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.
My father passed away in a car accident when I was twelve years old, leaving behind two daughters and his wife. At the time of his death, my mother was not working and had to face the aftermath that came with losing her other half. Many of those we once considered family and friends who were present suddenly vanished, avoiding her calls and slowly partaking in what seemed to be social exiling.
In my home country, although it is gradually reducing within the community, a woman loses her value when her husband dies. When a man loses his wife, there is no word to describe the loss in his life, as the word - Widower - does not exist in Kinyarwanda. My mother had then lost value in the eye of her community and was left to fend for herself, receiving mocking remarks such as "she's unfortunate to have only birthed two daughters. What will they bring to her?" Through it all, she never got discouraged and would encourage us to study. I distinctly remember my mother struggling to make ends meet when we were growing up to make sure we had everything we needed and were able to study.
Even though she doesn't speak about it, I know it's difficult for her to pay for our studies. My older sister started an Engineering dual program in 2017 with the financial support of my mother and awards. It has not been easy to pay for her studies, preventing her from finishing on her expected graduation date and making her take a year off to save. My mom is turning sixty this year, and I know she wants to retire for her well-being and health. My sister remains with one academic year, and I'm joining a nine-month graduate program. We'll both be graduating in Spring 2025. I have received a fifty percent merit-based scholarship and taken a student loan, but I'm remaining with some educational costs that are not covered. I don't want to burden my mother further, and this scholarship would tremendously help me finish my studies and open career opportunities that will contribute to the well-being of my family. I am sure that my passion, knowledge, and abilities will grow leaps and bounds at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management with the support of the Khai Perry All-Star Memorial scholarship and will push me closer to my career goals.
Hello, my name is Saintcylia Charles, and I am a junior at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. In high school, I attended New Heights Charter School of Brockton, an early college charter school, which allowed students to take community college courses and graduate with an associate degree. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity. However, upon entering college, I was automatically classified as an upperclassman due to coming in with transfer credits. Consequently, I missed out on freshman seminars and events designed to help new students acclimate, make friends, and understand the college experience. This left me feeling isolated and struggling to stay motivated, leading to depression and anxiety.
As a result, I took a medical withdrawal and spent a year working with kindergarten children at the YMCA after-school program, which I thoroughly enjoyed. This experience helped me manage my anxiety and reinforced my determination to persevere. I remained in contact with my university advisor and ensured I completed all necessary steps to return to campus successfully for Fall 2024. Unfortunately, during my gap year, I missed the FAFSA deadline, resulting in a significant loss of financial aid. Coming from a very low-income family and being a first-generation college student, I previously received substantial financial support through grants and scholarships. Without this aid, I now have to pay for my education out of pocket.
I have attempted to secure loans, but I need a co-signer, and my parents, family, and friends are not eligible to assist. Despite these challenges, I am committed to furthering my education and achieving my degree. I am seeking this scholarship to help alleviate the financial burden and allow me to continue my academic journey.
My experience at the YMCA was transformative. Working with the children not only provided me with a sense of purpose but also taught me valuable life lessons. I learned patience, empathy, and the importance of community support. These skills are not only essential for my personal growth but also for my future career. I aspire to work in a field where I can make a positive impact on others' lives, and continuing my education is a crucial step towards this goal.
Moreover, my time away from school allowed me to reflect on my priorities and reaffirm my commitment to my academic and career goals. I have developed a stronger sense of resilience and a deeper understanding of the importance of mental health. I am now better equipped to handle the challenges that come with being a college student and am more determined than ever to succeed.
Receiving this scholarship would not only alleviate my financial burden but also serve as a testament to my hard work and dedication. It would enable me to focus on my studies and fully immerse myself in the college experience that I missed out on initially. I am eager to contribute to the university community and take advantage of the opportunities that come my way. Your support would make a significant difference in my life and help me achieve my dreams.
