Biography

I am a senior at Rio Rancho High School and I have also had the opportunity to be a dual enrollment student at Central New Mexico Community College. I have enjoyed my time in high school but I believe I am ready for a change, and I am hoping that change comes while I continue my education in college and beyond. From the places I have lived, to the life lessons my family has taught me, and even the things I am involved with now, it seems like I have had a long journey but it has only just begun.

I was born in the small town of Monte Vista, Colorado. Although Monte Vista was where we all felt at home, my father was looking for more opportunities, not only for himself but for his children. We found these opportunities in Los Alamos. As I grew older, my parents' dreams for my sister and I kept growing as well. We were able to move to the fast growing city of Rio Rancho, not only because of the price of the land but because it was a better environment in which my parents wanted to raise their family.

My family plays a huge role in my life, I have learned so much from each member that I can not help but give them credit for the person that I have become. My mother and father came from very humble backgrounds, and wanted to give their children more then they had when they were kids, for this I am very grateful. My parents have given me such a wonderful life, that out of all the goals I have, making them proud is on the top of my list. One of many examples where my father has shown me that hard work and determination is rewarded is in his career. My father was able to work his way up from a graveyard security guard to a Nuclear Impact Tester at Los Alamos National Laboratory. In addition I have been able to work with people that deal with different challenges then an average person. About half my relatives are deaf, which enabled me to learn American Sign Language and understand that just because someone has a disability does not mean that they can not love or be loved any differently then you and me. Also, that you should not judge anyone before you get the chance to find out who they are and what they have to offer.

As a baby I was diagnosed with a congenital foot condition called Clubfoot. To correct this, a total of three surgeries were preformed on me before I reached the age of two. Once I was able to understand what these doctors did to help me, I decided that when I grew up I wanted to be able to help people too. As I grew older, I was able to learn that I do not necessarily have to become a doctor to help people; there are so many different ways which I am able to make a difference in someone's life. Consequently I took an interest in Politics, to create laws that would help people and to be able to represent them, to me would be a great responsibility.

I take pride in the community which I live in and try to give back to it as much as I can. I have been involved in numerous clubs and organizations that have helped me accomplish this goal. My school based organizations include; Student Government, Peer Educators, and Key Club. I have been involved in Student Government since my 8th grade year, and it has not only taught me leadership but responsibility as well. I have been able to hold many positions including my current position as President of the Fine Arts Academy. Peer Educators which I also serve as president, is an organization which travels to elementary and middle schools to promote a tobacco free life style. Key Club has given me the opportunities to take part in my community by allowing me to participate in several community service projects.

The organizations which I am involved with outside of school include; Big Brothers Big Sisters, New Mexico's Youth Alliance, Mobilize.org, Safe Teen Board of New Mexico and Youth Ministry. As a mentor and a representative for Big Brothers Big Sisters, I am able to make a difference in someone's life by just spending time with them and allowing them to know that they have someone there that will always support them. New Mexico's Youth Alliance (NMYA)is a government based program that was implemented by Governor Bill Richardson and Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish. This program gives the youth of New Mexico an opportunity to have a meaningful voice in the political process. Through NMY A I was able to become a New Mexico's liaison for Mobilize.org, which is an all-partisan network dedicated to educating, empowering, and energizing young people to increase our civic engagement and political participation. I serve as a committee member for the Safe Teen Board of New Mexico, which facilitates youth involvement and peer education that results in critical thinking, self awareness, and healthy decision making for young people. Last but not least is a program that is very important to me, where I am about to do youth ministry to 11th graders in my church's confirmation program.

Through all of my experiences I believe that I would make an excellent candidate for your foundation's scholarship program. I have found that through all of the lessons I have learned from not only my family but friends and mentors I have become a person that has the ability to help others in time of need.