Adam Montes Pride Scholarship

From the moment I could write my name, I’ve been drafting a story of ambition. My single father instilled in me the value of hard work from a young age. “Alex,” he sat me down at age five and said, “you get all A’s!” His belief in my potential made education fun and exciting. School was the best! Throughout high school, I have earned a 4.26 GPA, a 31 ACT score, several AP credits, and held leadership roles as president of multiple clubs. These achievements aren’t just numbers on paper—they’re the prologue of my story. This love of education coupled with being gay and trans (and being a generally strange kid) led to several years of ostrisization. Growing up as a trans guy in the Deep South was not exactly a cake walk. That all changed when I joined my school’s theater program as a freshman. Theater gave me my voice when the world convinced me I had none. My weirdness was embraced, and my peers’ kindness gave me the courage to embrace that weirdness too. From there, my love for the arts was reborn: music, painting, sketching, writing— crafts that have followed me since childhood-- became new horizons to explore. And through that exploration, I found my true calling: storytelling. Creative writing, particularly dramatic writing, became my lifeline. Stories have the power to make people feel seen, to elevate voices that are too often silenced. I want to tell those stories. Writing isn’t just my dream; it’s my purpose. That’s why getting accepted into NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts to study dramatic writing was a dream realized. At Tisch, I plan to pursue a BFA in dramatic writing, followed by an MFA, with a minor in psychology to deepen my understanding of human behavior. I want to not only craft compelling narratives but also create spaces where queer and marginalized communities see their experiences honored and valued. Achieving this goal isn’t easy—especially as a first-generation college student with financial hurdles. My dad works multiple jobs to support me, but scholarships like this one are essential to making my dream a reality. I have never been afraid of hard work, and I am prepared to bring the same determination to NYU. I have a dream to revolutionize the entertainment industry by creating stories that reflect the beautiful diversity of human experience. As a transgender writer from the Deep South, I understand the power of representation firsthand. I want to ensure that others like me—those who feel out of place or unseen—find hope and inspiration through the stories I tell. This scholarship would be more than financial aid; it would be an investment in a future where queer voices aren’t just included but celebrated. With your support, I will continue to write, create, and inspire. I will take what I’ve learned from my roots in Alabama and build a life in New York that helps others embrace their awesome weirdness, one story at a time.

Scholarship Essay: Leading with Identity, Living with Purpose I'm Roderick Hope, and there’s one thing I’ve learned on this journey, it’s that being different is not a disadvantage—it’s a gift. As a Black, LGBTQ+, first-generation college student living with chronic illness and financial hardship, I’ve faced more than my share of challenges. But it’s those very challenges that have shaped my resilience, sharpened my purpose, and defined what makes me uniquely me. What sets me apart is the intersection of my identities and the path I’ve walked. I am currently pursuing my second bachelor’s degree—a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a concentration in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination—at Southern New Hampshire University, where I maintain a 3.87 GPA. I previously earned a degree in Business Management and an associate degree in Business Administration, and I work full-time as a Client Services Supervisor, supporting people across the country. On top of that, I’m a single father to a 17-year-old high school junior and currently undergo home hemodialysis treatments five days a week while awaiting a kidney transplant. None of this has come easy. I’ve had to navigate every step without a blueprint. Growing up, no one in my family had gone to college. I didn’t know how to apply for financial aid, what classes to take, or what career path to follow. But what I lacked in guidance, I made up for in grit. I learned to juggle work, school, and parenting—often with little sleep and even fewer resources—because I knew the future I wanted for myself and my son was worth fighting for. As an LGBTQ+ individual, I’ve often felt like the “only” or the “other”—especially in academic and professional spaces. But instead of shrinking myself to fit into systems not built for people like me, I’ve embraced who I am with pride. My identity gives me a unique lens of empathy, justice, and inclusion that fuels everything I do. Whether I’m advocating for fair treatment of clients at work or volunteering through the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to provide free tax preparation to underserved communities, I bring my full self to the table—unapologetically. I believe in turning pain into purpose. During the pandemic, I worked with a state unemployment agency where I witnessed the devastating effects of fraud and financial exploitation on vulnerable families. I experienced it personally when someone used my son’s identity to file a fraudulent tax return. These moments inspired me to pursue a career in forensic accounting—so I could help build systems of accountability and protection, especially for marginalized groups. What makes me a strong candidate for this scholarship is not just the obstacles I’ve overcome, but the vision I carry forward. I hope to work in public service, ideally within my municipal government’s finance division, where I can ensure that public resources are managed with integrity and transparency. I also want to mentor other LGBTQ+ and first-gen students, offering the guidance I never had and helping them see that who they are is their greatest strength—not something to hide. Adam Montes dedicated his life to education and supporting others in their growth. His legacy resonates deeply with me. I, too, am committed to lifting others up—not despite my struggles, but because of them. This scholarship would provide crucial financial support in my ongoing journey, but more than that, it would be a powerful affirmation that my identity, my story, and my impact matter. Thank you for considering me. I hope to honor Adam’s legacy by continuing to live authentically, serve boldly, and create space for others to do the same.

My father's parents came to the United States from Latin America: his mother moved at the age of sixteen from Mexico and his father at the age of nine from Costa Rica; They moved with absolutely nothing, surviving primarily off of welfare and food stamps for a decent portion of their time in the States. These struggling times are especially reflected in my father, who was mistreated greatly and unfortunately was not strong enough to break the chains of generational trauma in our family; sadly, I have also faced the brunt of generational trauma due to my dad's mistreatment, further motivating me to strive for a better life and aim for a higher education in order to break the chain and create a safer environment for my younger relatives. I also grew up in a heavily gentrified area, making it difficult for even my middle class family to stay afloat. My area is also incredibly diverse, allowing me to be exposed to countless experiences, ideas, cultures, and problems within communities from marginalized peers, especially my Hispanic peers. I want to attend college to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration; however, my primary goal is to enter the marketing field as a Media Buyer/Planner. I would primarily like to pay for college myself, as my parents currently do not have the money to help fund me. However, through my college research and endeavors, I have found that the road to payment for college is similar to a hotel: littered with traps of extra fees for every little thing. Even the cheapest universities in this nation are riddled with mandatory fees which should not even exist. I personally do not have enough money for my brave venture, but I do have enough drive for the task. The reason why I want to enter the business world is so I can aid in closing the gap in the business field, as well as bringing forth new ideas stemming from disadvantaged communities. I am a woman, lesbian, Hispanic, and non-binary – you don’t see many people like me, if any, in high-ranking positions in any industry, and even less so in the business world with its hyper-masculinity. Gaining a Bachelor’s Degree will help me get a step closer to breaking the odds and leveling the playing field in the business world, as well as possibly inspiring many people just like me to enter said world; I would love to be a role model for such underrepresented demographics, as I needed a role model like me growing up dealing with the trials of being “different.” Through many thoughtful discussions with my non-white Hispanic peers, however, I have learned that though my struggles with my identity are valid, I still have advantages due to my pale complexion; I've learned that my non-white peers essentially need to be conscious at all times of much more seemingly "insignificant" matters, matters I never even considered issues until they were brought to my attention. Through these insightful discussions, my non-white companions have taught me true empathy, and have shown me that I can use my societal advantages to give voice to their ideas for them, hence why I want to go into the business world and make the environment even just a little bit better in honor of them. Marginalized voices are just as, if not more important in our modern day; their voices deserve to be heard, and I would like to be their honorary speaker. I will do everything in my power to create a better future for others no matter what.

Art has always been a passion of mine. Before I could even walk, I had a pencil clutched in my fingers and any surface within reach was to become my work of Art. Walls, doors, toys, though my favorite was the interior of my mother’s car. As irritating as that must have been, she supported my creativity. This early passion for art has led me to my dream of becoming an art teacher, where I can inspire and nurture creativity in our youth. Being a transgender male, I’ve faced my fair share of obstacles and challenges in my short life. Hardships are inevitable and no matter who you are everyone will face obstacles in life. How you overcome these challenges is what matters the most. I’ve been lucky enough to have some much acceptance, love, and support not only from my family but also from my teachers. Starting my freshman year of high school, I found myself in a dark place. Figuring out who I was and being open about it brought feelings of rejection, pain, and fear I never knew existed. Lost and alone during school hours, I let my grades slip and forgot my worth. Through all the darkness shined a light. My high school art teacher. This teacher never gave up on me, even though I’d given up on myself. My courage and confidence were nonexistent and so I never allowed my art to be showcased. Not accepting my cowardice, my teacher submitted a piece of my art to a museum contest. I didn’t win; however, I was published into the museum’s yearly book of art. Ready to face the inevitable rejection, I was astonished to find myself showered with praise and kind words. By not giving up on me, my teacher had me questioning myself. If a total stranger had this much confidence in me, I should have confidence as well, right? Realizing courage was a friend not a foe, I dared to face any obstacle in my path. I would not allow myself to drop into darkness. As time passed, my passion for art continued to blossom. I joined the art club and as a member, I taught people in our community art and its vast forms and techniques. I found that teaching and bringing out creativity in others occurred naturally for me. The feeling of bliss I get seeing someone's face brighten at their completed piece, and knowing I was a tiny part of their delight, is a joy I wish to continue. I want to be an inspiration for our youth. A flicker of light for someone who finds themselves in darkness, just as my art teacher was to me. Transforming this dream into a reality requires a higher education, making college the most important step I take in life. Financially, I can’t afford to go. I’ll be a first-generation college student coming from a single-parent low-income household. This scholarship would take away some of the financial burden I face and solidify my dreams of the future. Being able to wake up every day, doing something I have such a passion for, while helping inspire others to be the best version of themselves, is my biggest dream. Going to college is where the first step in my journey to art teaching begins, and the only path to make my dream a reality. This scholarship could very well be what will pave the way for my success.

Growing up as a trans man in a Muslim household, I have faced countless challenges that have shaped me into the person I am today. One of the most significant challenges I have faced is the constant fear of rejection and abandonment from my family due to their beliefs about the LGBTQ community. As a result, I have learned to hide who I am from my family and the world, which has caused me to suffer from severe depression and anxiety. However, despite the constant fear and struggle, I am determined to use my experiences to make a positive impact on the world and the lives of others. Being a recipient of this scholarship would mean the world to me because it would not only help me achieve my educational and career goals but also allow me to give back to the community in ways that are meaningful and impactful. I am motivated to pursue higher education because it will not only provide me with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in my chosen field, but also give me a platform to advocate for marginalized communities, particularly the LGBTQ community. I am determined to use my personal experiences to break down barriers and promote acceptance and understanding for those who may be struggling with their own identity or facing discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Despite the challenges I have faced, I am proud of my accomplishments and the person I have become. My ability to overcome adversity and remain true to myself is a testament to my resilience and determination. My personal and professional goals revolve around using my education and experiences to make a positive impact on society, particularly within the field of mental health. I am passionate about promoting mental health awareness and advocating for accessible and inclusive mental health care for all. I believe that my unique experiences as a trans man growing up in a Muslim household give me a unique perspective and voice that can contribute to the larger conversation on social justice and equality. Through this scholarship, I hope to further my education and use my experiences to create a positive impact on the world. I believe that my determination, resilience, and passion for advocacy set me apart from other applicants and make me a deserving recipient of this scholarship. In conclusion, I am a proud and determined trans man who is committed to using my experiences to make a positive impact on society. Despite the challenges I have faced, I am driven to succeed and make a difference in the world, and I believe that this scholarship would help me achieve my goals and give me the opportunity to give back to the community in meaningful and impactful ways.