A Push Forward Scholarship

After college, I hope to be in the beginnings of my career, or should I say my dreams coming true. In other words, after college, I hope to be a powerful female in the fashion industry handling strategic marketing for a high-quality brand. High-quality is key to our environment, and this especially applies to our wardrobes. I have the perseverance to become that, and I know that the same passion that I had as a little girl still lives inside of me. That is why I chose the Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles major at The University of Kentucky. I have high hopes to combine the fashion industry and bringing about change to the environment at the same time. With my marketing, I will be able to show the world the truth. I will spread the word about how the clothes that we wear are affecting our environment. I can do this while being an advocate for a better earth. The human cost of fast fashion is ultimately in definition, what humans are doing to obtain quick, and easy fashion. The human cost of fast fashion at a level of cheapness can result in environmental impacts around the world we live in. Fast fashion can impact the environment because of the ingredients and the fabrics used in the product that may not result in the best quality and become harmful to the environment to obtain such low-quality inclusions in fast fashion. Because I have seen what the toxins that go into fast fashion are doing to the environment, I will be a voice of change. With my position in marketing in the fashion industry, I will be an advocate and let people know which products are sustainable and a better selection for our earth. When it comes to fashion, it shouldn't be about the dollar. It should be about earth-friendly fashion and wearing cleaner branded clothes for our earth. This scholarship is an amazing way to give me push forward to get me where I'm going. I am already in debt of loans that equal up to $10,000, and this is just the beginning. I am serious about pursuing my dreams and going the educational route to do so. There is a heavy financial burden throughout this journey. This scholarship will eliminate me from taking out a larger amount of a loan than preferred. It can be estimated that the ending loan balance upon graduation is going to be near $25,000. That amount is something that I will struggle to come up with and maintain with my new adjustments. I have created a budget that spells out all estimated expenses for obtaining my degree. The budget plan breaks down an estimated total billable cost of $24,606 per academic year, including tuition, housing, and meal plans. The estimated non-billable cost totals $5,358 per academic year including books, travel, and personal supplies. This estimates to equal a cost of $29,964 per academic year. The income I will receive from my family is little to none. I am now on the uprising of becoming an independent young woman who must support herself financially and has an active role in keeping student debt to a minimum and this scholarship will get me closer to my goal.

Through volunteering, I’ve discovered that I have a passion for helping kids and want to play an important role in helping children become the best versions of themselves. I am the hard-working student I am today because of the foundation my elementary teachers built in me. They have inspired me to teach. I know the impact that they have made in my life. It is my hope that I will teach with that same fueling passion. I am inspired to pay it forward. Being a teacher gives me this opportunity. My career goal is to become an elementary school teacher. I want to attend the University of Kentucky to pursue a degree in Elementary Education. After I graduate, I plan to utilize my Elementary Education degree to help cultivate the minds of the youth. As an African American woman, I am excited about bringing more diversity to the education field. I want to impact children of all races to set a solid foundation for them. I want the children to remember the words that left such an impression on me, “you can be anything you want to be..”. I’ve learned from my father the importance of serving. My father left a corporate job to volunteer as an Associate Pastor at our church. Our church has found a way to pay my father a small amount (after a year of volunteering, but it is nothing in comparison to before). My parents don’t say much about it, but I know that the weight of keeping me active in organizations and getting me in college has to be on their minds. Being a recipient of this scholarship would be an honor and a blessing for not only myself but also for my parents. Furthermore, the scholarship would help me make my dream into reality and to fulfill the career goal I have for myself.