Power of being seen by cindy

Power of being seen by cindy - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

Having been raised in Mexico but born in the United States for most of my early childhood, I grew up immersed in a culture of support, connection, and community. Upon my return to the U.S. at a later age, I was struck at how everything felt so different and how that same sense of nearness was so often lacking, especially in schools and public places. That experience had a lasting impact on me and created a strong desire to assist in rebuilding such caring communities wherever I was.

My interest in community building has shaped my professional life as an After School Counselor at the Byram Archibald Neighborhood Center and as a Summer Camp Counselor with the YMCA. In these roles, I’ve supported groups of students through academic guidance, social-emotional growth, and recreational programming. I’ve also taken the lead in planning engaging activities, mentoring younger volunteers, and maintaining open communication with both peers and parents. These experiences have sharpened my communication, leadership, and organizational skills and have reaffirmed how meaningful it is to invest in the growth of others.

In the future, I plan to study biology in college as the stepping stone to a career in optometry. I believe that access to healthcare, specifically eye care, is essential to helping people thrive and be seen, both literally and metaphorically. What I wish to do is offer high quality, compassionate eye care to disadvantaged communities, not just enhancing health outcomes, but creating healthier human connections. By combining my love for science with my lifelong passion for helping other people, I hope to return to the communities that shaped me and be able to help play a role in creating the kind of support group that I missed out on before.