Hi! My name is Sienna Mascareñaz,

...and I am honored to be recognized as a 2024 Grossman Scholar. This fall, I plan to study biochemistry on a pre-medicine track at Colorado State University.

I am fascinated by the power of science to explain the complexities of our world. This has inspired me to pursue a career in medicine and study biochemistry at CSU. As I move on to the next chapter of my life, I want to become an advocate for equity within our healthcare systems. Specifically, I would like to focus on expanding the accessibility of medical care to migrant farmworkers and disadvantaged communities. Often, such groups' ailments are solely considered problems that need to be solved rather than addressed within the context of such individuals' working and living situations. Pesticides and prolonged labor hours impact the health of these individuals detrimentally, and this continues to be overlooked. Not only do I plan to act as a physician to offer medical care to these groups and advocate for whole-person medical care, but I also hope to use my background in science to join in on research and development of agricultural pest control. It is a goal of mine that I may be able to join in on the development of pest control methods that are less harmful to farmworkers and the environment than what is currently on the market. Beyond this, educating farm owners and individuals in the agriculture industry will be a quintessential step in expanding human-conscious, sustainable farming methods. Ultimately, I am excited about pursuing a career focused on sustainability, inclusion, and equity through health advocacy.

Thanks to the Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Cairn program, I have already begun to advocate for the change I wish to see in my community. Through this program, I have gained exposure to various non-profit organizations, including the High Plains Environmental Center and The Urban Farm, that exemplify the power of sustainable horticulture practices. For both organizations, equity, and inclusivity are central to their programming, and volunteering on projects with them and numerous other organizations throughout the state inspires me to pursue a career centered around achieving equity and inclusivity in healthcare and agriculture. The Cairn program has taught me how to be an advocate for change through action and informed me of our collective strength when we work with others to care for natural resources. By virtue of my parents and my rich ancestral line of immigrants, some of whom worked harvesting sugar beets in the Rocky Mountain region in the late 1800s, living in awareness of the environment and those who nurtured this land before me are values that remain central to who I am. Cairn has supported me in upholding these values by allowing me to become a steward of our environment. Moving forward, I plan to continue advocating for change by becoming involved in student organizations, prioritizing outdoor stewardship, promoting sustainable living practices, and setting aside time to give back to my community by volunteering with VOC and similar organizations throughout the state.

I am deeply grateful for the significant financial relief this scholarship will offer my family and myself. I am proud to be a member of the vast network of individuals involved with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. This community inspires me to remain curious and believe in what is possible when people come together to create change. As I look forward to this next chapter of my life, I have established the personal pillar of prioritizing caring for the environment. I am excited about where this will take me and remain optimistic about the future of our environment at the hands of my generation.