Donald A. Baker Foundation Scholarship

Growing up with a big family that was all spread out across the States, and being a very social person all my life, I came in contact with various people. However, even though I have met a lot of people, I can't say that there have been many positive influences, and not many role models. Most of the adults that I have grown up with, especially my Uncles, have been people I didn't want to be like. They were always living a lifestyle that I promised myself I would not have. The way they lived is sadly the same way a lot of black men across America live, which is being on child support by multiple women, never seeing their children, and not having a stable job or income. Some of them would also be in and out of jail, and just not someone you should look up to. I understand that there are a lot of things that can lead up to them being in those situations, and a lot of reasons why they can't turn it around. But I still strived to stand out and break that cycle of living like that. Luckily, I had one person who was a bright light in a dark room for me, my Mother. My mom has been my one and only role model for all 18 years of my life. My mom is the strongest and most fearless person I know. She has always shown me that there is a way to do anything that I put my mind to and provided for me in ways beyond financially. She has given me lessons that I will pass on to my kids and use for the rest of my life. One of the main reasons my mom is my biggest role model is because she is exactly how I want to be when I am grown, and exactly how I want my wife to be when I am married. My mom was one of the only black people at her high school and was valedictorian, and got her bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma in college. She is one of the only people in my family to get a degree, and she did it at a great University, the same one I will be attending this Fall. After that, my mom started her career in finance and has had a job ever since. She does this while being the best mother I could ask for. My mom has never missed a single event, has always been there for me and my brother, and raised us perfectly. I can't even explain how great of a person my mom is, but without her, I don't know what path I'd be on or where I'd be in life. She makes the dark days sunny, and even with all the money in the world, I could never repay her for the things she's taught me. All in all, my mother is my biggest role model, because the things that are the most important to me, (my family and my education) have always been the most important to her as well. My mom has never gotten caught up with the law and would never leave her family. She has always worked extremely hard and earned everything she has today. I hope that one day people can say the same about me, and because of that, she is my biggest role model.