Mireya TJ Manigault Memorial Scholarship

My name is Ketlyne Bonne-Annee, and I am a proud first-generation college student and BIPOC student. Although I'm from New York, I was raised in a difficult environment, and I learned how to persevere. It was the same in my classroom; the values that had been guiding me through my studies in college are even more so to make a positive impact on society. Having journeyed through college with no road map, I see firsthand the trials of first-generation students and the need to pave the way for them, paved with the glass ceiling on the other side. I am currently completing my final undergraduate semester with a stellar GPA and a full plan for my future. My aspirations to combine law and international policy lie in CUNY Law, where I am pursuing a JD/MIA dual degree, an aligned option. I will specialize in human rights and global governance, fighting to empower marginalized populations and shaping policies that foster equality and justice across the globe. I was drawn to this career path because I have witnessed the systemic inequality impact a family and an individual’s community; I want to be part of the solution. My service is rooted in my experience that I have working as a part of nonprofit organizations. These can be community development programs or youth empowerment initiatives. Those experiences were my first taste of the power of an advocacy life story and solidified that law is more than a career; it is my tool for transformation, and I believe doing so is my life’s purpose, at least in terms of doing the fight for meaningful legislation. They also confirmed my resolve to put my education to use to support others and open avenues for those who were in greatest need. These are quite difficult costs, however, if not impossible. I have a hard time studying for law school because it entails large sums of money for LSAT registration, study materials, and application fees. There is no way that I, as an undergraduate without parents, am a first-generation student without a financial safety net, which so many others use, so this scholarship is a necessity for me. A scholarship would ease my strain, enabling me to concentrate on being academically brilliant and grow on the professional front, while not being forced into the same schedule that I currently have in applying to law school. In addition to providing financial support, this scholarship is a vehicle to help set me on my path for continued shattering barriers and an example for those already in my community. I appreciate your support for all of this, and I would take the next major step towards becoming a law professional who works for the sake of justice and equity. Then, I want to advocate for not only individuals but, as I see it on a personal level as well, I want to help influence policies that produce real, long-term systemic change.

As I repeat "Hello ma'am/ sir, how is your day going? Would you like a bag?" for the hundredth time, I remember my calculus homework; I need to brush up on my derivatives. I then remember my dirty laundry; 3 hours at the laundromat will set me behind schedule. I also remember my English project that I need to continue. That's just the tip of the iceberg. When I get home from work, it's time to tackle all of the problems mentioned above, and many, many more. My room is filled with to-do lists and schedules --- things organized in order of importance and due dates. Sometimes, when I go to school with large bags under my eyes and have to drink 2 energy drinks to stay awake for my math test, I wish I didn't have to work. I don't dislike my job, and the money definitely helps, but the hours are long. New York state says I can't work more than 28 hours a week. Sometimes I cut it too close. I want to be able to balance my school and job because I need both of them. Scholarships would help to ensure I have some money to fall back on for school and future education, while ensuring I can cut down on my hours and not be so worn out. I would love to spend more time doing the extracurriculars I enjoy and being able to hang out with my friends guilt-free. I can't quit my job because, as a daughter of a single mom with an older sister in college, I'm expected to pay for my own education. My sister and I both know that our mom can't afford it, and federal grants don't cover all costs associated with continued education, so we have our jobs to try and save money to pursue our desired careers. We know our mom is trying her best, and we have to work hard to make her and ourselves proud of all our efforts. I want to go to college without worries of financial instability so that I can get my master's in aerospace engineering. I would love to help engineer spacecraft and, hopefully, get a job at NASA. At the moment, I am in 2 after-school programs that help me learn more about careers and education in STEM, and even more clubs that have helped me narrow down what I want to do after high school.