The name RELEVANCE wasn’t chosen lightly. It comes from a belief I hold closely: that everything we experience—both the pain and the joy, the chaos and the calm—is relevant. Every moment we survive, every challenge we overcome, every scar we carry, contributes to the person we are becoming. I believe that nothing we go through is wasted. Life’s struggles—especially the ones we never asked for—can teach us strength, compassion, resilience, and perspective that can’t be learned any other way. These experiences, no matter how difficult, are not setbacks; they are soil for growth. They are relevant to our purpose, our potential, and our power. This scholarship exists to honor that truth. It is for those who’ve been through the fire and chose not to burn, but to build. For those who carry burdens they never deserved, but still show up—with heart, hunger, and hope. For those who come from single-parent homes, unstable environments, and still find a way to move forward, to heal, to learn, and to lead. We must stop seeing people’s pasts as liabilities and start recognizing them as foundations. Every “beast” life throws at us has the potential to reveal a deeper beauty. This scholarship is here to say: You are relevant. Your journey is relevant. And your future is worth investing in.