The first time I truly felt seen wasn’t when someone tried to rescue me from my pain-
It was when they asked me a question that no one had ever asked before: “Who are you?” For
most of my life, I didn’t know how to answer. I had lived through things most children shouldn’t
have to, things that still live in me, in ways I can’t quite put into words. There were scars– some
visible, some buried and a constant, empty space where my identity should have been.
People often looked at my skin and guessed I was “mixed,” and I’d just nod, even though
I didn’t really know. I didn’t even know what my ethnicity was until recently. My skin carried a
story I couldn’t fully understand of pain, of lost roots, of unanswered questions. And when I was
adopted at the age of seven, into a family that finally gave me love and stability, that question
who am I? stopped being something I could ignore. If I didn't know where I came from… and if
my own body was a map of trauma….then where did I belong?
The first time CPS came, I was only a year old. My skull was cracked, my leg was
broken. I had been pushed down the stairs, not by accident, but by someone who was supposed
to love me. My mother said I had “just fallen.” The system believed her. The bruises faded. But I
didn’t. At that moment, though I couldn’t speak yet,something in me: that I wasn’t safe, even in
my own home. That love could hurt, and that silence could be deadly.
Williams 2
A year later, they came again. I was two. This time, someone poured boiling water on me.
Second - and third-degree burns covered my body. I still can’t quite process that level of cruelty.
The physical pain was unbearable, but the betrayal yet somehow cut deeper. How do you make
sense, at two years old, of the fact that the people who are meant to protect you are the ones who
can hurt you the most? I still carry the scars. They’re part of me. They remind me of what I’ve
lived through, yes, but also of what I’ve lived past. I spent years learning to trust again, to
believe that love could be safe, that I was allowed to belong somewhere. I used to think my story
was only made of pain. But now I see something else: Resilience. I didn’t just survive- I kept my
heart open. And when someone finally asked me, “Who are you?” I began to answer, not with
the scars on my skin, but with the strength I found beneath them.
I know what it feels like to be unseen, unheard, and broken in ways that aren’t always
visible. But I also know the power of being truly listened to, and having someone care enough to
ask, “Who are you?” My past has given me a kind of empathy that can’t be taught in a textbook.
I can connect with others, not just because I understand pain, but because I’ve found a way
through it. That’s why I want to be a Clinical Psychologist. College, to me, is not just a step
toward a career-it’s a space where I can continue healing, growing, and preparing to help others
do the same. I carry my scars not as shame, but as proof of who I am today: I’ve survived, I’ve
transformed, and I'm ready to make something meaningful out of everything I’ve lived throug
In five years, I see myself having completed my social work degree and actively working in my community. As a black male from West Dayton, I understand the unique challenges my community faces and I'm dedicated to using my skills and knowledge to make a difference in the community. I envision myself working at a high school (hopefully my alma mater, Carroll High School), providing support and advocacy to young black students. My goal is to help them navigate systemic barriers, achieve their goals, and realize their full potential.
In this role, I plan to focus on mental health and educational support. Mental health isn't really spoken about in the black community and I want to change that by providing accessible counseling. I also aim to create programs that help with academics and mentorship, ensuring that our youth have the resources they need to succeed. I also see myself becoming a voice for change within the social work profession. I want to be a part of professional organizations and networks so that I can collaborate with others who are passionate about social justice and equity.
In ten years, I see myself in a leadership position, either within a non-profit organization or running my own community center. I want to meet more than just the immediate needs of youth. I would like to address issues like poverty, discrimination, and lack of quality access to education and healthcare. By then, I hope to have developed several programs that have positively impacted my community. These might include mentorship programs, support groups, and mental health services. I want to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to take control of their lives.
In my personal life, I see myself as a pillar of support fir my family and community. Balancing my professional aspirations with being a present and active family member is important to me. I want to model what it means to be a successful, engaged, and caring black man in both the personal and professional worlds.
Overall, my vision for the future is one of growth, impact, and leadership. I am committed to using my social work degree to make meaningful changes in my community and beyond. I want to ensure that the voices of marginalized people are heard and respected. By staying true to my values and continuously striving for excellence, I know that I can make a lasting difference.
Hello my name is Demitryuss Bryant Ii was born and raised in Llorain, Oohio. I never got the chance to live with my mom or dad when I was growing up. I still don't live with them. When I was born, my mom moved to Cleveland and my dad went to prison so I ended up living with my grandma in Llorain. Growing up I loved to play football and basketball with my friends. Money was tight growing up. Now that I'm seventeen years old I appreciate everything I had and everything my grandma buys me. Living in a house full of women really taught me how to express myself and not bottle my emotions up. Before my grandpa died, we were very close, me and my grandpa would work on cars, boats, lawnmowers basically things that men like. It would be so fun. I loved learning about new things and how to take things apart and put them back together. My grandpa died in 2019 due to diabetes. It was hard when he died but I got through it. I'm still going through some mental problems due to my aunt passing away last year due to diabetes too. Diabetes runs heavy through my family.
My first year of high school was online due to COVID-19. It was really a bummer as I didn't get the experience of going to high school in person as a freshman. My sophomore year was good. We came back to in person learning but still had to wear masks. I love to help out during the basketball season by running the scoreboard on a couple of games. My first job was in the 10th grade. I started working at Wingstop. I worked at Wingstop for almost 2 years and now I have a new job at. I just quit about 3 months ago to work at Main Event . One of my goals is to own my own mechanic shop. I love to use my hands and build stuff.
My dream is to go to college for engineering, get my masters degree and become a mechanical engineer. I also have an interest in programming apps and computers. I love to code on my computer using coding.com. I am a very chill and open minded person. I don't like to get into drama. I stay in my own lane and get my work done. In middle school I hated coming to school. Now I love it. I'm eager to learn now. College is the best option for me. Neither my mom or dad went to college. I want to be the first. I want to get the full experience of living on a college campus going to frat parties and everything.
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I really want to get out of my own town Lorain, Ohio. I've been living here my whole life time for something to change for the better. I know I have to go to college right after high school or I probably won't go. Thats why im hoping i can get accepted to your college growing up i always said after high school I i'm done Ii was just going to get a trade. I never wanted to go to college, especially right after high school for 4 more years. Now I'm craving it. I can't wait to get the college experience. I'm an independent person. I love being independent. I want to experience living without my family. Going to get food whenever I want, not asking to leave my house.
