Marcia Bick Scholarship

I discovered that resilience would come through adversity as a child. I was raised in Mali, living with my grandparents and learning to persevere and have hope. When I returned to America at age six, I did not know the language. I was isolated, but art was a language that I knew. With the colored pencils themselves, I discovered a means of expression, a connection to humans, and the self-assurance that would sustain me through all the misery to come. Home life wasn't a breeze. I resided in public housing with broken windows, finicky heat, and one functional elevator as a normal occurrence. Even reliable Wi-Fi was at times a luxury, so it was hard to get schoolwork done. Family life also involved segregating schooling from family chores, sometimes grueling late nights after finishing household work. But instead of deterring me from these challenges, they motivated me to work even harder. I was taught how to do tasks in advance, at the library for it would serve as my office, and recalling how I should handle time. All these challenges made me tougher and disciplined, something one could not learn in school. At the same time, I committed to service. I helped give out food and books at giveaways, supported toy drives, and collaborated with Senator Cordell Cleare to get the 110th Street Plaza named in Malcolm X's honor. I also joined The Met's teen research team and collaborated with others on fashion, Black history, and underrepresented populations like Seneca Village. And it occurred to me that my path has to be about service and creativity. Art taught me about oneness, yet architecture taught me about change. I was inspired by Zaha Hadid's work, where she unites design and nature to create spaces to dignify human beings. Architecture is not buildings to me; it is dignity. I want to build safer, more beautiful homes for families like mine and my grandparents' village in Mali, where I first had the privilege of living under limited means. My AP Art portfolio was unity, keys of different shapes but the same purpose, and hopefully my future architecture performs the same purpose: opening doors for all people in the world. These kinds of scholarships are not merely money; they're an investment in potential. To me, it would be a question of access to resources, opportunities, and experiences that previously weren't open to me. Above all, it would allow me to be free to pursue a career in which I can transform adversity into hope, not for me, but for those whom I seek to assist. Irrespective of the adversity I have faced, I am committed to further education and the future. My personal philosophy is that by refusing to give up and asking for help, I can transcend setback and harness architecture to build spaces which remind people they are seen, heard, and worthy of possibility.

Growing up in New York, Mount Vernon, I quickly realized that life doesn’t hand out equal opportunities. My family faced financial challenges that often made even simple resources like tutoring, extracurricular programs, or test prep feel out of reach. Yet, instead of letting these obstacles define me, I used them as motivation to work harder and pursue every opportunity available. Balancing academics with responsibilities at home became a constant part of my life. I helped care for younger siblings while my parents worked long hours, and sometimes I had to navigate schoolwork with limited resources. There were moments when I doubted whether I could keep up with my peers, but I refused to let circumstance dictate my potential. Instead, I leaned into hard work and discipline, maintaining a 4.0 GPA through freshman and sophomore years and pushing through even when challenges felt overwhelming. I’ve sought to maximize every opportunity despite these limitations. I actively participate in academic and STEM-focused programs, including an aerial robotics course at Stony Brook University, where I’ve gained hands-on experience coding and piloting drones. Beyond academics, I’ve pursued leadership and service, contributing to school clubs and mentoring younger students when possible. Each achievement reflects not just ability, but determination, resourcefulness, and resilience qualities, I believe, that are essential for success. Receiving this scholarship would remove barriers that still stand in my way. It would give me access to programs, resources, and experiences I cannot afford on my own, allowing me to focus fully on college preparation and my long-term goal of pursuing engineering. It would also ease the financial strain on my family, giving me the space to fully dedicate myself to academics and personal growth without distraction. I believe motivated students from disadvantaged backgrounds deserve opportunities like this because circumstances do not define potential. What defines potential is the willingness to rise above challenges, embrace growth, and remain committed to achieving goals despite setbacks. I have faced financial hardship, limited resources, and personal responsibilities, yet I have consistently worked to excel academically and personally. This scholarship would be both a recognition of my past efforts and a critical stepping stone toward future impact, allowing me not only to pursue my dreams but also to inspire and support others facing similar challenges. Through determination, persistence, and hard work, I have learned to turn obstacles into motivation. I am committed to transforming opportunities into tangible achievements and to making a meaningful contribution to my community and field. This scholarship would not just help me succeed, it would allow me to rise fully into my potential and give back in ways that matter.

My family has always struggled with money. Both my parents worked endlessly, but it was never enough. Going to grocery stores with my mother, we would always have coupons and food stamps in hand. For a long while, I thought that was the way everyones families were, grabbing Great Value products over name-brands in efforts to ease the burden by even a few cents. I would hear my parents sighing over bills before we went another hot summer week without air conditioning. Everything got harder after my father passed away from stage four lung cancer. Without the second income, the money got tighter, and the house felt colder. Then came the pandemic, shutting down my mother’s source of income as the restaurant she worked long hours at closed. I would pull open the fridge, after virtual classes, to bare shelves and half-empty condiments. My primary meals were provided by the school, the free lunch program filling my stomach. Packaged in plastic bags for sanitation, the surplus of school food that would have gone unused went back to the community, those in need. Eventually my older brother found a job to help support the house, and my mother returned to work, as I continued through middle school into my first years of high school. Since sophomore year of high school, I've been finding ways to make my own money, from babysitting to working a job at the same restaurant as my mother. I am saving up as much as possible for my college education, and I can only hope to not press a major financial burden on my family by continuing my education. I have given up my weekend mornings, and some weeknights to my job, and give the rest of my time to my education, working hard on homework assignments. I’ve always done my best to make my parents proud by maintaining high grades. Having immigrant parents, from a town in Greece, I would be going to college not just for myself; but for them as well. Financial difficulties are some of the most difficult challenges to overcome, but our community has been pivotal to helping my family, and I could not be more grateful. I hope that my community scholarships, and even national scholarships, can support my family as I enter the next chapter of my life. The chapter where I learn to give back, support my mother financially so she no longer sighs over bills, so I can give her as much as I can, to reflect the way she gave everything she could. This scholarship is not a charity. It is an investment into the most hardworking students imaginable; those who need to do well to advance. Students like me, who work harder for everything they are given. With the support of this scholarship, I can reach my goals with less weight on my shoulders, achieve financial comfort with a well-paying job after college, continue working hard, and be thankful for everyone who got me there.

Students from underserved backgrounds deserve opportunities such as scholarships and grants because talent and potential are not defined by financial status. Many motivated students face barriers not of their own making—financial hardship, family circumstances, or limited resources. What they lack in opportunity, they often make up for in resilience, drive, and determination. Scholarships can level the playing field by ensuring that these students are not held back simply because of where they come from, but are instead given the chance to reach their full potential. I know this personally, because I grew up in a single-parent, low-income household. My mom worked tirelessly to provide for me, often sacrificing her own needs so that I could pursue mine. There were times when money was tight, when activities, trips, or even basic school expenses felt out of reach. Those challenges could have easily discouraged me, but instead they pushed me to work harder. I understood early that my circumstances did not define my ceiling. What I lacked in financial stability, I had to make up for through effort, discipline, and focus. One way I have overcome these obstacles is through academics. At Seton Hall Preparatory School, I have challenged myself in math and science courses, areas where students from my background are often underrepresented. These subjects taught me that persistence and problem-solving can overcome even the toughest challenges. They have also prepared me for my goal of pursuing a degree in business and communications, where I hope to combine analytical thinking with leadership and creativity. Service and leadership are also central to who I am. Through Jack and Jill of America and my school’s Spectrum Big Brothers program, I mentor younger students and encourage them to believe in their abilities. At Liquid Church’s Sunday Buddy program, I volunteer with children who have special needs, helping them feel included and supported. These experiences matter to me because I know what it feels like to need guidance and support. They have taught me that success is not just about personal achievement, but about lifting others along the way. This scholarship would have a profound impact on my journey. College tuition represents a significant challenge for my family, and receiving this support would ease the financial burden while allowing me to focus on academics, leadership, and service. It would also validate the hard work I have put into overcoming my circumstances and demonstrate that others believe in my potential. In the end, I believe students from disadvantaged backgrounds deserve opportunities because we embody resilience and ambition. With the right support, we can transform challenges into stepping stones toward success. I am committed to using my education not only to build a better life for myself, but to create opportunities for others as well.

Growing up in a disadvantaged environment often means facing obstacles that others never have to consider worrying about basic needs, lacking academic resources, or carrying family responsibilities beyond our years. But despite these challenges, many of us develop resilience, determination, and a work ethic that goes far beyond the classroom. Motivated and high-achieving students from underserved backgrounds don’t just deserve opportunities like scholarships or grants we need them to level the playing field and continue proving what we're capable of. For me, financial hardship has shaped much of my journey. I come from a family where every dollar mattered. While some classmates had tutors, quiet study spaces, or even the ability to focus solely on school, I balanced academics, and a sport with part-time jobs to help at home. I’ve studied late at night after work shifts, learned to navigate school with limited access to resources, and taught myself skills through free online tools when no other support was available. One major challenge I faced was when money was low and me and my family were on the brink of eviction, thinking we were going to lose everything , this caused a shift in my focus trying to support my family but I never let those setbacks define me. Instead, they became fuel. I pushed harder, stayed on top of my studies, and eventually earned recognition for academic excellence and leadership. What I’ve learned is that potential isn’t limited by background, it's defined by effort, mindset, and support. Given the right opportunities, students like me not only succeed, we thrive. We bring a unique perspective, grit, and commitment that come from fighting for every step forward. This grant would be more than financial help, it would be an investment in my future and in the values I stand for. It would allow me to continue pursuing my education without the constant weight of financial strain, and to focus more fully on developing my skills and giving back to my community. I hope to one day mentor and support students facing the same struggles I did. My goals are big, not just for myself, but for the impact I want to make. With the help of this grant, I will continue to rise, not despite my circumstances, but because I’ve learned how to turn hardship into strength.

Growing up in Irvington, I’ve seen how hard it can be for students like me to chase big goals when money is tight and resources are limited. Scholarships like this one aren’t just helpful—they’re necessary. They give students from tough backgrounds a real shot at success, even when the odds feel stacked against us. I was raised by a single mom who works long hours to keep things going. We’ve had our share of struggles—times when bills piled up, and college felt more like a dream than a plan. But I’ve always believed that where you start doesn’t have to decide where you end up. That’s why I’ve worked hard in school, even when things outside of class were stressful. I’ve taken the most challenging classes I could, including AP English, and I’ve kept my grades up while helping out at home. I don’t have a long list of awards or leadership roles, but I’ve stayed focused and determined. I’ve learned how to manage my time, push through setbacks, and keep showing up—even when it’s hard. That’s something I’m proud of. I want to study architecture because I’ve always been drawn to design and how spaces can shape people’s lives. I want to create buildings that feel welcoming and safe, especially in communities like mine. I believe good design shouldn’t only be for the wealthy—it should be for everyone. This scholarship would mean I could focus more on my education and less on how I’m going to afford it. It would take a huge weight off my shoulders and help me keep moving toward my goals. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I’m ready to put in the work. I’m not asking for a handout—I’m asking for a chance. Thank you for the opportunity to express myself.