Hello everyone! My name is Gabriela Aguilar. I am a 2021 KHEDF Scholar. 

I recently graduated from Wichita State University and earned a Bachelors of Arts in Exercise Science with summa cum laude distinction and an Honors Interdisciplinary Track. I was also blessed to be awarded as a senior honor recipient and as an outstanding graduating senior within my college.
Throughout my time at Wichita State, I struggled on finding my passion. During one of my late nights of studying, my mom told me to quickly dress up so we could head to my neighbor’s house. My neighbor told me she felt cold, like death was coming. I figured she had hypotension based on the blood pressure cuff and electrolyte drinks in her room. I quickly grabbed a few warm towels, lightly massaged her muscles, and provided her with a warm drink to improve her blood flow. Thanks to my education at WSU, I was able to save my neighbor. This moment solidified my dedication to the medical field.
I am the proud daughter of 2 lovely parents who helped me discover my love for the medical field. Their values of hospitality, creativity, generosity, and integrity were instilled in my life. With these values, I hope to advocate for the health of the underserved Wichita community as a future physician associate by developing an open and comfortable environment for patients while promoting healthy lifestyles with my background in exercise science. With the support from KHEDF, I became a determined leader within my study program by appearing on the Dean’s Honor Roll for every semester I was in college, originating the Exercise Science Honors Departmental Honors Track at WSU, and serving as the Human Performance Studies Undergraduate Representative on the WSU CAS Strategic Planning Task Force. I plan to continue studying exercise science at Wichita State University and earn a Masters of Arts while working as a graduate research assistant for Alce Su Voz. I would like to thank KHEDF for giving me the confidence to take risks and step outside my comfort zone. Without them, I would not have reached my leadership excellence. Thank you to Cathy and Denise for granting me the opportunity to improve the health of our community at Salud Mas Bienestar . I would also like to thank my family for their endless love and support. I am truly blessed to have them in my life. Gracias a mi familia por darme una vida tan hermosa. Este premio es para mi mamá y mi papá. Gracias.

Hola! My name is Yarid, I was born in Chihuahua MX, I am an undocumented junior at Wichita State University getting a degree in integrated marketing communications. Thank you to KHEDF for all the work you do in the community. You mean so much to many current and upcoming students and community partners.

I’m really excited and thankful to be one of two chosen for the Outstanding Scholar Award. When I chose to apply for this and it was basically open ended, like “write about yourself.” I didn't know where to start, but since becoming a KHEDF scholar in 2021, I’ve had the privilege of working with countless K-12 students in the USD259 district through volunteering and reading programs, and by helping to facilitate a summer bridge program, Herencia, for high school juniors to learn about their cultural identities. I’ve been fortunate enough to have my education paid in full through my Shocker Adelante scholarship.I experienced a semester in New Jersey where I was able to apply the skills I learned in Wichita to a whole new environment. I've been a peer mentor to freshmen, who I now see as mentors themselves and in leadership roles. I've held jobs, even multiple jobs at once, while still being a student and maintiained being on honor roll at school. I've formed solid relationships with so many important people who care for my success and believe in me. I’m really listing these cause Nayeli Cano, scholarship manager at KHEDF *round of applause for ha* told me to not be humble, per her text “you didn’t get this award by just chillin’” and she’s right. I’m very passionate about all the work I’ve done and do, working alongside incredible people that inspire me. For a lot of my life, benchmarks were given to me, elementary school then 8th grade graduation then high school then college. And now, a lot of things feel like limbo, not wanting to be considered a youngster but also not wanting to step into adulthood. It’s so weird. But like I’ve been told ever since my freshman year by Nayeli Cano, I learn to find comfort in my discomfort and wisdom in my unknowingness . My story is never ending, our story is always building on top of itself and Todos los dichos that we’ve been told our whole life start to make a little more sense and the community around me, like KHEDF, the Camarena’s, my family & mentors, Financial aid office at Wichita State and countless others continue to shape me into a little more of a confident 21 year old ready to take on the world. Thank you.

"We believe education is one of the most important aspects of success for a person. We are committed to ensure that our Hispanic youth have every opportunity to pursue a post-secondary education and want to help make a difference in the lives of the student and family, as well as, the community-at-large. It is our responsibility as members of a community to help improve the lives of all its citizens, in doing so we improve our own."