Udonis Haslem Foundation BDJ40 Scholarship

As a young girl I experienced depression. Just to give a glimpse of my early childhood, I am the youngest of six with a six year age gap and my mother worked long hours in corrections. I depended on social media as my support system in middle school, this path led me to being Baker acted. To be there for me, my mom changed career and became a school teacher. We also took family therapy. This was my turning point. My family bond became stronger. I became stronger. My journey through high school as Miss Freshman, Class Vice President my Sophomore year, Class President my Junior-Senior year, Lead mentee of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mentoring Tomorrow Leaders, Group Commander of AFJROTC (Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) has been nothing short of my transformation. Stepping into these leadership role wasn't just about learning the ins and outs of military protocol; it was about breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and finding my own voice in a world where representation matters. From day one high school provided me with a sense of belonging and purpose. As I immersed myself in lead positions , I quickly realized the importance of mentorship and leadership. Despite initial doubts and stereotypes, I found myself excelling in leadership positions, mentoring my peers, and leading by example both throughout the school and my community. Being the mentor and leader that I am now allowed me to develop essential skills such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience. I learned the value of perseverance and dedication, traits that would later prove invaluable as I navigated through the decision-making process for my future career. Throughout high school, my involvement in AFJROTC opened my eyes to the endless possibilities within the military. As a young African American girl, I saw firsthand the diversity and inclusivity within military, challenging preconceived notions about who belongs in the military and what leadership looks like. My experiences as a mentor and leader in high school and my community laid the foundation for my decision to pursue a career in the Air Force as a 1st Sergeant. The sense of purpose, camaraderie, and dedication instilled in me during my time in high school inspired me to continue serving my country in a more profound capacity. As a 1st Sergeant, I aspire to continue breaking down barriers and paving the way for generations. I have learned that leadership knows no bounds, and with determination and perseverance, I can achieve anything I set my mind to. Through mentorship, leadership, and a commitment to breaking down barriers, I am ready to embark on this journey and make a difference in the world. Winning this scholarship would be instrumental in helping me attain my goals of completing my Masters degree and enlisting in the Air Force. However, financing a college education can be a significant challenge, especially considering the costs associated with tuition, textbooks, housing, and other expenses. Receiving this scholarship would alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with attending college, allowing me to focus more on my studies and extracurricular activities. Whether it's through leadership opportunities, community service projects, or specialized training programs, these experiences would further prepare me for the challenges and responsibilities of serving in the military. Overall, it would be a crucial stepping stone towards realizing my aspirations and making a meaningful contribution to both my country and my community.

Thousands of LGBTQ+ deaths are announced each year; Transgender male bullied into suicide, Queer student beaten to death, Non-Binary person beaten for using the wrong bathroom, we’ve all seen the news and read the stories of beautiful souls being deprived of life. As a transgender hispanic student I’ve seen it face to face. Discriminated for not speaking English, no access to gender neutral bathrooms and having to deal with the stares in my “biological sex bathroom”, the cyber bullying being called a “shemale”. It’s evident as members of the community we are prone to bullying and developing mental health disorders. As a first hand witness of these events I have decided to major in Psychology. Being a psychologist will allow me to reach out and provide support to LGBTQ+ members but most importantly, LGBTQ+ youth. I will become a sanctuary to these amazing individuals. I hope to be able to lower suicide rates in any way possible. I will reduce cultural stigmas between the LGBTQ+ and the hispanic community informing every parent of the situation and the importance of mental health for not just the LGBTQ+ but for anyone. Being the GSA president at my school has taught me leadership, advocacy, but most importantly how to become a safe space for younger generations. Personally, I became a big brother to many of the members, aiding them in mental health resources and a person to talk to when no one else would listen. I can only hope to do this but impact thousands rather than just a club and moving percentage rates. For me it goes further than just the community, I plan to travel to my home country, Mexico, providing the same support to my people. Stigma is a real issue and will never be resolved unless confronted. I have one more reason for my career goals, a very personal reason. August 22nd 2022 my only sibling Ruben Salvador Cesena, had been killed. His two children aged 8 and 3 at the time hugged his casket at his funeral in Mexico. My family was distraught watching it over zoom because we couldn’t afford to travel to Mexico at the time. My father and I were destroyed, my mother couldn't bare to watch her son be buried through a screen. We still don’t know why they killed him, he talked to us every week, his wife said he was doing good. This is one of my biggest motivators to become a psychologist to help people like my brother’s murderer who don’t have access to resources. I want to find the reasoning that drives them to a point of ending another person's life. People who believe they can’t talk to someone to be able to get help because stigma says men can’t be emotional and mental health isn’t real. But we all know, it's a real issue we can only hope to resolve. This is my purpose in my community.