My favorite piece of art is a collaboration of uniquely designed and professionally presented works for all audiences regardless of their age. This collection is called Neopets. It is a website that was created in 1999 aimed to open up a virtual, positive world for all to enjoy. The primary focus of the website is based upon taking care of one or more pets that are created or adopted. The pets were hand drawn and named from an encyclopedia of words completed formulated by the minds of the designers. Each pet has hand-drawn items such as grooming, furniture, food and more. The website completely engages its audience within a world of pretend while being presented with a huge pallet of handmade designs and words. Their art has connected people from all of the world, translated into several different languages to build a shared love for this unique work of art. Members of the website are also given the opportunity to design and submit their own art to be displayed within their galleries. After several years of practice, one of my art pieces was selected and displayed within their art gallery and awarded a trophy! This was a very proud moment and a commemoration of my dedication to this website for over 20 years. Neopets is my favorite piece of art because its uniqueness, creativity and judgement free website bring together people from all cultures. Over time, their art has evolved and changed to withstand our ever-changing technological world. Also, this website educates everyone through their applications of HTML, stock markets, owning a bank account, running a store front and much more! The vision and creativity of the designers has bridged the gap between introverts and created a world where everyone feels welcomed, appreciated and free to express themselves!

Bravery began for me at the tender age of 4 when I was forced out of my home and left on the doorstep of another family member's home. Survival mode was activated, and I had to learn how to care for myself. The world outside was very unfamiliar as I never saw a face that resembled my own for I was a biracial child. I had to unlock my bravery as I walked to school alone and practiced independence. My primary caretaker worked the night shift so I was always left unattended. I knew during that age I was extremely intelligent because I could read and count higher than the other children. I knew at that moment I wanted to be a prodigy but in order to unlock that level I had to continue to be brave but also live boldly. To fuel this level of bravery and bold, I began to read more and learned everything that I could. I knew education would pave the way for me to achieve success and independence. I stood out amongst the other students through my intelligence. This required a strong amount of bravery because children will often taunt smarter peers. I also had to encounter those same children questioning my race as the larger student population was Caucasian. It took almost twenty years for me to embrace my race in a world that criticizes differences. I now walk bold because there is only one of me. I welcome the questioning of my race because I am proud and I now have the bravery to encounter those inquisitive minds. I listen to motivational speeches to remind myself to not take my differences as a crutch but as an advantage. People that criticize are ashamed of themselves which is not a reflection of me.

The most important finance lesson is knowledge. Educating yourself about the interworkings of credit, loans and interest rates is criticial towards any attempt to take charge of your personal finances regardless of your age. The pursuit of education begins by asking questions of a knowledgeable financial professional. Do not fear asking questions as the person you are asking was once in the same exact position as yourself. Financial freedom should be one of your most important pursuits. This journey should begin during your adolesence. Seek to understand the financial burdens of college and careers. Interest rates should be the primary aspect of any loan you apply for. This rate determines how much additional money you will spend during the terms of the loan. Your motivation should be to spend as less as possible on the amount you have borrowed. To remind myself of the importance of knowledge and interest rates, I replay in my mind that I do not want to contribute to Sallie Mae's luxury car fund. With this in mind, I constantly review the most cost effective methods of reducing my debt and I research new knowledgeable steps I can utilize to acheive this goal. The more you know the more you save. Read the fine print and all of the contractual obligations expected of you. If you do not understand the terms of the contract ask a trusted adult or financial advisor especially if you are just beginning your college career. If you do not ask the answer will always result in a no and more money leaving your wallet.

Politics has packed its bags and moved into our local communities. Now more than ever, we are surrounded by something that was largely left to the elected officials inside of that big, exclusive office known as The White House. The ever-changing political landscape has caused historical amendments and an immediate call to assemble voting at all levels. However, many constituents are often unaware as to the locations of their polling place or how to use voting machines. Voting is the right of every applicable citizen, and this right should be easy to access and understand. Witnessing the rights of these citizens not being utilized has prompted me to volunteer for the Philadelphia Chapter of the Committee of Seventy. The Committee of Seventy is a voting advocate organization designed to educate the citizens within the voting population. As a volunteer, I visited polling places to ensure signage was posted to provide voters with directions on where to vote and how. I made sure these signs were in English and Spanish to ensure all voters, regardless of their background, could read and understand the signs. I personally spoke with voters to confirm their correct polling location and ensure their understanding of the ballots. I spoke with demonstrators to remind them to maintain their required distance from the polling place and ensured their influence was not discouraging the voters. My volunteer efforts were more crucial than ever as all citizens, especially minorities, are greatly affected by the outcome of politics. Citizens need to make their voices heard which is as simple as filling out one ballot. That one piece of paper will determine the road map to the future for all citizens. If the voters do not represent our community, we may not receive the resources we need. Strong communities build success.

Pardon me while I wipe my rose-tinted perspective glasses clean. After placing those glasses on my face for the first time, I was able to view the world from a clean lens. Those tinted glasses clouded my own personal judgment. I allowed the opinions, views and insults from others dictate my self-esteem and become a weight that prevented me from reaching my intended aspirations. Where did my new glasses come from? A very trusted and wise advisor. After revealing to her the insecurities my own mother placed upon me, she handed me the new pair of glasses. She said to me "you are a well-educated, beautiful, strong woman that has overcame obstacles designed to make you fail. All of those insults your mother places upon you, are not about you, in fact, they were never about you. She is placing her own insecurities and fallen ambitions upon you." She was absolutely right. My achievements made my mother feel inadequate. I did nothing wrong by wanting and pursuing a better life for myself. She was saddened by her own lack of motivation, initiative and drive. She wanted me to feel all of the self-pity and negativity she felt. That weight was heavy, and I could no longer carry it if I wanted my goals to soar. The glasses my advisor provided to me instantly lifted that weight. Also, I knew I was not going to limit my goals or change any of my achievements to align with my mother's level. At that moment, I put to rest my fixation with her insults because I will not focus my time or energy on the things I cannot change. My new glasses are lightweight and refreshing because I know the things that people say to me are never about me.

The most important finance lesson is knowledge. Educating yourself about the interworking of credit, loans and interest rates is critical towards any attempt to take charge of your personal finances regardless of your age. The pursuit of education begins by asking questions of a knowledgeable financial professional. Do not fear asking questions as the person you are asking was once in the same exact position as yourself. Financial freedom should be one of your most important pursuits. This journey should begin during your adolescence. Seek to understand the financial burdens of college and careers. Interest rates should be the primary aspect of any loan you apply for. This rate determines how much additional money you will spend during the terms of the loan. Your motivation should be to spend as less as possible on the amount you have borrowed. To remind myself of the importance of knowledge and interest rates, I replay in my mind that I do not want to contribute to Sallie Mae's luxury car fund. With this in mind, I constantly review the most cost effective methods of reducing my debt and I research new knowledgeable steps I can utilize to achieve this goal. The more you know the more you save. Read the fine print and all of the contractual obligations expected of you. If you do not understand the terms of the contract ask a trusted adult or financial advisor especially if you are just beginning your college career. If you do not ask the answer will always result in a no and more money leaving your wallet.

My study strategies are as easy as 1,2,3, literally. If you can count to three you can study with me! I begin by handwriting, not typing, a list of my ones, twos and threes. My ones are the subjects with the highest priority such as an upcoming exam or project. My twos are subjects that have a pending deadline that is not as urgent where I have more time to prepare. Lastly, my threes are subjects that do not have any upcoming deadlines within the next several weeks or month. This habit works best if you handwrite it because handwriting increases memory function and makes you more accountable. It is easy to type your deadlines and subjects onto your phone or computer, however, it is even easier for those files to become lost or shuffled among other saved documents. Keep a handy pocket journal with you at all times, preferably one with three-tab dividers and use this to write your 1,2,3 list. This journal should be used daily and referred to at all times. After creating my 1,2,3 list, I begin by studying and preparing for the subject under the "one" category. This subject becomes my primary focus. I set aside about two minutes prior to my study session to clear my mind and perform a self-talk. I tell myself to fully clear my mind, to not concern myself with other tasks, personal life, or responsibilities. This block of time during my day is specifically set aside to complete the subject in my "one" category. Once my brief self-talk is complete and I feel refreshed, I find a quiet, distraction free area to focus upon my subject. Creating this list, setting priorities and maintaining a daily journal for accountability has helped me achieve academic success.

“We are made to persist. that's how we find out who we are.”― Tobias Wolff. I struggled with my identity my entire life. I did not know who I was or where I belonged. I was a biracial, abandoned child within a predominately Caucasian world. Outside of my nontraditional home, I never saw anyone that looked like me. Although my family members were biracial as well, I felt I did not belong because I lived with my Aunt after my parents abandoned me. I knew I had to create a goal for myself and direct my energy and persistence towards that goal. I refused to fall victim to an identity crisis, poverty or abandonment. During my childhood I immersed myself within fictional novels to redirect my focus from my reality. I discovered I was extremely intelligent and remembered the lessons of my grandfather who taught the importance of education. I knew if I wanted to escape my reality permanently, I had to become educated and ultimately graduate college to open up a world of opportunities. This journey uncovered several obstacles as I was forced deeper into poverty, relocation and abuse. I spent many days sitting in the parking lot of my university crying hysterically wondering how I would finish my undergraduate studies and free myself from these obstacles. I knew the only pathway from these obstacles was persistence. If you do nothing you end up with nothing. I recalled the fictional books I used to read and how the characters used persistence to free themselves from tragedy. I reassured myself it was acceptable to cry but it was not acceptable to give up. I was determined to sprint to the finish line, obtain my degree, free myself from poverty and embrace my cultural differences. I have reached the finish line.

"Bad times do not last forever." - author unknown. This quote has became the mantra for my entire life especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a gentle whisper within my subconscious that reminded me to stay optimistic and look towards the future. If you look for something negative within your day you will always find it, however, if you change your perspective and look for the positive you can remain optimistic. Life has always been a marathon for me. I skipped the sprint and always ran at full speed. I knew if I did not continue to run the race I would fail. The toughest time of my life began at the tender age of 4. I was abandoned by both of my parents and left in the care of my Aunt who was struggling financially to support her own young children. I never felt a sense of belonging nor did I experience a "normal" childhood. I made a promise to myself that once I became an adult and gained full control of my life, I would build a successful and stable foundation. I carried this optimism with me throughout my younger years and worked hard academically to begin laying the bricks down for my foundation. Having a goal helped me stay optimistic and provided me with the motivation to complete my marathon through those tough times. My childhood motivation and goal setting has taught me how to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. I knew there would be an end to this tough time and I had to once again tap into my optimistic mentality. It has taught me strength, perseverance and motivation as I completed my tough childhood, graduated college and created a peaceful home. It has taught me that everything is possible and nothing is impossible.

Education is the foundation for every aspect of life. We as a human race learn by watching and applying. We began by watching our parents as we learned how to walk and speak. As an adult we watch a co-worker teach us a new position. The process of education and learning is infinite and a field I am truly passionate about. I have enjoyed the multifaceted aspects of education through my tenure as a private academic instructor. I provide academic assistance to students from ages six through adult. During our sessions, I always mentor my students about the importance of education, finances and career choices. My favorite subject to teach is SAT test preparation. This test is the master key that unlocks each student's college and career potential. I am honored and grateful to be a part of a student's critical educational decision. With my mentorship, I hope to build the confidence of each student and persuade them to always pursue education which will achieve their career goals. I hope to impact the future leaders of our community by educating young minds to make smart financial and academic decisions.

At the age of 4, I lost my home, parental supervision and the sense of belonging. My grandmother was my temporary caregiver. Shortly after my arrival, she packed all of my belongings into a black trash bag and drove me to my Aunt's home. She told my Aunt she would return at the end of the weekend. She never returned. For ten years, my care was assumed by my Aunt. She fostered my love for reading and education which resulted in my successful completion of a bachelor's in political science and writing. Without the guidance of my biological parents, I achieved one of my goals. However, upon graduation I was burdened by insurmountable financial student debt. I suffered poverty and struggled to provide basic needs for myself. My mother tiptoed in and out of my life and helped very little. My father did not provide any help with the exception of child support. Last year my father passed away unexpectedly at the age of 67. I was anticipating receiving a financial death benefit from his passing. This benefit did not occur. I wanted to use this money to pay towards my financial student loan debt. Paying down this debt will allow me to achieve a dream I have pursued since I was 4 years old: the dream to educate. Prior to my grandmother dropping me off at my Aunt's home, I lived with my grandfather. My grandfather and I used to sit on our brick porch together. I remember owning a set of chalk and writing words on the brick columns for us to read aloud. At that moment I knew I wanted to become an educator. I wanted to feel that priceless moment when a student unlocks their full potential as a result of my teachings. However, with my current student loan burden I am unable to pursue my dream of obtaining a master's in education. I want to provide my students with the most exceptional education opportunities possible within my current role as a private educator. With my father's unexpected passing and not receiving a financial death benefit, I decided I had to take action on my own to achieve what matters most in my life. I will obtain my master's degree; I will pay down my student loans. I began my journey by working extra hours at my current place of employment and obtaining new students within my private educational teaching position. I am also applying for this scholarship in hopes that Cat Zingano will recognize my hard work and dedication in shaping the young minds of our future. Education is the master key to all aspects of life, growth and success. I was fortunate enough to have an Aunt that fostered my intelligence and the guidance of my grandfather to inspire me to share my knowledge through teaching. Your scholarship will reduce the daily stress of my financial burdens and allow me the peace and clarity to embark upon my master's studies. I know that I have the knowledge, capability and motivation to successfully complete the master's program as I have recently tutored and mentored an immigrant student by helping her achieve her bachelor's, master's and her doctor of nursing practice degrees! I have already experienced first hand the amount of work and dedication it takes to achieve a graduate degree and I would like to begin. With your financial support and help I can achieve two goals at the same time and help other struggling students make a difference within our community. Thank you for your consideration. Aisha Fidler