LatPro.com’s scholarship program for Hispanic students is proud to announce Olivia Rodriguez as one of the three finalists for its December deadline application. Vote for her essay by clicking the thumbs up button at the bottom of the page, and/or leave comments of support to help us with the selection process.
Olivia Rodriguez‘s Essay:
How did you choose your major? What obstacles have you had to overcome and what will it mean to you to graduate with this degree?
I live in a trailer in Thermal CA. My parents, whom are agricultural workers, suffer from sickness due to fields infested with pesticides and chemicals. To me it’s upsetting that they’re allowed to work under these conditions and that a trip to the doctors’ for themselves comes in as last priority. Seeing their bodies decay every year is my motivation to continue my education so that I can come back and help rid of the toxic working environment that leads to health problems. I want to be part of the movement that has been part of my people throughout history. I desire to free them of harsh conditions of labor. And I believe that by changing the toxic environment that they’re exposed to, it’ll be a way to lessen their health problems. As a result, they will not have to spend most of their paychecks on medicine and unaffordable healthcare. To have an impact that will reduce the exploitation of underrepresented communities is my purpose of completing a major in Conservation and Resource Studies.
Throughout my life, I’ve had to see my mom sick, with her eyes red and irritated, a cough that seems to never leave her, and her body aching in pain. My sister, dad, and myself have constantly insisted that she go to the doctor and time after time we have hear “no” from her. Her mentality is to care for the family first and medical attention has simply become another benefit that my dad and her have been deprived of.
As a quiet girl, I’ve reflected on why this was the case. Why where my parents and many other migrant workers under a life that had limited them from something so necessary as medical attention. Did the lack of the English language allow them to be tied down in minimum wage jobs? I’ve heard of American people without the Spanish tongue, who cross the border with ease to Mexico. Instead of working, most seem to be on vacation. And on this side of the border I can’t stand the sight of seeing my parents and other workers in jobs that offer toxic environments when they too have the right to fulfill their goals and attain success. However, what gives me hope is the history I’ve heard of powerful voices like Cesar Chavez and the Chicano movement that have made changes in my community.
My working class background as the daughter of migrant farm workers in the Eastern Coachella Valley carries with it a history of silence. Mexicans, and Mexican Americans have been historically silenced in U.S. history and have had to fight for the right to be heard, even though they have played a vital role in the growth of our nation through labor work. Our voices have been shut down, especially the Latina women, whom are negatively represented by the mainstream media as nothing more than sex objects, maids, or matronly housewives. I have realized that my life depends upon my becoming assertive to aid migrant workers in my community and my family. If knowledge is power, then it’s vital for me to know that I’m the only one who can define who I am, and that a Mexican American woman can speak up.
Not only do I want to major in Conservation and Resource Studies, but I also want to become a doctor. With this accomplishment I will no longer have to hear a “no” from my mom knowing that a visit to the doctors’ is possible. I will work to rid toxic environments from the labor work my community faces. I’ll become a woman in history that others can look up to, a woman whose mere presence challenges the stereotypes and sexism that permeate our history and our modern world. Overall, with my major I wish to accomplish all of this and provide sustainability and care to my community so that not only they, but also future generations can have healthy lives.
congrats on making it to the finalist!
& GOOD LUCK :]
Wow great essay!!! I wish you the best of luck!!!
This is amazing! Nobody deserves this scholarship more then you!
palante siempre palante 🙂
This is such a great essay. Congrats on all your hard work and best wishes to you. 🙂
awesome
Olivia was one of a feel classmates that I thought would be assisting a prestigous university like University California Berkeley. This essay speaks to many of us Latinos who grew up in the Eastern Coachella Valley. I definetly wish her the best in her endeavors.
Best of luck! Great work!
Olivia your essay is truly great and inspirational! I hope you get this scholarship because you truly deserve it! Best Wishes!
Great job Olivia! Good luck! You can do it!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your essay. I hope it is selected as the winner!
Great Job, keep working hard!
Congratsss!!!”D Wish u the Very Best of luck!:)
Cool, best of luck!
This is an outstanding essay!!! Not only that very touching. You will do beyond amazing things to help all those migrant farm workers I know it.
Best wishes:)
Olivia. My dear, good luck!!!!love the essay
Sending prayers your way!! You’re awesome 🙂
Hey, you’re amazing! I really hope you get the scholarship, you definitely deserve it.
I am so inspired to have heard your story Olivia! 🙂 You are an amazing person and I can see that you have the dedication and abilities to make a difference 🙂 I wish you the best of luck! You definitely deserve it!
You deserve this and much more Olive. 😀
Olivia!!!!! So very proud of you! Awesome essay! You are such an inspiration and a great role model for all Hispanic women. I know you will continue to do great things in life 🙂
Congratulations on being a finalist! Best of luck!
WOW!!! Your story is very insiprational and I am very proud of how far you have gotten in your life. I know you will have a positive impact in your community when you’re older. I really hope you win this scholarship in order to facilitate your future endeavors.
Best Wishes!
-Jessica Torres
Awesome essay Olivee 🙂 Youre the voice of our valley Best Wishess!!*
Olivia, you have such an inspirational story! I’m sure you’ll be able to accomplish your goals in the future. You definitely deserve this scholarship! I wish you the best of luck.
Olivia, I’m extremely proud of you. Your story is definitely inspiring. I really hope you get the scholarship.
Best wishes,
Tania
Congrats! I hope you win. I love your essay, it’s very inspiring.
Congratulations Olivia! Hope you win. I really enjoyed reading your essay.
Good Luck! I wish you the best.
Hey Olivia!
This essay was amazing. I always knew you wanted to major in Conservation and Research Studies, but now I know why and I think the reason behind your decision is what makes you such an inspiring courageous person. Instead of being angry with your parents situation I admire the fact that you are striving to find a solution to it. 😀
It’s always great to see people dedicated to solving the problems in our community. Please look into joining Future Physician Leaders. Get in contact with me if you need information.
WOW, this is so inspiring! =) You’ll do great. Best of luck!
I love your essay, you totally deserve this!!!
Great job Olivia! I’m glad you were picked as a finalist. It’s people like you that inspire us to look into whats really going on around us. I really hope you win the scholarship!! Best of luck! 😀
GOOD LUCK 🙂
Great job Olivia! You deserve this scholarship!:)
Very inspirational and admirable! You deserve it, best wishes!! 🙂
I hope u accomplish your dreams and goals. Dont ever stop dreaming because that would be like giving up in life. I wish you all the luck in life and also getting the scholarship.
This is amazing!! Keep up the good work and you will inspire many 🙂 I wish you luck!
WOOOW! GOOD LUCK! 🙂
Truly inspirational essay Olivia! Best wishes and good luck with being a finalists! Best wishes with your educational endeavors!
Oliver!! Amazing work!! GOOD LUCK:)
It gives me great joy to see such strength in a woman who has endured a lot of pressures from family and society to fight back and leave a legacy behind.
you keep going and I know you can make it!!
Wow! Incredible Essay, Hope You Get It Nobody Deserves It More Than You, Your So Hard Working And Dedicated.
great job 😀 and good luck u deserve it
YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!
best of luck, Olivia!!
Great Job! I love ur essay!! Wish u DA Best of luck !! U deserve it!!
Good luck Olivia. you did it and you have to deserve it
Good luck Olivia. Your essay was amazing, I hope you get this–you definitely deserve it! 😀
Wow this is a nice essay and good luck 🙂
Awesome essay Olive!
Great Essay Olive, You Deserve This Scholarship I Hope You Get It 🙂 You’re Alwayz Working So Hard Towards Your Goals And I Know Thizz Wont Be The Excrption, Good Luck Again 🙂
Amazing job! Good luck!!
Great Job Olivia!!! Thank you for sharing your experiences, you are empowering to other young women who are faced with challenging life situations to overcome them and make a positive change for the world. Good luck!
Congrats on being a finalist, with high aspirations like yours, looks like you are likely to get that scholarship
Great job. Good luck!
Olivia’s story is very compelling and her motivation and determination is made evident through this essay. As a student from a similar background I completely relate to her story of parents that undertake difficult and unhealthy labor only to be deprived healthcare due to expenses and “family” priority. She really deserves this award.
Good luck Olivia! We are rooting for you!
Wow Olivia!
You definitely blew my mind with your essay:)
I’m pretty sure all of your friends, including myself
look up to you as a great inspiration. You deserve
this scholarship more than anyone else:) Good luck
and we all hope to see you succeed:D
-Priscilla Paulino<3
I really really hope you win because you deserve it!!!
Olivia you are an inspirational student as well as a great athlete, you deserve to win this scholarship because you are just an exceptional human being!!! I really hope you win!!! 🙂
OMG!!! Dude I really hope that you win!!! Your are so awesome and you deserve this scholarship!!! Best wishes!!!
very good essay..hope you make it..which i know you will..
Suerte y Fuerza!
Wow this is really inspiring, I sincerely hope you win Olivia!!!
Best Wishes
-Liz
This is amazing !!!!! Good Job 🙂 and good luck
One of the most inspiring things to ever hear from someone is to hear that they want to eradicate the horrible conditions field workers have to go through. My father was one of them and a few of my godparents have worked there for as long as I can remember. It is an honorable job and these men and women are constantly taken for granted. I appreciate your message and I wish you all the best!!! You deserve to open the eyes of the ignorant.
Congrats on writing such a good essay, this is very inspiring and I hope you win 🙂
Awesome
I wish you the best of luck. Keep up the awesome work!
I really hope you win! GOOD LUCK!
Good luck! 🙂
Great job making it as the top 3 finalist. Good luck winning the scholarship.
You have put my anger thoughts and wishes on paper! Coming from the same background and being an ex-farm worker myself I dread the smell of dirt and chemicals! whenever you’re ready to fight these hard working conditions let me know I’ll fight right next to you .
For all the immigrant workers out there who have to endure so much to have even a portion of what Americans take for granted and who want nothing more than to simply be able to provide for the families they love, I hope you win 🙂
Estamos muy orgullosos de ti hija. Felicitaciones y buena suerte te queremos mucho.
You are incredible. Best of luck!! 😀
good luck!
congrats!!
I love your essay it’s very inspirational, even though i don’t know you good luck on winning this scholarship
Congratulations on being a finalist! Good luck! 🙂
Amazing, Good Luck! : )
Wish you the best Olivia!!!
Good luck! You deserve it!
Good Luck Olivia!!!
Congratulations, Good Luck!!
“I’ll become a woman in history that others can look up to….”
You already are, you’re awesome! Suerte!
Good Job Olivia. Hopefully u win. I will pray for you.
Awesome Olivia! good luck. wish u the best, definately deserve it. 😀
Felicitaciones hija, te quiero mucho!!
Amazing story, you have my vote and my support!
Olivia Rodriguez is the type of person who has built America. She has obviously been an outstanding student, who deserves the opportunity to a higher education. She deserves this scholarship so that she can go back to the community and help those that she loves.
Wow very moving essay! I’m so glad that you have the courage to share your story and give your community a voice!! Wish you the best, I’m rooting for you 🙂
Well done!!! I really hope you win this scholarship. I’m sure you’ll be (and are) a great role model to people in your community and around the world. Best of luck!!
I’m proud of how much you’ve accomplished and cannot wait to see how far you’ll go academically and in life!!! Really do hope you win!!!
You got this one!! Inspirational story, I enjoyed reading it and am pleased that you know your people’s history and continue the fight!!
Simply Amazing, I enjoyed reading your essay, keep up the hard work I’m sure you’ll win this one you deserve it!
Olivia, you are a true inspiration to all women not just latinas. You’re hard work has showed and payed off. Keep working your hardest to accomplish everything you set your mind to. A fine essay, what the shy girl can’t speak she can definitly write. Keep up the good work!!!
Loved it!!! congrats on being a finalist, and I hope you win!!
Olivia great job, thanks for sharing your personal story and your goals. I’m sure it has served as great motivation 😀 You’re awesome and I wish you the best!!
good luck
congrats olivia n good luck
Suerte!! te deseo lo mejor!!! Hope you win this scholarship, your essay was amazing!
Congrats!! Hope you win, great essay!!
Good luck
This was such an inspirational story!!! Great work you deserve this scholarship!!!
Congratulations I hope all your hard work pays off and hopefully you’ll win this scholarship you deserve it!!! You’re such an inspirational person 😀 I’m so glad to have read your essay.
Olivia I loved your essay I hope you win!!!
good job
This is great writing i can tell you will go far
good luck 🙂
CONGRATS!! great work, I loved reading your essay everything was well put together!!
Dear Olivia,
I am very proud of you, you have accomplished great things in life and I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to witness all the wonderful things you have done. To me you are already a champion I have never met someone with such a big heart, and with so much passion for what they do. Wish you the best Olivia, I love you! <3
You truly have a voice to represent your community and Latina women, I can see your leadership and commitment in this essay!!! It’s great to hear from young people like you with so much motivation! Best of luck. 🙂
This is amazing keep up the great work
best wishes
This is great Congrats I hope you will win
Best of luck you deserve the scholarship!!!
Good Luck !!!!! i really liked your essay 🙂
You are such an inspiring person, keep sharing your story and voice!!! Really hope you win!!
Wow Congrats 🙂
Good job and keep up the good work
Hope you get this scholarship
Great job, I hope you win your story was amazing 😀
This is awesome Olivia .. I know i dont really know you but you show initiative 🙂
Best wishes
Awesome 🙂
I know you will go far in life good
Congrats and best wishes
Crongrats! Ur essay is really really good:).. Your family and community should be very proud of u.. I really hope u get dat scholarship u deserve it Olivia:)
Great work 🙂
I hope you win I really liked your essay 🙂
Good Job Olivia I can tell you really do care for your community 🙂
Best wishes
Blake
Great job, and good luck. =)
Good Job :))))
Olivia I’m really proud of you and all the hard work you have put into helping our community
Good Job :)))) Good Luck :)) and Best Wishes
Congrats Hope you win your essay is great!!! Buena Suerte 🙂
I hope you go far and I’m sure you’ll be of great asset to your community!!
congrats I read your essay it’s great !!
Wish you the best!!! You deserve this scholarship!
This is an amazing essay we need leaders like you in the future!!! Thanks for sharing your essay! 🙂
Great essay you’re an awesome individual keep it up and I hope you win this scholarship!!
Olivia I am very proud of you. You show initiative like no other person i have ever met in my life. I know you will go very far
Best Wishes
WOW!! incredible essay you deserve the scholarship!
Hopefully you win!! Your essay was great!!
You are a natural born leader! It is truly inspiring to hear a young woman as yourself with a lot of determination to succeed and help others around her.
Good luck Olive :))))
I hope you win. You are my role model
Great essay!!! Best of luck I’m rooting for you 🙂
I am very proud of you young lady you have gone so far 🙂
I hope you win this scholarship
Best Wishes
-D
Voted. Best of luck 🙂
Hope you win!! You’re essay is so inspiring you deserve this scholarship and so much more!!
Good Job Olive :))
I’m proud of you 🙂
Oliva your essay is amazing!!! Good Luck in your endeavors 😀
Wow Olive I’m extremely proud to be your friend 🙂 Good Job and keep working hard 🙂
hope you get it 🙂 I can tell you’re a hard working individual with a lot of heart and determination!
Keep up the good work!!! there should be more young people like you 🙂
I’m sure you’ll do all these great things in life and much more, you definitely deserve the 2,000 scholarship 😀
This is simply amazing !!!!!!!!
I hope you win 🙂
best wishes
Best of luck! We’re rooting for you : )
Olivia! Wish you the best of luck =) and keep on striving for succes! I believe in you future doctor
Good luck and I really do hope you get this scholarship, you truly deserve it.
Awesome job….wish you the best
Congrats and Good luck!:)
great essay 🙂
Good Luck!
Good luck~~!! 🙂
Olivia, I am inspired by your dedication, I wish you the best of luck in your future!!
Good luck Olivia
Congrats and good luck!
Good luck I hope you win this scholarship. Your essay was exceptional!!
coming from the same background as you, by reading your essay I can see that you have what it takes to succeed in life.
I am so proud of you congratulations on making it this far!!! I hope you’re the finalists that takes the scholarship your essay was very inspiring!!
Congrats!!! hope u win! 😀
Felicitaciones!!! Te deseo lo mejor, hope u win!!
Olivia, your essay is amazing it is great to have people like you in underrepresented communities where great leadership is needed to move on forward!!
Great essay good luck 😀
It’s nice to hear that your committing a great deal of time to help your communities. That really sends a great message 😀 I hope you win the scholarship!!
Your essay blew me away, thank you for sharing such an inspiring story!!! Hope you win!!
truly inspiring! good luck! 😀
Good luck I hope you get the scholarship and hope you accomplish your goals in life
you are an amazing person, you got this!!
thumbs up!!!! way to use your voice and represent Latina, women, your community, and yourself you are such an inspiration!
great essay good luck!!!
your essay was a pleasure to read i hope you win!!
I am rooting for you 🙂
To me, you’re already a winner!!
Olivia is such an amazing person, she really deserves this scholarship, she is self motivated and her goals is what keeps her working hard. You have made your community and family proud!!
Congrats on being a finalist, best of luck this was a great essay!
Wish you the best of luck, I know you’re going to accomplish all your goals. I just hope you win this scholarship!
Amazing essay, you’re going to go very far!! It’s great to hear about your community’s history and the dedication you have committed to it!
I hope you win, this essay blew my mind away!!
You have great drive and a great heart hope u accomplish your dreams!! Te deseo lo mejor 🙂
Keep up the hard work you will get far.
Great story wish you the best of luck
You’re a great person and really deserve this scholarship not only for all the hard work you’ve put in academics, but in life as well.
you should be proud of what you’ve accomplished so far and I can’t wait to hear how far you go!! Good luck 🙂
congrats! i loved your essay and how it was put together it’s very powerful and it speaks volumes!
Reading this essay, I was touched and inspired by your study. You’re a great role model!
Hope u win!!!
I hope they choose you as the winner 🙂
Congrats, you deserve this scholarship!!
I liked your essay a lot! You deserve to win
Great job Olivia! Best of luck!!
I am very happy I read your essay it spoke volumes!
You are the winner in my opinion!! Your essay is exceptional and I am sure you will accomplish so much more academically and in life. Olivia, you are an outstanding individual!
I loved your essay! You deserve the win. I love that you carry your roots and story with you, best of luck!!
Your essay is fantastic hope you win!!
Your essay is really moving I hope they choose yours as the winner
Best of luck !!! wish nothing but the best for you olivia!! you deserve this and much more!!
This is a great essay! You deserve to win!!!
It is students like Olivia that we must not only recognize in our awards but support with resources to fulfill lifelong goals and objectives. Not only are her goals clear and reachable but she also has a vision that is good for the future of our sustainability. I strongly support her application and hope that you make the right decision and support this young scholar from the eastern coachella valley which is home to the largest family farmworker population in the U.S. This award not only means a lot to her and her family but also to the many youth that are growing up after her and want to also make a difference. Her support will inspire hope and empower them to also reach for the their goals!
Olivia is a dedicated, talented young woman. As her high school teacher I saw the great potential in her. She’s caring and compassionate as well. Her desire to help others, not only to improve her own life, is apparent. She is well-deserving of any help available.
Olivia, it takes courage and strength of spirit to not only overcome these obstacles, but even more so to turn those obstacles around and have them become a source of inspiration to help your community. Your passion and commitment are a testament to who you are and where you come from. It is an honor to be able to help even in a small way to support whatever trail you may set ablaze ahead.
This young Lady has a GREAT goal and appears very determined to reach it. I would say that a scholarship awarded to her would be an investment very well made. I believe that she would do her best to help many, many people, over the rest of her lifetime. I wish her the very best.
This is a beautiful testimony to the courage and resilliance of our young people today. Thanks Olivia.
Beautifully done, Olivia; don’t ever quit!
Wishing you the best in all your endeavors. You deserve the best.
Joan
Hi Olivia, you are simply an inspiration – there are many looking up at you. I hope this story will not be limited to this website and will spread.
Best wishes and Congratulations!
Overall content is good. Perhaps some more proof-reading is in order. There are a few grammatical/punctuational errors that would be better gone. (example: “visit to the doctors’ is possible.” My vote would have been fewer contractions (e. g.:”As a quiet girl, I’ve reflected…”, and “I’ve heard of American…”).
Good luck to you. This nation and it’s leaders are built on the vision and courage to follow dreams that you embody here. Sincerely, Denice