The Dr. Dumas A. Harshaw & Sharon Harshaw Legacy Scholarship is important to me because it will give me leverage to overcome the financial barriers that currently stand in my way of becoming a first-generation college graduate. I’ve been faced with multiple challenges throughout my formative years–both physically, emotionally, and socio-economically. College represents hope and potential, giving me a fresh start and a new chance at life. I was born 25 weeks early as a premature baby with cerebral palsy; I had a brain bleed at birth and have faced setbacks since I was born. I’ve had many surgeries, starting very young in my life, and I’ve had braces on my right leg since preschool. I’ve been going to occupational (OT) and physical therapy (PT) since I could walk. Despite all of this, I’ve been fortunate enough to be given the chance to even go to college. The universe has set me back by a mile, but I’ve always known education is my pathway to a future, so I matured early on out of necessity and buckled down when it came to my education. Years later, and I’m happy to announce that I’m still here, and I am so close to starting this next chapter of my life. I am attending North Carolina Central University in the fall; financially, it would cost me $26,000 for attending there for 4 years. I plan on majoring in mass communication with a broadcasting media concentration. Being a sports analyst or working with analytics is the career that I want to have, and the major that I have mentioned above is a pathway to that goal. I chose an HBCU because I feel as though this will give me the best way to excel in school and get the best experience. If I’m speaking in earnest, the biggest drawback to my future vision is that I won’t be there for my family while I’m away at school. I help out at home in any way I can as my mom works two jobs to pay the rent. Despite her putting a lot of weight on her shoulders to keep us afloat, she has always been there for me. She’s been there for me throughout countless surgeries, she’s weathered the headaches of our healthcare industry, she’s taken me to every PT and OT therapy session, and she does all of that for me while being a mother to five other boys. In the end, my mom has always been my rock; even though we butt heads at times, she’ll always be my rock, and it pains me that I can’t return the favor while I’m gone. Leaving her for four years was something I was initially hesitant to do; however, after careful reflection, leaving is the only way for me to truly give back to her and my brothers. Education is my pathway to independence and financial stability, so my absence–while temporary–is what’s best for us. In the end, I feel as though this scholarship is a tremendous aid that could help me and my family. Grants and scholarships like these lessen the financial burden me and my family face–both now and in the future.