Hobbies and interests
Music
Art
Comedy
Medicine
Reading
Science
I read books multiple times per week
Austin Castro
1,005
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Nominee1x
FinalistAustin Castro
1,005
Bold Points1x
Nominee1x
FinalistBio
I am a full-time student who went to a community college, which I am paying out of pocket. I have been at Los Angeles City College for five years and now am attending Cal State LA, which is what I have planned since high school. I want to finish with a bachelors in Chemistry and a minor in Physics to later attend medical school. My goal is to become a doctor.
Education
California State University-Los Angeles
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Chemistry
Minors:
- Physics
Los Angeles City College
Associate's degree programMajors:
- Chemistry
Fairfax Senior High
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Medicine
Career
Dream career field:
Medical Practice
Dream career goals:
Chef of Medicine
Shift Lead/Barista
Verve Coffee Roasters2019 – Present5 yearsShift Lead
Sweetgreens2017 – 20192 years
Sports
Golf
Intramural2020 – Present4 years
Skateboarding
Intramural2014 – Present10 years
Baseball
Club2010 – 20155 years
Arts
- Music2015 – 2022
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Entrepreneurship
Curtis Holloway Memorial Scholarship
My Father wasn't always in the picture. It was more of an on and off relationship which he would see me once a year, then would become once every other year and would develop like that. The only person I could rely on was my mom to always be there. She showed up to school events even if I didn't want her to, she showed up. Even if it was for a parent-teacher conference she showed up, which I dread because it was always the same response of either 'he talked too much' or 'he doesn't do his work.' But my mom showed me she cared that way and I wouldn't know that it would be the main reason I would want to do good in school.
My mom showing up no matter what, was the reason I wanted to thrive in school. I wanted to show that her dedication to my education and wanting the best for me was going to pay off in me and so she could be proud. After I finished high school, I decided to go to community college and she paid for my first semester. It ended up being around $2,000, which I realized that she shouldn't be paying for my schooling. I ended up getting a job and paying for school out of pocket. We agreed that I would pay for school out of pocket, then I could continue to live in her house. I had her always see me studying and wanting to be finished, so that she would tell all her friends how I wanted to be a chemist and was paying out of pocket. She was proud that I wanted to do something with my life, but I wanted to go above and beyond to show my gratitude to her.
I decided that maybe I should go into the medical field to help others and to have my mom say her son was a doctor. It wasn't her decision for me to want to pursue a career in mediation but her showing that she cared by showing an interest in my academics and her paying that first year of college. She has been with me since day one and I want to make sure she can be extra proud of her son. The lessons she has taught me and how to go about the world has been an experience that would last me a lifetime that I would show my kids. My mom was the most supportive and influential person that helped me with my educational goals.
Hulede Collegiate Golf Scholarship
During the early stages of Covid, I got bored of being inside non stop. It became such a problem, the wanting and needing to waste energy in a safe environment. It wasn't till I started to think non-stop. As I thought of which sport would be the safest at the time, after hours of wondering what sport would be the one, I thought of golf. Everyone is spread apart and there's no contact at all. It also sealed the deal when I started to think of the interview with Jordan and Steph Curry where he said, "I kind of got into golf mainly because, from a competitive standpoint, to me, it is the hardest game to play." If the greatest basketball player, who played against legends, thought that golf is the hardest game maybe I need to see for myself.
It wasn't till the next day that I went to the driving range, where I rented an iron. Not knowing anything, even what I wanted. The man behind the counter did not like that. I didn't know what I was doing, but all I wanted to do was to hit the ball a lot. He gave me a 6 iron. That point changed everything from the amount of fun I had just hitting the ball. After the first day at the driving range, it led me to do research and purchase my first iron and also a hybrid because I wanted to hit it hard and make that cool 'whacking' sound.
I would go to the range regularly. Oddly enough, I would get pointers from older players, which I loved, because of my naiveness for the game. The pointers bettered it. The community seemed to like that someone like myself was willing to put inwork and wanted to get better. Every pointer I've gotten has helped me to develop a love for the game and the community. It has helped me to come to new things with an openness because I may love the community. It's taught me that most of the time it's the way you think that would help or punish your game.
The way you think would either help or punish your game, has always given an influx of influence on how I started to think. To hit a ball, sometimes you have to be in the moment and try not to overthink. It's the overthinking that Jordan seems to be talking about and actions are sometimes needed more. With this mindset, it has sent me to better my game and to also help with my studies by not overthinking a plan but to pursue with will. That overthinking leads to distractions and actions is living in the moment and having a more simplistic but hardy way of living.
Supermom Scholarship
As a child of a single mother, it has impacted me and inspired me in such a positive way. Growing up, it used to make me sad that I didn't have either of my parents. When people would compare or ask about my absent father, it would be as if a dagger pierced my heart. It wasn't till I became more of an adult that I realized that my mom did an amazing job. Both sculpting me into the person I am and also raising me.
It's the lessons that she has taught me that have had an impact on me. She is always there for people, no matter what. If they need help with the simplest thing, from the more complex, she is someone that you can rely on. That has shown me what people can and should do for others. I practice helping others every chance I can do to my mom showing me some people just need help. This has gotten me opportunities that I would otherwise not have gotten just showing and helping others.
As a single mothers she also showed me that women are a force to be reckoned with. The most strong and most deterred lady that I have the privilege to have as a mother. She has always worked hard and showed that she loved what she does. She has stood up for others when people treat them with disrespect and seems not to be scared of anyone.
These glimpses into my life with her by my side have caused me to always be like her. To try and be the best for others if I could be, which is funny because she seems to be more optimistic about others, while I'm, pessimist in my way. But she has taught me to be more optimistic towards others, because they can do good for you and others. They just need others to believe in them.
That is the main thing that I have taken to heart, is to always look towards the positive and believe in others when no one believes in them. That is all it takes to have someone succeed in life and that could be the most uplifting thing to do for others. It is such a simple thing to do for others that could have a pronouncing effect that when I started to put this optimistic belief in others, it led to such amazing things that happened to me. All it takes is optimism for others and that's the best thing my mother has taught me and influenced me with.
Grandmaster Nam K Hyong Scholarship
I wasn't always the greatest student while going to school from elementary to high school. I didn't have the drive to go to school and study. I didn't know any path I wanted to take for life and a career. I was kinda lost in away till after high school. I had to decide what I wanted to major in and what I wanted to pursue. It wasn't till I recall an incident that happened that led to my mom falling through a glass door.
Long story short, my little sister was showing and the water had leaked out the tub. My mom slipped on the water on the floor and fell threw the glass. I heard the glass break, and I got up and rushed to the bathroom. My little sister was fine but was crying because of her being scared and my mother was on the ground and her arm was through the glass door. It took me a second to realize what I needed to do for my mom. I grabbed a towel and tied it as tight as possible to inside that her arm wouldn't bleed out. I got my sister out of the tub and into the room and made sure she didn't have any cuts herself. She was fine. Then I helped my mom to observe if anything else had happened to her. She seemed like she was in shock. Luckily, we got her to the hospital and got her help.
It wasn't till after that incident that she said that maybe I should look into being a medical doctor. I did more research to look into what I needed to do and I learned. I concluded that I should go to community college and get my GE in Chemistry and then transfer to a 4-year university. I completed my GE in the community, which took me 5 years. It wasn't till now that I finally decided to transfer and continue on my journey to be a doctor.
Some things before I get into medical school are getting a job or an internship in a lab to get the proper feeling of how to work in a lab. This will prepare me for working in the lab while practicing medicine and also how to go about in the lab. I will also want to be a part of a couple of research papers, so if need be, I can do a proper research paper for medicine if I ever do get into that side of medicine. Everything is done while getting through university to better my and my future career. This will make me do and practice to be a better doctor.
All I need to do now is finish my bachelors in chemistry then finally do my MCAT to be accepted to Medical School. I feel like I'm on track and ready to do everything I need to do for school. The most challenging thing that will and that has been on my mind is to balance education and work. Granted, school will always be my priority, but work is what is funding all my academics. I can't go to school without any work, so I do plan on having an extensive schedule to overcome this challenge of mine. If I have to take more time off of work to focus on school, I am 100% willing to because I want to complete my goal of becoming a doctor.
To insure my success, I've also started to study more to guarantee my academic goals. This will be practice by having a dedicated time to study so I can get used to it. This will also help with reducing study fatigue. Which I've experienced once and was not an enjoyable experience. I've realized that potentially setting up classes will help me in my future career path. By learning through anything that will help me, such as getting classes and watching or reading anything that is connected to my future goal. Using different resources such as potential websites and communicating with senior doctors and people who are or have been in the same field as I plan to be apart.
Lastly, practicing my emotional, mental and physical strength will keep me grounded and have a significant impact on my career. I will be doing this by having different hobbies to keep me relaxed and set for different situations. A hobble can break a cycle and also relax the mind for the day to day norms. Each hobby I will be picking up will be to relax and to keep myself mentally ready for the future while getting a break from school.
To conclude, it's with all this that I plan on thriving the most and, even with this, I don't think it's enough to guarantee my success. It will help a lot but something to help me do this and continue everything. This will be with the help of my friends and family. They will be the ones that keep me in line and will be my support team. I can't wait to thrive and have them proud of me, with my future goals and passions.
A Dog Changed My Life Scholarship
There is a reason why dogs have been known as man's best friends. It could be that they protect, love, and comfort. Honestly, I think it's because my dog, Mia, has such a personality. What has purely set her apart from others is how smart she is. Positive reinforcement training doesn't really work unless we have the bag right in front of her, her way of showing that she is in control of the situation and showing how evilly genius she is. She's different from any dog, but most owners will say that 110% of the time. I wish I knew what breed she was. She's a mix of so many types of breed, that it's hard to place which breed she is.
If it wasn't for having Mia, I don't think I would understand why people love their pets. She was my first pet with four legs and before her I had a lot of betta fishes and hermit crabs. I think that what separates dogs from their animals is that they are able to be petted and touched. Dogs will react to saving people and would do anything for attention, which could at times be annoying, but it's nice to know that they are willing to have time for you no matter what.
What Mia has taught me, from having her for 10 years now, is that, no matter what, she will be there for me. It's as if she can sense the feelings that I'm going through and will come up to me when she senses them. It could be something dogs have developed over time or can they just read facial expressions, but her actions like that do show why people love dogs. She has also taught me how to be patient. Before I had Mia, I can recall always trying to get things done fast, but having her taking her time with everything has helped me to take things slowly. It leads me to do all of my stuff slowly and efficiently. Which has helped in the lab when I do any experiments.
What has also led me to have moments of realization is when I've gone on walks with Mia. I don't think I would have gotten it if I was sitting down or something like that equivalent. I credit those walks for everything that I have done successfully. I know Mia doesn't think of them as anything associated with bathroom time, but it also led me to be a better leader and to plan things and how to go about them.
To conclude, Mia will get a treat once I'm done with this essay. Do to analyze her and my relationship, but she has also impacted my life in a drastically positive way. I know she will probably lead me to success in life.
Pet Lover Scholarship
There is a reason why dogs have been known as man's best friends. It could be that they protect, love, and comfort. Honestly, I think it's because my dog, Mia, has such a personality. What has purely set her apart from others is how smart she is. Positive reinforcement training doesn't really work unless we have the bag right in front of her, her way of showing that she is in control of the situation and showing how evilly genius she is. She's different from any dog, but most owners will say that 110% of the time. I wish I knew what breed she was. She's a mix of so many types of breed, that it's hard to place which breed she is.
If it wasn't for having Mia, I don't think I would understand why people love their pets. She was my first pet with four legs and before her I had a lot of betta fishes and hermit crabs. I think that what separates dogs from their animals is that they are able to be petted and touched. Dogs will react to saving people and would do anything for attention, which could at times be annoying, but it's nice to know that they are willing to have time for you no matter what.
What Mia has taught me, from having her for 10 years now, is that, no matter what, she will be there for me. It's as if she can sense the feelings that I'm going through and will come up to me when she senses them. It could be something dogs have developed over time or can they just read facial expressions, but her actions like that do show why people love dogs. She has also taught me how to be patient. Before I had Mia, I can recall always trying to get things done fast, but having her taking her time with everything has helped me to take things slowly. It leads me to do all of my stuff slowly and efficiently. Which has helped in the lab when I do any experiments.
What has also led me to have moments of realization is when I've gone on walks with Mia. I don't think I would have gotten it if I was sitting down or something like that equivalent. I credit those walks for everything that I have done successfully. I know Mia doesn't think of them as anything associated with bathroom time, but it also led me to be a better leader and to plan things and how to go about them.
To conclude, Mia will get a treat once I'm done with this essay. Do to analyze her and my relationship, but she has also impacted my life in a drastically positive way. I know she will probably lead me to success in life.
Healthy Living Scholarship
A healthy lifestyle is important to me because of how many things can cause heart disease and other medical problems. Just not working out and not eating healthily can have a life-long effect. A simple change to a healthy lifestyle will minimize any heart disease and other medical problems. The reason I am practicing a healthy lifestyle is that heart disease, which is prominent in my family, is affecting my father, who has had two heart attacks. He is well and also does not look unhealthy or anything physical, but had bad habits of not being aware of what he was eating and drinking too, which was attributed to it, and with a linage of heart disease I must watch myself.
To help myself, I've been eating much healthier and have been eating less red meat to have less of a carbon foot print and not to have too much consumption of cholesterol. An active life has also been a thing I've been going about with running and a little weight training. I do want to live life as long as possible and healthily. I don't want any health complications to affect me at all, so I just want to minimize it completely.
Christian ‘Myles’ Pratt Foundation Fine Arts Scholarship
The biggest influence on my life is probably Tyler The Creator. I first started listening to him when I was in high school. Odd Future was the biggest thing with him being at the front. It was the area of rebellion, so I loved his music. It kinda brought me simple bliss, but I would call myself a rebel. I would slowly stop listening to him till after high school, do to me going onto a jazz faze and then he dropped Flower Boy. It was then that I started recording my own music with my laptop, so he was a person that I thought was crazy cool because he started the same as I did by just recording on your computer. He produces, designs, and creates very amazing pieces of art that can relate to so many people.
Having two completely different majors and art forms makes it quite challenging to put both together. I am getting my major in Chemistry and have artistic skills in music, so it's not the same, but it has taught me how to make things and create things in a different light. While mixing my music, it has taught me that sometimes you'll have to listen to something over 100 times or record the same line more then 50 times. Patience is the key to music that you'll need to work on, the same just like in chemistry. Sometimes an experiment will take more than 10 times to do and 5 hours to complete or days sometimes. To innovate with chemistry and with my music skills will be by thinking creatively and using both my hearing, sight, and patience to use.
What makes my artistic gift or skill different is how both Chemistry and skills in music are polar opposite. Even though they are completely different, they share very many similarities, thinking creatively and using both my hearing, sight, and patience. It's skills you can not develop at just one time in the lab but multiple times, which I've developed through creating music. The most complex answers do need creative thinking, the most time-sensitive answers need patients, and the senses do need to be topnotch to observe the experiment.
When it comes to chemistry, I do see it just the same as music. It's complex or simple sometimes, but you can't get far from it if you don't have the basics down. Which I've fine tuned with both being a constant thing in my life.
Bold Science Matters Scholarship
My favorite scientific discovery is nuclear fission with a fascinating history and its benefits for the future. There are both negatives and positives to nuclear fission, like many discoveries that have had an impact on earth. Today I will be talking about nuclear fission in a nuclear reactor. The first one being Experimental Breeder reactor (EBR-1), which led to extensive observation of nuclear reactors. Global warming upon us, new resources are needed such as nuclear energy, which is the way to go. For one, it has the least carbon footprint compared to any energy source. Two, lowest carbon energy source. Which in a world of carbon, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide limiting our carbon output will be with the help of nuclear fission.
It is a complex subject but a fascinating one when complex atoms like Uranium-235 being bombarded with neutrons, can give off energy. It seems like a science fiction thing, but it's not. It was with the help of Einstein's famous equation that energy equals mass times the speed of light squared, from his theory of relativity. Which simply shows that mass can have energy with in it and fission is the prime example of it.
To conclude, nuclear fission is the way of the future and not to fear the benefits it can have on humanity and its history of it.
Bold Bravery Scholarship
The way I practice bravery and live boldly is by learning how to do something new once a year to get out of my routine and feel a little out of place. It's a practice I started after high school because I didn't know what to do with my free time. I was always told that I was quiet and I didn't have any hobbies at the time. It did lead me to realize that I needed to learn something new, that maybe my time could be spent doing something productive.
That mindset led me to want to learn something new and start new hobbies. The first hobbit I started doing was run. It is not the most exciting hobby, but it was a big move for me because I didn't exercise at all. I had a body image mind set for some reason so I decided to work on my body to gain confidence. But to raise the stakes, I decided that maybe I just needed to run with my shirt off. I know a lot of people think, how did that help you live boldly? Well, it gave me confidence in my body and how to get more confident.
This confidence helps me stand up for others and do the right thing because I have the confidence to say something. New hobbies can lead to a new way of finding confidence and feeling a little out of place will help a person practice bravery and living boldly.
Dog Lover Scholarship
There is a reason why dogs have been known as man's best friends. It could be that they protect, love, and comfort. Honestly, I think it's because my dog, Mia, has such a personality. What has purely set her apart from others is how smart she is. Positive reinforcement training doesn't really work unless we have the bag right in front of her, her way of showing that she is in control of the situation and showing how evilly genius she is. She's different from any dog, but most owners will say that 110% of the time. I wish I knew what breed she was. She's a mix of so many types of breed, that it's hard to place which breed she is.
If it wasn't for having Mia, I don't think I would understand why people love their pets. She was my first pet with four legs and before her I had a lot of betta fishes and hermit crabs. I think that what separates dogs from their animals is that they are able to be petted and touched. Dogs will react to saving people and would do anything for attention, which could at times be annoying, but it's nice to know that they are willing to have time for you no matter what.
What Mia has taught me, from having her for 10 years now, is that, no matter what, she will be there for me. It's as if she can sense the feelings that I'm going through and will come up to me when she senses them. It could be something dogs have developed over time or can they just read facial expressions, but her actions like that do show why people love dogs. She has also taught me how to be patient. Before I had Mia, I can recall always trying to get things done fast, but having her taking her time with everything has helped me to take things slowly. It leads me to do all of my stuff slowly and efficiently. Which has helped in the lab when I do any experiments.
What has also led me to have moments of realization is when I've gone on walks with Mia. I don't think I would have gotten it if I was sitting down or something like that equivalent. I credit those walks for everything that I have done successfully. I know Mia doesn't think of them as anything associated with bathroom time, but it also led me to be a better leader and to plan things and how to go about them.
To conclude, Mia will get a treat once I'm done with this essay. Do to analyze her and my relationship, but she has also impacted my life in a drastically positive way. I know she will probably lead me to success in life.
Bold Optimist Scholarship
I've stayed optimistic through tough times through meditation. I had a dearly beloved friend of mine teach me how to properly meditate. I asked her one day, "how does she keep such a level head when we work?" At the time, it was one of the busiest sweet greens in Los Angeles. She never seemed to get bothered by anything or anyone. It was as if she had a superpower. She explained to me when she was growing up she learnt from her father who liked Eastern philosophy and teaching.
I learned how to properly mediate from her, but from that point on we bonded with meditation. This led to me getting to know her even more, but the main reason that I always wanted to be around her was her positivity and her optimism. I believe hanging out with her and getting to learn about her has led me to realize that people can become optimistic, because I had become more optimistic.
Mediation and her attitude had an impact on me. It helped me with being a supervisor at both Sweetgreen and Verve. Mediation has cleared my head when I didn't know what to do and it led me to be in the moment and not worry about the future but rather wits in hand at the moment. she thought me that everyone has something to offer to teach you and the best way of finding how to learn something new is with an optimistic attitude.
Pettable Life Transitions Pet Lovers Scholarship
Pettable Pet Lovers Scholarship Fund
Michael Valdivia Scholarship
I would say that the benign of High School that it seemed that depression was going to be a struggle for me. Within the sophomore year, I began to slack off, not feeling myself. It was like just one day and I was no longer interested in anything. I didn't want to play sports, didn't want to do any extra-curricular activity. Nothing seemed to entertain me, but I just wanted to go through the motions. It wasn't till the end of Jr year that I became aware of my depression. I was the type of person who didn't want any help. I didn't want anyone to know that I was going through depression, it was just something I was going to deal with myself. My grades did show that something was up, barely passing classes or if I didn't night school and summer school was taken.
I did just enough to get through High School, but it was a rocky road. But in the positive, I did decide to seek some help just enough to see a therapist. I was told it was Seasonal Affective Disorder or seasonal depression that would affect me and when school arrived it would be winter by the midterms. That would end up with me not having enough energy or motivation to continue to be interested in class. I was glad I finally knew what it was, but before getting told, I knew something was up. It did affect my college carer in a positive way to finally being able to be somewhat ready.
For five years, in community college, it was a slurry of both positive years and negative ones too. It was a pattern of being motivated and ready for anything, then I would be done with school mentally. I've learned a couple of things during those years of experimenting with my seasonal depression. One, is I have too fine an interesting class to focus on, because even when it's that winter month I would still be motivated to do well in it. Two, If it is a class I have to take as a prerequisite, make sure it's in the spring time or summer class. So, I can still be motivated to take it. If I absolutely need to take it during the winter or fall, I need to have a reason to study, which is why I have a dedicated plan for school. Three, has been repetition of studying and planing that has helped drastically. That has really been the glue that has helped me in my last years at community college.
Those three things threw out my community college career, it had opened a new door to how to achieve something that was so difficult for me. It helped me push even further to want to attend a university and continue with my goal of becoming a chemist and doctor.
Bold Art Matters Scholarship
My favorite piece of artwork is 'Waterlilies and Japanese Bridges' by Claude Monet. I really enjoy Monet's style with colors and making such beautiful pieces of work. Honestly, I think Vincent Van Gogh gets too much credit as an Impressionist Painter. I was lucky enough to see a couple of Monet's paintings at the Getty Museum, which made me really like him even more. He has a way of painting to make the impressionist painting even more life-like and have a calming effect with each stroke you can point out.
This painting is my favorite piece to do for my amusement with Japanese gardens. It reminds me of my favorite Japanese garden to visit at The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens. The bridge in the painting looks exactly like a bridge there. In the painting, it makes me want to go visit the place in the painting, which makes me want to visit a Japanese garden at The Huntington.
Bold Learning and Changing Scholarship
The thing I've learnt that changed my perspective on my life is when I was talking to my friend Anton. We got to know each other at work when I used to work at Sweetgreen, but we would always be scheduled together, so I got to learn more about him and how he grew up in La. As an LA native, it was weird when we would talk about how gentrification is a crazy thought, only because we remember when Sliver Lake and The Art District were a place no one would visit after dark. It went till after that conversation he started. He still lived with his parents, which I do too. But how his area is being fixed and rent is going higher. It was the beginning of the process of gentrification.
He said, "I may have to leave soon because the rent is getting too high, just me and my mom can't pay $1,500." It made me a little angry and sad that Some places have become the vital of gentrification and effect people who saar trying to work and just live a happy life but with gentrification it leads people to have to worry about if they can sleep at there homes again. He later moved with in the next couple of months after that conversation.
It led me to appreciate the people I interact with and to no longer like gentrification that takes people to the street or forces them to move and have a change of lifestyle.
Bold Community Activist Scholarship
I have a positive change in my community by doing a nice thing to a complete stranger every week. I originally saw this in the show My Name is Earl, in which Earl, the main protagonist, would help the people he would do wrong. I thought it was a great idea to do the same thing but for random people, so I am doing it now. I work in a coffee shop and I would hook up with someone at random that seems like they are down or just not having a great day. I would give them a free coffee I get and would have a small conversation with them. I would say it's on me and just be a cool person to others. They would always love that, so I've been doing it for a year now and people are very grateful for it.
I have been told it's a small thing that has a positive effect on people and that is why I've been doing it for a year now.
Bold Mentor Scholarship
The impact I have on others through mentorship is by getting the people I mentor to have and experience a better way of living. I mainly mentor my friends, who want my advice on situations they have been going through. My most recent experience was when a friend was frustrated with the university she was attending. She had been going for a little bit of time but just enough to realize that the university she was attending wasn't the right fit for her. I suggested attending somewhere else. I came from a Community College and would recommend it whenever someone wanted to start school and didn't finish all their pre-requests. Luckily she didn't, so we started to look at potential community colleges. We settled on Santa Monica Community College and it was the right fit for her. She loved the response time and how they were so helpful and, also, it was cheaper to attend a community.
Another time, was when someone was planning to move to New York. They asked for my advice. I said as long as you are happy with your decision, that is all that matters. As I said, "You are initial to your own happiness." they loved that answer and I helped them do some more research on jobs and locations to live in. They are living in New York and seem to be living their best life now.
All I hope to achieve through my mentorship of others is to help them find the right fit for a better and happier life.
Bold Climate Changemakers Scholarship
I can say I have done little things, but I think they add up to a large impact. Not too long ago, two years ago, I had the option of buying a car. I honestly didn't care which one, but wanted a hybrid or electric car. I bought a Hybrid which uses the minimal amount of gas it needs and fully electric cars are too outside of my price tag. When I have the option, I would skateboard to places to try not to use my car too often. If I do need to use it, I would offer to car pool to save as much gas as possible. I try to use the least amount of water possible by taking 5 minute showers and making sure the water is off completely when not being used. I advocate nuclear energy because it has the least carbon footprint and inform others that when constructed properly it is safe and effective. I believe if people do small or large things to have a positive impact on global warming, it will affect us in a positive way in the long run.
Youssef University’s College Life Scholarship
If I had $1,000 right now, I would pay the left over of my semester tuition, which is $952. I would like to say I would do something amazing with it, but I'll invest it in myself. I don't think it's that cool, but it's great to know that someone is willing to help me invest in myself, and with college debt being so aggressive that it would follow you through life. I'm trying to avoid it as much as possible. Every little bit of change will help me through my goal of becoming a doctor. I know I'll probably need to get a loan out in the future, but if I can just get through my undergrad, then I'll be happy.
It kinda sucks that I'm worrying about money, but its okay. I'll survive, finish school, and be able to help people. That's what has been pushing me to continue school. Hopefully, in the near future, once I'm foes with school I can also help others with school tuition. It's a noble thing what you're doing and it's very admirable that I wish I could do the same. So thank you for trying to help others to get through school.
Catrina Celestine Aquilino Memorial Scholarship
I wasn't always a great student from elementary to high school. My average was honestly a C, but I always had a fascination with math and science. It made the most sense to me because there was always an answer. So once I finished high school, I decided maybe I needed to go into a field that would help me and explore my interests in life. So I would read anything that would help me explore a field of science and the one book that stood out to me was, 'The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales' by Oliver Sacks, a brilliant neurologist. At the time, I was also watching House (TV show), which led me to start to take an interest in medicine. I was planning to get a chemistry degree before med school, because I realized everything starts with minuscule chemical reactions that will lead to other things.
I haven't fully set my mind on a specific part of medicine, even if my plans change, but I do like the idea of doing the research side of medicine. I feel like it will be the best side for me. I love the lab atmosphere and how people in the lab just seem to be lost in their work. I want to do research that no one has been able to look into, not knowing why or how to approach things like Alzheimer's disease, Huntington’s disease and others too. Even if there wasn't a full research program but just enough to do a couple of papers on, it would be important to have any information that can lead to a major impact that could lead to a cure or a thing that could make a disease manageable. Even if I don't specifically go into research, any field in medicine will be amazing to help others anyway. People deserve to have the answers they need for health. I want to be that person that helps give them that answer.
The smallest impact could seem like the largest thing in the world to others. Knowing and getting the answers to people that never understood why something happened in their body could mean the world to them. That is why I think being a doctor will be great to give people the help they need. It may not impact everyone, but it will impact a person or family that is glad they see their loved ones still here.
Jameela Jamil x I Weigh Scholarship
I was raised by a single-parent household. My mom told me from the beginning 'just think of how you'll want others to respond to your situation.' This has had an everlasting effect on me because not only has she said it, but also lead by example. So now, as an adult, I've been trying to live by that motto and, with little acts of kindness, I've been able to help my friends.
One of my best friends has been going through a tough time. He was recently diagnosed with depression and was hiding himself in his room and only going to work. It was a constant pattern that he wouldn't break, him just wanting to do the minimal. It was hard to watch, to knowing such a lively person who seems to be just a shell now. Luckily, I'm good friends with his roommate, who keeps an eye on him and keeps me updated on him. I'm going to be honest, I really missed my friend, when we would go out to eat and just have random adventures, but it is hard to have the same experience with someone who doesn't want to be there.
So I decided to do something a little different, and just showed up at his apartment one day. It was his day off and I confirmed with his roommate that he was there. I just knocked and he answered very surprised, but he seemed not to mind it. I told him that we were going to have an adventure. He tried to act as if he was busy, but I made sure he wasn't with his roommate. The day prior, I made sure his roommate would ask him what he was planning to do tomorrow. He said, "nothing, just play video games". Of course, I did tell him I knew he was just going to play a video game. He just said, " Okay, I'll go with you, but what are we going to do?" I said just, "come with me."
We went to The Huntington Library Art Collections and Botanical Gardens. It took some time to get there but it was a lot of needed catching up. We talked about everything. But once we got there, it seemed that he enjoyed the ride. He isn't a plant person, but can admire the beauty of them. We spent hours walking around just making little jokes here and there talking about how I could help him. As little or big but i wanted to show him I could be ready to help him. We concluded that we needed to come back to The Huntington Library once a year, but I would also spend more time with him and do things he wasn't used to getting new experience.
Once I dropped him off, he told me he appreciated that I was showing I care and was glad he went out with me. I honestly was happy to see him content with the day. Even till now, which is 6 months late, we still do random stuff to get him out of his routine and it really shows that he loves it. He even calls me and suggests stuff too now. It makes me feel great that I may've helped him escape his depression for a bit because I would want others to respond to my situation like this.
Ruthie Brown Scholarship
I am working/planning to address my future student loan debt by hopefully keeping track of my finances to a point and being smart about the potential of gaining money. I've been slowly saving for school. I hardly go out, try to invest (very small investments), and try to save money any way I can. Even with all these processes, I've concluded I would most likely need a small loan. Which isn't bad yet, I would like to keep it as minimal as possible. I have been applying for scholarships to earn money and slowly have been researching grants that could potentially benefit me in the long run. Any amount of money will obviously be input into school.
When I do get a loan I will keep that money to the side and only spend it on classes to have a clear dedication to it. Mainly, do it following me even if I declare for bankruptcy. I want to have it ready to be paid back once I have the funds too. It's a sad truth that student debt has such a hold on people, even if it's for education. It follows you no matter what, but I believe it can be conquer if it's dealt with smartly. Again, it's not an option I wish to take, but this is an investment in myself which I am willing to take and I'm fully ready for the consequence of it.
One thing that will make my student debt even more manageable is if I finish school. That degree will open up opportunities that I do not have now, and that's the best part about it. Being full-time and making fifteen dollars an hour will not cut it. I want to do more in my life by owning a house and having a family. I want my future not to worry about money, so that's why I am willing to get into debt to pay for school so I can get a job that will make me more money and pay off my debt.
I knew that I wouldn't get much assistance with school. I still live at home with my mother, who makes more than a low income household, but just a thousand dollars more, to consider us lower middle class. Which, for some reason, doesn't get much financial help with school. So I went to community college to pay less for school, which I paid out of pocket with a full-time job. Now finally being able to attend a university, I realized I will need help. I won't deny any help if it's from any source, because I want to attend school. So, I'll be happy to get a loan to continue this goal of getting a better job and to get closer to my dream future.
Alexis Potts Passion Project Scholarship
My hobby of music has impacted my life by giving me a creative way of expression. I produce, write, and mix everything in my music that can be heard anywhere from Apple Music to Spotify. I love creating things just to be available to people. I don't like going out often, but I do love staying home working on my music. That's probably why I have done so much.
I honestly didn't care about making music till after high school. It gave me something to do, but I'm glad I have. I meet many people who are amazing at this craft and that showed me a better way of making music. It taught me how to creatively solve problems that you'll honestly wouldn't think you'd run into while making music, and how to make connections with people in the same community that can show you a thing or two.
The friendships I gained while making music are the ones that I will keep forever and cherish. It's the friendships that I've enjoyed the most. It's the most supportive community that I have been apart from. Till this day, I remember when I told my music friends that I'd be attending university and they loved that for me. They wanted to see me succeed in life and I want the same for all of them. What I've learned in the music community, is everyone wants the best for each other. I wasn't the most out-going person at first when I first started meeting other musicians, but I got comfortable over time with people do to the many interactions I've experienced and different points of view.
The competitiveness in making music has also impacted my life by pushing me to do better overtime, which I love now. Showing that I can thrive if I put my mind to it. This competitiveness has also appeared in my academia, the wanting to do better while having a healthy amount of competition. The push is what I needed even in my youth, but I didn't get it till I started making music.
To conclude, my passion for music has impacted my life drastically. Not many people can say music got them out of their shell of life, but I honestly can. I wouldn't trade any of the experiences I've gotten or the skills I've learned. I know music will forever be part of my life, so if I were to stop making it, I would listen to as many artists as possible. All the positive experience I've gained is what I hope to give to my kids, if any.
Small Seed Big Flower Scholarship
I wasn't the most attentive in school from Elementary to High School, but oddly enough, I love to learn now. Something just naturally clicked in my head that, if I don't focus now, then I'll be struggling the rest of my life. This led me to want to study more and attend university. I went to community college, then after completing my prerequisites, I applied to Cal State Los Angeles, then got accepted. Till now, I didn't know how costly it would be to attend a university. I was paying myself while at community college and I thought university wouldn't be so different.
I was wrong with the assumption that it was affordable. Yet, it led me to want to pursue university even more do to the mind set "its an investment in myself." This investment will lead me to hopefully attend med school do to my fascination with science and helping people.
The main block will be staying focus on my goal of being a medical professional. Do to my interested of botany, music, and astro physics, I feel like I can do anything. Yet it will be that potential distraction that will lead me to block myself and proceed on a different career. The idea of being anything has literally been the reason I haven't really applied myself till now.
The main reason I will not block myself any longer is I no longer want to be struggling financially anymore. I want to help people and start focusing on others rather than myself. With the world not making sense anymore, I want to help as much as I can. If it means helping others in the hospital, let it be. But I want to do something significant.