When I was introduced to ethnic studies, I began to appreciate and understand the importance of celebrating our differences while also seeking our similarities. That class opened my eyes to the experiences of many groups around the world. I began to see the common threads among them, no matter where they lived or what they believed. So many groups were marginalized, manipulated, and had their stories rewritten or left untold. I connected deeply with that realization because, as a woman, especially as a Black woman, the same erasure has happened to my people, both racially and by gender. There is a clear and painful history of systemic racism, discrimination, and economic inequality across communities. This class helped me see how oppressors have often pitted minorities against one another, pushing us to focus on our differences instead of uniting around the change we all wish to see. One book that deeply shaped the way I think about history and whose stories get remembered is Kindred by Octavia E. Butler. Reading about Dana, a Black woman who is repeatedly pulled into the world of slavery, made history feel much more personal and immediate to me. The book challenged me to think beyond history as a collection of dates and events and instead recognize it as the lived experiences of real people whose choices, identities, and survival were shaped by the world around them. Kindred also made me think about how the past continues to influence the present and how important it is for people to understand history from perspectives that have often been ignored or silenced. It strengthened my belief that reading is not simply about gaining information. Books can challenge the way we see the world, introduce us to experiences outside our own, and encourage us to question the stories we have been taught. Ethnic studies and the books I encountered through it inspired me to get involved in spaces where we could celebrate, learn, and build community as minorities. I joined the Poly Club and BSU and became deeply involved in MECHA. I served as one of the organizers for Multicultural Night, stepping in as project manager to ensure the evening ran smoothly. The event featured performances by BSU, Poly, MECHA, and cheer, along with a fashion show highlighting cultural attire. I modeled a modernized African outfit, performed cultural dances, shared Black and Latinx history facts, and gave the closing speech. The audience gave me a standing ovation, and my principal later told me how much he loved the speech, encouraging me to keep speaking at future events. Being part of these groups has allowed me to connect with like-minded students who want to use our shared histories to shape a better future, one built on connection and equity. My love of reading has strengthened that goal because every story gives me another opportunity to understand a perspective, question an assumption, or discover a connection I had not seen before. In college, I want to continue reading widely, learning from voices different from my own, and bringing what I learn into the communities I become part of. I hope to build a future in which people are not only given a voice, but are also willing to listen to one another. I will continue striving to be a global citizen committed to understanding, unity, and justice by staying informed about the world and forming my own opinions after learning all sides of every story.

Going to college, to me, is not just about earning a degree. It is about stepping into a space where every part of who I am my resilience, creativity, voice and purpose can grow into something greater than I ever imagined. College represents opportunity, not only for my future but for the impact I want to make on others. Throughout high school, I learned that my voice has power. During my sophomore year, I wrote a poem for a World War I project that led to an opportunity: delivering a speech at a senior ceremony. Public speaking had always terrified me but I chose to face that fear because I believed in my message. When I stood on that stage, vulnerable yet confident and received a standing ovation, I realized my story could inspire others. That moment changed how I see myself. In college, I hope to continue developing my writing and speaking skills so I can uplift and empower others through storytelling. My passion for connection and community was shaped through ethnic studies. That class opened my eyes to shared struggles and strengths of marginalized communities and helped me understand unity. As a Black woman I see how history has often erased or distorted voices like mine. Instead of feeling discouraged I felt called to act. I joined organizations like BSU, MECHA and Poly Club taking on leadership roles including organizing Multicultural Night. Standing on that stage again celebrating culture and speaking about unity reinforced my commitment to creating spaces where people feel seen and valued. In college I plan to continue building and participating in communities that promote equity understanding and cultural pride. However, my journey has not been without hardship. Losing my papa before my freshman year deeply impacted me. He was my source of comfort and belief and after his passing I struggled academically and emotionally. My GPA dropped and I felt disconnected from my life. Over time I took control of my healing. I sought therapy advocated for myself and worked to rebuild not only my grades but also my mindset. Raising my GPA from a 1.7 to a 3.7 was proof of my resilience. When I experienced another loss I was better equipped to cope. These experiences taught me that setbacks do not define me how I respond to them does. In college I will carry these lessons with me growing stronger and self aware. Alongside my personal growth I discovered my passion for baking. What started as childhood memories with my grandmother became a creative outlet and eventually a business. Baking allows me to express myself in a unique way turning simple ingredients into something meaningful and joyful. One of my proud achievements was completing a large order of 350 decorated cookies for Sutter Health events. Balancing school, my business required discipline time management and dedication skills I know will benefit me in college. My goal is to become a chef travel the world and share creativity through food. College will provide me with education resources and experiences to turn dream into reality. Ultimately going to college means growth purpose and impact. It is where I will continue to find my voice strengthen my passions and connect with others driven to make a difference. I am not just going to college for myself but for my family my community and everyone who needs to see that resilience creativity and determination can turn dreams into reality. I am going to college to become the person I have always had the potential to be and use that person to inspire change in the world.

Hospitality, to me, is the art of making people feel seen, cared for, and connected through food, service, and genuine presence. My passion for it grew through both loss and creativity, shaping how I show up for others. When my papa passed after teaching me how to fix cars, play games, and believe in myself, I fell into grief that changed my academic and personal life. Therapy and support helped me rebuild, raising my GPA and giving me tools to face another family loss with resilience instead of silence. Alongside healing, I discovered baking as my language of joy, first learning from my grandmother and later refining it in a high school culinary class. What began as cupcakes and cookies turned into a small business where I turned creativity into service. One proud milestone was completing a 350 cookie order for Sutter Health events while balancing school and deadlines. Those experiences showed me that hospitality is not just service but emotional connection, especially in spaces where people need comfort and celebration. I hope to expand that impact through a future in culinary hospitality, creating inclusive spaces and memorable food experiences that bring people together. Through every cookie I bake, I carry my papa’s belief in my light and my commitment to serve others with heart. Hospitality has become my way of transforming grief into action, turning kitchens into spaces where people feel welcomed, valued, and understood. It is the same spirit my papa lived by, and I continue it through every interaction with customers, classmates, and my community. In college, I plan to study hospitality management so I can combine entrepreneurship, baking, and service into a larger mission. My goal is to create dining experiences and community-centered spaces that reflect care, culture, and creativity in every detail. Ultimately, hospitality is how I choose to honor my story. It is how I keep my papa’s voice alive, how I process grief, and how I transform everyday ingredients into moments of joy for others. Whether through a single cookie or a full catering event, I want people to feel the same warmth my papa gave me when he said, “Heyy sweetie,” and made the world feel lighter. That is the impact I hope to carry forward into every kitchen, classroom, and community I enter with love and intention always growing forward.

Higher education is more than a pathway to a career for me; it is a space where my passions, resilience, and purpose can fully take shape. Attending college will allow me to refine my voice, expand my perspective, and develop the skills necessary to turn my creativity and lived experiences into meaningful impact. Through my journey, I have learned that growth often comes from discomfort, and I plan to carry that mindset with me as I pursue my future. During my sophomore year, I discovered the power of storytelling. What began as a simple world history project turned into an opportunity to share a deeply personal speech about overcoming loss and rebuilding my academic and emotional strength. Despite my fear of public speaking, I chose to be vulnerable. Standing in front of an audience, I transformed my pain into something that could inspire others. That moment showed me that my voice has the ability to connect, heal, and empower. In college, I hope to continue strengthening my writing and public speaking skills so I can advocate for others, share untold stories, and encourage young people to embrace their resilience. My passion for creating impact also grew through my experience in ethnic studies. That class opened my eyes to the histories and struggles of marginalized communities and helped me understand the importance of unity and representation. As a Black woman, I saw my own experiences reflected in the broader patterns of inequality we studied. Instead of feeling discouraged, I felt motivated to take action. I became involved in student organizations such as BSU and MEChA and helped organize Multicultural Night, where I celebrated culture, educated others, and spoke about the importance of community. These experiences showed me the power of collective voices and cultural pride. In higher education, I plan to continue engaging in spaces that promote equity and inclusion while using my leadership skills to create environments where everyone feels seen and valued. My resilience has also been shaped by personal loss. Losing my papa before high school and my uncle shortly after tested my strength in ways I never expected. Grief affected my mental health and academic performance, but it also taught me the importance of self-advocacy and healing. Through therapy, academic support, and determination, I raised my GPA from a 1.7 to a 3.7. More importantly, I learned how to face challenges without losing myself. These experiences have prepared me for the independence and responsibility that come with higher education. They have also given me a deeper sense of empathy, which I will use to support and uplift others who may be facing their own struggles. In addition to my academic and personal growth, my passion for baking has shown me how creativity can bring people together. What started as a childhood activity became a business that allowed me to express myself and connect with others. Completing a large order of 350 cookies for Sutter Health was a defining moment that proved I could balance responsibility, creativity, and ambition. Baking has taught me discipline, time management, and the value of turning passion into purpose. In college, I hope to further develop my culinary skills and eventually build a career that allows me to travel, create, and share my art with the world. Ultimately, higher education will equip me with the knowledge, experiences, and opportunities to grow into the person I aspire to be. I plan to create a positive impact by using my voice to inspire, my leadership to unite, and my creativity to connect with others. Whether through storytelling, advocacy, or culinary arts, I am committed to building a future that not only fulfills my dreams but also uplifts and empowers those around me.

I was born left handed like my dad, something that once felt as natural as breathing. It was a quiet connection between us, a small but meaningful trait I carried without question. But when I entered a private kindergarten, that simple part of who I was became something to be corrected. I was not only told to change, but also made to feel different. I was bullied and called weird by other kids for using my left hand. I struggled to make friends, and at such a young age, I began to feel like being myself was the reason I didn’t belong. My teachers insisted that I use my right hand instead. Day by day, I was guided, reminded, and sometimes forced to switch. What once felt effortless suddenly required focus and patience. At that point, conformity felt like the only way I could be normal, the only way I could fit in and be accepted. Slowly, I adapted. I learned how to write, draw, and function using my right hand, even though it never felt as natural or instinctive as my left. At first, it felt like I had lost a piece of myself. My movements were less fluid, my writing less comfortable, and my confidence slightly shaken. I adjusted because I felt like I had no choice, but something about it never fully felt right. For years, I carried that quiet discomfort, accepting it as something I couldn’t change. But when I entered high school, something shifted within me. I decided to take my power back and reconnect with the part of myself I had been taught to ignore. Over time, something unexpected happened. Instead of completely replacing one hand with the other, I began to rediscover my left hand on my own terms. Outside of expectations and pressure, I practiced using it again. At first, it felt unfamiliar, almost like starting over, but I stayed consistent. Slowly, my confidence returned, and my left hand began to feel like mine again. What started as resistance turned into growth. I didn’t just return to being left-handed, I became something more. I developed the ability to use both hands, each in its own way. My right hand became trained through structure and discipline, while my left hand remained connected to instinct and comfort. Together, they shaped me into someone ambidextrous, someone who could adapt and move between two different approaches with ease. This experience taught me more than how to use both hands. It showed me how to navigate pressure, reclaim my identity, and turn limitation into strength. I am not just left-handed or right-handed. I am self-taught, resilient, adaptable, and balanced between both.

Creativity has always been an essential part of who I am. Whether through painting, dance, fashion, or writing, I’ve always enjoyed different forms of art. With that came a strong desire to express myself in ways beyond “just speaking.” For a while, I thought I had discovered every kind of art there was, until I found another. One that unlocked a new level of creativity, set me on a path filled with opportunity, and revealed that you can also create art you can eat: baking. As a little girl, I spent summers with my grandmother learning to bake cupcakes and cookies in a kitchen filled with love and joy. But it wasn’t until I enrolled in a high school cooking class that I discovered my true passion. It was the first class where I felt free to be creative. I took what I learned and used baking as a way to ground myself during challenging times. It was the first time I did something simply because I loved it. When I decorate sugar cookies, I imagine something and then make it real. I feel my most authentic self when I’m creating in the kitchen. When I’m done and the kitchen is messy, I see it as a beautiful sign of creativity. Baking isn’t just mixing ingredients and putting them in the oven; it’s transforming what the earth gives us into something that connects people. Eventually, I turned my passion into profit by starting my own baking business. One of my proudest moments came when a customer recommended me to fulfill my largest order for Sutter Health: 350 decorated sugar cookies for two events, a department BBQ and a White Coat ceremony for new doctors and surgeons. I balanced schoolwork, business, and baking, managing my time to complete the orders early. Afterward, I received messages of gratitude, new followers, and repeat customers. Over time, baking became more than a creative outlet; it became a way to share my love, warmth, and artistry with others. Every cookie and cupcake is a work of art, filled with my heart and creativity in every bite. Getting this scholarship would allow me to shift my focus from financial stress to fully showing up and succeeding at California State University, Sacramento. With that support, I can dedicate my energy to growing as a chef, building my skills, and pursuing my dream of traveling the world through food and culture.