My college experience has been shaped by my involvement and appreciation for community service and leadership. I planned an entrepreneurial career to practice my leadership skills with my own purpose and intentions. I have worked for many businesses and represented many student organizations on campus. I served as the President of the Community Service Club, Director of the Council of Student Organizations, an executive board member for the Business and Professional Women’s Scholarship House, and an Elite Owl Ambassador and Mentor. I even worked as an Event Coordinator for the President's office. I learned to collaborate and build strong personal and organizational strategies. I have followed the missions of these organizations, but I have yet to find the passion in their intentions long-term. This is where my drive to be an entrepreneur started. These past experiences allow me to practice business, leadership, and management beyond the textbooks, yet they fall short of my satisfaction to represent something truly meaningful to me. I had to start something of my own. My twin sister and I found a passion in cleaning that stemmed from out family members having this as a re-occurring obstacle in their lives. We want to support families and individuals who may have the same struggle. Not only does hoarding impact people's physical health, but also their mental health and confidence. Our business "Tidy Twins" offers maintenance services, deep cleaning, and hoarding cleanup services to residents and businesses in South Florida. Our main clientele are senior citizens with limited mobility who live alone and local businesses. To ensure we reach those in desperate need we have a mission we believe in for the business, that we only offer "Judgement Free" cleanings. Often people explain that they are embarrassed about their lifestyles so we assure them that we are there to make a difference. We have been growing significantly and hope to hire employees who have the same passions to grow the business to impact more people. My second business is my personal business where I offer content packages clients who may own a small business or would like to build a personal brand. I have done marketing and campaign projects for businesses and on campus. Having my own clientele is special to me as they specifically chose me and trust me to deliver. When they are nervous to be on camera I give them some pointers to help them focus. I build my own brand just by being myself! Success looks to me like growth in your professionalism and the willingness to impact others along the way. With all of the business skills I practice and the resources I have access to improve, I will be successful in my business endeavors. Instead of questioning my worth as a business owner I set my standards. I require aspects that all successful businesses implement to protect themselves and their clients. I require written contracts, payment upfront, and professional communications in my business practice. I also take constructive criticism and apply it, most people want to give up as they feel judged for their shortcomings. Successful projects and customer feedback is a strong catalyst to keep me going through the challenges and successes of the entrepreneurial world. Nothing truly comes easy, not even this scholarship, but I am determined to put the work in to see the outcome.

Sgt. Albert Dono Ware’s legacy reminds me that service, sacrifice, and bravery are not abstract ideas. They are daily choices made in support of others. As a first-generation student at Florida Atlantic University, these values guide how I lead, how I serve, and how I imagine change for communities within the African diaspora in the United States. My journey has been shaped by the belief that leadership begins with service. I am majoring in Business Management with a minor in Digital Marketing. Since freshman year, I have hosted more than thirty service events, collected over one thousand donated items, and completed more than four hundred hours of community service. While serving as president of the Community Service Club, I worked with nonprofits and student organizations to create meaningful projects that students could join without pressure or barriers. I was also elected Director of the Council of Student Organizations, where I advocated for student groups, allocated resources, and helped strengthen campus involvement. That experience contributed to my selection as the 2025 Student Government Member of the Year and deepened my commitment to service. My leadership continued when I helped coordinate FAU’s 2025 Giving Day celebration. Our efforts supported more than one hundred thirty thousand dollars in scholarship and program funding. I understand the impact of scholarships personally, because I live in the Business and Professional Women’s Scholarship House and serve on the executive board. This opportunity allows me to focus on my education while supporting other students through programming and community building. Some of my most meaningful experiences have come directly from service projects. Our club organized beach and campus cleanups, donation drives, planting events, and outreach efforts. One moment that stayed with me was co-hosting a field day for children from the Fuller Center, which supports low-income families. Watching those children play on a college campus, laugh with our volunteers, and imagine themselves as future students reminded me that service can open doors to possibility. Reflecting on Sgt. Ware’s legacy encourages me to think about long-term change for the African diaspora. Many families still face barriers in education, economic opportunity, and mental health support. Service helps meet immediate needs. Real progress comes when service works alongside reform. I believe expanding mentorship and college-readiness programs is essential, especially for first-generation students. Economic empowerment programs, including financial literacy education and small business support, can help build stability across generations. Accessible mental health resources that understand cultural experiences can also create healthier communities. Meaningful change requires collaboration. Local governments, universities, nonprofits, student leaders, families, faith communities, and businesses each play an important role in creating opportunity and support systems. Today, I continue serving through the Elite Owl Leadership Program and the Scholarship House, while encouraging other students to see themselves as leaders. This scholarship would reduce financial pressure and allow me to deepen my service work and continue creating opportunities for others. Service has shaped my character. Sacrifice has strengthened my purpose. Bravery inspires me to lead with compassion and determination. I hope to honor Sgt. Albert Dono Ware’s legacy by helping build stronger pathways of opportunity for the African diaspora and every community striving to thrive.

As a first-generation student majoring in Business Management with a minor in Digital Marketing, I have carried a strong work ethic into both my campus and local community. Since freshman year, I have hosted and planned over 30 community-centered events, collected more than 2,000 donated items, and completed over 400 hours of service. Each experience has shaped my belief that leadership can be strengthened with service. My most meaningful impact came through serving as President of the Community Service Club. I solidified strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations and collaborated with student groups to create service projects that were intentional. Our initiatives included beach and campus cleanups, card-making for seniors and hospitalized children, and tree-planting efforts with Community Greening to help restore the tree population in West Palm Beach County. These projects not only improved our environment, but also supported the families who were in need of community support. Donation drives became one of our most influential contributions. We collected baby essentials for mothers in shelters, cereal for the Cereal4All organization, non-perishable foods, and holiday toys for families in need. Last spring, our club collected over 600 cereal boxes, which was very eye-opening to the impact the club truly had. Children had a breakfast to wake up to because of our dedication! One of the experiences that impacted me most was co-hosting a field day with student government for children from the Fuller Center; an aftercare program that provides affordable child care to low-income families. Watching the kids laugh, play, and state how excited they were about attending college one day reminded me why service matters. It was a day of joy and was just a glimpse of a college life, reminding me of how I felt seeing the possibilities being involved could bring. I worked to make service accessible to busy students. Understanding that many juggle classes, jobs, and extracurricular activities, I created a mission for the club that welcomed participation without strict time commitments. This encouraged more students to get involved and discover how rewarding volunteering in their free time. I printed out volunteer reflection sheets and loved reading the positive thoughts my volunteers had from each event. Today, I continue to serve my campus and local community as a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Scholarship House, a representative of the Elite Owl Program, as a member of the Community Service Club, and most importantly, in my free time. Community service has taught me compassion, intention, and responsibility. More importantly, it has shown me that meaningful change happens when people are given opportunities to help others. I am committed to carrying these values into my career and future leadership roles.

“I made a vow, I’m giving you the best that I got” are just a sample of the most compelling lyrics that push me to keep going. Whenever I’m feeling down or anxious I always remember Anita Baker lyrics as they feel like a connection between the women in my life that have passed. During COVID I lost my great grandmother, grandma, and aunt. Three amazing women who believed in me as a first-generation student. I have a unique connection with soul music as I internalize the lyrics like they are coming directly from three amazing women that I wish were here today. This unique sense of guidance from these women has made me committed to making a difference in lives of many who I don’t know are watching. These women have always been apart of their community as churchgoers, nurses, teachers, and mothers. I continue my journey as a leader in my local and campus community. I am the President of the Florida Atlantic University’s Community Service Club, an Florida Atlantic Elite Owl, the Director of the Council of Student Organizations, and a Member and Event Coordinator of Florida Atlantic’s Business and Professional Women’s Scholarship House. My leadership has brought change and recognition to the organizations I serve, positively impacting my communities. The major crises in Palm Beach County include food insecurity and the lack of trees or greenery in the area as construction continues. To tackle the tree crisis here in Florida I partner with Community Greening, a local tree nursery in Boca Raton. I host events that allows members of my club to dedicate two hours each month. I am grateful to have consistent members join this service in their free time as Community Greening is a non-profit organization that thrives from volunteer commitments. These trees are planted in local parks, family gardens, and schools. To tackle the hunger crisis locally I host two food donation drives and two hygiene drives each semester. I partner with student organizations to increase donations. Boca Helping Hands and Cereal4All, two organizations that collect the donated food to support local families. We donate over 300 goods each drive. The most recent cereal drive partnered with Cereal4All accumulated over 600 boxes this Spring, reaching a new record for the Community Service Club. The drives can become hectic as donation boxes overflow and there are multiple trips to the pantry, but it's all worth it! We impacted over This past Spring I donated 100 hygiene products to my aunt’s previous job at a local preschool. She was a teacher there for over 20 years. I held my tears as her past co-workers recognized me and stated how my aunt would be so proud. She loved that school. After retiring she went back to keep the school in tact. The only thing that kept her away was her health in the last couple months of her life. I realized that service is a value in my personal and professional life. It brings me a unique sense of peace. I don’t know if these three ladies are watching me for certain. My great grandmother is probably catching up on Jeopardy. I know for certain that I have a closeness to my guardian angels when my soul music is on and I have no doubts.

As a First-Gen student who is studying Business Management and minoring in Digital Marketing I have come far. Since my freshman year I have been ingrained into my campus and local community. I am proudly the president of FAU's Community Service Club, a member and Marketing Director of FAU's Business and Professional Women's Scholarship House, and gratefully in the process of becoming the head director of FAU's Council of Student Organizations (COSO). I actively practice my passions of media management and general business management within my personal content and roles on campus. I absolutely love to roller skate and listen to music. I mostly enjoy 60s-90s soul, disco, and R&B. I include these aspects of myself in my personal content in an entertaining format. Expressing myself through videos allow others to get to know me. I have recently shot behind the scenes of a short film. 3 days of hour long filming, it taught me patience for the industry of crafting content with others. As the President of FAU's Community Service Club I hold my title with the upmost pride. I've grown the club's social media/membership exponentially by hosting events and collaborating with local and campus organizations. I learned how to manage my team and host events such as; beach cleanups, campus cleanups, donation drives, card making, planting, and so much more. I've hosted a food drive this semester that gained over 300 non-perishable goods, a hygiene drive that gained over 300 items, and I plan to host a cereal drive in March with a goal of gaining over 250 boxes of cereal. My greatest strengths; dedication, communication, planning efficiently, and informing make it all possible. My goal is to pursue my career with internal pride and encouragement for others. I will be making a speech at WeLead this semester: an event that allows FAU leaders to present their ideals and experiences in leadership to other FAU students. I remember sitting in the audience last year. I wanted to be behind the mic, now I shall deliver. A scholarship to assist me would be tremendously rewarding. Having freedom to plan more events, take more time for my family, pay off my credit card, roller skate more, and dive into new ventures would be amazing. I plan to join AKPSI; a co-ed business brotherhood on campus. Financial assistance allows me access to more professional and social development. This scholarship is a needed catalyst for opportunities I have yet to see. Thank you so much for getting to know me!

I am a dedicated student, who not only put my goals first but I also appreciate the journey along the way. I've adjusted to college life as a student who comes from a single parent with low-income, no college experience, and depression. Due to these circumstances it is an honor to have financial aid. Financial aid allowed me the finances to strive in my education, socially, academically, and professionally. Receiving this scholarship would strongly support me by alleviating the additional financial stresses I face after my financial aid disbursements. As a First-Gen student studying Business Management and minoring in Digital Marketing I have come far. Since my freshman year I have been ingrained into my campus and local community. I am proudly the president of FAU's Community Service Club, a member and Marketing Director of FAU's Business and Professional Women's Scholarship House, and gratefully in the process of becoming the head director of FAU's Council of Student Organizations (COSO). My greatest strengths; dedication, communication, planning efficiently, and informing make it all possible. Here at Florida Atlantic University I learned to accept challenges and make the best of campus life. I can recall a time when I failed my first semester. This deducted my financial aid to a minimum, I felt like a huge burden after spending parent's money for my negligence. I then built a confidence I never knew I had. I learned communication skills, leadership skills, time management, and budgeting. I use resources such as tutors and study sessions to avoid that feeling of failure... it was daunting. Financial assistance allows me access to more professional and social development. This scholarship is a needed catalyst for opportunities I have yet to see. Experiences to inspire my family to aspire more. Thank you so much for getting to know me!

I am a dedicated student, who not only put my goals first but I also appreciate the journey along the way. I do have relieving hobbies to minimize my stresses. love to roller skate and listen to music. I mostly enjoy 60s-90s soul, disco, and R&B. I've adjusted to college life as a student who comes from a single parent with low-income, no college experience, and depression. Due to these circumstances it is an honor to have financial aid. Financial aid allowed me the finances to strive in my education, socially, academically, and professionally. Paying my car insurance and for necessities such as gasoline, hygiene products, food, credit card payments, textbooks and more is financially straining at times. Receiving this scholarship would strongly support me by alleviating the additional financial stresses I face after my financial aid disbursements. As a First-Gen student who is studying Business Management and minoring in Digital Marketing I plan to get practice in the field to build up my professional skills. Since my freshman year I have been ingrained into my campus and local community. I am proudly the president of FAU's Community Service Club, a member and Marketing Director of FAU's Business and Professional Women's Scholarship House, and gratefully in the process of becoming the head director of FAU's Council of Student Organizations (COSO). I would like to build on my passions of media and media management. I practice this as in many ranges with my personal content on Instagram and YouTube. I have recently shot behind the scenes of a short film. 3 days of hour long filming, it taught me patience for the industry of crafting content with others. As the President of FAU's Community Service Club I hold my title with the upmost pride. I've grown the club's social media/membership exponentially by hosting events and collaborating with local and campus organizations. I manage my team and host events such as beach cleanups, campus cleanups, donation drives, card making, planting, and so much more. I've hosted a food drive this semester that gained over 300 non-perishable goods, a hygiene drive that gained over 300 items, and I plan to host a cereal drive in March with a goal of gaining over 250 boxes of cereal. My greatest strengths; dedication, communication, planning efficiently, and informing make it all possible. I will be making a speech at WeLead this semester: an event that allows FAU leaders to present their ideals and experiences in leadership to other FAU students. I remember sitting in the audience last year. I wanted to be behind the mic, now I shall deliver. Here at Florida Atlantic University I learned to accept challenges and make the best of campus life. I recall the time I failed my first semester. This deducted my financial aid to a minimum, I felt like a huge burden after spending parent's money for my negligence. I then built a confidence I never knew I had. I learned communication skills, leadership skills, time management, and budgeting. I use resources such as tutors and study sessions to avoid that feeling of failure... it was daunting. A scholarship to assist me would be tremendously rewarding. Having freedom to plan more events, take more time for my family, pay off my credit card, roller skate more, and dive into new ventures would be amazing. I plan to join AKPSI; a co-ed business brotherhood on campus. Financial assistance allows me access to more professional and social development. This scholarship is a needed catalyst for opportunities I have yet to see. Thank you so much for getting to know me!

I am a dedicated student, who not only put my goals first but I also appreciate the journey along the way. I do have relieving hobbies to minimize my stresses. love to roller skate and listen to music. I mostly enjoy 60s-90s soul, disco, and R&B. I've adjusted to college life as a student who comes from a single parent with low-income, no college experience, and depression. Due to these circumstances it is an honor to have financial aid. Financial aid allowed me the finances to strive in my education, socially, academically, and professionally. Paying my car insurance and for necessities such as gasoline, hygiene products, food, credit card payments, textbooks and more is financially straining at times. Receiving this scholarship would strongly support me by alleviating the additional financial stresses I face after my financial aid disbursements. As a First-Gen student who is studying Business Management and minoring in Digital Marketing I have come far. Since my freshman year I have been ingrained into my campus and local community. I am proudly the president of FAU's Community Service Club, a member and Marketing Director of FAU's Business and Professional Women's Scholarship House, and gratefully in the process of becoming the head director of FAU's Council of Student Organizations (COSO). I would like to build on my passions of media and media management. I practice this as in many ranges with my personal content on Instagram and YouTube. I have recently shot behind the scenes of a short film. 3 days of hour long filming, it taught me patience for the industry of crafting content with others. As the President of FAU's Community Service Club I hold my title with the upmost pride. I've grown the club's social media/membership exponentially by hosting events and collaborating with local and campus organizations. Events I have hosted and been apart of include; beach cleanups, campus cleanups, donation drives, card making, planting, and so much more. I've hosted a food drive this semester that gained over 300 non-perishable goods, a hygiene drive that gained over 300 items, and I plan to host a cereal drive in March with a goal of gaining over 250 boxes of cereal. My greatest strengths; dedication, communication, planning efficiently, and informing make it all possible. I will be making a speech at WeLead this semester: an event that allows FAU leaders to present their ideals and experiences in leadership to other FAU students. I remember sitting in the audience last year. I wanted to be behind the mic, now I shall deliver. Here at Florida Atlantic University I learned to accept challenges and make the best of campus life. I can recall a time when I failed my first semester. This deducted my financial aid to a minimum, I felt like a huge burden after spending parent's money for my negligence. I then built a confidence I never knew I had. I learned communication skills, leadership skills, time management, and budgeting. I use resources such as tutors and study sessions to avoid that feeling of failure... it was daunting. A scholarship to assist me would be tremendously rewarding. Having freedom to plan more events, take more time for my family, pay off my credit card, roller skate more, and dive into new ventures would be amazing. I plan to join AKPSI; a co-ed business brotherhood on campus. Financial assistance allows me access to more professional and social development. This scholarship is a needed catalyst for opportunities I have yet to see. Thank you so much for getting to know me!

I am a dedicated student, who not only put my goals first but I also appreciate the journey along the way. I do have relieving hobbies to minimize my stresses. love to roller skate and listen to music. I mostly enjoy 60s-90s soul, disco, and R&B. I've adjusted to college life as a student who comes from a single parent with low-income, no college experience, and depression. Due to these circumstances it is an honor to have financial aid. Financial aid allowed me the finances to strive in my education, socially, academically, and professionally. Paying my car insurance and for necessities such as gasoline, hygiene products, food, credit card payments, textbooks and more is financially straining at times. Receiving this scholarship would strongly support me by alleviating the additional financial stresses I face after my financial aid disbursements. As a First-Gen student who is studying Business Management and minoring in Digital Marketing I have come far. Since my freshman year I have been ingrained into my campus and local community. I am proudly the president of FAU's Community Service Club, a member and Marketing Director of FAU's Business and Professional Women's Scholarship House, and gratefully in the process of becoming the head director of FAU's Council of Student Organizations (COSO). I would like to build on my passions of media and media management. I practice this as in many ranges with my personal content on Instagram and YouTube. I have recently shot behind the scenes of a short film. 3 days of hour long filming, it taught me patience for the industry of crafting content with others. As the President of FAU's Community Service Club I hold my title with the upmost pride. I've grown the club's social media/membership exponentially by hosting events and collaborating with local and campus organizations. Events I have hosted and been apart of include; beach cleanups, campus cleanups, donation drives, card making, planting, and so much more. I've hosted a food drive this semester that gained over 300 non-perishable goods, a hygiene drive that gained over 300 items, and I plan to host a cereal drive in March with a goal of gaining over 250 boxes of cereal. My greatest strengths; dedication, communication, planning efficiently, and informing make it all possible. I will be making a speech at WeLead this semester: an event that allows FAU leaders to present their ideals and experiences in leadership to other FAU students. I remember sitting in the audience last year. I wanted to be behind the mic, now I shall deliver. Here at Florida Atlantic University I learned to accept challenges and make the best of campus life. I can recall a time when I failed my first semester. This deducted my financial aid to a minimum, I felt like a huge burden after spending parent's money for my negligence. I then built a confidence I never knew I had. I learned communication skills, leadership skills, time management, and budgeting. I use resources such as tutors and study sessions to avoid that feeling of failure... it was daunting. A scholarship to assist me would be tremendously rewarding. Having freedom to plan more events, take more time for my family, pay off my credit card, roller skate more, and dive into new ventures would be amazing. I plan to join AKPSI; a co-ed business brotherhood on campus. Financial assistance allows me access to more professional and social development. This scholarship is a needed catalyst for opportunities I have yet to see. Thank you so much for getting to know me!

I am a dedicated student, who not only put my goals first but I also appreciate the journey along the way. I've adjusted to college life as a student who comes from a single parent with low-income, no college experience, and depression. Due to these circumstances it is an honor to have financial aid. Financial aid allowed me the finances to strive in my education, socially, academically, and professionally. Receiving this scholarship would strongly support me by alleviating the additional financial stresses I face after my financial aid disbursements. As a First-Gen student who is studying Business Management and minoring in Digital Marketing I have come far. Since my freshman year I have been ingrained into my campus and local community. I am proudly the president of FAU's Community Service Club, a member and Marketing Director of FAU's Business and Professional Women's Scholarship House, and gratefully in the process of becoming the head director of FAU's Council of Student Organizations (COSO). I truly have a purpose and it's amazing to see that others see my potential as well. I was directly offered to apply for COSO by the Student Governor as he admired my consistency and communication skills. I get recognition from many directors to expand my experiences. This upcoming Spring I will be making a speech at WeLead: an event that allows FAU leaders to present their ideals and experiences in leadership to other FAU students. I remember sitting in the audience earlier this year. I wanted to be behind the mic, now I shall deliver. It's so unreal but well deserved. I love Florida Atlantic University and what it has to offer. To think I was not going to apply to college to avoid expenses makes me feel very passionate to see everything possible. I am here for a reason! Scholarships like this are available for people like me. People who have a dream to pursue a degree and strive to be greater despite home circumstances. Here at Florida Atlantic University I learned to accept challenges and make the best of campus life. I built a confidence I never knew I had. I learned communication skills, leadership skills, time management, and budgeting. A scholarship to assist me would be tremendously rewarding: to have freedom to plan more events, take more time for my family, pay off my credit card, roller skate more (favorite hobby), and dive into new ventures would be amazing. I plan to join AKPSI; a co-ed business brotherhood on campus, this would benefit me. With free time I can definitely manage my commitment to the org. Financial assistance allows me access to more development. This scholarship is a needed catalyst for opportunities I have yet to see. Thank you so much for getting to know me!

I am a dedicated student, who not only put my goals first but I also appreciate the journey along the way. I've adjusted to college life as a student who comes from a single parent with low-income, no college experience, and depression. Financial aid allows me access to finances to strive in my education, socially, academically, and professionally. Receiving this scholarship would strongly support me by alleviating the additional financial stresses I face after my financial aid disbursements. As a First-Gen student who is studying Business Management and minoring in Digital Marketing I have come far. Since my freshman year I have been ingrained into my campus and local community. I am proudly the president of FAU's Community Service Club, a member and Marketing Director of FAU's Business and Professional Women's Scholarship House, and gratefully in the process of becoming the head director of FAU's Council of Student Organizations (COSO). I truly have a purpose and it's amazing to see that others see my potential as well. I was directly offered to apply for COSO by the Student Governor as he admired my consistency and communication skills. I get recognition from many directors to expand my experiences. This upcoming Spring I will be making a speech at WeLead: an event that allows FAU leaders to present their ideals and experiences in leadership to other FAU students. I remember sitting in the audience last year. I wanted to be behind the mic, now I shall deliver. It's so unreal but well deserved. I love Florida Atlantic University and what it has to offer. To think I was not going to apply to college to avoid expenses makes me feel very passionate to see everything possible. I am here for a reason! Scholarships like this are available for people like me. People who have a dream to pursue a degree and strive to be greater despite home circumstances. Here at Florida Atlantic University I learned to accept challenges and make the best of campus life. I built a confidence I never knew I had. I learned communication skills, leadership skills, time management, and budgeting. A scholarship to assist me would be tremendously rewarding: to have freedom to plan more events, take more time for my family, pay off my credit card, roller skate more (favorite hobby), and dive into new ventures would be amazing. I plan to join AKPSI; a co-ed business brotherhood on campus, this would benefit me. With free time I can definitely manage my commitment to the org. Financial assistance allows me access to more development. This scholarship is a needed catalyst for opportunities I have yet to see. Thank you so much for getting to know me.

As a First-Gen student who is studying Business Management and minoring in Digital Marketing I have come far. Since my freshman year I have been ingrained into my campus and local community. I am proudly the president of FAU's Community Service Club, a member and Marketing Director of FAU's Business and Professional Women's Scholarship House, and gratefully in the process of becoming the head director of FAU's Council of Student Organizations (COSO). I truly have a purpose and it's amazing to see that others see my potential as well. This upcoming Spring I will be making a speech at WeLead: an event that allows FAU leaders to present their ideals and experiences in leadership to other FAU students. I remember sitting in the audience earlier this year. I wanted to be behind the mic, now I shall deliver. It's so unreal but well deserved. I love Florida Atlantic University and what it has to offer. To think I was not going to apply to college to avoid expenses... I am here for a reason! Community Service has to be my most rewarding value. As the President of FAU's Community Service Club I hold my title with the upmost pride. I have grown the club's social media/membership exponentially by hosting events and collaborating with local and campus organizations. I work with my team to create events for students on-campus and off-campus. Students are rewarded community service hours by dedicating their time to these service events. I built a mission which focuses on motivating students to join the club's events in their free time. This takes into consideration that students have studies, work, and other extra-curriculars and there are no time commitments to be a member; allowing students to feel welcomed to join us when possible. Events I have hosted and been apart of include; beach cleanups, campus cleanups, donation drives, card making, planting, and so much more. I've hosted a food drive this semester that gained over 300 non-perishable goods, a hygiene drive that gained over 300 items, and I plan to host a cereal drive in March with a goal of gaining over 250 boxes of cereal. There are many aspects that go into these drives and service events. It's all about dedication, communication, planning efficiently, and informing. Currently I have over 350 hours of service as of this semester, I intend on continuing my goal of gaining 600 hours of service before gradation. This semester has shown me my range as a leader. I always tell me E-board members and club members how much I appreciate them. I commit to the club's values and the values of community. Appreciation and purpose is how I intend on continuing my success. Scholarships like this are available for people like me. People who have a dream to pursue a degree and strive to be greater despite home circumstances. Here at Florida Atlantic University I learned to accept challenges and make the best of campus life. I built a confidence I never knew I had. I learned communication skills, leadership skills, time management, and budgeting. A scholarship to assist me would be tremendously rewarding: to have freedom to plan more events, take more time for my family, pay off my credit card, roller skate more (favorite hobby), and dive into new ventures would be amazing. I plan to join AKPSI; a co-ed business brotherhood on campus. With free time I can definitely manage my commitments.This scholarship is a needed catalyst for opportunities I have yet to see. Thank you so much for getting to know me.

I deserve to be awarded this scholarship as I am a dedicated student, who not only puts my goals first but also appreciates the journey along the way. I've adjusted to college life as a student who comes from a single parent with low-income, no college experience, and depression. Due to these circumstances it is an honor to have financial aid. Financial aid allowed me the finances to strive in my education, socially, academically, and professionally. Receiving this scholarship would strongly support me by alleviating the additional financial stresses I face after my financial aid disbursements. As a First-Gen student who is studying Business Management and minoring in Digital Marketing I have come far. Since my freshman year I have been ingrained into my campus and local community. I am proudly the president of FAU's Community Service Club, a member and Marketing Director of FAU's Business and Professional Women's Scholarship House, and gratefully in the process of becoming the head director of FAU's Council of Student Organizations (COSO). I was directly offered to apply for COSO by the Student Governor as he admired my consistency and communication skills. This Spring I will be making a speech at WeLead: an event that allows FAU leaders to present their ideals and experiences in leadership to other FAU students. I wanted to be behind the mic, now I shall deliver. It's so unreal but well deserved. I love Florida Atlantic University and what it has to offer. To think I was not going to apply to college. I am here for a reason! I plan to join AKPSI; a co-ed business brotherhood on campus. This scholarship is a needed catalyst for free time for opportunities I have yet to see. Thank you so much for getting to know me.

My journey for making a positive social impact on my campus community began with a personal commitment to honor my grandmother's memory, who struggled with hoarding. After her passing, I extended my cleaning services to other seniors, driven by a growing passion after taking care of her home for many years. Initially I was invested in majoring in psychology due to my client interactions, I felt like a personal therapist for them. This lead me to exploring social issues and personal growth. However, I soon realized that although I valued those aspects psychology wasn't the path I wanted to take to benefit others. I shifted my focus to business, where I found my true calling. Despite managing a growing business, I made the difficult decision to pause my venture to pursue my degree. This pursuit has driven me to pursue opportunities both on campus and in my professional life, contributing significantly to my emotional, social, and professional development. During my first two semesters at college, I immersed myself in campus life, resulting in my election as president of FAU's Community Service Club within a year of joining. Leading this club has been incredibly fulfilling as it allows me to mobilize students around meaningful causes. Working within the Office of Student Involvement and Student Government has further connected me with like-minded leaders, fostering collaboration and innovation within our student community. Together, we strive to enhance our organizations and broaden our impact across campus. Recently, I've observed a troubling decline in event attendance across campus, indicating a growing disengagement among students. This trend deeply concerns me as integrating a strong sense of community is vital to my leadership. Many incoming students seem less inclined to make a difference, often distracted by social media. Phones are constantly held to the noses of our potential volunteers on a daily. As president, my primary goal is to reverse this trend by implementing effective strategies to capture student attention and encourage active participation in community-building activities, especially in their free-time. One of my initiatives has been to utilize social media as a platform to engage students. By creating trendy and informative content related to student involvement, such as videos, polls, and posts about local volunteer opportunities, we've already seen increased engagement on our club's Instagram. This approach not only informs but also inspires students to take action and make a difference in our community. Since they are already looking at their screens we might as well be the next post they come across on their timeline! Additionally, this summer, I took proactive steps by developing a comprehensive community service schedule that highlights upcoming events before the start of fall classes. This initiative includes a variety of off-campus opportunities such as volunteering at food banks, animal shelters, and organizing environmental cleanups. These activities foster meaningful connections among students and empower them to contribute positively to our campus and local communities. I firmly believe that addressing societal issues requires active engagement, and I am dedicated to motivating my peers to care and get involved. Through these efforts, my goal is to instill a inspiring sense of civic responsibility and participation among students. By employing effective communication strategies and nurturing a culture of engagement, I aim to revive our campus community and leave a lasting legacy of active citizenship. Social media will be a tool for the success of student engagement rather than the diminishing factor. As I continue to navigate my path as a first-generation student and leader, I remain committed to cultivating an inclusive campus environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute to a brighter future.

Looking back, I shake my head at the times I doubted attending college. As a first-generation student without much familial support for higher education, it was my friend's mother who saw my potential and encouraged me to pursue it. Since then, I've embraced every aspect of college life—academics, campus involvement, and personal growth—with passion and determination. The challenges have only encouraged my passions, and every success reaffirms that applying myself to education was the right choice. Education stands is a catalyst for my personal and professional growth, providing not only knowledge but also essential skills and experiences that shape one's identity and aspirations. Attending Florida Atlantic University has been a crucial decision in my life, affirming the profound importance of education and its undeniable value in shaping my future and legacy. For me, the journey into higher education has been more than just a pursuit of a degree, it has been a transformative path towards self-discovery and empowerment. One of the most transformative aspects of my educational journey has been taking on opportunities beyond the classroom. Engaging in community service events has given me a sense of responsibility and empathy towards approaching societal issues. My dedication to these values ultimately led me to serve as the president of FAU's Community Service Club. This leadership role reinforced my personal and professional ethos centered around integrity, self-accountability, and purpose. Through these experiences, I've learned firsthand the enriching impact of community engagement and the importance of applying classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, shaping me into a proactive leader. Career fairs have been a influential factor in my development, offering access to explore part-time and full-time positions, as well as internships. Securing my first internship during my freshman year was a milestone that illuminated my strengths in professional settings. While the internship might not have been perfectly aligned with my interests in management, it taught me valuable lessons of resilience, adaptability, and the importance of seizing opportunities as stepping stones towards achieving my goals. Enrolling in a leadership course marked a pivotal moment in my educational journey, providing me with insights into effective leadership and personal growth. This experience allowed me to understand how to lead with integrity, while embracing both strengths and weaknesses as essential components of effective leadership. Collaborating with a diverse group of leaders, each with their unique perspectives, enhanced my teamwork skills and equipped me to navigate complex challenges with confidence. The question, "What are you studying, and why?" was so daunting in my early college career. I had no idea what I truly wanted to do starting out, therefore there was no way I could share my reasoning to others. Crafting my own mission statement within the course—“My mission is to orchestrate innovative and impactful marketing content, leveraging my management skills to succeed in my ventures and collaborate with other businesses for mutual growth and success.”—has not only clarified my career path but also increased my confidence in articulating why I chose business management. This journey has reinforced my commitment to utilizing education as a tool for personal and professional development, driving me towards achieving my aspirations in the driven field of business. In conclusion, education has empowered me to define my own path and cultivate a deeper sense of purpose. My educational journey has not only prepared me for the challenges ahead but has also instilled in me a sense of responsibility, understanding myself and the world around me to contribute positively to society. I am grateful for the opportunities I've garnered at Florida Atlantic University and am excited to continue embracing the limitless possibilities that education offers.

I have always loved school and appreciated the benefits of education; knowing my desired career path is psychology makes it vital for me to higher my education. It is vital for me to study and understand the concepts of behaviors and psychology as they have a lasting mark on our society and the improvement of communities. The skills of developing appropriate behaviors as well as concluding causes of behavior help to reform people and the decisions they make. Violence rates, communication skills, education, etc all improve with this field of study. I want to have a major role in this process of change. To show your level of credibility in these fields, education and experience is dire. I am currently taking a 40 hour RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) course to gain credibility and experience in the field of behavior analysis prior to attending FAU this Spring. I am committed to doing my part to help others lead functional lives by gaining the required education. I was shocked by the amount of years you would have to invest in schooling, but I rationalized that it is worth it in the long run. I thought to myself, would I want to seek advice or therapy from someone with the minimum level of education or someone with more years of experience and credibility?. I will not stop until I get a PH.D no matter how hard it gets. I want to be that person that everyone feels comfortable going to not only because I have a PH.D but because they can see me as a leader in my field. I can relate to many in low-income living situations as I live in a low-income area myself with my mother, depending on housing, and government assistance. I know my story may seem cliche but it's relatable to many who may need mental health guidance and cannot afford to get it or may not be informed about it's importance. I want to use my education and efforts to benefit those in all situations but especially those in my community. My community can reform with just some acknowledgement of mental health, many generations can become successful and depend less on government assistance despite struggles with the past or present. Behavior studies have made me look at everyday interactions differently. My mother struggles with mental health from childhood trauma and depression. It has altered our relationship as she lacked giving my sisters and I any form of emotional support, she lacks confidence and communication skills as well, and tends to show low levels of energy. I have learned different psychological methods to healthily diffuse situations with her and continue to get rid of the bad habits I have learned from living with her. Studying behaviors has opened my mind to solutions and even hard to swallow lessons. One lesson that took me a long time to accept is that some people will not change. I have to remind myself that even though I imagine my mom in a new light where she has high self-esteem and great communication skills; she just may never glow as bright as I would like her to. It's all up to her and choices lead paths, I just have to focus on my decisions. I love the changes that behavior studies have provided for me to balance out my mental health in a positive manner. My choice to continue my education is a decision that will affect the path of myself and others in a positive chain reaction that I will never regret.

My favorite Disney character hands down is Princess Tiana from Princess and the Frog; she was the first Princess I ever looked up to as she was a strong, beautiful, African American, young woman with struggles and dreams like me. More importantly, she transformed into a confident, successful, grown woman. Honestly I don't see myself in any other Disney Princess other than Princess Tiana. Tiana's story was very compelling from start to finish. I loved the passion she had for owning her very own restaurant. She worked long hours while saving her money to invest in building a booming business in her hometown. It reminds me of my work ethic in the work and school environment and me pursing my passion to study psychology; to provide mental health services to help strengthen my community not only mentally but financially as well. We both have an end goal to give back to our community by doing something that fulfills our happiness. Tiana faced many obstacles such as her father's passing, being a frog, gaining access to start-up funds for her restaurant, and Dr. Facilier's black magic. My obstacles include building finances for college and retaining the motivation to continue pursuing my passions. Just like Princess Tiana I identify my obstacles and work on getting through them. I may not have to go on a journey to turn myself back into a human after being turned into a slimy frog, but I do have to sacrifice my time that I have now to do scholarships, work hard to gain opportunities, and continue my education to be where I want to be in the future. Tiana and I share the ambition to thrive through present obstacles to have a greater outcome. Tiana represented a true leader. I was inspired by her bravery to voice her fears and doubts; it made her feel like a real person. Tiana taught me that there are times as a leader you CAN express concerns because it can make you an even better leader. There is nothing that I would change about Princess Tiana's character. Tiana had her strengths and weaknesses and I am so grateful that Disney depicted such an amazing character who gave me strength as a young African American girl who grew up low income with big dreams. Like Tiana said "There ain't nothin' gonna stop me now 'cause I'ma almost there".

Many of my family members showed me the importance of healthy eating habits and why it is so important as it affects their lifestyle overall even if the chronic effects were more apparent in the future. I have had many relatives live managing the negative outcomes of eating unhealthy over the years, they have chronic health disorders such as diabetes, cancers, and one even experienced two heart attacks (has diabetes as well) in their early 40's from their unclean diet. Eating healthy decreases the chances of many diseases; diseases that may alter your everyday life whether it's monitoring your blood and sugar levels or disabilities as severe as blindness. Leading a happy life isn't just going on vacations or pursuing a successful career it's also being healthy with great energy levels, mobility, and strength to continue to have the ability to pursue happiness and that all derives from clean eating. Clean eating makes it possible to keep thriving physically and mentally which is why it is important to educate yourself and others on the long lasting benefits of eating clean. I have started incorporating clean eating in high school as soon as I discovered documentaries on Youtube such as Super Size Me, Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken, and many TLC shows that featured people with poor dieting. The documentaries had a key factor of destructive dieting; fast food. I had to do some reflecting, I started to recall my past meals. The past meals mostly consisted of some form of fast food which hardly had any nutritional value. I decided to limit my fast food intake and was so proud of myself for reaching two years without McDonald's and three years without drinking soda. My natural nails started visibly growing, my skin was showing improvements as before I would break out easily after eating too much fast food, and I stopped experiencing stomach aches (I just experience normal period cramps now). I was amazed by the instant changes. I began to search a few blogs that focused on clean eating to get some tips and found that ingredients were very significant. To test to see if ingredients were the issue I tried fast food after not having it for a while. I experienced the same sluggishness and constant hunger that I remembered. The food wasn't even tasty it was just effortlessly accessible. I didn't feel well. I was ignorant at first when it came to clean eating, thinking salads and fruits were the only things that I could consume on a daily basis to be considered healthy, but it's more than that. When grocery shopping I avoid products that contain high fructose sugars and although it's really challenging to find products that don't contain this ingredient I manage to find substitutes. I buy frozen vegetables to save money instead of buying multiple fresh veggies that may not make it through the week. There are so many beneficial foods out there and clean eating has introduced me to so many ways to enjoy them in versatile ways. I stand by cooking at home and keeping track of ingredients that I intake on a daily basis. I have saved a lot of money and sacrificed a lot of time to make meals (meal prepping) and all I can say is it's all worth it in the long run. I will forever have the cooking skills I developed, know what ingredients to avoid, what is beneficial to consume, etc. It's never too late to eat clean and although my family may never change their eating habits, I am committed to eating clean.

High school is nothing like it seems on TV and as children we all develop our perspectives through the big screen, but let me tell you it is almost nothing like you've seen on TV. Mostly television tells you how difficult it's going to be starting your high school career due to the extreme amount of social strains that create your experience; popularity is seen as a necessity to gain confidence and being a loner makes you a loser (you will find people right for you even if it takes longer than you expect), it depicts a lot of free time to do whatever you want during school hours (you have a schedule), it portrays teachers in a strict manner (every teacher is different), and more stressful objectives that are absolutely unrealistic in a school environment. Will there be crazy heists to sneak out of after school detention that brings a variety of individuals from different cliques together?, maybe. There are many consequences that are not included when making TV shows and movies, just things that allow the plot to continue. Your experience will be amazing if you are open minded, there is no script to follow just decision making.

I believe clean eating is important because it affects your lifestyle overall even if the chronic effects are more apparent in the future. I have had many relatives live managing the negative outcomes of eating unhealthy over the years, they have chronic health disorders such as diabetes, cancers, and one even experienced two heart attacks (has diabetes as well) in their early 40's from their unclean diet. Eating healthy decreases the chances of many diseases; diseases that may alter your everyday life whether it's monitoring your blood and sugar levels or disabilities as severe as blindness. Leading a happy life isn't just going on vacations or pursuing a successful career it's also being healthy with great energy levels, mobility, and strength to continue to have the ability to pursue happiness and that all derives from clean eating. Clean eating makes it possible to keep thriving physically and mentally which is why it is important to educate yourself and others on the long lasting benefits of eating clean. I have started incorporating clean eating in high school as soon as I discovered documentaries on Youtube such as Super Size Me, Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken, and many TLC shows that featured people with poor dieting. The documentaries had a key factor of destructive dieting; fast food. I had to do some reflecting, I started to recall my past meals. The past meals mostly consisted of some form of fast food which hardly had any nutritional value. I decided to limit my fast food intake and was so proud of myself for reaching two years without McDonald's and three years without drinking soda. My natural nails started visibly growing, my skin was showing improvements as before I would break out easily after eating too much fast food, and I stopped experiencing stomach aches (I just experience normal period cramps now). I was amazed by the instant changes. I began to search a few blogs that focused on clean eating to get some tips and found that ingredients were very significant. To test to see if ingredients were the issue I tried fast food after not having it for a while. I experienced the same sluggishness and constant hunger that I remembered. The food wasn't even tasty it was just effortlessly accessible. I didn't feel well. I was ignorant at first when it came to clean eating, thinking salads and fruits were the only things that I could consume on a daily basis to be considered healthy, but it's more than that. When grocery shopping I avoid products that contain high fructose sugars and although it's really challenging to find products that don't contain this ingredient I manage to find substitutes. I buy frozen vegetables to save money instead of buying multiple fresh veggies that may not make it through the week. There are so many beneficial foods out there and clean eating has introduced me to so many ways to enjoy them in versatile ways. I stand by cooking at home and keeping track of ingredients that I intake on a daily basis. I have saved a lot of money and sacrificed a lot of time to make meals (meal prepping) and all I can say is it's all worth it in the long run. I will forever have the cooking skills I developed, know what ingredients to avoid, what is beneficial to consume, etc. It's never too late to eat clean and although my family may never change their eating habits, I am committed to eating clean.

After Covid-19 hit like a rock of solitude I lost my motivation as a student and then as myself. Initially I didn't know what mental health was until I started to have it impact my life at an all time high. I was always a motivated student with straight A's and B's. Doing school online only brought out my worst flaw. PROCRASTINATION!. Procrastination brought by 3.6 GPA to a 3.2. I wasn't happy about this but there was almost nothing I could do to fix it...or so I thought, at the time. I wouldn't get out of bed to turn on my computer some days and when I did I wouldn't listen to my daily lectures and would end up staying in a class meeting that ended hours ago. It would be just me and the teacher in the meeting for who knows how long until I abruptly end the awkward ordeal I got myself into. It only showed the teacher that I was present but not engaged throughout the session which is not what an instructor wants to observe, since they did take the time out to stay engaged themselves during the stressful transition from real-life interactions with students to virtual zombie versions of students. 4 of my teachers called me out on my presence and participation by commenting things like "Hey you're finally in class today", "you haven't been here for most of my classes" or they would simply ask me questions on the lessons to see if I knew the answer since I was not engaged for the past few days but one who knew me for about 2 years asked to speak with me privately. The conversation was very eye opening. She stated how I was never unmotivated in the physical classroom like I was presenting online, I seemed to have given up, I barely showed up, she wanted to chat with my mother (she did), and she even questioned if I was interested in the cosmetology program at all. This was a respected teacher of mine and she was one of the catalysts for my change overtime. Although the chat with my teacher was a sign of my lack of satisfaction my room was a mess, I barely ate (I didn't pay attention to meals since I was distracted with work or sleep), I went to work for hours and hours to avoid going home to my dungeon, and didn't even notice the dreadful cycle. I started a key chain business but got exhausted after staying up with no sleep for 3 weeks to complete orders and create new products to sell, which resulted in me passing out and hitting my head on the floor after taking a shower from the pure exhaustion and lack of water and food. That incident was very significant as well. I had friends come over to hang out but that only made me distracted from my problems. One of my friends had mental health problems herself, I could easily observe her issues but never took the time to reveal my own. She would stay over for days at a time and we would walk miles and miles which I later found to be a coping mechanism to avoid real life problems. I even got an extra job (2 jobs at once) that only made me realize I was truly just depressed. The job was a condo cleaning job that required me to clean 10 floors, the community gym, and clubhouse for $12/hr. The manager even warned that grown men left the job in the 1st week due to the labor but I numbly applied. Things had to change. I found a way out of this deteriorating cycle by doing something different. I thought of all of the bad habits I obtained within the span of the pandemic. One thing that affected me the most was cutting my hair after chemically processing it with a relaxer. I regretted the processing, with this I was forced to keep my hair in tact somehow. I instantly lost my confidence with my short hair. My hair obstacle forced me to learn to do my own hair which was beneficial financially and I learned new skills to make me gain confidence in my appearance. I quit the condo cleaning job (after 3 days); sticking to one job. Eventually I cut communication with my friend who was displaying signs of depression, hostility, and irrational behaviors because it had a negative affect on me to be around someone who wasn't open to changing their actions, receiving advice, or getting professional help. I developed a new hobby in planting which relieved a lot of stress and increased my attentiveness to things such as procrastination being a big factor in cause and effect. For example, if I didn't water my plants today they wouldn't die immediately but I would create a cycle of low discipline over the plant's life and overall stability by allowing myself to not follow watering regimens. These procrastinating habits would only worsen my decisions and time management for other events that follow. The experience of the pandemic not only captured my darkest thoughts but it led me to solving my own problems. My goal is to now help people like my old friend get to the point of leading healthy lifestyles by applying solutions to their mental health before committing to destructive behaviors and actions that affect them or others around them. I personally believe holding yourself accountable is the first step to truly solve and avoid any future self-conflicts. I am going to study psychology in the spring at FAU and am currently deciding on acquiring an RBT certificate. Psychology is very important to me especially living with a mother who had postpartum depression and still lives with depression with no drive to get professional help. I can't wait to make changes and provide them at affordable costs to my community. BTW I still have tendencies to procrastinate, but have improved.

My great grandma was the glue to our family. Every special event was hosted at her home whether it was a holiday or just a normal Saturday hangout with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, or family friends. Everyone loved her in the neighborhood. She loved to garden, play bingo at the local community center, go for morning walks, work (even in her retirement stage), and was always heading to the casino for a good time (she was a risk-taker). She did an amazing job raising all of her children and connecting with her grandchildren. Finding out that the once strong, immortal, most valuable figure in my life has cancer was really hard. She went from doing things independently to being showered by my mother, taken to the bathroom, taking multiple medications, staying up all night yearning in abdominal pain; suffering. Deep down I know that having her family see her health decline was worse than the physical pain itself. My mother and great grandmother were inseparable (BFF's for certain). Within a span of 2 months she lost her support system. For years my mother, my twin sister, and I lived with my great grandmother after we were forced to move out of our previous home due to a foreclosure of the owner's property. We lived in the house that was later foreclosed for 4 years. My grandma (my mother's mom) had my mother at 13. At this age she was not very responsible or prepared to raise my mother. My great grandmother took on the mother figure role. Without a job or financial stability my mother could not afford to support herself, my sister, and I so she went to the only person she could depend on. My great grandmother's house was home. I became accustomed to sharing the same room with my mom and sister, but as I got older I became ashamed and never wanted anyone to know my situation. I could not believe my life was changing so drastically. In 7th grade we finally moved out into an apartment 2 minutes away from my great grandmother with the assistance of housing. The apartment allowed me to get my own room again, although the condition of the place itself is not something to be proud of but I can say that I am grateful. I try to motivate my mother till this day to get a job. Her depression always takes over her ability to seek a higher living. Losing my great grandmother only weakens her. In the past her hopes of being in the nursing field were disrupted after having my twin sister and I. She developed postpartum depression. Just like any disorder, it was not widely acknowledged at the time. She later found out this was her reason for low appetite, no drive, and purely no satisfaction. After some work experiences in assisted living it only made her depression worsen as her patients passed away. As a result she stays at home and depends on government assistance such as housing and food assistance (EBT). Having a single parent with no income makes it very hard to even think about having a positive college experience. I question if I will enjoy my time there or if I'm solely going to have to stress over finances. Due to all of the mental factors that contributed to the path my mother chose it made me interested in the field of psychology. My passion is psychology, but my "fight" is to make others live and lead healthy lifestyles. I have started my path in achieving this goal by enrolling in Rollins College located in Winter Park Orlando. I want to make my great grandmother proud by graduating with a PhD. She worked all her life until she was too weak to stand up on her own two feet. I've always had her drive in the workforce. I want my children and grandchildren to look up to me as I look up to my great grandmother despite my household income today. I "fight" to give my children the life I didn't have growing up. I also want to cater to low-income communities by creating mental health programs to uplift the youth and young adults. Like my mother many others are going through mental challenges that interfere with their hopes and dreams. I want to use my education and experiences to be there for them like I would like someone to be there for my mother's mental health and my great grandmother's physical health. You truly never realize how important someone is until they are gone; they cannot express their opinion on topics of concern and they are not there for your proudest moments like my graduation. I wish she could have been there.

I believe that I should be awarded this scholarship because I am optimistic and adamant in my influential future in the field of behavioral psychology. I have started pursuing my goal by enrolling in Rollins College located in Winter Park, Orlando. The cost of attending Rollins is definitely more than I can afford, but it is imperative for me to attend. The benefits of attending includes an extraordinary campus experience (events, sports, fox day, community/family setting, small class size, etc) and it's high rankings in graduates and more gives the school enough credibility to motivate my interests. I've been speaking with professionals in the field whether they are school counselors, couple therapists, or family therapists. Although we are in different stages of the field of psychology (me only beginning) we all have something in common. We all have the passion to improve the lives of many with our knowledge, strength, and commitment. Overall it is vital for us to help lead others to a happy and healthy life. I plan to further my education and level of experience by obtaining a PhD in order to apply myself for all in need of support with credentials to ensure my range in the field. In order to excel in my passion to become prevalent in the psychological field I would use the financial assistance of this scholarship to cover my tuition for my first semester of college. Relieving myself from the financial stresses would be highly appreciated and would allow me more time to focus on studying. Not only would I be able to study, but also be qualified for internships because of my time used to study. I would love to gain experience working with children in my free time. The youth is our future and I want to use my knowledge in the field to create effective behavioral programs for children with developmental disabilities. I would like to collaborate with others in the field as well as teachers to create a system where students' behavior, grades, and communications are monitored and improved through individual (1 on 1; student and Applied Behavior analyzer) or group counseling (multiple students doing behavioral exercises and activities) along with parent involvement (contacting parents to discuss concerns). I would like to include parents so that they are open minded to their child's home and school life as well as the overall effects of family life on children's developmental stages. Parents could have the opportunity to improve their lives by becoming aware of their behaviors and their children's well being in the long run. I know it's hard for parents to balance work life, home life, and their child's needs so the program would create a community of support. I would like to offer family therapy if permitted by the legal guardian or parent. The parents would just have to simply sign a form to confirm that they would like to engage in a scheduled meeting with an Applied Behavior analyzer or family psychologist. The student and parents would improve as a whole and have follow-up appointments to update the teacher or applied behavior analyzer to keep in touch throughout the child's school career and beyond. I have been interested in the field of psychology for many years. I have family members and more who have developmental disabilities and are not getting the personalized support they deserve to see their full potential. I would like to see changes and I would also like to be a part of the process of change. This scholarship would only be aiding in the milestone to my success.

I live in Delray Beach where everyone comes for the beautiful downtown area and the nice beaches and diversity, right in the mist of that is my community which is not the safest or updated like most sea front or upscale communities. Most of the elderly's homes are being bought and renovated but luckily my great grandma's house still stands even after her passing just 2 weeks ago. Even with the changes my community stays strong, I can recall a social justice movement that may have not affected the neighboring cities and states, as much as it directly affected my own, one that was peaceful and rewarding, causing me to pay closer attention to my community and my own emotions. My grandfather was a twin just like my twin sister and I. He used to meet his twin brother every morning for coffee at a local corner store at around 6 a.m. One morning a robbery took place as he was purchasing his coffee and was shot and killed within moments. All of this was caught on security camera and was later released to the media, showing on Facebook and the news. There was a witness who survived and has to live with the traumatizing memory, but who is purely grateful to live another day. This wasn't the only fatal event that took place within that month. This caused my community to join together and organize a walk to end violence. I never realized how simple it was to organize such an event when you have a team of people with the same motivations. Shirts were created, a route was mapped, and feet were marching. I attended one of the many walks of violence. A news camera crew attended as well to film the event. My mom was able to grieve and the support was tremendous. My uncle was at the candle lighting, I never talked to him since he was always distant and never made an attempt to get to know my sister and I. I gave him a hug and it was a meaningful moment since he was in such a vulnerable state, crying in front of everyone. The protests were positive; bringing everyone together, allowing the adults to show their true feelings, and creating a bit of history for my community. At home I never discussed the event with our single mother who was visibly affected emotionally by her dad's passing, she would cry and I would comfort her and because I was being strong for her I didn't know that the event was affecting me as well. I was only in elementary at the time. My sister and I never discussed the event or how it made us feel. One day we both were in our separate classes and starting bawling. We cried so hard out of nowhere and it alerted our teachers so they sent us to the guidance counselor. As I walked into the guidance counselor's office I said "what are you doing here!?". I was shocked to see my twin sister in there for the same reasoning. We completed an activity to help us deal with our loss provided by the counselor. We just never knew that we were affected emotionally until we got in a public setting away from home and our community. Overall the event and protests taught me that dealing with things alone will never be as beneficial as having a big group of supporters that all have good intentions. I am proud to be a part of my community and want to give back with my degree in psychology.