My high school coach told me about financial aid and recommended that I apply for a Bella. Everyone needs a little help to pay for college.

 

My application was so last minute, I wasn’t sure I would get it. The application was easy, just a page. The last question was about our story and where we came from. And although there was a small space, I just figured let me just put in more information and attach it.

 

If you put in the effort and you want it, your passion will show. That's my advice to those who are just applying. People who really want it will go the extra mile.

 

I used to live with my mom after my parents got separated. We moved around a lot. I went to school in Livingston and San Leandro. In my school life, I’ve been to 7 or 8 schools. I moved around a lot and had to adjust.

 

I think that everything that went wrong with my parents made me want to work harder in school to get my mom away from all of that. That’s also a big part.

 

My mom is a big influence in my life. She had a stroke when I was in 7th grade.

She had half of her cerebellum taken out. From there, I started to see how the nurses treated her, how kind they were, and the effect they had on her. That’s when I started to think, what do I really want to do? This seems really good. I like to see people smile.

 

So I wrote my Bella application about that. Ever since 7th grade, I’ve wanted to be a nurse. I also love babies. So I looked into Labor and Delivery. My middle-school friend’s mom is a Labor & Delivery nurse. She said, “if you get your degree, I have a job waiting for you.”

 

I wanted to find ways to pay for school so my mom didn’t have to depend on my father.

 

I’m almost done with my first year in college at San Jose State. It was an easy transition because my first-year classes were easy, but now I’m getting into micro-biology, so I’m having to learn how to manage my time and push myself. I have to prioritize school over going out.

 

My advice for students is to save a little time at the end of the day for yourself and your friends.