I am a hardworking and determined person who values connection and getting to know others on a deeper level. The people closest to me describe me as outgoing, friendly, and supportive—someone who is always there when others need it. Growing up, I faced challenges that shaped who I am today. I lost my mother at a young age, moved around often, and did not always have a strong support system. Despite that, I continued to push forward and learn how to be strong on my own. Today, I am grateful to have a strong support system through my partner and his family, who have helped me grow into a more confident and supported person. In my free time, I enjoy fishing, spending time at the lake, being around animals, and making memories with the people I care about most. My interest in cosmetology began with my love for getting my hair done. It has always been my favorite feature about myself, and taking care of it made me feel confident. Over time, that interest grew into something much deeper. I realized I didn’t just enjoy the final result—I loved the process, the creativity, and the way it made people feel. I began doing hair and nails for friends and family and spent time watching tutorials and transformations on social media. The before-and-after results always inspired me, but what stood out most was the joy behind those transformations. I realized cosmetology could be more than just a hobby when I saw the emotional impact it had—not only on others, but on myself as well. What I am most passionate about is helping people feel confident, seen, and beautiful. While I especially enjoy working with hair, I love all aspects of cosmetology. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing someone smile after their hair, nails, or makeup is done. That boost of confidence is what motivates me. Through cosmetology, I plan to make a positive impact by creating a safe and welcoming space for everyone. I want my chair to be a place where people feel comfortable being themselves—where they can talk, vent, or simply relax. Cosmetology is not just about appearance; it is about connection, trust, and care. I am especially passionate about helping lower-income communities. Everyone deserves the opportunity to feel good about themselves, no matter their financial situation. I understand this personally. There were times when I wanted something as simple as getting my hair done but could not afford it. During difficult periods, especially when I struggled with depression, getting my hair or nails done helped me feel more in control and more like myself again. That is something I want to give to others. I also hope to work with the elderly. As people age, it can become harder to maintain basic self-care routines. I saw this with my grandmother, and having someone help her with her hair made a meaningful difference. It gave her a sense of dignity and independence. I want to be that kind of support for others. I believe my communication skills, empathy, and strong work ethic will help me succeed in this field. I have overcome challenges such as loss and instability, and those experiences have made me stronger and more understanding of others. In the future, I hope to open my own salon offering hair, nails, and facials. More importantly, I want it to be a place where people feel safe, valued, and confident. To me, cosmetology is about more than beauty—it is about healing, confidence, and human connection.

Growing up, I faced mental health challenges earlier than most. Around fourth grade, I began struggling with depression and anxiety, though at the time I didn’t fully understand what I was experiencing. Simple, everyday tasks—going to school, talking to others, completing assignments—felt overwhelming. I lost energy, motivation, and connection. I often chose isolation, staying home and sleeping whenever I could. My irritability pushed people away, straining both friendships and relationships within my family. The summer after sixth grade, my life changed in a way I was not prepared for—my mother passed away. That loss deepened everything I was already feeling. My sadness turned into anger, and my anxiety intensified into something that felt uncontrollable. I felt as though my world was falling apart, and I had no control over what was happening around me or within me. There were days I could not get out of bed. I lost my appetite and often neglected basic needs like eating and drinking, to the point where I became physically ill. I experienced frequent panic attacks that left me feeling both mentally and physically exhausted. In those moments, all I could do was wait for them to pass, questioning when things would ever feel okay again. I felt hopeless, wondering why I couldn’t simply “get a grip” on my own life. However, my story did not end there. Over time, I began taking steps toward healing. I started therapy, which gave me a space to process my emotions and begin understanding myself. I discovered journaling as an outlet, allowing me to release thoughts I couldn’t say out loud. Slowly, I introduced small but meaningful habits, like daily motivation, that helped me rebuild a sense of hope. Support also played a crucial role in my growth. Having someone in my life who consistently showed care and understanding reminded me that I was not alone. While I still experience both good and bad days, I have learned how to navigate them with healthier coping mechanisms and a more positive mindset. Through these experiences, I have gained a deeper understanding of life and of others. I’ve learned that we cannot control everything that happens to us, but we can learn how to move forward despite it. I’ve learned that it is okay to not be okay—and that healing is not linear. Most importantly, I’ve developed a strong sense of empathy. I now recognize that everyone is fighting battles we cannot see, which is why kindness matters so deeply. My journey has inspired my future goals. I plan to pursue cosmetology, a field where I can make a direct and meaningful impact on others. During some of my lowest moments, even small changes—like getting my hair done—helped me feel clean, renewed, and hopeful. The positivity and energy of someone who loved what they did made a difference in my life. I want to be that person for someone else. As a cosmetologist, I hope to create a space where people feel comfortable, supported, and uplifted. Whether it’s through conversation or simply helping someone feel more confident in their appearance, I want to be a source of light in someone’s day. If a person leaves my chair feeling even slightly better than when they arrived, then I have made an impact. My experiences with mental health have not been easy, but they have shaped me into someone resilient, compassionate, and driven to help others. I am still growing, still learning, and still healing—but I am moving forward. And now, I am committed to helping others do the same.

My mother’s passing had a profound impact on me. I was only 11 years old, just about to begin middle school. Prior to her death, I was a happy and talkative child. Afterward, I became extremely anxious and depressed. I spoke less and lost interest in activities I once enjoyed. I lived in constant fear—afraid that something bad would happen or that I might lose someone else I loved. I spent many nights crying, unsure of how to cope with what I was feeling. I experienced severe panic attacks and developed habits such as nail biting and picking at the skin around my nails as a way to manage my anxiety. I was aware that my mother struggled. I knew she had a substance use disorder and witnessed her battle with addiction and mental health challenges. However, as a child, I did not fully understand the extent of her struggles, nor did I imagine that they would ultimately take her life. When she passed, it was devastating to realize that such a powerful disease could take such a compassionate and loving person and affect so many lives. Through her experience, I came to understand that addiction can affect anyone—even a devoted mother of four children. It is a disease that impacts not only the individual but also everyone around them. It was not until around my sophomore year of high school that I began to rediscover myself. I gradually regained aspects of who I once was, but with a more mature and nuanced understanding of life. Today, I am in a much better place and am actively working toward my goal of returning to school. This experience has taught me many important lessons. I have learned that life can change in an instant, and sometimes the only option is to find ways to cope and move forward. I have learned that it is impossible to fully understand what others are going through, and how deeply life events can affect a person. I have also learned that life does not stop, even in the face of hardship—you must continue moving forward. Most importantly, I have learned that grief is a natural and necessary part of healing. While I still experience both good days and difficult ones, I have developed healthier coping mechanisms. One of the most meaningful has been journaling. I write as though I am speaking directly to my mother—sharing updates about my life, expressing my thoughts and emotions, and turning to her in moments when I need comfort the most. This practice has allowed me to maintain a sense of connection with her. It brings me comfort and has played a significant role in my healing process. Although I continue to miss my mother deeply, I recognize that this experience has shaped who I am today. It was a challenging and painful journey, but it ultimately fostered personal growth and resilience. I have become more empathetic, self-aware, and understanding of the world around me. While I would never have chosen to endure this loss, it has strengthened my character and prepared me to move forward with determination, perspective, and purpose.

My mother’s passing had a huge impact on me. I was only 11 years old, just about to start middle school. Before she died, I was a happy, talkative kid. Afterward, I became extremely anxious and depressed. I stopped talking as much and lost interest in the things I once enjoyed. I lived in constant fear—afraid that something bad would happen or that someone else I loved would die. I spent many nights crying, unsure of what to do or how to cope. I experienced severe panic attacks and developed habits like nail biting and picking at the skin around my nails as a way to deal with my anxiety. I knew my mom struggled. I was aware that she had a drug problem, and I witnessed her battle with addiction along with mental health issues. But as a child, I never truly understood the extent of it, and I never imagined it would take her from me. When she passed, it broke my heart to realize that such a horrible disease could take such a wonderful person and affect so many people’s lives. Through her experience, I learned that addiction can affect anyone—even a loving mother with four children. Addiction is a disease, and it hurts more than just the person struggling with it; it impacts everyone around them. It wasn’t until around my sophomore year of high school that I began to find my way back to myself. I started to regain pieces of who I once was, but now with a deeper understanding of life. I am in a much better place today, and I am working toward my dream of going back to school. Through this experience, I have learned so much. I learned that life can change in an instant, and sometimes there is nothing you can do but find ways to cope. I learned that you never truly know what others are going through, and how deeply life events can affect someone. I learned that life doesn’t stop—you have to keep moving forward, even when it’s hard. Most importantly, I learned that grieving is okay. It’s normal, and it’s part of healing. I still have both good days and bad days, but I’ve developed healthier ways to manage them. One of the most meaningful tools for me has been journaling. I write as if I am talking directly to my mom—telling her about my life, updating her on what’s happening, and sharing my thoughts and feelings. I go to her in my writing when I’ve had a hard day or when I miss her the most. This practice has helped me feel connected to her, as if she is still with me in some way. It has brought me comfort and played a big role in my healing. As much as I miss my mom, I recognize that this experience shaped who I am today. I have grown stronger, more empathetic, and more aware of the world around me. While I would never have chosen to go through this, it has made me into the person I am today

My name is Alissa, and I’m returning to school after taking a year off. During that time, I struggled to find a clear path, but I’ve finally discovered my passion: cosmetology. Hair has always been something I’ve loved, and it’s my favorite thing about myself. Receiving this scholarship would have a tremendous impact on my education and future. It would alleviate the financial burden of college, allowing me to focus more on my studies and develop the skills necessary to reach my goals. One of my main objectives is to start my own business, providing a stable future for myself and my family. This scholarship would bring me one step closer to that dream by enabling me to fully dedicate myself to my education without the constant worry of financial stress. Additionally, I am motivated by the kind of parent I want to be. I hope to be present and involved in my children’s lives, offering them the love and guidance I wish I had growing up. By reducing future debt, this scholarship would give me the freedom to balance building a successful career with nurturing a strong family. I also carry the memory of my mother with me, whose life and struggles have shaped who I am today. I lost my mom when I was 11. She had a difficult life, battling drug addiction from a young age, but she was still one of the most loving and generous people I’ve ever known. Even though we lived far apart, in different states, and I didn’t see her often, I always knew she cared deeply. Despite her challenges, she had a heart of gold. She’d give away anything she had just to help someone else, always making others feel seen and cared for. When she walked into a room, she lit it up. She was a woman of strength, and despite everything, she was the best mom I could have asked for. My mom loved the color purple and roses, and nothing made her happier than when I visited her. She treasured family time, especially with her children and mother. She was also a big fan of pickles—we could never keep them in the house, so she eventually started growing her own garden to make them herself. We spent countless hours together watching movies and napping, simple joys that I’ll always cherish. My mother’s resilience and kindness inspire me every day. As I pursue my goals, I strive to embody the best qualities she passed down to me—compassion, strength, and a deep love for family. This scholarship would not only help me build a better future for myself but also honor the legacy of the incredible woman who shaped my life.