"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” –John Bunyan. Being selfless is often mistaken for kindness, but I believe there’s a difference between the two. Whereas kindness is a characteristic that belongs to your nature or shows goodness as a single act, selflessness is the quality of caring more about what other people need than about what you want. For me, selflessness also relies on a feeling: a quiet weightlessness that can bring deep inner peace and warm connection to the people around you. I get that feeling whenever I give my time and energy without expecting any recognition in return. It helps strengthen multiple of my values: compassion, community, and the impact of making a difference. Volunteering in my community has become one of the ways that I can practice my own selflessness. It helps me stay grounded to what the community needs but also allows me to resonate with those who are going through things that are just unimaginable. I’ve gone through mission trips that have strengthened not only my faith but also spread the word of God by putting his teachings into action through love and service. We went my first year to a small town in West Virginia to help with projects in their community, and though we did so many things while we were there, one really stuck with me. Belonging to a father of two boys who had their grandmother with them. The father was working days to support not only the growing boys but also his mother, who struggled to walk and do much on her own. Our mission was to tear apart the old porch and rebuild and install a ramp so that his mother could walk outside. We worked through the heat and tearing apart and in the rain to rebuild, and in the end we got to see her walk out. We were there because we simply had an ability to help and we didn’t expect anything in return. Yet the father started crying, explaining how he lost God and how this helped him believe good people are still out there. That feeling of being warm inside blossomed, and I teared up since his actions spoke so loud to me. I've been able to learn empathy, gratitude, patience, and how small actions can have meaningful effects. My time has always been the most valuable thing that I’d ever give to someone, because it shows that helping doesn’t always require money or extraordinary resources. Just like when I helped as a volunteer youth cheer coach for practices, games, and just having fun. As I go into my path of architecture and studying it, I want to continue being selfless, and I’ll achieve it not only through volunteering but also by serving my communities with my talents. I want to use architecture to create spaces that not only are good for the community but also improve people’s individual lives. It’s the mindset I have now; I want to use what I’m capable of doing to make life better for other people. Selflessness isn’t always something you do when only volunteering but acting when someone needs help and having the ability to do something about it. I’ll continue searching for the feeling that selflessness brings me so that I can do better for the community. “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson.

I am a student that is both motivated and creative, and I live by the values of growth, perseverance, and making a difference in the world. I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ like to study because it provides me with the power to deep-dive and figure out the real workings of the world and how people can lead better lives through the use of cleverly made products. Success is not just about good grades; it is about using the education given to you as a tool to create meaningful change in the lives of others. To me, architecture is the most fascinating field, as it entails a creative method, solving problems, and making a positive contribution to reality. One of my​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ major struggles in high school was probably my lack of confidence and the need to perform well in school. I even remember that there were a couple of times when the pressure of handling school and personal expectations became so heavy that I wanted to give up and I started doubting my abilities when I found myself in situations I couldn't get out of. Like evenings where I would sit at my desk and question being capable of meeting the perfection of each assignment I had. I solved these problems by getting and using time-management skills and being diligent, and I also kept on saying to myself that it is much more essential to go step by step than to make a perfect ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌leap. I have constantly worked to improve my understanding of mathematics, science subjects, and design-related fields because I know these skills will prepare me for my future. I have learned to break large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, and more importantly, I remind myself daily that progress is more valuable than perfection. All these experiences have equipped me with the tools to have emotional stamina and belief in myself, and they have also shown me that the occurrence of difficulties is merely a sign to increase the size of one’s toolkit rather than to quit. Success is not just about achieving goals; it also happens through consistent effort, patience, and determination. I believe that I should be considered for this scholarship due to my unwavering commitment as a creative, hardworking, and motivated student. I have always been committed to my personal growth, perseverance, and making a positive impact on the world. One of my greatest passions is continuing to learn and expanding my knowledge in the field of architecture. I enjoy studying because it allows me to understand how the world continues to work and what innovative ideas can improve people's lives. Yet as I go to college, I remember what my grandfather has always said, "The only free education you will ever receive is K-12, so use it wisely.” I have used the resources available to me and have taken full advantage of my current education, but I will need help with finances to keep moving forward, and that is what I hope to gain from this scholarship. This is so that I can get the opportunity to pursue a degree in architecture and continue to make a positive impact on the world through my bachelor’s of architecture. After I get my degree and when I assume the role of an architect, I am going to positively influence the world through my designs. My spaces will be practical, featureable, and emotionally impactful. I want to make architecture be the vehicle that carries the communities to the next level by making the buildings accessible and giving the people a chance to be more independent. The bridge between architecture and human interaction is a two-way process, and I intend to use my learning to create places that are not only environmentally friendly but also safe and attractive for the less fortunate groups of people who live among us. I also want to open my own architectural firm and eventually create a scholarship for future aspiring architects like myself, since there aren't many dedicated to just architecture. The idea of my career plan as an architect is to find a way to give back to the community. I want to create the situations that turn the barriers of life and setbacks into a source of inspiration, which was very rare before, by blending the two aspects, creativity and compassion. In one, thus, I will not be just constructing buildings but also coming up with environments that stimulate, empower, and include ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌people. I not only will use the education that I receive from this scholarship to achieve my goals and build a future for myself but also create a positive and lasting impact on the communities I will serve.

I am incredibly enthusiastic about the greatness of architecture, which means not only the creation of buildings but also a new world where people can live, learn, and grow. Life, to me, conveys a message that every spec of a very vast universe like ours is not lonely but connected through the mutual giving of love, safety, and innovation. Every building is a character, and I want to be one of the few people making our communities aware of such feelings about our planet, like our own home. One thing that really gets me interested in architecture is that it is such a union of the fantastic, the creative, and the practical. For me, the fun aspect here with work is that it is a challenge to hone one’s critical thinking; at the same time, one has to skillfully blend grace with effectiveness and also design with both feeling and intellect. The beauty may be the soft curve of the stairs or the subdued ray coming through the window, but these little things are enough to alter people’s mood in that space. Such an impact on one’s mood, concentration, and health is, indeed, very strong. I am drawn to sustainable and community-oriented design, and I would actually be more than willing to support the development of buildings that are not only high but also strong with the natural environment to, thus, connect more people. The experience of living in a small rural town in the middle of nowhere has made me realize that architecture is the leading factor in community identity, from schools to places where people meet and interact. My biggest influencer and inspiration is my mother. My mom works two jobs to keep us afloat, and while we may not have the main brand things, we do have everything we could ever want or need. She has made sacrifices of her own time to ensure that I remain well educated and remain healthy in both my physical and mental health. She showed me resilience, gratitude, humility, and perseverance, but she also gave me unconditional love because whenever my little sister and I were happy, she was too. I have learned that I want to give back through community service and by guiding others in the activities I do, because the love I was given should always be shared so others can rely on it, so I will do that through architecture. In the end, I can thrive in challenges that are thrown my way because I can adapt, and I help others do the same. Moreover, it is truly fantastic and unbelievable that through architecture, we can make more than just walls; what we actually create is a community of people with needs like opportunities, hope, and the feeling of belonging. The point is that it includes everything I like: the enthusiasm for creativity, the eagerness to solve problems, and the idea of leaving a positive impact on people’s lives forever. My vision for the future is a built environment that heals rather than merely occupies. Looking ahead, I am determined to create change by focusing on sustainable, adaptive, reusable projects to transform underutilized spaces into vibrant community centers that will foster connection and resilience.

Going into the world as a woman already has significant biological, social, physical, and systematic challenges. Most women, if not all, are frequently judged considerably more harshly than men for expressing ambition, entering male-dominant careers, or choosing to remain childfree. The world has accepted these monotonous traditions and processes because that is how it’s done instead of fighting for diversity; I didn’t. For me, I am entering into the male-dominated field of architecture, where the gender gap is steadily closing. While women make up around half of architecture graduates, we still remain underrepresented in the licensed profession and face significant hurdles with leadership and firm ownership. I have been forging my own path and changing this for my future, slowly but surely, by taking a drafting and design program at my local Career and Technology Center. The past two years have been a blur of learning how to create floor plans, facades, internal systems, and more. I have also gone into the SkillsUSA competitions for architectural drafting and achieved second place at districts; despite not moving on to states, I have gained the confidence to know that this is the career path I choose. Furthermore, I recently graduated at the top of my drafting class and am an outstanding student nominee for the entire CTC class of 2026. These have not only propelled me further into what I have an undeniable passion for but also guided me into college with a head start. As I go to Marywood University, I will be getting my bachelor's of architecture to change the future. With architecture looking through the lens of STEM, I will focus on designing buildings and spaces not just as static structures but as dynamic, tech-enabled, and eco-friendly systems that benefit not only the human race but will also provide for the betterment of the planet. I plan on weaving the six core pillars of STEM together for my architecture designs: innovation, mobility, sustainability, technology, leadership, and human-centered engineering. This mindset captures the essence of transitioning from a developer to an architect who will build a better tomorrow. I am not merely looking to join a STEM field but to redefine it for the women in the world. I will not need to continue following the traditions that everyone has accepted because that is no longer what people should do if the world plans to keep moving forward with advancements. I aim to design resilient, inclusive cities that reflect the diverse people all around us, for the long-term impact of our human experiences is beneficial.

Service to me is something that is lived through daily, not just as an activity. I am currently a high school senior transitioning into a freshman at college. Most people my age have been working jobs and saving up for college, but for me, I’ve been volunteering every second of my free time to help those in my community. I try hard to embody service through my actions, and I wish to continue this well into my future. As I continue my education, I have to face one of the widest and most influential choices in my academic career. To give some background, community service is unpaid work by individuals or groups to help the community. It’s designed to address needs like supporting the vulnerable, improving public spaces, or assisting in a non-profit organization. A life of service to me is a mindset of being dedicated to helping others and contributing to the common good instead of focusing solely on personal gain. It’s not just volunteering, but an approach to living when someone looks for opportunities to fill needs. To guide others, I must guide myself, and I do so with my faith, empathy, responsibility, and leadership. During cheer season, we didn’t have a youth cheer coach, and so the cheerleaders volunteered over 40 hours of time for the younger girls to learn and cheer on the sidelines. I’ve also worked with my National Honor Society, SkillsUSA, Student Government, Prom Committee, and more of my school clubs to help with what I can. Yet I’m not limited to my school activities to volunteer as I go with my youth group on mission trips to help the less fortunate and also help with my church when it’s wanted, which it almost always is. Though I’ve volunteered so much time, I’m not worried about my name being in the spotlight, and it emphasizes the impact of what I actually do. As I head off to college to get my bachelor’s in architecture with the hope of continuing to volunteer, I have a big financial burden. I want to use my education to help make sustainable, affordable spaces that help communities, create solutions for real needs, and all with a long-term goal of giving back. Yet, I have to make the biggest choice I’ve ever faced: continue volunteering with all that I have, or focus on working myself to the bone, getting money to pay for my tuition. I come from a single-parent household where my mom works two jobs, and we still fall dangerously close to the federal poverty level of $27,320 annually before taxes. That being said, she is unable to help me when it comes to college costs, meaning I am responsible for tuition, supplies, food, and housing; I want to be able to limit the amount of loans I come out with and increase the time spent on volunteering. This scholarship would help ease the limitations and have the impact I can make on the world we live in. I can make more time for service and have the ability to focus on my career preparation to continue working towards a better community and society that people should know. So I tell you that service to me is something that is lived through daily, not just as an activity; I hold myself to these standards by giving up my free time to help those in my community. I try hard to embody service through my actions, and I wish to continue this well into my future. I’ll plan on continuing service through my education, career, and volunteering.

As I continue to develop the road I am taking, I will be pursuing architecture not only as a career but also as a way to serve communities. Yet I can’t make a move or start my life without starting the next step in my education. College supports my passion for architecture when fueling my desire to create meaningful, community-centered spaces, while keeping me motivated to stay rooted in service, faith, and personal experiences. Architecture requires precision and creativity, both of which are learned through higher education. College provides the tools, training, and opportunities needed for me to achieve my goals; for my objectives, college is not an option but a necessity, as it builds the foundation that will allow me to turn ideas into real functional spaces. I can gain and improve skills like CAD software, structural design, problem-solving, and collaboration in studio work. Throughout my college experience, it allows me to gain the knowledge of studio projects, internships, and real-world design challenges. When I head to Marywood University for my bachelor’s in architecture, I plan on achieving this goal to then move up to a master's and become a licensed architect. Then, after I get all of the education that my heart desires, I can design and open my own firm. Afterwards, I plan to create community-centered spaces while in the work field or on my own time. This is so I can bring people together, make accessible environments so that no one is excluded with accessibility barriers, and give back to those who surround me. I want to support underserved populations, and I hope to give back through mentorships or scholarships for future students, especially girls in architecture. Yet even as I volunteer a lot of my time now with my youth group, my church, my school, and my community, I can only hope that in the near future I can continue to do so at college. This scholarship would help me with this hope because it will ease the financial burden of coming from a single-parent household with my mom working two jobs. She cannot help me with my tuition or college costs, so that means I depend on scholarships, jobs, and loans to be able to get by. Yet the more loans and jobs I get, the less time I have to give back to my community or give a purpose. It all ties together: mission trips, community service, faith-driven purpose, and my passion for architecture point towards the future I hope to accomplish, but it all starts with my education. Higher education not only prepares students like me for a career but also allows me to discover and transform my passions into meaningful changes. Education is a pathway to impact my communities, which can be a way to leave my mark on those around me, and this shows my life’s purpose. As I go into college, it will help fuel my passion for architecture and continue to make an impact in my future as it drives me forward.

I have been taking a college history class this senior year, and I have been thriving in the work I have been given. Being the studious student I am, I have always been ahead of the work. We recently had a presentation and a test for our Chapter 10 unit. I stayed up late for 3 nights working on the presentation and studying my vocab, notes, and curriculum, feeling unstoppable. I color-coded my notes, highlighted all of my vocabulary in sentences, and had my sister and mother sit and listen to my presentation while giving me pointers. I was ready to recite whatever I needed for the next day; I was unusually calm while others remained nervous. I sat back in my chair while others flipped through their notes with vigor as if they were preparing for the final exam, because I had this completely under control. At one point, I told them to relax because the test would be easy. As my teacher stood up and started talking, she announced that we would begin the presentations on Chapter 9 from the book. For a moment, I thought that I had maybe misheard her because surely she meant chapter 10. My confidence lasted for about five seconds before my brain caught up to me and I realized every page that I had studied and crammed for was from the wrong chapter. And in those five seconds, my brain slowly processed what was said, and my body froze as I started to flip through the notes, just hoping that the teacher made a mistake. It was hilarious to both my teacher and me because I was trying to connect unrelated information and write creatively on the test, all while hoping that no one noticed. During my presentation, I tried to confidently relate the topics and ended up connecting three different historical events in ways historians probably never intended. At one point, I made different historical figures from different time periods act as if they had all attended the same meeting. The test never went much better, and I would say that I had to get quite creative with my answers. Looking back, it is still one of the most humbling academic moments I have had. It taught me that preparation is key and only works when you study the right material. Now I have reasoned that I always need to double-check my instructions. And while confidence is great, accuracy and awareness also matter. I did not walk away with the best grade that day, but I left with a story that I still laugh about and tell my friends and family daily. It is now known to me as the time I studied everything...except the right chapter.

Growing up with a single mother showed me that love isn’t measured by how many parents I have, but by how much they give. People often say that single parents can't give their child the same love as a married couple would, but growing up in a single-parent household has only been filled with the most care. I’ll say there is no magical number of parents, and when it comes to children, support is always the answer. Being raised by a single mother was always about character and impact, not blame or hatred. My mom worked two jobs to keep us afloat, and while we may not have the main brand things, we do have everything we could ever want or need. She has made sacrifices of her own time to ensure that I’m well educated and healthy in both my physical and mental health. She showed me resilience, gratitude, humility, and perseverance; there were nights she would come home late but still make time for my younger sister and me. Yet she also gave me unconditional love because whenever we were happy, she was too. I've learned that I want to give back through community service and by guiding others in the activities I do, because the support I was given should always be shared so others can rely on it. Blended families or single-parent households often require some type of adjustment. Instead of withdrawing, I adapted to the change. My father was never in the picture, and I was lucky that my grandparents could help us when they could, but I moved around quite a lot when I was younger until we lived back in my mother's childhood home. The constant change in area made me endure the transitions and allowed me to stay strong. When my sister's father and my mother got married, we became a blended family, with his oldest daughter visiting now and then. Yet they got divorced, and once again, I had only a single parent guiding me through, but once again, my mother helped me navigate uncertainty. In the end, I’ve learned that I can thrive in challenges that are thrown my way because I can adapt, and I help others do the same. Although I haven't had a formal job, I’ve still learned how to be creative, problem-solving, organized, and to volunteer. I volunteer several weeks each year to give back to my community, and I want to continue doing good in the future. Once I get to college, I plan on continuing my regular volunteering while I study, because I want to design places that reflect the needs of others. This way, I can help design places that will help and serve people with safe, inclusive environments. After achieving my career goals, I want to give back to future architects through scholarships and mentorships; I want there to be more of a purpose behind what I do. In the end, being raised by my single mother has made me learn necessary traits from her guidance, create a way for me to adapt to challenges, and also give to my community when I can, just like she did for me. Being raised by a single mother never limited me, but instead it shaped me to be who I am and what I strive to be. Now I am a driven young woman who will continue to work for what I want to be. Since my mother raised me to be who I am, I have been impacted so much by her, and she always holds my utmost respect and love.

The strongest lessons that I have learned never came from a classroom or a workspace, but from my grandmother, who showed me how to live my life without regrets. Being the only grandmother I had, she taught me to be the woman I want to be. Always being told that I create my own future, I became who I am because of her, but where I should have rejoiced, I mourned instead. My grandmother, Lysa Gibbs, gave her all to everything and was a hardworking, faith-driven woman who strived to give back, which inspired me to do the same. Even though I was barely old enough to do anything great, the connection we had made us inseparable. With teaching me how to sew and guiding me through scripture in the church services she led, she became the role model I craved. My grandmother passed away on April 11th, 2017, due to primary peritoneal carcinoma cancer, which is an aggressive strain linked to ovarian cancer. This all happened when I was eight, and it hit me harder than it should have, because it was the day before her birthday. As a kid, I couldn't understand why this was happening. I constantly thought that God was angry with me and had taken her away from me to teach me a lesson. I became depressed, secluded, and ultimately alone in more ways than one. The school grades I worked so hard to achieve were depleted within months, and I quit caring. I stopped believing in faith because "praying never did anything", I told myself. I watched for three and a half years of her battle with this stage 4 aggressive cancer, and until she finally let go, she was always in pain. Looking back on it, I saw that what she was going through was depleting her energy and making her suffer more than she needed to. It took years of constantly going to therapy, reflecting, and coping for me to realize what her death really meant, not only to me but to her. After figuring this out, it helped make me crave a better connection with God and rebuild the faith I once had. This scholarship will help me while I go to college to uplift others in my future. I am going for architecture, and I hope to be able to create buildings for my community to give back to those who gave to me during such hard times. Since my mom is a single mother who works two jobs just to get by, I have a financial burden going off to college, making it harder to pay for my future. So this scholarship will help ease that burden with my education and have fewer limits of financial stress. I not only volunteer my time now in clothing closets and mission trips, but I also hope that in the near future I can be able to help those who also struggle with going through loss; I want them to know that it will all work out in the end. My grandma always said that the future holds great things for me, and that it can only be what I make it, and I will always keep those words of wisdom close to my heart. So I tell you that we should not focus on the negative past we have, but on the possibility of the future that you can create as you work for it. As I build my future, my grandmother watches over me, seeing her legacy, her lessons, and her love live through every step that I will take.

From randomly drawing two-point views of buildings to painting my senior block based on my faith and building my future, I've not only developed but also used my passion for architecture.      As I move forward, I have several short-term and long-term goals to check off my bucket list. When I attend Marywood University, I'll be majoring in Architecture to help develop CAD software skills, structural understanding, and creative problem-solving to become the architect I aspire to be. Afterwards, I plan on going for my Master's in Architecture and also becoming a licensed architect so that I can design community-centered spaces, sustainable buildings, and accessible environments to eventually help communities and create meaningful spaces, while blending creativity and function, all of which help me stay down to earth and remain humane to myself. But after years in this position, I wish to open up my own architectural firm and give back to all those who have helped me along the way. I want to save up money to help give back by creating a scholarship for girls who are also going into architecture, because we always need to support those for what the future holds.     Why does architecture matter to me, you might ask? Well, I've had several key factors that have pushed me towards my future. I love to be creative and design random things, but in my brain, everything has to be functional or analytical. So my mother helped me out by telling me to pay attention to a trip for our local Career and Technology Center, where I found the Drafting and Design program. I enrolled and got accepted to be 1 of the 5 seniors in the class. Yet this year will sadly be the last because the program is shutting down since there won't be a teacher to take on the class. It's very disheartening to know this, but it was a great opportunity to find what I love and to experience this class. So that is why I want to give back through architecture, to show that even though the program is shutting down, I've learned valuable things to use for my future.     As I've mentioned, I'm heading to Marywood University for my B.ARCH, which is a private institute, is creating a worrisome amount of financial burden. On top of that, I have a single mother who makes less than $30,000 a year while working two jobs, so getting financial help from her is slim to none, so I'm relying heavily on scholarships. I'm hoping that from this scholarship I can reduce the stress of tuition and expenses while allowing me to focus more on my academics. I also hope that it can help me afford materials that are important for architecture models that I'll need to create in classes. It will also allow more time for studio work, community projects, and internships to get me more experience under my belt to become the aspiring architect I crave to be. It would also allow me to pursue my goals fully without cutting corners, and support me with my long-term decision of eventually giving back to my community. It would allow me to dedicate more time to developing skills instead of being limited by my financial barriers.     As I grow into what I want to be, I'll always continue to draw random buildings and fuel my passion for architecture, whether I get this scholarship or not. But, this would not be just an investment in my education, but in the communities that I wish to serve through my future work as an architect.

When I first entered my high school years, I viewed school as something to complete rather than a place to discover who I truly was. I focused on finishing my assignments and moving on without thinking deeply about what those assignments and experiences could do to shape my future. I was in 10th grade when I headed to a Career and Technology Center trip with my class, and we toured our local center. As I went through each classroom and activity, I realized that I had a passion for architecture as soon as I entered the Drafting and Design class. And so I enrolled in the program and got accepted to start my junior year. What began as a routine experience unexpectedly reshaped the entire future that I wanted to build.     As the months passed, we had projects upon projects that required us to design on CAD (Computer Aided Design) software. Each project had a different aspect of requirements, whether being architectural, mechanical, or 3D software, and each project had to be done within a timely manner. One project made us design our own restaurant, and at first, I saw it just as another project. Then I began sketching and the layouts, and I realized how much I enjoyed the process of creating something meaningful for the community. I have to thank my teacher, Mr. Dixon, because he was constantly challenging me to do better and more. Mr. Dixon is both the Digital Media Arts and the Drafting and Design teacher. He didn't believe in the overall ending of grades, but in what the work actually allowed us to become, and that allowed us to have a more comfortable learning space. He profoundly influenced my growth and challenged me to think creatively and take pride in my own work.     My mindset changed when I started taking my future into my own hands through community service and joining my clubs. Joining clubs like cheerleading, drama, and student government allowed me to voice my opinion, my enthusiasm, and my service to my peers and community. I've become confident in my creativity, desire to impact my community, and make actions that will shape my future. Through these experiences, I don't simply complete something anymore; I approach challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.     Due to the perspective I've gained in my high school time, I plan on pursuing my bachelor's degree at Marywood University, where I can also remain religious, helpful, and educational in my community. I want to design spaces that will bring communities together and reflect different aspects of creativity, resilience, and purpose. The lessons I've learned in high school - discipline, curiosity, and confidence - will continue to guide me as I prepare for the next stage of my always-changing life. Because high school did more than prepare me academically, it helped me discover the passions and purpose that will now guide my future.

I have been taking a college history class this senior year, and I have been thriving in the work I have been given. Being the studious student I am, I have always been ahead of the work. We recently had a presentation and a test for our Chapter 10 unit. I stayed up late for 3 nights working on the presentation and studying my vocab, notes, and curriculum, feeling unstoppable. I color-coded my notes, highlighted all of my vocabulary in sentences, and had my sister and mother sit and listen to my presentation while giving me pointers. I was ready to recite whatever I needed for the next day, I was unusually calm while others remained nervous, and I told others that the test would be easy. I sat back in my chair while others flipped through their notes with vigor as if they were preparing for the final exam, because I had this completely under control. At one point, I told them to relax because the test would be easy.     As my teacher stood up and started talking, she announced that we would begin the presentations on Chapter 9 from the book. For a moment, I thought that I had maybe misheard her because surely she meant chapter 10. My confidence lasted for about five seconds before I realized every page that I had studied and crammed for was from the wrong chapter. And in those five seconds, my brain slowly processed what was said, and my body froze as I started to flip through the notes, just hoping that the teacher made a mistake. It was hilarious to both my teacher and me because I was trying to connect unrelated information and write creatively on the test, all while hoping that no one noticed. During my presentation, I tried to confidently end up connecting three different historical events in ways historians probably never intended. At one point, I made different historical figures from different time periods act as if they had all attended the same meeting. The test never went much better, and I would say that I had to get quite creative with my answers.     Looking back, it is still one of the most humbling academic moments I have had. It taught me that preparation is key and only works when you study the right material. Now I have reasoned that I always need to double-check my instructions. And while confidence is great, accuracy also matters. I did not walk away with the best grade that day, but I left with a story that I still laugh about and tell my friends and family daily. It is now known to me as the time I studied everything...except the right chapter.

I have had several areas where I failed to believe in myself and often struggled to understand where I belonged; there were times that I had failed. But it all taught me something: changing the world isn't always standing on a stage. Most times, it looks like sitting beside someone who feels alone. And ten years from now, I plan to be an architect to build structures to help others in my community, just as my community had helped me.     What shaped me constantly growing up was moving schools, seeing financial inequality in my community, and facing my own internal struggles. I moved from school several times growing up because my mom was trying her hardest to provide for us. I watched my mom juggle bills, sat alone at lunch in a new school, and didn't know where to fit in. This made me learn what it meant to be alone, afraid, and small in my own skin. I became unsure of whatever I did and came to be a person who overthinks everything. But when I moved back to my childhood home, I started learning that my voice matters, and that any small amount of kindness that I get or give can change someone's perspective. It never would've been possible if I didn't go back into my faith, because it allowed me to believe in everything again and realize ways that I could help. Being someone who could be leaned or relied upon made me care so much more about giving back.     I want to give back by becoming an architect who can partner with non-profits like churches, community centers, and sustainable housing to create structures that can give back to financially-stricken communities. It can break generational hardship and create safe spaces for those who need it. I want it to be seen as a story that can reflect diverse experiences and spark conversations; it should make everyone more aware of what's going on in areas of the nation. I'll lead with integrity and create environments where people can feel valued. But if that wasn't enough, I would want to volunteer my time and energy to actually work in these areas, either by physical labor or leading emotionally through prayer. But that can't happen if I don't volunteer consistently, create community outreach, or support my local nonprofits. I want to be someone that others can trust, model empathy, and treat everyone with the dignity that they deserve. Sometimes the strongest people focus on impact at the simplest level.     If even one person can feel less alone or afraid because of my efforts, I made an impact on my overall goals. My impact isn't defined by applause, it's defined by the presence I provide; the willingness to stay, build, and believe in the forgotten communities in our country. My life isn't measured in headlines but in the lives we quietly uplift, just like my community uplifted mine.

Although this scholarship is intended for students attending Apostolic and Pentecostal schools, and I am part of a public high school, I still wanted to present myself as a faithful Christian who actively lives out God's word through my morals, principles, and constant service in my community. I will always focus on the practice of my good deeds for God over the location I'm doing them. Since Christ calls us to love others, I serve so that I can show God's love through action, not just words.     Proverbs 3:27 advises, "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act". This is a call to give to those and help promptly when you can; the power to do good. I personally serve through my church, my school, my youth group, and my extracurriculars. I do my good deeds through volunteering to coach with cheerleading, giving back to veterans during NHS's Veterans' Day Breakfast, helping look over kids at VBS, and providing my labor in my community. My faith allows me to guide and serve, and it teaches me responsibility and compassion to give to others. Even in a public school, I want to live out my faith through service, kindness, and my integrity to motivate not only myself but also those around me.     I would use this scholarship to continue my education so that I won't have to take as much time away from my service and worship. This will relieve financial stress so that I can focus on achieving my degree and serving my community during college. This allows me to continue volunteering without overworking and supporting my education so I can serve long-term. I want to eventually use my future career as an architect to help others once I graduate. I can design places that are a safe, welcoming environment that serve people in a community.     I will never apologize for being in a public high school, but it is what I go through to prove that my faith is central to who I am. It has strengthened me to live out my Christian values even though I might be surrounded by those who don't believe the same as me. I want to reflect Christ through my service, actions, and kindness in every environment since it strengthens who I am in the world. I am called to not only act but also believe. I will live out Proverbs 3:27 through the service I give in my community, my church, and my school; helping quietly, constantly, and with never-ending faith.

Growing up, my mother and I initially lived with my grandparents, and then the year we moved out, the closest person I ever had passed away from cancer, my granma. I was only 7, but it still impacted me just as hard as anyone else because she was not only my family but the person I looked up to the most. It changed me so much that I became severely depressed, and I was extremely confused and struggling with my emotions. I lost my faith and everything I cared deeply for when she was around, and losing her has shaped me into who I am today. Like in Brandon Lake's song Hard Fought Hallelujah, my faith wasn't proven until it was through a fire. I was losing my grounding during uncertainty because I was constantly questioning why it had happened to me. I lost my faith, and I turned away from God, but after years of struggling, I finally turned back to him. Now I lean on God more than ever. I've found meaning through reflection, and I learned to hope despite my hurt, no matter how much I might struggle. I focus on my faith and personal beliefs that death is inevitable, and that God will always bring his children home to him. This has now made me find relief, happiness, and hope in the grief, chaos, and loneliness that surrounded me for years. Now, when I look at other people, I realize that anyone could be going through pain, small or big. The loss of my granma has expanded my own understanding of humanity and what we experience. I developed empathy for others' pain, emotional maturity, and I learned that life is fragile and meaningful, so you need to spend as much time as you can giving back to everything that has given to you. This is what I believe, and so because of this, I volunteer whenever and wherever I can so that I can help the community and those who truly need it, and because of this, I constantly have people come up to me and say that my granma would have been so proud to see me now and how she's smiling down on me. So I believe that when someone says they're hurting, I believe them because I lost someone too, and I understand how you can fall into a pit of never-ending darkness. But I will always believe that just because someone passes away doesn't mean you will stay in that darkness. One day you will break out of it, and you'll realize the life that your grandparent, mother, father, sibling, cousin, or anyone close to you had a life to remember, and that's what they want you to have too. The loss I’ve experienced has made me approach life with greater compassion.

People often say that single parents can't give their child the same love as a married couple would, but growing up in a single-parent house has only been filled with the most love; there is no magical number of parents, and when it comes to children, love is almost always the answer. Being raised by a single mother was always about character and impact, not blame or hatred.     My mom worked two jobs to keep us afloat, and while we may not have the main brand things, we do have everything we could ever want or need. She has made sacrifices of her own time to see that I remain well educated, and I am still healthy in both my physical and mental status. She showed me resilience, gratitude, humility, and perseverance, but she also gave me unconditional love because whenever my little sister and I were happy, she was too. I've learned that I want to give back through community service and guiding others in activities that I do, because the love I was given should always be shared for others to rely upon.     Blended families or single-parent households often require some type of adjustment. Instead of withdrawing, I adapted to the change. My father was never in the picture, and I was lucky that my grandparents could help us when they could, but I moved around quite a lot when I was younger until we lived back into my mother's childhood home. The constant change in area made me endure the transitions and allowed me to stay strong. When my sister's father and my mother got married, we became a blended family with his oldest daughter visiting now and then. Yet they got divorced, and once again, I had only a single parent guiding me through, and she helped me navigate uncertainty. In the end, I can thrive in challenges that are thrown my way because I can adapt, and I help others do the same.     I  haven't had a job in all of my high school years, but you don't need a job title to have creativity, leadership, problem-solving, organization, planning, or the ability to volunteer. I volunteer several weeks each year to give back to my community, and I want to continue doing good in the future. Once I get to college, I plan on continuing my regular volunteering while I study, because I want to understand what people need. This way, when I become an architect, I can help design places that will help and serve people with safe, inclusive environments. After achieving my career goals, I want to give back to future architects through scholarships and possible mentorships. These things do require a career, but I want there to be more of a purpose behind what I do.     So all in all, being raised by my single mother has made me learn necessary traits from her love, create a way for me to adapt to challenges, and also give to my community when I can, just like she did for me. Now I am a pursuing young woman who will continue to work for what I want to be. Since my mother raised me to who I am, I have been impacted so much by her, and she always holds my utmost respect and love.

Growing up, my mother and I initially lived with my grandparents, and then the year we moved out, the closest person I ever had passed away from cancer, my granma. I was only 7, but it still impacted me just as hard as anyone else because she was not only my family but the person I looked up to the most. It changed me so much that I became severely depressed, and I was extremely confused and struggling with my emotions. I lost my faith and everything I cared deeply for when she was around, and losing her has shaped me into who I am today.     Like in Brandon Lake's song Hard Fought Hallelujah, my faith wasn't proven until it was through a fire. I was losing my grounding during uncertainty because I was constantly questioning why it had happened to me. I lost my faith, and I turned away from God, but after years of struggling, I finally turned back to him. Now I lean on God more than ever. I've found meaning through reflection, and I learned to hope despite my hurt, no matter how much I might struggle. I focus on my faith and personal beliefs that death is inevitable, and that God will always bring his children home to him. This has now made me find relief, happiness, and hope in the grief, chaos, and loneliness that surrounded me for years.      Now, when I look at other people, I realize that anyone could be going through pain, small or big. The loss of my granma has expanded my own understanding of humanity and what we experience. I developed empathy for others' pain, emotional maturity, and I learned that life is fragile and meaningful, so you need to spend as much time as you can giving back to everything that has given to you. This is what I believe, and so because of this, I volunteer whenever and wherever I can so that I can help the community and those who truly need it, and because of this, I constantly have people come up to me and say that my granma would have been so proud to see me now and how she's smiling down on me.       So I believe that when someone says they're hurting, I believe them because I lost someone too, and I understand how you can fall into a pit of never-ending darkness. But I will always believe that just because someone passes away doesn't mean you will stay in that darkness. One day you will break out of it, and you'll realize the life that your grandparent, mother, father, sibling, cousin, or anyone close to you had a life to remember, and that's what they want you to have too.

Relationships improve between law enforcement and communities when enforcement works with them, not over them. If you understand how to work together, both sides can improve the justice system for African Americans in the United States. The trust that can be built through transparency, accountability, and positive community involvement can help understand both sides for the foundation of change.     African American communities have experienced unequal treatment in almost every category you could think of for generations. And that general mistrust doesn't just disappear or appear overnight. It took years of belittling, all the way from the 1400s (slavery to start) to the current date. Trust can't be repaired without acknowledging what damages it. In fact, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has worked on noticing those who have been victims of racial profiling. They've given these statistics: "41% of Black Americans say they have been stopped or detained by police because of their race, 21% of Black adults, including 30 percent of Black men, report being victims of police violence, and In 2003, 13,740 foreign nationals were placed in deportation proceedings as part of the U.S. response to 9/11, but none have ever been publicly charged with terrorism." These are all because there are law enforcement officials practicing discrimination or targeting those based on race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin.      One of the strongest points is community-based policing, where officers target certain neighborhoods. This is noticed when officers are constantly assigned to the same neighborhoods, they attend community events (for "emergencies"), and they do consistent check-ins. If we could increase youth programs to help the enforcements work with younger kids, mentorships where they can guide those who are on the wrong path, and school involvement, with both sides, we could familiarize humanity and reduce fear and misunderstanding. Several programs have helped in the past, and one of these is the Teen and Police Service (TAPS) Academy. It is an example of a successful mentoring program and bridges the gap between youth and law enforcement. Statistics show the significant positive impacts, with studies revealing "increased youth trust by about 33%, respect is 32%, and connection to police, alongside reduced social distance", measured through pre or post-surveys.     If we can bridge the distance between both sides, we can rebuild trust that has been broken down over the centuries of historical racial mistrust. I want this to be able to happen and improve because I care for justice, safer communities for everyone, and respect with change. I will always believe that cooperation is always going to be stronger than division for this generation in the world.

My‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ mom was the only parent I had, and she was helping provide for my little sister by working two jobs, but her total income was still less than $30,000 a year. In spite of her almost unlimited effort, it would have been very hard to make a college education, its supplies, and other education-related costs affordable. Unfortunately, the financial situation might restrict the level of my access to the Architectural field. The scholarship would alleviate my family's financial stress and give me the freedom to study, the time to participate in the community, and the opportunity to develop the skills that will benefit me during college and my future career. Since I have seen how my mother works hard for every penny, I have learned on how to budget properly, prioritizing certain needs, and understanding the value of investing and saving for education.     With the limited financial resources of my family background, I am very aware of the value of education. My‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ mother is extremely hardworking and holds two jobs just to be able to give me the chances that she didn't have. I am training to be an architect, and due to my involvement in drafting and design, I have come to understand that it is education that takes a person from being simply curious to being creative. It is what empowers a person like me, who is from a little town with a big dream, to not only architect the buildings but also the towns and a lovely future for all of ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌us.     True, college may be a little bit costly and difficult, but merely thinking of what would be lost if you choose not to invest in yourself is what is really tragic. I have excelled in all of my classes, and my intellect, despite the possibility of not having most of what others can have. In college, I hope that I can achieve scholarships that will allow me to continue to excel in college because education has always been a huge deal for me. Education is not only a preparation for one's future career, but it is also a platform where one’s personality is developed, one’s endurance is strengthened, and the courage to continue learning is acquired. I would explain to them that education is important because they are important, and learning is one of the most impactful ways of giving tribute to their potential and, at the same time, changing the world that surrounds them.

As the oldest daughter of my single mom, life hasn't been a piece of cake. My mom has singlehandedly raised my little sister and me for several years of my life. When you live in a single-parent household, you have to learn things faster than normal, and oftentimes that can take a toll on your maturity and understanding of how to grasp the "real" world faster. Yet the things people don't understand is that being from a single-parent household doesn't mean that the child or children are always broken or the victim. I learned how to help care for myself and my younger sister when my mom couldn't, how to be emotionally aware of stress, and how to adapt to instability and change. But I have to thank my mom for this because without her, I never would've realized that independence was accidental; instead, it was built and understanding that my maturity came from necessity, not age.      I watched my mom be a single parent for most of my life, and it taught me several key morals. 1) Be smart with your money; don't think you need the best if what you have is what you need.  2) Family never turns on family, no matter how big or small the fight is, you always stick to each other like glue. 3) Strength doesn't mean struggling, but the fact that you continue to face the odds anyway. This showed me that my strength, just like hers, can be a quiet victory. These specific things have shown me her resilience, perseverance, and integrity, and I can always model those key factors throughout my life. But my mom has never been in the spotlight when it comes to my successes; she always works silently in the background. One time I was struggling with simple school work projects, extracurricular practices, and events/competitions that all seemed to all fall in the same week. So my mom sat me down and worked me step by step to figure out a solution and schedule to work on, and she helped me contact my advisors, coaches, and teachers to let them know when I would or wouldn't be available.  She shows me that even though I'm a senior and on the brink of becoming an adult, I'm still her baby girl and that I can depend on her whenever I need that extra support. Her actions towards me, my sister, and anyone she comes in contact with make me want to become someone to be able to be depended on just like her.      I plan on continuing my education to be an Architect, and that never would've been possible of thought about if my mom had never suggested it. But since she did, I realized that my ultimate goal and purpose for life will be to get my Bachelor's and Master's in architecture to become a credited architect, and then to eventually build my own architectural firm. Yet above all else, I want to give back and create a scholarship for women pursuing architecture because the field has been and remains a male-dominated field. I want to inspire young women to do what they love without the hardship of being told they can't because of who they are, just like my mother. Finally, I want to let my mom get the gift she always deserved, a designed and designated home for her in her favorite place. This will be the one thing that will never be able to pay the debt of her caring for us for my lifetime, but it can always start towards it.

As I read Ella's story, I give my condolences to those who lost her, yet continue to share her memory through this scholarship. Thank you for providing this scholarship for those who are recovering from anything related to mental health or substance abuse. And because of my experiences of my past, they not only added to my mental health, my own personal growth, my goals for my education, but also how to continue with my recovery. If you were to look at me in my senior year and my 8th-grade self, you probably wouldn't have even realized I was the same person. In the last quarter of my 8th grade, I had just moved back to my childhood home with my mother and little sister. We had just come out of a situation that left us all with significant trust issues and a constant need to look over our shoulders. The experience itself was unsettling, and before we ended up leaving, I developed significant anger issues, anxiety, trust issues, and PTSD. These things ended up hurting me more as I started my last quarter at West Branch JSHS in my 8th-grade year. I ended up getting into the wrong group because I believed my self-worth wasn't worth it to hang out with anyone else. I refused to talk to anyone, and it worsened my self-esteem. But above my trauma and mental health, I have personally grown to adapt to my situation. I have learned to trust and to not get angry without reason. I have joined several clubs and activities (like being the captain and president of our reading team, becoming the treasurer and active participant of drama, and being part of the sidelines as a band front member and cheerleader). These all help me to enjoy my time as a student, but I still take on my perfectionist ability. I went from low 80s and 70s in my grades as an 8th grader to high 90s and 100s in all of my high school years, and was inducted into both the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society (at my local career and technology trade center). I notice what I struggled with, and because I can notice this, I truly wish to always perfect myself and be the best that I can be. And as I look at my classes and grades, I realize I can control my future and go the path I want and not what others expect of me. I wish to go to college for a B. ARCH, which is a Bachelor's of Architecture, because I always enjoyed the creativity of making buildings, and I love how there always needs to be perfect precision. After that, I plan to pursue my graduate degree and earn my Master's degree. These goals will eventually lead me to my lifetime bucket list goal of opening my own architectural firm. But above all else, I want to help myself recover to become a person I can look back on and be proud of. I want to look at myself and say, "That girl is who I was, and now look at how I've proved myself as a capable young woman, to be who I am." I plan on doing this by slowly but surely working on getting out and making more friends to build trust and lower my social anxiety. I have worked through and on myself by watching self-help videos, because I have always struggled with therapists and actually talking one-on-one with a person, because I just shut down and act more. So I watch videos on how to learn through coping and building coping skills so that I can become better at controlling my fears and also my anger. I learned coping skills like drawing and reading that allow me to express and escape through creations, either made by me or made by someone else. It hasn't entirely taken away my issues, but it has significantly improved them, and with more time, I hope to make my mind better. So I once again thank you for sharing Ella's story and for opening up this scholarship to help those who struggle with mental health and substance issues. I know that when you read about my own personal struggles with mental health, and how it has affected me, how it has made me grow, and how I have overcome it, you will see why I strive to be the best I can be with my future, my education, and my life.

My connection with Jesus has been a major pillar of my belief and growth as a person. I have used prayer, meditation, and learning of His commandments to develop in me a stronger drive, understanding, and trust through the good and the bad times. My belief has been the light to my choices and has served as a source of joy and power when I confront doubt and uncertainty. The assurance that I am not solitary in my trials has, therefore, been a great comfort and reason for me to hold on to hope and courage. In fact, during my learning journey, I will carry out my belief by practicing the morals imparted by Jesus that is love, truth, respect, and service. I desire to love, understand and respect my fellow students, teachers, and friends at all times and even in moments of pressure and rivalry. I am convinced that my religion is the main cause of my energy to work hard in my studies, be truthful with my work, and share my talents for the praise of God rather than for my own gain. I volunteer with my church for Vacation Bible Schools (ranging from 3 days, to week long events), as well as volunteered at church dinners, and also to be a liturgist in front of my church congregation. But as if that wasn't enough, I also have ayouth group that does meetups every month to talk about our Lord. We play fun games, and we do overnight activities like having a box sleepout (to simulate living overnight as a homeless person), and a twenty-four hour campassion event (we fast for 24 hours and then we do games to understand what it's like to be in less fortunate places like Africa). We also pack shoeboxes and raise items and money for those occations. But on top of it all, we have yearly mission trips to help the communities nearby and far away, by building, cleaning, or just providing faith to those who need the help and the hope. I often think that my faith should control my behavior and my ambitions during my studying time. Helping the poor, telling the truth, and using my education to serve my community will be my everyday efforts. Therefore, with Jesus, I am not only going to a higher goal of academic excellence but also to spiritual growth and becoming a person whose life is a living testimony of their faith in both action and word.

I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ am a student that is both motivated and creative and I live by the values of growth, perseverance, and making a difference in the world. I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ like to study because it provides me with the power to deep-dive and figure out the real workings of the world and how people can lead better lives through the use of cleverly-made products. To me, architecture is the most fascinating field as it entails a creative method, solving problems, and making a positive contribution to the reality. My​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ major struggles were probably my lack of confidence and the need to perform well in school. I even remember a couple of times when the pressure of handling school and personal expectations became so heavy that I wanted to give up and I started doubting my abilities when I found myself in situations I couldn't get out of. I solved this problem by getting and using time-management skills, being diligent, and I also kept on saying to myself that it is much more essential to go step by step than to make a perfect ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌leap. All these experiences have equipped me with the tools to have emotional stamina and belief in myself, and they have also shown me that the occurrence of difficulties is merely a sign to increase the size of one’s toolkit rather than to quit. In the role of an architect, I am going to positively influence the world through my designs. My spaces will be practical, featureable, and emotionally impactful. I want to make architecture be the vehicle that carries the communities to the next level by, make the building accessible and giving the people a chance to be more independent. The bridge between architecture and human interaction is a two-way process and I intend to use my learning to create places that are not only environmentally friendly but also safe and attractive for the less fortunate groups of people who live among us. I also want to open my own architectural firm and eventually create a scholarship for future aspiring architects like myself, since there aren't many dedicated to just architecture. The idea of my career plan as an architect is to find a way to give back to the community. I want to create the situations which turn the barriers of life and setback into a source of inspiration, which were very rare before, by blending the two aspects creativity and compassion in one, and thus I will not be just constructing buildings but also coming up with environments that stimulate, empower, and include ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌people.

One​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ of the things that really helps me is the story of Jack Terry. After the Holocaust, he lived through many tough moments and yet, he showed his strong spirit, his will power, and above all, his faith in his Destiny. These​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ were the only three characteristics he had and that is the reason his life is a brilliant example. ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌Terry was torn apart from his family when they were wiped out in the Holocaust, as a young he was alone. Faith in himself he still had and he, therefore, moved to the US where he hardly knew English and had very little schooling. His sad story he did not allow to decide how far he would go in life. ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍ He went ahead to do great things both for himself and the globe. Not only did he excel academically and professionally, but he also made the choice to disclose his experience to the young generation at a later ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌time. I have not even gone through half of what life has thrown at Jack Terry, but I have still encountered adversities that contributed to my character development. There were times when I could have doubted myself and put more pressure on personal matters while at the same time, trying to keep up with the schoolwork. There​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ were times when the problems I encountered made me doubt my capabilities and as a result, I figured out that to keep going you only need to have discipline and trust in yourself. I have understood through these moments that growth is mostly driven by difficult times and that sticking to it is way more important than having a perfect beginning. Jack Terry's life events lead him to think that education is not something to be proud of personally, but rather it is a ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌responsibility. I am very much aware of the fact that my studies come with the responsibility to give back to the community by using my knowledge and skills to bring help to others. This can be done either by working in a career that is directly beneficial to people or by mentoring those who are quiet, feel unvalued, and disheartened and thus, offering them support. Just like Jack, my dream is to effectively utilize education as a medium for change, thereby confirming that barriers do not have to determine our futures, and further, that the act of giving back can be the most substantial repercussion of ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌success.

I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ was raised in a small and quiet town and the country has really molded me to be someone who cooperates with others, is reliable, and is loves the people. I am Ashleigha Grossi, a senior at West Branch Area Junior/Senior High ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌School. I must admit that sports have been the mainstay of my life, not only because they keep me fit, but because they have been the real-life examples of leadership and community to me. What I have learned from cheerleading has been the major part of my personality. Sports​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ have been a great teacher in my life. They have shown me how to handle my anxiety, speak with other people and continue my journey even if the problem is too big for me. Besides, they have made me realize that the first and foremost thing to be trusted is, particularly, kids who are still developing their ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌self-confidence. This is the very reason why I am set to do good through youth sports in my community and thereby influence my community positively. A big part of my work will be devoted to making it possible for children to have the right to access safe spaces where they support each other, get challenged, and develop their self-esteem not only for taking the games but for growing as human beings. I intend to come and offer my services at local youth leagues as a coach, mentor, or simply by giving a hand in the running of skills clinics. I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ would like the junior and youth athletes to be aware of their worth, realize that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process, and understand that they have a supporter. It is quite difficult to get access to activities that are good for children in rural areas such as my ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌place. Engaging in sports makes children feel accepted as they belong to the group, they make friends, and they are kept motivated. I intend to be the same leader that I used to admire when I was only a follower—you know a leader who listens, encourages others, and helps children to recognize their inner strength—by being active. I want to use sports as a medium to rebuild my community starting with one young athlete at a time. It is my firm belief that youth programs are instrumental in the development of good character and in the provision of safe, and cheerful environments for children who are in need of such. Taking this opportunity afforded to me by the scholarship, I am able to continue being of service to my community, I can mature as a mentor, and I can be part of the process that leads to a future where every child is cared for and ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌acknowledged.

Mental​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ health problems have been a part of my life that has changed my goals, relationships, and even the way I look at life but not in a totally negative way, rather it has been partly positive and developmental. My​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ struggles have been my teacher and they have me evolve within myself, analyze myself, and understand others more. While I was dealing with my personal stress, anxiety, and feeling of being overwhelmed, I realized that mental health problems are not the blame of the person but are very common occurrences for ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌humans. Grasping this has been a major factor in my personality development as a patient, loving, and intentional person who is concerned about the kind of future she will create. I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ kept on thinking that I could manage everything on my own and that I didn't need to ask for help for a very long time. I was loading myself with the heavy and suffocating combination of school, extracurricular activities, house chores, and the pressure that was always there of having to do well in my studies. I was the student who made things work, the friend that was always there for you, and the person that others could count ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌on. ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍Well, at least that is the image I was projecting to the world. Inside, I was trying to figure out how to manage stress in such a way that it would not become too much for me. It was a very slow process of coming to terms with the fact that recognizing my emotions was not a defeat but, in fact, it was getting stronger. Mental health has deeply influenced my relationships and the changes are evidenced in acquiring the communication and support skills necessary for effective interaction. One thing I did was to train myself to be honest about my difficulties as it also encourages others to do the same. It helped me relate better with my family, the people who have become more supportive of me. In particular, my mother and sister became the people with whom I could share more, thus, turning our house into a place of emotional closeness and support. I became intentional in listening to my friends. I realized that even if a friend says he/she is "fine," the voice might be telling you something different, hence, creating a safe place and just being there. The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ positive changes in my relationships have made them get deeper and more profound, therefore, the relationships are now based not only on good times but also on trust and understanding. This is exactly why serving others means more to me now. No matter what it is, the act of service- at my church, school, or community- is what, among my struggles, gives me the longed-for sense of purpose. If you have ever been in such an overwhelming position, then, surely, you recognize that feeling in another and, consequently, it becomes the main reason for you to extend a helping hand. Instead of seeing mental health as a barrier, I see it as a resource that increases my loving capacity.

Growing​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ up in a rural community, I have learned that strength is usually quiet, it can be found in the people that keep living their lives even though life is tough, in small acts of kindness that support the family, and in the will to create something better out of the few resources available. These​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ teachings have not only modified my character but also changed my dream. My name is Ashleigha Grossi, and I am a senior at West Branch Area Junior/Senior High School. I have always been on the high honor roll and at the same time have been engaged in the activities that open me the way to the service of others. My mom is going to two different places for work to take care of us and it is a big reason why I push myself academically to see her do what she can with what she ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌has. I didn’t have a straightforward and automatic road to college. Alongside school, I had to deal with the responsibilities at home, keep my financial worries under control and figure out mainly by myself how I am to get in college. The challenges did not put me off instead they made me more confident in acquiring a career where I can be a source of help and support to others. I would love to be an architect because that’s the only profession where I can combine my compassion and creativity to really make a difference. Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship will be instrumental in my life. To give an example of how I live, my family’s annual income is less than 30,000 dollars, and this is why the money aspect of college remains the biggest hurdle for me. The scholarship will make it happen that I can concentrate on my educational goals rather than on how to finance it. It could pay for expenses like textbooks, transportation, and school supplies that, although easy to overlook, are absolutely necessary and add up fast. The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ more significant thing that is overshadowing even the money that the scholarship provides is the ideology behind it that really matters to me. Kalia, the late, was a strong, loving, and caring person, and these are the characteristics I try to reflect every day. I could think of no better way of being than that of helping a friend through his/her difficult situation and showing patience and love to someone who feels unloved and I am sure making other people feel valued is the kind of person I am. The way I see my career is one of a helper, a guide, staff people through their difficult times just like the people who have supported me quietly in mine. Being awarded this scholarship is a blessing to me as it will not only lessen the financial burden on me, but it will also remind me that my hard work, empathy, and dreams are noticed and valued. I will be driven by it to keep going and continue to create the future that I want to come, which is not only to be able to financially support others but also to raise them morally just like this award ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌does.

0% AI GPT* Mental​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ health problems have been a part of my life that has changed my goals, relationships, and even the way I look at life but not in a totally negative way, rather it has been partly positive and developmental. My​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ struggles have been my teacher and they have me evolve within myself, analyze myself, and understand others more. While I was dealing with my personal stress, anxiety, and feeling of being overwhelmed, I realized that mental health problems are not the blame of the person but are very common occurrences for ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌humans. Grasping this has been a major factor in my personality development as a patient, loving, and intentional person who is concerned about the kind of future she will create. I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ kept on thinking that I could manage everything on my own and that I didn't need to ask for help for a very long time. I was loading myself with the heavy and suffocating combination of school, extracurricular activities, house chores, and the pressure that was always there of having to do well in my studies. I was the student who made things work, the friend that was always there for you, and the person that others could count ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌on. ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍Well, at least that is the image I was projecting to the world. Inside, I was trying to figure out how to manage stress in such a way that it would not become too much for me. It was a very slow process of coming to terms with the fact that recognizing my emotions was not a defeat but, in fact, it was getting stronger. Mental health has deeply influenced my relationships and the changes are evidenced in acquiring the communication and support skills necessary for effective interaction. It helped me relate better with my family, the people who have become more supportive of me. In particular, my mother and sister became the people with whom I could share more, thus, turning our house into a place of emotional closeness and support. I became intentional in listening to my friends. I realized that even if a friend says he/she is "fine," the voice might be telling you something different, hence, creating a safe place and just being there. The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ positive changes in my relationships have made them get deeper and more profound, therefore, the relationships are now based not only on good times but also on trust and understanding. This discovery has led me to become very kind without conditions because there are times when even the smallest gesture—a smile, a helping response, or a moment of genuine kindness—may have a bigger impact than it is apparent to us. This is exactly why serving others means more to me now. No matter what it is, the act of service- at my church, school, or community- is what, among my struggles, gives me the longed-for sense of purpose. The way I perceive the world now is not as simple as just black or white. I see people as complete beings that they are. I see problems as opportunities for growth. Personally, I am of the opinion that stress should not be the characteristic that defines a person; it is rather something that each individual can learn to manage. Mental health has taught me the importance of kindness towards oneself and ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌others.

I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ love Wicked because the story it tells is much deeper than the magic onstage—it changes the way we look at people. The show demonstrates how one-character can be so easily misunderstood and judged just by assuming, taking the word for a rumor, or only looking at the outer side of the person. I find a connection with Elphaba since she is a symbol of any person who has ever been forced to be different, has been considered of no value, or has been stereotyped by things that are beyond one’s control. Her trek makes me recall that it is very courageous to show your side even when people disbelieve and criticize you. Moreover, the way Wicked dismantles the already known story is a point I love too. It urges the spectators to doubt the meaning of the words “good” or “bad” and how much of it depends on the viewpoint or the power holder. The lyrics, particularly in songs like “Defying Gravity,” are very close to the character’s internal strength—the hour the character makes the firm decision to stop self-limitation. In brief, Wicked is a source of motivation to me as it endorses being different, the power of friendship, and the bravery to rise over what people expect of you. It is a statement that the person you become is what counts, not how others tag ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌you.

1) My​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ senior year was filled with different experiences but the most valuable and deepest thing for me was the opportunity to extend a hand and give comfort to a student whom I didn't know. She struggled with her studies really hard and eventually she failed in school. The girl who was my neighbor in class, always silent, always exhausted, and looked like she was really swamped with her studies. Many people thought that she didn't care but I knew that she did because she was the one who took her notes very accurately. After she had been absent for a number of assignments, I approached her and offered my help in getting her back on track. She was not very confident at the beginning but later she disclosed that her family was going through a difficult time and she found it hard to keep up with the schoolwork on her ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌own. We kept doing the sessions after school for a few days every week. I assisted her with the scheduling of classes, taught her how to divide a large task into small ones, and helped her with the assignments which made her feel anxious. She​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ gradually gained more and more confidence. It was not only her scores that got better, but also she started to smile more, talk more in class, and reconnect with those friends she had drifted away ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌from. That period was a defining moment in my life and made me think about how people's silent struggles that are too often completely ignored. Kindness is not always a big thing, sometimes it is just the mere fact of fully seeing someone without giving any kind of judgment. I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ figured out that to be a friend who supports you don't have to be a professional - what is needed are time, patience, and honesty. Working with her was a perfect example of my belief in people's love and it made me see that we all carry the power to influence someone's life in a positive way by just a little act of loving care. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 2) I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ have always been able to naturally connect with people, and this especially applies to people who live in environments where they feel neglected or isolated. I took it upon myself throughout the years of high school, to help people to unite, no matter if it was in the classroom, on group projects, cheering on the sideline with my cheer squad or within the church community. I can definitely recall one instance when I noticed a class in my school where students were slowly but surely dividing themselves. I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ essentially turned spreading the word into my personal goal that no one would be left out. For this purpose, I brought the less talkative students out of their shells, I called them to share their ideas, and I made sure that their​ thoughts were ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌recognized. Soon enough, the mood was totally different. People who had hardly talked to each other were now working together and sharing points of view that they had not thought of ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌before. To​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ me, making connections is not a feature of my extrovert side, rather, it is a characteristic of my intentionality. It is seeing the fact that a person is alone and deciding to shorten that space. Kindness, talk, or even just a smile may be the means by which I bring people to the group that I firmly believe in making people feel included, valued, and seen. Which, above everything else, is what really becomes a ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌community.

Mental​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ health problems have been a part of my life that has changed my goals, relationships, and even the way I look at life but not in a totally negative way, rather it has been partly positive and developmental. My​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ struggles have been my teacher and they have me evolve within myself, analyze myself, and understand others more. While I was dealing with my personal stress, anxiety, and feeling of being overwhelmed, I realized that mental health problems are not the blame of the person but are very common occurrences for ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌humans. Grasping this has been a major factor in my personality development as a patient, loving, and intentional person who is concerned about the kind of future she will create. I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ kept on thinking that I could manage everything on my own and that I didn't need to ask for help for a very long time. I was loading myself with the heavy and suffocating combination of school, extracurricular activities, house chores, and the pressure that was always there of having to do well in my studies. I was the student who made things work, the friend that was always there for you, and the person that others could count ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌on. ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍Well, at least that is the image I was projecting to the world. Inside, I was trying to figure out how to manage stress in such a way that it would not become too much for me. It was a very slow process of coming to terms with the fact that recognizing my emotions was not a defeat but, in fact, it was getting stronger. Mental health has deeply influenced my relationships and the changes are evidenced in acquiring the communication and support skills necessary for effective interaction. One thing I did was to train myself to be honest about my difficulties as it also encourages others to do the same. It helped me relate better with my family, the people who have become more supportive of me. In particular, my mother and sister became the people with whom I could share more, thus, turning our house into a place of emotional closeness and support. I became intentional in listening to my friends. I realized that even if a friend says he/she is "fine," the voice might be telling you something different, hence, creating a safe place and just being there. The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ positive changes in my relationships have made them get deeper and more profound, therefore, the relationships are now based not only on good times but also on trust and understanding. Besides​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ that, such a change has impacted my perception of people as well. Truth is I have come to a point where I understand that each person has some sort of hidden burdens. There are those who cover it up by laughing, some by being quiet, and some by their ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌power. This discovery has led me to become very kind without conditions because there are times when even the smallest gesture—a smile, a helping response, or a moment of genuine kindness—may have a bigger impact than it is apparent to us. It taught me not to judge other people's lives for being easy just because the person appears to be ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌strong. This is exactly why serving others means more to me now. No matter what it is, the act of service- at my church, school, or community- is what, among my struggles, gives me the longed-for sense of purpose. If you have ever been in such an overwhelming position, then, surely, you recognize that feeling in another and, consequently, it becomes the main reason for you to extend a helping hand. Instead of seeing mental health as a barrier, I see it as a resource that increases my loving capacity. These circumstances also influenced my dreams. I dream of a world where not only am I creating a successful career, but I am also making or leaving behind the places- be they real or emotional- where people can feel supported, safe, and recognized. What​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ mainly attracted me to the idea is the mixing of creativity and doing good through my work, for example, in architecture and design. It means much more to me than just the construction of a building; it is the matter of creating such kinds of places that affect people's feelings, ways of living, and social connections. Being one of those people who went through a fight with mental health, I am aware that paying attention to one's surroundings is very crucial for one's mood, vigor, and comfort, hence, I am going to bring that revelation into my ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌work. First of all, my experiences have taught me the lesson of balance. I understood that rest is equally as important as work, that dreams require waiting, and that self-care is what makes it possible for you to be there for others. I had no idea that it was all on me to carry the burdens and that actually, it is a demonstration of strength rather than defeat when you ask for help, be it from trusted adults, supportive friends, or good coping mechanisms. The way I perceive the world now is not as simple as just black or white. I see people as complete beings that they are. I see problems as opportunities for growth. Personally, I am of the opinion that stress should not be the characteristic that defines a person; it is rather something that each individual can learn to manage. Mental health has taught me the importance of kindness towards oneself and ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌others.

Faith,​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ through the years, has been the energy that powered my life and is reflected in the way I perceive the world, the manner of my interaction with people as well as response to the challenges. In a church community where I grew up, I was introduced to the value of love, endurance, and serving others. My religion has been teaching me that life is not run on the principle of getting things done with little effort or expecting immediate results but rather trusting in the bigger plan, putting in the effort, and taking care of those around you. Once it was hard for me to manage school, extracurricular activities, and family obligations at the same time and these were the moments when my religion became my solace and leader. It urges me to keep my cool, ask for wisdom, and tackle problems with a bright view of things even when feeling totally stressed out. Moreover, my personal faith pushed me to engage in the betterment of my community. Youth group mission trips, volunteering at the church events, and helping the needy families are some of the ways by which I have put my personal beliefs into practice. These experiences have taught me that leadership is not about the recognition one gets but the power one gives to others, the skills of listening, and the ability to provide support where it is most needed. Faith has not only made me strong and understanding but also gave me a great desire to bring positive changes in the world. As I set out to build a career in architecture, I am certain that faith will always be my compass. Architecture is a profession where you must have a creative mind, be accurate, and patient for the entire duration of the project, and thus my faithful perseverance will be applicable from the initial idea to the final stage. In addition to that, it tells me to offer my skills for the advantage of others-to make the buildings not only practical but also accessible, and valuable to the communities that are going to use them. Faith is the one that keeps me going with my goals if honesty is the word, to be cooperative as a humble, and to think about the wider impact of my labor on society. In the end, faith is like a map and power to me. One​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ of these things is what drives me to put my best foot forward, to be of help to others, and to keep a sense of a mission in all my works. I find it perfectly alright to face educational and career challenges when I uproot my dreams in these values and at the same time, I will be able to make a positive impact on the lives of other people. Faith is not only my personal belief; it is a main compass which shapes the kind of person I am, the decisions that I take, and the future I dream of through my ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌profession.

Mental​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ health, especially, has been such a significant factor that has practically been the root of my growth and achievements as a student because the fact that it was the core of my life determined and influenced not only academics, but also relationships and even general health. The life of a high school senior is packed with challenges, and you may find it difficult to balance schoolwork, extracurricular activities, community service, and college ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌preparation. Therefore, I have been under the pressure that students bear and feel it at my most. Moreover, mental health is not only a matter of stress or depression-free life but also it involves recognition, acceptance, and fortitude in obtaining them. With these, I am able to focus on the goal, totally immerse myself in learning, and maintain good relationships with relatives, friends, and community members. I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ couldn't simply sit back and watch that the mentally ill young people in my area were being stigmatized and due to a lack of awareness they were hesitant to seek help, so I felt that I needed to express their voices. I am the leader of the youth group where we meet to discuss emotional well-being, overcoming challenges, and self-care among other things, church programs which I organize to discuss topics of emotional well-being, overcoming challenges, and self-care. I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ make a safe and friendly environment through the process of assisting younger students, sympathizing with friends who are going through a hard time, and organizing activities that promote mindfulness and positivity. In school, I am active in peer conversations, I encourage friends to handle their test stress in a good way, and I let them know that getting help is a brave thing to do, not a weak ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌one. Moreover, I advocate for myself by being diligent about my mental health, varying my daily activities with breaks, and recognizing my limitations. By being a good example, I assume that others will imitate me and hence be motivated by me. However, the promotion of mental health should not be confined to the prevention of crises only; it is a matter of establishing a loving, understanding, and accepting culture. Actually, through such activities, I have developed the traits of empathy, patience, and resilience. Mental health is very important in relation to every person's success in life, and the act of supporting one another is what makes the community ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌stronger. I am looking forward to being part of a community where mental health is given equal attention as physical health, and where students go to school and live their lives without being fearful or ashamed, as I pursue my education. Winning this scholarship would be of great financial help to me; however, it would be even more instrumental in advancing my advocacy efforts, thus, letting me keep my volunteering activities going and allowing me to invest in the programs that not only promote mental wellness for the students in my school but also for those in other schools. Mental health is more than just a matter of personal priority; it is a duty, and I promise to continue doing good and making a positive impact wherever I ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌am.

Mathematics​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ has always been more than just numbers and formulas for me - it represents a philosophical approach, a system to understand the universe. I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ am into math as it really makes me logical and use my critical thinking skills, in turn, I get to enhance both my academic and life skills. Anyhow it may be through balancing a budget, creating a project, or analyzing patterns, math equips me with the ways to deconstruct the intricate issues into the simpler ones and to locate the solutions that are the most logical. What I love the most about math is that it is the only language that everyone understands. The very same concepts that are in algebra, geometry, and calculus serve as a basis for technological, engineering, architectural, and economic ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌innovations. To illustrate the point, as a person who is passionate about architecture as a career, I rely on math every day to fashion the designs that are not only user-friendly but also attractive to the eye. Apart from working out the scales, math allows me to learn the principles of physics so that I can build solid yet beautiful structures while I move my ideas from paper to reality. One more reason why I like math is that it helps the solver keep the perseverance spirit and at the same time, it sparks the solver's creativity. It​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ is an amazing feeling that someone can feel if they manage to solve a difficult problem that was right in front of them, and this accomplishment leads to a whole new set of questions and challenges. I have gained through it patience, discipline, and the significance of practice. Beyond the educational aspect, math has influenced the way I tackle problems and has instilled in me the belief that if I analyze the problem in detail and follow the steps, I will be able to solve any challenge. Simply put, I'm fond of math as it is both a good and a beautiful thing. It is the connection between the abstract and the real, the theoretical and the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌tangible. Other than being a reflection of my passion, this scholarship would be of immense help as I continue to explore math both in my studies and in my future career in architecture. Math brought me to the realization that there are no limits to what I can achieve if I use logic, creativity, and ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌determination.

1. Indeed, my faith was the source of my inner strength that I relied on quietly, but it became the most dominant one during my senior year. It was not a condition of senioritis that overwhelmed me but a feeling of pressure associated with the entrance into adulthood. The combination of school, extracurricular activities, family duties, college planning, and the fear of what is to come was making me tired and confused. However, church was the place that kept me firm. I found a lot of comfort in being with people who are always there for me and this kept my worries at bay every Sunday. The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ message that maturity is not to be easy but rather it is to change you came to me through my church family. Their assistance, prayers, and counsel were like a breath of fresh air and they strengthened me to dare that I was going in the right direction and that I was up to the challenge. 2. Service has been an integral part of my life without my feeling it as a burden, rather, I felt it was a privilege to make others' lives a bit easier. I have been serving in my church through different activities like the annual Easter Drama, the serving of meals, and the support of community events. At school, I have been the one that has taken the initiative whenever anyone was in need of the assistance of me, the teachers, or the staff—whether those were the cases of classmates struggling with assignments or friends going through hard personal moments. The thing that attracted and motivated me was not the recognition but the fact that kindness was very powerful when someone felt lonely. Each​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ one of my actions to serve, be it a big or a small one, has taught me the art of compassion. 3. I make it my mission to be kind in every place I amcoming because I know very well the change that it can ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌bring. At home, I voluntarily assist my mom and sister in any way I can be it by taking over responsibilities when my mom is tired of working two jobs or by giving my sister my moral support when she needs someone to talk to. In​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ my school, I take it as my responsibility to see and speak for those friends and classmates who seem to be excluded or are overpowered. By​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ the definition of the word, helping could be considered as the act of assisting someone in their study; nevertheless, it might also be the act of giving support to a friend that is not feeling well; and from time to time, it could just be the demonstration of one's patience and kindness when a person is in a difficult situation. These kinds of situations may seem like nothing, but they actually do ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌matter. I believe that love is one of the quietest, yet, most powerful ways of building a ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌community. 4. Family is the core of my being. The strength of my mom has been her teaching me endurance; the trust of my sister has been her teaching me accountability; and the little, ordinary moments at home have been their teaching me thankfulness. We aren't a perfect family—we argue, we stress, we worry—but we are there for each other like no other. I do my share of work at the house, give my mom my support in any way possible, and try to be the reliable person that my sister can look up to. However, family is not only the love of one's own blood. My church family has become my support when I was not even aware that I had voids—guiding, celebrating, and shaping me into a young woman who values connection and community. 6. Looking forward, my dream is to take my studies further in drafting and design. It is a career I would love to have as it gives me the opportunity to create safe, uplifting spaces for communities to grow—especially ones like my rural community. My spiritual goal is to keep growing in my relationship with God and also to learn to trust Him more when things are uncertain. Personally, my ambition is to have a lifestyle that enables me to support my family, give back to society, and be loyal to the kindness that I was formed by. On the financial side, college is a challenge. A scholarship award would be such a great help to us and thus allow me to have more time for studying and less time for worring. I intend to be the living example of Ed and Aline Patane’s values by, among other things, keeping on serving others, remaining faithful, and living a life that revolves around love for the community and ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌compassion.

I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ have been a senior of West Branch Area High School, where I have been actively involved not only in my academic studies but also in my extracurricular activities. Drafting and design have been one of my most significant areas of interest, and I can confidently say that now I am the go-to person in the class for anyone who needs to be helped with a project or is having a hard time with a layout. Besides, cheerleading, which has been the main factor in my high school journey outside of the schoolwork, made me work harder as I was the last one to join, but through that kind of experience, I learned endurance, cooperation, and self-confidence. Also, I do a great deal of work for my church that satisfies me spiritually. I am a volunteer at the Vacation Bible School, assist with the church dinners, and am a very enthusiastic participant in events such as the Easter Drama. These occasions have been instrumental in the development of my character, and among the attributes of leadership, compassion, and responsibility, which they have generously bestowed upon me, are the most notable. Besides​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ that, they opened my eyes to the importance of serving others, which is something that I still want even after high school. After I finish my high school, I would love to study drafting and design at a university and then be able to create innovative yet practical solutions in the areas of architecture and ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌engineering. The thing that I am mainly concerned with is the use of my creations in making the world a better place. It can be that the buildings are made safer, the spaces more accessible, or the homes better-designed. In case I could establish a charitable foundation, the first and foremost concern of its operations would be the provision of the delivery of assistance and resources to students from low-income families. I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ was the kid who grew up in a household with financial struggles, so that's the thing I value the most. Essentially, my mission would be to equip the students with the necessary tools to achieve their education. Such tools are school materials, a private lesson, mental health care, and also career guidance. I will be in the middle and high schools working with those students who are constrained by their environment yet have a lot of potential. Volunteers working for my non-profit would be assigned the roles of mentors, facilitators of workshops for skill development, organizers of events for the distribution of school supplies, and tutors in subjects such as math, writing, and career ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌preparation. The plan is to set up a support structure that not only provides assistance but also gives the young people the confidence that they can overcome obstacles, go after their dreams, and be sure of their future—just like the people who helped me have ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌done.​‍​

For​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ me, education has always been more than just a need—it was the structure that kept my ambitions afloat, the plan that showed the way to my dreams, and the ground where I am building my tomorrow. Though several factors have been the pillars that have lifted me up and led me, education has been the undergoing factor that has always given me direction, self-assurance, and a reason for my existence. It has demonstrated to me what I am to "develop"-both in a literal and a metaphorical sense-and which be the person I want to be. My love for architecture was a secret even from myself until I was able to describe it. I was a child who could have done it over and over for hours the drawing of a building, the changing of the furniture layout, or the absorption of the ceiling's geometric figures. Nevertheless, it was not until the time I went to a nontraditional drafting and design course at Clearfield County Career & Technology Center (CCCTC) that I knew my love for the structure and design was not a mere one for the safe, but rather it was a career I liked. Those courses were the first time that I found my inquisitiveness could transform into a career. I was taught the skills of blueprint reading, computer-aided design software usage, and how to take on a new task with an engineer’s perspective instead of a dreamer’s one. This sure feeling of being led has not been something I simply had. Money has always been an issue in my family. My​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ mother is doing two jobs simultaneously. She​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ keeps on trying to stretch one dollar as far as possible to be able to give me the things that I need for school, cheerleading, church activities, and the necessities of being a student. When I saw her struggle, I learned these qualities of perseverance, willpower, and responsibility from ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌her. However, it brought me to the point also to realize that a college education, especially in a hard and highly specialized field like architecture, is a decision of will, sacrifice, and help. I realized my decision even more firmly by juggling school and extracurricular ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌activities. Time management, teamwork, and sticking to your objectives, even in bad times, were some of the things I could learn by volunteering through my church, taking part in the National Honor Society, leading committees, being a member of the Drama Club, or cheerleading. These were not only the ways that I could make my time fruitful but also they helped in my development as a person. I got to know the value of service through community work, accountability through leadership positions, and speaking, collaborating, and advocating through the reading teams and student government. These opportunities taught me the same thing over and over again: learning is not just what goes on in a class but the sum of all those that are not academic but teach you about your identity, the person you want to be, and your contribution to the world. Education​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ has also been the source of my self-assurance to take up the challenges which I considered were beyond my reach. I have made a step ahead and got the green light from Marywood University. I went ahead and applied to several other institutions that have renowned architecture programs. Since​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ I grew up in a small country area and came from a family of limited financial means, the thought of going to university to study architecture was like a dream that was very far away. But as my learning progressed and I developed more skills, the feeling of my success kept coming to ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌me. And the role that scholarships play in achieving this goal cannot be overemphasized. Financial support from whichever source is like a breath of fresh air for my family and it lets me immerse myself more in learning, designing, and getting ready for professional work in the future. In the future, I envision myself holding an architecture degree and thus be qualified to take the license exam, and eventually becoming part of the projects which would improve the lives of the society. I want to be the one to provide the design for the homes of the families who can hardly imagine their being able to afford one, help in the process of community’s recovery from a tragic event, as well as design public spaces that connect people. I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ would really love to return back to places like my village which had no architectural investment or little of it and make homes that would nurture development, be a source of inspiration and create more opportunities. The architecture industry is one of the few still having such a great potential to change people living radically, and I am willing to be a part of that change. Education,​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ to a large extent, has provided me with more than sheer knowledge. It has been the source of my guidance. I learned from it to be resilient during hard times, to discover my calling by doing what I love, and to get my confidence from my lived ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌experiences. Moreover, education laid out for me the dreams I have are not remote and improbable but rather, achievable milestones made by acquiring the skill and taking the step and opportunity one at a time. My future is ahead of me and I make a point of bringing along all the lessons I had in the classroom and in community activities and with the challenges I have faced so far. And I do believe that through education, I shall not only be able to create a better future for myself but also a lot of bright ones for the communities that I will help build ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌someday.

When I joined cheerleading in my junior year, it was nerve-wracking for me to imagine myself fitting in and learning a sport that others had been doing for years. The moment I met my coach, she became the source of guidance and encouragement to me, putting effort and attitude first before experience. Even when I felt that I was lagging behind or that I was not being noticed, she encouraged me to think big. She could not be wrong because through her support, I realized that the good qualities of an athlete are not only skills but also determination, cooperation, and love for the sport. Her support gave me the feeling to embrace difficulties as opportunities for development and to always put up my best show, no matter if someone is watching or not. My coach was also a passionate person and had a good sense of humor, which made the hardest practices feel like they were worth it. She was also the person who could step in as a strict disciplinarian, but always with gentleness and good intention, thus revealing that discipline and care can coexist. Her leadership qualities not only inspired me to become a better cheerleader but also a better person who was there for others even during the most difficult times. I got a great realization through the moment I received the scholar award for maintaining the highest grades on the team, that her support had been my pillar in managing my duties with confidence and pride. I make an effort to have the same characteristics Dave admires, including loyalty, a sense of humor, and heart. Like him, I have discovered that giving others the support they need is just as important as achieving goals on our own. Whether it is cheering for the team, helping them learn a routine, or just making them laugh on their bad days, I am always aiming to create a positive and supportive atmosphere as my coach did for me. In addition, I have come to this realization to live with kindness and discipline and be dedicated regardless of how hard things get and the tough challenges I face. The memory of Dave is a constant reminder that the best coaches and athletes are those who bring out the best in other people by making them feel capable, valued, and inspired. The trust that my coach had in me was like a torch that kept my fighting spirit alive-even if things were rough, to keep at it and do so with heart. I am determined to continue developing that spirit both in sports and life as I support others like my coach supported me.

Paragraph from The Odyssey (Book 18, lines 260–270): "Then Penelope came out of the hall, and the suitors looked at her and were amazed. Her beauty shone in her face, and her voice was like a goddess’s. Yet in her heart there was grief and cunning alike, for she longed for Odysseus and sought to test each suitor, to see which was worthy and which merely greedy for her wealth." Here, Homer is describing Penelope as a multi-dimensional woman who, aside from being smart and emotionally secure, has a heart full of wisdom, and she knows how to keep her own, and even more so in a time like that when the young suitors are as unwelcome as poverty into the house. Her appearance and mannerisms bewitch them, and yet they are oblivious to the fact that her soul is deep and multifaceted. Though Penelope’s sorrow over her husband’s long absence still eats her up from the inside, she looks to the needs of her own household under the tyranny of the suitors and then she controls the situation through her demeanour which is a careful use of her practical wisdom and ethical judgment, proving that intelligence and a sense of right and wrong are as necessary forms of power as physical strength which is a trait that heroes like Odysseus are usually talked about. Besides, this part is comparing the differences between how things appear and how they really are, which is another major theme that runs through The Odyssey. The suitors' feelings are shallow - they only notice Penelope's external loveliness and do not comprehend who she really is and what her intentions are. As Penelope examines every suitor for the one with true nature, the one who is selfish soon to be revealed. This contrast with her power is very indicative: by observing and evaluating the suitors, she is indirectly but strongly maintaining her dominance over her surroundings. The poet uses this contrast to hint that not only are resilience and wisdom important tools to help one master tricky social situations but also the concept of intellect and virtue being on a par with the strength of flesh. Not only that but also Penelope’s smart moves bring out another of the epic’s main themes, that is, loyalty and justice. She prevents any ugliness from happening under her roof and keeps faith with Odysseus at the same time by properly gauging the suitors’ intentions. Through her means, we get to see that the only way true moral order can reign and that those who will be soiled by it get their just share is by the exercise of patience and caution. The poet Homer attributes a lot of moral and mental activity to Penelope, and through this, he disseminates the idea that heroism does not end with the obviously dangerous feats of war but can also be found in gentleness, clever and ethical discernment. Without a doubt, the material stresses the argument that strength and one’s ability to be resilient can be shown from diverse points of view. Grief does not destroy Penelope but it rather enhances her and her resolve. It is a kind of heroism that complements Odysseus’ more overt adventures that we see in Penelope’s capacity to keep calm in the midst of social pressure and to tackle her problems with intelligence and foresight. Homer characterizes Penelope as an empowered and morally strong person, thus, he keeps the reader aware that true power is most times found in patience, discernment and the bravery to still act rightly when the situation is unfavourable. By so doing, the text glorifies those who weather the storm without losing their calm and insight and in fact their strength gets renewed.

I think my “YOU GOT IT GIRL” traits would be my resilience, dedication, and determination. Starting cheerleading in my junior year had me joining a team that was made up of seniors who had been together for a long time. Even though I have been in situations where I was not included or overlooked, I have never allowed these situations to stop me; I have kept pushing myself to get better and to be more beneficial to my team. I have also been able to keep good grades, and my coach has recognized me for this by giving me the scholar award for academic excellence. I would really need this scholarship to be able to complete my studies in college in the field of architecture, and it would also be a great support for my education and for me to keep pushing myself. I do cheerleading in the different gameday, winter, and competition seasons. I began my junior year of high school, and I have been able to represent my school at districts together with my team in a short period of time. The coach gave me the scholar award because I was the one with the best grades on the team, which is evidence that I can balance sports and academics (the best grades on the team). Being a junior and joining the team meant being the new person in the group that was already there, and as a result, I sometimes felt that the senior members left me out or undermined me. Instead of quitting, I took it as a challenge and used it to energize me to work harder, polish up my talents, and show how much the team can gain from me. This situation made me learn how to be strong, most importantly to keep going, and at the same time to be self-assured even when others doubt you. My mother is one of my inspirations, and she challenges me to be better and to keep going. The traits that she shows (hard work, resilience, and dedication) have been a great source of support to me during my hard moments in cheerleading, at school, and in life in general. I love to do architecture, and this scholarship will enable me to acquire my degree in that field. The fact that YGIG has faith in me will give me the moral support and the confidence to keep fighting for success, both in academics as well as in sports. I will be able to use the money for my tuition and other costs, and also have the chance to improve my cheer skills and have my personal and professional growth be up to par. I definitely will put on a great show of h, ow when someone is dedicated and is a hard worker, setbacks will be overcome. Whether it is in cheerleading, school, or future challenges, I want to let people see that if you are persistent and you keep your eye on the goal, you will grow by leaps and bounds even if the odds are against you. Most probably, I will continue doing cheer in college, and I will probably be a walk-on athlete. What will be most fulfilling for me is being a student-athlete in college since I will still be able to do the sport that I love while at the same time pursuing my academic goals. I am very enthusiastic to bring the same level of commitment and the same fighting spirit that have been the main features of my high school cheer experience with me when I get to the college level.

A problem I have observed within the community is that a lot of people face home repairs or maintenance issues because they lack resources, money, or the necessary support to solve these issues themselves. Our youth group has decided to take the matter into their own hands and assist those in need. Hence, every summer, we devote a week to helping families that require our attention. Most of all, I am motivated by witnessing the impact even minor changes can have in bringing back someone's comfort, safety, and dignity. In the last summer, for instance, we did the porch enclosing, cleaned the yard that was full of garbage, fixed the fascia boards, and also stairs were fixed. The previous summer, we did a lot of work such as porch staining, outside wall painting of a house, cleaning the interior of another, ramp staining, and even roof repairing by shingling and sealing the metal parts to it. Though these works may look like small ones, to our beneficiaries, they were the most significant because they offered them safety and released them from problems with which they had been living for years. I have learned so far that teamwork, persistence, and compassion are equally important as the tools that we bring. I have also noticed that it is very significant for people to feel that the community cares about them. I would definitely want to take these projects further by doing the same during the school year, organizing service opportunities outside the summer, inviting more youth and even local businesses to partake in this. This will enable us to be constantly available to help rather than just once a year.

I’m a 17 years old native of a small town in Pennsylvania and my biggest dream is to study architecture and with both my bachelor's and master's degrees, I would be able to design places that are both comforting and meaningful to other people. Not only my passions but also some of the most difficult times I have encountered have shaped this dream of mine. As cancer came into my grandmother's life when she was diagnosed, I was still in elementary school. She was not only a grandmother to me — she was my first teacher, my role model, and my refuge. She taught me to sew, to love books, to paint, and to find strength and peace through my faith. A big part of who I am nowadays is due to her patient guidance and her love for creativity and learning. It felt like the floor had gone out from under me when she went on. I was little and didn't know how to cope with loss. I depressed so much and began to isolate myself from the people I cared about. I was carrying a heavy burden inside me but I didn't know how to express it so I chose to carry it all by myself. Without her, it felt like a long time before I could move on. Bit by bit I saw that the best thing I could do to pay tribute to her would be to keep on embracing the things she gave to me — my creativity, my love for art, my faith, and my drive for self-improvement. Hers is a story of a hole that left my life when she passed on, but the passions she implanted in me still stand as a testament of her presence. Cancer stole her from me way too early, but on the other hand, it made me stronger, more aware of the people I care about, and it made me never lose sight of the dreams she asked me to pursue.

Adversity eventually became my life's companions, though they also shaped me to be a stronger, more empathetic, and with more willpower person. One of the major and most difficult problems that I had to deal with was financial trouble at home. On some occasions, I had to juggle schoolwork with home duties, and I was not always given the same access to resources as many of my classmates. At first, the situation was very stressful for me, still, I didn't let it control my fate. As a result of being very disciplined, working hard late at night, and not hesitating to ask for help, I was able to accomplish a lot not only in school but also in the community. In the end, it was that stubbornness that taught me the lesson that no matter how much the odds are against you, you need to be resolute and work hard to get through. Moreover, one more thing that influenced adversity was my lack of confidence. I can recall the moments when I pondered whether I had the ability to bring about my desires. The thing that decided my self-doubt was recalling the reason why I came at it all in the first place: establishing a better future for myself, the family, and the community. Every little accomplishment that I made, let it be a grade raise, finishing a hard project, or making someone grasp a problem, was a step toward regaining my self-confidence. Victory over adversities made me realize that these struggles didn’t define me; the way I managed them did. In terms of unconditional love, I have attempted to demonstrate it by helping others without expecting anything in return. In my house, this meant being there for the family when they were in trouble—taking care of younger siblings, assisting with chores, and being a stable presence when things were going downhill. In the neighborhood, unconditional love was evident in the ways I encouraged and mentored younger students. I like to think that I make them feel safe and valuable, it doesn’t matter if I’m assisting with the schoolwork or if I’m helping them escape the bully, or if I’m just a person who listens. Giving unconditional love means showing up in the same way, even when it is not convenient, and letting people know through your actions that they matter to you. Adversity has been a hard challenge for me but, on the other hand, has been a great teacher and a source of my resilience as well. As for the irresolute and self-doubting mind, it was truly the constant reminding and living the truth of the statement that love and support are as much needed as perseverance one more experience in life which soon became my start. Together, these experiences have formed the person I am today and the person I want to be: the one who not only conquers personal difficulties but also to help the others overcome their troubles.

Helpfulness has been at the core of my character since forever. I tend to think that no matter how difficult our individual lives may be, we always have the ability to brighten someone else's day. I for sure have demonstrated helpfulness in both big and small manners throughout my life, no matter if it is by supporting the classes which struggle, volunteering in my community, or taking up the responsibility when my family is in need. One example of it is that younger students and I are all learning and I often make it easier for them. Besides being extremely gratifying for me, tutoring in subjects like math and reading also gives them the motivation to continue joining the activities one cannot easily master if they do not have. In addition to that, I have also assumed the obligation in mass within our household, such as the youth care or hijacking the house with the aid of other people to lighten the burden on my family. In my opinion, helpfulness for me is identifying when someone is in need of help and being ready with it, even in cases when it takes some patience or sacrifice. Persistence and perseverance didn’t miss from my character traits either and influenced my achievements a lot. For instance, it happened in my sophomore year geometry class. I started with a limited understanding of the concepts and the proofs were particularly difficult for me. I was frustrated since my efforts were not yielding any positive result. Rather than quitting, I took on more work and went about it differently. I did not just stay after school for extra help, and ask questions during the class, but I also did so practice by my practice until I was able to do not only a proof but also explain it clearly. Finally, my hard work brought me the result and I went from one of the students who struggled most with proofs as far as the hardest to the students my classmates came to for help. That victory didn’t come to me easily but it taught me that with persistence you can turn failures into victories. These events were the ones to make me see that persistence and helpfulness are actually interrelated. You get the strength and empathy to help others with their problems only if you are resolute to conquer your own challenges. I am certain that these characteristics will be my compass not only in higher education and my future career where I want to be of service to others and leave a mark.

The first film that really influenced me a great deal was Avatar (2009), directed by James Cameron. Its amazing visuals and the mind-boggling story of Pandora made it a must-have experience, and the very tender and moving concepts of love, oneness, and duty were those that have remained with me. From the film’s notable traits is the opinion of the Na’vi that everything that has life is connected. The deep connection with the natural world, the manner in which they deal with the environment with closest deservance, changed the way I look at the people that surround me. I became more aware of my decisions as a result of seeing Avatar, what I do to the earth, how I engage with others and the recognition of the importance of the whole picture outside of me became more evident to me. The plot also fitted me personally, as it is a theme of bravery and change. Jake Sully the protagonist starts as a person full of doubt and restrictions but ends up growing into a person of empathy and steadfastness which he draws his power from. I was reminded of the fact that even when I experience different challenges - financial, personal, or academic - I still can decide to overcome them by being loyal to my values and goals. Also, the film Avatar turned around my viewpoint about the community. The Na'vi are a group of friends who support each other during the hardest moments and always take the same stand against their enemies. This made me realize how necessary it is to be together, to raise our voices for what is right, and to work for creating safe and supportive environments for others. I am mindful of doing this through my interaction with children and young people as I try to inculcate respect and kindness among them not only in the physical space but also in the virtual realm which is a practice that I bring into my community. For me, these are the themes in the movie that I can't stop recalling not only the movie as a masterpiece but also as a reminder all through our lives that we have the power to alter, to form links, and to take decisions that are in line with the dignity of others and the planet. It made me realize that I have to live more responsibly, more bravely, and more compassionately.

Giving back through children and youth activities has been one of my most significant contributions. I had volunteered in VBS Summers, and Youth Group Mission Trips where I worked closely with younger students learning how to handle school life and friendships. A great number of those children are under the constant threat of bullying whether it is happening physically or online thus I make it a point of priority to establish a safe and encouraging surrounding for them. I bring out kindness in them, help them discover their voices, and teach them ways of reporting or dealing with hurtful behavior. I teach them to be very careful with the use of the Internet because identity theft is one of the areas in which bullies and cyberbullies use to attack. They must always treat others with respect and if they still come across with something bad they must instantly seek help. Helping children get through such processes is very close to my heart because I know the amount of suffering that bullying and cyberbullying cause. It is the right of every single child to feel safe, and included, and to know that they matter. By providing them with examples to follow and moral support, I hope to unveil to them the fact that they are not left alone in the battle and that the strength to overcome the negativity is within them. Financial needs are among my top concerns, as I am getting prepared to enter higher education. The income that my family receives is not enough to cover tuition, purchase books, accommodation, and cater to other basic needs. I have put lots of effort to save for what I can but the fact remains that without scholarships and grants, the continuation of my studies will be very hindered. If I would receive the support of this program not only would it be a relief from the financial burden which my family and I feel, but it will also enable me to fully concentrate on my studies and continue to serve my community. I definitely agree with the statement that a person’s background can be a source of strength, empathy, and determination which are the characteristics I possess. I am confident that with the support of this grant I will be able to further my education, sharpen my service skills and continue working to ensure that children and youth in my community are kept safe, empowered, and equipped for their future.

When I was a child, I had to face works that tested my iron will and indomitable spirit. A lot of times financial difficulties and personal situations were the reasons why I was not able to enjoy all the resources and opportunities that my schoolmates took for granted. However, I did not allow them to define me, worked harder, kept my focus, and continued trying to turn my dreams into a reality. In school, I came to understand very quickly that it was not success what was about having the most advantages, but it was about using the least to the best advantage. Some nights I would study alone till late just to be able to understand a concept just taught in school, using free online resources or library books. I was very inquisitive, sought the assistance of teachers if they had some time for me, and I did not allow myself to lag behind. The pay-off was I got good marks and I even became more confident when it came to tackling academic challenges. Every time I hit a wall, the decision that didn’t just make me pull myself together but also move forward was my belief that education will change my life. I understand that it is going to be very tough for me today and if I keep sticking to it, it will make it possible for me to be a source of support to my family, community, and also be self-sufficient. I am grateful for the attributes that give me power and enable me to make the most out of every opportunity and highlight my success not by my name but by the life lessons taught to me through struggle. This funding as a result of this grant would be of immense help in the realization of my dreams. For instance, it could eliminate potential financial constraints that have always stood in the way of me accessing materials such as textbooks, technology and taking challenging courses and hence direct all my energy to my studies. Apart from everything else, it would be an acceptance and a token of faith in the potential I still have yet to realize. Through this, I'm able to work hard and make further academic achievements, enroll in the university of my choice, and also be one step closer to a career that I love and am passionate about. Such students coming from disadvantaged families and still showing motivation and achievement deserve to be given opportunities like scholarships and grants because we know the value of what we are working for. We are conscious of how much effort goes into soaring above difficulties, and we never take opportunities for granted. I will keep proving that I am not defined by my circumstance but instead by my commitment, drive, and goals and that is what characterizes me. I am convinced that with the assistance of this grant, I will keep rising, accomplishing my goals, and giving back to my community.

In my sophomore year, geometry was taught by Miss McClelland and, initially, I thought it would be just another math class - formulas, theorems, and never-ending practice problems. Nevertheless, Miss McClelland made it much more than that. Even the most complex proofs were her way of presenting puzzles that were yet to be solved, and she never made a person feel silly for asking a question. I can still recall how difficult it was for me to understand transformations, especially rotations, and reflections. Miss McClelland would not just re-explain it; instead, she would take me to the board, draw the figures, and ask, "What do you see here? Where can it go next?" She was not only giving the answers all the time; she was teaching me the way to think through problems by myself. Gradually, I started to recognize patterns instead of just numbers and angles. She also let us use the group method for working, not only to find the solutions, but also to demonstrate to each other our thoughts. These occasions made me find out that learning was not only through memory - it was via understanding, questioning, and connecting ideas. Regardless, geometry wasn't the only thing that Miss McClelland did that was also of great impact on me; it was the way she always encouraged me to view moats in life that really made a difference. She would say, "You can make mistakes, and it's fine. In fact, that's how you learn." At that moment, I was convinced that she meant math, but I later realized that she meant everywhere: school, friends, the process of self-discovery, etc. I started to become more daring, taking the opportunity to be heard more, and not feeling scared if I were to fail. Miss McClelland was also adept at finding even the little successes. The day I managed to solve a proof that I had been struggling with for weeks, she beamed at me and said, “Didn’t I tell you? You just had to believe in yourself.” That moment didn't just affect me longer than any grade might have. Patience, resilience, and confidence were other things her class also taught me alongside geometry. Long after the event, I still get her advice in mind whenever I confront a challenge that initially seems difficult, telling me continually that growth is mostly due to our effort, persistence, and a bit of bravery.