Loss. Though a short word, the pain it causes is unimaginable. It is simply uncommunicable. I have tangoed with the monster that is loss. It was a bitter experience that has scarred me for life. Nevertheless, I can accredit this loss to have allowed me to hone my focus on what matters most in life and fuel my vigor for success. It all began with the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many others, this unexpected event blind sighted by stripping me from one of the people I loved most: my only grandfather. My grandfather was my idol. He was what I aspired to be: a wise, generous, industrious, loving human. He was the kind of person who would literally take the shirt off of his back to aid others. He was unbelievably intelligent, despite not having finished high school. He sacrificed his comfortable life in his home country—Ecuador—so that his children and grandchildren may have a better opportunities in life. An opportunity that was nonexistent in Ecuador. When he immigrated to the United States, my grandfather toiled endlessly as a construction worker. This job was far beneath his level of expertise; in Ecuador, he was a respected foreman. Here, he was just another immigrant. Still, he never let this low regard discourage him. He worked hard every day of his life. He worked until his last day on earth. My grandfather was also my neighbor. I often visited him and would spend the weekends at his house. As a result, I was extremely close to him. He was like my father. I felt safe and protected with him. I felt loved. I admired him so— and I still do. Still, this closeness led to absolute devastation when he fell ill with COVID-19 and even worse despair when he passed away. In November 2020, my grandfather contracted COVID-19. A month later, on December 27, 2020, he died as a result of complications from the virus. When he passed, my grandfather was alone. He was isolated in a hospital bed. His loved ones were not allowed to be by his side, due to restrictions put in place to avoid the spread of COVID-19. One of his worst fears was dying alone and unfortunately, it came to fortition. This realization caused me immense sorrow; I carry it with me every day. I cried rivers. I could not eat. I could not sleep. Life felt dull. It felt meaningless. It felt unjust. Why did a good man like my grandfather suffer such a fate? He did not deserve it. He gave his family everything he possibly could. He faced humiliation, displacement, and grueling labor just to give us a dignified life. How could his awful death possibly be just? How was it okay for him to die alone and sick after all that happened? I was just so angry. So inconsolable. Yet, through all the rage and pain, I made a vow. A vow to my beloved grandfather. To my abuelito. I swore that his efforts would not be in vain. I swore that it would all have been worth it. Even if it is the last thing I do, I will become a successful professional. I swore that I would do more than just graduate high school and get a job. I would not only get my Associate's degree, but also a Bachelor's and Master's. I would become a respected professional in the world of finance and that would I establish my own accounting firm. I would become the pinnacle of the American dream. It was what he wanted. I swore to make his wish come true. I am currently fulfilling my promise. As of writing this, I am a freshman in college, working towards an Associate's degree in Finance. I faced many hardships to get to this point. From September 2021 to June 2022, I was suffering from GERD and a hiatal hernia. I could not eat or drink at all without experiencing immense pain, reflux, and disgorging whatever was consumed. My condition was so severe, that I had to undergo surgery to resolve it. Following the surgery though, I experienced a complication where my lungs nearly collapsed. Fortunately, I recovered and I am currently doing well. However, while I was ill, I was in my senior year of high school. I struggled to complete my coursework because of my ailments, which caused great physical pain. Nonetheless, I persevered and graduated with a 4.0 GPA as a member of the National Honor Society, the National Society of High School Scholars, and the Leadership Society. During my recovery, I applied and completed the enrollment process for my first semester of college. I refused to default on my promise. I had to continue fighting for him. I still must.

I, without a doubt, have grown tremendously this past year. Why one may ask? Well, I almost passed away following a ten-month-long battle with a chronic disease. I was suffering from GERD and a hiatal hernia simultaneously, and this resulted in the deterioration of my health—including a fifty-pound weight loss and disgorging with every meal. As a result, I began to look at life in a drastically different manner. After all, I no longer could say, "I am young and healthy, so everything will be all right!" Before my ailments, I did not live life in the moment. I used to be satisfied with imperfections and the standard. My illness acted as a brutal wake-up call. It was a stark reminder that life is fleeting and that I must make the most of it while I still could. I should not accept or present anything less than the absolute best. Thus, I took life head-on and strived for excellence at all times. In spite of my disease, I graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA and was a member of the National Honor Society, the National Society of High School Scholars, and my school's Leadership Society. I did not want to let my illness consume me. I did not just want to be average or do "good enough." I wanted to prove that I am more than just my ailments. Sick or not, I can be the best! As my condition worsened, it was found that the only solution to it was to get operated on. I happily accepted, despite the less-than-ideal circumstances. I had to get operated on and go through recovery during enrollment season for Fall 2022. It was going to be difficult to complete the enrollment process while I was recovering but I knew I was going to able to do it! I rejected the idea of putting off a semester at a school there was the possibility to get my education now. As such, I applied and completed the enrollment process for my first semester of college I am currently writing this essay as a college freshman! Nonetheless, I cannot deny the hardships that recovery posed. I had to train my stomach to eat again. This process took months and was riddled with unpleasant occurrences. I suffered a relapse following my surgery and had to be hospitalized, due to a near-lung collapse. Yet, I persevered. I refused to give up. I wanted to recover. I wanted to be healthy again. I wanted to attend college and obtain my education. I wanted to get my Associate's, then Bachelor's, and then Master's. I wanted to aspire to more. I have grown from being a person who was content with mediocrity to a person who feels that they can take on the world. I learned that life and health should never be taken for granted. They are fragile miracles that enable us to be our best selves, and when they falter so do we. Therefore, when they are present, one must endeavor to make the maximum of them. In my case, this means not only working to achieve my goals but to surpass them and all expectations. I can happily say I have changed for the better. Although my general passions and orientations in life have remained relatively unchanged, I have discovered a new vigor for going about them. This is thanks to my second chance at life. I choose to take all the opportunities I can (like applying for this scholarship!) and put my best foot forward at all times. You never know when it might all end.

The STEM Fair is an event that I will always remember. It was here where I demonstrated some of my boldest feats yet. For the STEM Fair, I designed a hoodie with built-in earphones and an internal pocket for a phone. The purpose behind it was to allow athletes to listen to music while exercising and prevent the tangling of earphones and the falling of their phones. I called it Techno Chic. I explained my invention to the judge, and in the end, my team and I won second place at the STEM Fair! It was a wonderful experience!