Khai Perry All-Star Memorial Scholarship

The phrase “not all stars must fall” speaks to me on a deeply personal level. To me, it means that no matter how heavy life feels or how dark things seem, our light, our purpose, our dreams, our love still matter. Some stars fall too soon, like Khai Perry, but others continue to shine because their light lives on through the people they’ve touched and the hope they’ve inspired. This phrase reminds me that we each have the power to rise, even when life tries to pull us down, and that our circumstances do not define the limits of our brightness. Growing up, I faced challenges that often made my dreams feel out of reach. My family struggled financially for most of my life. My mom worked long hours at multiple jobs, doing everything she could to provide for us, but there were still times when we had to choose between groceries and bills. I remember coming home from school, helping my younger siblings with homework, and then staying up late to study once everyone else was asleep. Sometimes, the lights were off because we couldn’t afford the bill, so I’d study using the flashlight on my phone. I can still remember how tired I was, but also how determined I felt. There was something inside me that refused to let go of the dream of getting an education, of building a better life, of breaking the cycle. There were also moments when people made me feel like I wasn’t capable, that someone like me, from a low-income background, shouldn’t aim too high. One teacher once told me, “College isn’t for everyone,” and that maybe I should consider something “more realistic.” Those words stung deeply. For a while, I believed them. I thought maybe my dreams were too much. But then I realized that if I gave up on myself, I’d be proving them right. So, I chose to keep fighting for my goals, my family, and my younger self who always believed education could be the key to something greater. I began applying for every scholarship I could find, writing essays during breaks at work and staying after school to use the library computers. I asked for help from teachers and counselors, even when it was hard to admit that I needed it. I learned that strength isn’t about never struggling, it’s about refusing to let the struggle define you. Over time, I started to see that my perseverance, not my situation, was what shaped me. I wasn’t a “falling star”; I was learning to shine through adversity. Now, as a college student, I hold onto that lesson every single day. When assignments pile up, when money runs low, or when self-doubt creeps in, I remind myself how far I’ve already come. I remind myself that I’ve faced more complex challenges and still kept my light alive. I think of my family, of all the sacrifices that brought me here, and I feel a responsibility to keep pushing forward not just for me, but for everyone who believes in me. “Not all stars must fall” is more than a phrase. It’s a call to keep shining, not out of pride, but out of purpose. I want to use my education and experience to inspire others, especially young people from similar backgrounds. Whether that’s through teaching, volunteering, or simply listening to someone who feels unseen, I want to show others that their dreams are possible too. Every time we choose to keep going, we permit someone else to believe they can too. Khai Perry’s message reminds me that even in loss, love and purpose live on. Not every star falls; some keep shining through the people they’ve inspired to rise again. And I hope that in my own journey, I can be one of those stars, someone who turns struggle into strength, pain into compassion, and dreams into light for others to follow.

Growing up as a 15-year-old boy in a single-parent household has definitely shaped my life in ways that I never would have expected. My mom has always been my rock, but raising me on her own in an underrepresented community has come with its own set of challenges. We’ve faced numerous obstacles, yet each experience has taught me valuable lessons about resilience and determination. Living in a community that often feels neglected by the government has been tough. My mom works incredibly hard to provide for us, juggling multiple jobs just to make ends meet. Despite her efforts, inflation has made it increasingly difficult for us to afford basic necessities. I have seen her struggle to pay bills, and sometimes we have to make tough choices about what we can and cannot buy. For instance, there have been times when we had to skip meals or go without essential items like school supplies or clothes because our budget simply wouldn’t allow it. It hurts to see her stressed out and working so hard, yet I admire her strength and dedication. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is the lack of resources and support in my community. Many programs that could help families like mine are either underfunded or nonexistent. This has made it difficult for me to access extracurricular activities or tutoring programs that could enhance my education and help me grow. I often feel like I’m missing out on opportunities that other kids my age might take for granted. This constant reminder of my circumstances can be discouraging and sometimes makes me doubt my abilities. Despite these challenges, I’ve learned to adapt and work hard to achieve my goals. I focus on my studies, knowing that education is my path to a better future. I spend evenings studying and doing homework, often with the hope that my efforts will lead to a scholarship that could help ease some of the financial burdens on my mom. I dream of attending college and pursuing a career that can help lift my family out of our current situation. However, the road to achieving those dreams has not been easy. This is where a scholarship would make a significant difference in my life. With financial assistance, I would be able to focus more on my studies without the constant worry about how to pay for tuition, books, or other expenses. A scholarship would not only provide me with the financial support I need, but it would also serve as a reminder that there are people and organizations out there who believe in kids like me, who come from challenging backgrounds but have big dreams. I also see the scholarship as a way to create a ripple effect in my community. If I am given the opportunity to pursue higher education, I hope to come back and give back to my community by helping to create programs that support underrepresented youth. I want to help others who are facing similar struggles and show them that with hard work and determination, they too can reach their goals.

Growing up in a household where money was always tight has taught me many things the value of hard work, the strength of perseverance, and the importance of dreaming big even when the odds feel stacked against you. I’m an 18-year-old with a strong academic drive and a deep passion for helping others, but my journey hasn’t always been easy. Financial struggles have shaped the way I live, learn, and plan for the future. These challenges haven’t broken me, but they’ve certainly made things more difficult, especially as I work toward my dream of attending college and building a meaningful career. Choosing which college to attend was one of the biggest decisions I’ve ever faced. While many of my peers based their choices on programs or campus life, I had to think about what my family could afford. After careful thought and research, I set my heart on UMass Lowell. It offers a strong academic foundation, particularly in the sciences, and it’s a place where I believe I can truly grow and succeed. I want to pursue a career in pharmaceutical science because I’ve always been fascinated by how medicine works and how it can be used to improve or even save lives. But more than that, I want to make healthcare more accessible to people who, like my own family, have often had to choose between getting help and paying the bills. One of my long-term goals is to open a hospital or clinic where healthcare is affordable or even free for those in need. I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be for people without insurance or money to get basic medical care. It breaks my heart to think about how many lives are lost or affected simply because people can’t afford treatment. That’s why I want to be part of the change to use my education in pharmaceutical science to bring affordable care and medication to underserved communities. Receiving the Khai Perry All Star Memorial Scholarship would be a life-changing opportunity. It would allow me to attend UMass Lowell without the overwhelming burden of financial stress. It would give me the chance to focus fully on my education and career goals, and take one step closer to making a real difference in the world. With your support, I can continue to chase my dreams and work toward a future where healthcare is not a luxury, but a basic human right. Thank you for considering me

Growing up, the only adult I had to rely on in life was my elderly grandmother. I refer to her as my mother, but she was forced to take the role of both parental figures in my life. She took custody of me from my birth mother, who was heavily involved with illicit substances and struggled in rehab to turn her life around, especially with negative influences surrounding her such as my late stepfather. I never got to meet my birth father, and even my mom knew little of him. As I made my way through school, I was constantly asked about my ethnicity, and I had no simple response. Despite this side of my family being an eternal question for me, I worked hard to get good grades and make proud the part of my lineage I was familiar with. In my elementary school years, I was an only child, not yet aware of the existence of my sister and my younger brother still living with my mother. I was often secluded from others, whether at home where I would often stay in my room studying or on my devices, feeling detached from my grandmother. Taking care of me with no source of income other than social security benefits, she was too busy dealing with raising more kids to spend lots of time with me when I was younger. It scared me that she was so much older than the parents of my few friends, and I often spent my days at school worrying if she would be safe until I got back home. Instead of letting this interrupt my studies, though, I chose to help my mother live a more healthy lifestyle so she would be able to take care of herself for as long as possible. I struggled with depression in middle school, with feelings of hopelessness stemming from thoughts that my grades and personal relationships didn't match the effort I put into creating bonds and keeping up with my studies. I began talking to a therapist and worked to not move past, but embrace my negative feelings and use them to create a healthier work-life balance. My grades quickly rose afterward, and since then I've had a much easier time in school. As I grew up, I met like-minded people who I befriended, and with their help, I was able to challenge harder high school courses. I feel as though with this scholarship, I can relieve some of the financial pressure of college off of my family. Along with this, receiving this scholarship might reduce the concerns of my mother in terms of whether or not I can make it into college. My mom means the world to me, and with any assistance I receive, I hope to make her proud.