Ever since I was young, my family spoke heavily about the significance of higher education as an opportunity for success. As an Afro Hispanic growing up in the Bronx, New York, who lives in the projects I have always known college was never an option, it was something I had to pursue. My immigrant mother works 12+ hours for my twin and I so we can be stable and have some “sort” of food in our system. I do not want her to have a financial burden due to our success. Paying thousands of dollars for college is something she can’t afford on her own. The sad reality is that immigrants make America but with the lack of benefits they receive is sickening just because they do not have a degree. The system has failed them tremendously, seeing my mother and other family members working so many hours and they still lack money is diabolical. This scholarship would not only ease the financial burden but also influence me to continue my desire of becoming a financial analyst. My aim is to attend a 4 year university and major in economics. I am dedicated to comprehending the history of wealth , how it communicates, and most importantly how financial planning can help families, especially mine kind, to build a better future. My degree will be used to make changes such as, helping low income families how to manage their finances, achieve stability, and avoid debt. By successfully succeeding in college , I will give back to my community in methods that make a lasting impact, due to the fact my family and I were once in their shoes. The journey to this point of being a senior in High School has not always been easy. As a student, I have experienced the pressure to assimilate with American culture so I can prove I was “enough”. Reading books like Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie gave me courage. Ifemelu’s story of being a Nigerian woman in America reflected deeply with my own struggles of wealth, identity, and belonging. Her choice to embrace her natural hair rather than believing the comments of others reminded me that I, too, shouldn’t have to change who I am to be accepted. Her story pushes me to pursue my goals with dedication, even when obstacles occur. I once heard “Easy has no story” that resonates with me because whatever tribulations happen in my everyday life will influence me to push through to become the woman I want to be rather than being stuck in the same position with the feeling of despair. Receiving this scholarship will mean everything to me. It would symbolize an investment in my career and the chance to show people like me, who come from disadvantaged backgrounds that they can achieve anything with determination and dedication. With your support, I will be able to pursue my degree, excel in many areas, and above all turn my dream into a reality.

Ever since I was young, my family spoke heavily about the significance of higher education as an opportunity for success. As an Afro Hispanic growing up in the Bronx, New York, who lives in the projects I have always known college was never an option, it was something I had to pursue. My immigrant mother works 12+ hours for my twin and I so we can be stable and have some “sort” of food in our system. I do not want her to have a financial burden due to our success. Paying thousands of dollars for college is something she can’t afford on her own. The sad reality is that immigrants make America but with the lack of benefits they receive is sickening just because they do not have a degree. The system has failed them tremendously, seeing my mother and other family members working so many hours and they still lack money is diabolical. This scholarship would not only ease the financial burden but also influence me to continue my desire of becoming a financial analyst. My aim is to attend a 4 year university and major in economics. I am dedicated to comprehending the history of wealth , how it communicates, and most importantly how financial planning can help families, especially mine kind, to build a better future. My degree will be used to make changes such as, helping low income families how to manage their finances, achieve stability, and avoid debt. By successfully succeeding in college , I will give back to my community in methods that make a lasting impact, due to the fact my family and I were once in their shoes. The journey to this point of being a senior in High School has not always been easy. As a student, I have experienced the pressure to assimilate with American culture so I can prove I was “enough”. Reading books like Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie gave me courage. Ifemelu’s story of being a Nigerian woman in America reflected deeply with my own struggles of wealth, identity, and belonging. Her choice to embrace her natural hair rather than believing the comments of others reminded me that I, too, shouldn’t have to change who I am to be accepted. Her story pushes me to pursue my goals with dedication, even when obstacles occur. I once heard “Easy has no story” that resonates with me because whatever tribulations happen in my everyday life will influence me to push through to become the woman I want to be rather than being stuck in the same position with the feeling of despair. Receiving this scholarship will mean everything to me. It would symbolize an investment in my career and the chance to show people like me, who come from disadvantaged backgrounds that they can achieve anything with determination and dedication. With your support, I will be able to pursue my degree, excel in many areas, and above all turn my dream into a reality.

Growing up as a twin, I was always compared to my sister, who was seen as the “intelligent one.” On top of that, I had an IEP for speech, which made it harder for me to express myself. People often overlooked me or assumed I wasn’t capable. Things became even harder when I was held back in second grade. I’ll never forget how students surrounded me on the first day asking, “Why is this new girl in our class?” I wasn’t new—I had been retained. From that moment, I was bullied and labeled as the twin who “failed.” Those experiences left me feeling isolated and hurt, and they showed me how damaging bullying can be to a child’s confidence and self-worth. That pain didn’t disappear overnight. Bullying—whether in person or online—can follow someone for years. I know how it feels to cry silently after being called different, to doubt yourself, and to wonder if you’ll ever be enough. That’s why I care deeply about protecting children and teens from bullying. I’ve lived the emotional turmoil it causes, and I want to make sure others don’t feel the same way I once did. Over time, I found strength in my family, my faith, and my ability to keep trying even when things got hard. Through experiences like Genesys Works, I learned professionalism, time management, and how to face challenges with confidence. Those lessons shaped the way I now contribute to my community. I encourage younger kids not to stay silent if they are bullied and remind them that they are never alone. I speak openly about how bullying can damage someone’s emotional health, but also how healing begins with support and kindness. Cyberbullying, especially, is an issue I’m passionate about. Unlike in-person bullying, which often ends once you leave school, cyberbullying follows kids home, invading what should be their safe space. It can make a child feel like there’s no escape. I believe one way to protect kids online is by teaching them how to use social media responsibly and creating spaces where they can talk openly about their experiences. I also encourage peers to think about the power of their words before posting or commenting. Small acts of empathy and awareness can prevent someone else from carrying the same weight I once carried. My story is also shaped by financial challenges. My family has always worked hard to provide for me, but money has often been tight. That has pushed me to value every opportunity I get and to stay determined even when things aren’t easy. The support I receive allows me to focus not only on my own growth but also on giving back to others in meaningful ways. When I reflect on my journey, I don’t just see the girl who was bullied or underestimated. I see resilience. I see a young woman who turned pain into power and who now uses her voice to make a difference. I want to continue standing against bullying in schools, in homes, and online—so that no child feels the isolation I once did. My past didn’t break me, it built me into someone who is determined to be a source of protection, encouragement, and strength for others

Growing up, I was always compared to my twin sister, who was viewed as the “intelligent one.” I often heard, “Why is she so different?” or “Why doesn’t she comprehend things like her twin?” On top of that, I had an IEP for speech, which made it harder for me to communicate clearly. People overlooked me because of it, assuming I wasn’t capable. Those comparisons and judgments cut deeply, and instead of confronting them, I isolated myself. But over time, I realized that those experiences, while painful, would become my motivation to push forward. In elementary school, I didn’t take school seriously. I gave teachers attitude, got constant phone calls home, and dreaded parent-teacher conferences. I’ll never forget one teacher telling my mom, “Your daughter is incapable of passing.” At the time, I brushed it off and continued acting out while my sister earned honor rolls. Deep down, though, I was afraid the teacher might be right. Reading at home was also difficult. My mom made both of us read daily, but while my sister read calmly, I grew impatient and disengaged. Sometimes I would pretend to read, not realizing how valuable those moments were for improving my speech and comprehension. The turning point came when I was told I would be held back in second grade. Repeating a grade was humiliating, and students constantly asked, “Why is this new girl in our class?” I wasn’t new—I had been retained. To make matters worse, I was bullied for being the twin who got held back. That year, I decided to go by a new name: Amy. It gave me a sense of a fresh start, as if I could reinvent myself into someone stronger. Even with this change, I still struggled with focus and behavior. Meetings with teachers became routine, and I often left classrooms in tears, wondering why I couldn’t get it right. But eventually, I asked myself a different question: “What can I do to better myself?” That mindset shift made all the difference. I began to see school as a way to build my future, not just a place to be judged. In high school, I made a promise to “lock in” and focus. It wasn’t easy—I failed two classes in my first quarter—but with determination, my IEP supports, my family’s encouragement, and faith in God, I turned things around. I passed both semesters and avoided summer school. My mom and sister pushed me to take tutoring and redo assignments, and I finally started listening. That persistence led me to join Genesys Works, where I developed time management, professionalism, and the confidence to face challenges directly. It proved to me that success isn’t about being labeled “smart,” but about working hard, staying disciplined, and never giving up. Looking back, I no longer see failure. I see resilience. I am no longer just “the twin who was different.” I am Amy—someone who turned her IEP challenges, setbacks, and pain into strength. My past didn’t break me; it built me. What motivates me to continue my education is knowing that I can transform doubt into drive, and that my story is only just beginning.

I’ve had a lot of experiences that shaped the way I see life, school, and my future. Growing up wasn’t easy. My dad abandoned my family, and my mom couldn’t take care of me or my twin because of her struggles. That’s how we ended up in foster care, living with my aunt. I didn’t know how to deal with the pain from all of that, so for a long time I acted out. I gave teachers attitude, didn’t take school seriously, and acted like I didn’t care. But the truth is, I was angry and lost. Even though those years were hard, they also taught me a lot about myself. My aunt never gave up on me, no matter how frustrated I made her. She pushed me to keep trying and reminded me that I was capable of more. That encouragement stuck with me. Little by little, I started to change how I saw myself. Instead of thinking, “I’m not good enough,” I began asking, “What can I do to get better?” One of the biggest turning points for me was joining Genesys Works. It was my first real job in a professional setting, and at first, I was nervous because I didn’t think I belonged there. But being in that program taught me so much. I learned how to manage my time, stay organized, and act professionally. More than anything, I learned confidence—understanding that I don’t need to be perfect to succeed. My mentors in the program showed me how to push through challenges, and those lessons will stay with me for life. I’ve also had smaller experiences that meant a lot. Volunteering at school events, helping classmates who were struggling, and just being there for people reminded me that giving back matters. I used to think success was just about myself, but I’ve learned it’s also about lifting others up. I wouldn’t be where I am without the people who believed in me, so I want to do the same for others. The mentors in my life—my aunt, my teachers, and the adults I’ve met through Genesys Works—have all taught me something important. Some lessons were big, like realizing that hard work beats being “naturally smart.” Some were small, like learning that being five minutes early shows respect. Put together, those lessons have shaped me into the person I am today: someone who knows I can’t change my past, but I can shape my future. Looking ahead, I want to earn my degree and use it to give back to my community. My goal is to mentor and inspire young people, especially those in foster care or tough family situations, and show them that their past doesn’t define them. I want to be living proof that you can turn pain into motivation and create a future you’re proud of. When I look back now, I don’t just see the mistakes I made. I see growth. I see someone who kept going even when people doubted her. I see someone who went from being the “different twin” to someone determined to succeed. And that’s just the beginning.

I grew up in the foster care system and lived with my aunt because my parents couldn’t take care of me and my twin. My dad walked out on us, and my mom wasn’t able to raise us because of her own struggles. That was really hard on me, and I didn’t always know how to handle it. Instead of asking for help, I acted out in school. I gave teachers attitude, didn’t take things seriously, and made it seem like I didn’t care. Deep down, though, I was hurting and didn’t know how to let it out. Being in foster care wasn’t easy, but living with my aunt gave me some stability. She pushed me to stay focused and reminded me not to give up on myself, even when I felt like I was falling behind. At first, I didn’t listen. I failed classes, repeated a grade, and honestly felt embarrassed about being the “twin who got held back.” But slowly, I started to realize that my struggles didn’t have to control my future. I could decide who I wanted to be. High school was the real turning point. I promised myself to “lock in” and stay focused, even when it got tough. My freshman year I almost fell back into old habits and failed two classes. But instead of quitting, I pushed myself to do better. I went to tutoring, redid assignments, and kept going even when it felt impossible. My sister and aunt encouraged me, and I started to see real progress. That effort paid off when I got into Genesys Works, a program that gave me professional experience. It taught me how to manage my time, stay organized, and work in a professional setting. More than that, it showed me that success isn’t about being the smartest—it’s about being determined and consistent. When I earn my degree, I want to use it to give back to my community. I know what it feels like to be overlooked or doubted, and I don’t want other kids to feel the way I did. I want to mentor and inspire young people, especially those in foster care or tough family situations, and show them that their story doesn’t have to end where it started. My past didn’t break me—it shaped me. I’ve learned that setbacks don’t mean the end, they mean a chance to grow. I’m ready to use my story, my education, and my determination to not only build a future for myself, but also to help others believe in theirs.