• 2009 Dorothy Walker High Hopes Scholarship recipient
• University of California, Santa Cruz

• Fall 20009

My name is Brissa Mendoza and I am a freshman at UC Santa Cruz. I am currently undecided as to what I will major in, but I am interested in a wide range of subjects within the humanities. At the moment, I am considering majoring in either History, Art, Sociology, or Latin American/Latino Studies. History, the ideas and events that shaped the world at large, has fascinated me since elementary school. I think my interest in Sociology stemmed from that as I got older, as did my interest in Latin American/Latino Studies. Latin American/Latino Studies appeals to me specifically because I am interested in the history of my ancestry and my culture. Lastly, Art has been a passion and a great outlet for me my whole life, and it would be amazing to be able to cultivate my skills and pursue a career that allows me to be creative.

In the end, I hope whatever career path I choose allows me to help others in need and enact some form of positive social change. Outside of the classroom, I have always loved volunteering which is why I was a member of the Habitat for Humanity Club as well as the Helping English Learners Progress Club in high school. I was able to continue to give back to my community by joining Praxis, a service group at UCSC. At each weekly meeting, we learn more about local and global issues (from the devastating state New Orleans is still in to local poverty) and we have volunteer projects the following weekend that reflect what we learned about. Joining Praxis has been one of the best choices I have made in college so far, and I thoroughly enjoy being around people who are as enthusiastic about giving back as I am.