# Grove Farm Scholar

## Michaela Alcaraz

2025 Grove Farm Scholar

**Michaela Alcaraz**  
**University of Hawaii, Mānoa** _Pre-Med_

### **What motto best describes your outlook on life?**

"You can do _anything_, but not _everything_." I would say my life’s outlook at the moment is generally pretty bright, knowing that I seem to have many desirable choices that I can make for myself. I just have to be careful to not end up doing too much at the cost of my overall health and well-being.

### **What has being awarded the Grove Farm Scholarship meant to you?**

Being awarded the Grove Farm Scholarship has meant a lot to me. It meant actually having the choice to become a full-time college student and unlocking many unique opportunities and experiences that I wouldn’t otherwise have. If it wasn’t for this scholarship program’s help, my ambitious goals and dreams that are tied closely with becoming a medical physician might be cast aside.

### **What have you learned about yourself while you’ve been away? / What did you miss the most?**

While I’ve been away, I’ve learned that I find it very hard to find a perfect mix of time that I dedicate to studying, volunteering, working, socializing, applying for more scholarships, and doing chores. I also learned that I still have a strong tendency to try out as many new things as possible and (eventually) successfully find activities I can do consistently that make me very happy and satisfied. The things I miss the most are: Fishing and watching TV with my parents, playing fetch with my dog, going out with my friends.

### **What drives you?**

Although it does feel like there isn’t enough time for every single thing I want to do, I am driven by the confidence that I can accomplish the things I need to do above all else, even if I don’t immediately see it yet. Another thing that keeps me leading my life with my head held high is the joy in knowing that I can always improve myself and become better than I was yesterday, therefore constantly growing my capacity to help and heal others.

### **What gives you hope for the future?**

There are a handful of things that give me hope for different aspects of the future! The Grove Farm Scholarship – and the many others I was fortunate enough to earn – gives me hope in the future in one way because it shows that there are a myriad of people within our community who are willing to invest in giving people like me a fighting chance to not only survive, but thrive, in this world. Another big personal thing that gives me hope for the future is having my gut feeling that the goodness I try to give to my community will compound well over time, not only just to return to me, but to reach more people.