First-Gen Student Arturo M. Wins $10K Live Más Scholarship to Pursue Nursing Dreams
2025 Live Más Scholar and Taco Bell Team Member Arturo M is a first-generation college student with a strong desire to work in healthcare. His dream was shaped by personal experiences, especially watching his own family struggle with language barriers in medical settings.
“Growing up in Carbondale, Illinois, I often served as my parents’ translator, helping them communicate in situations where English was necessary. I especially helped during hospital visits, translating what doctors and nurses said. Eventually, I started assisting others in my community too, which deepened my commitment to helping people like me. On top of that, my summer internships at a local clinic only reinforced my passion for nursing.”
Last year, Arturo applied for—and earned—a $10,000 Live Más Scholarship, a major step toward fulfilling his goal of making a difference in healthcare.
“When I started at Taco Bell, my General Manager encouraged me to apply for the scholarship. I had never applied for anything this big before and honestly doubted myself, but I decided to go for it. A little while later, my GM called me and asked me to stop by after school for a Team Member activity. When I arrived, I was completely surprised—my family, friends, and coworkers were all there to celebrate that I had won. It was truly unforgettable.”
When asked what Action Over Words, one of Taco Bell’s core values, means to him, Arturo explained, “To me, it’s about standing up for those who can’t always speak for themselves. I’ve seen the challenges my parents faced living in a country where they didn’t know the main language. For me, Action Over Words means doing something meaningful to break down those barriers.”
Looking ahead, Arturo hopes to bring compassion, advocacy, and quality care to the healthcare field by being a voice for others. His message to those with similar struggles is simple but powerful: take the leap and follow your dreams—because true courage shows itself through action.
“Growing up in Carbondale, Illinois, I often served as my parents’ translator, helping them communicate in situations where English was necessary. I especially helped during hospital visits, translating what doctors and nurses said. Eventually, I started assisting others in my community too, which deepened my commitment to helping people like me. On top of that, my summer internships at a local clinic only reinforced my passion for nursing.”
Last year, Arturo applied for—and earned—a $10,000 Live Más Scholarship, a major step toward fulfilling his goal of making a difference in healthcare.
“When I started at Taco Bell, my General Manager encouraged me to apply for the scholarship. I had never applied for anything this big before and honestly doubted myself, but I decided to go for it. A little while later, my GM called me and asked me to stop by after school for a Team Member activity. When I arrived, I was completely surprised—my family, friends, and coworkers were all there to celebrate that I had won. It was truly unforgettable.”
When asked what Action Over Words, one of Taco Bell’s core values, means to him, Arturo explained, “To me, it’s about standing up for those who can’t always speak for themselves. I’ve seen the challenges my parents faced living in a country where they didn’t know the main language. For me, Action Over Words means doing something meaningful to break down those barriers.”
Looking ahead, Arturo hopes to bring compassion, advocacy, and quality care to the healthcare field by being a voice for others. His message to those with similar struggles is simple but powerful: take the leap and follow your dreams—because true courage shows itself through action.
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