotten Angels to work towards this meaningful cause. However, they are a small organization. This means that they lack the funds to carry out their efforts, often going into their own pockets to afford items for the residents. When we found out about their mission, we immediately knew we wanted to help and relieve the financial strain on them. At my high school, we hosted a donation drive to collect toiletries, such as shampoo and moisturizer, to later give to the residents. Because these homes are underprivileged, they cannot provide these essentials to their residents. By creating this donation drive, we were filling that gap. Once we finished collecting the items, we volunteered to package these items into care packages. Rather than simply dropping off the donations to a home, we walked through every hallway, personally handing gifts to each resident. Through this initiative, we not only met material needs but also fostered emotional and social support. Many residents’ faces lit up when they received their gifts, often expressing that’s the first one they’ve gotten in a while. Volunteers and residents engaged in heartfelt conversation, laughing and sharing smiles, forming connections that may ease feelings of isolation. This sight was heartwarming to see, knowing that our efforts truly helped these residents in some sense. This experience taught me a valuable lesson: giving back isn’t just about donating time or needs–it’s about truly connecting with the people you’re helping. Now, my team and I visit the nursing home every other weekend, bringing games, food, and friends to help brighten their day. After our first visit, we were so moved by the warmth and joy we felt that we knew we had to keep coming back. After this, I hope it inspired awareness amongst my community. There are many great charities, but we should dig beneath the surface and find those who are often overlooked. More importantly, I want my community to focus on who they're meeting, and less on what they're giving. As I continue with Forgotten Angels-and hopefully carry their mission with me into college-I wish to do the same. The real gift is in the conversations, the laughter, and the genuine connections we share.

It wasn’t unusual for me to find my mother hunched over the dinner table, worrying about bills that cannot be paid. My parents, born in San Juan, came to the mainland United States to achieve the American dream. A place full of opportunity and prosperity. However, their journey wasn’t an easy one. My parents faced immense challenges. Whether it be from financial instability to language barriers, they were constantly overcoming. Despite these obstacles, they remained resilient and accomplished the life they fought for. However, witnessing our struggles, left a lasting impression on me. Growing up in a household that constantly faced financial uncertainty, I saw firsthand the stress that came with not knowing how to navigate the complexity of money or balance life’s many challenges. Inspired by my background, I wanted to work towards understanding finances myself. In my junior year, I had the privilege of interning at VyStar Credit Union. This gave me hands-on experience of the banking field and an unique opportunity to teach my peers about financial literacy. However, during these presentations, I noticed a significant issue: the lack of awareness about financial management among young people. My presentations entailed that I asked questions, such as “What are good ways to save your money?” But, questions like this would leave students puzzled, uncertainty spread across their faces. Even when some would answer, they would joke, not recognizing the usefulness a question like this may have for their future. Because of my background, I had put a strong emphasis on my money management early-on to prepare myself for the future. It was disheartening to see that a lot of students were not equipped with these necessary financial skills. In our ever evolving world, understanding how your money works is one of the most important life lessons you can receive. So, I decided to take initiative and fight this issue. The VyStar internship showed me the impact of accessible financial education. These topics aren’t often taught in classrooms, and when they are, students often lack the focus to engage. To address this, I created “Lunch and Learns” as President of Future Business Leaders of America. These sessions, led by mentors or teachers, covered financial topics like budgeting and investments, paired with a warm lunch and an encouraging atmosphere. Afterward, students, especially seniors nearing adulthood, expressed their gratitude for the practical lessons. This initiative not only expanded my peers' financial knowledge but also inspired me to expand these programs nationwide. In the fall of 2025, I plan to pursue a degree in finance at the University of Central Florida. My goal is to leverage this education to later become a financial advisor. Because of my experiences with VyStar’s internship, I wish to work towards implementing finance internship programs. However, I aim to take this initiative further by incorporating more hands-on experience for the students. It would include shadowing opportunities, mentorships, and life-skill workshops. By doing so, I hope to empower students with the financial knowledge they need to make informed decisions and build stable futures. This passion for financial literacy has not only shaped my educational and professional goals but has also instilled in me a commitment to helping others. By addressing this critical issue, I hope to leave a lasting impact on the next generation, ensuring that they are equipped with the tools to succeed.