Meet the UCF Helios Pathway Scholars
Casey Cuellar
University of Central Florida, Entertainment Management
For many, the path to college is straightforward – exit high school and enter college with a plan or a dream for the future. But not me. Having an older sibling go to school ill-prepared for the financial burden and realizing that our family hadn’t equipped us with knowledge about scholarships or planning for life after high school, I never saw higher education as a real option for myself.
I started working my junior year of high school and convinced myself that college wasn’t for me because – I was already set and didn’t see the benefit. Fast forward to age 25 with a family of my own and out of a career at that point by at least 4 years. That was my turning point. I realized I needed to take control and create the future I wanted.
With only one income supporting our household, I was terrified of the possibility of needing to go in to debt to pursue a college degree and pursue an education to explore a field I was passionate about. Over the past four years I have juggled being a mother, a wife, and a student—learning how to apply for scholarships and managing college courses, all while raising two young children and balancing my time between school and home life. Now I’m in the final steps to earning my degree in Entertainment Management.
Aaron Lewis Espinosa
University of Central Florida, Nursing
My education journey has been one of both hardships and triumphs. I grew up in Miami, where I excelled in elementary and middle school with little difficulty. However, in 9th grade, I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, starting mid-year at a brand-new school in an unfamiliar city. Adjusting to a different school format was challenging, but I quickly caught up.
My real challenges began when I started college. At first, I struggled with choosing a major, unsure of what path to take, which led to a loss of motivation. Fortunately, I decided to follow my passion and explore a career in healthcare. Enrolling in Anatomy and Physiology I with Professor DeStefano was a turning point. That class introduced me to the true meaning of academic rigor and the satisfaction of overcoming a difficult subject. Professor DeStefano, a dedicated podiatrist with a deep passion for the human body, passed that enthusiasm on to me.
This scholarship will help me take the next step in my career, allowing me to pursue my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and begin a journey of helping those in need. It will also fulfill my passion for continuous learning and professional growth.
Stephanie Fuentes
University of Central Florida, English Literature
Growing up in Miami, Florida my education came from under-resourced schools that struggled to support their students. I remember using outdated and ripped textbooks, experiencing overcrowding within the classrooms, and teachers doing their best with limited resources.
After leaving Miami-Dade County and moving to Orange County in Orlando, Florida, I experienced first-hand what it meant to value a good education. Despite my efforts, I was behind other students in subjects like math, and being from a single-parent household, I couldn’t afford tutors to help me catch up. At times, it felt as if I would never get ahead, yet I refused to give up.
I changed my perspective and increased my effort. I taught myself that regardless of the school I attended or the teachers I was assigned to, it would be my ambition and drive that truly made a difference. Now, as the first member of my immediate family to pursue a high-level college degree, I will work even harder to overcome any challenge.
Kassandra Mccombs
University of Central Florida, Environmental Science
Two hundred and fifty words could never be enough to explain how the challenges of a low-income household, ADHD, and chronic illness have shaped my educational journey throughout the years. What I can say is – I never fell behind. It was difficult to keep up at times, but my parents always prioritized my education.
I was an avid reader early on and dreamed of becoming an author. During the pandemic, I leaned into my creativity, writing often. In my senior year of high school, I took mostly English and art classes while working full time as a manager – and even as a preschool teacher. At the same time, I was battling worsening pain, fatigue, and burnout. Naturally, writing became a chore.
I can’t pinpoint why I decided to officially change my career path, although I credit the spiritual women in my family who taught me at a young age to be mindful and respect nature. On a whim, I switched my area of study to environmental science. I couldn’t have made a better decision. I’ve become particularly interested in the botanical side of biology, utilizing my writing skills for research papers.
I know my struggles aren’t over. Even as my health worsens, I will never take my journey for granted. I have used every traumatic aspect of my life as a steppingstone to build my future. I have made sure I stay aligned with my education, no matter what.
Sebastian Torres
University of Central Florida, Computer Science
College is a whole different ball game. From picking the wrong professors and sitting through mind-numbing lectures to tackling multiple essays over holiday breaks, college has pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to become more responsible—not just as a student, but as a person.
I’ll be graduating a semester early with my associate degree and 90% of my prerequisite completed for a bachelor’s in computer science, which I'm very proud of. But I'd be lying if I said this was on purpose. Not knowing how my classes would be covered by financial aid, I decided to take extra classes. Long story short, in my last semester, I needed to take 17 credits, which included Calculus II and Physics with Lab, or else I would lose all my aid. This put a huge weight on my shoulders.
Earning this bachelor's degree means more to me than just completing a four-year degree program. It is proof of the faith my parents placed in me when they fought tooth and nail to immigrate to the U.S. to give me a better life. It will give me access to career opportunities to pay back their innumerable efforts.