Danna Elizarraras

My name is Danna Itzela Elizarraras Zepeda. I am 18 years old and a student at the Colegio de Estudios Científicos y Tecnológicos (Cecyte) high school, located in Primo Tapia, Playas de Rosarito, BJ. I'm only a few weeks away from graduating. I live in the lower Primo Tapia neighborhood. I'm currently staying at my grandparents' house. I sleep in the living room since there are no bedrooms. My grandmother doesn't live here right now. It's just my grandfather and I at home. My grandfather doesn't have a steady job; he's an electrician and only does odd jobs when requested. My grandmother is staying in Tijuana with an aunt, my grandmother's daughter, for medical care. My aunt now lives in Tijuana, and expenses are cheaper there. Both the medication and the hospitals are good. My grandmother has diabetes and two hernias. My grandfather sends her money for her treatment whenever he can. The medication isn't that cheap since she needs it daily. My grandfather also has household expenses and can't support me with my studies since his salary is very low. However, he helps me by letting me stay at his house since it's a little closer to my high school. My parents are the ones who support me the most financially in my family, because even though they don't have much, they try to give me for the week or ask for a loan so I can eat, my mom works in a flower shop in El descanso, they pay her very little, 1500 a week, I have a younger brother of 3 years old, my brother still uses diapers, milk and among other things he needs, most of the money goes to him and my school, my dad is a person with a walking disability, a few years ago he had an accident and they had to operate on him, he was a bricklayer, and an American who was fond of my dad paid for the operation, we are very grateful to the gentleman because without that operation my dad would not have a leg today, unfortunately since my dad can not walk, my mom is the one who brings the money home, I am staying with relatives so that my parents do not spend so much on me, since their economy is really very low, when I was little, I never had my own room, we lived in a trailer, and we only had one bed, currently they still live In one, but I don't live with them anymore. I don't have any photos of my house with my parents, but it's a white trailer. I'm attaching a photo of my dad's current leg X-ray, and my brother and my dad from a few months ago: What does a scholarship mean to me for my education? A scholarship would mean a lot to me. As I mentioned before, I don't come from a financially stable family. There are many expenses and obstacles. But because of that, I want to move forward, get a job so I can help myself, and not just ask for help from my family, since they also have expenses, and money is very difficult to come by. A scholarship would help me a lot. Paying for a tuition fee or semester at a university or school is a lot, even if it doesn't seem like it. A scholarship is a huge help for me right now. I chose Business Administration and International Business at the University of Mexicali (UM), located in Rosarito. Registration is in June, but I've decided on that major. Why did I choose that major? Business Administration wasn't my first choice. I actually have several options, since I like to learn and study to be prepared for life and do well. My college options are Law, Foreign Trade and Customs, Psychology, Accounting, and Finance. Since I was little, I've always liked numbers. I find them easier than most people I know. However, I wasn't sure if I should study accounting since that program only offers night shifts. And I live far away. It's dangerous to be alone at night in Rosarito. I'm still not sure if I want to dedicate myself only to Business Administration or pursue other programs later, but I'd like to pursue more than just one. I want to dedicate myself to real estate sales or work in an office. I also want to learn English. I want to take a course or go to an English school when I have enough money to pay for it. I really want to work in the professional field and in my studies. One of the things that has inspired me a lot is the environment where I live, I grew up in a humble family and place, to this day I remain humble and we do not have many things, and that is why I want to strive to support my family and me, I want my little brother to have things that I could not have when I was his age, I do not want to waste any opportunity I have to grow and help me, none of my family helps me with my homework, no member of my family went to college or finished high school / secondary school, it was very difficult for me when I could not do something and no one could help me since they did not understand anything about the academic homework, I learned to be autonomous and know how to solve problems on my own, my family knows that I have tried hard on my own, some say that I did not try so hard, but I like to give my best in everything. I recently received recognition for my good grade point average (9.7 out of 10). One of the best experiences I have had in the academic field, was when I was in 6th grade, and there was a contest called "Girl and Boy Governor" it consisted of giving a speech in front of many people about children's rights, I had to learn 3 pages and memorize them all, to be able to speak on stage without reading, my teacher at that time named Julieta, inspired me and supported me to enter that contest, since she saw potential in me, something that I did not see since my environment and my beliefs at that time were not focused on studying, I encouraged myself to compete, and I learned everything, first I competed with children from my town, from Rosarito to La Mision, I was in the top 5, and those who won went to compete in Mexicali with other children from different places, I went to Mexicali because I won, I was one of the last ones left, but another child won, that child who won was Governor for a day, the other children who did not win but were left at the end, went to visit factories and were "Bosses" of some company for a day. I went to the Bimbo factories and to a company. I don't remember exactly what it was, but I know I've gone to several contests and participated in several things where I haven't won per se, but they've made me want to get ahead. I haven't wasted the small opportunities I've been given and I want to keep going. I know I can, because I like it and I'm determined. One of my passions is art. I've always liked to draw. I always thought I would dedicate myself to art since I'm very good at drawing, but unfortunately that's not the case. But drawing is one of my favorite hobbies. Although lately I haven't been able to draw because of schoolwork, and among other things, I recently went to my first drawing contest. Even though I didn't win, I learned several new things and I really enjoyed it, since I traveled to Tecate for that. I like to travel, although unfortunately I only travel when it's for school. I've never traveled anywhere with my family. My favorite subject is Probability and Statistics. I like numbers even though they're a bit complicated for me. When I was little, due to family issues, I didn't go to school much, so I missed out on some things, but I still liked subjects that involved numbers, or drawing. I don't have a favorite teacher, since I like them all and they all have different ways of teaching, and I like that. But I will always say that my 6th grade teacher is my favorite, Professor Julieta. She taught me in elementary school. What does a scholarship mean for my education? A scholarship would mean a lot to me. As I mentioned before, I don't come from a financially stable family. There are many expenses and obstacles. But because of that, I want to move forward, get a job so I can help myself, and not just ask for help from my family, since they also have expenses, and money is very difficult to come by. A scholarship would help me a lot. Paying for a tuition fee or a semester at a university or school is a lot, even if it doesn't seem like it. A scholarship is a huge help for me right now. I chose Business Administration and International Business at the University of Mexicali (UM), located in Rosarito. Registration is in June, but I've decided on that major. Why did I choose that major? Business Administration wasn't my first choice. I actually have several options, since I like to learn and study to be prepared for life and do well. My college options are Law, Foreign Trade and Customs, Psychology, Accounting, and Finance. Since I was little, I've always liked numbers. I find them easier than most people I know. However, I wasn't sure if I should study accounting since that program only offers night shifts. And I live far away. It's dangerous to be alone at night in Rosarito. I'm still not sure if I want to dedicate myself only to Business Administration or pursue other programs later, but I'd like to pursue more than just one. I want to dedicate myself to real estate sales or work in an office. I also want to learn English. I want to take a course or go to an English school when I have enough money to pay for it. I really want to work in the professional field and in my studies. One of the things that has inspired me a lot is the environment where I live, I grew up in a humble family and place, to this day I remain humble and we do not have many things, and that is why I want to strive to be able to support my family and me, I want my little brother to be able to have things that I could not have when I was his age, I do not want to waste any opportunity I have to be able to grow. Although one of my obstacles in my studies is my financial stability, I truly believe that would be the only thing, since due to lack of money I don't have some things that some people have, but not because of lack of money or material things will I stop trying to move forward. That doesn't stop me from growing. I truly want to improve and be able to live better. I'm not saying I live poorly, but I would like to be able to do things that most people do. I know that studying won't fix everything, I know that working and not giving up will get me where I want to go. I want to be able to learn many things, and move forward with my family, and thank all those people who have supported me to be who I am today. I would truly be very grateful to you and to everyone if you gave me this opportunity to be better and help my family and I get ahead. I am willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead. I know it will be difficult, but I will not give up. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I hope to be part of your candidates if you allow me. I would be very grateful. Thank you.