Puberty You've might have heard of me; you might not have heard the stories, but you soon will. The lore about me is something wild you might not want me to ever come. I show up randomly, but I'll always visit you. Everyone who ever knew me will grimace at the thought of me or my name. When it comes to urban legends, I'm true. You can try to hide, ignore me all you want or even forget that I exist I still will visit you with a mischievous grin. Many try to push the memories that I have given them out of their heads, but they are too embarrassing to forget. My visits are usually awkward, you never know how my visit goes. There are some benefits but there are also some downsides when I visit you. I can deepen voices, change your height or even change the way you looked before I came. I like to think that I'm a blessing in disguise, but many people don't share the same sentiment as me. Your parents heard of me, for sure they've had, and now this cycle continues with their children dealing with me it's such a great laugh. The worst part about me is I'm a never-ending cycle so until you stop growing, I'm always lurking about starting new projects relating to you whether it be pimples, acne or zits. I'll always find a way to give you a great surprise. I serve as a constant reminder to remind you that your childhood is coming to an end and you are blooming into a fully grown adult. So enjoy your childhood quickly. Making your hormones go out of whack, you can blame me for that. Giving your teens all those witty sarcastic remarks, parents it's my fault I know, it's just what I do. I'm not like Santa Claus, giving you joyous gifts that you've always wanted, I'm a realist, my gifts are very subjective, I'm good to some and maybe bad to others based on the given day. I managed to scare parents, teenagers, and children. Scaring parents with forever-changing mood swings, scaring teenagers with acne and pimples and being a constant reminder to children that their time will come soon too. Don't be scared, I'm only a reminder that you're maturing. So, TikTok the time for me to come is very soon. Enjoy your childhood as much as you can, because I'm puberty and I can't wait to meet you.

From a sprout to a flower Each flower starts as a sprout, the sprout comes into the world dependent on the nurturer who will help them go from a little bitty sprout to a magnificent flower. The sprout is very dependent on the nurturer, needing the important nutrients to grow whether it be sunlight, water or soil. Now, the sprout has grown into a stem being nurtured as the seasons went and came all the little sprout can do is think about becoming fully bloomed. Wanting to know what it would be like when they weren't a young stem but a mature bloomed flower. The stem would have an awkward stage where it's growing but has not fully branched out, not yet reaching its full potential wondering what they would look like when they’ve fully blossomed. Each branch would soon become a milestone for how far this stem has come, so close to blooming but not close enough for the maturing stem that wants to reach blossomhood. Now the time has finally come in which this stem with branches now has become a full-blown flower. This flower is happy to finally be blossoming and proud to be able to say that they went through all the stages of plant life. The flower has matured, being more beautiful and magnificent then it ever expected, it has now reached bloom-hood as it has always dreamed. The stages of the flowers' life begins to replay in their mind thinking of when they were just a little sprout, then growing into it awkward stem phase obsessed with becoming a flower and then finally reaching flower hood which is ultimately what the flower always thought it wanted. The flower feels that being a flower now is bittersweet because they are finally in bloom, but they are now beginning to realize that it will never be a little sprout or a stem ever again.

When a toddler learns how to talk, they're usually at the age of 2 or 3, learning how to communicate by using expressions or language but, my experience was very different from the majority. My first love, language, and form of expression has always been music. When I couldn't communicate my words, music was able to grasp my feelings into charming lyrics and hypnotizing symphonies. Growing up my love for music has not dwindled but instead increased, from me creating multiple playlists to buying vinyl records at your nearest thrift shop. Music is my sanctuary when I choose to become reclusive and run away from my problems my music will always be my safe place. The impact that music has had on me is so great that I compare it to wanting to gain knowledge, wanting to read every book you can grab or find I often think I'm the same, instead of books it's my music. My love of music has pushed me into taking an interest in my dream job which is ultimately to become a music producer. I’ve been fascinated with the inner workings of music and the process of taking the time to make the beat, add vocals, cut and chop samples, and write lyrics. The song that made me want to develop my musical prowess giving me the passion to write music was the song called “Oh Honey” by Delegation. The Introduction of the song alone is ethereal and hypnotizing to the human ears which have always given me a calming feeling whenever I listen to it. There is a debate ongoing questioning if “music has the power to heal” I in fact can agree with that because music has always given me boosts, lifted my spirits, and become therapeutic weakening my stress and anxiety. The impact that music has made on my life is so pivotal because it doesn't just impact me in one area impacts me in my whole life. Music has been my therapist, communication, and form of expression before I could even crawl. Now, my dream is to create music for other people like me that have used music as their lifeline, motivator, and de-stressor and can appreciate music the same I have my whole life. Music has always been a motivator for me helping me get through some of the toughest trials and tribulations I've had to face in my life, the lyrics teaching life lessons that I can carry in my wise years putting me on the right path of happiness, success, and love which I am forever grateful for which is why music will always hold a special place in my heart.

Growing up my favorite superhero was Batman, not only because he was an action-fighting superhero serving justice but also because he was a philanthropist who gave back to his community. Although I do not come from money, philanthropy is still something I would like to do when I am secure not only in my career but my financials. My career goal is to become an attorney, increasing my chances to become a judge. Every single day my motivation grows not only for myself but for my surroundings, I know a lot of kids from my community who are bright just like me and can amount to great things if given the opportunity. I try to remain optimistic because I believe that your situation doesn't define you but the choices you make do meaning even if you weren't born into the best situation based on the decisions you make can shape your path in life. The more I mature in age I do ask myself once in a while what I want to be known for and I can genuinely say helping others. When I talk about the future in some of my life plans, I often think about how I will be able to give back to the community that gave so much to me. I plan to refund my community my dream is to help secure the future of many children in my community so they can do the same. 20 years from now, I plan to have financial stability, something that I was never able to have growing up. When I finally come into money, I want to help others immediately by creating scholarship funds, speaking to schools about my experiences, giving wisdom, and encouraging the youth to follow whatever dream they aspire to have. If I were not encouraged to go to school, I would have never gone internally. I did not think I was smart enough to thrive in college, but I had a community that believed in my merits and abilities. When there are people who believe you have the capability to do good and become something far better than you dreamed of it gives many young children hope. The environment my community is in is not the safest often resulting in many youths dying and it feels like there is no way to get out of a cycle of poverty, but I want to let the children of my community know they will always have a chance and they are capable.

I remember graduating high school with so many people asking me what I wanted to do, at that time I had no idea, so I was having somewhat of an existential life crisis. But, when not only a few weeks later a very stressful and traumatic event happened in my life. Pushing me on the path to studying Law /Criminal justice. Now, my goal is to work as a lawyer to fight those who seek to exploit lower- and middle-class people. Right now, I am a freshman in Community College seeking to complete my associate's with my tuition base scholarship. as soon as I graduate with my associate's, I plan on transferring to a four-year accredited university in which I can study more political science classes preparing me for law school. Ultimately, I plan to become an attorney make my way through the promotional ladder finally become a judge. When it comes to finances, I fully expect to be financially stable in the future. Growing up living paycheck to paycheck is something I want to drastically change creating multiple streams of income for me and my future family. Not only will I create generational wealth within my family but I also want to give back money to my community by helping the children I live with within my community. The children in my community deserve better than being with their circumstances and I want to help them escape the cycle of poverty.

An ancient African proverb declares “it takes a village to raise a child.” meaning that it not only takes the parents but a community to help guide the child through its life into adulthood and I couldn’t agree more. My community has watched me grow from infanthood to adolescence guiding me and giving me wisdom that will last for a lifetime. With that being said, I help return the favor by giving advice to my younger counterparts. I often tell the kids within our communities to respect and cherish their elders because they have so much life advice/wisdom that could help us be more prepared for the real world. Helping throughout the community has always been important to me, I receive genuine joy whenever I help those who need it by going to homeless shelters working at a food kitchen, donating gifts to children with sickness, and helping clean up the neighborhood trash. I do wish that I could do more because I know how much my community has helped and guided me unwarranted because of the kindness in their hearts. I appreciate every individual because when they give advice it’s from the heart so you do not repeat the same mistakes they have. One of the people I love and respect in my community is a woman named “Janice.” She is a retired college professor who encouraged me to seek further education after high school even helping me receive a tuition-based scholarship lessening any student debt and I couldn’t be more thankful for her. When I talk about the future in some of my plans for life, I often think about how I will still be able to give back to the community that gave so much to me. I plan on refunding my community because my dream is to help secure the future of many children in my community so they can do the same. 20 years from now, I plan on having financial stability something that I was never able to have growing up. When I finally come into money, I want to help others immediately creating scholarship funds, speaking to schools about my experiences giving wisdom, and encouraging the youth to follow whatever dream they aspire to have. If I wasn’t encouraged to go to school, I would’ve never gone internally I didn’t think I was smart enough to thrive in college, but I had a community that believed in my merits and abilities. When there are people who believe you have the capability to do good and become something far better than you dreamed of it gives many young children hope. The environment my community is in isn’t the safest often resulting in many youths dying and it feels like there is no way to get out of a cycle of poverty, but I want to let the children of my community know they will always have a chance and they are capable.

The definition of success has been contorted over the years associated with wealth, attainment, and increase in stature. Wholeheartedly, I can say that the description of success is very subjective to the different types of individuals depending on who you are. Since I am more of an optimist and idealist, happiness is the main factor determining my future. But, my definition of success opposes what many people in society would define as success or successful. Many would rather be rich and having prevalence contribute to their success stories. I can honestly say that life has groomed me into wanting to have success through ensuring extraordinary education, a high-paying job with benefits, and having my own home. Success to me is being passionate about your career and taking the joy out of a profession every day. I do not measure success regarding wealth, reputation, and opportunities preferably. I appreciate success because of the fulfillment that it would offer me. Success otherwise is different for me because of the career that I want to be in. I always wanted a career and art particularly music, so my measure of success is related to how passionate I feel about the music I create. The quote there often comes to mind is “I would rather be poor and happy than to be rich and alone.” This is exactly how I feel I do not need to be a notable musician to be defined as successful. As long as I can find contentment within my work that would be my definition of success because I find joy and peace simply doing something that I've always wanted to do. My parents always told me that it's great to be wealthy but what is wealth when you cannot even enjoy the life that you live. I honestly feel that there is no point in being prosperous and successful when you do not find joy or contentment in your situation. 20 years from now, I plan on having financial stability something that I was never able to have growing up. Financial stability is the main focus on my list because I do not want to live paycheck to paycheck, depending on one weekly stream of income. 20 years from now I will be very advanced in my career entirely enjoying whatever my profession offers me. As long as I have security and stability in my life I would consider that a profound success within itself. In 20 years I would hopefully have or be in the process of starting a family with my spouse creating generational wealth for my children.

"You just workin' with the scraps you was given And Mama made miracles every Thanksgivin'" Dear Mama - Tupac Shakur The song Dear Mama By Tupac Shakur is an ode to a young black mother doing whatever it takes to make sure her children are provided for, when I think of my parents this song always manages to make its way in my mind. My parents are some of the most selfless people I can ever think of, when I was younger I often regarded my mom and dad as some type of superhero. My dad works two jobs in retail working from 4 PM to 9:00 PM and then working from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM every single day. My mother worked 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM working from home and customer service still managing to participate in my extracurricular activities and put dinner on the table every morning. Although my parents will never admit it, they were often very tired and frustrated but still managed to put on fake smiles because they needed to provide for my sisters and me. I often remember on holidays like birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas my parents were the first to do overtime. When I was in 7th grade, I wanted a guitar because I saw a music video with Prince playing so passionately. Even though I wanted the guitar so desperately, I never told my parents because the prices were outrageous, and I didn't want to be selfish by asking for such an expensive gift. A week before Christmas, my parents were working overtime like crazy to the point where I only saw them 3 hours each day Fast forward to Christmas Day, I had my very own acoustic guitar. My parents knew that I had a great love for the arts specifically music so when they heard that I wanted to play an instrument they bought it with no hesitation because they believed in my merit and talent. I cherish my guitar everywhere I go, even naming it “Lucille” because I love it so much. With all of this to say, my parents would give me the clothes off their backs just to make sure I'm provided for, now I want to be the one who can return the favor. now that I'm older, and more mature because of life experiences I have more determination to achieve my dreams and goals. I honestly think my parents because of the sacrifices that they made in order to give me the potential to have a great future and not go through the same struggles as they have which gives me so much more respect for them not only as parents but their character.

Everyone has different reactions when it comes to how one handles death. Sadly, I realized how I approached death when it comes to loved ones have dealt with it in January 2020. When it first happened, I hated to admit it, but I was resentful not at only myself but in life because it happened during my junior year in high school, and I already had so much happen. When my grandfather died from stomach cancer, I dissociated from everyone because I thought that if I stayed away from everyone then his death would not be real, and I would not have to acknowledge his passing. It was not until his funeral did his death truly hit me like a ton of bricks and it was a bitter pill to swallow. During a going away speech, my grandfather left me his favorite bible which had notes of wisdom compiled throughout the book. After his funeral, I made a promise to myself that I would remain an honor roll student graduating because it is what my grandpa and I wanted. His notes of wisdom served as motivations for me, telling me that I could do whatever I put my mind to. Every time I want to give up, I think of some of the notes he left about some of his trials and tribulations handling the situations gracefully. Now my main fight is for my education, ensuring I receive my bachelor's degree allowing me to receive the education I always wanted for myself. I have gotten better when it comes to coping with his death, I am no longer resentful, but I do feel a little sad from time to time when I think about him. But I remember how he spent his life when he was on earth, he was a father, husband, friend, student, and my adoring grandfather. So, I will continue to fight, not just for myself but for my grandfather who wanted me to achieve and reach my potential by not allowing obstacles to define me.

1. Why do you deserve this scholarship? I deserve this scholarship because I owe my Aunt Rita some money! Do you know how scary it is to owe a 65 year money? She told me that if I didn't pay her she'd send her AARP group to all my debate shows and throw ritz crackers at me telling how much of a failure I am!! 2. What are your academic and/or career goals? Well, since Gen Z who is my generation is considered lazy and entitled I have no academic or career goals! I fully expect to receive this scholarship with no work ethic at all! So if we can skip all of this so I could get my money I'll be happy. 3. Tell me about a time you’ve overcome an obstacle. A time I overcame an obstacle was lasting a whole day without coffee. I didn't even think I was strong enough to last through the day without my sweet strawberry frappe from Starbucks but I made it and lived to tell the tale. Would I ever go through it again? HECK NO.

As a young person, I always knew I wanted to help people. Though very ironically, I never knew what field in which I could have an impact on those who needed to be helped. It wasn't until near the last three months of my senior year in high school that I realized that I wanted to major in criminal justice/law. Due to the epidemic, I have been exposed to the idea of corporations exploiting those of the middle and lower class. It wasn't until my family, and I was at risk of being homeless because we didn't know our basic rights as homeowners/renters. At that very moment, when I saw the stress on my parent's faces fear and embarrassment struck my heart. I vowed to never be put in a situation like this ever again. I decided that day that I wanted to rectify a corrupted system that victimizes those of lower class and standing. Now, my only dream is to help those who don't know how to defend their selves from a legal standpoint. I want to dedicate my life to helping those of the lower class to gain legal literacy. With this scholarship money, I intend to use it with great purpose and meaningful intention. This money will help me continue to elevate in my classes working hard in maintaining a good standing with my GPA to help me achieve my dream in the future. This money will be a very pivotal step towards me being closer to giving back to the community and family who have always stood by me. I do intend to put the money to good use whether it be for college textbooks or a future fund for when I graduate from STLCC. This money could potentially be the money that will put me on the right path. With this money, not only will you be helping me, but you could be helping citizens of the future who need assistance in legal literacy. This scholarship money will be a huge steppingstone between me and my ultimate dream which I am so determined to fund. Thank you for allowing me to write this letter because the scholarship does mean a lot to me. I'm positive you will make the right decision in giving your scholarship to the student who deserves it the most. I can only hope that it's me since I'm biased but I appreciate this opportunity.