Mariah Moreno
B.S., summa cum laude, Diagnostic Ultrasound, 2021
“At first I let my past hold me back from dreaming big, but now I use it as a force to propel me forward.”
Notable: First-generation student
Civility Research Project: Breaking Barriers to Treat Depression and Anxiety
Transfer Institution: Olympic College, Associate of Arts, 2019
Service & Work:
Harrison Medical Center, Volunteer, 2017–2018
MESA, Member, 2017–2019
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
Awards & Honors:
Member, Tau Sigma Honor Society
Alfie Scholars Cohort 2019
MESA Academic Scholarship 2019
Herbert H. Goodman Academic Scholarship 2018
Mariah’s Story
I was born in Texas; I lived there for a few short years with my mother and younger brother before our family began to move around the country. My mother moved us so often because she was in a constant battle to make enough money to pay for our rent, food, and clothes. She did her best to support us, even though she struggled with mental health disorders. I had lived in ten states by the time I entered high school. Changing schools this many times was hard on me; it negatively impacted my education and social skills. In 2007 my family finally stopped moving states and settled in Utah. With this new-found stability I was able to step out of my comfort zone. I began to build my confidence by making a few close friends and joining clubs in high school. Although I enjoyed the social experience of high school, some of the classes were challenging for me. I told myself I wasn’t a smart student. I did not envision myself completing a college degree. I was intimidated by higher education and I did not have any role models who had attended college in my family. I let my fear of the unknown hold me back from pursuing college after high school graduation.
Then in 2016, three years after I graduated from high school, my life changed drastically when my boyfriend and I moved to Washington from Utah. Living in this beautiful state gave me the fresh start I needed. I began working full time as a nanny for a wonderful family in Poulsbo. My boss, also my mentor and role model, inspired me to push myself harder than I ever had before. Although I was nervous to fail, in January of 2017, I enrolled at the local community college and began the journey of achieving my educational goals of becoming a medical professional.
In the beginning, I was a part time student, taking one class per quarter at Olympic College. I did not want to overwhelm myself with too many classes; I was also working 40 hours a week as nanny. The following year I started to take three to four classes per quarter on top of working full time and even endured a two-hour commute three nights a week for six months to complete two prerequisite physics classes. I am proud to say after all the work, time, and sacrifice I have put in, I am closer than ever to achieving my goals. In addition to working and being a full-time student, I also volunteered at Harrison Medical Center. This experience opened my eyes to the many rewarding careers the medical field has to offer. Working with patients there as a nursing aid volunteer fulfilled my desire to serve and help others. Shadowing helped me discover my interest in Sonography, specifically Pediatric Echocardiography.
All of the hardships I faced as a child shaped me into who I am today: a strong, determined, and caring person. At first I let my past hold me back from dreaming big, but now I use it as a force to propel me forward. I am proud of myself for all I have accomplished so far. I am the first person in my family to earn an associate’s degree, and I will be the first one to receive a bachelor’s degree. I look forward to the day I will graduate from Seattle University. I cannot wait to meet the many patients I will serve in my future career as a Sonographer. I hope that by sharing my story I can be a positive role model for people who are going through, or have been through, similar experiences to mine
Goals:
My most immediate goal is to graduate from Seattle University’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. I will be the first in my family to receive a bachelor’s degree. Achieving this will not only be an important milestone for myself, but it also will set an example for my younger brother and many other young adults like me, inspiring them to pursue a college education. After graduation, I hope to work as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer with a specialty in Echocardiography. I intend to utilize my strengths to serve patients as a medical professional and make a positive impact on them. I am a kind, empathetic, and nurturing person who is the happiest when I am able to serve others. My life’s purpose is to give back to those in need and to be a part of something bigger than myself.
On Civility:
Civility means considering others before yourself and knowing you have the ability to make a positive impact in this world every day by treating your neighbor with kindness and respect. It is understanding that we are all equally important and deserving of the same rights no matter what race, gender, or age you are. Civility is compassion, justice, and honesty; and it is something we are all capable of.
