Bright Lights Scholarship

I am the first in my family to graduate from high school and the first to attend college. That sentence alone carries weight, because the road here was not easy. I’ve endured trauma that shaped me, challenged me, and ultimately pushed me to become someone who refuses to give up. My past is painful, but my future is full of purpose—and I’m determined to build something that not only heals me, but helps others heal too. I didn’t grow up with stability. I experienced abandonment throughout my life. At 13, I was raped. At 14, I was moved to a different state to live with my aunts, but after two years, they no longer wanted me. They dropped me off in Delaware with rocks in my duffle bag and left me there. That moment shattered my sense of safety. I turned to drinking and smoking to cope. I was depressed, angry, and lost. I went through multiple mental institutions and residential homes. At 16, I entered foster care. A month later, my mother passed away. That loss deepened my depression and triggered intense anxiety and bipolar episodes. I was homeless at 18. At 19, I was in an abusive relationship—physically and mentally. But I’m still here. I’m now a psychology major at Delaware State University, working toward my dream of becoming a clinical psychologist. My goal is to earn my doctorate and open my own practice where I can provide trauma-informed care to people who feel like no one understands them. I want to specialize in helping youth, especially those in foster care, because I know what it feels like to be tossed around, unheard, and unseen. I want to be the kind of therapist who listens deeply, who sees the whole person, and who helps others find their strength again. Beyond my private practice, I have a bigger dream: to open a transitional home called The Shepherd’s Children. This home will serve young girls and women in foster care who are about to age out or who are still navigating the system. It will be a safe space filled with love, structure, and healing. I want it to be the kind of place I needed when I was younger—a place that says, “You matter. You’re not alone. You have a future.” The Bright Lights Scholarship would be a huge help in making these dreams possible. As someone who doesn’t have financial support from family, every expense falls on me. This scholarship would help me cover the costs of tuition, books, and living essentials so I can stay focused on my education. It would also allow me to begin saving for my future goals—especially for the transitional home I plan to build. This scholarship isn’t just money to me; it’s a jumpstart toward a future that’s bigger than me. It’s an investment in someone who’s determined to turn pain into purpose. I’ve come a long way, and I still have a long way to go. But I’m committed to the journey. I’m committed to becoming a psychologist who brings light into dark places. I’m committed to building The Shepherd’s Children and creating a legacy of healing and hope. I’m committed to showing other young women that your past doesn’t define your future—and that you can rise, even when everything around you tells you to fall. Thank you for considering me for the Bright Lights Scholarship. I promise to carry this opportunity with honor, and to use it to shine light for others who are still finding their way

When my family immigrated from Vietnam to the United States, we carried little more than hope and determination. Everything felt unfamiliar. The language, the culture, and even the simplest daily routines were new to us. Those early years were filled with challenges and uncertainty, but they also shaped the person I have become. Through those struggles, I discovered that education is more than a path to success. It is a bridge to opportunity and a way to honor my family’s sacrifices. Today, I am a student at Berkeley City College, pursuing a double major in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. My dream is to transfer to a four-year university where I can continue developing my knowledge and skills to create technology that improves lives. I am especially passionate about renewable energy and mental health technology, two areas that have the power to change the world in meaningful ways. I want to design affordable and sustainable energy systems for under-resourced communities and develop digital platforms that make mental health support more accessible to everyone. I believe that when used with compassion, technology can become a powerful force for equality and healing. My journey as a first-generation immigrant and college student has not been easy. I have faced language barriers, financial struggles, and moments of self-doubt. There were times when I felt out of place and questioned whether I was capable of achieving my goals. But through every challenge, I learned to be resilient. I studied harder, asked questions when I was unsure, and reminded myself that perseverance is stronger than fear. Each obstacle became a lesson in patience, determination, and faith in myself. This scholarship would make a tremendous difference in my life. It would relieve the financial stress that often weighs heavily on me and my family. With tuition, textbooks, and living expenses, it can be difficult to balance academics and financial responsibilities. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to focus more fully on my education and research opportunities. It would also remind me that others believe in my potential and support my vision for the future. Beyond academic achievement, I want to give back to others who share my journey. I hope to mentor other immigrant and first-generation students who face the same obstacles I once did. I know how powerful it can be to have someone believe in you when you feel lost or uncertain. Through mentorship, I want to help others see that their struggles can become their greatest sources of strength. In the future, I see myself as more than an engineer. I want to be someone who uses knowledge and compassion to create meaningful change. I envision a career where I can design technologies that protect the environment, support mental well-being, and uplift communities in need. Most of all, I want to live a life that reflects gratitude, perseverance, and purpose. This scholarship represents more than financial assistance. It represents hope and opportunity. It is a chance to transform my family’s sacrifices into something lasting and meaningful. With this support, I will continue to study with dedication, lead with integrity, and build a future where my success serves not only myself but also the many others who dream of a better tomorrow.

As a student at Cornell University majoring in Applied Economics and Management, my journey to higher education has been one of determination, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of my ambitions. This scholarship represents more than just financial assistance; it is a beacon of hope and an enabler of dreams for students like me who have faced hurdles in the quest for education. My plans for the future are ambitious yet grounded in a desire to make a tangible impact on society, particularly in the realms of real estate and social entrepreneurship. Coming from a background that values education yet faces the constraints of financial limitations, I understand the gravity of this scholarship. My parents instilled in me the importance of education, but the financial burden of college remained a looming challenge. Winning this scholarship would alleviate some of these financial pressures, allowing me to focus more on my studies and less on the economic constraints. My career aspiration is to break into the highly competitive field of real estate investment banking or private equity straight out of undergrad. This ambition is not merely a professional goal but a conduit to my larger vision of leveraging real estate for social good. My ultimate objective is to establish my own alternative investments firm, concentrating on commercial real estate, blockchain, farmland, and other unique assets. The core of my ambition is to use this firm as a platform to initiate and fund projects centered on developing transitional and subsidized housing through my non-profit organization, Help Homeless Inc. This scholarship would play a critical role in my journey. Firstly, it would significantly reduce my financial burden, allowing me to allocate more time to crucial internships and extracurricular activities that are integral to my professional growth. Secondly, the scholarship would enable me to pursue additional courses and certifications that are vital to my field of study but often financially out of reach. This includes advanced courses in financial modeling, real estate development, and sustainable investment practices. The knowledge and experience I gain through my education at Cornell are tools I intend to use to impact communities positively. By focusing on affordable housing projects, I plan to address the pressing issue of homelessness and housing instability. This scholarship will not only support my educational endeavors but also indirectly contribute to the societal impact I aim to make through my career and non-profit work. In essence, this scholarship is more than just a means to fund my education; it's a stepping stone towards achieving my goals and making a difference in the world. It will provide me with the resources to excel academically, gain critical industry experience, and eventually create a ripple effect of positive change through my professional and philanthropic efforts. By supporting my educational journey, this scholarship will be instrumental in helping me open doors not only for myself but also for those less fortunate, aligning perfectly with my vision of using education and real estate as tools for societal betterment.

My plans for the future is to work for either non-profit organizations or a political advisor or legislator. The main goal for me is public service which I will dedicate to serve and protect the public's trust, needs, and interest in common ordinary people. Throughout my upbringing I was always a part of mentorship through academic education. Programs like the Young Leaders Academy of Baton Rouge Inc, YDP Program, UNCF Portfolio Project inspire me to invest in the best of humanity. Joining Black Student Union, NAACP Youth Works Chapter, and Snohomish County Legal Services led to social networking, planning and hosting events, and fostered youth participation in community meetings and local fundraising. One of my biggest plans was to get an internship that could open the door for career opportunities. I believe Internship programs will provide me the opportunity to work with local organizations and community foundations to help provide resources and build sustainable relationships with government officials. These relationships will help me develop leadership and collaboration skills to ensure local, regional, and national policies, systemic changes that broadly foster community development. My passion is towards rebuilding under-invested communities while maintaining the fabric of that community. I get the chance to collaborate with various organizations, learn about other people’s backgrounds, and get involved in public policies starting locally. This will be the baston of engaging in grassroots activism which will improve my public speaking and communication skills but also learning new creative perspectives from other people, investing in data research, and finding new ways in the technological advanced world in creating diverse, thoughtful, and modern solutions. As of my third year at Claflin University, this scholarship will help my school invest in resources for their students and staff on campus. This could be a pathway on creating economic mobility programs that are centered around community development. This will increase the value of higher representation at BIPOC institutions for the value of higher education will open the mind to other possibilities of different career paths and possible changing the narrative of BIPOC people to make their own story of success. Claflin University is about transforming the world and in order to do that people need resources. Resources should not be disposable, they need to be reuse-able, so through civic engagement and political action through organizing, lobbying, mobilizing, etc can lead a new world of hope for like Sam Cooke said Change Gone Come.

As I stand at the precipice of my journey towards higher education, I find myself gazing into a future illuminated by the promise of the Bright Lights scholarship. This opportunity not only recognizes my potential but also embodies my aspirations as a first-generation college student who is determined to become a nurse. By awarding me the Bright Lights scholarship, you would invest in a passionate individual dedicated to helping others, and in turn, ignite a cascade of positive change within my community. Growing up in a household devoid of college graduates, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education. My parents, hardworking and steadfast in their values, imparted in me a fervent desire to rise above the circumstances that confined our family. They instilled in me the belief that knowledge could serve as a catalyst for personal growth and societal impact. Despite limited financial resources and an unfamiliarity with the complexities of the higher education system, my parents fueled my determination to be the first in our family to attend college. Pursuing a career in nursing has been the beacon guiding my educational journey. From a young age, I was captivated by the noble profession of caring for others. However, my admiration for the nursing profession transcends mere fascination. It stems from a profound sense of compassion and an unwavering commitment to providing solace and support to those in need. Becoming a nurse is not simply a personal endeavor; it is my way of giving back to the community that has shaped my character and values. The Bright Lights scholarship would be instrumental in realizing my dreams. As a nursing student, I am keenly aware of the financial burden associated with pursuing a degree in healthcare. Scholarships like Bright Lights offer more than just financial assistance; they provide hope, encouragement, and the opportunity to concentrate fully on academic and professional development. With the financial weight lifted from my shoulders, I would be able to devote myself wholeheartedly to my studies, clinical experiences, and extracurricular activities. Moreover, the Bright Lights scholarship aligns perfectly with my aspirations to bring light and healing into the lives of others. The scholarship funds would be utilized judiciously, not only to cover tuition expenses but also to acquire necessary textbooks, attend medical conferences, and invest in clinical tools. By investing in my education, you would be investing in a nurse who aspires to transcend the traditional boundaries of healthcare and actively contribute to underserved communities. Nursing is more than a profession to me; it is a platform for advocacy and empowerment. The role of a nurse encompasses not only tending to physical ailments but also addressing the underlying social determinants of health. Through my studies, I intend to immerse myself in the complexities of healthcare disparities and work towards dismantling the barriers that hinder equal access to quality care. With the Bright Lights scholarship, I would have the means to participate in service-learning programs, engage in community health initiatives, and join organizations dedicated to promoting health equity. In conclusion, as a first-generation college student, the Bright Lights scholarship represents more than a financial opportunity for me; it embodies my unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. With the support of this scholarship, I can channel my passion for nursing into tangible acts of healing, compassion, and advocacy. I humbly request your consideration, as your investment in my education will undoubtedly reverberate throughout my future career, lighting the way for those in need and inspiring future generations to strive for excellence.