Dear Exchange Club of East Dallas,
As the chapter of my first year at Texas A&M University ends, a new page leading to a
new chapter as a sophomore commences. I have learned many things as a freshman, but the
most important thing I have learned in my opinion is how to cope being far away from family
and having to fend for myself. Being the youngest child in the family and a first generation
college student, I have had to figure out and experience many things first hand without any prior
warning or advice.
Even though I was not fully prepared for my new independent life as a college student,
the transition was not as difficult or as exhausting as I imagined. I adapted quickly, and instead
of the failing grades that I expected, I passed my first semester with A's and my second semester
with A's and B's (the transcript is included with this e-mail),
The immense size of A&M helped me stay active because some of my classes were
pretty far from each other. One of my classes required a 40 minute walk which I did not mind at
all, judging by the way I really needed/need the exercise.
My goal to be a veterinarian has not changed. It is still as strong as it was if not stronger.
I am still striving hard, trying to make the best grades that 1 can and trying to make myself stand
out a little bit, even though with all the other Biomedical Science Majors it is proving quite
difficult but I can manage. Especially that right now I am taking all the weed out classes that
have been getting me tired but have not deterred my exciting goal that lies ahead.
This passing spring semester I have been more involved with the two organizations I am
a part of which are the Biomedical Science Association (BSA) and the Pre-Vet Society at Texas
A&M. Thanks to both organizations I am learning very helpful and very relevant information
regarding vet school and what they look for in an aspiring and applying future veterinarian.
As well thanks to both organizations I was allowed to volunteer in Texas A&M
University's annual Vet Open House, where the whole veterinary clinic is open to the public to
explore and see different animals. I did not manage to receive a position in the small animal
clinic but I sure had plenty of fun helping out in the large animal clinic. One moment that stayed
engraved into my brain was when the vet students asked a group of undergrads which I was a
part of to make a human wall. They were going to bring in fistulated cows--cows with a hole on
their left side by the rumen or stomach so that one can see inside and feel inside if they dare to.
They warned us that one of the cows kicked, but they told us to stand our ground. So the first
cow came in, a straight path directly into the room with no problems. The second cow was
actually the cow that kicked and she had more of a diagonal trajectory that she had to travel.
They managed to get her out of the trailer but she would not move any further. They stopped
pulling on her and she decided to start moving. At the sign of that they started running with her
to get her into her room as quickly as possible before she got loose because she was big, I did not
know that cows, especially dairy cows, Holsteins were that tall and big. She looked like a giant
to my petite not even 5 feet 2 inches height. When they stopped running to lead her into the
room she slid, and all the girls=-including me- that were acting as her human wall by her room
saw the hip of the gigantic cow coming towards us and we just backed up quickly before the cow
stampeded right through us. The people pulling her quickly got control and led her into the room
and strapped her in so she would not move. Besides my great experience with almost getting
stomped by a cow, I saw other cows, a mule, baby chicks, plenty of dogs, and various species of
horses.
I really enjoyed working with the animals, so to further my experience with animals and
veterinarians I am shadowing during the summer for 14 days, two days a week from May 15 to
June 29. I am learning many things, and the more I go the more I am enjoying it and the more
my mind tells me that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. The staff is amazing.
They are very polite and enthusiastic but they still keep their professional demeanor. I am still
intent on being a small animal veterinarian with the possibility of doing exotics.
I just want to take another moment and thank every single person that has contributed to
all of us Exchange Club of East Dallas Scholarship Recipients before, current, and after for your
immense help. This money to further my education and make someone of myself means so
much that I cannot even formulate the words and show my enormous gratitude for what all of
you have done for me. I am deeply indebt to all of you, and I thank all of you for what you are
helping me to achieve. Without your help, my dream, aspirations, and goals would not have
corne to fruition and I am elated that I can be someone and accomplish so much more.
Thank you!
Lorena Gutierrez