Building a Better World Scholarship

The world can be a very cruel and mean place. Parents are often scared to allow their children out of the house without them because there is no telling what could happen. In the world we live in, they have every right to feel that way. No one should have to fear about feeling safe in the community they live in. This fear is a part of the reason that I would like to go into the field of criminal justice and/ or criminology. Everyone is not built to stand up to some of the scariest criminals in the world, but I find their past and it's connection to their actions as an adult interesting. This interest in more than just their crimes makes me feel as though I am one of the few fit enough to work in this field. In the field of criminal justice I plan on going into, I will be tasked with bringing these criminals to justice and pulling them off the streets. This will make the world a better place purely based off of the fact that it will create safe environments for people to live in. This feeling of criminals being pulled off of the streets, will make people feel more comfortable in the neighborhoods they live in. Obviously, it is nearly impossible to pull every criminal off of the street, but it is at least a start. I also plan to be heavily invested in the church and it will be needed in the criminal justice field. While I am bringing justice to victim's family members, I plan to possibly go to jail or prison facilities and teach about the goodness of God. My plan for teaching about the goodness of God might be able to sway criminals into a better life, even if they are on the track to never get out of the facility. Even if the criminal cannot get out of jail, there will be another saved soul and I will be proud to have spread the gospel no matter the outcome. They might even go around their facility and continue to spread the word of God that I have spread unto them. In either circumstance, it is a win in my book and a win in the Kingdom of the Lord's. God has saved me on more accounts than I can count on my hands, so it would be an honor to spread his goodness to the people that need it the most.

Before the age of 14, I had experienced more trauma than most kids my age. I am the oldest brother of four siblings. We were born to drug and alcohol addicts, and while it wasn’t always that way, it did get worse as I was older. My mental health was never a priority for my parents, and I didn’t have enough time to focus on myself. Unlike many children in my situation, I was lucky enough to get out. I was given a new lease on life when I was put into foster care at the start of my 8th-grade year. It was the first time I could focus on myself and my education. Within the first month of living with my new family, I was able to seek help for my mental health for the first time. It was clear that it had been neglected. Through the help of my family’s encouragement, prayer, medicine, and therapy, I can focus on my mental health and become the best version of myself possible. It’s not been an easy road, but I know it is worth the work I’m putting into it. In 2021, my foster parents adopted me and my siblings. I am committed to not taking my new life for granted. Though it wasn't easy at the time, as a senior in high school, I can look back and honestly say being put into foster care and being adopted was one of the best things that could have happened to me. I have decided to pursue a degree in social work, with plans to continue past my undergraduate degree and obtain my Master’s degree in the field. After receiving that, I intend to pursue my Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) license. Having an MSW and LCPC will open the door to many career possibilities. I am specifically interested in working with foster care and adoptive agencies. I plan to work individually with children and others impacted by foster care in that setting. One reason I found foster care to be difficult was not being able to relate to people who were trying to help me. I found myself talking to therapists and doctors who did not understand what I was going through. I have a unique skill set that will be beneficial in this field. My words are not empty when I express, “I know how you are feeling.” While everyone’s experiences are different, I have lived it too. I know how hard things can be and how good things can be, too. Providing this level of care is one way I can show God's love to others. Taking care of the orphans is important to myself and my family. I know I can make a difference in the lives of people in my community through my experience with mental health and trauma and help end the stigma surrounding mental health. Showing up, and providing a loving and caring, safe environment is one of the most Christ-like things I can do. That was given to me, and I intend to pass it along to others.