Santiago Prez-Roldn

Team Sauraman
09/07/2014
Personal Statement
When I was six, the world lost a leader, a disciple, a servant; I lost a father. Robbed, shot,
and killed, my father left me, but he did not leave me alone. In the short amount of time I spent with
him, my father greatly inspired me. He had already impacted my life and left a lasting impression,
which I seek to live up to.
When my father died, I found myself stepping into his shoes. He was a true leader among
our pueblo, friends, and family, and actively fought for the communitys well being. At the same
time, he was also a servant, doing any and all jobs despite how low or menial they were. The Bible
teaches servant-leadership, and my father, as a son of God and a disciple to His cause, made sure to
pass those lessons onto me. To this day, I aspire to serve my family and my community in his
memory and his image.
In 2002, I moved with my family to the United States, not knowing anything about the
country or its language. Despite the difficulties I had adapting, I continued to try and serve my
community. I became very involved in my high school through leadership positions and volunteer
work. I was president of various groups and clubs, treasurer of my class, and a very active member
of my schools SGA. I am also a regular volunteer at Little Sisters of the Poor and in my parish.
Through participating in youth group at my parish and Emergency Medical Services
(EMS), I have fulfilled many of my aspirations to be like my father. In youth group, I started out as
just a participant, but after that year I became more involved and gained more responsibilities. Now I
help plan events, am a peer leader in both the middle school and high school groups, and help run

Masses. I have even been asked by another parish to help start a youth group of its own. As an EMT,
I have made a difference in my community by helping out those most in need. Through volunteering
four-hour shifts on an ambulance, I have been able to fully dedicate myself to saving lives, and
gained experience in the medical profession. I consider both experiences as major accomplishments,
since they allowed me to develop qualities my father exemplified and grow as a person.
Because of my experiences, I want to enter the global medical field and promote world
health. Medicine is not just a local issue; the world has become a global community facing global
issues. Healthcare is evolving and it needs an international perspective, one that addresses important
problems with a global perspective and a sense of medicine and medical knowledge that can be used
in any emergency. My past experiences, such as my EMT training, and my ability to wield three
languages are the first step to achieving my goals. Added with the experiences and skills I will gain
in college, I will be ready to put my knowledge to the test and help the global community.
Hopefully, the words that described my father, now describe me. I have become a leader, a
disciple and a servant, by helping others, leading, and setting positive examples. By following in my
fathers footsteps, I hope to bring about meaningful work and change to many people around the
world.