Gene Denton 31

 “Si Se Puede!” This phrase, Yes We Can, encompasses an important lesson I’ve learned from my community. From chanting this phrase with my mom as we struggled up a steep hill, to hearing those same words shouted by activists at a demonstration. Si Se Puede is the verbal representation of perseverance even in the face of adversity. This phrase accompanied by the inspiring acts of my Hispanic community has had a profound impact on my character. “Si Se Puede,” reminds me to never give up on my future regardless of what may block my path to success. I acknowledge that as a first-generation student, there are multiple barriers I must overcome. But I will not miss the opportunity to break the relentless cycle of intergenerational poverty and interrupted education that has impacted my community. 

I have been admitted and will attend Washington University in St. Louis, a highly selective school that offers more than 90 fields of study and more than 1,500 academic courses. I have decided to major in Urban Studies, an interdisciplinary major that examines both the strategies for dealing with the social challenges affecting urban and metropolitan regions and how diverse populations survive and thrive in such environments. I was born and raised in the Historic Northeast, only a few minutes from the Kansas City metropolitan area. It is said to be one of the most beautiful and diverse neighborhoods in Kansas City, Missouri and though often praised for its architecture and colorful past, some parts are almost always overlooked. The issues of high crime rates and lack of affordable housing directly affect low-income families with mixed status. Undocumented individuals are cut off from critical resources such as government assistance and medicare, due to language and citizenship barriers. As a child of undocumented parents, I am fueled by their experiences because I witness the impacts of these challenges firsthand. In an effort to make a difference now, I share my time and bilingual language skills with projects that support the people of my community. I intend to continue dedicating myself to my community in both my higher education and future career. In the future, I will do my best to make the most out of my college education and experience by not only majoring in one subject but two, urban studies and Spanish. By doing this I can further develop my language skills to better communicate with Spanish-speaking individuals in my community and also fufill my desire of learning more about my native tongue and its influence on Spanish-speaking communities and cultures around the world. After my undergraduate years, I hope to go on to Law School at WashU in St. Louis and have a concentration in Immigration Law. I believe that my chosen educational fields of study will prepare me for my career in civil service and will give me valuable insight into what my future career goals, once accomplished, may look like. 

Inspired by immigration programs such as Palamos Mensajeras, which helped my grandparents reunite with their children, I want to create an organization where Latin Americans are given a fair chance at the American Dream. The citizenship process is expensive, lengthy, and nearly inaccessible for individuals who actually need it. My goal is to work directly with applicants and the U.S. government to facilitate the entire process and increase accessibility by providing financial and bilingual assistance. Most of the time, those immigrating to the United States are looking for better opportunities, wanting freedom from political oppression, or escaping from dangerous environments; I want to make the citizenship process easier for them. I will carry and intertwine the values of my Hispanic community into everything I accomplish. By awarding me this scholarship you will not only be supporting me on my journey to higher education but also investing in my goals of giving back to my community.