I grew up in a low-income family where stability was more of an exception than the norm, and survival often depended on the willingness of my extended family to step in. My parents were not consistently present during my childhood, so my aunts, uncles, and grandmother each took turns raising me. This arrangement, while unconventional, was meant to keep me out of foster care and provide me with some sense of home, even if it changed from place to place. My father worked out of town in order to provide for me, but his absence meant I rarely saw him. My mother faced her own personal struggles that kept her from being actively involved. My childhood was a constant exercise in adaptation. I learned early how to blend into new environments, form connections quickly, and find my footing without the reassurance of a stable home life. While these circumstances were far from ideal, they gave me a kind of resourcefulness that no textbook could teach. By my teenage years, however, I was exposed to situations that no child should have to navigate, experiences that forced me to grow up faster than my peers. At the age of sixteen, I made the life‑changing decision to move out on my own. Balancing schoolwork with the responsibilities of paying rent, buying groceries, and keeping myself safe was no small task. It was during this time that I realized I was more than just intellectually smart; I had the practical intelligence, resilience, and adaptability needed to survive and make intentional choices about my future. Those years taught me exactly what I did not want my life to look like, and they solidified my commitment to ensuring my own children would grow up with stability, love, and opportunity. When I was twenty‑six, my mother passed away. By then, I was already a parent myself, raising my own family. Today, I am the proud mother of four children. Every choice I make, from pursuing my education to working hard in my career, is driven by the desire to provide them with the security and guidance I often lacked. I want them to see firsthand that no matter where you start in life, you can rise above your circumstances with perseverance, determination, and a willingness to keep moving forward even when the road is hard. My background has shaped me into someone who values hard work, independence, and empathy. I am deeply committed to breaking the cycles of instability that I grew up in. My goal is to complete my education, build a career that ensures lasting stability for my family, and use my lived experiences to inspire and support others who are navigating similar challenges. I know that my journey has prepared me for the rigors of higher education and the demands of professional life, and I am ready to channel my resilience into creating lasting change for my family and my community.

I am a mother of four, a first-generation college student, and someone who believes deeply in turning pain into purpose. Life hasn’t always been easy. I lost my mother at a pivotal time in my adulthood, experienced divorce while earning my associate’s degree, supported my teenage children through their mental health struggles, and gave birth to my youngest child in November 2023. Despite these challenges, I graduated in June 2024 and continue to pursue my bachelor’s degree in business management with a focus on leadership and creating impact. These experiences have shaped me into someone who is not only resilient, but also deeply empathetic, resourceful, and motivated by something greater than personal success. I have always had a natural desire to lead, to connect with people, and to be a voice for those who feel unheard. I plan to make a positive impact on the world through a career that centers on people, progress, and purpose. Whether I work in sales, marketing, or strategic operations, I want to help build ethical and inclusive organizations that are driven not only by performance but by the way they treat their employees, customers, and communities. I believe that when people feel valued and empowered, they do their best work, and I want to be the kind of leader who fosters that kind of environment. I am especially passionate about creating opportunities for women and underserved communities. Too often, people with talent and drive are overlooked because they do not fit a traditional mold or come from a privileged background. I want to be someone who challenges that system. I want to mentor young women, single parents, and first-generation students like myself to pursue their dreams with confidence. I want to help others understand that success doesn’t have to look one specific way, it can be shaped around real life, real families, and real struggles. In the long term, I see myself working in leadership development, creating programs that help people grow within their careers while also caring for their well-being. I also hope to give back through community initiatives that support education, financial literacy, and career-building resources. I want my children to see that not only did I overcome the challenges in front of me, but I used those experiences to help others rise as well. Making a positive impact is not a dream for me, it is a commitment I live by every day, and I look forward to continuing that work through every step of my professional journey.

I am worth the dreams I aspire to achieve because I have fought for them with everything I have. As a mother of four, a full-time student, and a woman who has walked through grief, heartbreak, and uncertainty, I have learned to rise every time life has tried to keep me down. I lost my mother at a pivotal point in my adulthood, navigated a divorce while pursuing my associate’s degree, supported my teenage children through their mental health struggles, gave birth in November 2023, and still graduated in June 2024. These experiences did not break me. They built me. I am not chasing dreams for comfort or status. I am chasing them because I have lived through struggle, and I know what it means to rebuild your life with nothing but faith and grit. I carry the lessons of perseverance, compassion, and purpose in everything I do. My dream is to build a career in business where I can lead with empathy, create opportunities for others, and help redefine what success looks like for women like me. Women who have been overlooked, underestimated, or silenced, yet still choose to show up with strength and grace. I aspire to create a life that honors the women who came before me and empowers the ones growing beside and after me. My children are watching, and I want them to see that womanhood is powerful. It is capable. It is worthy. The education I am pursuing is not just for a better job. It is for generational change, for healing, and for building a legacy rooted in resilience and love. I want to create a life where my daughters know their voice matters and my sons grow to respect and uplift the women around them. This Woman’s Worth Scholarship speaks to everything I believe in. I am not defined by my circumstances, but by my determination to rise above them. I know what it is like to feel like the odds are stacked against you, and I also know what it feels like to push through anyway. That is why I am worth the dreams I aspire to achieve. I am living proof that even in the face of adversity, a woman’s worth never diminishes. It only grows stronger with every obstacle overcome, every lesson learned, and every dream fought for. I do not just want to achieve personal success, I want to reach back and lift others as I go. I hope to mentor other women, especially those who have walked similar paths, and show them that their story, just like mine, is far from over.

Being Native American is a central part of who I am, and my life experiences have been deeply shaped by my connection to my culture, my ancestors, and the strength that runs through our communities. Growing up, I was surrounded by the stories, traditions, and values passed down from my family. These included honoring our elders, respecting the land, and looking out for one another. These values have given me a strong sense of identity, pride, and responsibility that I carry into every area of my life. At the same time, there have been challenges. I’ve seen and experienced the impact of generational trauma, poverty, and a lack of access to mental health resources within our communities. There have been moments where I felt the weight of expectations and isolation, especially while trying to navigate school, work, and family life all at once. As a Native woman, I have had to learn how to carry both my culture and my ambitions, even when the world did not always make space for either. These hardships have made me more determined to show my children that we are not limited by our circumstances and that our heritage is a source of strength, not struggle. Some of my favorite memories are tied to cultural gatherings and ceremonies. Hearing the drum, watching the dances, sharing meals, and feeling the unity that comes from being in a space where your culture is celebrated and understood are moments I hold close and dear. These experiences have grounded me and reminded me of the importance of protecting and passing on our traditions. They have taught me to lead with heart, to walk with purpose, and to stand tall in who I am. I hope to share those memories and values with my children and give them every opportunity to feel proud of where they come from just as my mother/aunts/grandma ensured they did for me. My journey has been one of growth, healing, and deep cultural pride. Being Native American has shaped how I see the world and how I move through it, with resilience, empathy, and the belief that lifting ourselves up honors those who came before us. This mindset continues to guide my education, my career goals, and the legacy I want to build for my children and community. I am proud of who I am, and I carry that pride into everything I pursue.

My experience with mental health has been shaped by some of the most defining and difficult moments in my life. I lost my mom at a time when I was just stepping into my full identity as an adult. Grieving her while navigating the responsibilities of motherhood, school, and work shifted the way I see the world and deepened my empathy for others. I went through a divorce while pursuing my associate’s degree, all while supporting my teenage children who were struggling with their own mental health challenges. In the midst of it all, I gave birth to my youngest child in November 2023 and still graduated with my associate’s degree in June 2024. That journey wasn’t easy, but it taught me what true resilience looks like. These experiences changed my beliefs about strength and success. I used to think strength meant pushing through without ever slowing down or showing pain. Now, I know that true strength is being honest about your struggles, asking for help when you need it, and choosing to keep going even when life feels heavy. I’ve learned that mental health affects every part of our lives and that caring for it is not optional. It is essential. That belief has made me more compassionate, not just with others, but also with myself. In my relationships, I show up differently now. I listen more deeply. I give grace more freely. I understand how important it is to create space for people to be seen, heard, and supported, especially when they are not okay. As a mother, I try to model that for my children so they know it is safe to talk about their emotions and that healing is possible. My love for them, and the things we have overcome together, continue to shape who I am and who I want to become. When it comes to my career, these life experiences fuel my passion to do meaningful work. I want to lead and grow in a space that values people, purpose, and progress. Whether it is in sales, marketing, or strategy, I want to use my story and my strength to build connections, support others, and create a positive impact all around. Mental health is part of my journey, but it is also part of my drive. It has made me more human, more intentional, and more committed to creating a future I am proud of.

I’m pursuing a career in sales and marketing because I genuinely enjoy connecting with people and helping them find meaningful solutions that can improve their lives. I’ve always had a natural ability to communicate, listen, and understand others, and this career path allows me to put those strengths to use in a powerful way. There’s something fulfilling about not only promoting a product or service, but being part of a process that builds relationships, solves real problems, and creates trust between a brand and its audience. What draws me to this field most is the opportunity to combine creativity, strategy, and purpose. Sales and marketing are constantly evolving, and that excites me. I enjoy learning new techniques, analyzing behavior, and crafting messages that resonate. I’m inspired by the idea that a well-executed campaign or a thoughtful conversation can shift someone’s perspective or open a door they didn’t know was available. That kind of influence, when used with honesty and good intention, is incredibly powerful. My motivation goes deeper than career interest. It comes from lived experience. Growing up, I didn’t see many examples of success, stability, or upward mobility. The idea of a career, let alone one that I’m passionate about, didn’t always seem within reach. Now, as a mother of four and a full-time student, I’m rewriting that narrative. I want to build a career that not only provides a stable future for my family but also serves as a model for my children. I want them to see that you can pursue a path you believe in, no matter where you come from or what obstacles you face. Sales and marketing are not just jobs to me. They are tools. Tools for growth, connection, influence, and change. They allow me to use my voice, think strategically, and build something that matters. I want to represent a brand I believe in, engage with people in authentic ways, and be a trusted source of value and support. With every conversation, every campaign, and every client interaction, I want to help others while building a legacy my kids can be proud of. In the future, I hope to take what I’ve learned and mentor others who come from similar backgrounds, people who may not see their potential yet but have the heart and drive to succeed. I believe representation matters, and I want to be a visible example of someone who worked hard, stayed committed, and built something meaningful from the ground up. Whether that means leading a sales team, launching marketing strategies, or creating content that inspires action, I want my work to reflect my values and uplift others along the way.