Earning a college degree has been my desire since a young age, but I did not pursue that dream in my youth. I am a Mexican American woman, a non-traditional, first-generation student with a disability. I take responsibility for my life choices, which had a huge part in pushing me further away from attending college. I was in a tumultuous 25-year marriage, and when my mother passed away in May of 2019, I was faced with the reality of my mortality and realized that I deserved a better future. I needed change and accepted responsibility by taking the reins of my life and steering it in the best path for myself. In August 2020, I began my academic journey, enrolled in Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), and started flourishing in my new environment. I earned my Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Psychology, and graduated with honors from EMCC. Today, I am a third-year psychology student at ASU West and a Barrett Honors College student. I am investing in my future by pursuing my dream of attending college, earning my degree, and eventually becoming a mental health professional. I am working toward earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. I plan to continue my education by applying to a master’s program that will prepare me for my career goal of becoming a Licensed mental health professional. I want to specialize in trauma to work with women who are survivors of domestic violence. I am passionate about community service, and I volunteer once a week with the New Life Center (NLC), Arizona’s largest refuge for domestic violence survivors. I am passionate about becoming a mental health professional to help women heal from their trauma breakthrough unhealthy mindsets, and become overcomers because I once was one of these women, and it is why I chose my career path. I have stayed in a domestic violence shelter and understand these women’s emotional turmoil. Becoming a mental health professional is a call in my life. Pursuing a career in mental health will also allow me to work pro-bono at domestic violence shelters, giving me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of underserved women in my community. I deserve the VonDerek Casteel Being There Counts Scholarship because, as a non-traditional student, I have a unique perspective through my lived experiences, which have given me a greater empathy for others and their difficulties. I learned to overcome obstacles and have the determination and grit to achieve my long-term goals. I am a hard-working student who strives to demonstrate an excellent work ethic and am committed to succeeding. I have chosen to surround myself with like-minded people who are also pursuing their academic goals. I have a community of support, my family, peers, academic staff, ASU SAILS, disability resources and services, and Barrett, The Honors College at ASU West. Receiving the VonDerek Casteel Being There Counts Scholarship will tremendously impact my life by providing me with the support I need to accomplish my educational and life goals. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Earning a college degree has been my desire since a young age, but I did not pursue that dream in my youth. I am a Mexican American woman, a non-traditional, first-generation student with a disability. I take responsibility for my life choices, which had a huge part in pushing me further away from attending college. I was in a tumultuous 25-year marriage, and when my mother passed away in May of 2019, I was faced with the reality of my mortality and realized that I deserved a better future. I needed change and accepted responsibility by taking the reins of my life and steering it in the best path for myself. In August 2020, I began my academic journey, enrolled in Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), and started flourishing in my new environment. In addition, I answered several volunteer opportunities during my time at EMCC and completed an internship with the New Life Center (NLC). They serve the community through their domestic violence emergency shelter and outreach support programs. I currently volunteer at NLC once a week. I earned my Associate in Arts, with an Emphasis in Psychology, and graduated with honors from EMCC. Today, I am a third-year psychology student at ASU West and a Barrett Honors College student. I am investing in my future by pursuing my dream of attending college, earning my degree, and eventually becoming a mental health professional. I am working toward earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. I plan to continue my education by applying to a master’s program that will prepare me to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I plan to build a more empathetic and understanding global community through my goal of specializing in trauma to work with women who are survivors of domestic violence. I am passionate about becoming a mental health professional to help women heal from their trauma, breakthrough unhealthy mindsets, and become overcomers because I once was one of these women. I have stayed in a domestic violence shelter and understand these women’s emotional turmoil. Becoming a mental health professional is not only a passion but a call in my life. Pursuing a career in mental health will also allow me to work pro-bono at domestic violence shelters, giving me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of underserved women in my community. As a non-traditional student, I have a unique perspective through my lived experiences, which have given me a greater empathy for others and their difficulties. I learned to overcome obstacles and have the determination and grit to achieve my long-term goals. I am a hard-working student who strives to demonstrate an excellent work ethic and am committed to succeeding. I have chosen to surround myself with like-minded people who are also pursuing their academic goals. I have a community of support, my family, peers, academic staff, ASU SAILS, disability resources and services, and Barrett, The Honors College at ASU West. Receiving the Harry & Mary Sheaffer Scholarship will tremendously impact my life by providing me with the support I need to accomplish my educational and life goals. Thank you for your time and consideration.