Vickie Drum Memorial Scholarship

The moment I first held my daughter as a middle school student, I felt a mixture of fear, love, and determination that would shape the rest of my life. At an age when most children are thinking about school dances or after-school activities, I was learning how to care for a newborn. Becoming a teen mother was not part of the plan I imagined for myself, and it is not a decision I look back on with pride. However, it is a part of my story that taught me strength, resilience, and the power of God’s protection and grace. Even when I felt unprepared, lost, or overwhelmed, I now know that God was guiding me, shaping me, and preparing me for a future far greater than I could see at the time. By the time I graduated high school, I was a mother of two. While many of my classmates were planning their first year of college, I stepped directly into adult responsibilities. I tried to manage the pressures of motherhood and young adulthood at the same time, and in the process, I lost myself for a while. I drifted away from my goals, battled depression, and struggled to believe that I could still build a successful future. But through every difficult moment, my children remained my inspiration. They may not have understood the storms I faced, but their love and presence kept me grounded. They saw me push through exhaustion, heartbreak, and uncertainty, and they unknowingly became the greatest source of my strength. Determined to reclaim my future, I returned to school with a renewed sense of purpose. Today, as a North Carolina undergraduate student at SNHU, I proudly maintain a 3.9 GPA. I am also a first-generation college student for both sides of my family. Achieving my bachelor’s degree means more than personal accomplishment, it represents breaking cycles, building new opportunities, and showing my children that circumstances do not define destiny. As a single mother raising two amazing, respectful, and bright children on my own, I work every day to show them the power of faith, discipline, and perseverance. This scholarship would provide essential support for my educational journey. College is not cheap, and every resource I receive lightens the burden and brings me one step closer to reaching my goals. I want my children to see firsthand that with hard work, faith, and determination, anything is possible. I want them to know that the choice to change your life will always be yours and that with God’s guidance and a willing heart, you can rise above any challenge. Thank you for considering my story, my journey, and my commitment to building a better future for my family.

Being a mother of two special needs children and a full-time student isn’t just challenging—it’s a constant balancing act. With a 1-year-old, 2-year-old, and 6-year-old, my days are filled with speech therapy appointments, occupational therapy, IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meetings, and trying to make sure everything runs smoothly at home. On top of that, I’m working full-time, volunteering at my son’s school, and pursuing my degree. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Every day I am reminded that I am not just doing this for myself—I’m doing this for my children and for the future we’re building together. I am a first-generation college student, and breaking that generational stronghold is a driving force behind everything I do. My parents never had the opportunity to pursue higher education, and I know that my children will be watching every step I take. I want to show them that no dream is out of reach, no matter where you start or what challenges you face. By getting this degree, I am giving them the gift of possibility—a better chance at creating their own futures. I use project management tools like Asana to manage my schedule, keeping track of everything from therapy sessions to school deadlines to family goals. Running my family like a project manager has become second nature to me, and these organizational skills transfer directly into my school life. I approach each assignment with the same focus and determination I give to managing my children’s needs. There is no room for error, and every minute counts. Parenthood, especially raising children with special needs, has made me incredibly resourceful. It has taught me how to prioritize, how to advocate for my children during IEP meetings, and how to stay committed to my own goals while meeting my family’s needs. Volunteering at my son’s school has also allowed me to be more present in his education and stay connected to his journey, which motivates me to push forward in my own. It’s not just about juggling schedules—it’s about creating a life that shows my children the value of perseverance, hard work, and the importance of pursuing your dreams, no matter the obstacles. Every class I attend, every paper I write, and every deadline I meet is not just a step toward my own future—it’s a way of showing my kids what it looks like to rise above challenges. I want them to see that it’s possible to balance life’s hardest moments with your greatest aspirations. Being a parent has only strengthened my resolve to succeed, and I know that the lessons I’m learning now will be the ones I pass on to my children as they grow.

I never gave much thought to furthering my education until I had my daughter. When I was pregnant, I wanted to give her more in life. I wanted to provide for her and be able to support and inspire her. I applied for college when I was 7 months pregnant and I thought, "This is going to be so easy. I'll do online schooling when she sleeps or when my husband is home to give me a break." I didn't know how hard it really would be. PPD hit me hard. I was exhausted and breastfeeding made it so my husband couldn't help with her feedings. What was once fun and easy for me turned into a difficult hassle. I came so close to quitting and finding a different career to pursue. After going back and forth on this and praying upon it, peace finally came. I imagined being miserable in a job I didn't enjoy and thinking about the regret I would feel if I quit now. I imagined in the future my daughter asking me if this is what I always wanted to be and I either had to lie to her or word it in a way that didn't make her feel guilty. I want my daughter to know that through God and determination, anything is possible. There is so much money that goes into continuing your education. You have your tuition obviously but there’s also the little costs. Money that doesn't seem like a lot, but it adds up over time. Gas, notebooks, pens, textbooks, laptops, internet, and so forth. When parents go back to school, that number jumps tremendously. You need to find a safe and reliable daycare if you don't have a family village to help out. You spend time fighting over doing schoolwork or spending time with your children. You also struggle with the guilt of leaving your child with someone else. You can tell yourself that it’s just temporary, but there are moments you won’t get back. Even though I am basically living paycheck to paycheck, I get the chance to stay home with my daughter. Money isn’t everything, which is why I decided to go to college part-time. It may take longer and cost more, but she is my main priority now. Being a parent made it easy for me to push on and not give up. I still struggle with being in school part-time, working part-time, and being a full-time parent. My husband works two jobs to keep us afloat, but I know that when I finish and get my degree he won't have to work as hard. We can make decent money and set a good example for our daughter. It would be an honor to win this scholarship because every dollar counts. Every scholarship that I win is less hours that I will have to spend at a job away from my daughter. Every scholarship, no matter how big or small, will make a tremendous difference in our lives. I appreciate the opportunity to be able to apply for this scholarship. I admire your caring soul and I aspire to be able to sponsor future college students as well. Thank you and God bless.

I gave birth to a lovely boy called Ezekiel on April 16th, 2022. He would significantly change every aspect of my everyday existence and encourage me to develop into the finest version of myself. He had given my life a brand-new purpose. Although I love watching my son develop and grow, I find it bittersweet to be saying goodbye to his babyhood and moving closer to toddlerhood. And although being a mother often required me to make sacrifices, I discovered that I wasn't willing to compromise my education. I am constantly striving to be a better person for my son, who serves as my inspiration. I want to be a mother he can be proud of, a mother who always puts him first, and someone he looks up to. He inspires me to become a better person. Every day, whether it be me learning about organizational behavior or my son learning how to walk, my son and I both learn and develop. After becoming a mother, I came to understand my genuine motivation for going to graduate school and the objectives I can achieve in life. I adore my son more than anything in the world. He is my favorite person to tell stories to, sing and dance with, and he serves as both my inspiration and my favorite person. He has shown me how to push past my limitations and aim high in life while taking risks. As adults, we have a lot to gain from our children. Because they depend on us as individuals to breathe and strive into the state of chaos as we develop patience in life. We discover how to live in the present, where they are. We develop a sense of appreciation for the little things, such as watching Ms.Rachel, taking a bubble bath, or even the smallest things like swinging and watching the birds. My son's sense of purpose in working toward his goals, such as walking and talking, inspires me. Perhaps he doesn't fear failure as much as adults do like me. However, I might benefit from a little more innocent determination and less self-criticism. I would like him to see me and be motivated by me to do his best in life. To witness a person that feels confident in herself, doesn't mind stepping outside of her zone of security, isn't flawless but is doing everything she can to have her greatest life, even when I'm exhausted or disheartened by disappointments; who still aspirations and isn't scared to go for them at all times.