Looking to the Future by Kayla

Looking to the Future by Kayla - August 2024 Scholarship Essay

Waking up in a hospital bed, immersed in a feeling of vertigo, was something I did not expect to experience while in high school. After tearing my ACL my sophomore year, immediate surgery was required in order to repair a vital component of my knee. As I laid there, trying to regain my consciousness, the Post-Op Nurse entered the curtained area and began to question me on how I felt and my pain levels. I answered his numerous questions and finally asked one of my own — could I finally walk? He told me “Of course” and began assisting me in moving off the bed, but before my feet touched the floor, he put his arm around to help guide me. At first, I did not think I would need his help, but I instantly realized I could not do it alone. As I steadily moved one foot in front of the other, the nurse was there right by my side. After I was fatigued, I sat down and apologized for moving so slow. Many healthcare providers before had never spoken these words to me, but his will forever remain in my memory, “Do not worry mija, I love to help people. That is why I’m here.”
Because of him, I was inspired to continue pursuing my passion in health sciences. I had always been interested in learning more about human anatomy and how our body provided us with the necessities to live. So, to further my knowledge in this subject, I began taking the medical pathway at my high school. Being enrolled in these classes allowed me to begin learning the basics of healthcare careers. Each year, I would strive to excel in the various health science classes provided. Because of my hard-work, I was able to obtain the experience of going to the local hospital to see how the different units function.
As I prepare for the next chapter of my life, I plan to enroll at St. Edward’s University and major in biology in order to forge a path of learning in the medical field. I want to dive deeper into the knowledge of our environment and the nature that surrounds us all. Studying biology will fulfill that desire to learn not only how humans grow and develop, but how all organisms make up life as we know it. Being able to obtain a STEM degree, will assist me in fulfilling my lifelong desire of positively impacting others and helping them overcome challenging times. Bringing a smile to someone’s face, through positive impacts has always been a goal of mine. Through the experiences and knowledge I gained within El Paso, I am inspired to impact new communities, not just through my future medical career, but through community involvement, too. I hope to continue my passion of assisting in the community through volunteering, such as at animal shelters, and donating to those in need. While turning a new page in the story of my life, I hope to encourage the people I meet and the friends I make to positively influence and impact their community too.