Scorenavigator Financial Literacy Scholarship

Financial literacy is a skill everyone should have, but unfortunately, it is not taught in most schools. It has been my experience that lack of financial education has impacted Black Caribbean and African American children and their families significantly. These groups are more likely to experience financial hardships and inequality. Being financially literate means making intelligent financial decisions that help build wealth, reduce debt, and prepare for the future with solid investments. Learning financial literacy can help students make confident money-management decisions. I have had the privilege of growing up with Haitian and American cultures. I am a second-generation Haitian American raised by traditional Haitian grandparents and Haitian-American parents. My grandparents and parents were strict, challenging, and no-nonsense. They had high expectations for me and clarified that failure was not an option. They taught me discipline, hard work, and sacrifice. Although my parents are Haitian Americans, it was essential for them to raise me knowing their culture, values, and traditions. Respect plays a vital role in the culture and identity of many Haitian families. From religious beliefs to social customs, these traditions are often passed down from generation to generation. Growing up, I knew that Haiti was the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and that life for most Haitians was a daily struggle. Haiti needs more educational and occupational opportunities that allow people a chance for growth and incremental success. I was fortunate enough to have Haitian grandparents who came to America with nothing but worked very hard to give me the type of opportunities that most kids in Haiti never get. They made me understand the great responsibility that came with being Haitian-American and that I should never take my opportunities for granted. Because my grandparents sacrificed for me, I am responsible for making something of myself. I am a student musician who plays the baritone and alto saxophone, along with the bassoon. I have been the drum major for the Howard W. Blake Yellow Jackets since my junior year of high school. I have played with The Hillsborough All-County Ensembles and the USF Bay Area Youth (BAY) Winds throughout high school. Even with my responsibilities within my jazz band, concert band, and orchestra ensemble, I have maintained an unweighted 3.8 GPA while working a part-time job. I was inducted into my school’s National Honors Society my junior year. I have earned over 100 volunteer hours and completed two virtual classes through my local community college. I am considering studying music because music is my passion. I aim to start my own music label; as the owner and operator, I would control every decision. From the type of music, I want to promote to the marketing plan that gets the music out to fans. My record label would be about working with artists to create new music and experiences that touch people’s hearts. As a label, I will hopefully make money in various ways, such as a cut from streaming, physical album sales, licensing, and live performances. Nurturing, promoting, and distributing music can be a real moneymaker, but it does take experience. Many people who start a record label have a music background and experience in the industry. They also know what it takes to develop amazing artists and build audiences. Starting a record label takes strategic planning; being a record label executive requires deep knowledge of both business and music.

I turn back to see my grandma and mom crying as we stuff boxes filled with childhood memories in our car. While my mom, my little sister, my step-father, and I moved to the Big Island. We abandoned my grandma, my fathers, my cousins, and my life on Oahu. With this move, came the rude awakening of how I will need to make brand new friends and learn in a brand new environment. However, this got postponed because of COVID-19, and instead, I had to be fully online. Isolated, I sat in my chair day by day not seeing a single real face besides my family. I had no friends and barely any communication with the school. The only communication that I would have would just be letting us know that grades are due soon, and when the tests were. Nothing was ever individualized, as if you were talking to robots. I knew how easy these classes were, but I never had the opportunity to push for more difficult classes. I didn’t have any knowledge of anything since it felt as if I was on an island by myself and occasionally I would use my landline to call the school. However, I did have difficulty with a certain class and when I asked about it, they responded “Oh, we are sorry about that, that class is mainly for juniors and seniors.” It was replaced with a class counting shapes. Thus, I begged to be brought into the Semi-virtual classes. Almost a year in, I finally saw other students who go to my school. On the first day, I had stayed 3 hours extra to fully grasp the class I was in and understand the material being taught. This eventually led me to be enrolled in the STEM program which I still had little knowledge about. Sophomore year came, the first year in person when I could finally see other students in person, however, this came with a dreadful predicament. I had to talk to strangers. And make them into my friends to escape the isolation. Very shy, and timid, this was a big hurdle for me to conquer, however, while I was drawing, another student noticed and the rest is history. Slowly but surely my little circle of people began to grow. Especially in my sophomore year, because one of the main concepts that we were learning, multiple people had struggled. I was able to provide assistance which led to getting to know more people. Now, I surround myself with amazing people who push me in ways my freshman self could never believe. My current group of friends and the STEM academy have allowed me to do some phenomenal opportunities academically, and socially, like visiting colleges on a robotics trip while going to an amusement park. I have grown to be someone who can reliably be there for my friends, whether it’s homework from math class or a shoulder to cry on. The Scorenavigator Scholarship will allow me the opportunity to further push my boundaries and break through my limits by eliminating the concern of the cost of my future education to solely focus on maintaining a superb education and relationship with others. I hope to branch out further with my community and demonstrate what I have learned from Kealakehe to others out in the world. I plan to spread “Aloha” wherever I end up going to college, and will ensure to value my relationships with my peers.

I recently took a personal economics class in High School. I was amazed at things I learned from budgeting to understanding how credit works. I believe my exposure to the content from the class has helped to prepared me to manage my finances as I grow into a young adult pursing a career and education in the arts. Since I could hold a paint brush, I have always had a passion for art and design. I would color everything from paper to the walls in my bedroom. My love the arts turned from a hobby to a desire to share my gift with the world. When I was 12 my father became legally blind and I would use art as a way to escape the challenges my family began to face. At the time, I didn't realize that art would become therapy as a way for me to use color to communicate, evoke emotion, vibrancy and healing. As my art become my private place of escape, I had no idea at the time that it would also become a beacon of light that would thrust my desire into educational pursuits. As a recent 2024 graduate from High School, I am now looking for ways to use my graphic gifting to inspire others. Using my story of art therapy can help others find a way of escaping their emotional stress with strokes of color whether professionally or as a hobby used as a vehicle for expression. There are certain colors that my father through his visual impairment is unable to see so I am fully motivated to allow the colors that I use through my art to express color for those who are limited in what they can see. My color pallet evokes my emotion but with education, I am confident that my love for art and design will blossom into a career that will make my family proud and provide me with a lucrative future that allows me to convey positive messages through art. For many, the world of sight can often be taken for granted. However, for me the gift of sight coupled with knowing first hand the power of visual displays of color can create joy and space to express my talent now aligned with my educational pursuits. My art will be used to spark wonder, increase awareness and create passionate dialogue for families dealing with a loved one who is learning to live an enriched life despite their disability. I am committed to follow my dreams and goals. I am committed to use color to help others heal, to tell my story of I am able to use art as a form of therapy to shape my world and create color in the places that have felt dark. My willingness to share my story as an overcomer doesn't take away my journey but it creates an opportunity for me to use my obstacles as a stepping stone for greater. I believe that I am able to use my art to create a better world by sharing my gift, my story and my triumphs obtained through the world of art. Whether through art therapy or design the emotion, heart and passion conveyed are in essence a vehicle to heal and escape from the pressure and unexpected twists and turns that families of disabled face. My art can help others win at life by finding ways to use art to heal their emotions one color at a time.

Growing up in a single-parent household in a house that constantly needed a lot of major home repairs and watching my mother struggle with money daily has led me to have a strong desire to be more financially stable in my own life. Over the past several years, since getting my license and wanting to do more things with friends, I have learned to watch my spending and be responsible about how I spend money. I have worked part-time jobs, but with the cost of gas and going out with friends, I have seen how quickly the money I make can disappear. This summer, in particular, has been incredibly stressful and frustrating. My goal was to work a lot this summer to make money to pay for my gas and personal expenses at college this next year. I have applied for nearly forty jobs, have been on interview after interview, and am still looking for a job. I do not want to spend my last summer at home stressed out all summer, but jobs are tough to find right now. I plan to referee soccer this summer, which pays well, but I wanted to work a lot and pad my bank account so that I felt comfortable going off to college, knowing that I would have the money necessary to pay for expenses that arose. Between watching my mother and my experience this summer, I have had my eyes opened to just how stressful it can be to not be financially secure. I would one day love to be able to give back to my mom for all the sacrifices she has made for me throughout my life and to ease her financial stress in some way. I a.m hoping that getting my degree in engineering and eventually working in that field will lead to a fair amount of financial security. I have learned to evaluate every purchase I make to determine if it is a need or just a want and how important it is. I have also learned to price-compare everything before I make any purchases. Making smart financial decisions can dramatically impact one's quality of life. I want to have plenty of money in the future so as not to worry about every penny I spend, but I also want to constantly weigh the options before making purchases and look at the big picture instead of just my short-term wants. One day, I want to be married and have kids, and I want them to grow up in a financially stable home. My goal will be to provide for them entirely and teach them how to be responsible with money, the value of work, saving, and being conscientious regarding spending. I still hope to find a job this summer to supplement refereeing. If I cannot find something, I will have to be very careful throughout my first year regarding spending, and if it comes down to it, I will need to find an on-campus job to supplement what I start the year with. Financial wisdom is so important. So many people are living above what they can afford, and I have personally witnessed that it just leads to stress and even more debt. My goal in the future is to be financially wise and avoid the stress and extra debt that come from making poor financial decisions.

As a young adult, I have been fortunate enough not to worry about managing my finances. However, witnessing the financial struggles of my family has been eye-opening and made me realize the importance of financial education and planning for the future. I believe that financial stability is crucial for achieving my personal and professional goals. Therefore, I plan on setting short-term and long-term financial goals, such as saving for college and creating a budget for living expenses. I also plan to learn about investing and making smart decisions with my money to ensure a stable and secure financial future. Financial education is important for everyone, and I hope to use what I learn to educate and help others in my community with financial planning and making sound financial decisions. Attending college has always been a dream of mine, not just for academic knowledge but also for the personal growth and life experiences that come along with it. A scholarship would enable me to pursue my academic and personal goals without the stress of financial struggles. With a scholarship, I can devote my energy to learning and growing as a person, expanding my knowledge and skill set through extracurricular activities and volunteer work. Becoming a psychologist has been a dream of mine for a long time. My passion for understanding the complexities of the human mind and behavior stems from my own personal experiences and adversities. Growing up, I faced numerous challenges that helped shape my desire to become a psychologist. One of the adversities that I faced was struggling with my mental health. As a teenager, I experienced anxiety and depression that impacted my daily life. These challenges inspired me to seek help and begin therapy, which ultimately led to my passion for psychology. Through my own therapy sessions, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of my own thoughts and emotions, which sparked my interest in helping others who are struggling with their own mental health. Another adversity that has motivated me to pursue psychology is witnessing the impact of trauma on individuals and their families. I have seen firsthand how trauma can impact someone's mental health, relationships, and overall quality of life. This experience has fueled my desire to help those who have experienced trauma and to use my knowledge to advocate for those who may not have had access to mental health resources. Despite these challenges, I have remained committed to my goal of becoming a psychologist. Through my own experiences, I have gained a deeper understanding of the importance of mental health and the impact that it can have on individuals and their families. I am eager to use my knowledge and experience to help others overcome their own adversities and lead happier healthier lives. As a future psychologist, I understand that financial literacy plays in one's mental and emotional well-being. Financial stress and hardship can lead to anxiety, depression, and a host of other mental health issues. Therefore, gaining a solid foundation in financial education is essential for me to effectively help my future clients navigate their own financial adversities. With a scholarship, I can focus on my academic and personal goals without the added stress of financial burdens. This will allow me to fully immerse myself in my studies, gain practical experience through internships and volunteer work, and explore various areas of psychology. Additionally, the financial stability provided by a scholarship will give me the freedom to pursue my passions and expand my knowledge and skill set, ultimately making me a more effective and well-rounded psychologist.

When I first started working I had thoughts of earning hundreds of dollars and being able to buy all the things I desired, go to restaurants with my friends, fill up my gas tank and take drives to have adventures, and go to concerts, but that didn't occur. Instead, I realized that I barely had enough money to have any fun after buying the things I needed and putting gas in my car for school and work, I actually didn't have much money. I needed to make a change. And although I received a raise at my job I still didn't have much. Several of my friends were buying items online so I quickly realized that I could be the seller. I had already set up accounts online to shop so I decided to sell as well. And I did! Over the years because I shop at Thrift stores, I had accumulated quite a lot of vintage clothes so I'm doing quite well for myself. Even my mom gives me some of her items to sale. Now I have several accounts on different websites like Mercari, Offerup, Facebook Marketplace and Esty. I believe that because I have these buying and selling experiences my financial education has had a great start. It has taught me to be more detailed. Also, I never forget to read the fine print, because I was burned a few times before I became a pro at it. I have learned to prioritize what I need versus what I want. I have learned that with buying power comes responsibility and If you sell something you should send it right away as you would want that done for you. I have also learned that if you don't do things the correct way you could lose your money and no one wants that. There may be hiccups in the beginning but if you keep a very detailed account of what's coming in and going out, your bottom line numbers should be exact. In my economics class, my teacher taught me to budget and save. It is definitely something I need especially because I have the tendency to go over budget. I really have to prioritize need versus want because I usually want to spend my money as soon as I got it. I have learned need over want and also to make a priority for the things I really need. I know that because I've had these financial experiences, I can make more informed choices when buying.

I don't have much in the way of real experience with personal finances. I have dealt with my family having low finances—we only make about $40,000 a year right now, before taxes, and we have an estimated $150,000 in debt. We're currently having trouble with getting all our bills paid and with buying me the materials I need to live away from home on a college campus, and with getting me to college, at the University of Arizona. We lost about nearly $20,000 in income this year, on a year-to-year basis. We were receiving Survivor's benefits from Social Security, but we lost them since I grew too old to receive them. I have learned a considerable bit in the realm of personal finances. I have read books and articles on these topics, and I have taken a Personal Financial Literacy course in high school. I've learned from my parents some good financial practices, such as the need to read everything in very great depth. This is a teaching that can come in handy anywhere, but it's especially important in personal finances, where there can be very important information in fine print. I have read about how to handle debt, the dangers of credit cards (and loans in general), building a credit score, and how to budget, all of which are critical for finances at every level, from the individual to the government. Even governments have loans and debt they have to handle, and their ability to repay debt can affect them in the sight of other nations. On the whole, my experience with finances has been difficult, because my family doesn't have much money to enjoy life and get me to college, though my experience with financial education has been more than sufficient, because I'm already learning good habits that I can use to have a strong financial position. One of my dreams is to have a perfect credit score. I plan on using what I've learned to ensure I have a strong financial future, which will ensure I have a strong future in general, because without a solid financial future, you literally can't afford a good life; you won't have the funds for it. I will do everything I can to stay out of debt and to viciously attack whatever debt I may have. To build my credit score, I will have to get into debt, but I will make sure it's manageable. If I must go into credit card debt, I will research ways that I can use the debt to build my credit score. I may also get a mortgage, when I have a family, because I've read a mortgage is one of the best ways to build your credit score. I will save as much money as I can, for both "rainy days" and for retirement. I want to make sure I have enough money to afford unexpected expenses, such as medical emergencies. I also want to make sure I have enough money to live on when I can no longer work. I will have to go into debt at times; I will save to make sure the debt is less than what it otherwise might be, such as paying part of the cost of a house with the money I have saved. I am planning my financial future even as I write this. I'm planning on opening my first savings account soon. I will save voraciously, to help my future. I want to ensure a good life for myself and whatever family I may have some day. The time to start is now.

When most of us were young, we probably didn't show much interest in finance. It seemed to be something we all kind of just threw to the side and moved on without. With that being said, how do some of these people then go on to be accountants, financial advisors, and more? Well, let me tell you a story. While growing up, not that I am not anymore, the first thing my parents told me before dropping me off for my first day of kindergarten is that for me to succeed, I would have to put in my own work, and succeed based off of my merit alone. Having come from a family of immigrants, it seemed natural to be on my own for the majority of my life. However, as a kindergartener, I was more focused on what was for lunch that afternoon. And for the next several years, I didn't think much of it. Going into the second semester of my eight grade year, I finally decided that I would really put most of my energy towards preparing myself for the future. As someone that wanted to be a pilot in the Air Force, I knew it would be one daunting task to accomplish. For that reason, I spent several hours a week studying for my classes, being part of organizations, and even working out, all to make myself a better candidate for officer school in the Air Force. In fact, I was actually arrested several times since they thought I was a trespasser on the track, when all I wanted to do was run some extra laps before school started. Now, as a Junior, running before I wake up, and taking a shower while on the bus, I learned that having to meet the standards of the officer schools for the Air Force is no easy task. Being involved in several organizations, and being an officer in all of them, I learned about the importance of leadership and what that would mean for when I do end up joining the service. However, when I look back on my past, and even further on my parents past, I can't hesitate to think that everything that I have led myself to do up to this point was all because I decided to put myself forward in this field. Why is that important in the financial field? because, as part of this career choice, knowing that I want to be a pilot, I really had to look into my options here. I'm not that kid you see on television whose parents were both pilots, nor am I some rich kid that could do anything. Rather, I have to figure out how to do it myself, through scholarships and more. And while I may not know what the future has for me as of today, I can say that I will be ready to adapt accordingly.

I started working at the age of 14 at YMCA helping autistic children learn how to swim. I do not think I woke up one morning and said that is what I wanted to do, but I believe God put that opportunity in my path as he has done with many things in my life. I embraced the opportunity and there is something to be said about being wanted. The little girl who was one of my first students always asked for me every week and although she had her own unique way of being, I began to look forward to our hour of swim as well. What started out as a mere weekly paycheck, a little pocket money for me to be able to get around and buy a little lunch after school, became such a meaningfully learning experience for me. To this day, although I no longer work there, I carry that little young lady in my heart. I now teach gymnastics to little kids and have found my true calling of merging my talents of gymnastics and desire to help people. I am recently a direct admit into the Temple University BSN program which is a highly selective program. I am blessed that I found them and they chose me. This will mark the beginning of my journey to making a difference one person at a time while simultaneously financially securing a life for myself. By the age of 21 I will sit for my boards and begin working as a registered nurse. I intend to work for a city hospital like my mom and begin saving my money to open my own business. I will continue to seek funding for my continued education, as I intend my ultimate educational destination to be a Nurse Practitioner and open my own clinic. Watching the summer Olympics last summer made me realize how important it is to have a one stop shop for gymnasts and athletes who are training everyday for so many hours. With all that has also transpired with the USA gymnastics board, as a lifetime gymnast, I feel like having services for gymnasts and their families readily available in real time us vital to the progression of athletes. This is why I intend to have my own gym where gymnastics is taught and adjacent to the gym will be my pediatric clinic with specialization in orthopedics to treat injuries. Also on site will be the Clinic Psychiatrist and Psychologist who can assist the gymnasts with anything they need. I believe this will be an amazing financial endeavor that will serve our communities, by providing healthy resources for our young people, keep them busy, teach them dedication, commitment, and in the mist of all success. This is the plan for my future and in the midst of reaching for my dreams I will help others reach theirs. I am your ambassador for change. Invest in me and I will invest in those who follow.

I have many different personal experiences when it comes to finances. I had my first job at 12 years old and was getting paid under the table to help my mom out with her daycare. And of course at a young age, all you're thinking about is spending it on food. For me though, I was spending it more on other people. By the time I was 16 and started getting actual paychecks while babysitting on the side, I still continued to just spend. When I was 17, the daycare closed down and I got a job at my local subway. This is when I did online schooling so it was easier to make money. I opened a savings account and started budgeting for the first time. And I loved it! Seeing my savings go up slowly made me feel good. I didn't even know what I was saving for at the time but it made me feel very proud. My senior year, I took a consumer finance class and I learned so much about the 3 foundations in personal finance. I learned about investing in the stock market and most importantly, I learned how to budget more efficiently to make my life easier. There are two types of people in this world, a saver and a spender. And from what I have learned throughout the years have made me into the person I am now, a saver. Because of this, I have a plan financially for college. I know things don't always work out and maybe I will have to pull out loans in the future, but either way, I am getting the education I want and deserve. Plus, once I am officially out in the real world, all that I have learned and will learn later on will help me to live a happy and debt free life.