University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls, ID
Eastern Oregon University La Grande, OR
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

I never initially saw social work as a career path. Often when people would ask me why I wanted to study this specific major, my answer would always be “I want to help children.” Over time, it became clear that my motivation was much deeper. I didn't want to only “work” with children, I wanted to support them and make them feel important and valued. Growing up in an unstable home is hard, but it shouldn't ever be the child's responsibility to find a solution. There would be days that I, myself, would come home and the only meal I was able to eat that day was the free lunch that the school provided. In my junior year of high school, my family had been evicted from our apartment for the third time. In this time of not having a home, I found a home in my support, but telling the trusted adults in my life was hard. However, with such an amazing support system, I was able to find the stability I had been searching for. Their impact is the reason I am pursuing social work today, I want to offer others the sense of security I got.

After graduation I plan to attend a 4 year institution where I intend to study social work. I hope to gain the understanding of the social system that affects families and children. From there I plan on pursuing a career as a social worker and working for the health and welfare. where I intend to work with children in troubled home situations and get into better and healthier environments. Showing them that their circumstances do not define them.

Throughout High school I have been apart of multiple clubs and organizations, Currently i am involved in TRIO Upward Bound a program to support first generation low income students through TRIO i am connected to Being apart of Caldwell high schools rising voices club where we interview CHS alumni to help improve the Caldwell “go on rate” and inspire students to pursue higher education within Rising Voices I serve as one of the Co-Leads ,I also serve as a Junior Coach for Girls On The Run a program where i am given the opportunity to inspire elementary school aged girls

The most impactful experience that I have had in TRIO upward bound was getting the opportunity to share my story. Being vulnerable with others isn't something that comes easy to me. I remember when my TRIO Upward Bound specialist Josh Engler asked me how I felt about sharing my story I definitely had some hesitation like anyone else would. Getting up on a stage in front of other people and talking about my imperfections to my peers was something that I never had expected to do. But I knew that it was something I needed to do because no one's perfect and I wanted to share that through everyone's imperfections the biggest support anyone can offer is relatability. Through this I was able to connect with people in the community who I've never thought I could connect with just for simply telling something I had second-guessed at one point.

Other than financial challenges, the greatest obstacle I anticipate facing is having to say “see you later” to my family when I leave for college. Growing up, it has always been just my younger sister Amaya, my mother Christina, and me. The only constant in our lives has been one another. Even thinking about leaving for college makes me nervous and fills me with guilt, because just as I cannot imagine life without them, I know they feel the same way about me. I worry about how they will manage without my daily presence and support. The most important resource I will use to overcome this challenge is building connections with others who are experiencing the same transition. Through TRIO Upward Bound, I have learned how powerful it can be to share struggles with people who truly understand them. I plan to remain connected with my current classmates and form new relationships in college so that this sense of loneliness does not feel overwhelming. By surrounding myself with a supportive community, I will be better prepared to face this emotional challenge while continuing to pursue my educational goals.

Being a recipient of the Opportunity Fund is not just receiving financial support it represents a second chance at a future I once believed was out of reach. Growing up in a very traditional household, the conversations around our dinner table were never about what college I wanted to attend or what I hoped to study after high school. Instead, they focused on what kind of man I would marry, how much money he would need to provide for me, and how I should care for a home to keep a husband. Talking to my mother about college was intimidating. I knew she had never been encouraged to think about higher education herself, and I understood that this was not her fault. Over time, however, she has become my greatest supporter. Today, she wants me to pursue a college degree not only for myself, but so that my younger sister can see that higher education is possible and that she does not have to follow the “traditional” path that was once expected of us. This opportunity allows me to break a cycle and create a new future for my family, one built on education, independence, and choice.

Throughout my high school career I have offered service through many programs including Student Council, TRIO Upward Bound and GOTR. Through all these the most prominent one to me was the annual TRIO UB friendship feast, at this event the students are almost completely in charge. This event is local in our community and allows us to give back to the homeless in our community. Us as the students are in charge of the menu, making the food and serving it. This event particularly stuck out to me this year because I myself was experiencing homelessness this past summer with my family. We had been couch surfing with friends and family, so like anyone else in this situation there were times we didn't know where our next meal was coming from. this allowed me that even though I didn't have everything I could still give back.

I plan to fund my post secondary education through scholarships and student loans. I am aware that my family is unable to support me financially through my experience so it will be up to me to fund it myself. Currently I am employed at In-N-Out Burger and have been employed there for what was a year this January. I am currently what we call a "level 6", at In-N-Out we are associated by levels depending on what skills we can serve. Being a level 6 is a remarkable accomplishment. It means I am able to do everything before management. for lots of people it can take up to 2 years to reach their level 6 I did it in just 7 months. This was a very proud moment for me being able to level up and be invested in my work.