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Andrea Aju

3,405

Bold Points

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Finalist

Bio

I aspire to become an Emergency Nurse Practitioner. To achieve my goal, I plan to pursue higher education by attending college and obtaining a Master's degree in nursing. My driving force is not just to make my family proud, but also to fulfill my ambition. Since childhood, I have been passionate about helping people and knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field.

Education

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor's degree program
2024 - 2024
  • Majors:
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Lawndale High School

High School
2020 - 2023
  • GPA:
    3.9

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
    • Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
    • Health and Medical Administrative Services
    • Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
    • Biopsychology
    • Psychology, General
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Medicine

    • Dream career goals:

      Nurse

    • Served fresh food and beverages. Recorded customer orders. Served as crew member and trainer for McDonald’s. Keep tables/counters neat and clean.

      McDonald's
      2022 – 20231 year

    Sports

    Soccer

    Club
    2014 – 20173 years

    Public services

    • Advocacy

      MEChA — I am treasure, organize Hispanic community events. I teach my classmates about the Latino community because it creates a more comfortable community and allows students to feel more confident in themselves as well as in their interactions with others.
      2021 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Presencia Church — I was a founder and I helped organize community events and Food Drives.
      2018 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Hawthorne City Hall Food Drive — Consistent Volunteer, I pack fresh fruit and vegetables, and I pass it out to my community.
      2022 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Entrepreneurship

    Otto Bear Memorial Scholarship
    Since childhood, science has always caught my attention. As a kid, I watched YouTube videos about how to blow up a volcano, how to make an egg glow, and make slime with shampoo. I was endlessly curious about how things worked and nothing seemed more exciting to me than getting my hands dirty and exploring the world around me. As I got older, my interest in science only grew stronger. In middle school, I grabbed the scalpel with a real passion to dissect a frog and a cow's eye. Now that I look back, I probably looked like a maniac with the scalpel in my hand and a huge smile on my face. When I started high school, I was more than ready to dive even deeper into the world of science. I flourished in my science courses, taking all the APs I could just to learn more. Even though these classes were often arduous, they only served to fuel my passion for science. I took science not only as a course, but I made it so that it took up every aspect of my high school career. I joined the Biomedical Careers Academy, a program created for those students who were interested in the Medical Sciences. I became a tutor to those who were struggling in any science subject and retaught complex systems with ease, and every year without fail, I volunteered for the blood drive. Through this academy, I got OSHA certified. I also got the opportunity to join the Charles Drew UCLA Mentorship, where I gained an understanding of the medical field and its challenges. In the summer, I joined another mentorship called West Coast Sports Medicine Foundation. As a result, I was able to learn a variety of essential skills such as body taping, and dealing with challenging situations that come with working in the medical field. Through this, I got CPR and AED certification. Currently, I’m enrolled in a course called Simrated, which has allowed me to obtain hands-on CNA experience and build strong relationships with people who share the same passion for science as I do. The environment has been extremely inspiring, and I have been able to make a firm decision to pursue nursing as a profession, specifically as an ER nurse. I know the ER gets chaotic, but this type of setting is what excites me the most. My experiences have only cemented my love for science and desire to contribute to the nursing field. I’m eager to enter the world of healthcare and use my knowledge to make a positive impact. As a future nurse, I plan to give back to my community by advocating for my patients and offering them and their families emotional support. I will also be a mentor for students to educate them and highlight the positive aspects of the nursing profession. As a future nurse, I will solve health issues by building confidence in healthcare workers because when it comes to giving people resources such as vaccines, trust is crucial. I will also communicate effectively with the public about the healthcare services that are available to them. Doing this can help prevent future pandemics. My love of science has been a constant thread running through my entire life. It's a passion that has driven me to explore, question, and discover, and I can't wait to see where it will take me next.
    Frederick and Bernice Beretta Memorial Scholarship
    Since childhood, science has always caught my attention. As a kid, I watched YouTube videos about how to blow up a volcano, how to make an egg glow, and make slime with shampoo. I was endlessly curious about how things worked and nothing seemed more exciting to me than getting my hands dirty and exploring the world around me. As I got older, my interest in science only grew stronger. In middle school, I grabbed the scalpel with a real passion to dissect a frog and a cow's eye. Now that I look back, I probably looked like a maniac with the scalpel in my hand and a huge smile on my face. When I started high school, I was more than ready to dive even deeper into the world of science. I flourished in my science courses, taking all the APs I could just to learn more. Even though these classes were often arduous, they only served to fuel my passion for science. I took science not only as a course, but I made it so that it took up every aspect of my high school career. I joined the Biomedical Careers Academy, a program created for those students who were interested in the Medical Sciences. I became a tutor to those who were struggling in any science subject and retaught complex systems with ease, and every year without fail, I volunteered for the blood drive. Through this academy, I got OSHA certified. I also got the opportunity to join the Charles Drew UCLA Mentorship, where I gained an understanding of the medical field and its challenges. In the summer, I joined another mentorship called West Coast Sports Medicine Foundation. As a result, I was able to learn a variety of essential skills such as body taping, and dealing with challenging situations that come with working in the medical field. Through this, I got CPR and AED certification. Currently, I’m enrolled in a course called Simrated, which has allowed me to obtain hands-on CNA experience and build strong relationships with people who share the same passion for science as I do. The environment has been extremely inspiring, and I have been able to make a firm decision to pursue nursing as a profession, specifically as an ER nurse. I know the ER gets chaotic, but this type of setting is what excites me the most. My love of science has been a constant thread running through my entire life. It's a passion that has driven me to explore, question, and discover, and I can't wait to see where it will take me next.
    Etherine Tansimore Scholarship
    Since childhood, science has always caught my attention. As a kid, I watched YouTube videos about how to blow up a volcano, how to make an egg glow, and make slime with shampoo. I was endlessly curious about how things worked and nothing seemed more exciting to me than getting my hands dirty and exploring the world around me. As I got older, my interest in science only grew stronger. In middle school, I grabbed the scalpel with a real passion to dissect a frog and a cow's eye. Now that I look back, I probably looked like a maniac with the scalpel in my hand and a huge smile on my face. When I started high school, I was more than ready to dive even deeper into the world of science. I flourished in my science courses, taking all the APs I could just to learn more. Even though these classes were often arduous, they only served to fuel my passion for science. I took science not only as a course, but I made it so that it took up every aspect of my high school career. I joined the Biomedical Careers Academy, a program created for those students who were interested in the Medical Sciences. I became a tutor to those who were struggling in any science subject and retaught complex systems with ease, and every year without fail, I volunteered for the blood drive. Through this academy, I got OSHA certified. I also got the opportunity to join the Charles Drew UCLA Mentorship, where I gained an understanding of the medical field and its challenges. In the summer, I joined another mentorship called West Coast Sports Medicine Foundation. As a result, I was able to learn a variety of essential skills such as body taping, and dealing with challenging situations that come with working in the medical field. Through this, I got CPR and AED certification. Currently, I’m enrolled in a course called Simrated, which has allowed me to obtain hands-on CNA experience and build strong relationships with people who share the same passion for science as I do. The environment has been extremely inspiring, and I have been able to make a firm decision to pursue nursing as a profession, specifically as an ER nurse. I know the ER gets chaotic, but this type of setting is what excites me the most. My experiences have only cemented my love for science and desire to contribute to the nursing field. I’m eager to enter the world of healthcare and use my knowledge to make a positive impact. As a future nurse, I plan to give back to my community by advocating for my patients and offering them and their families emotional support. I will also be a mentor for students to educate them and highlight the positive aspects of the nursing profession. As a future nurse, I will solve health issues by building confidence in healthcare workers because when it comes to giving people resources such as vaccines, trust is crucial. I will also communicate effectively with the public about the healthcare services that are available to them. Doing this can help prevent future pandemics. My love of science has been a constant thread running through my entire life. It's a passion that has driven me to explore, question, and discover, and I can't wait to see where it will take me next.
    Evan James Vaillancourt Memorial Scholarship
    Since childhood, science has always caught my attention. As a kid, I watched YouTube videos about how to blow up a volcano, how to make an egg glow, and make slime with shampoo. I was endlessly curious about how things worked and nothing seemed more exciting to me than getting my hands dirty and exploring the world around me. As I got older, my interest in science only grew stronger. In middle school, I grabbed the scalpel with a real passion to dissect a frog and a cow's eye. Now that I look back, I probably looked like a maniac with the scalpel in my hand and a huge smile on my face. When I started high school, I was more than ready to dive even deeper into the world of science. I flourished in my science courses, taking all the APs I could just to learn more. Even though these classes were often arduous, they only served to fuel my passion for science. I took science not only as a course, but I made it so that it took up every aspect of my high school career. I joined the Biomedical Careers Academy, a program created for those students who were interested in the Medical Sciences. I became a tutor to those who were struggling in any science subject and retaught complex systems with ease, and every year without fail, I volunteered for the blood drive. Through this academy, I got OSHA certified. I also got the opportunity to join the Charles Drew UCLA Mentorship, where I gained an understanding of the medical field and its challenges. In the summer, I joined another mentorship called West Coast Sports Medicine Foundation. As a result, I was able to learn a variety of essential skills such as body taping, and dealing with challenging situations that come with working in the medical field. Through this, I got CPR and AED certification. Currently, I’m enrolled in a course called Simrated, which has allowed me to obtain hands-on CNA experience and build strong relationships with people who share the same passion for science as I do. The environment has been extremely inspiring, and I have been able to make a firm decision to pursue nursing as a profession, specifically as an ER nurse. I know the ER gets chaotic, but this type of setting is what excites me the most. My experiences have only cemented my love for science and desire to contribute to the nursing field. I’m eager to enter the world of healthcare and use my knowledge to make a positive impact. As a future nurse, I plan to give back to my community by advocating for my patients and offering them and their families emotional support. I will also be a mentor for students to educate them and highlight the positive aspects of the nursing profession. As a future nurse, I will solve health issues by building confidence in healthcare workers because when it comes to giving people resources such as vaccines, trust is crucial. I will also communicate effectively with the public about the healthcare services that are available to them. Doing this can help prevent future pandemics. My love of science has been a constant thread running through my entire life. It's a passion that has driven me to explore, question, and discover, and I can't wait to see where it will take me next.
    A Man Helping Women Helping Women Scholarship
    Since childhood, science has always caught my attention. As a kid, I watched YouTube videos about how to blow up a volcano, how to make an egg glow, and make slime with shampoo. I was endlessly curious about how things worked and nothing seemed more exciting to me than getting my hands dirty and exploring the world around me. As I got older, my interest in science only grew stronger. In middle school, I grabbed the scalpel with a real passion to dissect a frog and a cow's eye. Now that I look back, I probably looked like a maniac with the scalpel in my hand and a huge smile on my face. When I started high school, I was more than ready to dive even deeper into the world of science. I flourished in my science courses, taking all the APs I could just to learn more. Even though these classes were often arduous, they only served to fuel my passion for science. I took science not only as a course, but I made it so that it took up every aspect of my high school career. I joined the Biomedical Careers Academy, a program created for those students who were interested in the Medical Sciences. I became a tutor to those who were struggling in any science subject and retaught complex systems with ease, and every year without fail, I volunteered for the blood drive. Through this academy, I got OSHA certified. I also got the opportunity to join the Charles Drew UCLA Mentorship, where I gained an understanding of the medical field and its challenges. In the summer, I joined another mentorship called West Coast Sports Medicine Foundation. As a result, I was able to learn a variety of essential skills such as body taping, and dealing with challenging situations that come with working in the medical field. Through this, I got CPR and AED certification. Currently, I’m enrolled in a course called Simrated, which has allowed me to obtain hands-on CNA experience and build strong relationships with people who share the same passion for science as I do. The environment has been extremely inspiring, and I have been able to make a firm decision to pursue nursing as a profession, specifically as an ER nurse. I know the ER gets chaotic, but this type of setting is what excites me the most. My experiences have only cemented my love for science and desire to contribute to the nursing field. I’m eager to enter the world of healthcare and use my knowledge to make a positive impact. As a future nurse, I plan to give back to my community by advocating for my patients and offering them and their families emotional support. I will also be a mentor for students to educate them and highlight the positive aspects of the nursing profession. As a future nurse, I will solve health issues by building confidence in healthcare workers because when it comes to giving people resources such as vaccines, trust is crucial. I will also communicate effectively with the public about the healthcare services that are available to them. Doing this can help prevent future pandemics. My love of science has been a constant thread running through my entire life. It's a passion that has driven me to explore, question, and discover, and I can't wait to see where it will take me next.
    Maxwell Tuan Nguyen Memorial Scholarship
    Since childhood, science has always caught my attention. As a kid, I watched YouTube videos about how to blow up a volcano, how to make an egg glow, and make slime with shampoo. I was endlessly curious about how things worked and nothing seemed more exciting to me than getting my hands dirty and exploring the world around me. As I got older, my interest in science only grew stronger. In middle school, I grabbed the scalpel with a real passion to dissect a frog and a cow's eye. Now that I look back, I probably looked like a maniac with the scalpel in my hand and a huge smile on my face. When I started high school, I was more than ready to dive even deeper into the world of science. I flourished in my science courses, taking all the APs I could just to learn more. Even though these classes were often arduous, they only served to fuel my passion for science. I took science not only as a course, but I made it so that it took up every aspect of my high school career. I joined the Biomedical Careers Academy, a program created for those students who were interested in the Medical Sciences. I became a tutor to those who were struggling in any science subject and retaught complex systems with ease, and every year without fail, I volunteered for the blood drive. Through this academy, I got OSHA certified. I also got the opportunity to join the Charles Drew UCLA Mentorship, where I gained an understanding of the medical field and its challenges. In the summer, I joined another mentorship called West Coast Sports Medicine Foundation. As a result, I was able to learn a variety of essential skills such as body taping, and dealing with challenging situations that come with working in the medical field. Through this, I got CPR and AED certification. Currently, I’m enrolled in a course called Simrated, which has allowed me to obtain hands-on CNA experience and build strong relationships with people who share the same passion for science as I do. The environment has been extremely inspiring, and I have been able to make a firm decision to pursue nursing as a profession, specifically as an ER nurse. I know the ER gets chaotic, but this type of setting is what excites me the most. My experiences have only cemented my love for science and desire to contribute to the nursing field. I’m eager to enter the world of healthcare and use my knowledge to make a positive impact. As a future nurse, I plan to give back to my community by advocating for my patients and offering them and their families emotional support. I will also be a mentor for students to educate them and highlight the positive aspects of the nursing profession. As a future nurse, I will solve health issues by building confidence in healthcare workers because when it comes to giving people resources such as vaccines, trust is crucial. I will also communicate effectively with the public about the healthcare services that are available to them. Doing this can help prevent future pandemics. My love of science has been a constant thread running through my entire life. It's a passion that has driven me to explore, question, and discover, and I can't wait to see where it will take me next.
    Loreen K. Odemu Memorial Nursing Scholarship
    Since childhood, science has always caught my attention. As a kid, I watched YouTube videos about how to blow up a volcano, how to make an egg glow, and make slime with shampoo. I was endlessly curious about how things worked and nothing seemed more exciting to me than getting my hands dirty and exploring the world around me. As I got older, my interest in science only grew stronger. In middle school, I grabbed the scalpel with a real passion to dissect a frog and a cow's eye. Now that I look back, I probably looked like a maniac with the scalpel in my hand and a huge smile on my face. When I started high school, I was more than ready to dive even deeper into the world of science. I flourished in my science courses, taking all the APs I could just to learn more. Even though these classes were often arduous, they only served to fuel my passion for science. I took science not only as a course, but I made it so that it took up every aspect of my high school career. I joined the Biomedical Careers Academy, a program created for those students who were interested in the Medical Sciences. I became a tutor to those who were struggling in any science subject and retaught complex systems with ease, and every year without fail, I volunteered for the blood drive. Through this academy, I got OSHA certified. I also got the opportunity to join the Charles Drew UCLA Mentorship, where I gained an understanding of the medical field and its challenges. In the summer, I joined another mentorship called West Coast Sports Medicine Foundation. As a result, I was able to learn a variety of essential skills such as body taping, and dealing with challenging situations that come with working in the medical field. Through this, I got CPR and AED certification. Currently, I’m enrolled in a course called Simrated, which has allowed me to obtain hands-on CNA experience and build strong relationships with people who share the same passion for science as I do. The environment has been extremely inspiring, and I have been able to make a firm decision to pursue nursing as a profession, specifically as an ER nurse. I know the ER gets chaotic, but this type of setting is what excites me the most. The ER is not for everyone, but I know 100% that I have the skills for this specialty, I can work quickly and calmly in fast-paced environments. My experiences have only cemented my love for science and desire to contribute to the nursing field. I’m eager to enter the world of healthcare and use my knowledge to make a positive impact. As a future nurse, I plan to give back to my community by advocating for my patients and offering them and their families emotional support. I will also be a mentor for students to educate them and highlight the positive aspects of the nursing profession. As a future nurse, I will solve health issues by building confidence in healthcare workers because when it comes to giving people resources such as vaccines, trust is crucial. I will also communicate effectively with the public about the healthcare services that are available to them. Doing this can help prevent future pandemics. My love of science has been a constant thread running through my entire life. It's a passion that has driven me to explore, question, and discover, and I can't wait to see where it will take me next.
    Community Health Ambassador Scholarship for Nursing Students
    Since childhood, science has always caught my attention. As a kid, I watched YouTube videos about how to blow up a volcano, how to make an egg glow, and make slime with shampoo. I was endlessly curious about how things worked and nothing seemed more exciting to me than getting my hands dirty and exploring the world around me. As I got older, my interest in science only grew stronger. In middle school, I grabbed the scalpel with a real passion to dissect a frog and a cow's eye. Now that I look back, I probably looked like a maniac with the scalpel in my hand and a huge smile on my face. When I started high school, I was more than ready to dive even deeper into the world of science. I flourished in my science courses, taking all the APs I could just to learn more. Even though these classes were often arduous, they only served to fuel my passion for science. I took science not only as a course, but I made it so that it took up every aspect of my high school career. I joined the Biomedical Careers Academy, a program created for those students who were interested in the Medical Sciences. I became a tutor to those who were struggling in any science subject and retaught complex systems with ease, and every year without fail, I volunteered for the blood drive. Through this academy, I got OSHA certified. I got the opportunity to join the Charles Drew UCLA Mentorship, where I gained an understanding of the medical field and its challenges. BCA has taught me about the practical applications of science in everyday life. I joined an exciting mentorship in the summer called West Coast Sports Medicine Foundation. As a result, I was able to learn a variety of essential skills such as body taping, and dealing with challenging situations that come with working in the medical field. Through this, I got CPR and AED certification. Currently, I’m enrolled in a course called Simrated, which has allowed me to obtain hands-on CNA experience and build strong relationships with people who share the same passion for science as I do. The environment has been extremely inspiring, and I have been able to make a firm decision to pursue nursing as a profession, specifically as an ER nurse. I know the ER gets chaotic, but this type of setting is what excites me the most. The ER is not for everyone, but I know 100% that I have the skills for this specialty, I can work quickly and calmly in fast-paced environments. My experiences have only cemented my love for science and desire to contribute to the nursing field. I’m eager to enter the world of healthcare and use my knowledge to make a positive impact. As a future nurse, I plan to give back to my community by advocating for my patients and offering them and their families emotional support. I will also be a mentor for students to educate them and highlight the positive aspects of the nursing profession. Currently, I’m volunteering and organizing food drives for those in need. Being able to help others in my community will forever make me feel ecstatic. My love of science has been a constant thread running through my entire life. It's a passion that has driven me to explore, question, and discover, and I can't wait to see where it will take me next.
    Breanna Coleman Memorial Nursing Scholarship
    Since childhood, science has always caught my attention. As a kid, I watched YouTube videos about how to blow up a volcano, how to make an egg glow, and make slime with shampoo. I was endlessly curious about how things worked and nothing seemed more exciting to me than getting my hands dirty and exploring the world around me. As I got older, my interest in science only grew stronger. In middle school, I grabbed the scalpel with a real passion to dissect a frog and a cow's eye. Now that I look back, I probably looked like a maniac with the scalpel in my hand and a huge smile on my face. When I started high school, I was more than ready to dive even deeper into the world of science. I flourished in my science courses, taking all the APs I could just to learn more. Even though these classes were often arduous, they only served to fuel my passion for science. I took science not only as a course, but I made it so that it took up every aspect of my high school career. I joined the Biomedical Careers Academy, a program created for those students who were interested in the Medical Sciences. I became a tutor to those who were struggling in any science subject and retaught complex systems with ease, and every year without fail, I volunteered for the blood drive. Through this academy, I got OSHA certified. I got the opportunity to join the Charles Drew UCLA Mentorship, where I gained an understanding of the medical field and its challenges. BCA has taught me about the practical applications of science in everyday life. I joined an exciting mentorship in the summer called West Coast Sports Medicine Foundation. As a result, I was able to learn a variety of essential skills such as body taping, and dealing with challenging situations that come with working in the medical field. Through this, I got CPR and AED certification. Currently, I’m enrolled in a course called Simrated, which has allowed me to obtain hands-on CNA experience and build strong relationships with people who share the same passion for science as I do. The environment has been extremely inspiring, and I have been able to make a firm decision to pursue nursing as a profession, specifically as an ER nurse. I know the ER gets chaotic, but this type of setting is what excites me the most. The ER is not for everyone, but I know 100% that I have the skills for this specialty, I can work quickly and calmly in fast-paced environments. My experiences have only cemented my love for science and desire to contribute to the nursing field. I’m eager to enter the world of healthcare and use my knowledge to make a positive impact. As a future nurse, I plan to give back to my community by advocating for my patients and offering them and their families emotional support. I will also be a mentor for students to educate them and highlight the positive aspects of the nursing profession. Currently, I’m volunteering and organizing food drives for those in need. Being able to help others in my community will forever make me feel ecstatic. My love of science has been a constant thread running through my entire life. It's a passion that has driven me to explore, question, and discover, and I can't wait to see where it will take me next.
    Shays Scholarship
    Since childhood, science has always caught my attention. As a kid, I watched YouTube videos about how to blow up a volcano, how to make an egg glow, and make slime with shampoo. I was endlessly curious about how things worked and nothing seemed more exciting to me than getting my hands dirty and exploring the world around me. As I got older, my interest in science only grew stronger. In middle school, I grabbed the scalpel with a real passion to dissect a frog and a cow's eye. Now that I look back, I probably looked like a maniac with the scalpel in my hand and a huge smile on my face. When I started high school, I was more than ready to dive even deeper into the world of science. I flourished in my science courses, taking all the APs I could just to learn more. Even though these classes were often arduous, they only served to fuel my passion for science. I took science not only as a course, but I made it so that it took up every aspect of my high school career. I joined the Biomedical Careers Academy, a program created for those students who were interested in the Medical Sciences. I became a tutor to those who were struggling in my favorite subject and retaught complex systems with ease, and every year without fail volunteered for the blood drive. I got OSHA certified through this academy as well. I got the opportunity to join the Charles Drew UCLA Mentorship, a mentorship from medical students and faculty. It was highly competitive, only 18 students were selected from all the 11th and 12th graders in the biomedical careers academy. Students require a GPA of 3.5+ and BCA teachers are required to give input if succeed in this mentorship. Through this mentorship, I gained an understanding of what the medical field entails, I learned about the challenges that medical students face and how to overcome them. The Biomedical Careers Academy taught me about what science can do in everyday life. I was fortunate enough to join an exciting mentorship in the summer called West Coast Sports Medicine Foundation. As a result, I was able to learn a variety of essential skills such as CPR and AED certification, body taping, and dealing with challenging situations that come with working in the medical field. Currently, I am enrolled in a course called Simrated, which has allowed me to obtain hands-on CNA experience and build strong relationships with people who share the same passion for science as I do. The environment has been extremely inspiring, and I have been able to make a firm decision to pursue nursing as a profession, specifically as an ER nurse. I know the ER gets chaotic, but this type of setting is what excites me the most. The ER is not for everyone, but I know 100% that I have the skills for this specialty, I can work quickly and calmly in fast-paced environments. My experiences have only cemented my love for science and desire to contribute to the medical field. I am eager to enter the world of healthcare and use my knowledge to make a positive impact. My love of science has been a constant thread running through my entire life. It's a passion that has driven me to explore, question, and discover, and I can't wait to see where it will take me next.
    Fuerza y Ganas Scholarship
    Ever since I was little, my favorite subject has always been science, I have always looked forward to it. In elementary school, I made a volcano that exploded tomato sauce on my clothes, the floor, the wall, everywhere. I loved it! In middle school, I grabbed the scalpel with a real passion to dissect a frog, a squid, and a cow eye. Once I got into high school, science started to look a little different for me because it wasn’t the same type of fun I had in elementary and middle school. In ninth grade, I took biology and I learned how to transcribe DNA into RNA. In tenth grade, I took chemistry and I almost made something catch on fire because I was too excited, thankfully I didn’t. Now as a current junior, AP Biology has been the toughest science class I’ve taken in my entire life because we are learning more in-depth about photosynthesis, cell communication, and protein synthesis. Although it’s a very hard class, what really motivated me to keep this strong love for science was not biology or chemistry, it was my other classes that I would consider as science classes, Sports Medicine, Human Body System, and Medical Interventions. These classes tie into my career path of being a nurse. How? These classes have helped me learn that what I am passionate about is the science behind the human body. The veins, arteries, bones, muscles, tissue, cells, all of this is so interesting to me. This is what motivates me to keep learning, it is something that I would never get bored of. A nurse never stops learning, they learn something new every day, which is something I want to do. Outside of school, I never stop learning about the human body. I watch surgery documentaries, and Netflix shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and Chicago Med. It’s like drugs, I’m addicted! When I do small talk with others, I talk about anatomy and maybe some people think I’m crazy, but this doesn't stop me from doing what I love. My interest is a part of me that I will protect as much as a human body needs a heart and oxygen to live. When I was a kid and we would go to the doctor, I would be my parents' translator because my parents didn't know how to speak English. A language barrier is one of many problems for the Hispanic community. There would even be basic mistrust of doctors and a belief that caring for patients came a distant second to making money. All because there aren't enough Hispanics/Latinos in the medical field. In the future, some ways I will give back to the Hispanic community is by giving them trust, and comfort, and never forcing a child to speak for their parents because I know how anxious that can be. I also want to be a role model for other Hispanics and Latinos that no matter where they come from, they can always achieve their goals. They can make it to the medical career too! I will also give them the best healthcare experiences because everyone deserves to get treated equally no matter race or ethnicity.
    Terry Crews "Creative Courage" Scholarship
    My whole life is about me trying to figure out what I want to do in the future. Of course, I don't want to do anything that I dislike. I want to go to college because I want to do what I love and want to set a good example for my little brother. I'm going to be the first one to go to college. My dad didn't receive an education and my mom did, but she only graduated high school. I love helping people, especially children, so for the past years, I have been thinking about doing something in the medical field. When I was little, my mom would tell me stories about how I loved playing doctor. I would act as if I was a doctor and I would cure them. Art calms me down, I have days where I get stressed, so I draw to take my mind off things that stress me. I always envision myself painting in a garden, listening to nature, the birds humming, the wind, the squirrels jumping from tree to tree. Not always drawing is relaxing to me though. I have been through some hard times and sometimes I grab a piece of paper and express it there. I start painting or drawing random stuff with my eyes close and when I open them, it's a mess. Though I don't keep those pieces with me because I don't want to remind myself again of the bad things I've been through. Although, deep inside of me, I know I can't keep ignoring it. I don't want to give up my artistic dreams for the future. I want to keep an open mind for the options and opportunities I have, to do something with art and medicine.