Khai Perry All-Star Memorial Scholarship

The phrase “not all stars must fall” means that setbacks do not determine our destiny. To me, it represents hope, resilience, and the belief that even when circumstances feel overwhelming, we are still capable of rising, learning, and continuing forward. It reminds me that struggle is not a sign of failure, but part of the process of becoming who we are meant to be. Not every challenge is meant to defeat us—some exist to strengthen us. One of the greatest challenges I have faced in pursuing my goals has been navigating higher education as a first-generation college student from a low-income household. Entering college without a clear understanding of how the system works was intimidating. I lacked the guidance that many students take for granted—how to manage coursework, balance responsibilities, seek academic support, or plan long-term goals. At the same time, I felt pressure to succeed not only for myself, but also for my family, knowing that education was one of the few pathways available to create lasting stability. Adjusting to college was not easy, and there were moments when I questioned whether I truly belonged. Balancing school, work, and personal responsibilities tested my confidence and resilience. I encountered academic and personal obstacles that forced me to confront self-doubt and fear of failure. However, instead of allowing those moments to define me, I made the conscious decision to learn from them. I reflected on what wasn’t working, sought help, and committed myself to growth rather than perfection. Through this process, I learned that setbacks are not endpoints—they are lessons. My work with children has deeply shaped how I approach adversity. Through roles at youth camps, childcare settings, and my current position as a Behavioral Technician supporting children on the autism spectrum, I have witnessed perseverance in its most genuine form. Many of the children I work with face daily challenges that require patience, consistency, and unwavering effort. Progress is often slow, but every small victory matters. Seeing these children continue to try, even when tasks are difficult, has taught me that persistence is powerful. Their determination inspires me to approach my own challenges with patience and resilience. These experiences have reinforced the meaning of “not all stars must fall” in my life. Even when progress feels slow or uncertain, continued effort leads to growth. I have learned to measure success not by immediate results, but by commitment, discipline, and the willingness to keep going. Each challenge I’ve faced has strengthened my resolve and clarified my purpose, reminding me why I started and where I want to go. This journey has inspired me to encourage others not to give up, especially those who may feel discouraged by their circumstances. I want to be an example for other first-generation students and young people who feel unsure of their place in higher education or their future. By sharing my experiences honestly—both the struggles and the growth—I hope to show that setbacks do not erase potential. They simply shape it. “Not all stars must fall” means that our light does not disappear because of hardship. We can stumble, learn, and still rise. My challenges have taught me resilience, empathy, and determination, and they continue to motivate me to strive for my goals while uplifting others along the way. This belief fuels my commitment to my dreams and reminds me that perseverance is always worth it.

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.