I am not trying to be imprecise with my answer to this prompt, but I find MOST daily tasks challenging when trying to combine being a student and a single parent. Returning to school is an undertaking that requires many hours of concentrated time when as a single parent you are already stretched thin. It is a daily balancing act with a very slim margin for error, miss too many assignments you could be dropped, miss too many work deadlines you could be put on probation, and not spending enough time your kid could make you the main topic of their therapy sessions in 10 years. To clarify a bit, the most challenging part of combing being a parent and being a student is balance, too much in one area can cause something else to topple. However, much like the enigma of parenting the solution is often the opposite of our knee jerk reaction. Being a student with a child has offered so many opportunities for growth and connection for me and my child. Personally, I chose to return to school full time and quit my job. What I have lost finically I have gained in time and connection with my child and our support system. Even moving from NC to IL for my program has forced me to be a more intentional parent, in choosing what toys to bring, what neighborhood to live in, and what additional boundaries to put in place. The many, many challenges that come with being a single parent and a student are also opportunities to grow and learn. Research has shown that the benefits of an educated mother have been positively correlated with a child’s health, life span, socio economic status, confidence and educational attainment. These are the long-term reasons I am returning to school, but most of all I have decided to be a broke PhD student to spend more time with my child. To watch him grow up, to take lunch breaks with him at the on-campus day care, to be able to be the class room mom once a month, to spend time with him during the summers. These are things that I could not do as a single parent working my previous job. While my previous position provided a comfortable life for us, it robbed me of some of the most precious moments with my kiddo and pushed me to the point of being unwell. Research has shown that an unwell mother has a negative correlation with a child’s wellbeing. This scholarship will help me achieve the kind of life balance that I am striving for. Two thousand dollars in scholarship funds would allow me to cover initial semester expenses, preventing me from having to rush and find a part time job. The decision to return to school full time with a child has been a finical trade off, less money for more time. This scholarship will help me balance that a bit better. Being a parent has been one of the greatest joys of my life. On this journey I have found that things work out the best when I am able to slow down focus and listen. This applies to my studies and to raising my child. This scholarship will help me find more time to be better at both things. Thank you for your consideration.

There are so many things to love about the genre of Anime, the imaginative story lines, the variety of animation styles, and the unforgettable tag lines (Believe it), but of all the Amines’, One Piece is the one that I cannot get enough of. At 1,104 episodes, this long running series has taken its viewers on a roller coaster of sea faring adventures. At first glance it may seem like a show about a journey of a determined Luffy to become King of the Pirates, but it is truly the cast of the Straw Hats and the heartfelt story lines that make this anime so engaging and long lasting. One thing that I love about One Piece is that there is room for so many under its tent. The Straw Hat crew is varied in skills and strength; from Usopp the sniper to Luffy one of the strongest pirates in the sea. The characters of this wonderful show are all on their own journey, and those dreams are the strength of the crew. Nami maintains the books, her love of money keeps the finances in order. Zoro aims to be the strongest swordsman in the world and is always ready to test his skills against any opponents that dares endanger his crew. The cook (Blackfoot) Sanji wants to find the unique flavors of the All Blue, his love of food keeps the crew fueled and fed. Chopper, the crew’s doctor wants to learn as many healing techniques as possible, motivating him to continuously find new ways to care for his crew. Frankie the shipright, fulfills his dreams of inventing as his creations aid in the crew’s mission. Robin uses her archeology skills to help her crew locate the One Piece. Usopp with all his bluster, comes through in the clutch as a sniper, and Jimbe keeps a cool head while expertly manning the ships helm. To me, the unique strengths of the Straw Hat crew and the message of radical acceptance is one of the things that makes this Anime so enduring. While I credit the diversity of characters for the longevity of the series, I was initial drawn to One Piece by the infections joy of the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, Monkey D. Luffy. Luffy exemplifies a rare combination of joy and determination. The intense love that Luffy has for his family, friends and himself is at the core of One Piece. The recent introduction of Gear 5, also known as Joy Boy, is a clear manifestation of this. This balance of an exuberance for life and unwavering resolve allows Luffy to remain “flexible” on his journey, turning side quests into life changing adventures for the characters of the show and the fans that faithfully watch. Anime as a genre is wonderful in its ability to entertain while touching on relevant topics. One Piece is endlessly captivating to me for its expansive inclusion, multi-level story lines, and salient life lessons. These aspects along with the large real-life fan community makes One Piece an enduring touch point in my life.