Having a foreign-born parent greatly impacted my academic experience. My mother, who immigrated from Baja California, Mexico, in search of better opportunities, has had the greatest influence on my life. She has worked in agriculture since she was a child and has taken on the roles of both mother and father in my life while my father has been absent. Growing up in a low-income household, I witnessed her tireless efforts to support our small family. She gets up at 3 a.m. to prepare her lunch, starts working in the fields at 5 a.m., and doesn't get home until 7 p.m., exhausted from long days in the hot sun. Despite her exhaustion, she always makes time to encourage and remind me of the importance of education. Her sacrifices taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and gratitude. My mother is more than just a parent; she is my hero and best friend. My academic experience has been shaped in part by the bilingual environment in which I grew up. Speaking both English and Spanish at home has improved my language abilities and helped me succeed. It has also improved my ability to connect with others and comprehend diverse viewpoints. My mother's emphasis on hard work and perseverance has inspired me to strive for academic excellence, even in the face of challenges. She frequently tells me, "Échale ganas, hija" and "No quiero verte trabajando en el campo como yo," which translate to "Give it your all, daughter" and "I don't want to see you working in the fields like me." These words have stuck with me and continue to motivate me to work hard in school and create a brighter future. Growing up in a Hispanic household has influenced my values and goals. My culture emphasizes the value of family, community, and helping others, and I live by these principles every day. I've been actively involved in the Latino community, helping others in a variety of ways. Whether I'm translating for someone who only speaks Spanish, or helping my mother and her friends with paperwork, I enjoy being of service to others. These experiences have strengthened my connection with my community and motivated me to pursue a career in clinical psychology. I want to dedicate my life to helping others, just as my mother has helped me and as I have tried to assist those around me. My goal is to provide support and understanding to people who feel lost or misunderstood, just as I did as a child. Lastly, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the individual who established this scholarship. As a first-generation student, I've faced numerous challenges in pursuing my education. This scholarship would relieve my family's financial burden while also allowing me to continue my education at a four-year university. I am determined to take this opportunity and use it to achieve my objectives and make a positive difference in my community. Thank you so much for your time and consideration; it means everything to me.

Growing up in a single-parent household helped shape me into who I am today. My mother has been a constant source of encouragement, inspiration, and strength in my life and education. Her story is one of perseverance and sacrifice. She immigrated from Mexico in search of better opportunities and has been involved in agriculture since childhood. As the only child on my mother's side, I've seen her play the roles of both mother and father in my life. While my father has been absent, my mother has worked tirelessly to support our small family. Living in a low-income household, I've witnessed firsthand the difficulties my mother faces. She gets up at 3 a.m. to prepare her lunch, starts working in the fields at 5 a.m., and doesn't get home until 7 p.m., often exhausted from working long hours in the hot sun. Despite her exhaustion, she always finds time to encourage and remind me of the value of education. Her sacrifices taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and gratitude. My mother is more than a parent; she is my hero and best friend. One of my earliest memories is of my mother teaching me how to spell my name in kindergarten. Even though she did not have the opportunity to attend school, she has always prioritized my education. She would seek assistance from others to make sure that I had the resources necessary to succeed. Her commitment to my education has been an ongoing source of inspiration for me. She frequently tells me, "Échale ganas, hija" and "No quiero verte trabajando en el campo como yo," which translate to "Give it your all, daughter" and "I don't want to see you working in the fields like me." These words have stayed with me and continue to motivate me to succeed in school and build a better future. My mother's strength and selflessness have motivated me to dream big and work hard. She raised me to be a respectful and compassionate individual who is curious about the world. I frequently find myself assisting others, whether by translating for someone who does not speak English or answering questions for those in need. These experiences have shown me the joy of helping others, which has influenced my decision to pursue a career in clinical psychology. I want to dedicate my life to helping others, as my mother has always done for me. Her words, "Whatever you do comes back to you," remind me that the effort and kindness we extend to others will eventually be returned to us. I completely believe this and strive to live by it every day. When I become a parent, I want to be as strong and selfless as my mother. I want to make her proud and thank her for all she has done for me. She has provided me with the necessities for success, and I am determined to use them to create a better future for myself and others. Lastly, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the individual who established this scholarship for students from single-parent households, including myself. As a first-generation student, I've faced numerous challenges in pursuing my education. This scholarship would not only relieve my family's financial burden but would also allow me to continue my education at a four-year university. I am determined to take advantage of this opportunity to further my education and achieve my goals. Thank you so much for your time and consideration; it means everything to me.

My mother has been a constant source of support and inspiration throughout my education. Her story is one of tenacity and sacrifice, as she immigrated from Mexico in search of better opportunities. As her only child, I've seen firsthand the dual role she's played as both mother and father, especially in my father's absence. Her dedication to our small family is nothing short of admirable. Living in a low-income household, my mother works tirelessly in the fields, a job that requires her presence from early in the morning to late in the evening. She gets up at 3 a.m. to prepare her lunch and leaves for work at 5 a.m., returning home around 7 p.m., often exhausted from working under the scorching sun. Despite the physical and emotional toll, she has always managed to shield me from her stress by remaining calm and composed. Her unwavering work ethic and determination instilled in me the values of diligence and gratitude, teaching me never to take anything for granted. My mother is more than just a mother; she is my hero and best friend. Her fortitude, perseverance, and unconditional love have been an inspiration in my life. Despite her difficulties, she has always been my staunchest advocate for my education. She's the oldest sibling and had to work in the fields from a young age to support her family, so she never had the opportunity to attend school. Despite this, she never stopped helping me with my homework. I remember her teaching me how to spell my name when I was in Kindergarten, a simple yet profound gesture that demonstrated her dedication to my education. Her encouragement has been an ongoing source of motivation. She frequently tells me, "Échale ganas, hija" and "No quiero ver trabajando en el campo como yo," encouraging me to work for a better future. Her words struck a profound connection with me, motivating me to excel in school and seek help whenever I needed it. Her advice and presence have been invaluable, providing comfort and guidance during both good and difficult times. I am blessed to be able to attend school, an opportunity that my mother never had. Her sacrifices and encouragement helped shape me into the person I am today, instilling in me a deep appreciation for education and the opportunities it can provide. I will be eternally grateful for her unwavering support and the lessons she has taught me, and I know they will continue to guide me as I embark on new chapters in life. Finally, I'd like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the individual who established this scholarship for students from single-parent households, including myself. This scholarship would not only help my family but also enable me to continue my education at a four-year university. I am determined to take advantage of this opportunity to further my education and achieve my goals. Thank you so much for your time and consideration; it means everything to me.

I was born in the small town of Toppenish, Washington, and from a young age, I experienced frequent moves between schools and houses. Eventually, I settled in Toppenish and it has become my home. However, my childhood was not without its challenges. When I was younger, 3-4 years old, I almost got diagnosed with Autism because I couldn't talk, especially since I was shy. I would try to speak, but all that would come out was gibberish. This frustrated and misunderstood me, as I struggled to communicate with those around me. Thankfully, my mother took me to a Hearing & Speech Center where they told her I could talk with time. This experience taught me the value of perseverance and never giving up, even when faced with obstacles. I am the only child from my mother's side, and she has played the role of both a mother and a father in my life. While my father hasn't been around, my mother works hard to support our small family. Growing up in a low-income household, my mother works in the fields. She wakes up at 3 am to make her lunch, goes to work at 5 am, and arrives home at 7 pm exhausted, especially during the hot sun. She pays rent and sacrifices herself to provide for our family. Seeing her hard work and determination has instilled in me a strong work ethic and the importance of never taking anything for granted. One of my greatest passions is music, specifically singing. I have been a part of the Chamber Choir at my high school for four years, allowing me to express myself and connect with others through music. Being a part of this choir has improved my vocal skills and taught me the value of teamwork and collaboration. We work together to create beautiful harmonies and performances, and it has taught me the importance of supporting and uplifting others. An accomplishment that has led to a new understanding of myself and others was when I joined a community service project to help organize a toy train Christmas event. It was such a magical experience. Seeing the joy on the faces of families and children as they got to meet Santa, ride the train, and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate was truly heartwarming. We also organized a scavenger hunt, which added an extra layer of excitement and fun. It made me realize the importance of creating special moments for others and the impact that small gestures can have on bringing happiness to people's lives during the holiday season. This experience also taught me the power of community and coming together to make a positive difference in the world. Lastly, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the person who established this scholarship for students from single-parent households, including myself. As a first-generation student, I've faced numerous obstacles while pursuing my education. This scholarship would not only relieve my family's expenses but also allow me to continue my education at a four-year university. I am determined to take advantage of this opportunity and use it to advance my education and achieve my goals. Thank you so much for your time and consideration; it means the world to me.