Augustus L. Harper Scholarship

A famous philanthropist once said that education is one of the most powerful weapons that can help change the world. A college education is one of many steps that will help me use acquired business skills and innovation to support organizations that keep the world going. School offers an extensive number of career opportunities and I accepted the pleasant challenge of choosing a future accounting career. Education has and will help me learn the value of ambition and risk-taking; they have molded me into the person I am today and have continued to guide me as I pursue my goals. With a major in Accounting and Finance, I look forward to a future where I can utilize my problem-solving skills to help business owners achieve their goals. Whether it’s a career in accounting, economics, finance, or any business-related profession, there are vast possibilities, flexibility, and societal impact in each alternative. While growing up, my definition of leadership reformed. As immigrants with limited English, my parents were forced to work full-time minimum-wage jobs, but they always pulled through just enough to pay the bills and set the food on the table for the six of us. Each day presents a challenge, sacrificing their time and energy, but they never complain. They never wanted us to get jobs to help them pay the bills; they wanted us to focus on our education. Even though problems constantly came their way, they always maintained the resolve to overcome them by themselves. By observing my parents' leadership, I learned the value of persistence, perseverance, and service. Through these qualities, I have developed the passion to become a leader not just for my future, but also to give back to others. I want to make an impact and I can start by going to college. With all my involvement in past community service projects, I realized community service is about getting out of the comfort zone to contribute to one's time to help and establish a direct positive influence on others. As I move forward with my education, I hope to attain skills and knowledge and give back to my community. My community involvement has helped me become an evident image of a student leader to those around me. Developing my leadership skills has given me the skills necessary to make more positive impacts in the future, big or small. How will I make a difference in others if I don't make a difference in myself first? Consequently, I have not only grown, but I have secured the courage to keep growing. Proudly I can say I have defeated some of the darkest moments in my life, and my education will help me take the first steps on the journey toward my future. My first and foremost goal is to make a difference, whether that is in someone's life, in my future career, or in the community. Through this goal, I hope to continue having the pleasure of creating and seeing my ideas in action to aid others. With eagerness, I look forward to the many opportunities to come where I can become an influence. If one plan fails, I will try again and develop another route; I will reevaluate and approach from various angles. I am confident in my decision-making, and even though I do not know what the results will be, I know it will be worth it.

Education has always been important to me, and it has brought countless values and benefits to my life. Growing up in a low-income, marginalized community, I saw firsthand the ways in which a lack of education can hold individuals back and limit their opportunities. But despite the challenges and obstacles I faced, I was determined to succeed and make the most of my education. One of the most valuable things that education has given me is a sense of hope and possibility. It has shown me that with hard work and dedication, I can overcome any obstacle and achieve my goals. It has also provided me with the knowledge and skills to understand and navigate the world around me, empowering me to make informed decisions and take control of my own future. But education has brought me more than just personal growth and development. It has also given me the opportunity to give back and make a positive impact on my community. As a student at Carnegie Mellon University, I have been fortunate enough to have access to some of the best resources and opportunities in the country. And I am determined to use these resources to make a difference and pay it forward to those who have supported me along the way. One way that I have been able to give back to my community is through volunteering and service work. I have worked with organizations that provide support to homeless youth, and I have also organized fundraisers and other events to raise money and awareness for important causes. These experiences have not only allowed me to make a tangible difference in the lives of others, but they have also given me a sense of purpose and fulfillment that is hard to find elsewhere. But my dedication to education and service extends beyond just my time in college. I am also committed to using my future career to make a positive impact on the world. I am passionate about investment banking and private equity, and I believe that my knowledge and expertise in these fields can be used to empower marginalized communities and invest in the entrepreneurs and leaders of tomorrow. I hope to eventually own my own firm where I can continue to make a difference and use my skills to make a positive impact. In conclusion, education has brought countless values and benefits to my life, and I believe it is one of the most important things we can pursue. It has given me hope and possibility, personal growth and development, and the opportunity to give back and make a positive impact on my community. And I am committed to using my education and skills to make a difference and pay it forward to those who have supported me along the way.