One of the main factors that motivates Valeria is her desire to be a doctor for the purpose of helping others. The 1,000 Dreams Fund Scholarship recipient will be the first to admit that it has not been an easy path, as her own struggle with depression has been a battle she fights to this day. But, she’s doing so courageously — and it has only made her stronger and more resolved in her studies at the University of Kansas, where she’s majoring in biology.

What is your professional dream?

I dream to be a doctor. I am still not sure what kind of doctor, but I know I want to help people.

How will you use the 1,000 Dreams Scholarship?

I will use it to pay the balance I have left for the 2018-2019 school year.

How is this scholarship helping you get closer to your dream? 

It’s helping me financially. Without this scholarship, I probably wouldn’t be seeing my family because I’d be working all the time to pay for my tuition.

What advice do you have for other young women who are wanting to pursue their dreams?

Never give up. It will be hard and you will have setbacks. But, at the end of the day, what matters is how you feel, what you want, and what you want to do with your life. Nothing comes for free; nothing will be handed to you; and you have to fight to get what you want.

Have you had any setbacks? How did you move past them?

Yes, when I first started college, I also started a new medication for my depression and anxiety. But, I had a bad reaction and it made me even more depressed. I became suicidal, but I couldn’t tell my family because my brother was facing deportation and I didn’t want to burden them more. But I did get better, and I am still trying to get better. I have stopped taking medication and started doing things for myself.

What’s next for you? What is your next goal?

My goal is to keep going. I’m still just a freshman in college and I have a long road ahead of me. My goal is to keep my head held high and keep going.