When I became a mother, everything changed. My life went from chaos to clarity in a single moment—the day I held my son for the first time. I was young, scared, and alone after leaving an abusive relationship. I had no savings, no plan, and no safety net. But I had something far more powerful: purpose. That purpose became the foundation of everything I do and the reason I am called to serve others. I know what it means to need help and to feel invisible. That’s why I’m passionate about human services—because nobody deserves to feel like they’re struggling alone. Growing up in a working-class household, I watched my parents hustle to make ends meet. We didn’t have much, but we had each other. My mother often reminded me that “you don’t need money to show up for someone.” That principle has carried me through hard times and still drives how I engage with my community. Whether it’s organizing school supply drives, mentoring young women who are navigating early motherhood, or volunteering at the local food pantry—I show up. I give what I can, even when I don’t have much, because I know firsthand how even small acts of kindness can change someone’s entire outlook. My motivation to work in human services is personal, but it’s also deeply practical. I’ve been the woman filling out job applications with a crying baby in the background. I’ve stood in food pantry lines, worked jobs that barely covered daycare, and fought to access mental health care while managing daily responsibilities. I know what it feels like to fall through the cracks. Now, I want to be part of the system that catches people. I want to advocate for single mothers, survivors of abuse, underserved youth, and families struggling to find stable ground. I want to help people rebuild their lives, because that’s exactly what I’ve done for myself—and I believe in paying that forward. Currently, I’m pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing, because I know that to truly serve people, you need more than compassion—you need strategy. I hope to work within a company or organization that advocates for families and has a broad outreach network. My goal is to help shape and implement policies that provide families with the resources and support they need to build better, more secure futures for their loved ones. By combining my lived experiences with my education, I aim to contribute to large-scale solutions that uplift entire communities. Receiving the Servela Theodore Memorial Scholarship would be more than financial help—it would be an affirmation of my purpose. It would empower me to continue walking this path with my head high and my heart open. I’m not just working toward a career—I’m answering a calling. And I’m determined to make sure the struggles I’ve faced become the reason someone else gets to thrive.

When I was nine years old, I watched my grandfather turn an angry customer into a loyal client. The man was upset about a repair bill, pacing and raising his voice. My grandfather didn’t argue. He calmly explained the value of the work, cracked a light joke, and listened—really listened. The man walked out smiling. That moment stuck with me. It was my first lesson in what sales truly are: not just transactions, but relationships built on trust and empathy. That’s where my journey in marketing began—before I ever knew the term. Over the years, I found myself naturally gravitating toward roles that required creative problem-solving and human connection. From 2009 to 2016, I worked at a tent manufacturing and party rental business. It was fast-paced, client-facing, and full of challenges. I had to sell services, manage expectations, coordinate logistics, and deliver under pressure. I wasn’t just selling tents—I was selling peace of mind for weddings, festivals, and family celebrations. I saw firsthand how marketing isn’t just about promotion—it’s about building confidence in a brand and making people feel understood. Later, as a single mother working part-time while pursuing my education, I refined those skills in new ways. Juggling parenting, school, and work taught me how to prioritize, communicate clearly, and connect with people authentically. Whether it was advocating for my child, managing customer needs, or leading small teams, I realized that I wasn’t just “getting by”—I was marketing solutions every day, and doing it with empathy and strategy. That’s what led me to pursue a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. I’m passionate about understanding consumer behavior, crafting clear messaging, and using data to drive creative decisions. More than anything, I’m inspired by ethical, people-first marketing—like the kind Neal Hartl practiced. From what I’ve learned about him, he led with integrity, focused on long-term relationships, and understood that the best marketing is honest, respectful, and personal. That’s the standard I hold myself to. My long-term goal is to work in brand strategy or consumer marketing, ideally in the wellness or hospitality sectors—industries where trust and experience are everything. I want to help people connect with products and services that genuinely improve their lives. I don’t just want to sell—I want to serve. The Neal Hartl Memorial Sales/Marketing Scholarship would not only ease the financial burden of my education, but also honor the values that have shaped my approach to business: honesty, empathy, and long-term thinking. It would allow me to continue my studies while raising my son with stability, and it would reinforce that I’m on the right path—not just to a career, but to a meaningful life in marketing.

My name is Alicia Ross, and I am a single mother, a survivor, a first-generation college student, and a woman determined to make a lasting impact through business leadership. I am currently pursuing an Associate of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing at Southern New Hampshire University, with plans to continue to a bachelor's degree. My ultimate goal is to become either a Chief Financial Officer or a Director of Human Resources—roles that will allow me to contribute to the business world not only through financial leadership, but also by building inclusive, resilient, and people-focused organizations. For many, college is a steppingstone to success. For me, it is a lifeline—an opportunity to rewrite the narrative that trauma and hardship once tried to define. I am a survivor of an abusive relationship. For years, I stayed in a situation that drained me emotionally and financially because I believed I had no other choice. But when I realized that my son, who is now 17, was watching and learning from everything around him, I knew I had to make a change—not just for myself, but for his future. Walking away was terrifying, but necessary. We left with very little, and the road that followed was paved with uncertainty, fear, and struggle. But it was also paved with hope and possibility. Education became my turning point. I made the decision to go back to school not just to earn a degree, but to prove to myself and my son that we could rise above our circumstances. I chose business as my major because I believe that business, when done ethically and intentionally, has the power to transform lives and communities. I have always been fascinated by how organizations operate, how leadership decisions impact culture and growth, and how numbers can tell a story when interpreted with care. I see myself one day leading a team, guiding a company’s direction with financial wisdom, human empathy, and a commitment to positive change. My academic journey has not been traditional or easy. I balance my coursework with full-time parenting and part-time work. There are nights I stay up late to study after a long day of responsibilities. There are sacrifices I make daily to ensure my son has what he needs, even if it means putting my own needs last. But I do it gladly, because every challenge I overcome brings me closer to the future I envision. My son has watched me struggle, but more importantly, he has watched me persevere. That, to me, is leadership—and that is the legacy I want to leave behind. Being the first in my family to pursue a bachelor’s degree is a milestone that carries great personal meaning. It represents breaking generational cycles and building a new foundation—one rooted in opportunity, knowledge, and empowerment. My hope is that my journey will inspire others in my family to pursue their goals, no matter the odds, and to believe that they, too, are capable of more than what life has handed them. In the long term, I plan to use my education and leadership role in business to mentor and support women, especially single mothers, and survivors of domestic abuse. I want to create programs that help them build financial literacy, prepare for the workforce, and gain the confidence to chase their goals. Too often, talented, and driven women are held back not by lack of ambition, but by a lack of opportunity and support. I want to change that. College is more than a personal dream—it is my platform for impact. Through my education, I am gaining the tools to not only support my family but to influence change in the business world. I am learning how to create systems that are not only efficient but equitable. I am studying marketing not just to understand consumer behavior, but to better communicate messages that inspire growth, inclusion, and innovation. And I am learning how finance, leadership, and human resources intersect to create companies that are strong, sustainable, and people-first. Receiving this scholarship would mean more than financial relief—it would be a vote of confidence in my vision, my resilience, and my potential. It would allow me to focus more on my studies and less on how to afford them. It would bring me one step closer to earning my degree and realizing a future where I not only achieve personal success, but uplift others along the way. I do not take this opportunity lightly. I know that behind every scholarship is a belief that the recipient will do something meaningful with their education. I promise to do just that. Thank you for considering my application. I am not just working toward a career—I am working toward a mission. And I hope to one day pay forward every bit of support I have received by helping others find the strength to pursue their own paths, no matter how difficult the starting point may be.