Special Delivery of Dreams Scholarship

Like many people, my life has not been easy. I was born to addict parents who put me in situations no child should experience, no matter what their age. Thankfully, I was raised by my loving grandparents from the age of four until I was 13 years old. However, whenever I spent time with either one of my parents, I was placed in questionable situations. At times I rummaged through empty cabinets for something to ease my hunger pains. Other times I would shield my eyes from adult images that continuously played on the tv in one of my parent's rooms, and many times I witnessed my parents being arrested. Over the years I saw a great deal of abuse, both substance abuse and physical abuse. One parent was often abused or acting as the abuser. As a teenager one of my parents would not allow me to return home, and I found myself quasi-homeless. Then as an adult I faced one of my parents, high on drugs, as they screamed in my face saying they wished I would die. After such difficult experiences, many people expected I would become an addict like my parents, but I am proud to say, I overcame that expectation! I knew what my life would look like if I chose a life of substance abuse like my parents did. Instead, I chose a different path! The funds from this scholarship will help me ease the financial stress associated with college education and allow me to pursue my bachelor's degree in English. Upon competition of my degree, it's my plan to enter into the world of book publishing where I can work with books and share my love of literature with children in my community and the world! Currently, work with at-risk teens who reside at our academy. A large part of my job is to teach teens life-skills and life coping skills. It's a huge blessing that my role permits me to share my passion for books permitting me to run a teen-based book club! Not only am I able to read to them and with them, but I also facilitate meaningful discussions around the sometimes-challenging themes of the books we are read. Another passion of mine is stamp collecting. I've been collecting stamps since I was 10 years old, and while I do not know how many stamps I have, I do have some really special stamps that once belonged to my great-grandparents. Recently, I added stamps to my collection from my grandmother's trip to Italy, as well as a beautiful vintage three-cent Edgar Allan Poe stamp that I believe to be from 1949. As a literature lover, this is by far my favorite stamp in my collection! I'm excited to say that I'm able to also incorporate teaching teens about the joys of stamp collecting while teaching them about life skills. While distributing mail to the teens at our academy, I often comment on the beautiful stamps and let them know how neat they are. This is a simple way of opening up the conversation to stamp collecting and the history behind stamps. Stamp collecting is a wholesome activity and a great way for these teens who are coming to us from some very rough backgrounds to focus their thoughts on something they can enjoy that's not screen related. Joy is contagious! I love sharing the things that bring me happiness- especially books and collecting stamps, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to share both with the teens I work with!

My journey has been marked by personal challenges, with mental health struggles standing out as one of the most significant hurdles I have faced. Balancing academic responsibilities and personal life became increasingly difficult as I experienced anxiety and depression, which often left me feeling overwhelmed and questioning my abilities. Recognizing the importance of seeking help, I reached out to mental health professionals who provided me with invaluable guidance and support. Through therapy and self-care practices, I learned to manage my mental health, emerging stronger and more resilient as a result. Receiving this scholarship would enable me to pursue a career in conservation biology, a field that allows me to combine my passion for wildlife with my commitment to environmental stewardship. By dedicating my professional life to preserving Earth's biodiversity and promoting harmony between humans and nature, I will be actively contributing to the well-being of local and global communities. Additionally, I aim to mentor and inspire young individuals, particularly those facing similar challenges, to pursue their dreams and recognize their potential as agents of positive change. To encourage young people to explore the world of philately, I would emphasize the educational and creative aspects of stamp collecting. By highlighting the diverse range of topics featured on stamps, such as flora, fauna, and cultural elements, I would showcase how this hobby can spark curiosity and inspire learning about various subjects. Collaborating with schools and youth organizations, I would develop engaging workshops and programs that introduce young individuals to philately, fostering an appreciation for the art, history, and culture represented on these miniature masterpieces. The Federal Duck Stamp program is an excellent example of how hobbyists and conservationists can come together to make a meaningful impact on wildlife preservation. Established in 1934 with the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act, the program has served as a crucial source of funding for wetland conservation efforts, with 98% of the proceeds from each stamp sale being directed towards the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. These stamps, required for migratory waterfowl hunting and granting access to National Wildlife Refuges, are not just limited to hunters. Birders, nature photographers, and other outdoor enthusiasts can also contribute to conservation efforts by purchasing Duck Stamps, ensuring the preservation of habitats for birds and other wildlife. This collaboration between hobbyists and conservationists serves as a powerful tool for protecting our nation's natural resources, benefiting both humans and wildlife alike. In conclusion, my desire to pursue a career in conservation biology is fueled by a deep-rooted passion for wildlife preservation, a commitment to environmental stewardship, and a personal understanding of the importance of overcoming challenges. The opportunity to receive this scholarship would not only provide financial support for my academic journey, but also allow me to give back to the community by fostering a new generation of environmental advocates and encouraging young individuals to engage with nature through hobbies like philately and initiatives such as the Federal Duck Stamp program. I am immensely grateful for your consideration and the potential to make a positive impact on our planet's precious biodiversity. Thank you.

Growing up as a young Black male in a tough neighborhood, I faced many challenges that could have easily derailed my life. But despite the obstacles, I persevered and overcame one of the biggest hurdles: finding purpose and direction. One of the darkest moments was when my family lost our home due to foreclosure. We had to move to a shelter, and I felt like my world was crumbling. But in that shelter, I discovered a small stamp collection that belonged to a volunteer. She showed me the different countries, designs, and stories behind each stamp. For the first time, I saw a world beyond my circumstances. Philately became my escape and passion. I spent hours learning about different cultures, histories, and achievements. It taught me about resilience, diversity, and the beauty of connection. I realized that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope and beauty to be found. This scholarship would be a game-changer for me. It would allow me to pursue my dreams, give back to my community, and inspire others to find their purpose. I plan to create a philately program for underprivileged youth, providing them with the same opportunity that I had. I want to show them that there's a world beyond their circumstances, that they too can overcome adversity and achieve greatness. To encourage young people to pursue philately, I would share my story and show them how it changed my life. I would organize workshops, exhibitions, and mentorship programs, highlighting the fun and educational aspects of stamp collecting. I would also partner with schools and community centers to make philately accessible to all. Through philately, I found my voice, my purpose, and my passion. This scholarship would enable me to pay it forward, empowering others to do the same. Together, we can create a ripple effect of hope, resilience, and beauty – one stamp at a time. Now as Grown adult that is still learning and pursuing better career growth, another one of my main goals is to give my children better opportunities than I had. I strongly believe parents can shape their children futures. Teaching them resilience, and to manage stress is a must for me. Those two things were taught to me by my family and I can completely point to that and say that's why I'm still here today. Giving up is not an option. Failures are not Failures, but instead they are opportunities to learn.

Like many people, my life has not been easy. I've faced many adversities from the time I was born until this present day. I was born to two addict parents who put me in situations no child should ever experience, no matter what their age. Thankfully, I was raised by my loving grandparents from the age of four until I was 13 years old. However, whenever I spent time with either one of my parents, I was continuously placed in questionable situations. At times I was left with strangers that I didn't know or left in a vehicle, at night, outside of an apartment complex where I cried myself to sleep while one of my parents went inside to meet a friend. Over the years I witnessed a great deal of abuse; substance abuse in the form of drugs and alcohol, as well as my parents either being physically abused or acting as the abuser. As a teenager one of my parents would not allow me to come home, and I found myself quasi-homeless. As an adult I faced my parent, high on drugs, as they screamed in my face saying they wished I would die. After such difficult experiences, many people expected I would become an addict like my parents, but I am happy to say, I overcame that expectation! I saw what my life would look like if I choose to abuse substances like my parents, and I decided to take a different path and live a life free from drugs and alcohol. The funds from this scholarship will help me give back to the community by easing the financial stress of my education and allow me to pursue my degree in English. Once I've obtained my English degree, I plan on pursuing a career in book publishing, but I would also like to share the love of books with children by tutoring young children in reading and tutoring middle and high school children in literary analysis. I currently homeschool my own four children and often teach them the very things I'm learning about in college, hoping that a deep love of literature will grow with them from a very young age. I currently give back to my community by donating farm fresh eggs to families, friends, and even strangers in my area who are in need. I love stamps! I've been collecting stamps since I was 10 years old, and while I do not know how many stamps I have, I do have some really special stamps that once belonged to my great-grandparents. I would encourage young people to pursue philately by sharing unique or vintage stamps with them and ask them to explore the interesting history behind the stamps. Just the other day I found some unused forever postcards from the early 1980's! I'm so excited for my children to use them and send them to their pen pals in hopes that they will also cultivate a love of stamps.

On a sunny, beautiful November day of 2020, my oldest child, Kata was just enjoying the 15th year of her life. An active competitive swimmer since the age of four, she was dedicated and focused on what she knew best: racing. What she did not know was that she was about to step on the block against her greatest enemy, swimming a race for her life. On this day, my parental instinct was telling us that something was awfully wrong: Kata was in too much pain, more than usual practices and races bring on. We ended up in the ER - for the second time. With faith and hope in the doctors, we were shooting for a solution to her pain, but what we got instead was a misdiagnose. Or probably an ultrasound technician's incompetence - we shall never know. But, in another 24-hour time, we got the answer to our worst nightmare: stage 4 soft-tissue cancer. Inoperable. The world, the heart, the mind, everything stopped in place for a fraction of time. Then we dove in. At first, I stumbled, I did nothing but stumble, hesitate, doubt, mumble, and panic, and felt like sinking to endless bottoms. But, as we moved on in treatments, ups-downs, therapies, and so much more, I found myself automatically enrolled in a school, more of a college I would have never thought I would enroll in: the medical school of life. In my case, it was pediatric cancer. By profession, I am an elementary and language teacher, and I worked in my profession in Romania before moving to the United States. Learning, and reading, therefore, were second nature to me. During the process, I often found myself contemplating how I could repay all those who stood by us this entire time. I needed to find something. Then, one day, it finally occurred to me as I kept on going back to the root of the problem: the misdiagnosis, the ultrasound exam, and the misinterpreted two large tumors. Then, I decided that I have to do something about it. So, 28 years after graduating, I decided to enroll in becoming an ultrasound technician. My goal is simple and clear: I must ensure that I will be the best prepared, most knowledgeable, and most qualified for this profession. For an educator like me who has never desired to work in a hospital environment and never intended to operate medical equipment, this is the greatest purpose, challenge, and goal. My desire is to work in the pediatric field and become a reliable professional. This scholarship would certainly take a tremendous burden off my family's shoulders, and it would become the greatest milestone in my personal life. Our cancer journey taught me the hard way how to stand up for people I love but also for those who are experiencing hardship and difficulties in life. In the end, without even realizing how much I lead instead of being led, I was ready to tear down any obstacle, break down every wall, and lead my child out of this nightmare called pediatric cancer.

On this day, November 19th, 2020, my oldest child, Kata was just enjoying the 15th year of her life. An active competitive swimmer since the age of four, she was dedicated and focused on what she knew best: racing. What she did not know was that she was about to step on the block against her greatest enemy, swimming a race for her life. On this day, my parental instinct was telling us that something was awfully wrong: Kata was in too much pain, more than usual practices and races bring on. We ended up in the ER - for the second time. With faith and hope in the doctors, we were shooting for a solution to her pain, but what we got instead was a misdiagnose. Or probably an ultrasound technician's incompetence - we shall never know. But, in another 24-hour time, we got the answer to our worst nightmare: stage 4 soft-tissue cancer. Inoperable. The world, the heart, the mind, everything stopped in place for a fraction of time. Then we dove in. At first, I stumbled, I did nothing but stumble, hesitate, doubt, mumble, and panic, and felt like sinking to endless bottoms. But, as we moved on in treatments, ups-downs, therapies, and so much more, I found myself automatically enrolled in a school, more of a college I have never thought I would enroll in: the medical school of life. In my case, it was pediatric cancer. By profession, I am an elementary and language teacher, and I worked in my profession in Romania before moving to the United States. Learning, and reading, therefore, were second nature to me. During the process, I often found myself contemplating how I could repay all those who stood by us this entire time. I needed to find something. Then, one day, it finally occurred to me as I kept on going back to the root of the problem: the misdiagnosis, the ultrasound exam, and the misinterpreted two large tumors. Then, I decided that I have to do something about it. So, 28 years after graduating, I decided to enroll in becoming an ultrasound technician. My goal is simple and clear: I must ensure that I will be the best prepared, most knowledgeable, and most qualified for this profession. For an educator like myself who has never desired to work in a hospital environment and never intended to operate medical equipment, this is the greatest purpose, challenge, and goal. My desire is to work in the pediatric field and become a reliable professional. This scholarship would certainly take a tremendous burden off my and my family's shoulders, as I still care for our fragile daughter. My hobbies and interests are designed to be in relation to what I pursue and dream about. I am an avid reader and an eternal proofreader. But beyond these, I enjoy spending a fraction of my time riding my motorcycle or cooking-baking for my family. Nevertheless, being with my children though is my life, my hobby, my everything.