Hines Scholarship

To me, going to college is not just about earning a degree—it’s about building a legacy. As a Black student with autism, dyscalculia, and a visual impairment, I’ve faced more challenges than I can count (and not just because I have dyscalculia). But I’ve also learned the value of perseverance, community, and purpose. College is the path that will allow me to take my lived experiences and turn them into something powerful: a career where I can help others, break barriers, and inspire students who might otherwise feel left out or overlooked. Growing up, I often felt different. I was diagnosed with autism at a young age, and it took me years to understand social cues and how to navigate a world that isn’t always made for people like me. On top of that, I live with retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that causes gradual vision loss. These challenges didn’t make things easy, but they made me who I am. They taught me patience, resilience, and empathy. More importantly, they helped me discover what I want to do with my life: become a special education teacher--so no student ever has to feel like I did. I remember being in elementary school and asking my teacher if I could work in the garden with a group of special needs students. I didn’t understand what made them “special,” I just knew they were fun and kind, and I wanted to be around them. That experience sparked something in me. Years later, through my high school’s Early Childhood Academy, I’ve been able to volunteer in classrooms and work one-on-one with students who learn differently. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be when a student feels seen, heard, and supported. That’s what I want to give to every child I teach. As someone who has often felt like an outsider, I know how powerful it is to see someone who looks like you in a position of leadership. There are far too few Black male teachers in America’s schools, and I want to change that. Representation matters—especially for underserved minority youth who may not always have role models in the classroom. I want my students to know that they belong, that their voices matter, and that their future is bright. I want to be the teacher who helps them believe in themselves, even when the world tries to convince them otherwise. My parents, both public school teachers, always taught me that education is one of the most powerful tools we have. They’ve shown me what it means to serve others, and I want to carry on that legacy. But education means more to me than just a career. As a Black man from a family that has faced financial and personal hardships—including my mother’s recent battle with metastatic cancer—college represents opportunity, freedom, and a chance to change the narrative. The wealth gap is real, and I’ve seen how it affects families like mine. I want to be part of the solution. I want to be an example to young Black boys who might feel like they don’t belong; I want them to know they do. Whether in the classroom or the community, my goal is the same: to serve, to inspire, and to uplift. College is the bridge to that future. It’s where I will continue to grow, build community, and develop the tools I need to make a lasting impact. Receiving the Hines Scholarship would not only help me achieve my dreams—it would allow me to show others that with the right support, no obstacle is too great to overcome.

Losing my mother has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life, but it has also shaped my determination to succeed in college and make a meaningful impact. Her strength, love, and guidance taught me the importance of perseverance, compassion, and hard work—lessons I carry with me every day. Being a first-generation college student, I see my education as a way to honor her sacrifices and to build a future that reflects the values she instilled in me. College is more than just attending classes; it is an opportunity to grow academically, develop leadership skills, and prepare to give back to my community. My academic goal is to earn a degree in History while minoring in Sports Coaching. Studying history allows me to understand the experiences and struggles of people who came before me and to learn from their triumphs and mistakes. History teaches critical thinking, research skills, and perspective—skills I can apply in every part of life, including my future career. By minoring in Sports Coaching, I aim to combine my love for athletics with my desire to mentor young athletes, helping them develop discipline, teamwork, and confidence. College gives me the knowledge and tools to make a real difference in the lives of others and provides the platform for me to lead by example both on and off the field. Serving as a student assistant has been an invaluable part of my college experience. In this role, I support faculty and staff, assist with administrative tasks, and provide guidance to fellow students. Being a student assistant has taught me time management, leadership, and communication skills, while also giving me the chance to contribute to my campus community in meaningful ways. This experience has reinforced my commitment to hard work and service and strengthened my ability to inspire and support others as I continue my education. College challenges me to balance responsibilities, manage my time effectively, and pursue personal growth. Between classes, study sessions, my role as a student assistant, and extracurricular activities, I have learned discipline, persistence, and resilience. These experiences have strengthened my determination to succeed academically and personally and have helped me develop a clearer vision of the kind of person I want to become. Ultimately, going to college means investing in myself while preparing to help others. It is a chance to expand my knowledge, develop my leadership abilities, and create opportunities for those who may not have access to the same resources I do. My goal is not only to graduate with a degree but to leave a legacy of mentorship, dedication, and perseverance. College is helping me transform ambition into action, and I am determined to make the most of every opportunity it provides. By pursuing my studies, engaging in extracurricular activities, serving as a student assistant, and striving for excellence, I am building the foundation for a future where I can inspire and empower others to reach their full potential.

As I reflect on my childhood, I remember having big dreams and aspirations as a young girl. I held onto unrealistic dreams, like imagining myself as a princess, and also envisioned a life of sophistication and wealth as a black woman. I longed for a future without struggles, hoping for a life where everything would fall into place effortlessly. However, the reality of my upbringing was vastly different. I grew up in a single-income household, where my mother faced numerous challenges as the sole provider. Financial struggles were a constant part of our lives, and I witnessed my mother's unwavering determination to ensure that our bills were paid and we had enough to eat. Despite her own hardships, she made sure that I never went without. Living in predominantly low-income neighborhoods exposed me to street violence, homelessness, and other issues that my mother tried to shield me from. She worked tirelessly to keep me on the right path, and I feel fortunate to have had a mother who always made things happen, even in the face of adversity. This upbringing has molded me into a resilient, intelligent, and empathetic young woman. I have a deep passion for helping young people discover their true identities and connect with their roots. Inner peace and self-discovery are values that I hold dear, and I am committed to breaking generational cycles and empowering others. It took me a while to cultivate this mindset, as I often found myself feeling disillusioned and yearning for a perfect life. However, I came to the realization that perfection is an illusion and that imperfections exist in every aspect of life. I also began to contemplate my future career path and knew that I wanted to pursue a degree in psychology. My desire to become a therapist for adolescents stems from my innate ability to listen to and support my friends. I aspire to offer hope and mentorship, helping others overcome their insecurities without fear of judgment. Having experienced overwhelming challenges myself, I am eager for the opportunity to inspire and guide others, encouraging them to pay it forward and help those in need. I have come to understand that there is no such thing as a perfect life, but I remain steadfast in my aspirations to become the empowered and sophisticated black woman I have always dreamed of being. Going to college and achieving my dreams means breaking generational curses, overcoming childhood trauma, making my mother proud, achieving success, and being the first in my family to do so.