In the summer of 2005, I was born in a small village outside of Wuhan, China, and left at an orphanage, not even a year old. My fate rested on whether I was going to be adopted or not. If I didn't get adopted, I would age out of the orphanage at fifteen. Fortunately, a loving family from Florida adopted me into their family and their lives. Growing up with them, I never felt out of place despite being the Jamaican-Chinese daughter of a white family. That is, not until grade school. I had a very hard time fitting in while I was in grade school. From an early age, I was harassed and judged by my peers for longing different from them. I was burdened with the expectations associated with the Asian stereotype; smart, disciplined, and impersonal. I would always get offensive remarks like "Of course you know this, you're Asian" or if I was an illegal immigrant. I found myself trapped, continually battling against preconceived notions. I had grown up with these kids since we were in kindergarten, yet I was such a foreign concept to them. I summed their discrimination up to childhood ignorance, but I would soon learn that I was the naive one. I thought my experience with making friends in high school would be different. I was wrong. Making genuine friends had proven to be difficult again. Seeking comfort, I tried to fit into my school's Asian community, but I was faced with more discrimination. All these people had a common factor that made them a community, they were in touch with their culture. Their parents taught them native languages, traditions, and beliefs that had been passed down for generations. I found myself the odd one out again, going from being too Asian to not Asian enough and always reminded that I wasn't fully Asian like them. The Covid-19 pandemic brought even more adversity. Scientists traced the virus back to Wuhan, the same place I could trace myself back to. This brought me shame and embarrassment to admit that I had ties to that place that was seen as taboo and unclean. The media's blame on Asia for the pandemic only fueled discrimination and hate crimes. I had failed to fit in with people who didn't look like me, failed to be accepted by people who did look like me, and hated because I did look a certain way. After years of struggle and hardship with my cultural identity, I learned to embrace who I am with pride and confidence. I realized that I am more in touch with my ethnicity than those who rejected me. I am proud to be a first-generation Jamaican-Chinese immigrant and an advocate for minorities. The struggle to accept who I am has taught me the importance of staying true to myself and facing my adversities with resilience and courage. These experiences I faced have also greatly influenced my career choice. I am going to enter into higher education as an American History teacher with a specialty in modern history and the civil rights movement. I wholeheartedly believe that by educating others about the mistakes of the past, we can prevent their repetition in the future. Through my role as an educator, I hope to teach my students understanding, empathy, and inclusivity. By shedding light on the stories of struggle among marginalized communities, I hope to inspire future generations to change and stand up against discrimination and advocate for equality and a better world.

In the heart summer 2005, I was born in Wuhan, one of the three furnaces of China. Left at an orphanage, only less than a year old, my fate could be played out two ways, either get adopted or not. If I wasn’t adopted, I would age out of the orphanage at fifteen. Luckily, there was a family from Florida who wanted another baby. I can’t remember when I realized I was adopted. Although I looked different from the rest of my family, I never felt like the black sheep. I always felt like I belonged. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same when I was at school. It started in grade school when kids learned about the Asian stereotype. I was always expected to be smart, disciplined, and impersonal. When I didn’t know an answer, someone would say “You should know this. Doesn’t it come naturally to you?” and when I did know the answer I would hear “Of course you know this, you’re Asian.” It was a no-win situation. As one of three Asians in my class, I would always get asked if I could see or why I wasn’t named after one of the sounds a tin can makes falling down the stairs. While learning about immigration in sixth grade, one of my classmates asked me if I was an illegal immigrant. I was speechless. I had never viewed any of my classmates differently from me, so why was I so foreign to them? I had grown up with these kids and known them almost my entire life. I summed their discrimination up to simple childhood ignorance, but I would soon learn that I was just naive. The beginning of freshman year came and I was excited to make new friends. That didn’t happen. I had a difficult time making genuine friends. Seeking comfort, I tried to fit into my school’s Asian community but still had a difficult time. All these people had a common factor that made them a community, they were in touch with their culture. Their parents taught them the native languages, traditions, and beliefs that were passed down for generations. They could relate to each other in ways I couldn’t. I had gone from being too Asian to not Asian enough. These people I tried so hard to be like always reminded me that I couldn’t. I was too different, too “white-washed.” They coined me the banana, yellow on the outside, white on the inside. Then, Covid hit the second semester of freshman year. Scientists traced it back to Wuhan, the same place I came from. The media blamed Asia for the pandemic. I was embarrassed to admit I was from there, that unsanitary and taboo place. Riots and hate crimes were committed against people that looked like me, just for that sole reason. I had failed to fit in with people who didn’t look like me, failed to be accepted by people who did look like me, and hated because I did look this way. I struggled with my cultural identity for a while, lacking the confidence and connection to accept who I truly was. I realized that I am more in touch with my ethnicity than any of the people who didn’t accept me. I'm proud to be a first-generation immigrant, an advocate for minorities, and most importantly, I’m proud to be Asian. The struggle I went through to finally accept who I am taught me that if I stay true to myself, I can get through any adversity I face. I was, in fact, born in the furnace of China.

Author, speaker, entrepreneur, and Founder of the nonprofit educational company Collegiate EmPowerment, Anthony J. D'Angelo, once said, "Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow." Accordingly, something that I am particularly passionate about is expanding my knowledge, not necessarily through the traditional textbook and classroom setting, but also through the lives and experiences of myself and others I encounter throughout my life. I strive to be a lifelong learner. Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines such an individual as a philomath, a lover of learning, or a scholar. For as long as I can remember, I have always found joy and comfort in learning about various things, whether it be historical events from thousands of years ago or new scientific innovations in the making for our future. Growing up, I never had dreams of being a pop star or an actress. I wanted to grow up to make a difference and I believed that becoming an influential politician, the first female immigrant to be President of the United States of America, or traveling back in time and participating in the civil rights movement were the only ways to do so. As previously stated, I have always had a deep passion for learning, especially about the various cultures and religions throughout history. Learning about different cultures and religions means that you are learning about the different people that you have and will interact with throughout life. Edmund Burke, George Santayana, Winston Churchill, and many other great people of the past have said a variation of the following phrase: "If you do not learn from the mistakes of history, you are bound to repeat them." While in college, I plan on pursuing a double major in History and English, not only because I love learning about our past and what we have produced throughout time, but also analyzing how and what we have done has and will affect our future. During my time in college, I plan on utilizing the opportunities at my disposal to participate in experiences such as academic travels and cultural exposure occasions. I hope that participating in such occasions will help me become a more well-rounded individual and grow in my understanding of others. Many people in today's world do not understand or lack appreciation for history and different forms of cultural expressions, such as art, literature, traditions and practices, and movements. This leads to a future of closed-minded views toward various cultural backgrounds and expressions. That is why I want to encourage future generations to participate in those opportunities and experiences that will aid them in expanding their knowledge. I hope to take what I learn during my academic journey and expose others to the rich cultures of our past. That is why I plan on entering a career in higher education. Not only is furthering my education and knowledge a great passion of mine, but helping other people who share that passion is something that I enjoy immensely. I strive to educate future generations about the mistakes of the past so that they may create a better, brighter future. In analyzing the past, a majority of issues have been disagreements and clashes between cultures, races, and religions. This lack of empathy and understanding for those who may see things differently has caused lots of turmoil and chaos in our world. I believe that educating younger generations about history will help prevent these problems in the future.

I am always willing to accept advice from people who are willing to give it, especially when it comes to finances and life decisions. I recognize that there are and always will be people that know better than I do, one of those people being my favorite high school teacher, Mr. Lamb. Mr. Lamb taught my junior year U.S. History course, where I learned lots of valuable lessons from the past that also taught me about the future. He also inspired me to choose the career path that I have. If it was not for him, I wouldn’t want to enter into higher education as a history teacher, with a specialty in American History. He also inspired me to continue my education as much as I can because, he, as a full-time high school history teacher, husband, and father, also regularly enrolled himself in college courses for fun. He taught me that learning too much doesn’t make you a know-it-all, but a more well-rounded person. He also taught me that with education comes a lot of expenses. One of the most valuable lessons that he taught me was “You should always live off of less than you make, no matter how successful you become.” These words have profoundly shaped the way that I perceive my finances. The concept of living off of less than you make revolves around the practices of frugality and avoiding unnecessary debt. It emphasizes the importance of budgeting correctly, spending wisely, and saving for the future. I don’t want to say that I am a cheap person, but I have always been on the frugal side with my spending habits. My mindset has always been something like “Anything to save a buck, right?” By adhering to Mr. Lamb’s advice, I hope that I can avoid the burden of excessive debt that many people I know suffer from as best I can. I also hope that I can maintain financial stability and, ultimately, achieve financial security and independence. I am fully aware that I will run into many challenges during my years in college, seeing that I have run into a few already. I am paying my way through college with, unfortunately, no support from my parents. Not only am I paying my tuition and housing while I am at college, but I also have to support myself during the off months when school is out. To implement the advice that I have been given to “live off of less,” I have developed a comprehensive plan. I started budgeting this year in preparation for college and I plan on continuing this practice for the rest of my life. I have found budgeting to be extremely helpful when it comes to allocating where to spend my income and effectively tracking my expenses. By closely monitoring my spending habits, I can identify where I can cut back and reduce spending on unnecessary things and move that money into my savings instead. To supplement my financial needs, I plan on continuing to work while at school and make most of the time I have during the off-months of the year. I have multiple sources of income that will help me in paying for my tuition, fees, food, and housing expenses while slowly saving up to support myself in the future. I intend to minimize my student loan debt by actively applying to as many scholarships as I can. By applying to this SmartAsset and exploring other scholarship opportunities, I hope to alleviate some of the burdens of college expenses without having to rely too heavily on student loans and borrowed funds. I do recognize the importance of setting aside a portion of my income for savings and investments. By starting early and consistently practicing saving habits, I aim to build an emergency fund and a substantial savings account. I will, however, always prioritize essential expenses and carefully evaluate purchases of things that I do not necessarily need. By distinguishing between needs and wants, I try to make smart financial decisions and avoid impulsive spending. By practicing this financial discipline, I will be able to minimize debt more efficiently, not only while I am in college, but even in my life after. Whether it is avoiding excessive credit card debt or carefully considering large purchases, I will strive to maintain a healthy and stable financial position. This is what Mr. Lamb meant when he said “You should always live off of less than you make, no matter how successful you become.” The ability to live within my means will allow for consistent savings and investment opportunities that will build generational wealth for my children, grandchildren, and so on. The advice that Mr. Lamb gave me to live off of less than I make has left an indelible mark on my financial mindset. By continuing to practice frugality, budgeting, and wise financial decisions, I hope to set a solid foundation for my college career and my life after. By finding multiple sources of income, minimizing debt, saving and investing wisely, and practicing smart spending habits, I am committed to achieving financial independence while trying to avoid unnecessary financial burdens. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply to this scholarship and with the help of SmartAsset, I am confident that I will be able to navigate the financial challenges of college and fulfill my dreams and aspirations for a successful future.

Author, speaker, entrepreneur, and Founder of the nonprofit educational company Collegiate EmPowerment, Anthony J. D'Angelo, once said, "Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow." Accordingly, something that I am particularly passionate about is expanding my knowledge, not necessarily through the traditional textbook and classroom setting, but also through the lives and experiences of myself and others I encounter throughout my life. I strive to be a lifelong learner. Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines such an individual as a philomath, a lover of learning, or a scholar. For as long as I can remember, I have always found joy and comfort in learning about various things, whether it be historical events from thousands of years ago or new scientific innovations in the making for our future. Growing up, I never had dreams of being a pop star or an actress. I wanted to grow up to make a difference and I believed that becoming an influential politician, the first female immigrant to be President of the United States of America, or travelling back in time and participating in the civil rights movement were the only ways to do so. As previously stated, I have always had a deep passion for learning, especially about the various cultures and religions throughout history. Learning about different cultures and religions means that you are learning about the different people that you have and will interact with throughout life. Edmund Burke, George Santayana, Winston Churchill, and many other great people of the past have said a variation of the following phrase: "If you do not learn from the mistakes of history, you are bound to repeat them." While in college, I plan on pursuing a double major in History and English, not only because I love learning about our past and what we have produced throughout time, but also analyzing how and what we have done has and will affect our future. During my time in college, I plan on utilizing the opportunities at my disposal to participate in experiences such as academic travels and cultural exposure occasions. I hope that participating in such occasions will help me become a more well-rounded individual and grow in my understanding of others. Many people in today's world do not understand or lack appreciation for history and different forms of cultural expressions, such as art, literature, traditions and practices, and movements. This leads to a future of closed-minded views toward various cultural backgrounds and expressions. That is why I want to encourage future generations to participate in those opportunities and experiences that will aid them in expanding their knowledge. I hope to take what I learn during my academic journey and expose others to the rich cultures of our past. That is why I plan on entering a career in higher education. Not only is furthering my education and knowledge a great passion of mine, but helping other people who share that passion is something that I enjoy immensely. I strive to educate future generations about the mistakes of the past so that they may create a better, brighter future. In analyzing the past, a majority of issues have been disagreements and clashes between cultures, races, and religions. This lack of empathy and understanding for those who may see things differently has caused lots of turmoil and chaos in our world. I believe that educating younger generations about history will help prevent these problems in the future.

Making an impact is a goal that many people strive to accomplish int heir lives, yet few truly understand its meaning. In my opinion, making an impact is about creating positive change in the world, no matter how big or small it may be. People could be making an impact by helping others, giving back to their communities, or promoting a cause, but simply stating, making an impact means leaving a positive mark on the world. One way I believe that I have made an impact is by helping younger students learn and enjoy going to school. I have done this through tutoring and volunteering to help in the classrooms at my old elementary school. These experiences have nurtured my passion for education and my desire to help other people learn. I believe that teachers and educators are the most powerful people in the world and that education is the foundation for a better future. By helping students succeed in school, I can make a difference in their personal lives and influence them to also make an impact in their communities, When I first started tutoring, I was doing it purely as a source of income. However, as I started to see the kids I was helping progress in their classes and their lives, I began to realize the impact that I was making. I was watching as the students I was teaching who had previously struggled in school began to enjoy learning and participating in their classes. I lowered my prices for my services because watching their confidence grow gave me a sense of pride in knowing that I had played a small part in their success was more than enough compensation. As I continued to volunteer and tutor, my passion for education and my desire to help others learn grew. I decided that I want to pursue a career in higher education as a History professor. I believe that by teaching history, I can help students understand the events of the past to help them make better decisions in creating a better future. I can also help my students explore their passions and aid them in figuring out how they want to make an impact in the world with their lives. My experiences as a tutor and volunteer have taught me that making an impact may not always be easy. It takes dedication, hard work, willingness, and passion to step outside of your comfort zone and lead other people and stay firm in your beliefs. However, the rewards of the outcome always outweigh any potential struggle I may be faced with. Seeing the progress that the kids that I have helped make and knowing that I have helped them on their path to success is very fulfilling. In conclusion, making an impact means creating a positive change in the world, big or small. For me, making an impact has been helping younger students learn and enjoy going to school through tutoring and aiding in the classroom. This has nurtured my passion for education and my desire to help others learn, leading me to pursue a career path in higher education as a History professor. I believe that education is the foundation for a better future and, by guiding and teaching students to succeed, I can make a difference in their lives and communities that will live on into the future.

I strongly believe that community service plays a pivotal role in personal growth and development and more parents should encourage their children to get involved in volunteer opportunities at a young age. My parents also believe so, and since I was a child, they have instilled in me the importance and value of giving back to our community. Their decision to expose me to such opportunities has had a profound impact on my life and played a major role in shaping me into the person I am today. Through these experiences, I have learned the importance of helping others, especially those who are less fortunate than I am. It has sparked a strong passion within me to make a positive difference in our world. While I greatly appreciate the guidance that my parents have provided for me, sometimes I feel that I could have been more instrumental in contributing and bringing change to society. I wish that I had been pushed to be more active in my community through other methods besides community service, like social activism or civic engagement. However, this realization has led me to find new ways to make an impact and pursue my aspirations of making a positive impact on society. I plan on attending Florida Gulf Coast University in the fall, where I will pursue a double major in History and English. I have chosen these majors because I hope to enter a career in higher education as a History professor after earning my Master's degree and eventually my Doctorate, specializing in American History. I strongly believe that history is an essential subject because it informs us about the successes and failures of past societies, providing us with valuable insight that can help us navigate the present and bring positive change for the future. As a History professor, I will have the opportunity to shape the minds of younger generations and help them explore their passions while instilling in them a sense of responsibility to make a positive impact on society. I believe that education is the key to creating positive change in the world, and my desire to be a History professor aligns with my goal of making a positive impact on society through education. While my parents' guidance was instrumental in instilling my passion for change through community service, I feel that I can bring change for the better in other ways. I plan on continuing my involvement in my community the same way I have been doing since I was younger, but I also hope to bring about change in our world through education. By achieving my goals and pursuing a career in higher education as a History professor, I hope to educate people about the successes and failures of our past to create a better future. In conclusion, community service is a crucial aspect of personal growth and development, and more parents should encourage their children to be positively involved in their communities from a young age. My parents understood this and instilled in me the value of giving back, especially to those in need, but I sometimes wish that they had pushed me to be more socially active or civically engaged. However, in realizing this, I found a different way to make an impact and pursue my aspirations of making a positive impact on society. Through a career in higher education and becoming a History professor, I hope to make a valuable contribution to society and leave a lasting legacy that will inspire future generations to take action and pursue positive changes in the world.

Generational wealth is a slightly controversial topic that is often met with mixed emotions and various opinions. While some people see it as an opportunity to ensure that their family has a secure financial future, other people may view it as a factor that substantially perpetuates inequality and limits social mobility. However, regardless of one's personal opinion on the subject, it must be admitted that generational wealth has the potential to offer a wide variety of benefits. To achieve generational wealth, it is necessary to have a long-term perspective mindset and be willing and committed to making smart financial decisions. These decisions could be investing in stocks, real estate, or other assets that have the potential to appreciate in value over time while also establishing a successful business, gaining specialized knowledge and skills, and, or properly planning your estate. Building generational wealth can be a very complex process that involves a lot of knowledge and strategy. Despite the complexity of building generational wealth, its advantages can provide a sense of comfort and stability for an individual's family and future generations. Through generational wealth, families can ensure that their descendants can have access to quality education, healthcare, status, and other opportunities that may not have been possible without the support of financial wealth. Generational wealth can also help individuals who want to leave a lasting legacy for their families, which can be passed down from generation to generation. However, it is important to acknowledge that generational wealth can also severely perpetuate inequality and greatly limit social mobility. Concentrating wealth in certain families or social groups can create a lasting cycle of privileged lifestyles that is very difficult to break, making it even harder for people from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve financial success. This can result in social inequality, which can impact several aspects of an individual's life, such as access to quality education, healthcare, and job opportunities. Ultimately, whether or not an individual chooses to prioritize building generational wealth is a personal choice. Some people may prioritize financial stability and long-term planning, while others, such as myself, may prioritize enjoying experiences and living in the present. Although I do not have a financially oriented mindset, I recognize the benefits of building generational wealth for my children's future. I prefer to prioritize living in the present than focusing on accumulating wealth and financial assets for the future, however, I realize that if I invest a portion of my money over a long time, it can be a valuable long-term strategy to ensure some financial stability for my family. I understand that investing requires a certain level of knowledge and expertise, but I am willing to learn and commit to making informed financial decisions to build wealth for my descendants. I hope that my efforts toward building generational wealth will provide my family with the opportunities and resources that they need to succeed and live fulfilling lives, and I am determined to advance toward achieving this goal.

Author, speaker, entrepreneur, and Founder of the nonprofit educational company Collegiate EmPowerment, Anthony J. D'Angelo, once said, "Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow." Accordingly, something that I am particularly passionate about is expanding my knowledge, not necessarily through the traditional textbook and classroom setting, but also through the lives and experiences of myself and others I encounter throughout my life. I strive to be a lifelong learner. Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines such an individual as a philomath, a lover of learning, or a scholar. For as long as I can remember, I have always found joy and comfort in learning about various things, whether it be historical events from thousands of years ago or new scientific innovations in the making for our future. Growing up, I never had dreams of being a pop star or an actress. I wanted to grow up to make a difference and I believed that becoming an influential politician, the first female immigrant to be President of the United States of America, or travelling back in time and participating in the civil rights movement were the only ways to do so. As previously stated, I have always had a deep passion for learning, especially about the various cultures and religions throughout history. Learning about different cultures and religions means that you are learning about the different people that you have and will interact with throughout life. Edmund Burke, George Santayana, Winston Churchill, and many other great people of the past have said a variation of the following phrase: "If you do not learn from the mistakes of history, you are bound to repeat them." While in college, I plan on pursuing a double major in History and English, not only because I love learning about our past and what we have produced throughout time, but also analyzing how and what we have done has and will affect our future. During my time in college, I plan on utilizing the opportunities at my disposal to participate in experiences such as academic travels and cultural exposure occasions. I hope that participating in such occasions will help me become a more well-rounded individual and grow in my understanding of others. Many people in today's world do not understand or lack appreciation for history and different forms of cultural expressions, such as art, literature, traditions and practices, and movements. This leads to a future of closed-minded views toward various cultural backgrounds and expressions. That is why I want to encourage future generations to participate in those opportunities and experiences that will aid them in expanding their knowledge. I hope to take what I learn during my academic journey and expose others to the rich cultures of our past. That is why I plan on entering a career in higher education. Not only is furthering my education and knowledge a great passion of mine, but helping other people who share that passion is something that I enjoy immensely. I strive to educate future generations about the mistakes of the past so that they may create a better, brighter future. In analyzing the past, a majority of issues have been disagreements and clashes between cultures, races, and religions. This lack of empathy and understanding for those who may see things differently has caused lots of turmoil and chaos in our world. I believe that educating younger generations about history will help prevent these problems in the future.