“My life has by no means been a smooth ride,” says Wichita native Luisa Salinas.
At the age of 4, the Newman University freshman’s father passed away in a car crash. This left her with “a strange hole that no one else my age seemed to have.”
“Little did I know that these early life experiences would soon manifest into mental health issues that I would begin battling by the time I hit middle school,” Luisa says.
“Although these weren’t the most joyful moments of my adolescence, I am forever grateful for my rough beginning because it helped mold me into the resilient individual I am today,” she shares. “Not to mention I have learned to celebrate every little success that comes my way because it demonstrates how far I have come from being that low self-esteemed girl I once was.”
Indeed, Luisa has come a long way. She recently received the Ascension Via Christi Volunteers, Partners in Caring Teen Scholarship in recognition of her volunteer work at Wichita’s Ascension Via Christi hospital.
Now at Newman, Luisa continues to live out her commitment to volunteering as an ASC Scholar. ASC Scholar Award recipients are required to complete 45 hours of volunteer service each semester with a not-for-profit.
“The honor of being named an ASC Scholar is incredibly meaningful to me because having my volunteer career be acknowledged by the global pillars of service that are the ASC sisters just re-instills in me that my help here on earth should last a lifetime,” she said.
Courtney Bell, who was Luisa’s college and career coordinator at Wichita High School South, wrote in her ASC Scholar letter of recommendation, “Luisa has many admirable traits, such as her selflessness, critical thinking skills, confidence, enthusiasm and inquisitive nature. Although these traits make her a person of character, what makes Luisa so remarkable is that she is a positive force of nature when her life did not begin that way. She is brave and optimistic with every new challenge she faces, not only succeeding in spite of these challenges, but choosing to be inspired from them.”
Luisa currently studies biomedical science at Newman, and plans to eventually attend medical school for pathology. Additionally, she hopes to get involved in Newman’s various organizations that suit her career and cultural interests, like the Newman University Medical Professions Club and Multicultural Leadership Organization.
“The main reason why I am so passionate about service is that it allows me to directly engage with the communities that I want to support and impact in some way,” she says. “Whether it be in the medical field, in homeless shelters or even completing simple civic duties like picking up trash, they all allow me to perform a service that holds near and dear to my heart.”
For more information on how you can support students like Luisa through your estate planning, please contact University Advancement at 316-942-4291 Ext 2163 or advancement@newmanu.edu.
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