Coming from Colombia where she lived in abject poverty, my mother learned hard work and dedication from a very early age. Being the oldest of 10 children and having a single mom, she took on adult responsibilities. She saw her mother struggle incessantly to put food on the table and keep all her children safe and healthy. She knew this wasn’t the kind of life she wanted to live. Her mother brought her and her nine siblings to the United States in hopes of a brighter future. She became enamored with the idea of the “American Dream”. She began to teach herself the English language by listening to TV and reading the newspaper. Having so many brothers and sisters, it was hard for her mother to give each child the attention needed, but that never stopped her from pursuing and achieving her dreams. She worked since she was 10 years old to help out her mother and her siblings.

My mom has taught me strength and determination. She has encouraged me to pursue my dreams and goals.

My dream is to attend F.I.T and I know that I will cherish every moment there, and hope to make my mom and family very proud, just like she makes me. My mom is currently a registered nurse at the Stony Brook Cancer Center. She is now working towards a master’s degree in nursing. The fact that she can work full-time, have four kids, a husband, a house, and still go to school is astonishing. She has taught me that perseverance and education is the key to a prosperous future.

I am a very focused and driven individual who understands the importance of a good education and knows what it will take to succeed which is hard work and dedication. I am not afraid of challenges and welcome the opportunity to prove to myself that I can accomplish the goals that I have set. I enjoy being around people and feel very comfortable relating and interacting with others. I have been a volunteer for the past 5 years at the Stony Brook Cancer Center. There I have had the privilege of meeting the most courageous people who even though are fighting cancer, never lose hope or the ability to see the brighter side of life. They have made a tremendous impact in my life and my perspective. This experience has given me the opportunity to grow spiritually and emotionally. I realize that I can make a difference in someone’s life every day, and I hope to achieve this at FIT.

Why do I want to attend FIT? FIT is the college that embodies all the qualities that I am looking for in a school. I know that my experiences there will be inspirational and will ultimately lead me to a fulfilling professional career. FIT is the school that will inspire me to be creative and to develop valuable skills that will help me to achieve my professional and personal goals. As a young Hispanic female I would love to be an inspiration to others, just like my mom has been an inspiration to me. I hope to one day be able to tell my story of success and help young women like myself to pursue their dreams.