Ever since I was younger I have always considered myself to be a maverick, and I still do. I have always strongly known that I want to follow my passions and aspirations, regardless of how out of the ordinary they may seem. Since I was a young child, I have always been the kind of person who isn't afraid to lead by example and make new friends. I also have always believed that my special abilities have the power to change the world. As I’ve grown older, navigating cultural demands got more and more difficult over time. I frequently felt pressured to live up to expectations as a young African American woman, whether they were imposed by social media or fashion trends. I, however, resisted letting these constraints define who I am. I persisted in being true to myself in the face of challenges because I understood that my uniqueness was a lovely quality that could inspire innovation and creativity. I will represent the first generation in my family to pursue higher education, and I'm very proud of that fact. I take pride in this achievement and I am very appreciative of the possibilities that have been given to me. I am aware, nevertheless, that this path will not be simple. Although, I am concerned about money, I am not frightened to meet this challenge head-on. I am confident that I can achieve my goals with hard work and a positive attitude. I’ve decided that I want to study kinesiology and business in the future. Though they may appear unconnected, these two areas of interest to me both have the potential to have a big impact on my community. I want to raise greater awareness about physical education and physical therapy because I've always been athletic and active. I wish to change the fact that these resources are not always readily available or within everyone's financial reach. By pursing these areas, I intend to meaningfully contribute back to my community and motivate others to do the same. All in all, being a maverick has always been a part of who I am, and I am exceedingly proud of the person I have developed into. No matter how unusual my dreams may seem, I am eager to follow them and change the world. I'm appreciative of the chance to apply for this scholarship and intend to keep having a positive influence in the future.

The legacy of Ms. Sobaski is one of fortitude, bravery, passion, and kindness. I have learned to cherish each of these traits over the course of my life. No matter the situation, I always thought it was important to treat others kindly as I was growing up. I always felt grounded by the knowledge that someone's life might be significantly impacted by my kindness. Life is never simple, though, and occasionally we must overcome obstacles that put our fortitude and tenacity to the test. This obstacle presented itself to me when I had to transfer to a new school. Although it was intimidating, I was eager to get started and meet new people. But the initial weeks weren't simple. I had a hard time finding my spot and felt alienated in a sea of strange faces. To make matters worse, tragedy overtook my family when my grandmother and younger brother both passed away two summers in a row. Grieving the loss of two significant family members was not easy at all, and it was particularly difficult to do so while also attempting to settle into a new school. I didn't let these failures define me, despite them. Knowing that my loved ones would want me to keep moving forward, I made the decision to maintain my strength and optimism. I also made a point of trying to be kind to other people, despite how badly I was feeling. I wanted to contribute to improving the world because I believed that being good could change things. Things started to improve with time. My recent friendships, some of which were with people who were also going through trying times, gave me comfort. Through our hardships, we were able to encourage one another, and that was crucial. I discovered from this experience that kindness and strength go hand in hand. Being compassionate when times are rough requires a lot of strength, but the benefits are immense. Thinking about Ms. Sobaski's legacy makes me realize how crucial it is to uphold one's moral principles. Being kind is one of my highest values and, in my opinion, is necessary to improve the world. I am appreciative of the chance to submit an application for this scholarship and feel that my life experiences have equipped me for a career in social work or education. I'm determined to carry on Ms. Sobaski's legacy by being strong, brave, passionate, and kind in the face of adversity.

We may all learn from the extraordinary life of Hester Richardson Powell. Her tale is one of resiliency, tenacity, and a strong dedication to helping others. I am happy to submit an application for the Hester Richardson Powell Memorial Service Scholarship as a senior in high school and to discuss how I have also shown resilience in my own life. I never thought I would move to Las Vegas after growing up in San Diego. But, my family had to move with little money and learn to adjust to a new environment when we made the difficult decision to do so. Although it was a difficult moment for all of us, we managed to get through it by cooperating and encouraging one another. Unfortunately, I lost my grandmother, who was my closest friend, not long after we relocated. She left a great hole in my life after she passed away, but I knew she would want me to keep moving forward and seize the opportunities that come my way. When my younger brother died the next summer, it was as though time had stopped. But even in the midst of such hardship, I persevered and showed kindness to everyone around me. I am well aware of the difficulties I will encounter in obtaining a higher degree as a young Black American woman. It has occasionally been overwhelming, but I will be doing it first in my family. But I've never lost sight of my objectives, and I'm glad to say that I've managed to keep a 3.8/4.4 GPA while also working a part-time job, participating in extracurricular activities, and serving as president of a young sorority called the Zeta Phi Beta Archonette Club. Through it all, I have discovered the value of resiliency and the effectiveness of having an optimistic outlook. Even though I have gone through challenging transitions and have lost a lot, I never let it get the better of me. Instead, I've utilized my experiences to encourage others and demonstrate to them that everything is feasible if you have faith in yourself and are persistent in pursuing your objectives. I am reminded of the enormous impact one person can have on the world as I submit an application for the Hester Richardson Powell Memorial Service Scholarship. Hester's life served as an example of the strength of love, selflessness, and fortitude. I am thrilled to be given this scholarship consideration and think that I exhibit the same drive and dedication that she did throughout her life. I appreciate your consideration.

Charles Pulling Sr. seemed to be a remarkable man who, in spite of various challenges, persisted in his quest for knowledge in order to better his family's lives. This award carries on his legacy by assisting non-traditional students like myself who are motivated to complete their education and enhance the lives of their loved ones. I'm happy to be breaking new ground and serving as an inspiration to my siblings and relatives as a first-generation student in my family. I was inspired to achieve more as a child after witnessing my mother's arduous efforts to support our family. I have always placed a high value on business, and I have always been strongly motivated to take advantage of the possibilities that present themselves in order to better my family's and my own future. I have a unique perspective on the value of education because I am the middle child of four children on my father's side and the oldest of five children on my mother's side. I am determined to support my younger siblings and cousins because I have witnessed the difficulties they have navigating the educational system. As the first in my family to seek higher education, I feel a sense of obligation to lead by example and push others around me to accomplish more. I am a non-traditional student in various aspects than the fact that I am a first-generation college student. I support my family by working part-time in sales, but this upcoming fall, I also intend to further my education by enrolling in a business program. I am aware of the difficulties in juggling work, education, and family obligations, but I am committed to overcoming them and achieving my objectives. The desire to build a better future for my family and myself is what motivates me to work harder. I am aware that education is the key to opening doors for me and providing access to new chances. In addition to bettering my own life, I hope that earning my degree would encourage those around me to pursue their goals and build better futures for themselves. As a non-traditional student and first-generation college student, I am motivated by the desire to build a better future for my family and myself. I feel it is my duty as the eldest child to set an example for my younger siblings and encourage them to follow their own dreams. I am appreciative of the chance to submit an application for this scholarship and carry on with my academic and personal development.

Being from Las Vegas, Nevada, I am well aware of the serious problem of homelessness in our community. I've always been interested in business and real estate, and I think I can have a great influence on my neighborhood by founding a company that provides resources and inexpensive housing for people who don't have a place to live. Homelessness, in my opinion, is a complex problem that calls for a diversified solution. The provision of safe and affordable housing is one of the essential elements of this strategy for assisting individuals and families in making the transition from homelessness to stable living arrangements. As a result, I want to start a company that specializes in offering such accommodation as well as the tools required to help people keep their stability.. I intend to do a lot of study on the programs and services that are already available to Las Vegas' homeless population before I start building my business. I will locate any holes in these services and decide how my company can close them. In order to gather knowledge and advice on creating a viable and successful model, I will also seek the advice of real estate and business professionals. Offering secure and budget-friendly housing to those who are homeless will be one of my company's main priorities. I want to search for suitable rental or purchase homes in places that require affordable housing. I'll see to it that people and families may live in these buildings safely and in good condition. My company will provide supportive services including job training, counseling, and healthcare in addition to cheap housing. In order to give these services to those in need, I intend to work in conjunction with neighborhood nonprofits and community organizations. This strategy will aid in ensuring that those who have been homeless have access to the tools they require to preserve their stability and enhance their quality of life. The business's ability to raise money will be essential to its success, therefore I intend to look into a variety of avenues, including grants, loans, and collaborations with investors. In order to gain access to more resources, I will also look for chances to work in conjunction with governmental and nonprofit groups. All in all, I'm dedicated to having a positive impact on my neighborhood by starting a company that offers resources and affordable housing to Las Vegas' homeless population. This company, in my opinion, will make a substantial contribution to the neighborhood's general well-being by giving individuals in need much-needed assistance. I am convinced that by adopting a thorough strategy and working with local partners, I can establish a prosperous and significant company that provides aid to those in need.

Youth violence is a topic that is very tender in my heart. Growing up in both San Diego and Las Vegas, people picture things to be like they are on TV. But it is far from it. Throughout my 17 years of life, I have unfortunately lost multiple friends and family members to not only gun violence but even self harm. Youth violence is a major problem that can harm those engaged as well as their communities in the long run. There are numerous tactics that can be used to stop teenage violence and make the atmosphere around young people safer and more encouraging. Educating and supporting youth who are at risk is one way to successfully stop youth violence. Programs that emphasize social skill development, anger management, and conflict resolution may fall under this category. We can assist stop violence before it starts by giving young people the tools they need to deal with challenging situations in a healthy and positive way. Addressing the underlying causes of community violence is a crucial technique for preventing youth violence. This can entail dealing with problems like poverty, a lack of opportunity for education and employment, and social marginalization. We can assist lessen the likelihood of violence by addressing these underlying problems in order to give young people access to a more equal and encouraging environment. Furthermore, it's critical to give young people chances for community involvement and strong role models. Programs that provide opportunities for leadership development, mentoring, and community involvement may fall under this category. We can contribute to the prevention of violence and the advancement of constructive social change by giving young people productive outlets for their energy and creativity. And finally, it's critical to involve kids in the effort to stop teenage violence. This may entail involving young people in decision-making procedures and giving them the chance to promote change in their neighborhoods. We can empower young people to actively participate in building a safer and more encouraging environment for themselves by providing them a voice and a sense of ownership in the preventative process. In general, avoiding teenage violence necessitates a multimodal strategy that addresses both the individual and societal causes of violence. We can work to create a safer and more encouraging environment for all young people by putting into practice strategies like education and support for at-risk youth, addressing the root causes of violence, providing positive role models and opportunities for involvement, and involving young people in the prevention process.