Linda McCoy-Aitkens Memorial Scholarship

Reflecting on my childhood, I realize that I wish more adults had asked me, "What are your dreams, and how can I help you achieve them?" Growing up in a single-parent household, the focus was often on day-to-day survival—making sure I stayed out of trouble, did well in school, and helped around the house. While these things were essential, they didn’t leave much room for deeper conversations about my long-term goals or aspirations. I often felt that there wasn’t enough attention on what I truly wanted for my future. As a result, I sometimes struggled to figure out what direction I wanted to take in life, especially when it came to thinking beyond the present challenges. The absence of this question "What are your dreams?" has had a significant impact on me. It made me realize how important it is for young people to be encouraged to dream big and think beyond their current circumstances. I didn’t always feel that I had the opportunity to think about my future in a broad, ambitious way. Instead, I was focused on meeting immediate expectations and dealing with the challenges of growing up in a financially unstable environment. This experience has shaped my aspirations in a profound way. Today, I am deeply passionate about finance, specifically because I understand how powerful financial knowledge and stability can be in shaping someone’s future. If more adults had asked me about my dreams and supported me in discovering them, I might have realized sooner that finance was the path I wanted to pursue. Finance, to me, is more than just numbers it’s a tool for empowerment, security, and building a future. Understanding finances means understanding how to create opportunities, not just for myself but for others as well. Now, as I work toward my goal of studying finance in college, I am motivated by the desire to help others who are in similar situations to the one I grew up in. I want to be the person who asks, “What are your dreams, and how can I help you achieve them?” I want to work in financial planning and advising, especially for individuals and families who have experienced financial instability. I believe that financial education is key to breaking cycles of poverty and creating lasting change in people’s lives. My goal is to provide the knowledge and support that I felt was missing during my own upbringing. The absence of that critical question in my life has fueled my drive to make a difference. I want to create opportunities for people to dream bigger than their current circumstances. By pursuing a career in finance, I aim to give others the financial tools and guidance they need to achieve their goals, just as I continue to work toward achieving my own. Through finance, I can help people plan for their futures, build stability, and ultimately create a life that reflects their true aspirations.