When I reflect on my community, I think about how it has always served as a driving force to do great things. I see community as a team; one that looks to uplift and drive others to strive for greatness. A powerful community strengthens in the face of opposition, prays together in times of need, and most importantly, they keep the faith. I have been blessed to grow up surrounded by a powerful community that has rallied behind me.
My church had a very powerful influence on my expression. From a young age, I was given the opportunity to spread the gospel through the youth groups, and when I was 7 years old, they put me front and center to lead the youth choir. It was the biggest opportunity I had ever gotten and I was eager to prove to my superiors that I could handle the task. In short, I took this task very seriously and worked very tirelessly with the other children to make sure we presented ourselves well in front of our congregation. And to this day, I believe being given that opportunity has resulted in my ambition to perform.
Through working with my church, I was able to discover a passion for the arts, specifically music and theatre. Over the years, I have been able to participate in many concerts and productions and in every single one of them, I have always worked my hardest to make sure my cast alongside myself has been able to give the very best performance possible. With every group I have worked with, we have built a community: one that sticks together in the time of need and works to preserve the nature of the circumstance. Alongside working in groups, I have been driven to strive for perfection when working by myself.
In high school, I was a part of the Honors Choir which would compete in festivals for titles. Our group was a community, cheering each other on as we worked to compete. My sophomore year was the first time I competed as a soloist. While they loved my vocals, they believed I needed to work on my techniques, which had never been mentioned to me up until this point. I took this to heart and spent my junior year working with my teacher on perfecting my musical technique, driving to qualify for the state competition. Eventually, I went to compete at the district level again with my new training, which led me to qualify for the state competition, where with my community accompanying and rallying behind me on this trip, I not only received the 1st place medal in the competition, but also became the first vocal soloist in my school’s history to receive a gold medal.
Throughout my life, my community has pushed me to go for what I want and has stood behind me every time, whether the outcome was positive or negative. Upon entering college this fall, I plan to study Music Production with an emphasis in Songwriting. If I was blessed to receive the Jacob Irven Johnson Scholarship, I will obtain the assistance necessary to attend school, work hard, and obtain knowledge and insight about the music industry. I will work to build a resume and pursue my goals to become a singer-songwriter and producer. My hope is to inspire young creatives to work towards their dreams and aspirations - believing anything is possible with the backing of a benevolent community.
I grew up with two amazing parents and 3 older siblings. They taught and modeled the
importance of God and giving. That’s where my love for serving began.
One of our graduation requirements is to complete at least 104 community service hours
during your four years of high school. As of date, I have completed over 500 community
service hours and counting. In January 2020, I received The Saigh Foundation Award. This
was presented to me by The St Louis Cardinals for my contributions to The Redbird Rookies
Program. In June 2023, I received The Exceptional Neighbor’s Award. This was presented
to me by The St Louis City Soccer Team for my dedication and service to my community.
This March, I was presented The Archbishop May Award in recognition of my diligence and
commitment of service to my community. Most recently, I was presented The Missouri State
High School Activities Association Sportsmanship Award for my commitment to fair play.
I have volunteered with several organizations at my school and in my community. With The
St Louis Dream Center, I packaged and distributed food, bookbags and school supplies
and wrapped and passed out toys. With The St Louis Cardinals Redbird Rookies program, I
helped coach youths K-8th grade the fundamentals of the game. With The St Louis Surge
Basketball Team, I was a ticket taker, floor mopper and passed out giveaways.
At school, I am the statistician with our football and basketball teams. I am our DJ for
various activities. I work at the concession stand during games. All of this is accomplished
with me holding down a 3.5 gpa along with taking ACC and Honors classes.
I enjoy helping people and serving those who are in need and are not blessed with the
opportunities I have had. I especially love working with the youth by mentoring them
through the love of basketball and baseball. When I see them smile, it puts a smile on my
face. That’s when I know I’ve done my job well and that makes me happy knowing I have
made a difference or impacted someone’s life for the better.
I would love to open a sports complex. It would offer lessons for multiple sports for inner
city youths to learn. I would provide tutoring for various subjects. It would also be a safe place
they can hang out and not get into trouble.
I have had a love and passion for sports since I was 5 years old. I have played soccer, basketball,
baseball, tennis and ran track. I would watch sports with my dad and then watch highlights. I became
intrigued with how they commented on the game, interviewed coaches and players, and later
quarreled over who was right and who was wrong. I was motivated to pursue this field by
becoming fascinated with Steven A. Smith and of course St Louis' own Joe Buck. Going to
college and obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Mass Communication or Broadcasting,
preferably with a concentration in broadcast journalism or sports communication will be a
dream come true!
Receiving this scholarship will assist me with furthering my education and to continue my
commitment and dedication to the community in a new school and city.
A community is a group of people who find each other through location, circumstance, or experience, but a community is also when the people around you have your back, and vice versa. Growing up in the African American community, I have witnessed firsthand the damaging stigma that surrounds mental health. It was ingrained in our culture that seeking help for mental health issues was a sign of weakness, something that was "not black." This attitude not only keeps alive the idea that mental health concerns are not valid but also creates a barrier for community members to seek the help they need.
The impact of this stigma is particularly concerning when it comes to younger generations. When children and teens are taught to ignore or suppress their mental health issues, it can have lasting effects on their well-being and overall development. By normalizing the idea of therapy and mental health support, we can empower young people to prioritize their mental well-being and seek help when needed.
I firmly believe that seeking therapy should not be a last resort but rather a proactive step towards self-care and personal growth. Just as we visit the doctor for regular check-ups, we should also prioritize our mental health by seeking therapy when necessary. This shift in mindset is crucial in breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and creating a culture of openness and support.
In my community, I have taken on the role of advocating for mental health awareness and support. I actively participate in youth rallies and converse with my peers about their struggles and experiences. By sharing my journey and encouraging others to prioritize their mental well-being, I hope to inspire a shift in attitudes towards mental health within my community.
Even though the quest to end the stigma of mental health continues, I can't just advocate for change in high school and then stop as soon as I graduate. I need to keep pushing forward and ensure that my goal doesn't remain in the past.
Looking towards the future, I have set my sights on a career as a psychiatrist. My goal is to provide compassionate care and support to individuals, particularly those from minority backgrounds who have been underserved in terms of mental health resources. I am committed to being a voice for those who feel unheard and to breaking down the barriers that prevent individuals from accessing the help they need.
Education plays a vital role in achieving this goal. By pursuing a college education and specializing in psychology, I am equipping myself with the knowledge and skills needed to make a meaningful impact in the field of mental health. Through continuous learning and professional development, I aim to be at the forefront of advocating for mental health awareness and support within minority communities.
In conclusion, I believe awarding this scholarship to me will help serve my community while relieving some of the financial burden of attending college from my family. Creating a community leader who's debt-free, but fully committed to making a difference in the lives of those who have been marginalized and underserved in terms of mental health support.
