1. Describe an activity, interest, experience, or achievement in your life (this could be a book, a movie, or an activity or experience at work, home, or school) that has been particularly meaningful for you.
I have been in the NJROTC unit at my school for the past four years. I do not think that I was the best student before high school, but thanks to the military structure and discipline of the unit I have turned that around throughout the course of three years. In the NJROTC unit, I started off at the bottom just like everyone else but I applied my quick learning skills to advance beyond that of my peers and was selected as Commanding Officer. As Commanding Officer I am in charge of 250 cadets. This has given me an incredible sense of accomplishment being a Hispanic female who has reached the top position in the unit. In addition to leadership skills I have learned the importance of team building to accomplish a common goal.
2. How has your family history, culture, or environment influenced who you are?
As the daughter of Hispanic immigrants I feel very fortunate to have grown up in the United States where I have had the opportunity to grow up embracing my Mexican-Honduran culture while appreciating the diversity of American culture. My parents have worked extremely hard to provide my siblings and I a stable, loving, and safe environment of which I appreciate and intend to emulate. My father has been self employed for the past twenty years and my mother helps as his administrative director. They have instilled in me a work ethic that drives me to complete every goal with competence and confidence. Unfortunately, my parents did not have the opportunity to attend college. I will be first in my family to attend college and receive a higher level of education.
