My dream version of my future self is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt adorned with multiple championship medals, while simultaneously holding a PhD professorship to inspire others in the pursuit of scientific truth and to contribute novel developments in humanity's knowledge.

Determination: My academic path has been marked not only by a consistent 3.9 GPA but also by a battle with Bipolar Disorder Type 2 since my early teenage years. This ongoing struggle forced me to navigate my relentless drive amidst the challenges of a crippling disability. My journey has been marked by interruptions, countless restarts, tears, and frustration. But I have never surrendered to my limitations. Instead, I've been relentlessly dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, overcoming obstacles to achieve academic success. My determination also shines through as an athlete, where I earned the world championship in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2019 despite suffering from a herniated disk that left me barely able to walk. The excruciating pain tested my belief in myself and my unyielding determination to overcome adversity. Respect: In the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, respect for one's training partners, instructors, and the art itself is paramount. My experiences in martial arts have taught me the value of humility and treating others with respect, regardless of their background or abilities. These values extend far beyond the mats and have become an integral part of my life, shaping my interactions with others and fostering a sense of community. Innovation: I am an ardent seeker of innovative solutions, whether in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or my academic pursuits. I thrive on pushing the boundaries of what's possible, constantly seeking creative approaches to problem-solving and self-improvement. Versatility: My journey has led me to embrace versatility in all aspects of my life. As a scholar, athlete, and advocate, I've navigated diverse fields with adaptability and grace. This versatility has allowed me to explore new areas and develop as a well-rounded individual free from rigid constraints. Equality: As a queer Latina, I deeply understand the importance of equality and inclusivity. I'm committed to creating spaces where everyone feels valued and empowered. I'm familiar with the challenges faced as a woman in male-dominated fields, where discrimination can be disheartening. My goal is to be a role model for fellow minorities, to stand as an unwavering example of someone who has battled discrimination and refuses to back down. Nurture: Nurturing is about giving back the tremendous support and love I've received throughout my journey. Teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for free in my community is my way of promoting equality and providing access to martial arts for those who might not otherwise have the opportunity. My dream is to become a professor, inspiring and mentoring future generations of scholars. I envision creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment where students from all backgrounds can thrive. I aim to nurture their curiosity and passion for knowledge, just as I have experienced in my own journey. This scholarship will allow me to continue pursuing my goal and be the best version of myself.

I am above all a lover of truth. Take a moment to reflect on the infinite vastness of the universe, which is mostly empty space, cold and lifeless, dying a slow but inevitable heat death. In the midst of it all, matter and energy conspired in just the right way to defy nothingness and give birth to the exuberant miracle that is what we call life. From the creation of organic life from the "primordial soup" to the emergent order of highly complex and multifaceted social systems, the wonder of life and the universe that gave birth to it is the supreme muse - the object of fascination, adoration and complete devotion. This frenzied, passionate desire to understand is the life force that pumps blood through my veins, my raison d'être. I have done many things in my life, but none of them are worthy to describe me in comparison to the imperative and love of the search for truth. My devotion to scientific rigor has spurned an obsessive desire towards academic perfection, I seek to constantly be the best intellectual version of myself. If I could do anything in my life, I would study, research and teach STEM for a living. I can think of nothing more pleasurable and valuable than devoting my life to the pursuit of knowledge. As a student, as an innovator in the form of research, and as a vessel in the form of teaching. This scholarship would enable me to continue pursuing my dreams by alleviating the tremendous financial burden I am under. I want to make a positive impact in the world by setting an example for women and underrepresented minorities in STEM. I want to show the world that women belong in the workforce, women belong in science and can offer incredible contributions to the scientific community. I want to be the role model that I did not have as a little girl. As a minority woman, I struggle with feeling alone and seeing few women in positions of leadership and impact. The lack of representation makes me question how I am perceived and whether I will be judged for my abilities or for my womanhood, my queerness, or being an immigrant. Despite these struggles, I am determined and committed to break the cycle of exclusion. I am determined to inspire other women to pursue their dreams and ambitions and be the best version of themselves.

In my first semester, I developed a close friendship with a fellow student. Our bond led us to rely on each other to get through our first class together. We were both freshmen, struggling to find our way around college. Three weeks before our final math exam, he broke down. He confessed that he had a learning disability. He felt inadequate and ashamed. Nobody knew what he was going through, he hadn't gotten any special help, and as a result he was bound to fail the class unless he got an excellent grade on the final exam. He felt hopeless; he wanted to give up. My heart was immediately broken. It was horrible to see someone I cared about in so much pain because of a condition he had no control of. He was so hardworking, and I was so confident that he would make it if he just believed in himself and got the help he needed. I jumped into action, I couldn't leave my friend behind. I had gained tutoring experience in high school, which gave me the tools to proceed with our lessons. We set a tight schedule, took a deep breath, and buckled down. It was a lot, but I believed in him so fiercely that there was no room for doubt. The days turned into long nights at the library. We worked so hard and barely slept. It wasn't easy; we both had so much to teach each other. I had to learn how he understood the world, I had to adapt to how he processed information, which was much different from how I did. In some ways, teaching him was like learning a new language, he taught me to see the world with new eyes. I'm proud to say that I taught him a lot too; I taught him math, I taught him about resilience, about not giving up on your dreams because you feel inadequate. And most importantly, we taught each other the value of companionship, which I will hold dearly forever. The day had finally arrived, everything we had worked so hard for would come to an end, one way or another. I met him at the classroom and gave him a hug. "You'll do great, believe in yourself" I said with what seemed like a confident smile. He smiled back and took a seat. The truth is, I was extremely nervous. I encouraged him to believe in himself, but my self-doubt gnawed at me. What if I hadn't been a good teacher? Our professor came in and started handing out the tests. I swallowed my fears and tried to focus on my own test. To my delight, I discovered something wonderful: teaching him had made me an excellent student. I had spent so many hours studying with him. When I saw the exam questions, a wave of confidence came over me. I finished my exam and waited outside for my friend while biting my nails in anticipation. A week later, I got the call. "We did it!!!" he exclaimed excitedly. He had scored 91 on his final exam, bringing his average to "passing." I was so excited, so immensely proud of him; I could feel his accomplishment in my bones. That day, I learned that my mission is to teach, and it inspired me to pursue graduate school. I attached a short video of me teaching math with the same passion I felt on the evenings I spent with him in the library. With your help, I hope to be able to transform the lives of many more students.

The happiest day in my life is the day I fulfilled my biggest dream, the day I became the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion. I sacrificed so much for that moment; years of grueling hard work, unwavering dedication, all culminating in a single moment when my hand was raised. As they placed the medal around my neck, I burst into tears; I sobbed and sobbed. Tears of joy, pride, and gratitude for all the sacrifices my family made so I could achieve my dream. I get goosebumps every time I think back to that memory because it changed my life forever.

I was terrified when the pandemic initially began. Terrified not only for the wellbeing of those that I loved, but of the feeling of loss which loomed over me. I forced myself to take a deep breath and delve into introspection. Rather than wallowing in misery, what could I learn from this experience? How could I better myself? What opportunities did this unprecedented situation present? I began to look at isolation with new eyes. Rather than focusing on loneliness, I worked on developing emotional maturity. I learned that I am enough for my own happiness; I am my own safe haven. This gave me confidence to be a self-sufficient person, whereas before I relied on external crutches and did not know how to be alone. I am now proud to call myself fierce and independent through the strengths I developed in the pandemic. I also grew tremendously as a student; I had no more external distractions, no more excuses. The pandemic allowed me to focus on my grades, to work hard and display unwavering dedication. I got straight As, made significant progress in my courses and developed my dreams of going to graduate school, which would not have happened otherwise.

What does it mean to practice self-care? I thought self-care was anything that made me feel good. If it gives me a dopamine rush, an escape from the stifling, endless daily grind, then it counts... right? The problem with this definition is that it very quickly became a justification for things that made me feel good in the short term, but didn't contribute to my true well-being. There were many moments when I came home exhausted after a long day and was content to just come home and snuggle into my pajamas to watch TV as a form of self-care. It made me feel good and made me forget about my problems. But the truth is that I did not really feel better after the hours I spent doing such activities. There was no meaningful increase in my health or happiness. Over time, I have radically changed my attitude toward self-care. Self-care needs to make you feel good, but true self-care does not always make you feel good, because it requires us to break through the inert barriers that hold us down. These days, I practice self-care daily by diligently keeping my commitment to go to the gym. It's not always easy to go to the gym, but it's always worth it. Even though it's hard for me to lace up my shoes and go at first, I always feel better afterwards because I am honoring my body. I am treating it with the respect it deserves. I am slowly sculpting it to be as powerful as possible, recognizing the strength and beauty it is capable of. This has changed my life in many ways. I am more confident, my mental health has never been better, I am truly happy, and I can be proud of tangible accomplishments.

"Investment is a means of transferring money from the impatient to the patient". I was confused when I first heard the above advice. Investing is such a technical term. How can feelings like patience have anything to do with what seems to be a purely mathematical concept? Over time, I've learned that investing is not just about numbers. Yes, tangible numerical data is of utmost importance and must be critically analyzed by any investor who wants to be successful. But everything to do with risk and return also has a psychological component that must be understood in order to thrive; it's important to develop a healthy relationship with the inevitable fluctuations. It makes the most sense for the average person to hold stocks until they can live comfortably on the yearly payment they get from the investment. That often means holding those stocks for a very long time. However, holding them can be a considerable struggle. A stock can move in three directions: it can rise, stagnate, or fall. Each outcome brings challenges that require self-control to overcome. When a stock rises, there is a tremendous incentive to cash out early and reap the rewards; it is difficult to delay gratification even if the payout would be larger in the future. By foregoing immediate gratification, one can acquire larger sums in the future. If a stock is stagnant, investors may become restless at the lack of results and want to get out early at the expense of their long-term success. Stoicism is important to resist this urge. Finally, when a stock falls, investors may panic and immediately sell in order to curb their losses, despite the fact that they would be richer in the future by holding. It is evident that impatience leads to losses; investment truly is about patience.

In 2019, I finally mustered up the courage to pursue my dream of becoming a champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I had 6 months until the World Championship to give blood, sweat and tears for something I had dreamed of for years. I quit my job and moved back to my parent's house. I spent my days in grueling training, methodically perfecting my technique. The days turned into months of arduous work, daily sacrifice, and unwavering dedication. After 5 months, I was in top shape, the readiest I'd ever been. Then the unthinkable happened. I suffered a devastating injury that resulted in two herniated disks in my back. All my dreams, everything I had worked for, shattered in a second. I was in unimaginable pain; excruciating shocks radiated down my body and I could barely walk, let alone train. I sank into a deep depression. It was my only chance, and it had slipped away. I had no sponsors, couldn't pay my medical bills, didn't know when I would be able to walk again, and could not afford to be unemployed for another year to try again in 2020. I felt so hopeless that I contemplated suicide. Despite my suffering, I had a spark of resilience in me, a deep-seated flame in my chest that couldn't be extinguished. The big day I had dreamed of for months had finally arrived, and there I was, limping and in pain. I bit down on my mouthpiece and told myself that nobody had worked as hard as I had; nobody would take it away from me. I was overcome with a superhuman will, and before I knew it, my arm was raised. I was a world champion. I had achieved my greatest dream. It was the most beautiful and proudest moment of my life.