Thomas Griffin Wilson Memorial Scholarship

When I read about Thomas Griffin Wilson, his capacity to care deeply for others and his love for nature truly inspired and resonated with me. That quality to build deep and meaningful relationships is something I try to live by, and it has shaped almost everything I do. I was designated an unaccompanied homeless youth in high school after I began living on my own and supporting myself financially. It was a difficult chapter. Balancing school, bills, and two jobs left little room for sleep, let alone typical teenage milestones. But even then, what grounded me was not just survival, it was connection. Whether through mentoring younger students at my martial arts gym, forming bonds with coworkers who became like family, or tutoring kids over Zoom who were living in active war zones in Ukraine, I found a sense of purpose in showing up for others. I now coach kids at my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym, where I have helped shy or anxious students build confidence and resilience. I often translate for some of them since we share a language. I am a first-generation immigrant. I have watched them grow stronger not just physically, but emotionally. For some, the gym is the only place where they feel seen and safe, and I do not take that responsibility lightly. It was the same for me. At the same time, I am part of three research teams focused on environmental resilience. One is studying flood mitigation in St. Lucia, another is analyzing rockfall risks in glacial environments, and the third explores how to encourage green architecture in Portland. Like Thomas, I find fulfillment in nature and in seeking ways to give back to our planet. Science gives me tools to help vulnerable communities prepare for climate change. Compassion is what drives me to keep going, even when things are hard. Financial aid like this scholarship helps me afford school and protects the time I give to others. It means I do not have to choose between paying rent and volunteering. It allows me to keep coaching, tutoring, and conducting research that supports underserved communities. I am pursuing a dual degree in Environmental Science and Economics because I believe science and policy must work together to build more just and sustainable systems. What matters most to me are the relationships I build through my work. A young girl in my gym once told me, "I want to be strong like you." My Ukrainian student thanked me for "talking to me like I’m still a whole person." Those moments remind me that being present can change someone’s path. Receiving this scholarship would help me keep following that path with more stability and more time to give. I carry forward a lot of things from my past: resilience, drive, and a deep desire to give others what I once needed. But most of all, I carry care. And I want to use it to make a difference, just like Thomas did.

Leadership isn’t a skill that everyone has the chance to develop. It comes with immense responsibility. My journey has been defined by resilience, mentorship, and a commitment to making a difference, qualities shaped by my upbringing as the third of seven siblings and as a dependable figure in my family, community, and school. Growing up in a large family, I quickly learned the value of responsibility and looking out for others. Helping guide my younger siblings taught me how to lead with compassion, patience, and strength. These lessons extended into my school and community, where I became a peer mentor, youth activist, and advocate for underserved voices. My career aspirations lie in public service, law, and politics, fueled by a passion for equity, justice, and giving a voice to the unheard. This drive was first sparked in high school social studies classes, where I began to understand how public policy often fails to reflect the needs of those most impacted. I want to be part of changing that. I deepened this commitment through internships and activism. One of my earliest opportunities was with a regional water utility, where I developed a children’s book concept to educate young readers on responsible water usage. That moment, presenting my idea to a board of trustees, gave me my first real experience with civic engagement and problem-solving. I also spent two years working with the City of Oakland’s Planning Department through the Deeply Rooted Fellowship, helping gather feedback from historically silenced communities. That input shaped the city’s general plan, which will guide Oakland’s development for the next two decades. Currently, I serve as a workforce development teacher at That’s My Child, a nonprofit in Montgomery, Alabama. I help teens from low-income neighborhoods prepare for their first jobs, teaching resume writing, interview techniques, and how to present themselves with confidence. Many of my students remind me of my younger self, full of potential but often overlooked. While I juggle the demands of college, I also purchase supplies and teaching materials with my own money. I do it because I believe deeply in investing in others, even when resources are limited. The relationships I’ve built, with my family, my students, my mentors, and the foster youth I’ve supported, are the foundation of my identity. My goal is to become an international corporate lawyer and use that platform to challenge inequality, create access, and build systems that serve people, not just profits. This scholarship represents more than financial support. It represents belief in my story, my purpose, and my future. It would ease my current burdens and help me continue living out the very values Thomas embodied: compassion, kindness, and impact. I don’t just want to survive. I want to thrive, so I can help others do the same.