“All young people deserve an equal opportunity to thrive as they develop into adulthood.“ That is the most honest, compelling, and humane statement that speaks volumes. Growing up, my mother grew up in poverty with no access to routine mental health care as I do. For years her anxiety and depression were unheard of or better left unspoken. Nobody deserves this. For years she had dealt with continuous stress and pain and for what? I hope to better understand my mother’s situation of mental health struggles and poverty to create more accessible and affordable mental health care. I believe that with my Mom’s personal experience and her story, I will be able to develop a platform for those in need of said care. I hope to one day create a program for young students in need of mental health care for K-12 so that there may be one-on-one sessions with specialized counselors in all public schools. I believe everyone deserves a chance at understanding themselves and their own needs which I believe can be done through my program and the normalization of therapy.

There’s hundreds, thousands, millions, and trillions of books. All kinds of different books in the world. Few have been able to keep up with this book. Besides the Bible, Torah, and Quran, “How to Win Friend & Influence People” by Dale Carnegie may just be the greatest book ever. This gem by Mr Carnegie is nearly 100 years old and it still has maintained its relevancy and reputation. This book truly is timeless and without a doubt I believe this book should be read by every living person. Anyone can read this book and apply its principles to their life. Tall and short, small or big, young or old, extrovert or introvert. This book is applicable to anyone. With every page and every chapter you gain a piece of knowledge. With every page and chapter there is something new. There is endless possibilities within this book. All throughout your life you have to deal with people, and people are difficult beings. We all have some sort of background and we have a story. With every person comes a new story, and with ease Mr Carnegie and his piece of work helps you better understand humanity and peoples stories through his principles, using both psychology and communication. "The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.", This quote highlights the importance on conflict resolution. Instead of engaging in arguments that often lead to hostility and resentment, Carnegie suggests finding common ground and seeking mutual understanding. With all the conflict we have in the world, we need to apply this quote and instill this value in everyone. By applying this quote, individuals can maintain positive relationships and achieve more productive outcomes in their interactions. “How to Win Friends & Influence People” by Dale Carnegie offers practical advice that can benefit anyone seeking to improve their interpersonal skills, enhance their relationships, and achieve success in both personal and professional endeavors. Throughout this book you learn how to be a leader and even a follower, influence and persuasion, self improvement, effective communication, conflict resolution, and how to build stronger relationships. If you instill these values from this book and truly apply it, without a doubt although you would gain knowledge on other people you will also gain knowledge and better understanding of yourself and the choices you make.

11 years. One bachelor's, two master's, and now she’s achieved her doctorate? She pursued her doctorate while being a mother of four, with a husband, and having a full-time job. What could she truly not do? Who is this person I speak of? My Mom. Throughout my life, my mom has been the driving force behind my education and commitment to success. My mom has sacrificed so much for my education and for me and my siblings to have a great life. For my first few years alive, my mom was a single mother. She went from couch to couch, trying to support me and my brother. There were some nights where she spent the whole night crying and sleeping and missed work because she was desperately trying her best to give us the best life. It wasn’t until later on, when we became more financially comfortable, that I understood the sacrifice my mom endured for me. When I was 4 years old, I was put into a private Catholic school. At the time, I knew nothing of the difference between class and wealth. It was about $1400 biweekly for me and my brother to attend this school. But my mom didn’t care. She was struggling financially, but she was willing to do whatever it took to ensure me and my brother had the best education and the best values. Some nights she would skip a meal for us or she would miss out on nights with her friends all because she wanted the best for me and my brother. Eventually, just her Bachelor wasn’t enough. My Mom wanted more. She went back to school and worked even harder. While having both a job and raising two kids alone. My Mom never got to experience going out with her friends or certain events, because she wanted so much more for us, as a family. I never knew or noticed we ever faced financial problems or rough times because had done her job so well as a parent. Raising us was hard, but it was even harder having to hide her struggle and fear of the future. But I can’t help but think of how much I want to thank her every day. Words are only so much, but action is so much more. With my gratitude to them and how she raised me, I want to make them proud. All these years, she has shown through her life and character dedication, resilience, and ambition, and she constantly pushes me to strive for excellence through and for God. She tells me that the best education is not in the classroom but in the education of God. Seeing and witnessing firsthand my mom’s journey has been so inspiring. The fact that she had so many important roles in people's lives while pursuing her educational dreams has taught me invaluable lessons. I am constantly reminded and learning of the sacrifices my mother has made to provide me with the opportunities she never had. Her support, guidance, and encouragement have constantly motivated me to reach for the stars and, if I choose to do anything, to always be the best in the room. Mom. I love you. You are my reason. You are the most influential to me.

My plans for the future are big. I want to do it all. I want to do so much that people look back on my accomplishments and think I lived multiples lives in one. And everyday I am working towards my goals. I live for God, but I seek wealth, loving my loved ones, and accomplishment as well. In my future, I want to attend university. I want to study Finance and Computer Science, but I also have an interest in neuroscience. I want to eventually get my PHD in whatever field as well. I do everything everyday to fulfill my purpose. I want my cup to be overfilled when I look back on my life and what I’ve accomplished. I want to change the world. I want to be the impact I wish to see. After I have fulfilled my journey in school, I hope to be a writer, business owner, actor, and eventually one day inspire millions. I understand that these are big plans, but my plans are sort of like my guiding lights apart from God. They help me understand myself and my values. I am driven by my desire to empower individuals in the areas of financial literacy. At the heart of my passion, lies an interest in money, strategic planning, and critical thinking. As I look towards the future, I am committed to making a positive impact on the world through my career in finance. I hope that one day I can teach individuals the knowledge and skills they need to make better and smarter financial decisions. I plan on writing a book on finance, in efforts to empower people to lead more secure and fulfilling lives. I believe that financial freedom is indeed freedom in life, and through my future books, I aspire to teach this philosophy. Finally, my journey in finance is driven by my belief in the power of knowledge & education to transform lives. If I receive this scholarship, I believe it won’t relieve me of just financial burden but also motivate me. Motivate me because it shows that someone truly believes in me and my journey. It would be so motivating to me that someone believes in me and my journey as a growing student, but alo that me out of thousands were chosen. I have been passionate about my major, finance for a long time and it is my dream to one day become a writer, actor, entrepreneur, and be in the commercial real estate business as a commercial real estate mogul. With financial support through this scholarship, it would provide an abundance of chances for relaxation, financial support, and further my career development as I would be less stressed paying loans and I would have the encouragement of support from not just those around me, but beyond.

“You two!”, said Coach Smith. He had pointed at me and Jaiden. I and Jaiden were two very different people. I was loud and joyful, he was mellow and quiet. I took. every moment possible to talk, he took every moment possible to keep quiet. “I need you two. Form a script this week for this week’s news” he then said. He put us in a pair. In my junior year, I met Jaiden. Jaiden Hinton. We were in AV, our audio-visual class. I looked at Jaiden, Jaiden looked at me. We both just looked. “Get a move on! We need it quick please!” Coach then said. That’s when me and Jaiden stopped the internal questioning and began to walk to the AV Room. Now with this situation, I was a little lost. I mean, how could Coach do this? We were both complete opposites. The only thing we nearly had in common was our skin color! Or so I thought? I knew of his name, but very little of what he truly was like behind closed doors. I cracked a joke, and for the first time, I heard a voice from Jaiden Hinton. What I didn’t know about Jaiden at the time was that he loved to talk just as much as me. He just needed that “push”. Over time, me and Jaiden became best friends. And eventually, he told me he had low self-esteem and social anxiety. All that time when I thought he was just a weird quiet kid, he was a pretty cool and funny guy. Eventually, due to the bond we built and my inspiration. He’s now one of the most outgoing guys I know and could talk for days. We were in the talent show together, made short films on YouTube, created a digital media company, and created so many videos for AV, and now Jaiden and I are to host the annual Talent Show in this upcoming month of April! And it truly does make me feel and resonate, that “I Matter.”

Finance. For pretty much most of my life, I had no clue what to do. I loved math, reading, and loved to write. But I had no clue how to combine all of those into one career. I always seemed to feel left out, because why was it that my friends knew exactly what to pursue, but there I was with little to nothing in mind. How was I to combine all my passions into one? I usually read self-help or philosophy books, until pretty much of nowhere decided to read “The Psychology of Money”. With that book, I fell in love with economics and finance and how it shapes our world. Learning about money and the behaviors surrounding it was truly a blessing in disguise. That book changed my life in a sense because it helped build and develop my passion for finance and economics. In my future career, I hope to help people like me who have no clue what to do in life, I hope to help them find passion through my writing. I also hope to break into the fintech industry as I go further into my life. I believe that through discipline and the systems I have built for myself, I will make an intense change in the world, and I am more than excited to help build a better world, through finance, economics, and computers.

Charts, Excel, math, stats, and numbers. For a very long time, I have had a passion for history, money, finance, and stocks. When I found out I could make a career out of it, I was more than happy. I want to one day be in the financial tech industry or be in investment banking. From a young age, I have been captivated by the way finance and economics shape our world. My interest in finance and business goes beyond numbers and I strongly believe financial literacy and understanding are essential for personal well-being. I enjoy watching financial gurus on YouTube, reading business books, and even listening to investment podcasts. As I look towards the future, I am committed to making a positive impact on the world through my career in finance. Over trillions are owed in credit card debt and student loan debt, have poor financial habits, and are financially illiterate. I hope that one day I can teach all kinds of people the knowledge and skills they need to make better and smarter financial decisions through my career in writing and advising. I have started on the book, and hope to write and revise my book as I learn more and more throughout university and my career in finance. I plan on finishing my book on personal finance, to empower people to lead more secure and fulfilling lives. I believe that financial freedom is indeed freedom in life, and through my future books, I aspire to teach this philosophy. Throughout high school, I have been in various leadership positions and I have excelled in school going above and beyond, which I think is essential for the financial world. With my extracurricular activities, I have also learned through the varsity sports I participated in, the importance of discipline, grit, and resilience. These qualities are very essential in the world of finance. The steps I have taken towards what I will study in college, are finance and computer science, I have participated in various extracurriculars, like participating in my school Hackathon winning 2nd place and learning strategies and jobs in tech, joining INROADS; a career and college development team, joining my AV Team learning marketing and communication, and my various other activities have built my confidence and aligned me with my bright future. My journey in finance is driven by my belief in the power of knowledge & education to transform lives. I am excited about what is to come, and I am so forever grateful for those around me and the teachings instilled in me. Believing in yourself, working hard, and remaining disciplined are the key factors in becoming successful! Especially in finance!

I have always looked up to my Dad. He was strong and muscular, funny and caring, loved to talk just as much as me, but best of all he served for our country. Often, people forget that with no military we wouldn’t have the freedom we have in our everyday lives. I always hear all kinds of sad and grim stories, as well as fun stories that helped me understand the importance of our military. Now, I will admit for some time I took it for granted but as I grew older and the more stories my father told, I understood more and more why we must appreciate and care for our veterans. As caring and understanding as my Dad was, he did have his struggles. Coming from a battlefield and seeing all kinds of things in Iraq and all around the world, it was understandably hard. My Dad still suffers from PTSD and various other mental health issues due to his sacrifice for our nation. I believe he truly is so strong and commendable. My father, despite his hardships and hard times, is the best Dad I could ever ask for. He brings instinct, protection from danger, love like a commander, and so many character traits from simply serving in the Army and observing their behavior and mirroring it. It is because of his fight and hard work that I am constantly focused in school, trying my best to be the best. His sacrifice for my family and people in America is motivation enough. I live every day like my last because as my Dad told me, “Death is one blink away, always live every day like your last and give full gratitude.” Now some may think that’s a crazy thing to say to their child, but at the time I was struggling mentally and academically. That one quote was all that I needed and cherished. It’s times I feel like giving up the most that I think of that one quote, and then I simply snap back to reality. Because of my Dad, as well as his brothers, and my uncles. I wake up every morning in gratitude for the people who give up their lives and make a huge sacrifice to protect our sacred nation. America is America and the way it is because we have such respectable and commendable people protecting this sacred land. Every time I recognize a veteran I am sure to thank them for their service because I know firsthand from myDad how hard it is. I am so forever grateful for everything my Dad has taught me. I love you, Dad.

“No Justice! No Peace! No Justice! No Peace! No Justice! No Peace!” said the protestors on the video my US History teacher, Mrs. Miller showed us. I instantly began to think back to 2020. You see, in US History you learn about all of the history of the US. And they were not kidding. She paused the video. “Now I’m sure everyone remembers the protests for George Floyd and his wrongful death-“ she said. I remember. It was pretty much hard to forget. 2020, was a very eventful year, COVID-19, lockdown, isolation, hate crimes, and whipped coffee! At least that’s what I remember. With US History came all kinds of lessons. I always loved history. Every history class I was in I was the best. I pretty much did everything possible to ensure I knew most of history because it was very important. Without the understanding of history, we would continuously make the same mistakes and know nothing of our backgrounds. Growing up, my granny always informed me of African-American history, and the value and importance of it in our lives. She is a leader of the National Acres Home Society, and I am so proud of her and what she has done for the black community in Houston. Because of leaders like her, we are at our best and educating people to lead to better lives. A specific social issue I believe I am critically addressing is Equity and Social Injustice. Visualizing back to 2020, I remember the human rights movement was at its highest due to violence and discrimination against minorities. With my grandmother, I worked with her to learn the backgrounds, history, and importance of social injustice and equity for minorities. Every day, I am working my hardest; going to events dedicated to empowering and educating black teens, excelling in school, building and writing essays and a book to help educate people in personal finance, telling my friends of great opportunities provided to them, and encouraging my friends to be their best. With that, I am saying no to the standard and label that was given to me at birth for simply having a darker skin tone. I am going against the odds and creating a success story like no other. I am constantly motivated by beating the odds and helping motivate others like me. I want to show the world and teens like me that simply because you have a label put on you by others doesn’t mean that’s your story. If you can dream it, you can do it.

During my first few years in school, I loved to read. More than any kid my age, I was 9 reading chapter books! I read all kinds of books. Fiction, classics, non-fiction, biographies, and so much more. If it was on the shelf at home, guarantee you I read it. Until then all of a sudden for years, consumed by quick content and technology, I couldn’t stand the fact of picking up a book. I eventually grew tired of the constant scrolling and quick videos that taught me nothing, but how to waste time and waste your life. I never truly learned anything from social media except Pete Davidson’s newest girlfriend or why I should avoid this weird animal that only lived in Jamaica (I’ve never been or considered going to Jamaica). I eventually grew tired. Grades slipped, life was getting kinda boring and sad, and then on top of that, Mom always said it must be that phone giving me a headache! I was simply mentally exhausted. It began in small increments like getting business and economics books or self-help books from my school’s library, and then it somehow turned into me going all the way to a Barnes and Noble, and then I was willing to pay 10 extra dollars for the same day shipping, because I mean I HAD to get this book. Atomic Habits. “Atomic Habits?” I said. Well to be fair this book has had some pretty food reviews on all websites, I mean five stars on Amazon is crazy! It was the last copy out of three rows of the book which is what also sold me. Now I knew it was a self-help book and I was pretty much hoping it wasn’t just some pipe dream like the previous books I read. This book was perfect. I read it all of the time. No book had me this captivated. I read it at work, at home, during times when I would rather watch YouTube, and with reading this book, I developed better habits and lifestyles. I am forever grateful for this book and what it taught me. However, I began to reflect on my new lifestyle. I realized that I had better grades, was happier, more social, felt more intelligent, and was so much more motivated. But when I reflected so much I realized I was subconsciously reaching various goals I had set for myself. You see, in Atomic Habits, James Clear taught us, to start with small habits and focus on systems. When I focused on my reading system and small reading habits instead of setting crazy goals. The habits and systems were shown in my other goals. Now I could say so much about the content of books is what taught me so much, but truly it was the reading habit that taught me so much more. With books, I learned gallons and gallons of mental information. But with the simple habit of reading, I truly learned so much more. I found myself.

Time and time again life proves that there are both “highs” and “lows” in life. But over time with me growing into adulthood I have realized that there is more to life than just that 50/50 of good and bad. Life is filled with so many lessons, memories, experiences, emotions, and so on. It’s all about what you make of it. I would say that around sophomore year I had gained a lot of weight, I had no purpose, I had recently lost my great-grandmother, my great aunt, and my great-grandpa, and I was more than depressed. The thought that death was so easily accessible and just like that the people you seemed to see every other weekend or every holiday was just gone like that? It was a very hard pill to swallow. Nonetheless, I fell into the cycle of constant overthinking, overeating, and bad ways to cope with emotions I couldn’t quite understand. I wasn’t at all in touch with my emotions and it wasn’t getting any better with my bad habits. Eventually, my junior year came and went and I began to make new friends and become more and more outgoing once again. I became closer to God with time, found journaling and meditation, found a better diet, began to exercise consistently, found self-improvement, and best of all found myself all over again. As I continue on my journey as a student, I clearly understand my dream. My dream is to one day be a writer and entrepreneur. I want to write finance and business books, and inspire millions of people by educating them of financial literacy and business practices, while also telling my story and helping them achieve their dreams. Because everyone deserves a chance and everyone must realize their potential is unlimited. I solely believe that through proper understanding and information, you can achieve any dream you have. I also hope to one day build life-changing products for those in need. I believe that life is hard enough, so why not make it a bit easier? I'm forever grateful that my lows had taught me so much, and I’m now on track to chase my dreams as I’m always writing and reading, and plan on attending Texas State University in the Fall! I would not have been able to have done it without discipline, grit, dedication, and self reflection. It’s the times you have to sit down with yourself and ask yourself the hard questions that you learn the most about yourself. Even your dreams.

I have dedicated my life to gratitude for my parents. Anything I do, I do for the love and respect I have for my parents. All of them have had a great impact on my life. They have instilled values like how nothing is forever set in stone, respect and love everyone like Jesus did, always be grateful for every given circumstance, and to always give thanks to God, for the simple fact of waking up and being in good health, able, and well. For my first few years alive, my Mom was a single mother. She went from couch to couch, trying to support me and my brother. There was some nights where she spent the whole night crying and slept in and missed work because she was desperately trying her best to give us the best life. It wasn’t until later on when we became more financially comfortable that I had understood the sacrifice my Mom endured for me. When I was 4 years old, I was put into a private Catholic school. Now at the time, I of course knew nothing of the difference in class and the difference between poverty and wealth. It was about 1400 biweekly for me and my brother to attend this school. But my Mom didn’t care. She was struggling financially but she was willing to do whatever it took to ensure me and my brother had the best education and best values. Some nights she would skip a meal for us or she would miss out on nights for her friends all because she wanted the best for me and my brother. Eventually just her Bachelors wasn’t enough. My Mom wanted more. She went back to school and worked even harder. While having both a job and raising two kids alone. My Mom never got to really experience going out with her friends or certain events, because she had wanted so much more for us, as a family. I never knew or noticed we ever faced financial problems or rough times because had done her job so well as a parent. Raising us was hard, but it was even harder having to hide her struggle and fear of the future. Over the years, I have gained an awesome Stepfather (who helped raise me and provided so many opportunities for my Mom and brothers), my Stepmother, my Dad again. But I can’t help but think of how much I want to thank them everyday. Words are only so much, but action is so much more. With my gratitude to them and how they raised me, I want to make them proud. I want to finish school debt free, and pay them back through one day retiring them. I hope that I can one day become a real estate mogul and entrepreneur. They have done so much for me and provided so much for me in my life, and through action I hope to one day prove my gratitude and love for them, especially my Mom. I want her to never have to worry how she once did ever again. I want her to know she can always count on me if need, and to never be worried again, I love my parents, each and every one of them, and it because of them and their sacrifices for me that I am as great as I am. I am forever grateful to God and my God-given parents.

I spoke to six of my friends. Two out of the six were barely financially literate. They knew of simple things like, budgets and the importance of taxes. Now, I didn’t expect them to know of every bit of finance, I mean, me myself, I barely knew anything. I didn’t expect them to be Robert Kiyosaki or Mark Cuban in terms of finance. Just things that we needed to know as seniors about to graduate and go off into adulthood. Everyday, I’m still learning all kinds of new things about finance. Whether it be upcoming stocks or a way to build more wealth. I hope in my future to drive positive change in underserved communities being an African American student who has seen a continuous cycle of poverty. I hope that through books, podcasts, and videos to educate people of finance and better their financial literacy, but I hope to make it fun. My journey in finance is driven by my belief in the power of knowledge & education to transform lives. I am confident of my journey and what is to come and I am so forever grateful for those around me and the teachings instilled in me. I believe that through financial education there is freedom , with more people free of financial burden and worries, there will be more peace for those in need. All throughout history it has been proven that with poverty there is so much stress and poor mental health problems. My plan for the next five years as I’m in university to write a book. I want it to be like me documenting and writing my story as I learn more and more about finance and how it applies to everyday life. The problem with most finance information is that the way the information is provided and taught is it’s too much information, too much “boring” information. I believe that with my teaching it will be more understandable and easier to consume. People respond to fun and people best respond to easy digestible knowledge. I’ve read a bunch of finance books and have felt forced to read it and bored with it because it was so much of an information dump. I hope that with my methods and personality I can inform and teach people the information better. I am very excited for my future especially because I have learned so much with fun methods.

Since I was young, I can always recount having issues with my focus. A drop of water, could even ruin my entire assignment. A dropped pencil, could simply have me wondering, “What is Mom going to make for dinner tonight” during a test. It was hard. I struggled with this for years. Testing was a struggle, reading was a struggle, focus was a struggle, and even comprehending the simple instructions given to me was a struggle. With these struggles I had my complete highs and complete lows. There was no complete neutrality in my struggle whatsoever. My grades had eventually gone from pretty mediocre to just plain right low. As puberty got worse my mood was hard to understand for my parents. I hit rock bottom. I started to fall into a depression. It seemed like it occurred out of nowhere. My Mom had been confused on “what was wrong” for years. To be honest, I was just confused as she was. I simply thought I was just “born this way”, I put the label of dumb and lazy on myself after being so bright and intelligent for my first few years in school. I mean to be fair, I was one point in the Gifted and Talented program! What had went wrong with me? Was I truly just dumb? My Mom had eventually grown worried to the point where she could no longer just sit back and watch me, at 13 upset and scared for the future due to my newfound stupidity and inability to focus. She had sat me down and explained that I was to struggle no more and she was going to get me evaluated by a psychiatrist. At the time, I probably zoned out but looking back, I am so grateful to have later been diagnosed with ADHD and Bipolar Disorder. There is no way to have ever be grateful for that mental plague but I am grateful to finally have a label for it. To not just be labeled as some dumb kid who had simply “given” up. I was grateful. With my diagnosis, as I got older, it grew more than simply just taking my nightly medicine. I learned after reading and Youtube of self-improvement. With that I began to journal, mediate, pray, take better care of myself, and built better habits. Through that, I had found my meaning and purpose. I decided to be the change that I wish to see. I am forever grateful for my growth as a human and bettering myself and the people around me. I learned so much, be grateful and always grow, and never be afraid of change and always have hope in God’s plan. Everyday, I love myself by taking care of myself and loving and respecting those around me. Through my AV club in school, I provided those with food insecurity, meals for Thanksgiving, through our AV Thanksgiving Food Drive. As someone who empathizes immensely with those who struggle finding meals every night, helping manage the fundraiser was without a doubt my best and most favorite project .

Since I was young, I can always recount having issues with my focus. A drop of water, could even ruin my entire assignment. A dropped pencil, could simply have me wondering, “What is Mom going to make for dinner tonight” during a test. It was hard. I struggled with this for years. Testing was a struggle, reading was a struggle, focus was a struggle, and even comprehending the simple instructions given to me was a struggle. With these struggles I had my complete highs and complete lows. There was no complete neutrality in my struggle whatsoever. My grades had eventually gone from pretty mediocre to just plain right low. As puberty got worse my mood was hard to understand for my parents. I hit rock bottom. I started to fall into a depression. It seemed like it occurred out of nowhere. My Mom had been confused on “what was wrong” for years. To be honest, I was just confused as she was. I simply thought I was just “born this way”, I put the label of dumb and lazy on myself after being so bright and intelligent for my first few years in school. I mean to be fair, I was one point in the Gifted and Talented program! What had went wrong with me? Was I truly just dumb? My Mom had eventually grown worried to the point where she could no longer just sit back and watch me, at 13 upset and scared for the future due to my newfound stupidity and inability to focus. She had sat me down and explained that I was to struggle no more and she was going to get me evaluated by a psychiatrist. At the time, I probably zoned out but looking back, I am so grateful to have later been diagnosed with ADHD and Bipolar Disorder. There is no way to have ever be grateful for that mental plague but I am grateful to finally have a label for it. To not just be labeled as some dumb kid who had simply “given” up. I was grateful. With my diagnosis, as I got older, it grew more than simply just taking my nightly medicine. I learned after reading and Youtube of self-improvement. With that I began to journal, mediate, pray, take better care of myself, and built better habits. Through that, I had found my meaning and purpose. I decided to be the change that I wish to see. I am forever grateful for my growth as a human and bettering myself and the people around me. I learned so much, be grateful and always grow, and never be afraid of change.

My name is Amaris Wilridge, and I am an African American student at Summer Creek High School, graduating in the class of 2024! My journey has been shaped by a deep passion for finance and a commitment to my community, which has had a positive impact on both my community and my outlook of the world. As I continue on my path to pursue finance in university, I am driven by my desire to empower individuals and communities through financial literacy. With my passion lies an interest in money and everything related to strategic planning and thinking. I have recently grown a love for investing, writing, and trading which has even furthered my love. From a young age, I have been captivated by the complex ways of finance and economics and the power they hold in shaping our world. However, my interest in finance goes beyond numbers and it is deep in a belief that financial literacy is essential for personal well-being. My love began with finance YouTubers, books, and even podcasts. Throughout my high school journey, I have actively engaged in various roles that have allowed me to develop my skills that may be well in finance and the world of business. As a videographer for my school, I have learned the importance of storytelling and writing in expressing my concepts to different audiences. As well as networking and learning people skills. Also, my involvement in hosting events has taught me the value of collaboration and teamwork in achieving big goals while also being introduced to a big diverse student body. In addition to my extracurricular activities, I have also learned through sports the importance of discipline, grit, and resilience. These qualities are very essential in the world of finance and life as a whole. As I look towards the future, I am committed to making a positive impact on the world through my career in finance, entrepreneurship, and writing. I hope that one day I can teach individuals the knowledge and skills needed to make better and smarter financial decisions and have hopes of one day making a finance book so that we can empower them to lead more secure and fulfilling lives. I believe that financial freedom is indeed freedom in life, and through my future books, I hope to teach that. I am driven and taught by all kinds of lessons but I am so grateful to have my goals after years of fear for the future. I believe that with this scholarship, I will have more motivation and I will not be so stressed with student loans and be very grateful as with a scholarship it is proven to me that someone believes in me as a growing student and my journey. Over the years I have struggled immensely with my mental health and ADHD especially in the years with 2020-2021 with the loss of 3 close family members all in the span of one year, tired stressed and afraid, I found self-improvement and began better habits like getting more sunlight, journaling, meditation, prayer, and better diet. With the help of those habits I became more grateful for my highs and lows and began to better myself in and out of school.

Growing up, by the grace of God, I never had to worry about my Mom or Dad mistreating me. Every day and every night they did what was required as a parent as well as loving me deeply. I was coddled and loved for years and all throughout I grew up in good neighborhoods, good friends, loving family, good health, clean clothes, warm meals, and if anyone were to ask me, I had the perfect childhood. It wasn’t until I began to use social media and watch Youtube until I stumbled upon all kinds of media showing and documenting childhood trauma and abuse. It was very foreign to me considering my upbringing. Little things had happened to me here and there like getting disciplined for not sharing or having a fight with my brother but never to the extent where I lost a meal or was called abusive names for making my parents angry. Of course when all of this first became aware to me, I thanked God. I prayed for every kid that had to endure this kind of pain. Why? Why is it that I had everything and they had to go through so much for so long and so many years. Back then and until this day and every time I pray, I pray for their strength and protection. If I could change one thing about this world, without a doubt I would change the fact that every child deserves a chance. Because they do. No child deserves to go to bed scared, hungry, hurt, sad, mad or anything negative. Childhood is and has always supposed to have been the best years for everyone, and to think that some have it taken away from them is the worst imaginable feeling ever. Kids that have their chances taken away unfortunately usually fall into either the cycle of abuse, drugs, crime, or break the cycle and be a good person to the world. But none of that makes it ever right, because they forever live with that lingering trauma and scars, both mental and physical. I’ve never been in there position but I feel deeply for them. Because like the famous quote, “Every child deserves a parent but not ever parent deserves a child”. If I could make one change to the world I would give every child a better chance at life without a doubt. I hope to make my change a reality one day and fix the system,.

I loved playing Mario Kart growing up with my cousins. I loved all Mario games, but for some reason, Mario Kart captivated me. They were all fun, and I cherish the memories made with those games. The thing I loved most about Mario Kart was the visuals. The designs and colors captivated a young child like me. Compared to the other games I had played, Mario Kart was so visually appealing. Colors at the time to me was my way of expression. I was always coloring, drawing, having the most colorful outfits, and so on. That is the reason it resonated the most with me. I remember playing with my cousin Sean and Uncle Duck, and at the time, he had recently just bought the Wii for my cousins, and I remember going every weekend simply just to play a few games. After a long week of doing simple math and short readings, I needed some time to relax and blow off some steam. My life was great. I remember trash talking to my cousins and Uncle Duck, and it was all fun and games until I got hit with the banana peel! What a day. I went from first to last. And with that story, I keep that as a memorable moment because it reminds me to always stay humble and be full of gratitude. Always remember that anything given to you can be taken at any moment.

“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” That quote captivated me like no other when I attended the play for Maya Angelou at the Ensemble Theater in downtown Houston. This was my first play, and I was a bit nervous. I was usually used to flashing media like movies or TV, but with this play, I felt more present than ever. To see her story showcased in such a way brought tears to my eyes. It was about 3–4 hours, but I was enjoying myself so much that it felt like minutes! I knew very little of Ms. Angelou’s story beforehand. I knew nothing of her battle within and through this crazy world. I knew very little; all I had seen of her was some sort of famous African American poet, but with this play, I realized she was much more than that. She was dealt many trials and tribulations, she lived with her grandmother for a long, and then she went on to live with her mother at the age where puberty begins, leading to a whirlwind of emotions, was raped by who she felt safest with, was mute for years, which led to her creating one of her best pieces, became a mother at a young age, wrote books, became an advocate for women and African American rights, and so much! Throughout her life. She was truly remarkable. Her story is a testimony that there is something beautiful to find within everything. Throughout her life, she could’ve been a victim to her circumstances, but she stood up to them and made something great out of it. Creating books, poetry, shows, and speaking around the world inspiring millions. I believe if I had not gone to the play, I would have never heard that quote which I applied to my life and I would have always seen her as a simple African American activist and poet. But she was much more than just that. Not a survivor, but a fighter. Not just a poet but a voice. Not just an activist but a leader. She was much more than that and I am grateful for her determination and hard work. She never fell victim to the problems life gave her. That is why I am inspired by her. Because of her remarkable outlook on her lfie finding beauty and art in everything. Which is how I see my life now.

The year is 2014. It's the month of December. I had been watching all kinds of Minecraft Let's Plays. DanTDM, SkyDoesMinecraft, PopularMMO, and StampyLongNose. My parents hadn't heard enough of my sob story about why I needed Minecraft and a new Xbox 360. Every day when the countdown decoration we had in the living room went down one more day, I was sure to remind them that Minecraft was the "hottest new thing out.". Well, to be fair, I was 8. I'm sure I said multiple things about getting that Minecraft disk. I mean, my best friends Avery, Austin, and Kyla have Minecraft! I was sure to be next. The thing I loved most about Minecraft wasn't the hype around it at the time. But it seemed to 8-year-old me that anything in Minecraft was possible. Hunger Games, Mini Games, Building, Villagers, and SO MUCH MORE. Christmas day. I woke up, and my eye was on the prize! I was sure that huge box hidden behind the tree was my Xbox and Minecraft. I head for it. I'm stopped. "Why don't you open everything else first, Ammi?" my mom said. To be honest, that was probably one of my greatest Christmases, but I was so stuck on the box that I pouted for a bit. Within a couple minutes, and with each gift we opened, there it was. Me being me, I tried to act all nonchalant. I opened the box with my brother. There it was!!!! My game! Minecraft! THE BEST GIFT EVER! I COULD BARELY BREATHE!!! Oh, and the Xbox was pretty cool. But Minecraft! I was so grateful! I'm sure I was the happiest kid alive in the world at that time. Playing the game, it seemed like there were endless possibilities. There was always something new to do or learn in the game. It was forever bound to grow. I loved it. Each year, the game became better as I grew up. And when my new younger brother, born in 2018, was begging for a Nintendo Switch with Minecraft this year, I cried. This game came in full circle. Christmas Day came, and he had his Minecraft campaign all month, just like me. The possibilities in Minecraft are endless. And it continues to grow. That resonates with me because, like in Minecraft, in life, the possibilities are forever endless. There is always a story to be told.

"Adulthood was not the problem, I was." would be the name of the chapter. As I come to the end of my senior year, I've come to realize that adulthood isn't as scary as I thought. But only time can and will tell for me. But in the end, truly, it was me holding myself back. The title of my chapter, "Adulthood wasn’t the Problem, I Was," reflects my journey of finding myself and the role that my passions played in helping me find my way. At first, the idea of growing up and facing the unknown was scary. I worried about what the future held and whether I was ready for it. However, despite my uncertainty, being alive provided me with so much comfort. Exploring self-improvement opened my eyes to a whole new set of possibilities. What started as a curiosity from finding YouTube videos and podcasts soon turned into a passion that gave me direction and purpose. Becoming the best version of myself helped me physically, mentally, and spiritually. I realized that adulthood wasn't the problem, but rather that my doubts and fears were holding me back. I heard all kinds of stories about adulthood, making it even more scary, but self-improvement became my guide, and I realized that life is truly all about mindset. Life is a constant journey. Healing is a constant journey. Learning is all in the journey. It all comes down to who you choose to be and why. It wasn't until I confronted my insecurities head-on that I began to truly thrive. I learned to embrace my strengths and weaknesses, my highs and lows, knowing that they were part of what made me unique. And with each lesson, I became more resilient, knowing that I had the power to shape my destiny. As I prepare to step into the next phase of my life, I do so with confidence and optimism. I know that adulthood may bring challenges, but I'm no longer afraid to face them. With my experience and lessons as my compass, I feel prepared to tackle whatever comes my way. This is a testament to the power of self-discovery and the importance of following your passions. Through self-improvement, I found not only my career path but also the confidence to embrace adulthood with open arms. And as I look to the future, I do so with excitement and anticipation, knowing that I have everything I need to succeed.

My favorite movie, "Forrest Gump," drastically changed my perspective, particularly as a black kid coping with bipolar disorder and ADHD. Because, like Mama Gump said, "Life is like a box of chocolates.". At times in my life, there have been all kinds of chocolates to pick from, like Forrest Gump. There have been times in class where it was hard to focus and I believed I was going nowhere in my schooling, a hard time loving the wrong one (you can laugh), times where I needed to run away from my bullies (true story, history likes to repeat itself), or just times when the world dealt me a bad hand in certain situations. I learned a lot from Forrest, the main character. Despite the many obstacles he had to overcome, he never gave up. And I, too, have been in situations where the only solution seemed to be to give up. But instead, he maintained his optimism and continued. Forrest's treatment of people was one thing that truly resonated with me. He was always nice and respectful to them, regardless of who they were or how they treated him. Although I was bullied in 5th grade and middle school, I never stopped loving people and treating them with kindness. I never truly grew angry at the world. He made me realize how important it is to treat everyone nicely, even when it's difficult. Forrest also taught me that it's acceptable to be unique. He never tried to be someone he wasn't; he just did things his way. Although certain assignments were hard for me to do due to the complexity of the questions or readings, I still put in work in and out of the class and did it "my way.". That gave me inspiration to embrace myself and anything given to me. It was truly motivating to see Forrest grow from a young child wearing leg braces to a prosperous adult. It gave me hope that, despite how hard times may appear, I can overcome my personal obstacles and realize my dreams. Through my love for this movie, I gained a love for finance. A once math-hating kid turned into a math and numbers-loving kid! I also gained a deeper understanding of history from the film. I felt moved to learn more about important events in history like the struggle for civil rights and the Vietnam War since they were presented from Forrest's perspective. And then with my love for US History aced my history STAAR and history class with an A, all year. All in all, Mr. Gump gave me several valuable life lessons, including to always keep up my optimism, treat people with kindness, embrace who I am, and never give up on my goals. I will always have a particular place in my heart for this truly beautiful movie.

My name is Amaris Wilridge, and I am an transgender (transmasculine) African American student at Summer Creek High School. My journey has been shaped by a deep passion for finance and a commitment to making a positive impact on those around me after much struggles with peers and family as a transman. My experiences have led me to want to make an impact on the world around me. In the LGBTQ+ community, self-identification as a transgender man adds layers to the process of self-acceptance and self-discovery. When I was a child, I was broken. I was broken because I knew I was in the wrong body. But growing up with a religious family held me back far. I was afraid. The story I tell shows the challenges and successes of navigating my trans identity. It is built around my interactions with family and my pursuit of personal and professional goals. My experience as a transgender man has been characterized by growth and perseverance within a family environment. My family struggled to comprehend and accept my identity and they met me with uncertainty and fear which led to sadness and anger. Mutual understanding and acceptance came over time from conversations that were frequently challenging and emotional. As a transgender man, navigating both personal and professional goals has been a path of self-affirmation and empowerment. I have faced biases and obstacles in my quest for my objectives arising from social misconceptions about transgender people like me. However, I have persevered with firm resolve, using my experiences to promote diversity and representation in the future, I hope to further the LGBTQIA+ community through active advocacy and community engagement, in addition to my accomplishments. As a transgender man, I understand how critical it is to elevate underrepresented perspectives and eliminate social barriers to inclusion. Using volunteer work, mentorship plans, and advocacy campaigns, my goal is to establish environments that embrace diversity and promote inclusivity, assuring that every person, irrespective of gender identity, has the chance to achieve success. I chose finance because, from a young age, I have been captivated by the complex ways of financial systems and the power they hold in shaping our world, whether it be little or small. However, my interest in finance extends beyond numbers, and it is rooted in a belief that financial literacy is essential for personal well-being. My journey of self-discovery and advocacy has led me to the conclusion that authenticity is crucial. Adopting my transgender identity is a statement of rejection against social standards that aim to exclude and erase me in addition to an act of self-acceptance. It is evidence of the human spirit and the strength of community in life. Belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community and identifying as a transgender man involves a journey of self-discovery, family relationships, and activism. My story shows that with the transforming power of sincerity, sensitivity, and education in promoting acceptance and understanding. I am motivated by a strong sense of purpose as I look to the future as a "finance-bro" to use my privileges and experiences to positively impact the LGBTQIA community and beyond. For me, identity is more than simply who I am; it's also about the path we are all taking to create a society that is more equal and inclusive. I am so grateful for the person I have become and can’t wait to continuously grow. I will be forever grateful for my life. I am also committed to making a positive impact on the world through my career in finance. You don't see too many "open" LGBTQ+ people in spaces like business, and I would be more than happy to break the barrier. I hope that one day I can teach individuals the knowledge and skills needed to make better and smarter financial decisions and have hopes of one day making a finance book, or even a book about my story so that I can empower them to lead more secure and fulfilling lives. My gender doesn't define me. Not just that but rather my journey and hardships.

In the LGBTQ+ community, self-identification as a transgender man adds layers to the process of self-acceptance and self-discovery. The story I tell shows the challenges and successes of navigating transgender identity. It is created through my interactions with family, my pursuit of personal and professional goals. My experience as a transgender man has been characterized by growth and perseverance within a family environment. My family struggled to comprehend and accept my identity and they met me with uncertainty and fear. Mutual understanding and acceptance came over time from conversations that were frequently challenging and emotional. Our relationship now flourishes on a basis of love and respect, despite ongoing obstacles, demonstrating the transformational power of empathy and candid communication. As a transgender man, navigating both personal and professional goals has been a path of self-affirmation and empowerment. I have faced biases and obstacles in my quest for my objectives arising from social misconceptions about transgender people like me. However, I have persevered with firm resolve, using my experiences to promote diversity and representation in the future, I hope to further the LGBTQIA+ community through active advocacy and community engagement, in addition to my accomplishments. As a transgender man, I understand how critical it is to elevate underrepresented perspectives and eliminate social barriers to inclusion. Using volunteer work, mentorship plans, and advocacy campaigns, my goal is to establish environments that embrace diversity and promote inclusivity, assuring that every person, irrespective of gender identity, has the chance to achieve success. I chose finance because, from a young age, I have been captivated by the complex ways of financial systems and the power they hold in shaping our world, whether it be little or small. However, my interest in finance extends beyond numbers, and it is rooted in a belief that financial literacy is essential for personal well-being. My journey of self-discovery and advocacy has led me to the conclusion that authenticity is crucial. Adopting my transgender identity is a statement of rejection against social standards that aim to exclude and erase me in addition to an act of self-acceptance. It is evidence of the human spirit and the strength of community in life. Belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community and identifying as a transgender man involves a journey of self-discovery, family relationships, and activism. My story shows that with the transforming power of sincerity, sensitivity, and education in promoting acceptance and understanding. I am motivated by a strong sense of purpose as I look to the future as a "finance-bro" to use my privileges and experiences to positively impact the LGBTQIA community and beyond. For me, identity is more than simply who I am; it's also about the path we are all taking to create a society that is more equal and inclusive. I am so grateful for the person I have become and can’t wait to continuously grow. I will be forever grateful for my life. I am also committed to making a positive impact on the world through my career in finance. You don't see too many "open" LGBTQ+ people in spaces like business, and I would be more than happy to break the barrier. I hope that one day I can teach individuals the knowledge and skills needed to make better and smarter financial decisions and have hopes of one day making a finance book, so that we can empower them to lead more secure and fulfilling lives. Through internships and mentorship opportunities, I hope to gain practical experience and insights that will enable me to become an effective advocate for financial literacy and inclusion.

They told me not to join as a senior. Told me that it was "too late". I was standing at a fork in the road. I wanted to try something new. See life differently. It was more than just saying goodbye to the comfortable halls and thinking about the unknown future, it was about grabbing a chance I never would have imagined. I became a member of the wrestling team. I had always found wrestling to be a scary sport that required strategy, perseverance, and drive. I had no idea that this choice would not only affect my senior year but also change the way I thought about being a champion. Walking into the wrestling room for the first time, I was nervous. I won’t lie. I watched all sorts of crazy videos about intense training and injuries. I felt a huge mix of feelings with excitement going through my mind. The majority of the team had been training for years, honing their skills and friendship, while I was a new person, a latecomer to the sport. But I refused to let my lack of experience define me as a wrestler. As a senior, I had already faced my fair share of challenges, navigating the hard academic demands of being an honors student while juggling extracurricular activities and personal commitments. Yet, there was something uniquely impressive about stepping onto the wrestling mat. It was a battleground where strength, agility, and mental work put on a test of character. My journey as an wrestler was not without its setbacks. There were moments of doubt, times when I questioned my decision to step out of my comfort zone. But with each defeat came a lesson. A reminder that failure is not a stumbling block but a stepping stone to growth. I dedicated myself to the sport with unwavering determination, spending countless hours refining my technique, studying opponents' strategies, watching videos of my opponents, and pushing my limits in every practice. Even though the odds were stacked against me, I resisted being anxious and remained in my presence. My teammates taught me various things, and my coach motivated me. Every game was a chance to surpass expectations and demonstrate that perseverance and determination could overcome natural skill. I was proud of myself and every other person who dared to dream bigger than their circumstances whenever I won. My journey as a wrestler mirrored my academic pursuits. Just as I strove for excellence in the classroom, earning top grades and accolades, I brought the same level of dedication to the wrestling mat. Balancing the demands of academics and athletics was no easy journey, but it taught me the invaluable lesson of time management and prioritization. I had developed friendships with my teammates by the conclusion of my senior year, and it showed in the wrestling room. Our mutual love of the sport and our common wrestling adventure brought us together as a team. My first-year record of 18-3 served as a monument to the tenacity and fortitude that characterized my senior year. It wasn't just about wins in the end but the resilience of the team that won out in the end. My wrestling experience taught me that the ability to rise above obstacles and overcome them head-on is what makes a person great, not natural skill or lucky circumstances. Upon saying goodbye to high school and starting the next phase of my adventure, I brought with me lessons and a new type of discipline. I am forever grateful to God.

My name is Amaris Wilridge, and I am an African American student at Summer Creek High School. My journey has been shaped by a deep passion for finance and a commitment to making a positive impact on my community which has led me to want to make an impact on the world around me. As I embark on the path to pursue finance in university, I am driven by a desire to empower individuals and communities through financial literacy and understanding. At the heart of my passion lies an interest in money and everything related to strategized planning and thinking. From a young age, I have been captivated by the complex ways of financial systems and the power they hold in shaping our world, whether it be little or small. However, my interest in finance extends beyond numbers and it is rooted in a belief that financial literacy is essential for personal well-being. I started to fall in love with finance YouTubers, books, and even podcasts. I slowly figured that this was my passion. Throughout my high school journey, I have actively engaged in various roles that have allowed me to develop my skills that may be well in finance. As a videographer for my school, I have learned the importance of storytelling and communication in expressing concepts to diverse audiences. As well as networking and learning people skills. Also, my involvement in hosting events has taught me the value of collaboration and teamwork in achieving big goals. In addition to my extracurricular activities, I have also learned through sports, the importance of discipline, perseverance, and resilience these qualities are essential in the world of finance. As I look towards the future, I am committed to making a positive impact on the world through my career in finance. I hope that one day I can teach individuals the knowledge and skills needed to make better and smarter financial decisions and have hopes of one day making a finance book, so that we can empower them to lead more secure and fulfilling lives. Through internships and mentorship opportunities, I hope to gain practical experience and insights that will enable me to become an effective advocate for financial literacy and inclusion. And, I aspire to be an investment banker and drive positive change in underserved communities being an African American female student who has seen a continuous cycle of poverty I believe I can help fix given the opportunities. By using my expertise and resources, I aim to support initiatives that promote economic development, entrepreneurship, and social equity. Finally, my journey in finance is driven by a deep-seated belief in the power of empathy and education to transform lives. Through my passion for money and strategic planning, I aim to empower individuals and communities to achieve their financial goals and aspirations. By working towards greater financial literacy and understanding, I am confident that I can make a meaningful and lasting impact on the world around me.

My name is Amaris Wilridge, and I am an African American student at Summer Creek High School. My journey has been shaped by a deep passion for finance and a commitment to making a positive impact on my community which has led me to want to make an impact on the world around me. As I embark on the path to pursue finance in university, I am driven by a desire to empower individuals and communities through financial literacy and understanding. At the heart of my passion lies an interest in money and everything related to strategized planning and thinking. From a young age, I have been captivated by the complex ways of financial systems and the power they hold in shaping our world, whether it be little or small. However, my interest in finance extends beyond numbers and it is rooted in a belief that financial literacy is essential for personal well-being. I started to fall in love with finance YouTubers, books, and even podcasts. I slowly figured that this was my passion. Throughout my high school journey, I have actively engaged in various roles that have allowed me to develop my skills that may be well in finance. As a videographer for my school, I have learned the importance of storytelling and communication in expressing concepts to diverse audiences. As well as networking and learning people skills. Also, my involvement in hosting events has taught me the value of collaboration and teamwork in achieving big goals. In addition to my extracurricular activities, I have also learned through sports, the importance of discipline, perseverance, and resilience these qualities are essential in the world of finance. As I look towards the future, I am committed to making a positive impact on the world through my career in finance. I hope that one day I can teach individuals the knowledge and skills needed to make better and smarter financial decisions and have hopes of one day making a finance book, so that we can empower them to lead more secure and fulfilling lives. Through internships and mentorship opportunities, I hope to gain practical experience and insights that will enable me to become an effective advocate for financial literacy and inclusion. And, I aspire to be an investment banker and drive positive change in underserved communities being an African American female student who has seen a continuous cycle of poverty I believe I can help fix given the opportunities. By using my expertise and resources, I aim to support initiatives that promote economic development, entrepreneurship, and social equity. Finally, my journey in finance is driven by a deep-seated belief in the power of empathy and education to transform lives. Through my passion for money and strategic planning, I aim to empower individuals and communities to achieve their financial goals and aspirations. By working towards greater financial literacy and understanding, I am confident that I can make a meaningful and lasting impact on the world around me.

Mental and physical health has not always been spoken about, especially in African American culture, which is why it is important to take care of yourself always regardless of what life has thrown you. My overall well-being depends heavily on both my physical and mental wellness, which also greatly influences a person's ability to lead a happy and productive life. I am so grateful that my mom broke the cycle and introduced me to mental health wellness and care because that has led me to be the best me. Being both mentally and physically well is important, especially as a student and human being, good mental health is connected with higher levels of cognition, which includes a greater ability for learning, understanding, problem-solving, and making choices. With proper daily exercise, you are in a better mindset which leads to better mental health. I realized that whenever I stop some form of exercise my mental health and wellbeing plummet which leads for me leads to poor grades and social life. As an extrovert, I value my social life highly. My mental health is essential to me as I know what it feels like to hit rock bottom. I journal, meditate, go outside, exercise, and read daily which has improved my wellbeing drastically since destroying my old habits. Trying to maintain good mental and physical well-being stress and anxiety can be brought on by high standards from peers and family, terrible timeframes that interfere with my wrestling or other classes I have, and the need to just do well. And it's even harder when my schedule gets very busy from me being a student-athlete with challenging classes. Sometimes it can even get hard when my friends or family want to do things like go out when I have assignments or when I procrastinate and get anxious about missing the deadline. However, I have found and realized that challenging myself daily or learning discipline has helped me a lot with bettering and maintaining a good mental and physical state. I know what it is like to hit rock bottom and never would want to put myself or the others around me through that again as once I am in there seems to be no out for a very long time. I have been a huge advocate to my friends and family for the importance of taking care of yourself and loving yourself always. As someone who has struggled with good habits, I love to realize my growth and who I have become in such perfect timing. To prioritize taking care of myself I learned time management skills, asked for help when I needed it, and developed a healthy lifestyle to overcome these hurdles. Maintaining excellent mental and physical health involves a balance between personal and academic life, support from others, and challenging yourself here and there.

As an African American female student pursuing finance and actively involved in various roles such as being a videographer for my school, hosting media events, and being on both the wrestling and golf teams I've come to realize the impact of volunteerism and community service. One particular experience that stands out is the Thanksgiving food drive I organized alongside my AV production peers. Through my journey, I learned valuable lessons about the importance of giving back and the power of action in creating positive change in my community. My experience with volunteering was about more than just helping others it's more so about building and connecting communities. No matter how little, every act of kindness has the power to deeply impact someone's life, and once I realized this I became more full of gratitude and wanted to help more and more. I got a better understanding of the difficulties experienced by students and families by helping plan the Thanksgiving food drive. I realized that I never had to struggle and I never had to ever worry about whether I had a meal one night or the other, and with that, I even got more empathy from the humble experience, which also reaffirmed how important it is to lend a helping hand to those in need. Working together with my peers in AV production revealed the importance of cooperation and group effort. We put in a lot of effort as a team to organize and carry out the food drive, which also helped me build teamwork but we also inspired our school community to provide their support getting donations from students all around my school. Seeing how we as a team could have a real influence on other people's lives was inspiring. I learned the value of teamwork and the transformational potential of community service from this experience. As an African American female student pursuing finance, an industry that usually doesn’t have people like me I see myself as a brave person seeking change and wanting to break boundaries and be a leader within my community. Engaging in volunteer activities has not only cultivated a sense of responsibility but also empowered me to be a catalyst for positive change. By actively participating in initiatives that address social issues, I challenge stereotypes and inspire others to join me in making a difference. Encouraging broader participation in community service requires creating a supportive and inclusive environment that values charity and involvement. Utilizing my skills as a videographer, I've been able to raise awareness about school issues and the importance of volunteerism through our media content by posting ads on our social media page and hanging posters we made. I've also taken on the role of mentor, offering guidance and support to those interested in getting involved in volunteer activities. In conclusion, my journey in volunteering and community has been incredibly fulfilling and awesome. Through experiences like organizing the Thanksgiving food drive, our first media day, and so much more, I've learned the importance of giving back and the power of action in creating positive change. As I continue on this journey, I am committed to inspiring others to join me in making a difference in our communities. Together, we can build a more loving and compassionate world.

Mental and physical health has not always been spoken about especially mental health in the past which is why it is important to take care of yourself always. Overall well-being depends heavily on both physical and mental wellness, which also greatly influences a person's ability to lead a happy and productive life. Being both mentally and physically well is important, especially as a student and human being. Good mental health is connected with higher levels of cognition, which includes a greater ability for learning, understanding, problem-solving, and making choices. With proper daily exercise, you are in a better mindset which leads to better mental health. I realized that whenever I stop some form of exercise my mental health and wellbeing plummet which leads for me leads to poor grades and social life. As an extrovert, I value my social life highly. My mental health is essential to me as I know what it feels like to hit rock bottom. I journal, meditate, go outside, exercise, and read daily which has improved my wellbeing drastically since destroying my old habits. Trying to maintain good mental and physical well-being stress and anxiety can be brought on by high standards from peers and family, terrible timeframes that interfere with my wrestling or other classes I have, and the need to just simply do well. And it's even harder when my schedule gets very busy from me being a student-athlete with challenging classes. Sometimes it can even get hard when my friends or family want to do things like go out when I have assignments or when I procrastinate and get anxious about missing the deadline. However, I have found and realized that challenging myself daily or learning discipline has helped me a lot with bettering and maintaining a good mental and physical state. I know what it is like to hit rock bottom and never would want to put myself or the others around me through that again as once I am in there seems to be no out for a very long time. I have been a huge advocate to my friends and family for the importance of taking care of yourself and loving yourself always. As someone who has struggled with good habits, I love to realize my growth as a person and who I have become in such perfect timing. To prioritize taking care of myself I learned time management skills, asked for help when I needed it, and developed a healthy lifestyle to overcome these hurdles. Maintaining excellent mental and physical health involves a balance between personal and academic life, support from others, and challenging yourself here and there.