Resilient Scholar Award

My name is Jayla Lowe, I'm 17 years old and I'm a senior in high school. I have a cumulative GPA just short of a 3.5 at 3.49 and a 1070 SAT score. I'm in 3 different clubs being the president of the STEM club in where I teach students about all STEM related fields from computer science to astronomy. Gardening club and a volunteer for Girls Inc. I've played varsity volleyball up until my junior year of high school to manage my schools junior varsity basketball team. I've tutored a group of middle school and elementary school girls math at my local recreation center in low income area and I've worked 3 jobs for the past two years including an internship at a local college that I was given the chance to present at to support myself and my goals in applying for flight school, tutoring sessions and supplies. With my interest in stem I wanted to create an AP physics class which was developed but unfortunately not enough students were interested to keep the class open. Financial support and or stability is a key factor when it comes to the amount of opportunities that are created outside of the classroom, Growing up in dc we are often given the choice of vocational and trade school as first options before applying to colleges. Especially young black students male or female have trouble applying for resources or even finding careers outside of healthcare or blue collar positions. I myself had this issue and it's apparent in many of my peers who can't afford to focus on their passions for college because of financial difficulties. From Preschool to 3rd grade me and my little sister lived with my mother til she could no longer financially take care me or my sister, and up until I was in 5th grade we were sent with my father. Our life together still wasn't easy but it was better, my mother worked night shifts for 3 jobs and when she would leave us by ourselves, she stayed on the phone till she got home to make sure we were ok. My mother continued to pave this way for me and my sister anyway she could while making sure she helped us with schoolwork, personal lives and so much more. With 10 siblings and a high school diploma my mother created life from pure determination and love for me and my sister, I know what hard work is because my mother has put that in since before I was able to speak. Even now while we had no home for months my mother never stopped encouraging us to be nothing but great. My mother isn't just a physical provider but an emotional one as well, I've never thought of myself as less than worthy for anything I've set my mind too because of a woman like my mother. I want to pursue a career in aviation and aerospace engineering because my mother told me that with a mind like mine and face like hers I could reach for the stars and that's what I intend to do. Women make up of 16% of engineers globally and 5% of those women are black, I want to increase that 100 fold because so many young woman don't have the knowledge or the financial support to reach fields of STEM and I hope that I become the first of many young black women to create the spacecraft of opportunity.

Before the divorce, my family was whole. At least that’s what I believed through the rainbow lens of being a kid. My dad spent time with me; he was goofy and energetic. After he lost his job, we moved for a new opportunity and we were happy, then debt crept in. The cost of the new house alongside moving from our only support group was too much for us to handle. We started cutting costs, moved to a smaller house, but the stress caught up to their marriage. By the fourth grade I was beginning to resent my parents for the nights of yelling and days of silent tension until one day, it was over. My dad moved out and it became my mom, my younger sisters, and me. That’s when my mom began her recovery from alcoholism. She started attending 5 o’clock meetings and I got used to cooking dinner for my sisters. My mom had always been kind enough to shelter me from the adult issues we faced when my father was around but once it became just her, my kaleidoscope glasses fell to the floor and I realized just how stressful her life was. She worked physically demanding jobs, went to AA meetings every night, and barely fed herself. I watched my mom give every ounce she had to feeding my sisters and me while she said she “wasn’t hungry”. She never complained. I’ve always been a smart kid so whether she realized it or not I knew the truth, we were struggling. I was too little to work, so I took care of my sisters. I made sure they did their homework and chores. I did what my dad used to do. When school trips came around, I’d lie and tell my mom I didn’t want to go so she wouldn’t have to pay. I knew it was too much. This continued until I was in the seventh grade. I got comfortable taking care of my family. I struggled in silence, and this certainly didn’t help my social life but it was worth it knowing I was helping my momma, lightening her load when I could. I love her with every fiber of my being, she’s the strongest person I’ve ever met. I became so accustomed to survival mode that I forgot what it was like to live for myself. I was set on working fresh out of high school, of course I dreamed about college and a career but I knew it wasn’t practical. I was so wrong. After four years of school and the worst bout of depression I’ve ever experienced in my life, my GPA fell to a 1.6. I almost gave up on education entirely. We moved back to Alaska in 2021 and I met an entirely new world of people that completely changed my outlook on life. I found the support system I didn’t have in Montana. I realized I could live for myself again. I joined sports, clubs, and even theater. I pushed myself academically and emotionally. I met my now life-partner who believes in me as fiercely as I’m beginning to believe in myself. The move saved my life. But it was my mom’s resilience, and the love we share, that gave me the strength to seize the opportunity. This scholarship would lift a significant burden from my shoulders, allowing me to focus on building the life I’ve always dreamed of. I want this not just for me, but for my momma, my sisters, and the little me I used to be, the one who held onto hope.

I was born in the small town of Toppenish, Washington, and from a young age, I experienced frequent moves between schools and houses. Eventually, I settled in Toppenish and it has become my home. However, my childhood was not without its challenges. When I was younger, 3-4 years old, I almost got diagnosed with Autism because I couldn't talk, especially since I was shy. I would try to speak, but all that would come out was gibberish. This frustrated and misunderstood me, as I struggled to communicate with those around me. Thankfully, my mother took me to a Hearing & Speech Center where they told her I could talk with time. This experience taught me the value of perseverance and never giving up, even when faced with obstacles. I am the only child from my mother's side, and she has played the role of both a mother and a father in my life. While my father hasn't been around, my mother works hard to support our small family. Growing up in a low-income household, my mother works in the fields. She wakes up at 3 am to make her lunch, goes to work at 5 am, and arrives home at 7 pm exhausted, especially during the hot sun. She pays rent and sacrifices herself to provide for our family. Seeing her hard work and determination has instilled in me a strong work ethic and the importance of never taking anything for granted. One of my greatest passions is music, specifically singing. I have been a part of the Chamber Choir at my high school for four years, allowing me to express myself and connect with others through music. Being a part of this choir has improved my vocal skills and taught me the value of teamwork and collaboration. We work together to create beautiful harmonies and performances, and it has taught me the importance of supporting and uplifting others. An accomplishment that has led to a new understanding of myself and others was when I joined a community service project to help organize a toy train Christmas event. It was such a magical experience. Seeing the joy on the faces of families and children as they got to meet Santa, ride the train, and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate was truly heartwarming. We also organized a scavenger hunt, which added an extra layer of excitement and fun. It made me realize the importance of creating special moments for others and the impact that small gestures can have on bringing happiness to people's lives during the holiday season. This experience also taught me the power of community and coming together to make a positive difference in the world. Lastly, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the person who established this scholarship for students from single-parent households, including myself. As a first-generation student, I've faced numerous obstacles while pursuing my education. This scholarship would not only relieve my family's expenses but also allow me to continue my education at a four-year university. I am determined to take advantage of this opportunity and use it to advance my education and achieve my goals. Thank you so much for your time and consideration; it means the world to me.