Extracurricular Activities
-Volunteering: Portland Night Strikes -Work: Panda Express
A Little Bit About Me
I was born and raised in a small town of Michoacán, Mexico. As I lived in a small town in a developing country, there were many things that I didn’t know. For example, I didn’t know what reliable transportation was or what it felt like to shower with a shower-head. I also didn’t know proper oral hygiene care. Yet, I did know one thing: I was curious. I moved to the United States at 9 years old. This new world offered me so many things, all at once. One of the most important things that was offered was access to education. I was able to become fluent in English in 5th grade, and after that, it felt like I had the whole world at my fingertips. I consider myself to be a reserved individual with an open mind. In a way, this is my way of clinging to my old life while adopting my new one.
Why I Chose Oregon Tech and My Major
I chose Oregon Tech for the known success of its alumni. I have met previous alumni of Oregon Tech; something I have noticed about them is their professionalism and grace. I wanted to practice my profession with the same presence as they practice theirs. I chose my major in order to be able to give back to my community; I want to enforce their trust in dental care and bring awareness to its importance.
My Influential Professors
While at Oregon Tech, I have witnessed what true love for the profession means. The Dental Hygiene program in Salem has the kindest and most knowledgeable instructors. One of my most influential instructors is Charisse Botsch. Charisse is kind and knowledgeable. Her influence is not limited to the classroom. Her vibrant attitude transcends the lives of her students and creates a general want to learn. Charisse influences me to be resilient and learn from my mistakes. One popular saying in my program is, “trust the process”. This is not hard to do when you are surrounded by individuals who will always guide you through the process.
My Greatest Learning Experience At Oregon Tech
One of the first things I noticed as I started the school year at Oregon Tech during the Fall of 2022 was the diversity found in my classroom. My classmates and I have different ethnicities and ways of living and thinking. My conversations with them have contributed to my increased level of awareness regarding attitudes and personalities. Oregon Tech focuses tremendously on the idea of teamwork. This is something that will pave my path towards creating stable connections and, therefore, a stable future.
My Plans After Graduation
After graduating from Oregon Tech, I have many plans for the future. I want to participate in community outreach programs and continue participating in volunteer work. This includes offering services in schools and through educational efforts. In addition, I plan to further my education. A world of continuous change requires continuous education. This will allow me to offer more services to my Hispanic community. In a way, the more education I obtain, the more they do too.