Essasy

My name is Katie Leon, I’m 18 years old and I aspire to change the outlook on mental health not only in
my country but in Latin America. From a young age I had many ambitions, one of them has always been
aspiring to become an advocate to change things not only in my community but in the world and
become an alley. Although I was only 13, I had a great desire to know how and want to help change
many things in my community. I learned that even if I didn’t have all the resources to help me triumph in
life, the only tool I needed was hard work, patience, and perseverance.

I come from a family of 4 including myself, I was the first born and with that came many expectations,
hopes, and dreams. Dreams to make my mother proud and guide others because of this overtime I
gained even higher expectations for myself. I was born and raised in Colorado Springs, later on I moved
to Panamá at the age of 14 where I came in touch with the culture and realities of my mother’s home
country. Panamá molded into the person I am today and was a huge factor in my journey. My mother
pushed me to be my best self ethically, and academically. From her I would learn what were the true
realities of life and hardships, what real sacrifice looked like as she worked a 5-9 job with complicated
schedules. Ease dropping and listening to my mother talk about how she had taken out 2 loans to pay
for our personal needs and schools, loans which she is still unable to pay. This made me push myself
more academically. Little did I know these events would dictate the course and journey of my life.

The little girl who would always intervene in debates and always have a million questions and arguments
to make in class. I was extremely talkative, and my teachers would have to constantly move me to avoid
me distracting the class, but I was a social butterfly with everyone. Anything that had “contest” included
in the title would call my name and I would always pursue it. I knew that I was competitive even though I
was young, I had always pushed myself for what I wanted and this trait would stay with me my entire
life. My overworked mother would proudly come to every award assembly I had and would gleam of
happiness as I took 3-5 awards for my outstanding abilities in different subjects.

Throughout my adolescent life I had tried everything from soccer to playing violin and even though I
demonstrated decent skills, my calling was always academics, but I would notice later I had something
more than a specialty for academics. I was always that friend that would give out advice, listen, and
comfort my friends. I would say I was extremely in touch with my emotions and instantly felt empathy
for others. I always felt the need to help and guide others. It was until I was in my 2 nd year of high school
when I realized that psychology was my calling. With my social skills and abundant empathy, it was my
dream job, therefore I was decided to pursue a degree in psychology. As I looked at the world around
myself and in my personal circle, it seemed mental health assistance was more of a privilege than a
right. I first handily struggled with depression and anxiety as many other people close to me also. I saw
so many people couldn’t afford therapy, or their families didn’t support them going to see a psychologist
seeing therapy as a taboo. I see it as one my career goals to be able to start a foundation for teens and
adults who do not have the economic stability to afford therapy and educate others on the importance
of mental health.

Walton scholarship is a great choice for me where I can fulfill my goals and purpose, I know that my
drive and ambition would allow me to fulfill my purpose of educating myself and later educating my own
community here in Panama, not only to bring knowledge to my country but meaningful lessons. I believe
I deserve this scholarship because I have genuine and achievable plans for my career that I know I can
only carry out through my studies. If I am fortunate enough to receive this scholarship, I will be one
hundred percent dedicated and committed to my studies, repaying Walton scholarship with being a
model student, supporting others, and ensuring I achieve my goals.