During my life I have faced many adversities from my fellow peers and family members. I am the darkest girl in my family and throughout my whole life my mom never let me forget it. I was treated very differently by my whole family. They would tell me how I needed to lose weight and a proper lady looked nothing like me. During the summer my cousins would come to visit and I was never allowed to go outside with them because my mother did not want me to get too dark. My father is who I get my skin complexion from and he cosigned every hateful comment that my mother made. I remember vividly when I was nine years old I wanted to wear my favorite dress to school and my mother laughed at me and said large girls like you shouldn't wear dresses. My father stood there antagonizing me with her. These remarks were always confusing to me because my mother isn't the slimmest either. Kids at school would make the same jokes about me. This forced me to grow up fast. My whole childhood I've been trying to escape these remarks. There is not a day that goes by that I can just fully exist without overthinking my appearance. I feel as if I would have been able to overcome the jokes faster if it was only in school. But hearing my mother tell me these things made it even harder. Fast forward to the present day and I have gone through what some would call a “glow up”. According to my peers I'm socially acceptable now. People from my past who made my life a living hell now want to be friends and hangout with me. I'm watching people make an effort on getting to know me now instead of shying away from me because of how I look. It impacted my confidence greatly. I feel like I can't leave the house unless I have tons of makeup on. I feel as if I can't eat normally because I am worried about gaining all the weight back. No one knows what I went through back then. Whenever I bring it up my mother says that she doesn't remember. I don't understand how she can forget 18 years of bullying. It let up a bit about two years ago but that doesnt make up for the damage she's done. I don't know where to go from here but what I do know is I never want anyone else to have to feel that way. I make sure that I greet everyone I meet with love and kindness. It doesn't take that much effort to be nice to people. Everyone deserves to feel beautiful and loved. I learned a lot from that portion of my life and I'm grateful for the person it has shaped me into.

Greetings, I'm Alana, and I'm pursuing a career in nursing. My senior year is approaching and I am planning to apply to Virginia Commonwealth University. Currently, I'm interested in getting my BSN and going into a NP program. Since I was a child, I knew I wanted to work in the healthcare field. I used to dress all my barbies as nurses when I was a kid. As a fourth grader, I began researching my career path. My interest in nursing stemmed from the care that nurses can provide to everyday people. I consider nursing to be more than just bedside care. In addition to building personal relationships with their patients, nurses are able to instill lifelong lessons in these patients. Citizens are more than just everyday people, many of them are our future. It only takes one conversation to change someone's entire life trajectory. Nursing gives me the opportunity to guide others who have gotten a little lost along their path. It is a bonus for me to be able to care for the patient. Over the past four years, I've worked hard in school to achieve my goals. There were times when I wasn't sure if I'd be able to finish. It never took me long to remember my end goal when I doubted myself. Throughout my volunteer experience, I have been able to get a sense of what the jobs that I will apply for are like. My favorite part of my day was being able to observe all the nurses did at work. With the American Red Cross, I will be hosting a blood drive later this fall, which will bring my total community service hours to 250. It would be great to win this scholarship so that I can put some of it towards my tuition and laptop expenses. I have been saving for college and grad school since my freshman year of high school, so I won't have to worry about it later. Rather than worrying about school costs, I would rather focus on the school itself. I will be able to take some of the stress load off of my shoulders with this scholarship money. I have always dreamed of attending college. Of all the people in my family, I will be the first to go to school and graduate. My family has a lot of people who never made it to senior year, so I am extremely proud of myself for reaching this point. I hope I will be considered for this scholarship. Thanks for reading this essay. I appreciate you taking the time to do so.

Greetings, I'm Alana, and I'm pursuing a career in nursing. My senior year is approaching and I am planning to apply to Virginia Commonwealth University. Currently, I'm interested in getting my BSN and going into a NP program. Since I was a child, I knew I wanted to work in the healthcare field. I used to dress all my barbies as nurses when I was a kid. As a fourth grader, I began researching my career path. My interest in nursing stemmed from the care that nurses can provide to everyday people. I consider nursing to be more than just bedside care. In addition to building personal relationships with their patients, nurses are able to instill lifelong lessons in these patients. Citizens are more than just everyday people, many of them are our future. It only takes one conversation to change someone's entire life trajectory. Nursing gives me the opportunity to guide others who have gotten a little lost along their path. It is a bonus for me to be able to care for the patient. Over the past four years, I've worked hard in school to achieve my goals. There were times when I wasn't sure if I'd be able to finish. It never took me long to remember my end goal when I doubted myself. Throughout my volunteer experience, I have been able to get a sense of what the jobs that I will apply for are like. My favorite part of my day was being able to observe all the nurses did at work. With the American Red Cross, I will be hosting a blood drive later this fall, which will bring my total community service hours to 250. It would be great to win this scholarship so that I can put some of it towards my tuition and laptop expenses. I have been saving for college and grad school since my freshman year of high school, so I won't have to worry about it later. Rather than worrying about school costs, I would rather focus on the school itself. I will be able to take some of the stress load off of my shoulders with this scholarship money. I have always dreamed of attending college. Of all the people in my family, I will be the first to go to school and graduate. My family has a lot of people who never made it to senior year, so I am extremely proud of myself for reaching this point. I hope I will be considered for this scholarship. Thanks for reading this essay. I appreciate you taking the time to do so.

Greetings, I'm Alana, and I'm pursuing a career in nursing. My senior year is approaching and I am planning to apply to Virginia Commonwealth University. Currently, I'm interested in getting my BSN and going into a NP program. Since I was a child, I knew I wanted to work in the healthcare field. I used to dress all my barbies as nurses when I was a kid. As a fourth grader, I began researching my career path. My interest in nursing stemmed from the care that nurses can provide to everyday people. I consider nursing to be more than just bedside care. In addition to building personal relationships with their patients, nurses are able to instill lifelong lessons in these patients. Citizens are more than just everyday people, many of them are our future. It only takes one conversation to change someone's entire life trajectory. Nursing gives me the opportunity to guide others who have gotten a little lost along their path. It is a bonus for me to be able to care for the patient. Over the past four years, I've worked hard in school to achieve my goals. There were times when I wasn't sure if I'd be able to finish. It never took me long to remember my end goal when I doubted myself. Throughout my volunteer experience, I have been able to get a sense of what the jobs that I will apply for are like. My favorite part of my day was being able to observe all the nurses did at work. With the American Red Cross, I will be hosting a blood drive later this fall, which will bring my total community service hours to 250. It would be great to win this scholarship so that I can put some of it towards my tuition and laptop expenses. I have been saving for college and grad school since my freshman year of high school, so I won't have to worry about it later. Rather than worrying about school costs, I would rather focus on the school itself. I will be able to take some of the stress load off of my shoulders with this scholarship money. I have always dreamed of attending college. Of all the people in my family, I will be the first to go to school and graduate. My family has a lot of people who never made it to senior year, so I am extremely proud of myself for reaching this point. I hope I will be considered for this scholarship. Thanks for reading this essay. I appreciate you taking the time to do so.

Greetings, I'm Alana, and I'm pursuing a career in nursing. My senior year is approaching and I am planning to apply to Virginia Commonwealth University. Currently, I'm interested in getting my BSN and going into a NP program. Since I was a child, I knew I wanted to work in the healthcare field. I used to dress all my barbies as nurses when I was a kid. As a fourth grader, I began researching my career path. My interest in nursing stemmed from the care that nurses can provide to everyday people. I consider nursing to be more than just bedside care. In addition to building personal relationships with their patients, nurses are able to instill lifelong lessons in these patients. Citizens are more than just everyday people, many of them are our future. It only takes one conversation to change someone's entire life trajectory. Nursing gives me the opportunity to guide others who have gotten a little lost along their path. It is a bonus for me to be able to care for the patient. Over the past four years, I've worked hard in school to achieve my goals. There were times when I wasn't sure if I'd be able to finish. It never took me long to remember my end goal when I doubted myself. Throughout my volunteer experience, I have been able to get a sense of what the jobs that I will apply for are like. My favorite part of my day was being able to observe all the nurses did at work. With the American Red Cross, I will be hosting a blood drive later this fall, which will bring my total community service hours to 250. It would be great to win this scholarship so that I can put some of it towards my tuition and laptop expenses. I have been saving for college and grad school since my freshman year of high school, so I won't have to worry about it later. Rather than worrying about school costs, I would rather focus on the school itself. I will be able to take some of the stress load off of my shoulders with this scholarship money. I have always dreamed of attending college. Of all the people in my family, I will be the first to go to school and graduate. My family has a lot of people who never made it to senior year, so I am extremely proud of myself for reaching this point. I hope I will be considered for this scholarship. Thanks for reading this essay. I appreciate you taking the time to do so.

Greetings, I'm Alana, and I'm pursuing a career in nursing. My senior year is approaching and I am planning to apply to Virginia Commonwealth University. Currently, I'm interested in getting my BSN and going into a NP program. Since I was a child, I knew I wanted to work in the healthcare field. I used to dress all my barbies as nurses when I was a kid. As a fourth grader, I began researching my career path. My interest in nursing stemmed from the care that nurses can provide to everyday people. I consider nursing to be more than just bedside care. In addition to building personal relationships with their patients, nurses are able to instill lifelong lessons in these patients. Citizens are more than just everyday people, many of them are our future. It only takes one conversation to change someone's entire life trajectory. Nursing gives me the opportunity to guide others who have gotten a little lost along their path. It is a bonus for me to be able to care for the patient. Over the past four years, I've worked hard in school to achieve my goals. There were times when I wasn't sure if I'd be able to finish. It never took me long to remember my end goal when I doubted myself. Throughout my volunteer experience, I have been able to get a sense of what the jobs that I will apply for are like. My favorite part of my day was being able to observe all the nurses did at work. With the American Red Cross, I will be hosting a blood drive later this fall, which will bring my total community service hours to 250. It would be great to win this scholarship so that I can put some of it towards my tuition and laptop expenses. I have been saving for college and grad school since my freshman year of high school, so I won't have to worry about it later. Rather than worrying about school costs, I would rather focus on the school itself. I will be able to take some of the stress load off of my shoulders with this scholarship money. I have always dreamed of attending college. Of all the people in my family, I will be the first to go to school and graduate. My family has a lot of people who never made it to senior year, so I am extremely proud of myself for reaching this point. I hope I will be considered for this scholarship. Thanks for reading this essay. I appreciate you taking the time to do so.

Greetings, I'm Alana, and I'm pursuing a career in nursing. My senior year is approaching and I am planning to apply to Virginia Commonwealth University. Currently, I'm interested in getting my BSN and going into a NP program. Since I was a child, I knew I wanted to work in the healthcare field. I used to dress all my barbies as nurses when I was a kid. As a fourth grader, I began researching my career path. My interest in nursing stemmed from the care that nurses can provide to everyday people. I consider nursing to be more than just bedside care. In addition to building personal relationships with their patients, nurses are able to instill lifelong lessons in these patients. Citizens are more than just everyday people, many of them are our future. It only takes one conversation to change someone's entire life trajectory. Nursing gives me the opportunity to guide others who have gotten a little lost along their path. It is a bonus for me to be able to care for the patient. Over the past four years, I've worked hard in school to achieve my goals. There were times when I wasn't sure if I'd be able to finish. It never took me long to remember my end goal when I doubted myself. Throughout my volunteer experience, I have been able to get a sense of what the jobs that I will apply for are like. My favorite part of my day was being able to observe all the nurses did at work. With the American Red Cross, I will be hosting a blood drive later this fall, which will bring my total community service hours to 250. It would be great to win this scholarship so that I can put some of it towards my tuition and laptop expenses. I have been saving for college and grad school since my freshman year of high school, so I won't have to worry about it later. Rather than worrying about school costs, I would rather focus on the school itself. I will be able to take some of the stress load off of my shoulders with this scholarship money. I have always dreamed of attending college. Of all the people in my family, I will be the first to go to school and graduate. My family has a lot of people who never made it to senior year, so I am extremely proud of myself for reaching this point. I hope I will be considered for this scholarship. Thanks for reading this essay. I appreciate you taking the time to do so.

Many people stereotype nurses as mean girls from high school. This observation can be true within any career field. However, if you grew up like me, you were the one being bullied. My decision to become a nurse is a result of my belief that there needs to be more kindness and support in the world. The goal is to make some type of difference in the world, no matter how small the impact may be at the time. Nurses should be filled with love and compassion for their patients. Most times when people are coming to the hospital it's because something has gone wrong. The pain that the person is experiencing at the time may be a physical manifestation of what's going on mentally. One conversation with that person filled with encouraging words and advice can change that person's entire life trajectory. It is important to remind people in the world that they are not just a number in the system, but they are also contributors to this world and are equally important. I would love to go into pediatrics because I would get to spend my time making a real difference in people's lives. Children are our future and should be treated as such. A positive visit to the doctor could result in that child choosing to become a surgeon when they grow up. A parent's worst nightmare is something being wrong with their child and the thing that they need most at that time is support. After speaking with others about my career choice I realized that nursing may be a trauma response for me. Growing up I didn't have anyone to protect me or give me great advice when I was in need. I aspire to be the type of person I needed when growing up. I am interested in working in pediatrics for this exact reason. So many abuse and neglect cases slip through the cracks of the system due to not asking enough questions. Due to my attention to detail, I don't miss anything. I think this makes me a perfect fit for the job because one small mistake can cause permanent damage. There needs to be a change made in the world and I hope to be this change for future generations to come. Thank you for taking the time to review my scholarship admission. It means the world to me. Your time is greatly appreciated.

I am planning on going to school at Virginia Commonwealth University which is located in Richmond, Virginia. My desired major is nursing with a minor in human development. It is my dream to work in healthcare in the future. People who work in the healthcare industry are among the most essential members of a community. They are capable of diagnosing and treating patients. I also love running a business being able to create your own schedule and watch your ideas come to life. I first developed my interest in running a business when I was 15. I really like how entrepreneurs were able to creatively express themselves in whatever way they pleased. My mother wouldn't let me get a real job during that time so I made my own. During the summer of 2020 I decided to launch my own cosmetics brand called Exotic Glow. I spent every day working on my business, including my logo, new marketing strategies, and product formulas. Getting my name out there required me to post and promote my business five times a day. Within four months I was able to build a platform that included over 1,000 people on Instagram. Exotic Glow's mission is to make everyone feel beautiful regardless of race, gender, or weight. I sell lip gloss, body scrubs, and body shimmers. All of my products are organic, cruelty free, and home made. Because organic products don't contain harsh chemicals or add-ons, they're amazing for your skin. People with sensitive skin like me have trouble finding products they can use because of this issue.Within the first year of my launch I was able to earn about 600 dollars off of orders. I love all things beauty so it got me thinking on how I would be able to merge my interest in the medical field with it. After I get my bachelors in nursing I would like to go back to school to become a nurse practitioner and then open a medical spa. Medical spas can be very beneficial for acne, cellulite, and wrinkles. By managing a medical spa, I will be able to combine both aspects of my life while maintaining a stable income. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to pay for books and reduce my financial stress. I am self motivated, a hard worker, I have realistic goals and aspirations, and I wish to make a contribution to the betterment of society as a whole. Fundamentally, it is not so much about me as it is about others. What can I contribute to improve the world? How can I, in my own way, make things better for others? Your scholarship will help me achieve my dreams. Studying and learning will be easier for me without financial burdens. It is my pleasure to have you read my scholarship submission. Thank you.

I am the first woman in my family to do many things and college will be one of them. Throughout my 18 years of life I have started a small business, won three spelling bees, Learned how to play two instruments, ran track, and wrote a book. College is something I have always wanted to do but I was shot down by other family members everytime i brought the idea up. My mother and father didn't even finish highschool due to them getting pregnant with my brother. My brother had no interest in going to college so he settled for a normal retail job. I have two younger sisters who are 7 and 12. As a role model, I want to provide them with what I never had. Their eyes are glued to me and they aspire to be just like me. As a result, I have to make sure that my decisions are wise. I started my first small business when I was 15. I sell lip gloss, body scrubs, and hydrating mists for the skin. My products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. I decided to start my beauty line because I felt like there was not enough diversity in the beauty world. When it comes to black women we are always on the hunt for self-care items that will not break us out or make us look washed out or ashy. In the first year of launching, I was able to make 600+ dollars. When I was 16 I then opened a second business called Stunna Gemz. My main focus in Stunna Gemz is jewelry. I was able to make 300+ within the first three months of opening this business. During these endeavors I got a lot of rude comments from friends and family. My best friend of seven years at the time refused to try any products from my cosmetics line. Which I was okay with until she came and told me that she brought from her boyfriend's small business and reposted him on her instagram. By this point I was already averaging 50 sales per week when I asked her about the repost and she got very upset. From there I determined that she didn't need to be in my life anymore. It was a very hard decision for me to make . However I refuse to let anyone that doesnt support me 100% in my life.

I am planning on going to school at Virginia Commonwealth University which is located in Richmond, Virginia. My desired major is nursing with a minor in human development. It is my dream to work in healthcare in the future. People who work in the healthcare industry are among the most essential members of a community. They are capable of diagnosing and treating patients. I also love running a business being able to create your own schedule and watch your ideas come to life. I first developed my interest in running a business when I was 15. I really like how entrepreneurs were able to creatively express themselves in whatever way they pleased. My mother wouldn't let me get a real job during that time so I made my own. During the summer of 2020 I decided to launch my own cosmetics brand called Exotic Glow. I spent every day working on my business, including my logo, new marketing strategies, and product formulas. Getting my name out there required me to post and promote my business five times a day. Within four months I was able to build a platform that included over 1,000 people on Instagram. Exotic Glow's mission is to make everyone feel beautiful regardless of race, gender, or weight. I sell lip gloss, body scrubs, and body shimmers. All of my products are organic, cruelty free, and home made. Because organic products don't contain harsh chemicals or add-ons, they're amazing for your skin. People with sensitive skin like me have trouble finding products they can use because of this issue.Within the first year of my launch I was able to earn about 600 dollars off of orders. I love all things beauty so it got me thinking on how I would be able to merge my interest in the medical field with it. After I get my bachelors in nursing I would like to go back to school to become a nurse practitioner and then open a medical spa. Medical spas can be very beneficial for acne, cellulite, and wrinkles. By managing a medical spa, I will be able to combine both aspects of my life while maintaining a stable income. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to pay for books and reduce my financial stress. I am self motivated, a hard worker, I have realistic goals and aspirations, and I wish to make a contribution to the betterment of society as a whole. Fundamentally, it is not so much about me as it is about others. What can I contribute to improve the world? How can I, in my own way, make things better for others? Your scholarship will help me achieve my dreams. Studying and learning will be easier for me without financial burdens. It is my pleasure to have you read my scholarship submission. Thank you.

I am planning on going to school at Virginia Commonwealth University which is located in Richmond, Virginia. My desired major is nursing with a minor in human development. It is my dream to work in healthcare in the future. People who work in the healthcare industry are among the most essential members of a community. They are capable of diagnosing and treating patients. I also love running a business being able to create your own schedule and watch your ideas come to life. I first developed my interest in running a business when I was 15. I really like how entrepreneurs were able to creatively express themselves in whatever way they pleased. My mother wouldn't let me get a real job during that time so I made my own. During the summer of 2020 I decided to launch my own cosmetics brand called Exotic Glow. I spent every day working on my business, including my logo, new marketing strategies, and product formulas. Getting my name out there required me to post and promote my business five times a day. Within four months I was able to build a platform that included over 1,000 people on Instagram. Exotic Glow's mission is to make everyone feel beautiful regardless of race, gender, or weight. I sell lip gloss, body scrubs, and body shimmers. All of my products are organic, cruelty free, and home made. Because organic products don't contain harsh chemicals or add-ons, they're amazing for your skin. People with sensitive skin like me have trouble finding products they can use because of this issue.Within the first year of my launch I was able to earn about 600 dollars off of orders. I love all things beauty so it got me thinking on how I would be able to merge my interest in the medical field with it. After I get my bachelors in nursing I would like to go back to school to become a nurse practitioner and then open a medical spa. Medical spas can be very beneficial for acne, cellulite, and wrinkles. By managing a medical spa, I will be able to combine both aspects of my life while maintaining a stable income. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to pay for books and reduce my financial stress. I am self motivated, a hard worker, I have realistic goals and aspirations, and I wish to make a contribution to the betterment of society as a whole. Fundamentally, it is not so much about me as it is about others. What can I contribute to improve the world? How can I, in my own way, make things better for others? Your scholarship will help me achieve my dreams. Studying and learning will be easier for me without financial burdens. It is my pleasure to have you read my scholarship submission. Thank you.

I am planning on going to school at Virginia Commonwealth University which is located in Richmond, Virginia. My desired major is nursing with a minor in human development. It is my dream to work in healthcare in the future. People who work in the healthcare industry are among the most essential members of a community. They are capable of diagnosing and treating patients. I also love running a business being able to create your own schedule and watch your ideas come to life. I first developed my interest in running a business when I was 15. I really like how entrepreneurs were able to creatively express themselves in whatever way they pleased. My mother wouldn't let me get a real job during that time so I made my own. During the summer of 2020 I decided to launch my own cosmetics brand called Exotic Glow. I spent every day working on my business, including my logo, new marketing strategies, and product formulas. Getting my name out there required me to post and promote my business five times a day. Within four months I was able to build a platform that included over 1,000 people on Instagram. Exotic Glow's mission is to make everyone feel beautiful regardless of race, gender, or weight. I sell lip gloss, body scrubs, and body shimmers. All of my products are organic, cruelty free, and home made. Because organic products don't contain harsh chemicals or add-ons, they're amazing for your skin. People with sensitive skin like me have trouble finding products they can use because of this issue.Within the first year of my launch I was able to earn about 600 dollars off of orders. I love all things beauty so it got me thinking on how I would be able to merge my interest in the medical field with it. After I get my bachelors in nursing I would like to go back to school to become a nurse practitioner and then open a medical spa. Medical spas can be very beneficial for acne, cellulite, and wrinkles. By managing a medical spa, I will be able to combine both aspects of my life while maintaining a stable income. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to pay for books and reduce my financial stress. I am self motivated, a hard worker, I have realistic goals and aspirations, and I wish to make a contribution to the betterment of society as a whole. Fundamentally, it is not so much about me as it is about others. What can I contribute to improve the world? How can I, in my own way, make things better for others? Your scholarship will help me achieve my dreams. Studying and learning will be easier for me without financial burdens. It is my pleasure to have you read my scholarship submission. Thank you.

I am planning on going to school at Virginia Commonwealth University which is located in Richmond, Virginia. My desired major is nursing with a minor in human development. It is my dream to work in healthcare in the future. People who work in the healthcare industry are among the most essential members of a community. They are capable of diagnosing and treating patients. I also love running a business being able to create your own schedule and watch your ideas come to life. I first developed my interest in running a business when I was 15. I really like how entrepreneurs were able to creatively express themselves in whatever way they pleased. My mother wouldn't let me get a real job during that time so I made my own. During the summer of 2020 I decided to launch my own cosmetics brand called Exotic Glow. I spent every day working on my business, including my logo, new marketing strategies, and product formulas. Getting my name out there required me to post and promote my business five times a day. Within four months I was able to build a platform that included over 1,000 people on Instagram. Exotic Glow's mission is to make everyone feel beautiful regardless of race, gender, or weight. I sell lip gloss, body scrubs, and body shimmers. All of my products are organic, cruelty free, and home made. Because organic products don't contain harsh chemicals or add-ons, they're amazing for your skin. People with sensitive skin like me have trouble finding products they can use because of this issue.Within the first year of my launch I was able to earn about 600 dollars off of orders. I love all things beauty so it got me thinking on how I would be able to merge my interest in the medical field with it. After I get my bachelors in nursing I would like to go back to school to become a nurse practitioner and then open a medical spa. Medical spas can be very beneficial for acne, cellulite, and wrinkles. By managing a medical spa, I will be able to combine both aspects of my life while maintaining a stable income. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to pay for books and reduce my financial stress. I am self motivated, a hard worker, I have realistic goals and aspirations, and I wish to make a contribution to the betterment of society as a whole. Fundamentally, it is not so much about me as it is about others. What can I contribute to improve the world? How can I, in my own way, make things better for others? Your scholarship will help me achieve my dreams. Studying and learning will be easier for me without financial burdens. It is my pleasure to have you read my scholarship submission. Thank you.

Having a sense of balance is essential for success in any endeavor. College is one of them. In order to succeed in college I plan to have very good organizational and time management skills. Trying to stick to a weekly schedule and waking up on time are things that I've been working on in my day-to-day life. I plan to major in nursing so there is little room for error when it comes to time management. A college degree is very beneficial as it can transform your family tree for upcoming generations. If you set an example for them they are more likely to follow in your footsteps. In life, education is a privilege that not everyone has access to. It is important to appreciate education as it holds the key to your future. Education is able to help you secure high paying jobs and make the best decisions for yourself.Lately I have been hearing my peers say that “college is a scam” or that it is “not necessary”. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion however I believe that everyone can take something away from going to college. College can help you develop social skills, connections, and work/ life balance. In many cases, people think education is boring, but if you find something that interests you during the topic, it can actually be enjoyable. In college you can mold your course load into things that cater to you. Which is essentially creating your own major. Degrees are something that are able to evolve with you over time. Within a field, you can find a variety of jobs with most degrees. If you are looking for a better job position, you can obtain certifications. You will be in greater demand if you are more skilled. You can enhance your knowledge within your field by enrolling in graduate programs. Hopefully, this brief reading was useful to you. Your review of my submission is greatly appreciated.

My parents have worked hard for everything that they have. I believe that they have had to work harder than the average person due to them not attending college. I've decided to be the first person in my family to pursue a bachelor's degree. Some of my family started and then later decided that it was not for them. But college is something I've dreamed of doing since I was a little girl. When I was in 4th grade I decided that I wanted to become a nurse. I fell in love with the idea of being able to impact others lives positively by providing care for them. After speaking with others about my career choice I realized that nursing may be a trauma response for me. Growing up I didn't have anyone to protect me or give me great advice when I was in need. I aspire to be the type of person I needed when growing up. I am interested in working in pediatrics for this exact reason. So many abuse and neglect cases slip through the cracks of the system due to not asking enough questions. Due to my attention to detail, I don't miss anything. I think this makes me a perfect fit for the job because one small mistake can cause permanent damage. There needs to be change made in the world and I hope to be this change for the future generations. My decision to become a nurse is a result of my belief that there needs to be more kindness and support in the world. The goal is to make some type of difference in the world, no matter how small the impact may be at the time. Most times when people are coming to the hospital it's because something has gone wrong. The pain that the person is experiencing at the time may be a physical manifestation of what's going on mentally. One conversation with that person filled with encouraging words and advice can change that persons entire life trajectory. It is important to remind people in the world that they are not just a number in the system, but they are also contributors to this world and are equally important.

The idea of occupying space has always been challenging for me. I have the urge to make myself smaller than I am. It was today that I decided I no longer wanted to participate. I downplay my accomplishments because I feel like I have not done enough. People from my past have told me that I was not allowed to speak on my accomplishments because it was considered vain. “Well anyone can do that” is a phrase i've been telling myself for years. But if everyone could, the whole world would have the accomplishment under their belt. In my 17 years of life i’ve managed to accomplish things kids my age don't even think of doing. In June of 2020 I decided I wanted to start a lipgloss business. I followed through and started selling about two months after. It was great until my mom found out I was working on it. She took over everything the labels, the flavors, the lipgloss names, ect. I was so upset with her but had no idea how to tell her that this isn't something I wanted her involved in. So I sat and thought about it and my thoughts began to consume me. Past things that I thought were irrelevant started to pop up. These events were years old so why did I still feel a way about them. I became someone that I didn't even recognize. Which is all a part of growing up but by this point I had no idea who was starring me back in the mirror. I had no motivation and overall I was just very confused. I managed to keep good grades in school and was still heavily involved in my community. But something was missing. It wasn't until May of 2022 that I decided that I needed a break. A break from everything my family, my community, my responsibilities. I couldn't keep going any longer physically or mentally. Being burnt out was something that usually would just push off. The pressure of trying to balance everything at once made me feel thirty more years older than I actually am. Out of nowhere a realization came to me I was being too hard on myself and not setting enough boundaries with the people in my life. I am not obligated to please everyone all of the time and saying no is okay. The funny thing is I tell people in my life the same thing all the time. But no once had I thought about taking my own advice. The last four years have been painful but i'm glad I went through them. In terms of my development, they were extremely important. Today I was sitting down eating breakfast and my dad said to me “It's almost time to apply for college, you're gonna do great.” I almost shot him down by saying “I hope so” instead I decided to say “I know I'm so excited.” It took me less than 30 seconds to decide to turn over a new leaf. Feeling good about my accomplishments will no longer be a source of guilt for me.

Throughout my life I have been the one to support myself throughout my school years. Grades/ education were not something that was celebrated within my household. My mother cared more about us doing our chores than she did us studying. She never finished school herself so she does not really care if we continue or not. She always says I turned out just fine without school. It was a waste of time. I however am the exact opposite of that. I love school. My education has always been important to me. I am in my senior year of high school and I hope to be a nurse practitioner one day. I'm graduating in spring with an honors diploma. My gpa is currently at a 3.5 and I will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University. Me supporting myself throughout this journey was the only option I had. There were times where I thought about giving up however I just referred to my vision board when I felt down.

Greetings,I'm 18 and I was born and raised in Virginia. When I was 15 I started a business called Exotic Glow that I later rebranded and decided to call Luxxe Palace. I sell lip gloss, body scrubs, and hydrating mists for the skin. My products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. I decided to start my beauty line because I felt like there was not enough diversity in the beauty world. When it comes to black women we are always on the hunt for self-care items that will not break us out or make us look washed out or ashy. In the first year of launching, I was able to make 600+ dollars. When I was 16 I then opened a second business called Stunna Gemz. My main focus in Stunna Gemz is jewelry. I was able to make 300+ within the first three months of opening this business. My educational goal right now is to be able to support myself through college and earn my bachelors in Nursing. I choose marketing because over the years I have had to teach myself marketing skills. During this journey, I have accumulated so much knowledge about social media marketing. It has actually become a very big hobby of mine and I have fun while doing it. Creating marketing content keeps me on my toes because the trends online are always changing. This helps me to expand and educate myself more. Life has not always been a very easy walk for me. Throughout my childhood, I had to deal with my first bully being my mother. My mother was very nasty and hateful towards me while I was young. This led me to grow up extremely fast without even noticing how fast I was growing up. I thought that it was normal until I realized that it was not normal for me to be so “mature” at a young age. This of course caused some issues. Throughout the years I have noticed that I have a hyper independence issue. My hyper independence is rooted in me feeling like I had no one from a very young age. I felt like I didn't have to ask anyone for help because I had been doing so much by myself since I was a child. Whenever I did ask for help I received judgment and ridicule from my “parents”. They judged me so much that I started to doubt myself and my path. However, I am now attempting to free myself from those beliefs so that I don't always have such a heavy load to carry. This experince taught me that its okay to not know everything and that you can always ask for help. I just decided to stop asking people who were comitted to making me feel insufficient for advice. Thank You for taking the time out of your day to read my essay it's greatly appreciated.

Writing is something that can be seen as more than just a creative outlet. For many aspiring writers like me it's like a second home. My pen and paper are where I let my emotions flow when no one else is around. My writing is driven by love, power, and passion. About eight years ago, I developed a small hobby out of curiosity. In my later years, I realized it was something I wanted to pursue full-time. Right now I'm working on writing a book. The story takes place in New York and the main character is a girl named Anne. Anne reflects me in many different ways the hardships she's been through, her absent parents, and her desire to to do more in every aspect in her life. At the end of the book Anne is at peace with her life and she has accomplished everything she set out to accomplish. Anne's position is one I hope to reach soon.

Currently I'm interested in getting my BSN and going into a NP program. Since I was a child, I knew I wanted to work in the healthcare field. My interest in nursing stemmed from the care that nurses can provide to everyday people. I consider nursing to be more than just bedside care. In addition to building personal relationships with their patients, nurses are able to instill lifelong lessons in these patients. Citizens are more than just a number in the system, many of them are our future. It only takes one conversation to change someone's entire life trajectory. Nursing gives me the opportunity to guide others who have gotten a little lost along their path. It is a bonus for me to be able to care for the patient. I believe that George Mason is the best option to study because of its diverse campus. Growing up I was never really accepted in school because of my skin tone. Kids would treat me differently because f the way I styled my hair and my race. I have had to deal with being called racial slurs. Thank You for taking the time out of your day to read my submission. It's greatly appreciated.

The idea of occupying space has always been challenging for me. I have the urge to make myself smaller than I am. It was today that I decided I no longer wanted to participate. I downplay my accomplishments because I feel like I have not done enough. People from my past have told me that I was not allowed to speak on my accomplishments because it was considered vain. “Well anyone can do that” is a phrase i've been telling myself for years. But if everyone could, the whole world would have the accomplishment under their belt. In my 17 years of life i’ve managed to accomplish things kids my age don't even think of doing. In June of 2020 I decided I wanted to start a lipgloss business. I followed through and started selling about two months after. It was great until my mom found out I was working on it. She took over everything the labels, the flavors, the lipgloss names, ect. I was so upset with her but had no idea how to tell her that this isn't something I wanted her involved in. So I sat and thought about it and my thoughts began to consume me. Past things that I thought were irrelevant started to pop up. These events were years old so why did I still feel a way about them. I became someone that I didn't even recognize. Which is all a part of growing up but by this point I had no idea who was starring me back in the mirror. I had no motivation and overall I was just very confused. I managed to keep good grades in school and was still heavily involved in my community. But something was missing. It wasn't until May of 2022 that I decided that I needed a break. A break from everything my family, my community, my responsibilities. I couldn't keep going any longer physically or mentally. Being burnt out was something that usually would just push off. The pressure of trying to balance everything at once made me feel thirty more years older than I actually am. Out of nowhere a realization came to me I was being too hard on myself and not setting enough boundaries with the people in my life. I am not obligated to please everyone all of the time and saying no is okay. The funny thing is I tell people in my life the same thing all the time. But no once had I thought about taking my own advice. The last four years have been painful but i'm glad I went through them. In terms of my development, they were extremely important. Today I was sitting down eating breakfast and my dad said to me “It's almost time to apply for college, you're gonna do great.” I almost shot him down by saying “I hope so” instead I decided to say “I know I'm so excited.” It took me less than 30 seconds to decide to turn over a new leaf. Feeling good about my accomplishments will no longer be a source of guilt for me.

Currently I'm interested in getting my BSN and going into a NP program. Since I was a child, I knew I wanted to work in the healthcare field. My interest in nursing stemmed from the care that nurses can provide to everyday people. I consider nursing to be more than just bedside care. In addition to building personal relationships with their patients, nurses are able to instill lifelong lessons in these patients. Citizens are more than just a number in the system, many of them are our future. It only takes one conversation to change someone's entire life trajectory. Nursing gives me the opportunity to guide others who have gotten a little lost along their path. It is a bonus for me to be able to care for the patient. I believe that George Mason is the best option to study because of its diverse campus. Growing up I was never really accepted in school because of my skin tone. Kids would treat me differently because f the way I styled my hair and my race. I have had to deal with being called racial slurs. Thank You for taking the time out of your day to read my submission. It's greatly appreciated.

I have a pit and husky mix. Her name is Valentine I got her when I was going into my junior year of high school. My parents saw that I was struggling with my mental health. So they decided to get me a ESA. Since valentine has entered my life I have become a completely different person. She is literally one of the biggest reasons why I'm here today.

Greetings, I'm pursuing a career in nursing. My senior year is approaching and I am planning to apply to Virginia Commonwealth University. Currently, I'm interested in getting my BSN and going into a NP program. Since I was a child, I knew I wanted to work in the healthcare field.

Greetings, I'm Alana, and I'm pursuing a career in nursing. My senior year is approaching and I am planning to apply to Virginia Commonwealth University. Currently, I'm interested in getting my BSN and going into a NP program. Since I was a child, I knew I wanted to work in the healthcare field. I used to dress all my barbies as nurses when I was a kid. As a fourth grader, I began researching my career path. My interest in nursing stemmed from the care that nurses can provide to everyday people. I consider nursing to be more than just bedside care. In addition to building personal relationships with their patients, nurses are able to instill lifelong lessons in these patients. Citizens are more than just everyday people, many of them are our future. It only takes one conversation to change someone's entire life trajectory. Nursing gives me the opportunity to guide others who have gotten a little lost along their path. It is a bonus for me to be able to care for the patient. Over the past four years, I've worked hard in school to achieve my goals. There were times when I wasn't sure if I'd be able to finish. It never took me long to remember my end goal when I doubted myself. Throughout my volunteer experience, I have been able to get a sense of what the jobs that I will apply for are like. My favorite part of my day was being able to observe all the nurses did at work. With the American Red Cross, I will be hosting a blood drive later this fall, which will bring my total community service hours to 250. It would be great to win this scholarship so that I can put some of it towards my tuition and laptop expenses. I have been saving for college and grad school since my freshman year of high school, so I won't have to worry about it later. Rather than worrying about school costs, I would rather focus on the school itself. I will be able to take some of the stress load off of my shoulders with this scholarship money. I have always dreamed of attending college. Of all the people in my family, I will be the first to go to school and graduate. My family has a lot of people who never made it to senior year, so I am extremely proud of myself for reaching this point. I hope I will be considered for this scholarship. Thanks for reading this essay. I appreciate you taking the time to do so.

Hi, my name is Alana. I'm 17 and I live in Virginia. I always make sure to keep the creative juices flowing in my life because it decreases my stress levels. Usually, I'm most creative when I'm relaxed and doing something I enjoy. I use things like painting, dancing, and yoga as a creative outlet. Whenever I am feeling a little stagnant I start taking more time to myself to create. I project my inner creativity into my physical life to adjust better. I start new creative projects so this flow is rarely a problem for me. Recently I have started making my own clothing. I use things I find in thrift shops or use old clothing i no longer use. I'm also in the process of learning how to crochet. When I learn how ill be making things like blankets, tote bags, hats, and scarfs. Thank you for taking the time to review this essay.

Hi, my name is Alana. I'm 17 and I am from Virginia. When I study I make sure I review the hardest or most complex things first. I always write out material on a piece of paper because I learn best when I'm writing. When reviewing I put on a study frequency and time myself so I can take breaks. Reading out loud helps me stay focused. If I can I try to come up with acronyms to remember the subject easier. Sometimes there are things that I am unclear on still after reviewing. So when this happens I usually go on YouTube so I can break it down more. I also make sure to study throughout the whole course of the unit so I am not left clueless on test day. My study sessions can last from around 2-4 hours. I do 2 different subjects a day Monday-Saturday and Sundays are left for me to regroup.

Hi, my name is Alana. I'm 17 and I was born and raised in Virginia. When I was 15 I started a business called Exotic Glow that I later rebranded and decided to call it Luxxe Palace. I sell lip gloss, body scrubs, and hydrating mists for the skin. My products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. I decided to start my beauty line because I felt like there was not enough diversity in the beauty world. When it comes to black women we are always on the hunt for self-care items that will not break us out or make us look washed out or ashy. In the first year of launching, I was able to make 600+ dollars. When I was 16 I then opened a second business called Stunna Gemz. My main focus in Stunna Gemz is jewelry. I was able to make 300+ within the first three months of opening this business. My educational goal right now is to be able to support myself through college and earn my bachelor's in Marketing. I choose marketing because over the years I have had to teach myself marketing skills. During this journey, I have accumulated so much knowledge about social media marketing. It has actually become a very big hobby of mine and I have fun while doing it. Creating marketing content keeps me on my toes because the trends online are always changing. This helps me to expand and educate myself more. Life has not always been a very easy walk for me. Throughout my childhood, I had to deal with my first bully being my mother. My mother was very nasty and hateful towards me while I was young. This led me to grow up extremely fast without even noticing how fast I was growing up. I thought that it was normal until I realized that it was not normal for me to be so “mature” at a young age. This of course caused some issues. Throughout the years I have noticed that I have a hyper independence issue. My hyper independence is rooted in me feeling like I had no one from a very young age. Throughout all of this I always knew that I wanted to attend college. None of my family has completed college, so I wanted to be the first to start a new tradition. I hope to see future generations following in the direction that I'm going in.

Gratitude is something that I practice daily. I always make sure to thank the universe for the little things. As humans, we tend to take things for granted. For example, most Americans overlook the fact that they have access to free education. Whenever you are not grateful for the things in your life it is way easier to get caught up in what is not going right for you. Every day towards the end of my day I sit down and write at least ten things that I am grateful for that day. Even if something bad happens I still try to focus on a good thing that came out of the situation. Usually, when "bad" things happen you were able to learn some type of lesson from it. Focusing on the good things helps me to boost my mood. When you appreciate everything you have it opens you up to receive even bigger and better things.

Empathy is such an important quality to have because it allows you to see different perspectives. I always make sure to have empathy for others because they are doing their best with what they have learned. Whenever I get into a disagreement with someone I make sure to step back from the situation. I do this so I can attempt to see where they were coming from in the conversation. When this step is skipped the person can feel misunderstood. Feeling misunderstood or unheard in a dispute can lead to more issues in the future. When you learn how to take on the step of feeling empathy your relationships with things and people will improve almost instantly. These days many people lack this trait which is very unfortunate because if we as a collective can learn how to be empathetic towards each other we will be able to solve the bigger issues in this world.

Hi, my name is Alana and I am 17. I love nature because nature helps you to find the beauty that is within yourself. When you realize that you are a part of nature it will change your perspective on life. Nature is always there and can help to cure bad moods or intrusive thoughts. Whenever I am in nature or breathing in the fresh air all of my worries and problems instantly get smaller. Nature can supply us with whatever we need. Food, Water, and other resources can all be found in it. Whenever you are in need you can depend on it to always be there. I believe we should take more care of our earth and show her more appreciation. Neglecting nature's needs is why we are having a climate crisis now. Nature is one of my favorite things and I hope that we can work together in the future to better our planet.

Patience is such an important quality to have in life. I say this because patience holds a great deal of power. If you are always focused how fast you going to get something you will never truly enjoy the journey. Everyone has a life journey and while we are on this path it is important to slow down and observe the lessons that we are learning. When I was living in a less developed version of myself I would always be so focused on getting through a task so I could hurry up and get to the next phase of my life. But little did I know I was only dragging out the process. Because of me constantly rushing through life I ended up creating more problems for myself and hindered my growth. Of course, these things happened for a reason. I believe that they happened so I could learn how to simply enjoy my time. Once I slowed down there was a large weight of stress lifted off of me. My skin cleared, I got more sleep, and I was able to carry out tasks with my best foot forward. Patience is something that I strive to have on a daily even with the little things. Once I started channeling patience I became a different person mentally. I was able to have the same patience that I have for myself with others. Sometimes it would be a little hard for me to realize why others had certain behaviors that I didn't like. But I had to realize that they just weren't there yet and that is totally fine. Operating from this new headspace allowed me to be less frustrated with people and realize that everyone is just doing the best with what they are given.

Hi, my name is Alana. I'm 17 and I was born and raised in Virginia. When I was 15 I started a Life has not always been a very easy walk for me. Throughout my childhood, I had to deal with my first bully being my mother. My mother was very nasty and hateful towards me while I was young. This led me to grow up extremely fast without even noticing how fast I was growing up. I thought that it was normal until I realized that it was not normal for me to be so “mature” at a young age. This of course caused some issues. Throughout the years I have noticed that I have a hyper independence issue. My hyper independence is rooted in me feeling like I had no one from a very young age. I felt like I didn't have to ask anyone for help because I had been doing so much by myself since I was a child. Whenever I did ask for help I received judgment and ridicule from my “parents”. They judged me so much that I started to doubt myself and my path. However, I am now attempting to free myself from those beliefs so that I don't always have such a heavy load to carry. This experience taught me that it's okay to not know everything and that you can always ask for help. I just decided to stop asking people who were committed to making me feel insufficient for advice. Even though I went through all this at an early age the depression didn't truly catch up to me until around the age of 13. I was so young when all of this happened that I didn't realize it was wrong. My relationship with my parents grew farther and farther apart. I never told them about anything going on in my life for fear of being yelled at. This actually still affects me because now I have a lingering feeling that convinces me that I'm always in trouble. Even though there is no one to punish me I just feel as if I'm going about life completely wrong and that I will have to pay for it. My mental health has influenced my career choice a lot because I quickly realized that I needed to be somewhere that was going to stimulate my brain and entertain me or else I would be miserable. I am not able to form relationships with others very easily because I feel as if everyone is out to get me or they just want to use me. However, I am working on all these issues so that I am able to live life more at ease. Thank You for taking the time out of your day to read my essay it's greatly appreciated.

Hi, my name is Alana. I'm 17 and I was born and raised in Virginia. When I was 15 I started a business called Exotic Glow that I later rebranded and decided to call it Luxxe Palace. I sell lip gloss, body scrubs, and hydrating mists for the skin. My products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. I decided to start my beauty line because I felt like there was not enough diversity in the beauty world. When it comes to black women we are always on the hunt for self-care items that will not break us out or make us look washed out or ashy. In the first year of launching, I was able to make 600+ dollars. When I was 16 I then opened a second business called Stunna Gemz. My main focus in Stunna Gemz is jewelry. I was able to make 300+ within the first three months of opening this business. My educational goal right now is to be able to support myself through college and earn my bachelor's in Marketing. I choose marketing because over the years I have had to teach myself marketing skills. During this journey, I have accumulated so much knowledge about social media marketing. It has actually become a very big hobby of mine and I have fun while doing it. Creating marketing content keeps me on my toes because the trends online are always changing. This helps me to expand and educate myself more.

Hi, my name is Alana. I'm 17 and I was born and raised in Virginia. When I was 15 I started a business called Exotic Glow that I later rebranded and decided to call it Luxxe Palace. I sell lip gloss, body scrubs, and hydrating mists for the skin. My products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. I decided to start my beauty line because I felt like there was not enough diversity in the beauty world. When it comes to black women we are always on the hunt for self-care items that will not break us out or make us look washed out or ashy. In the first year of launching, I was able to make 600+ dollars. When I was 16 I then opened a second business called Stunna Gemz. My main focus in Stunna Gemz is jewelry. I was able to make 300+ within the first three months of opening this business. My educational goal right now is to be able to support myself through college and earn my bachelor's in Marketing. I choose marketing because over the years I have had to teach myself marketing skills. During this journey, I have accumulated so much knowledge about social media marketing. It has actually become a very big hobby of mine and I have fun while doing it. Creating marketing content keeps me on my toes because the trends online are always changing. This helps me to expand and educate myself more. Life has not always been a very easy walk for me. Throughout my childhood, I had to deal with my first bully being my mother. My mother was very nasty and hateful towards me while I was young. This led me to grow up extremely fast without even noticing how fast I was growing up. I thought that it was normal until I realized that it was not normal for me to be so “mature” at a young age. This of course caused some issues. Throughout the years I have noticed that I have a hyper independence issue. My hyper independence is rooted in me feeling like I had no one from a very young age. I felt like I didn't have to ask anyone for help because I had been doing so much by myself since I was a child. Whenever I did ask for help I received judgment and ridicule from my “parents”. They judged me so much that I started to doubt myself and my path. However, I am now attempting to free myself from those beliefs so that I don't always have such a heavy load to carry. This experince taught me that its okay to not know everything and that you can always ask for help. I just decided to stop asking people who were comitted to making me feel insufficient for advice. Thank You for taking the time out of your day to read my essay it's greatly appreciated.