I am a first- generation college student who aspires to one day, help others in the same position as me. I study chemistry at the University at Buffalo, and whereas some people in this major seek to become a chemist, work at NASA, or becoming a researcher, I want to combine them all into one and become a doctor. I want to be someone who opens doors, who allows the chance at a second life. I want to be someone who inspires others to pursue their dreams and never give up. I have had difficulties growing up. Sometimes we had to sacrifice some things just to put food on the plate. My family, my parents were the foundation and are the foundation that supports my siblings and I, and without them I wouldn't have the opportunity to attend college. But one thing that they have told us, is to keep going, no matter what happens to keep going. They haven't been the richest people in the world. To be honest, we never were. But they have also taught me that that's the importance of education. It provides a better life for you, a better future. It is the richest fruit that you can take in. The financial struggles that we have had have always gotten in our way. It has struck down plans and aspirations. Sometimes we don't have the best tech devices for our education; other times we can't buy the textbooks required. Financial stability is what I want to reach. Through the struggles of my childhood, I realized that I need to work hard for what I want and need. People always have doubts, but one thing about all the lessons and challenges that I went through, is that no matter what gets in the way to keep going, because the only thing change is dependent on, is you.

It has taken me a bit to fully comprehend who I am and what is my purpose in life, but that has been something that I have learned will change and grow throughout my life experiences. I am a part of the first-generational students who go to college and with that I have learned that I may face some doubts from my own self, but I have also learned that that is what keeps going. I am a chemistry major pursuing a pre-med pathway at the University at Buffalo. I am entering as a second year and part of the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) at my school. Previously, I entered my first year of college as a member of this program to learn how other women in STEM related fields have opportunities and goals similar to mine, and now as a sophomore, I am becoming more involved and participating as a student volunteer/mentor for my school's welcome weekend. What I have come to realized is that my biggest influences in my life are the women around me. They have showed me that no matter what challenge or obstacle I may be faced with in a field "male-dominated", I have the power to decide how far I will make it in this area; How far I am willing to push my limits and reach my goals. The women around me are the reason why I chose to pursue a STEM career. They've showed me how the impossible is possible and that even though society may treat women unequal, I choose how I approach them. I want to become a doctor. I want to inspire more women and girls that are just starting to see the world for what it is. I want to open doors and help the less fortunate. I want to provide the utmost care for low-income communities. I want to advocate for change, and I want to be able to play a role in expanding the tech and STEM industry to more women just like me because I believe it is important for society to have an equal representation in these areas. I know these ideas and beliefs may seem far-fetched to some people. I know that I may or may not be able to reach these goals entirely in my lifetime, but I know that with what I have seen at my college with programs such as WiSE, women will be able to have an equal representation in STEM and one day will be treated with the utmost respect and equality that they have long deserved.

I was experiencing a murder, the earth being murdered, that is. Growing up in a society that treasures materialism over expression and actions, I became someone who didn't acknowledge the truth. I knew about climate change and what it was. I knew of the consequences or at least some... And as I became older, I figured the reality of the issue dealing with the environment. Seeing animals losing their habitats, experiencing a drastic change in the temperature and climate, seeing ice caps beginning to melt away, while fires blazed through acres and acres of land. All of this in a matter of months and days. This lit a spark in me. I thought of no better way than to showcase my emotions and thoughts through art. Through painting and drawing, I showcased my view on climate change. I researched this topic and jumped into a world of seeking change and even more. I began to surround myself with people who felt the same way. Friends who became vegetarians and vegans. Family who used their platforms to bring attention to the environmental crises. Through my art, I felt more connected to an issue than ever before. But, the sad truth is, if no change is done, there will be no future. Dreams are starting to be crushed by our own selfish actions, and yet some people can't pick up a piece of trash and put it in a garbage can. Some people, who have the money and power to create a large influence on this issue, use it for materialistic items, that only last for 10 minutes. I hope to reach larger audiences through my art, and light a spark in them like I had that began my journey on discovering my reason for being on this earth. Helping it.

Education, according to Google is "the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university". To me, education serves a higher purpose. My parents told me countless times to get an education for that is something they never fully had as teenagers. They grew up in El Salvador where opportunities don't run free compared to where we reside now. It was hard for them to receive a good education when what they had to do to survive was work. It became a decision of what's more important to survive in their case and due to this, working was their only option to turn to. My parents never got to experience a full and "traditional" education, but thankfully, for what they have sacrificed, education plays the role of setting the path for me and my siblings to succeed; education to me is something that teaches me countless lessons and allows me to grow. Education plays the role of building me up and getting me ready for college or wherever I land. It makes me realize that we are the future of the world and we can change our outcomes through our actions and decisions. I know too many people who believe education is becoming unnecessary since many jobs prefer skill and experience over education and knowledge, but to me, in my case, education creates that experience that builds up my character and shows what I can accomplish under pressure and under environmental conditions that we face throughout our daily lives. Education offers that sense of communication and analytical thinking which prepares me for the future; it's what allows me to learn from my mistakes and carry on.

I want to pursue a major in mathematics. Ever since I was little, math was always something that puzzled me but intrigued me. I thought it was interesting, yet I didn't fully realize that this subject is what I wanted to explore. It was in my freshman and sophomore year of high school when I realized that I wanted to learn about math at a more rigorous level. I wanted to learn about this foundational principle and the ways we use math in our daily lives, but during these years is when that path was challenged. I was losing focus and passion for math. Lessons became challenging to understand and I just seemed to drift away from reality. I needed help, but I didn't want to search for it. That's when it all came crashing down. I went from a geometry honors class to a "regular" algebra 2 class and I realized how much determination and confidence I began to lack. It was fogging my mind and when I realized that, I made a promise to myself. I was going to continue to push through and learn. I was going to try my hardest and lift my head. I wasn't going to let the way I began to determine the way I end. That day forward, I knew this was something I wanted to study in college. Math gave me all the reasons why to keep pushing forwards. It finally made sense...the work, the effort, the sweat, and tears...they are all worth it to pursue what I love, which is math.

Maryam Mirzakhani, an Iranian mathematician, who taught at Standford University is someone I consider to be a role model. She was awarded the Fields medal and if that wasn't impressive by itself, she was the first woman to receive this medal. She went against all odds of the stereotypical woman, who is perceived to be inferior, and shined on the mathematical world. She planted a seed in the subject I love and she was someone who reached for more. Mirzakhani is someone I aspire to be, someone who dreams big and thinks in advance, someone who believes in themselves and others, someone who never gives up. Sadly she passed away, but her legacy continues to reign on, and with what she has left behind, I hope to dream big. I hope to continue to be the person who has a strong passion for mathematics, to be the person who thinks in advance, to be the person who changes at least one life. I want to reach for more in the world of mathematics and have an impact. I want to research and learn about the more in-depth lessons that math holds. I want to be able to look back at my past self and tell myself how proud I am of how far I have gotten.

I’ve had difficulties with realizing when I need help, when I need guidance. Help was once something I never turned to. I felt as though it showed a sign of weakness, and I never wanted to be painted as someone who was weak and in need of help, but help was something I needed to reach for in order to grow. My algebra 2 teacher once told us about a student who never put enough effort into learning about math, but when it came to sports practice, he was the first to really show up and put time and effort into it. He wanted to grow in this sport, but my teacher told us about the balance that he needed to implement into his daily life for him to grow academically and physically. I was a quiet student in her class. I didn’t feel ready enough to show how much potential I had and sometimes that would get to me. When I heard her tell us this story, I really felt connected to it. My previous year in geometry wasn’t a year I’m too proud of. It had difficulties and I had problems with understanding the material, yet I never turned to look for help and now here I was in my algebra 2 class, lacking the confidence that I needed. She showed me what it took to show your true potential. She believed in me and I guess that’s really why I began to have trust in her and show what I really had inside of me. I prospered in her class, but it was really because of her. She’s my role model. Someone who brought out the best in me when I didn’t believe in myself; when I lost all faith in my capabilities to understand math at a rigorous level. She was the one who was always there when I needed help and someone who never gave up on her students. Through what she has taught me, I’m able to actually know when I should talk to someone and when I should reach inside of me and do my best to figure out the solutions to problems. She made me feel as though I could do anything and with the love she grew in me for math, I even took the chance to begin tutoring students which is something I never thought of doing. I guess she taught me how to pay it forwards and give that confidence that I once lacked, to other students in the same situation I was in. She played a major role in my decision to want to pursue a major in math. She taught me about the worth that this subject holds and how you can use it in the future. She taught me how to enjoy learning about math and create those eureka moments that make you feel accomplished. This subject now not only makes me feel excited, but it creates that satisfaction in me that I fell in love with.

I’ve had difficulties with realizing when I need help, when I need guidance. Help was once something I never turned to. I felt as though it showed a sign of weakness, and I never wanted to be painted as someone who was weak and in need of help, but help was something I needed to reach for in order to grow. My algebra 2 teacher once told us about a student who never put enough effort into learning about math, but when it came to sports practice, he was the first to really show up and put time and effort into it. He wanted to grow in this sport, but my teacher told us about the balance that he needed to implement into his daily life for him to grow academically and physically. I was a quiet student in her class. I didn’t feel ready enough to show how much potential I had and sometimes that would get to me. When I heard her tell us this story, I felt connected to it. My previous year in geometry wasn’t a year I’m too proud of. It had difficulties and I had problems with understanding the material, yet I never turned to look for help. She showed me what it took to show your true potential. She believed in me and I guess that’s really why I began to have trust in her and show what I really had inside of me. I prospered in her class, but it was really because of her. She’s my role model. Someone who brought out the best in me when I didn’t believe in myself; when I lost all faith in my capabilities to understand math at a rigorous level. Through what she has taught me, I’m able to actually know when I should talk to someone and when I should reach inside of me and do my best to figure out the solutions to problems. She made me feel as though I could do anything and with the love she grew in me for math, I even took the chance to begin tutoring students which is something I never thought of doing. I guess she taught me how to pay it forwards and give that confidence that I once lacked to other students in the same situation I was in.