There’s not a day goes by that Rueben Arellano doesn’t think back to the summer of 2022.
Arellano and seven other Iowa State University undergraduate students were participating in the Undergraduate Veterinary Internship Program (UVIP), a hands-on program which provided animal and veterinary experiences for underrepresented students.
“UVIP was my gateway into the veterinary world,” Arellano said. “The program really solidified my choice to become a veterinarian.”
Just a few days into the summer session, the program was met with tragedy when one of the other participants, Vivian Flores, was shot and killed while attempting to come to the aid of a friend at a local church.
As you can imagine, shock waves went through the students and the program.
“It was a struggle to continue after Vivian’s death,” Arellano said. “Even though we were early into the program, our cohort had really grown to become a family. When we lost Vivian, it was heartbreaking.
“Many of us had to take some days off to grieve and process what had happened. UVIP never truly felt the same without Vivian.”
The students did continue the program with the intention of learning about their desired profession. Arellano completed the program, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and was admitted to Iowa State’s College of Veterinary Medicine this past fall.
And something special happened – he was awarded the Vivian R. Flores Memorial Scholarship.
The scholarship was established by Vivian’s family and friends and was created “in remembrance of a beautiful person whose life was tragically taken too soon and to serve as inspiration and provide encouragement through the hardest of life’s journeys.”
“Receiving this scholarship, well, it feels as if Vivian is also looking back to those happy times we had as a UVIP family,” Arellano said. “I also see this award as encouragement to finish my pathway to becoming a veterinarian.
“I’m now not only doing this for myself and my family, but also for Vivian and her family.”
After he received the scholarship, Arellano sent a thank you note to Vivian’s family. He also sent along a few photos from that summer.
“The family seemed very excited that I received the scholarship, and they wished me the best on my vet school endeavors,” he said.
“That summer changed me. I learned to never take anything for granted and really try to enjoy all aspects of life.”
December 2024
