Scholarship / Vice President of HOSA; Leadership experience [5]

At my high school, I am Vice President of HOSA. Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA)'s mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry. Every year, HOSA participates in a range of activities which are: competitions, service projects, medical debates, food drives, donations, monthly walks and disease awareness, and medical terminology events.

Last year, HOSA at my school donated $100 worth of Yoplait Yogurt Breast Cancer Lids to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in October 2011. We attended 10 monthly disease and awareness walks and donated over 50 toys to the Toys for Tots Foundation. This year, HOSA wanted to take things to a higher level.

Our first project started in October - Breast Cancer Month. During this month, we sold 144 Breast Cancer wristbands and hosted a Breast Cancer screening at a local clinic. Before we started this fundraiser, I did not think we'd sell much because I felt that my school would be unsupportive. To my surprise, we sold all 144 wristbands even before it was lunch time. It was a success!! In addition to the successful fundraiser, HOSA donated $100 worth of Yoplait Yogurt Breast Cancer Lids to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Initially, I felt that 100 bucks was miniscule, but later I came to realize that even if we donated $10, it was for a good cause.

After our Breast Cancer project, we started working on the AIDS Fundraiser for December. This project was pretty big. For this fundraiser, HOSA paired up with Ban-Aids (another organization at my school). Ban-Aids is a peer-to-peer organization that aims at reducing the prevalence of AIDS in youth and the community. During the month of December, HOSA and Ban-AIDS sold 1000 Red AIDS ribbons and button pins all spreading the word about AIDS. When a student or teacher bought an item, they received a sticker that would give them a fact about AIDS. After the big fundraiser, we raised $2000 that went to the AIDS United Fund and a local AIDS foundation.

Because I planned and carried out both projects, I was honored at the HOSA & Ban-AIDS Banquet towards the end of December. This experience has influenced me to find a cure for AIDS after I have succeeded in my career prospects. Until then, I will continue to use fundraisers as a stepping stone to achieve my goal.

Undergraduate / VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCE; Gates Millennium- Involvement/ Contributions to Community [4]

Another Gates Millennium Essay. Due Jan 16th.
As an active volunteer, I care about my community's well-being. From volunteering at places like the homeless shelters to participating in community street clean-ups, I believe it is my responsibility to build my community as a whole. Earlier this year, littering was a big issue in my community. Littering caused my community's appearance and the quality of life to decrease. Family members, neighbors, and locals constantly complained about the filthy roadsides. Gutters, lawns, alleyways, waterways, parks, lakes, canals, and rivers were all filled with trash. I saw ducks in the canals strangled with soda plastic rings and turtles choking on soda caps. Because of this issue, local residents lived in disgust. Local residents did not walk around my neighborhood because were not prepared to see the littered roadsides and sidewalks.

To solve this problem, I proposed that the local government fund the purchasing of litter pick up tools, sanitation collection vehicles, graffiti removal equipment, litter or ash receptacles, recycling bins, or a pocket ashtray, and produce biodegradable products to protect wildlife. Also, I proposed raising the litter fine up to $1000, which later prevented people from littering in neighborhoods. Months later, this proposal was approved by the mayor. Every Saturday, neighbors from all walks of life came out to help clean the littered streets, sidewalks, and canals. In no time, my community was back in tip-top shape. Because of my effective solution, old neighbors flushed back to our community. We were back on the market.

From every nursing home to non-profit organization, the great feeling that I receive from volunteering in my community is indescribable. Some people do it for the community service hours, but I do it because I have the passion to help people.

After this experience, I felt I like I could accomplish anything. The mere fact that by proposing a community litter clean-up, I saved my community from intense air and water pollution, made me feel like I could save the world. Not only does this experience show me that anything is possible, but it also influenced me to set goals that I initially thought were unachievable.

Someone please help !! I'll edit your essay ASAP.

Scholarship / Deporting Daniela; Bill Gates Scholarship; Treated unfair. [4]

Bill Gates Scholarship Essay #3: Due Jan 16th
In the history of America, there have been many forms of racial, ethnic, and gender discriminations. Since the 60's, most of these forms of discrimination have disappeared but some still linger. In my opinion, immigrants are a group of people who are still oppressed in the United States. Every day, Latinos, Africans, and other undocumented immigrants live in fear of being detained and deported. Because of their immigration status, these minority groups face low wage incomes, poor housing, and receive no government assistance.

I remember the day I saw the headline on CBS like it was yesterday. I recall almost crying when I heard it. Earlier this year, Daniela Pelaez, Miami high school valedictorian, with a 6.7 GPA was facing deportation because she was an illegal immigrant. Daniela had been in the United States since she was four years old. Everyone, including her principal, saw her as a good citizen and brilliant girl. Till this day, I still cannot wrap my head around why Daniela was being mistreated.

In spite of my boiling anger, I sought out to do something about this situation. I wrote letters to senators and representatives of my district and state to help stop the government from deporting Daniela. After 5 months, though I did not receive any responses, my heart and soul was at peace. President Barack Obama addressed the situation by amending the Dream Act policy to give undocumented immigrants (including Daniela and her sister) two years to future their education.

In my opinion, the Dream Act did not completely improve Daniela's situation, it only swept it under the rug for the moment. I do not know when this injustice will ever end. Right now, poor Daniela cannot even go to her dream university, Dartmouth College, because of her immigration status.

Deporting struggling illegal immigrants that mow our grass, clean our offices, and take care of our loved ones in the nursing homes is not only inhumane but is also nonsensical. Besides, everyone in the United States (except for Native Americans) is an immigrant! We all came from somewhere. If our great-grandfathers and great-grand mothers were deported when they first came to the U.S., we would not even be here. People label America as a "melting pot", meaning that we are a nation of different cultures. To me, what is the point of calling this nation "a land of opportunity" if we are deporting all the immigrants (law-abiding or not) out of the country and not giving them the opportunity to become citizens and to develop their potentials to make this nation better than it is for us all??

Please HELP!!