To me, going to college means more than just earning a degree. It means investing in yourself, growing as a person, and proving to yourself that you are capable of doing things you once thought were impossible. While many people focus on grades, what college means to me is self-improvement and learning how to believe in myself. Growing up, I never cared much about getting perfect grades. It was not that I could not do the work; I just never pushed myself as hard as I could have. Looking back, I realize that I often settled for doing enough instead of giving my full effort. College changed that mindset for me. It taught me the importance of trying, even when something feels difficult or overwhelming. More importantly, it taught me that investing in yourself is one of the most valuable things you can do. College has also helped me learn more about who I am. When you are faced with challenges, deadlines, and responsibilities, you begin to discover strengths that you did not know you had. There have been times when I doubted myself and questioned whether I was capable of succeeding. However, every challenge I have overcome has shown me that I am stronger and more resilient than I thought. Even when I felt like giving up, I learned that I could keep going. Another thing college has given me is the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone. Through classes, campus activities, and meeting new people, I have learned the importance of building relationships and networking. I have met people with different backgrounds and experiences who have helped me see the world in new ways. These connections have taught me that growth often happens when you are willing to be uncomfortable and try something new. College has also helped me understand that it is okay to be myself. Everyone is on a different path, and success does not look the same for every person. Instead of comparing myself to others, I have learned to focus on my own journey and celebrate my progress. After attending my university, I hope to use my degree in a meaningful way and build a career that allows me to do what I love. As a music major, I want to apply the knowledge and skills I have gained to make a positive impact. Although my college experience has not always been easy, I hope that the challenges I have faced will help prepare me for a better future. Ultimately, going to college means growth, self-discovery, and believing in yourself. It means learning that even when you feel like you cannot do something, you are capable of more than you think. For me, college has been a journey of becoming a better version of myself, and that is something I will carry with me long after graduation.

If I had to describe something awkward or different about myself, I would say that I am a collection of little quirks that make people laugh, smile, or sometimes look at me with confusion. Growing up, I was always known as the quiet girl who was nice to everyone. I have always cared deeply about people and tried my best to treat everyone with kindness. Sometimes I think I am so used to being polite that I even apologize to things that are not alive. If I accidentally bump into a door, chair, table, or wall, my first reaction is to say, “Sorry.” It happens so naturally that I do not even realize I am doing it until someone points it out. Another thing that makes me stand out is that I tend to zone out a lot. When I am deep in thought or do not feel like talking, I can become completely disconnected from what is happening around me. There have been times when someone was speaking to me and I did not even realize it because my mind was somewhere else. To make it even more noticeable, I have a lazy eye, so when I zone out, people sometimes think I am staring at something or not paying attention. In reality, I am usually just lost in my own thoughts. It is not that I am ignoring anyone—my mind simply likes to wander. I also have a habit of mixing up my words when I speak. In my head, everything makes perfect sense, but when I say it out loud, the words can come out backwards or out of order. Most people eventually understand what I mean, but it can still be embarrassing. Sometimes I have to stop, laugh, and start my sentence all over again. As a music major, one thing that really makes me different is my love for finding song samples. Whenever someone hears a song and thinks it is the original version, I am usually the first person to tell them that it sampled an older song. Then I immediately pull up the original recording. I think this comes from having older parents who introduced me to soul music and classic artists at a young age. Because of that, I grew up hearing music from different generations and learning where many modern songs get their inspiration. I am also an overthinker and sometimes struggle with social anxiety. Meeting new people can feel intimidating because I often wonder what they think of me or whether they understand me. Because I have been taken advantage of in the past, trusting people does not always come easily. Even so, I try not to let those experiences stop me from being kind. Despite all of my awkward habits, I genuinely love helping people. I have a nurturing spirit and enjoy supporting others whenever I can. I care deeply about the people around me and want them to feel appreciated and valued. My habit of apologizing to objects, zoning out, mixing up my words, and sharing random music facts may make me a little different, but they are also what make me who I am. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me a little better.

My name is Alana Troy, and ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved to cook. I started learning when I was just 10 years old, and cooking quickly became more than just something I enjoyed—it became something that made me feel happy, confident, and creative. Some of my best childhood memories are sitting in front of the TV watching Food Network. My favorite shows were Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay, Cutthroat Kitchen, and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. I would watch for hours, amazed by how people could take simple ingredients and turn them into something beautiful. One of the earliest signs that I was serious about cooking happened when I was around eight or nine years old. My elementary school had a book fair, and I used my money to buy a cookbook. A man saw me with it and said, “That’s a smart decision—keep it up.” I never forgot that moment. It made me feel proud, like I was doing something that mattered. Around that same time, I found my biggest inspiration in Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog. I know it’s a fairytale, but her dream of owning a restaurant and sharing her love for food with others felt real to me. I wanted to be just like her. As I got older, I started teaching myself how to cook by watching YouTube videos. I learned how to make sweet potato pie, and my first one turned out amazing. I also know how to make baked mac and cheese from scratch and honestly, I believe I can make almost anything if I put my mind to it. Cooking gives me peace. It heals my mind when I’m stressed, and it brings me joy to feed others. There’s no better feeling than watching someone take a bite of my food and start dancing from happiness. That’s when I know I did my job. What I love most about cooking is that it gives me a way to connect with people. Food is healing—not just for the body but for the soul. One day, I want to use my skills to give back to my community, especially to those who are struggling. I dream of cooking meals for people experiencing homelessness and serving food with a message: “You are worthy. God is watching over you.” I want people to feel loved, remembered, and cared for—even if it’s just through a plate of food. Ever since I was little, going to culinary school has been a dream of mine. I also want to do it in memory of my aunt, who always supported me and believed in my dreams. Rest in peace to her—she would be so proud to see me taking this step. I may have many goals in life, but cooking has always been at the center of my heart. It’s not just something I want to do—it’s part of who I am.

I’ve always felt like I have an old soul, and for as long as I can remember, music has been a safe place for me. It’s more than just sound—it’s spiritual, healing, fun, and full of life. Music gives me a feeling of peace and purpose. It’s helped me grow mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. When things have been tough, music reminded me of who I am and what I’m capable of becoming. I remember being a little girl, staying up at 3 AM with my headphones on, listening to Erykah Badu, Zap Mama’s “Bandy Bandy,” and other artists that made me feel something deep. I’d sing along with every word, like I was right there in the studio with them. I didn’t always understand the lyrics, but I could feel the emotions. That’s when I knew music was more than just background noise—it was something I wanted to be a part of. As I’ve grown, music has helped me build confidence in myself, even though the journey hasn’t always been easy. Learning flute taught me patience and discipline—trying to master complicated rhythms, learning how to play in tune, and understanding scales took real effort. But every mistake taught me something new. Music showed me how to keep going, even when I doubted myself. Outside of just performing, I’ve always loved making playlists, curating different moods and sounds depending on how I’m feeling. I’ve even thought about becoming a DJ one day. But my main dream is to become an artist and songwriter—someone who creates music that makes people feel seen, heard, and understood. I also have an interest in becoming an A&R one day, helping discover and shape other artists who have something real to say. I want to make an impact through my music by being honest and soulful. I want to bring back that raw, timeless sound that I grew up loving—music that connects people, music that uplifts, and music that isn’t afraid to be vulnerable. I believe there’s so much healing and power in music, and I want to use my gift to speak life into people. I don’t have it all figured out yet, but I’m following the path God is guiding me toward. I truly believe that everything I want to do—whether it’s songwriting, performing, producing, or helping others in the music industry—is a part of that journey. I want to do everything with love and purpose, and I hope to create a legacy that helps others feel inspired to chase their own dreams.

My name is Alana Troy, and I’m currently a music major at Shaw University. I play the flute and piccolo, and I’ve always had a deep love for music—especially old-school sounds like jazz, soul, R&B, funk, and neo-soul. Growing up, I didn’t always know what I wanted to do, but music was always around me. It helped me get through hard times and gave me a way to express things I couldn’t always say out loud. To be honest, I didn’t even know if I wanted to go to college at first. I was unsure about the future and didn’t know what path to take. But then I was blessed with a marching band scholarship to attend Shaw, and my parents encouraged me to take that opportunity. Even though music wasn’t something I saw as a career at the time, I’ve grown to realize it’s a part of me. Since I was 11 years old, I’ve played the flute, and over the years, I’ve learned to love not just listening to music, but studying it, creating it, and understanding the stories it can tell. Although this scholarship focuses on business or agricultural careers, I believe I still connect with its core values—building something meaningful, working hard, and giving back to your community. My dream is to one day become a songwriter and music artist. I’d love to create a space where people—especially young Black artists—can feel safe, supported, and free to be themselves. I’m interested in creating music that tells stories, brings people together, and keeps the soul of old-school music alive. I’m inspired by artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Eartha Kitt, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Alicia Keys, Solange, SZA, Kendrick Lamar, Cleo Sol, Musiq Soulchild, and so many more. Their music feels honest and timeless, and I want my music to carry that same kind of energy. This scholarship would help me financially by allowing me to focus more on my education and less on how I’m going to afford school expenses. It would lift a huge weight off my shoulders. I’ve worked jobs while in school and done my best to balance it all, but it hasn’t been easy. Any support I receive will go directly toward helping me stay enrolled and succeed in college. As far as community service, one of the ways I’ve given back is by helping my high school’s marching band after I graduated. I volunteered to assist with practices and performances because I know how much of a difference it can make when someone shows up and gives their time. I wanted to be that kind of support for the next group of students, just like others were for me. In the future, I hope to use music not just as a career, but as a way to inspire, heal, and give back. I want to stay rooted in my purpose while continuing to grow as an artist and as a person.