Van's Sisters On Our Shoulders "SOS" Scholarship

My name is Raja Bue, and I am a proud African American female undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education at Albany State University. I am deeply committed to the belief that quality early education is the foundation upon which children build their futures. As someone who has a passion for working with young learners, I am dedicated to providing every child with the individualized attention, resources, and encouragement they deserve to thrive academically and personally. Growing up in an underserved community, I witnessed firsthand how limited access to quality educational resources can affect children’s learning and self-esteem. These experiences inspired me to pursue a career where I can be a positive force in early childhood education. I believe that the early years are crucial for cognitive, social, and emotional development, and it is during this time that educators can make the most significant impact by nurturing curiosity, confidence, and resilience. My career goal is to become an early childhood educator who not only teaches academic skills but also creates a supportive and inclusive classroom environment tailored to each child's needs. I hope to work in communities that are often overlooked, providing children with the tools they need to overcome obstacles and succeed in school and life. I also plan to advocate for equitable access to educational resources and support services, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. This scholarship will play a vital role in helping me achieve my dreams. As an undergraduate student at an HBCU, I am dedicated to excelling academically while also gaining hands-on experience through internships, workshops, and community-based programs. However, financial constraints often make it challenging to afford tuition, books, and other essential learning materials. This scholarship would help ease those burdens, allowing me to focus fully on my studies and professional development. Additionally, receiving this scholarship would empower me to participate in specialized training and conferences that focus on early childhood development, equipping me with the latest teaching strategies and knowledge. These opportunities are critical in preparing me to become an effective, compassionate educator who can adapt to the diverse needs of children and families. This scholarship represents a vote of confidence in my potential to make a lasting difference in the lives of young children and my community. It motivates me to continue breaking barriers as an African American woman pursuing a career in education and to serve as a role model for future generations of students. In conclusion, supporting underserved students like myself who are passionate about early childhood education is essential to building stronger communities and brighter futures. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, which will bring me one step closer to achieving my goal of becoming an inspiring early childhood educator. Together, we can empower the next generation to thrive and lead with confidence.

My name is Sianna Waters, and I am a freshman Elementary Education major at Xavier University of Louisiana. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to help people, especially youth. When I turned thirteen, I began volunteering at my former after school care, and the following year, I earned a job as an after-school camp counselor. Since then, my passion for working with children and teaching has grown stronger. I’ve learned that young people need guidance not only academically but also in navigating resources beyond what they learn at home. My goal is to become an elementary school teacher who serves as a reliable outlet for my students, helping them find happiness and success in their own way, while equipping them with life skills to better themselves and their communities. Throughout high school, I balanced many roles that helped me develop leadership and a strong work ethic. I was a varsity cheerleading captain, a member of the drill team, children’s choir, praise dance team, and youth Bible study at Second Baptist Church, where I have been active since 2018. These activities helped me build confidence, teamwork, and a deep commitment to serving others. I also took part in community events like youth ushering, the annual toy drive, and the church picnic, which strengthened my desire to give back. Additionally, I worked part-time as a server at Brookdale Senior Living and Raising Cane’s, while also serving as a swim instructor and inclusion aide, supporting children with disabilities at Robert Crown Community Center. This role taught me patience, empathy, and how to create safe, nurturing spaces for children facing challenges. Academically, I grew into my potential over time, moving from underestimating the importance of school during my freshman year to graduating with a 3.8 GPA and honors like National Honor Society and Black Caucus recognition. My mother’s encouragement motivated me to push through obstacles and strive for excellence. I also embrace leadership naturally; I am not afraid to speak up for others or stand out in group settings. I take pride in fostering environments where everyone feels valued and supported. As I continue college, I plan to join organizations aligned with my passion for advocacy and community service so I can uplift others and make a positive impact. Coming from a single-parent household with three children, I know firsthand the challenges of limited resources and opportunities. My older sister is also pursuing education, inspiring me to follow a similar path. Receiving a scholarship would allow me to continue attending Xavier University of Louisiana, where I can immerse myself in Black culture, history, and educational reform, elements deeply important to me. I want to be a teacher who not only educates but empowers students from underserved communities, helping them develop skills beyond the classroom. Living in Evanston, I’ve witnessed firsthand the effects of violence and the lack of safe spaces for youth. I believe creating more community centers where children can learn, get meals, and find positive role models would make a significant difference. I want to lead efforts to build those spaces, working with community leaders to offer opportunities encouraging kids to make healthy, productive choices. Ultimately, I am dedicated to becoming a teacher who influences lives positively, teaching more than academics but the true meaning of happiness and success. I want my students to grow into confident, capable individuals who can lift themselves and others. This scholarship will support me in this journey by helping me access the education and resources I need to make that vision a reality.

Picture this: a child’s eyes sparkling with curiosity, eager to learn and explore the world around them. Now, imagine being the guiding force behind nurturing that curiosity into a lifelong passion for learning. That’s where my journey begins, fueled by a burning desire to make a difference in young students’ lives. Greetings, I am Jada Stevenson, a 4th-year Elementary Education scholar from Tampa, FL. I currently attend the #1 public HBCU in the nation, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, and I aspire to be the next difference maker. From a young age, I have always wanted to be a teacher. I was the family babysitter since I hit double-digit age. While watching my little cousins, I would always make them play teacher. I would make silly worksheets and do arts and crafts. Fast forward to high school. I transferred to my graduating high school in my 10th-grade year. While enrolling in classes, I found out they partnered with the vocational school and offered an Early Childhood Education program. My eyes lit up, and I knew I had to be apart. While in the program, I learned from seasoned, veteran teachers and experienced hands-on training by creating lesson plans and working in their VPK and early head-start classes with students ages 3-5 years old. We received extensive training to ensure we knew all the rules and regulations. I graduated from there, obtaining my DCF 45 hours and CDA. Since 2015, I have worked as a VPK teacher at my cousin’s learning center until 2020, when I returned to school to further my education. During the semester breaks, I work as a teacher assistant and tutor to save for my tuition for the following semester. While pursuing my bachelor’s degree, I have taken and passed, earning my Florida K-6 General Knowledge Certification. My next steps are to take my two subject areas, Reading and ESOL, and K-12 Professional Education exams with eager hopes to have each completed and passed by August 2 or, at the latest, my graduation date, December 13th of this year! When that day arrives, I will be both fully endorsed and certified. Upon graduating, I plan on taking my teaching and life experience to a Title I elementary school. I want to teach between Kindergarten and Third grade. This is a foundation and pivotal time for young minds. Title I school students need more help in more ways than schools that have significant funding. I want my students to learn knowledge to support them in and out of the classroom. I want my students to have a safe place to thrive, and they will always have someone rooting for them and ready to help in any way possible. If selected, this scholarship will help me tremendously in completing my studies. Most importantly, it will help me cover a portion of my tuition. I have taken out many loans to complete my endeavors and can use this scholarship to have one less loan debt. Second, I can use the funds to help pay for my remaining six certification exams if I still need to complete them by the time the semester begins. Finally, I will be partaking in my student teaching this upcoming semester. I will be a full-time 2nd-grade teacher with no pay during this time. I will work 40 hours a week during the day and take my classes at night. I appreciate your consideration.

Title: Embracing the Call: A Journey to Teaching From the busy and constant activity in the halls of the school to the energetic courts of the basketball court, my life has been delicately woven with the fabric of education. As a single mother of three, my path in the educational realm has been both a calling and a commitment. With over two decades of service as a Paraprofessional and a devout dedication to coaching high school girls' basketball, my journey has been one of unwavering passion and profound purpose. Now, as I prepare for a new chapter, the allure of becoming an educator beckons me with an irresistible force. My journey into the heart of education began long ago, fueled by a desire to make a difference in the lives of young minds. As a Paraprofessional, I had the privilege of working closely with students, providing them with the support and guidance they needed to flourish academically and personally. Each day presented a new opportunity to inspire, motivate, and instill a love for learning within these impressionable souls. Whether it was assisting a struggling reader in learning new sight words, unlocking the mysteries of literature, or nurturing the curiosity of a blossoming scientist, I found comfort and fulfillment in the transformative power of education. Beyond the confines of the classroom, the basketball court became my sanctuary—a realm where discipline, teamwork, and perseverance reigned supreme. Coaching high school girls' basketball was not merely a duty but a calling—one that allowed me to impart invaluable life lessons beyond the boundaries of the game. Through victories and defeats, triumphs and setbacks, I witnessed firsthand the resilience and determination of my players, instilling in them the belief that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible. As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded of the profound influence of my mother—a loyal, reliable, and hardworking educator who dedicated 35 years of her life to shaping the minds and hearts of countless students. Her unwavering passion for teaching, coupled with her boundless compassion, served as a beacon of inspiration for me, igniting a fire within my soul to follow in her footsteps and carry on her legacy. Now, as I embark on the next chapter of my career, the prospect of becoming an educator fills me with both excitement and humility. I am eager to immerse myself in the art of teaching—to inspire, empower, and nurture the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and dreamers. Armed with a wealth of experience, a heart full of compassion, and a relentless drive to make a difference, I am prepared to embrace the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead. In this important stage of life, the threads of education have intertwined with the very essence of my being, shaping me into the person I am today. As I set forth on this new adventure, I do so with a profound sense of purpose and a deep-rooted commitment to the transformative power of education. For in the high demand of teachers lies the opportunity to not only impact individual lives but to shape the course of humanity itself—one lesson, one student, and one heart at a time. Ultimately, this scholarship will not only help me achieve my aspirations of becoming a teacher but will also empower me to inspire, empower, and nurture the next generation of learners. By investing in my education, this scholarship invests in the future of countless students whose lives I aim to touch and transform through the power of education.