Fashion has always been my way to speak when I don’t have words. It started with thrift stores since we didn’t have the money for anything else. At first, I went out of need. Later, I went out of love. Searching through the racks became a kind of treasure hunt. I looked for pieces no one else had and saw beauty in things others left behind. I started to make my own style and that’s where my love for fashion began. Back then, I didn’t know that love would turn into a purpose. One of the biggest turning points in my life came during my second semester of college. I took an Upcycling class. I signed up because I already loved thrifting and I thought it would be fun and easy. Maybe I’d learn to sew a little, find some cool outfits and get a good grade. But that class changed everything. I learned about the dark side of the fashion industry. The waste. The pollution. The mistreatment of workers. I saw how fast fashion hurts people and our planet. I couldn’t unsee it. It changed how I viewed clothes and myself. I knew I couldn’t enjoy fashion without thinking about the damage behind it. That was the moment I knew I wanted to help fix it. I changed my academic and career goals that semester. I’m now double majoring in Psychology and Communications with a focus in Public Relations. I am also minoring in Business Administration. I chose these because they will give me the skills I need to work in the field I care about which is ethical and sustainable fashion. My goal is to become a sustainability consultant. I want to work with many fashion brands and help them improve how they do business. That means less waste, better materials, fair wages and safer working conditions. Real changes that will help both the people and the environment. I want to use my voice to make people care. Clothes touch everyone’s life. They connect to culture, identity and history but they also connect to sweatshops, trash piles and toxic runoff. If I can help others see that, maybe they’ll think twice about what they buy and how it was made. I believe in the power of stories and I want to humanize the people behind the products. I want to show that a $3 shirt isn’t just a deal, it’s a story of someone’s life, labor and struggle. If I can tell that story the right way, I think it can make a difference. Getting here hasn’t been easy. I’m a first-generation college student born to teenage parents who were homeless while my mom was pregnant with me. My dad was not a steady presence and my mom has struggled with mental and physical health since I was born. She’s been mostly housebound my whole life. Despite her issues, she gave me all the emotional support she could. She taught me something I still carry with me: be afraid, but do it anyway. I grew up feeling like an outsider. My friends had vacations, new clothes and big houses on the lake. I had thrift store outfits and a mom who couldn’t leave the house. But I had something else, too. I had resilience, empathy and perspective. I knew what it meant to struggle, but I also saw what it meant to give even in hard times. My mom taught me that even when you don’t have much, you still have something to offer. We made food bags for the unhoused and gave toys to kids during the holidays. She gave what she could and I want to do the same with my time, my work and my voice. Going to college felt out of reach for most of my life. It always seemed like something I would never be able to do and just another thing that the other kids did. The kids that weren’t like me. The kids with money and help from their families. I forced myself to push through that doubt and take the chance and I’m glad I did. I know college is where I was meant to be and I’m proud of how far I’ve come but it’s still hard. My tuition is covered through aid but I still work two jobs. During breaks, I pick up extra shifts. I work to pay for food, rent, books and everything else aid doesn’t cover. It’s a heavy load but I carry it because it’s important to me. This scholarship would lift a huge weight off my shoulders. It would allow me to focus more on school and stress less over how I am going to afford it. It would give me peace of mind that I haven’t had in a long time. It would let me fully show up for my education and my future. My dream is to work with fashion companies and help them do better. I don’t want to be part of one brand, I want to guide many because I believe I can make a bigger impact that way. I want to help build a world where in fashion, doing the right thing isn’t rare, it’s normal. Fashion doesn’t have to hurt people or the planet. It can and should be better. But change doesn’t just happen. It takes people who care and who are willing to speak up and I want to be one of those people. I’ve seen how the fashion world can be both beautiful and harmful. I’ve lived on the side where money is tight and choices are limited. I’ve also seen the joy that comes from making the most of what you have. That’s why I believe in upcycling and in second chances for clothes and for people. After I graduate, I want to use my degree to create real change in the fashion industry. I want to help brands rethink how they make clothes and help shoppers feel proud of what they wear, knowing it was made right. I want to use what I’ve learned from school, from my mom and from my lived experiences to help others care more about people, the planet and their choices. I’m not just working for a career. I’m working for a cause. This scholarship would give me the chance to keep going. It would help me finish school strong and go out into the world ready to make a difference. It would bring me closer to the future I used to think wasn’t possible. A future where I get to use my voice, my creativity and my heart to help fix what’s broken and to help build something better.

One of my first real leadership roles was as a Cheerleading Coach. I volunteered because I wanted to help the younger girls feel strong, confident and proud of themselves. My goal was to be someone they could trust, someone who showed up. No matter what they had going on at home, I wanted them to come to cheer for a couple hours each day and have fun. We were a team and that meant we supported each other. I knew what it felt like to carry heavy things alone. At their age, I was helping care for my mom and holding a lot inside and I didn't want them to feel that way. The biggest test came when two girls started clashing. Their competition hurt the whole team. I stepped in and spoke with each girl one-on-one. I gave them space to speak and feel heard and then brought them together. We talked it through, set clear team rules and moved forward. That moment showed me that real leadership means listening, staying calm and leading when needed. But the place I first learned how to lead was at home. My mom has had agoraphobia and chronic health problems since I was born causing her to have been housebound most of my life. My mom did everything she could to support me emotionally, even when she couldn’t be physically present. Although she was there for me emotionally, I had to grow up fast and how to care for both of us. That kind of leadership isn’t loud, it’s quiet and steady. It means showing up, no matter what. It’s taught me to live by the words: “Be afraid but do it anyway.” Leaving home for college was one of the hardest and bravest things I’ve ever done. I had planned to stay local, to commute and play it safe. But something in me knew I needed to go. I needed to break the cycle of fear, limitations and financial insecurity. I needed to believe that I could live a life different from what I had seen growing up. Now I’m doing just that. I work two jobs to support myself while maintaining good grades and staying focused on my goals. One of the most important moments of my college journey came in an Upcycling class. I thought it would be fun since I loved thrifting but I didn’t expect it to change my whole academic and career path. I learned about the dark side of the fashion industry. The mountains of textile waste piling up in landfills, unethical labor practices and the environmental cost of fast fashion. The more I learned, the more disturbing it was. I couldn’t enjoy fashion anymore without also thinking about its consequences so I realized I wanted to fix it. I’m now pursuing a double major in Psychology and Communications with a focus on Public Relations, along with a minor in Business Administration. My goal is to become a sustainability consultant for many fashion brands. I want to help brands shift to honest and ethical practices. I want fashion to be fair for people and the planet. Solving problems, staying calm under stress, caring for others and other leadership skills I’ve learned will help me do that. I’ve led teams and held my home together. I’ve taken hard steps, even when scared. I plan to keep leading by example by showing up, doing the work and caring deeply. I believe that fashion can change and I want to be one of the people helping to make that happen.

Fashion has always meant more to me than just clothes, it's how I express myself when my words fall short. Growing up in a low-income household, we couldn’t afford designer brands so thrift stores were our only option. I started shopping there out of necessity but over time, I started to love it. I’d sort through the racks looking for one-of-a-kind pieces that no one else had. I learned to be creative with what I wore, to reimagine something that others had thrown away. That’s where my relationship with fashion began. What I didn’t know back then was that this early connection to fashion would one day lead me to my purpose. One of the most defining moments in my life came during my second semester of college when I enrolled in an Upcycling class. I chose it because I already enjoyed thrifting and thought it would be fun. I figured I’d learn how to sew a little and get graded on my thrifting finds. Instead, it ended up changing my entire outlook. In that class, I learned about the dark side of the fashion industry. The mountains of textile waste piling up in landfills, unethical labor practices and the environmental cost of fast fashion. The more I learned, the more disturbing it was. I couldn’t enjoy fashion anymore without also thinking about its consequences so I realized I wanted to fix it. That was the moment I changed my academic and career plans. I’m now pursuing a double major in Psychology and Communications with a focus on Public Relations, along with a minor in Business Administration. My goal is to become a sustainability consultant for many fashion brands. I want to use my creativity, communication and empathy skills to help companies create real change by improving their supply chains, reducing waste and treating workers fairly. I believe fashion can be a way to build a more empathetic and understanding global community. Clothes are one of the few things that touch everyone’s life. They hold cultural meaning, identity and history. But fashion also hides the polluted communities, underpaid workers and wasted resources. I want to help people see that connection and help them care about the lives affected by their choices. If I can use storytelling to humanize the people behind the products, I believe I can shift how we think about what we wear and who we impact. Getting here hasn’t been easy. I’m a first-generation college student. My parents were teenagers when I was born and were homeless while expecting me. My mom has struggled with agoraphobia and chronic health issues since I was born. She’s been mostly housebound for my entire life. My father was not a steady presence and his absence left my mom and me to navigate things on our own. We didn’t have much but my mom did everything she could to support me emotionally, even when she couldn’t be physically present. Even though she couldn’t be present physically, she always reminded me not to let fear keep me from following my dreams. That mindset shaped me and so I live by the words: be afraid but do it anyway. I’ve learned that my voice, my creativity and my lived experience are powerful tools. I want to use them to help people care more about each other, about the planet and about what really goes into the things we buy. Fashion is where I found my voice. Now I want to use it to do good while making people feel and look good.

Fashion has always meant more to me than just clothes. It's how I express myself when words fall short. Growing up in a low-income household, we couldn’t keep up with trends or afford designer brands so thrift stores were our only option. I started shopping there out of necessity but over time, I started to love it. I’d search through racks and bins, looking for one-of-a-kind pieces that no one else had. I learned to be creative with what I wore, to reimagine something that others had thrown away. That’s where my relationship with fashion began. What I didn’t know back then was that this early connection to fashion would one day lead me to my purpose. One of the most defining moments in my life came during my second semester of college when I enrolled in an Upcycling class. I chose it because I already enjoyed thrifting and thought it would be fun. I figured I’d learn how to sew a little and get graded on my thrifting finds. Instead, it ended up changing my entire outlook. In that class, I learned about the dark side of the fashion industry, the mountains of textile waste piling up in landfills, unethical labor practices and the environmental cost of fast fashion. The more I learned, the more disturbed I became. I couldn’t enjoy fashion anymore without also thinking about its consequences so I realized I wanted to fix it. That was the moment I changed my academic and career plans. I’m now pursuing a double major in Psychology and Communications with a focus on Public Relations, along with a minor in Business Administration. My goal is to become a sustainability consultant for many fashion brands. I want to help companies create real change by improving their supply chains, reducing waste, treating workers fairly and building honest relationships with consumers. My goal is to help shift the fashion industry from a cycle of harm to one of integrity. Getting here hasn’t been easy. I’m a first-generation college student. My parents were teenagers when I was born and were homeless while expecting me. My mom has struggled with agoraphobia and chronic health issues since I was born. She’s been mostly housebound for my entire life. My father was not a steady presence and his absence left my mom and me to navigate things on our own. We didn’t have much but my mom did everything she could to support me emotionally, even when she couldn’t be physically present. Despite her challenges, she always encouraged me to follow my dreams. She reminded me not to let fear control me like she does. That I can live with fear and still move forward. Her strength, even from within the walls of our home, shaped who I am today. I live by the words: be afraid but do it anyway. Leaving home for college was one of the hardest and bravest things I’ve ever done. I had planned to stay local, to commute and play it safe. But something in me knew I needed to go. I needed to break the cycle of fear, limitations and financial insecurity. I needed to believe that I could live a life different from what I had seen growing up. Now I’m doing just that. I work two jobs to support myself while maintaining good grades and staying focused on my goals. What I’ve learned about myself through all of this is that I am not defined by where I come from. I am defined by what I choose to do with it. My creativity, my drive and my lived experiences have given me a unique perspective and I plan to use it to help others. I want to build a career that blends purpose with passion. I want to change the way fashion operates so that beauty never comes at the cost of people or the planet. I hope my journey shows that even when the odds are stacked against you, you can still choose to show up. You can still choose to care. And most of all, you can still choose to live, not just exist.

The first time I saw Sabrina Carpenter was on Girl Meets World. My mom was a huge Boy Meets World fan, and watching the spin-off became something we could do together at home. My mom has agoraphobia and can’t leave the house, so we’ve spent most of our lives inside. Watching the show gave us a way to connect, especially during times we couldn’t make real-life memories. I always felt connected to Sabrina’s character, Maya. Not just because she was funny and bold but because she had to grow up fast. Her mom had her own struggles and Maya had to deal with that while still trying to be a normal kid. That was me. My mom loves me deeply, but her mental illness kept her from being there the way other moms were. I didn’t have my mom cheering in the stands or taking me shopping after school. It was hard and I felt left out and different from my friends. But Maya showed that you could still be strong, still love your mom and still find your own way. Sabrina’s songs hit deep too. When I hear “Please, Please, Please,” it reminds me of that mix of hope and fear we carry when we’re trying to move forward, even when life keeps pulling us back. Her music makes me feel like I’m not the only one figuring things out as I go. One of the scariest moments of my life was deciding to go away to college. I was planning to stay home and commute to community college, just 15 minutes away. That felt safe. That was the world I knew. But I chose to leave. And even though I’m only an hour from home, it was terrifying. I remember thinking I made a huge mistake. My anxiety hit hard. I missed home, even though home had always been limiting. But I stayed. I pushed through. By my second semester, I was thriving. I made friends, found new passions, and started to actually enjoy my life. That’s what Sabrina’s whole career feels like to me. Proof that you can grow up in a hard place and still find your light. That you don’t have to stay stuck in who people expect you to be. Watching her go from Disney star to confident pop artist reminds me that I can keep changing too. I don’t have to have it all figured out. I just have to keep showing up.

Mental illness didn’t just touch my life, it shaped every part of it. My mom has struggled with agoraphobia, anxiety and panic disorder since shortly after giving birth to me. Because of that, she’s been mostly housebound since I was born. I still hear her voice in my head saying, “Sorry, I can’t go,” anytime something came up whether it was a school event, the store, or a trip. It gave her anxiety. So she didn’t go. That meant my childhood mostly happened inside, watching life pass me by from the other side of the front door. My dad was around sometimes but he struggled with depression and addiction which I didn’t realize the weight of until I was much older. My mom and I were always close and we still are but it wasn’t a typical mother-daughter relationship. She couldn’t be there for a lot of the big things: school events, sports games, even doctor’s appointments. I went to school, I played sports and I came home. That was the routine. Other kids had their moms cheering from the stands but I didn't. It’s hard to explain the kind of pain that isn’t loud or visible. I know my mom loves me and I know she never wanted to miss anything but that didn’t take the hurt away. For years, I shut down and built up resentment. I felt abandoned in a way even though she was right there at home. Now that I’m older, I understand her pain more and I carry both the love and the hurt with me. Being the kid of someone with severe anxiety means you grow up fast. I had to take on more than I was ready for. I remember calming my mom through panic attacks, helping around the house and constantly trying to reassure her that it was safe outside even when I wasn’t so sure. Most kids had parents who protected them. I spent a lot of my time trying to protect her. I think it was around middle school when I started to get scared that I might end up like my mom. I didn’t want to miss out on life the way she had. I could see how miserable it made her even if she rarely said it out loud. That fear lit something in me. I decided I wasn’t going to let fear make my world small. That’s when I started living by a simple rule: YOLO. It sounds silly, but it’s real for me. Any time I feel afraid, whether it’s applying for something competitive, stepping into a new environment, or trying something totally outside my comfort zone, I just say, “YOLO,” and I do it anyway. I’m scared sometimes but I move forward anyway. That’s what it means to live beyond existing. It means refusing to stay stuck. It means making memories, chasing goals and feeling joy even when it’s hard. One of my biggest YOLO moments was going away to college. I had planned to live at home and commute to a community college just 15 minutes away. That felt safest to me. I was so used to my world being small and that option made the most sense at the time. But something inside me said I needed to try something different. So I applied to a school an hour away. It’s not far but for me, it was huge. It meant leaving behind the only environment I had ever known. It meant taking a risk and I’m so glad I did. College has opened my world in ways I never imagined. Fashion became my escape early on. We couldn’t afford name brands, so thrift stores were where we shopped. At first, it was just about trying to blend in. But it turned into something I loved. I’d dig through bins looking for pieces that no one else had. I liked the hunt, the creativity, and the story behind each item. It was my way of standing out without needing money. In college, I took an Upcycling class thinking it would be an easy A. I figured I’d just thrift like I always had and get credit for it. But it changed everything. I learned about the damage fast fashion causes. The waste, the unethical labor, the harm to the planet and it made me sick. I couldn’t unknow it. I didn’t want to just be someone who loved fashion. I wanted to be someone who helped fix the industry. Now I’m majoring in Communications with a focus on Public Relations and Psychology and I’m minoring in Business. My goal is to become a sustainability consultant for fashion brands. I want to help companies make real changes by using better materials, pay workers fairly and stop creating so much waste. I want to work with as many brands as I can, starting with the big ones in order to make the biggest impact. When I picture my future, I see myself coming up with strategies that push fashion forward and persuading companies to actually follow through. I don’t just want to talk about change, I want to drive it. The truth is, my mom’s illness shaped my world. It made me see things others don’t. It made me grow up fast but it also made me care deeply. I care about people. I care about fairness. I care about doing things the right way, even if it’s hard. I’ve learned that surviving is important, but it’s not enough. I want to live. I want to do things that matter. And every day, I hear my mom’s words in my head reminding me to live beyond existing. So that’s what I’m doing.

Fashion has always been about more than just clothes to me. It's personal and about identity, looking good and feeling good. Thrifting has always been something I've loved to do. I would get so excited digging through thrift store bins and racks, searching for something unique that none of my classmates had. It was fun for me but it was also a necessity. Growing up, we didn’t have the money for trendy, designer clothes, so secondhand stores were the only place I could afford to shop. That’s where my love for fashion started. I learned how to be creative in styling and how to see beauty in things others had discarded. I didn’t think much beyond that until I took an Upcycling class during my second semester of college. I signed up because it sounded fun and since I was already so into thrifting, I thought it would be perfect for me. I figured I'd maybe learn how to sew a little and get graded on my thrifting finds but it completely changed how I saw the industry. I learned about fast fashion, the massive amounts of textile waste, the environmental impact of mass production and the poor working conditions behind the scenes. Finding out about the dark side of fashion was eye-opening and so disheartening. The class made me realize that while fashion was creative and fun, it can also be extremely harmful. Once I saw that, I knew I wanted to do something about it. I’ve decided to double major in Communications with a specialization in Public Relations and Psychology and minor in Business Administration. I chose this combination because I want to work on the business side of fashion to help brands become more ethical and sustainable. My dream is to be a sustainability consultant, helping companies make real, impactful changes like using better materials, being more transparent with consumers and treating workers fairly. I believe that working with multiple brands instead of just one will allow me to make the biggest impact on the fashion industry and the world. I believe sustainability shouldn’t just be a trendy, buzz-word that we only see featured in ads. It should be the very base of how we design, produce and sell clothing. There’s so much waste, so many resources being depleted and so many people being underpaid and mistreated just to keep prices low. It doesn’t have to be that way and with the right strategies and better communication, we can move the fashion industry in a different direction. But this isn’t just about fashion for me. It’s also about where I come from. Thrifting wasn’t just a hobby for me. It was how I learned to make the most of what I had with limited resources. Being raised by a single, disabled mom who struggled financially yet always reminded me to give back even when we didn’t have much, made me want to do something meaningful with my life. I want to use the things I care about most to help make real change, not just for companies but for people and for the planet. At the end of the day, I want to help make fashion more responsible. I want people to feel good about what they’re wearing, not just because it looks great on them, but because they know it was made ethically and sustainably. I know that’s a big goal but it’s one I care deeply about and with the education I’m gaining and the passion I’ve had since I was a kid wearing my thrifted clothes, I believe I can do it.

Going to college has always felt out of reach, something that was for other kids but not for me. Born to teenage parents who faced homelessness while expecting me, I’ve known struggle since before I took my first breath. My mom has been disabled and housebound from agoraphobia and other health conditions since I was born. Despite her limitations, she has always been my biggest supporter and greatest inspiration, even as our circumstances left little room for stability. Growing up, I always felt like an outsider. My friends were going on vacations, had new clothes and picture-perfect families. I was wearing outfits from the thrift store and had a mother who couldn't even walk out our front door. I also had perspective and resilience which I now recognize as gifts. My mom instilled in me that even if you have very little, you always have something to give and to always push yourself to do better. Whether it was donating food and toiletry bags to the unhoused or toys to children during the holidays, my mom was someone who led with empathy, even when in scarcity. She may have had limitations, but she showed strength, compassion and the belief that there was always something to give and strive for. That belief is now a part of me. I have worked hard to make it this far, maintaining good grades while working multiple jobs. Although I am enjoying my college experience, it has been a financial struggle. My tuition is covered through aid but I am still working two jobs and picking up extra shifts during breaks to pay for housing, food, books and other expenses. The burden is heavy but I carry it because this dream matters so much to me. This scholarship would mean having peace of mind knowing I could fully focus on my academics without worrying about how I am going to pay for school. Most of my formative experience is where my values and passions came from. I wasn't exposed to name brands growing up and as a teenager I started to embrace it and actually fell in love with shopping at thrift stores. Because of my love for thrifting, I thought it would be fun to take an Upcycling class last semester. Little did I know what an impact the class would have on me. I learned about the dark side of fashion, the major problems with textile waste, the unethical working conditions, the endless cycles of production and how it all causes irreversible harm to our planet. I realized that my connection with fashion was more meaningful, more powerful and more purposeful than just shopping on a budget. Taking that one class shifted my career aspirations and now my goal is to be a sustainability consultant, working with multiple fashion brands to improve the ethical and eco-friendly aspects of their business models. I hope that by working with multiple brands, I can make a bigger impact in changing the industry rather than at just one company. I believe I deserve this scholarship because I have never stopped fighting for the future that I once thought was unattainable. I am a first-generation college student, doing everything I can to break cycles: cycles of poverty, cycles of fear, cycles of limitation. Education is more than a piece of paper to me. It is a symbol of hope, independence, and the chance to create a life that my younger self could not have thought possible. With your support, I can continue to work towards that life, while making the world more sustainable at the same time.

To me, fashion has always been more than just clothing, it's a way to express who I am. I have always been a fan of thrifting. I would find heaven in rummaging through vintage and thrift store racks, coming out with unique and special pieces that hadn’t been mass-produced. It felt creative and fun, and I didn’t have to spend a lot of money! This changed in my second semester of college after signing up for an Upcycling class. What began as an elective fun, very tactile experience, quickly became a motivational awakening. The Upcycling class showed me what was happening on the other side of fashion. The major problems with textile waste, the unethical working conditions for millions of work before someone wears a piece of clothing, and how the endless cycles of production and waste and the moving cycles of fast fashion cause irreversible harm. I realized that my love of fashion and my connection with fashion was more meaningful, more powerful, and more purposeful. If the industry that I love had an impact on people and planet, then I would want to contribute positively to it. Now, I am completing a double major in Communications with a specialization in Public Relations and Psychology and minoring in Business Administration. I chose this path because I am a fan of the business side of fashion and I want to influence change through strategy, consumer knowledge, and storytelling. My ultimate career goal is to be a sustainability consultant, working with multiple fashion brands to improve the ethical, eco-friendly, and innovative aspects of their business models. Because I want to work with multiple brands, I can make a bigger impact in changing the trajectory of the industry rather than at just one company. Sustainable fashion shouldn't be a trend, it is an ethical choice and needs to be at the forefront of the industry because the planet and our future need to take sustainability into consideration. There are so many urgent problems to solve, from microplastics, toxic dyes, and underpaid garment workers to landfills full of textile waste. There is potential for creative solutions and I hope to be a part of it. I want to help lead companies to consider how they produce their clothing sustainably, and how they reach and build relationships with customers that are conscious consumers, and create long term value as a transparent, purpose driven company. I have communications and psychology experience that I can contribute to the communication and branding aspect of the process while helping companies balance profits with their ethical processes. Although my focus will be in large-scale change, I will never forego my identity. Thrifting has taught me that fun, doesn't have to equal waste. I want to help shift the industry mindset to sustainable and ethical sourcing as a main source of inspiration, and allow people like myself to prove that you can dress and feel good while also doing good. I want to prove that based on the right resources, messaging, and a ton of passion, I can help reshape the fashion narrative from waste to sustainability and create a world where style and responsibility are synonymous.

"College isn’t easy, and the best thing you can do is take care of yourself if you want to do well," my mom’s voice echoed in my head throughout the semester. Why are moms always right? As a first-year college student, my journey so far has been a mix of challenges and personal growth. While I’m proud of finishing my first semester with a strong GPA, it definitely wasn’t easy. The transition from high school to college life was a big step, and I tried to prepare myself as best as I could. But no matter how much planning I did, life still had a few surprises in store for me which taught me how important it is to prioritize my mental health. To make the transition easier, I picked relatively easy classes and created a balanced schedule with Wednesdays and Fridays off. I thought a mid-week break would be good to get work done and focus on rest and having Friday off would give me a long weekend to visit home. One thing that really helped lighten my mental load was creating a spreadsheet at the start of the semester, listing all my assignments by due date. Having everything in one place took a huge weight off my shoulders and kept me organized which was critical since I also work part-time. Staying on top of everything isn’t easy, and without that organization, it would have gotten overwhelming for me. Although I prepared myself the best I could, the semester still threw some unexpected challenges my way. The first half, I was sick, which caused me to miss a few classes. Just as I started to get back on track, my great-grandmother passed away, and grief hit me hard. Balancing my academic responsibilities while processing such a personal loss was tough. Through it all, I used a few different ways to support my mental health and keep myself grounded. Visits home helped me feel connected and gave me a sense of stability. Staying at school during the weekends like I had originally planned would’ve been detrimental for me as I really felt the need to be surrounded by family. I also took a weekly Pilates class, which became a highlight of my routine. That one hour each week wasn’t just about exercise, it was a way to clear my head and focus on myself. Spending time with friends, both new and old, was another lifeline. Whether it was grabbing lunch, playing video games, or making TikTok’s together, those moments reminded me that I wasn’t alone in. My self-care routine also played a huge part in keeping me balanced. It included small but meaningful rituals like journaling, skincare, and binge-watching my favorite shows. I also made sure to get plenty of sleep, which is a non-negotiable for me. These habits might seem simple, but they helped me manage stress and recharge when I needed it most. Looking back, I realize how much my mental health influenced my academic performance and personal growth. By making my well-being a priority, I was able to navigate a challenging semester and come out stronger on the other side. As I move forward, I’ll keep hearing my mom’s advice in the back of my mind. She was right, prioritizing my mental health has been the foundation of my success, and it’s a lesson I’ll carry with me for life. This scholarship’s focus on supporting female students who value mental health aligns perfectly with my experiences. With the right support and self-care strategies, I believe we can all overcome challenges and thrive academically and personally.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination. I've always loved this quote because to me happiness is all of the things that we experience along the way, not only where we end up. I think of success the same way. I envision a future where I've achieved success through hard work and determination, becoming a self-reliant and accomplished woman. I’m not exactly sure what I want to do yet but I have a passion for working with children. I am undecided between going into early childhood education, speech pathology and audiology, communications or pediatric healthcare. My journey in the field of childcare began long before I even realized it. As a Mother's Helper, I witnessed firsthand the joy and challenges of caring for young children. Over time, my role evolved, and I took on responsibilities as a Babysitter and later as a Teacher’s Assistant at a local daycare. These experiences have not only sharpened my practical skills but have also deepened my understanding of the complexities involved in child development and education. Additionally, my involvement as a dedicated Volunteer Recreational Cheerleading Coach has further contributed to shaping who I've become. I've volunteered my time to mentor and teach younger cheerleaders various skills, from sideline cheers and dances to halftime routines, safe stunting, and tumbling techniques. Through coaching, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of mentorship and guidance in shaping young minds. It has taught me the importance of patience, empathy, and effective communication in fostering growth and development. This hands-on experience has provided me with invaluable insights and skills, further fueling my determination to make a positive impact in the lives of children. Born into adversity to teenage parents who faced homelessness and health struggles, I've witnessed firsthand the importance of resilience and determination. As a first-generation college student, I am driven by a desire to break free from the constraints of my upbringing and create a better life for myself and my family. Education, to me, represents more than just a degree; it symbolizes hope, opportunity, and the chance to rise above the limitations that I have witnessed my parents be stunted by. Being a first-generation college graduate means defying expectations, embracing opportunities, and forging a path of success for myself and future generations. It symbolizes breaking barriers and paving the way for others in my family and community to follow. My pursuit of higher education is not only for personal advancement but also to inspire those around me and demonstrate that with hard work, perseverance, and education, anything is possible. Despite the financial challenges and hardships I've encountered, I remain unwavering in my pursuit of higher education. With this scholarship, I see an opportunity to turn my dreams into reality, to demonstrate that with hard work, perseverance, and education, anything is possible. This scholarship will not only alleviate some of the financial burdens but also provide me with the support and resources necessary to continue on my journey towards success. I am determined to seize this opportunity, to expand my horizons, and to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

In my journey toward happiness and success, I've always believed that the path we take holds as much value as the destination itself. My vision for the future is one where I've attained success through dedication and perseverance, ultimately becoming a self-sufficient and accomplished woman. While I'm still exploring my specific career path, my passion lies in working with children, whether it be in early childhood education, speech pathology, or pediatric healthcare. My journey in this field started at a young age as a Mother's Helper and gradually transitioned into roles such as a Babysitter and a Teacher’s Assistant at a local daycare. Additionally, I've been actively involved in my high school's Child Development program, where I've had the opportunity to care for and educate preschool-age children. This hands-on experience has solidified my passion for working with children and has provided me with valuable insights into many aspects of childcare. My involvement as a dedicated Volunteer Recreational Cheerleading Coach has further contributed to shaping who I've become. I've volunteered my time to mentor and teach younger cheerleaders various skills, from sideline cheers and dances to halftime routines, safe stunting, and tumbling techniques. This experience has not only reinforced my passion for working with children but has also shaped my career aspirations. Born into adversity to teenage parents who faced homelessness and health struggles, I've witnessed firsthand the importance of resilience and determination. As a first-generation college student, I am driven by a desire to break free from the constraints of my upbringing and create a better life for myself and my family. Education, to me, represents more than just a degree; it symbolizes hope, opportunity, and the chance to rise above the limitations that I have witnessed my parents be stunted by. Being a first-generation college graduate means defying expectations, embracing opportunities, and forging a path of success for myself and future generations. It symbolizes breaking barriers and paving the way for others in my family and community to follow. My pursuit of higher education is not only for personal advancement but also to inspire those around me and demonstrate that with hard work, perseverance, and education, anything is possible. Despite the financial challenges and hardships I've encountered, I remain unwavering in my pursuit of higher education. With this scholarship, I see an opportunity to turn my dreams into reality, to demonstrate that with hard work, perseverance, and education, anything is possible. This scholarship will not only alleviate some of the financial burdens but also provide me with the support and resources necessary to continue on my journey towards success. I am determined to seize this opportunity, to expand my horizons, and to make a positive impact in the lives of others.