University of Notre Dame (St. Joseph, Indiana)
Boise State University (Boise, Idaho)
Wellesley College (Wellesley, Massachusetts)
Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, Maryland)
University of Idaho (Moscow, Idaho)
College of Idaho (Caldwell, Idaho)
Gonzaga University (Spokane, Washington)

Last summer I had the opportunity to intern at The Agency for New Americans. During my internship, I would help set supplies for an art class that integrated culture and English speaking. The students got to practice and learn English while having fun learning different art styles from a variety of cultures. Almost all the students were from different places around the world. I would talk most to those who were Spanish speaking since I’m a native speaker. When they wouldn’t understand what was being said they would ask me, which I felt proud of since they felt comfortable enough to talk to me.
I also got to help set up and create supplies for a women’s group. The women's group stood out to me because it was time set aside for refugee women to focus on themselves without having to worry about them being mothers and wives. The different programs that the agency would create and participate in inspired me to want to do something similar. I want to be able to offer help for those who need it. I want them to be able to understand what is happening and be assured during the process of settling.

I plan to major in Spanish and minor in Latino Studies. With a degree in Spanish and a minor in Latino Studies I plan to help my Hispanic community when faced with challenges. This means using my Spanish degree to interpret and my minor in Latino Studies to learn more about the culture and need. In order to combine my interest in science and languages while also fulfilling my passion to help others, I have chosen to become a medical interpreter.
Growing up Hispanic, I know what it feels like to not be able to understand what is being said and how confusing medical procedures can be. My parents are lucky to know basic English but they aren’t fluent and still struggle with understanding. Medicine is difficult enough as it is but when it’s in a different language it’s just even more difficult to understand. I want patients to be comfortable and feel safe and welcomed when receiving treatment. In order to help them I want to be able to fluently speak both English and Spanish to help Spanish speaking patients feel secure and sure of what is going on. My Hispanic community has given me courage to pursue whatever I want to set my mind to and that all it takes is hard work. This community has given me so much that I feel it only necessary to help in any way that I can.

Trio Upward Bound
February 2023-Present

Caldwell High School Girls Soccer
Fall 2022, 2023

Tennis
Spring 2023

Caldwell High School Cheer
March 2023-Present

Caldwell High School Speech and Debate
August 2022-May 2023

Girls on the Run
Spring 2024
Fall 2024
Spring 2025

Academic Tutoring
Spring 2025
Fall 2025

National Honor Society
April 2025-Present

Future Hispanic Leaders of America
Spring 2025-Present

Our Lady of the Valley Communion Classes
August 2024-May 2025
August 2025-Present

Throughout my participation in TRIO Upward Bound, the most impactful experience I have had is through academic tutoring at Heritage Community Charter School. I learned of this through the program. At academic tutoring, I help kids who don’t have academic support at home through their homework and any school-related difficulties. At first, I had only seen and heard of my classmates signing up to tutor, but I never thought of signing up myself. Once I signed up for the first time I found myself wanting to sign up for more time slots.
What made academic tutoring so impactful to me was the connections I have made through it. I was especially able to connect with one of the students. When I had first met her, I saw her struggling to stay focused and trying to do anything but her homework. When I went over to her she said that she was struggling with her math and that she was just too dumb to understand. I understood that exact feeling and because of that I felt like I would be a good choice as a tutor.
While tutoring her, I got to learn about her and her life. Throughout complicated math equations she expressed how she felt overlooked in her family. She would talk about the things going on in her life and just needed someone to listen to her. While I listened I noticed that she just needed to be reminded of just how good of a student she was and how that is important.
This experience was impactful because it showed me how most kids just need someone to listen to them and know when to say something. Through this, I knew that whatever the field I choose to work in, I want to help others.

Other than financial, my biggest obstacle I face to complete college is myself. I have always struggled with believing in myself and having confidence in my ability to do things. Going to college along with other individuals who seem naturally smart or know everything about the college process will make me feel different and even undeserving. My biggest obstacle will be believing that I belong and that I am competent enough to be there. In order to combat this I will be looking into the mental health resources offered and different kinds of clubs and organizations on campus.
Although it’s difficult to reach out for help, I know that if I don’t reach out I won’t be able to be helped. When things get tough, I will have to be confident enough to ask for help. I know a journey like this shouldn’t be done alone, so in order to have a sense of belonging I want to join clubs with people who come from a similar background. Being able to join these clubs will make it easier for me to connect with the school. Having people I can trust and connect with will help me be able to depend on them and have them depend on me.

If I were to be the recipient of The Opportunity Fund, it would mean that all of my hard work has paid off. From freshman year, I have always tried to take the harder classes offered and I give them my all. I would do my best by putting in a lot of time and effort into school and all its demands. Receiving this will honor all the late nights of studying and confusing lectures.
Being the recipient will mean that I am on the same level of those students who have received it before me. It will mean that all the things they are achieving are all opportunities for my future. As a recipient it will be my duty to continue to break down barriers and be a role model for younger students so that they can see everything that is out there for first generation students. Being first generation is something special. Although sometimes difficult, having students who continuously show how much students like that belong in higher education and in professional settings sets an example for the younger students. This will allow younger students to dream and know that they are just as capable as anyone else.

I have offered service to many groups throughout high school. Of all the volunteer experiences I’ve had the most rewarding by far had to be volunteering for the program Girls on the Run. I volunteered as a junior coach who helped aid in lessons and be a role model for girls in third and fourth grade. Every practice there would be a theme of a lesson that was supported by activities that helped get the girls moving.
All the lessons are centered around empowerment of young girls and building confidence in themselves and their decisions. These lessons were always paired with activities that helped create a visual connection to what was being taught. For example, one of the lessons was centered around having time to settle down and think and then provide a thoughtful answer. The visual representation of this was a water bottle filled with glitter that would be shaken up.
My experience in Girls on the Run was the most rewarding because I saw a bunch of young girls learning that they can do whatever they put their minds to no matter what others believe of them. I connected with the girls since I remember how insecure and scared I was when I was their age. I felt like it would have been a lot easier if I had a mentor to guide me through what I was experiencing during that time. I noticed that the girls just wanted someone to hear them. During our warm-ups and other activities there would always be a girl who wanted to talk about her day or something that was happening in their life. Being able to watch them grow through the season and take the lessons learned through the program was the most rewarding part of volunteering.

Since my family is unable to contribute to fund my post-secondary education I have been looking for alternatives to fund it myself. One of these alternatives is to join a work-study program while attending school. Along with the work-study, I have been applying to multiple scholarships and plan to apply to more. I have been working really hard on applying to scholarships from the Caldwell Community and other organizations who are willing to help students like me. Of the scholarships I have made a list of CFEO scholarships that I would be eligible to apply to. I have been making my way down the list, putting work into these scholarships. I have also received scholarships from both Boise State University and University of Idaho for applying. I have filled out the FAFSA and CSS profile and learned that I am pell grant eligible. My last resort to help fund school would be taking out a loan.