My name is Aaron Hilaire, and I’m a Christian student who believes in the strength of faith, not just as a personal base but also as a way to guide how I lead and help others. For me, leadership isn’t just about being in control — it’s about being a servant first. My faith has taught me that true leadership is founded on the example Christ set for us. One way my faith has influenced my leadership style is through how I support others, especially when they are most vulnerable. I’ve learned that leadership doesn’t always mean standing in front of a crowd — sometimes, it’s about quietly being there, listening, and giving encouragement when no one else does. One of the most significant ways I’ve led others through my faith was during a time when several of my close friends were having spiritual struggles. Some were questioning their beliefs, while others were dealing with stress, doubt, and feeling distant from God. Many nights, I found myself on the phone well past midnight, just listening as they shared their feelings. I prayed with them, reminded them of God’s promises, and talked about how I had also faced moments of doubt. I didn’t try to preach to them or act like I had all the answers — instead, I followed the example Christ set for us: to walk alongside people, not ahead of them. Over time, those conversations turned into deeper connections, and I pray that my friends slowly find their way back to faith and hope. That experience taught me that being a faith-driven leader means being present and consistent, even when no one’s watching. It reminded me that God can use quiet moments of compassion just as powerfully as public acts of leadership. Those late-night talks didn’t just strengthen my friends’ faith — they also deepened my own and confirmed my calling to be someone others can rely on in times of uncertainty. I want to keep leading with empathy and faith. Whether I end up in business, education, or ministry, I plan to create environments where people feel heard and supported. I pray that I stay rooted in the faith and the truth that my parents have raised me up in, as that will be my foundation going into the real world after high school. There is a popular worship song that says, "rain came, wind blew, but my house was built on you." I believe that my biblical foundation will give me grounds to not just remain strong in my faith but to help straighten the faith of those around me. Like the old hymn says: This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.

My name is Aaron Hilaire, and I am a high school student from Florida with a deep passion for entrepreneurship and making a difference in the lives of others. Growing up as an underrepresented minority, I’ve seen firsthand how limited access to resources can limit opportunity, not just financially, but in terms of exposure, mentorship, and belief. My dream is to build businesses that not only generate success but also help close those gaps in underserved communities. From an early age, I’ve been fascinated with the idea of creating something out of nothing. Whether it was selling homemade bracelets at school or organizing community cleanups and small events, I always saw entrepreneurship as more than just business — to me, it was a way to bring people together, solve problems, and make life better for those around me. I’ve always been the kind of person who thinks of ideas and can’t rest until I bring them to life. What drives me most is the desire to create a business that focuses on social impact — whether that means launching a mental health support platform for teens, starting a nonprofit that offers tech education to students in low-income neighborhoods, or building a community co-working space where young people can develop their own ideas and projects. I believe entrepreneurship should not be about making money at any cost, but about using creativity and leadership to make a difference where it matters most. In today’s world, young people are facing mental health challenges, income inequality, and a lack of access to quality education or career paths. I want to be someone who helps shift that narrative. I want to use my entrepreneurial spirit to uplift others, create job opportunities, and invest back into my community, especially for those who have been overlooked or underestimated. I am currently working on developing my skills in business strategy, marketing, and public speaking through school clubs and online learning. I’ve started mapping out plans for future ventures and connecting with mentors in my area. Even without a formal business yet, I think and operate like an entrepreneur, always looking for ways to improve systems, connect people, and think critically about how to solve real problems. Receiving this scholarship would not only help me afford higher education, but also help me grow as a leader and changemaker. I’m excited about the future and committed to using every opportunity to build something meaningful, not just for myself, but for everyone who sees a piece of their story in mine.

My name is Aaron Hilaire, and I am an African-American high school student with a deep interest in STEM, particularly in artificial intelligence and machine learning. My tech journey began with something simple but meaningful — a program called Hour of Code. Through that experience, I was introduced to the basics of coding using code blocks, where we programmed animated characters to dance. I didn’t realize it then, but that moment planted the seed of curiosity that continues to grow in me today. Soon after, I attended a robotics camp where we worked with pre-made kits to build and program robots to complete specific tasks. That was the first time I saw how technology could respond to my input — how something I built could actually move, react, and perform real-world functions based on the instructions I gave it. That experience left me feeling empowered and excited to explore what more was possible. While my coding experience so far has been limited to block-based programming, I’m actively working to expand my skills. I’ve started exploring text-based programming languages like Python and learning more about how AI and machine learning operate behind the scenes. I’m also seeking out online courses and hands-on opportunities to grow my technical knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of how AI can be built and applied. What draws me to AI and machine learning is their ability to shape the future — not just in business or entertainment, but in education, healthcare, and social change. I believe these technologies can be tools for solving problems in underrepresented communities and raising awareness for social causes that often go unheard. But in order for that to happen, the people developing these systems must reflect the diversity of the world they’re meant to serve. As someone who hasn’t always seen themselves represented in tech spaces, I’m passionate about changing that — not just for myself, but for others. I want to be part of the movement that ensures Black voices and perspectives are part of AI’s future. Eventually, I hope to work on projects that focus on improving access to education and mental health support using AI-driven tools. I also plan to mentor younger students and advocate for broader inclusion in STEM. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue developing my skills and taking the steps needed to become a future leader in AI. I may be early in my journey, but I’m driven, curious, and committed to using technology not just to innovate — but to uplift.

My name is Aaron Hilaire, and I am a young African-American man driven by a passion to inspire, empower, and uplift the next generation through education. I believe teaching is more than just a profession — it is a calling. My journey to becoming an educator began in classrooms where I often looked around and realized that none of my teachers looked like me. That experience left a deep impression and helped me realize the critical need for more Black male educators in all learning spaces, especially higher education. My ultimate goal is to become a college literature professor. Literature has always been a powerful tool in my life — a lens through which I’ve come to understand not only the world but also myself. I believe stories shape societies, and yet, so many voices — especially those from marginalized communities — have been silenced or overlooked. As a literature professor, I want to amplify those voices and ensure that students are exposed to a rich and diverse canon that includes Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian authors whose work has too often been excluded from mainstream curriculums. I plan to make a positive impact by fostering inclusive, discussion-based classrooms that invite students to critically engage with texts, challenge assumptions, and embrace diverse perspectives. I want to inspire students to think deeply, write boldly, and use their own voices as instruments of change. Through literature, I hope to awaken a lifelong love of learning and a sense of agency in my students — especially those who, like me, have often felt invisible in academic spaces. Representation matters, especially in higher education, where Black male professors remain significantly underrepresented. I intend to be the kind of professor who not only teaches with purpose but also mentors with empathy — someone who sees his students not just as learners, but as whole human beings with stories and dreams of their own. I want to be a visible reminder that academia belongs to them, too. Receiving the Mark A. Jefferson Teaching Scholarship would provide essential support on my journey to becoming a professor and advancing educational equity. More than that, it would affirm the importance of this mission: to educate with vision, lead with heart, and teach in a way that leaves a lasting legacy. I’m ready to contribute to a more just, inclusive future — one where every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive.

I believe that my athletic journey has shaped me into the person I am today by teaching me valuable life skills such as determination (not backing down no matter how hard the challenges may seem), the value of hard work and persistence, and the power of a positive attitude and outlook on situations. I have gone up against opponents that have seemed and some that were much stronger and faster than me both on the basketball court and on the track but I've learned that that's no excuse not to give your all. Victory is never impossible, sometimes it just comes down to who wants it more. On the track specifically, it is vital to be in a good state of mind because your attitude and mentality can lead or directly contribute to success. To be honest it can be scary stepping into blocks with people who look much more qualified than you but you must trust in the training and the hard work that you put in and just run your best race, aim to win and you'll PR (hit a personal record) in the process. There have been plenty of meets where I stepped onto the track with intimidating opponents but, there have been plenty of times where I walked off that same track the victor. I think people often underestimated me during my freshmen year since I was facing much more experienced runners. It was that feeling of being given up on too soon that pushed me, that fueled my drive for success. Many of my teammates noticed and complemented my desire to go all out during practice. If people in general could apply that hardworking attitude I truly believe people would be more productive. On the basketball court, a similar but different story can be told. The sport basketball at its core is a team game as some people tend to forget and it is teams that not just remember this but can apply it in games that succeed. Part of that is coaching but the majority of it of that team spirit comes from the team. You have to be an encouraging and supportive teammate the same way you want to be encouraged and supported. If you pass your teammate the ball and they miss a shot instead of tearing them down by making some sort of slick comment you should take into account the fact that they are human the same way you are and they make mistakes too. When you support your teammates and people in general it may not change the world but it may just change their world. It is that idea, that goal of changing people's worlds their moods, and their outlooks on life that inspires me. I am and aim to be that teammate, the person who encourages instead of building down to help out those around them and put a smile on their faces. It is when those ideas of encouragement and self-improvement are combined that real change can happen that we can start changing the world one person at a time.