Gabriela Simmons

After moving to the United States from Mexico at the age of 5, I started kindergarten. I have loved math since I was a child and participated in chess, movies, international clubs and JROTC in high school. When I was in high school, I didn’t think I had a real chance to go to college. I looked around, but I could only see the dark future. Despite my AP credits, I couldn’t find a financial aid opportunity due to my immigration status.

I decided not to go on to college, but to enter the job market and support my family. I thought I could save enough for a community college, but over time, that dream seemed farther and farther away. Over time, my parents and I decided that going to college was the best for me. After searching and applying for, I was fortunate enough to receive The Dream.US Scholarship. I am currently studying to become a mechanical engineer at Christian Brothers University. I hope my family and the people who helped me can help me to be today. After graduating from college, I would like to get a job at and help develop new technologies that improve my life.