Hello, my name is Yara Herrera. I was born in Turlock, CA, but spent much of my childhood in Michoacán, Mexico. At eight years old, I returned to the United States with my sister to live with my dad. During that time, my main focus became learning to read, write, and speak English - a goal I was able to accomplish thanks to the support of my teachers and classmates.

I am currently attending UC Davis as a Political Science major and plan to double major in Agricultural Engineering. My passion for becoming a lawyer began in 5th grade, and since then, I have remained committed to that goal. However, during my sophomore year of high school, I joined a soil judging team through FFA, which sparked a new interest in Agricultural Engineering. This experience inspired me to pursue both fields and continue expanding my education.

Unfortunately, my family has been facing financial difficulties due to unavoidable circumstances. Last year, my half-sister, who lives in Mexico, was diagnosed with cancer, and much of our family’s income has gone toward her treatment. Because of this, I have been actively applying for as many scholarships as possible to help cover the cost of my education. Any support I receive would mean so much to me and my family as I work toward achieving my academic and career goals.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and consider my application.