No matter the school or field of study, mental health is central to a student’s success and well-being, yet it is often overlooked. My own life has been deeply shaped by mental health challenges, both personally and within my family. One of my earliest memories is March 9, 2013, the day of my father’s funeral. I was five years old, staring up at the apex of the pyramid-shaped building, surrounded by grief. Losing my father to suicide was not just a single moment of loss; it shaped my childhood, my family, and the way I view the world. Though I don’t remember him clearly, I have been told he was one of the happiest people, constantly laughing, smiling, and spreading joy. That joy, hidden behind a silent struggle, taught me one of life’s hardest truths: you never truly know what someone is going through behind the smile. Growing up with a grieving mom and older sisters, watching them navigate their pain while trying to care for me was one of the hardest parts. From a young age, I learned to navigate not only my own emotions but also the emotional needs of those around me. These experiences instilled empathy, resilience, and a deep awareness of how mental health challenges ripple through families and communities. They also inspired my dedication to helping others, particularly students and children who may feel unseen or misunderstood. From what I’ve learned, people can be in so much pain that they feel like a burden to their loved ones and see no other way out. Witnessing my father’s struggles and the impact of his loss on my family has deeply influenced my plan to earn a PhD in psychology and become a licensed child psychologist and therapist. I want to work with children navigating trauma, grief, and emotional challenges, especially those who may feel unseen or misunderstood. I want to be the person who recognizes what others might miss, the quiet struggles behind a smile, and provides the support and guidance they need, someone who could be the reason another child doesn’t have to face the loss of a parent the way I did. I believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel safe, understood, and supported, and I am committed to turning my personal experiences into strengths that allow me to connect with and guide others in meaningful ways. As a student, I have made mental health advocacy a priority. I am always the person my friends can come to when they need someone to listen, and I openly share my own mental health struggles to help reduce stigma. I have seen firsthand how simply listening and being present can make a real difference. Through volunteering with programs such as Freely Reading, where I help children improve literacy, build confidence, and believe in themselves, I catch glimpses of the kind of impact I hope to make every day in my career. Mental health advocacy matters because sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply listen. By combining my experiences, education, and commitment to supporting others, I plan to foster a culture of understanding, openness, and support among students. No one should feel ashamed of struggling, and no one should feel alone in navigating their mental health. I am dedicated to making sure students feel heard, safe, and supported as they pursue their educational goals and personal growth.

One of my earliest memories is March 9, 2013, the day of my father’s funeral. I was five years old, staring up at the apex of the pyramid-shaped building, surrounded by deep sorrow echoing from every direction. Losing my father to suicide at such a young age was not a single moment of loss; it continued to shape my childhood, my family, and the way I view the world. Though I don’t remember him well, I’ve always been told he was one of the happiest people, constantly laughing, smiling, and spreading joy. That joy, hidden behind a silent struggle, taught me one of life’s hardest truths: you never truly know what someone is going through behind the smile. Growing up with a grieving mom and older sisters, I witnessed firsthand how mental health challenges ripple through a family. Watching them navigate their grief while trying to care for me was one of the hardest parts, and it showed me just how profoundly loss and mental health struggles can affect relationships. From a young age, I learned to navigate not only my own emotions but also the emotional needs of those around me. These experiences shaped my empathy, resilience, and awareness, and ultimately inspired me to pursue a career dedicated to helping others. From what I’ve learned, people can be in so much pain that they feel like a burden to their loved ones and see no other way out. Witnessing my father’s struggles and the impact of his loss on my family has deeply influenced my plan to earn a PhD in psychology and become a licensed child psychologist and therapist. I want to work with children navigating trauma, grief, and emotional challenges, especially those who may feel unseen or misunderstood. I want to be the person who recognizes what others might miss, the quiet struggles behind a smile, and provides the support and guidance they need, someone who could be the reason another child doesn’t have to face the loss of a parent the way I did. I believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel safe, understood, and supported, and I am committed to turning my personal experiences into strengths that allow me to connect with and guide others in meaningful ways. These experiences have also instilled in me a dedication to destigmatizing mental health, particularly in communities where it is often overlooked or misunderstood. I want to ensure that children, families, and individuals feel empowered to express their struggles without shame or fear, and that seeking help is seen as a sign of strength rather than weakness. Mental health has profoundly shaped not only my goals and worldview but also how I approach relationships, empathy, and community. While mental health challenges and loss have shaped my life in profound ways, they have also instilled in me empathy, compassion, and a drive to support others. My father’s life, and his loss, gave me purpose: to support children, recognize their unseen struggles, and provide guidance that transforms lives for the better. Even in life’s darkest moments, there is a silver lining. I am committed to turning my experiences into a source of strength, not only for myself, but for the children, families, and communities I hope to help throughout my life.

One of my earliest memories is March 9, 2013, the day of my father’s funeral. I was five years old, staring up at the apex of the pyramid-shaped building, surrounded by deep sorrow echoing from every direction. Losing my father to suicide at such a young age was not a single moment of loss; it continued to shape my childhood, my family, and the way I view the world. Though I don’t remember him well, I’ve always been told he was one of the happiest people, constantly laughing, smiling, and spreading joy. That joy, hidden behind a silent struggle, taught me one of life’s hardest truths: you never truly know what someone is going through behind the smile. Growing up with a grieving mom and older sisters, I witnessed firsthand how mental health challenges ripple through a family. Watching them navigate their grief while trying to care for me was one of the hardest parts, and it showed me just how profoundly loss can shape a family. From a young age, I learned to navigate not only my own emotions but also the emotional needs of those around me. These experiences shaped my empathy, resilience, and awareness, and ultimately inspired me to pursue a career dedicated to helping others. From what I’ve learned, people can be in so much pain that they feel like a burden to their loved ones and see no other way out. Witnessing my father’s struggles and the impact of his loss on my family has deeply influenced my plan to earn a PhD in psychology and become a licensed child psychologist and therapist. I want to work with children navigating trauma, grief, or emotional challenges, especially those who may feel unseen or misunderstood. I want to be the person who recognizes what others might miss, the quiet struggles behind a smile, and provides the support and guidance they need, someone who could be the reason another child doesn’t have to face the loss of a parent the way I did. I believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel safe, understood, and supported, and I am committed to turning my personal experiences into strengths that allow me to connect with and guide others in meaningful ways. While mental health challenges and loss have profoundly shaped my life, they have also instilled in me empathy, compassion, and a drive to support others. My father’s life, and his loss, gave me purpose: to support children, recognize their unseen struggles, and provide guidance that transforms their lives for the better. Even in life’s darkest moments, there is a silver lining. I am committed to turning my experiences into a source of strength, not only for myself, but for the children and families I will help.

Helping others while striving for excellence has always been a defining part of who I am. As a full-time psychology student at Florida Gulf Coast University, I maintain a 4.0 GPA, earn placement on the President’s List, and am a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Alongside my academics, I work 20–30 hours a week as a lifeguard and volunteer with Freely Reading, where I help children improve literacy and build confidence. Balancing these responsibilities has strengthened my discipline, time management, and commitment to giving my best in everything I do. As a lifeguard, I am responsible for the safety of others, requiring constant focus, quick decision-making, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. This role has taught me accountability and leadership, as well as the importance of being someone others can rely on. Similarly, through volunteering, I have learned how powerful encouragement can be. Watching a child grow more confident in their abilities or overcome a challenge reminds me why I am passionate about helping others. My desire to support others is deeply personal. After losing my father to suicide at a young age, I grew up understanding the importance of emotional support, resilience, and compassion. While this experience shaped me, it also motivated me to become someone who uplifts and supports others during difficult times. I strive to bring positivity, encouragement, and understanding into every space I am part of, just as others have done for me. I plan to earn a PhD in psychology and become a licensed child psychologist or therapist. My goal is to work with children facing emotional challenges, helping them build confidence, process their experiences, and develop healthy coping skills. I want to be a source of guidance and encouragement, someone who helps others recognize their strength even in difficult moments. Coming from a low-income, single-parent household, I understand the value of hard work and perseverance. My mom works as a teacher to support our family, and I have taken on the responsibility of balancing work and academics to contribute while continuing to excel in school. Receiving this scholarship would help ease financial stress and allow me to dedicate more time to my education, internships, and gaining the experience necessary to achieve my goals. I am committed to living a life defined by hard work, kindness, and purpose. Like Kalia, I strive to give my best in everything I do while uplifting those around me. This scholarship would not only support my education but also empower me to continue making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Helping others has always been at the center of my life, shaping both who I am and who I aspire to become. My passion for helping others, especially children, comes from experiences that have deeply influenced my perspective on mental health, resilience, and compassion. Although I don’t remember my father clearly, I have always been told that he was one of the happiest people, constantly laughing, smiling, and making everyone around him feel lighter. He brought joy into every room he entered. Yet behind that happiness, he was quietly struggling with depression, a battle that ultimately led to his death by suicide when I was five. Learning this as I grew older taught me something I will carry with me forever: you never truly know what someone is going through beneath the surface. Growing up with a grieving mom and older sisters, I witnessed firsthand how deeply mental health challenges can affect individuals and families. At a young age, I learned to navigate not only my own emotions, but also the emotional needs of those around me. This experience shaped my empathy, resilience, and awareness, and it is what led me to pursue a career dedicated to helping others. I am currently a full-time psychology student at Florida Gulf Coast University, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, earning placement on the President’s List, and holding membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Alongside my studies, I work 20–30 hours a week as a lifeguard, a role that requires quick decision-making, vigilance, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. I also volunteer with Freely Reading, where I work with children to improve literacy and build confidence. In those moments, when a child begins to believe in themselves or overcomes a challenge, I see a glimpse of the kind of impact I want to make every day in my future career. I plan to earn a PhD in psychology and become a licensed child psychologist or therapist. My goal is to work with children who are navigating trauma, grief, or emotional challenges, especially those who may feel unseen or misunderstood. I want to be the person who recognizes what others might miss, the quiet struggles behind a smile, and provides the support and guidance they need, someone who could be the reason another child doesn’t have to face the loss of a parent the way I did. Coming from a low-income, single-parent household, I understand the challenges that can come with limited resources. My mom works as a teacher to support our family, and I have taken on the responsibility of balancing work and academics to contribute and stay on track. These experiences have strengthened my determination and reinforced my commitment to building a future where I can give back to others. I believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel safe, understood, and supported. My father’s life, and his loss, has given me a purpose rooted in compassion and awareness. By combining my education, personal experiences, and dedication to helping others, I hope to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families and contribute to a world that is more compassionate, supportive, and understanding.

From a young age, I developed a keen sense of understanding and resilience. Whether inherited from my parents or shaped by my environment, this intuition has been a guiding force in my life. Some of my childhood is marked by tragedy, and those painful memories are deeply ingrained in my mind. One of my earliest memories was March 9, 2013, the day of my father’s funeral. I was five years old, staring up at the apex of the pyramid-shaped building I was standing in, surrounded by deep sorrow echoing from every direction. Despite the overwhelming grief, I felt an unusual calm. Although I had no idea of the trials and tribulations that were about to unfold, I knew I would always be okay, a certainty that continues to sustain me today. Although I don’t remember him well, everyone has always said my dad was one of the happiest people they knew. He was always laughing, smiling, and making others laugh, spreading joy wherever he went. Knowing this about him has taught me that you never truly know what someone is going through beneath the surface. My father battled depression throughout his life, and his struggle ended when he died by suicide, a tragedy that shaped the course of my childhood and my family’s journey. Growing up with a grieving mom and older sisters, I learned firsthand how childhood grief affects emotional development and a child’s sense of stability. Developing emotional independence at such a young age while helping my mom and sisters navigate their own grief taught me patience, empathy, and inner strength. These experiences inspired my commitment to earn a PhD in psychology and become a licensed child psychologist and therapist. I want to be the kind of person who provides guidance, understanding, and support, someone who could be the reason another child doesn’t have to face the loss of a parent the way I did. From what I’ve learned, people can be in so much pain that they feel like a burden to their loved ones and see no other way out. Witnessing my dad’s struggles and the impact of his loss on my family has deeply influenced me. I aspire to work directly with children, supporting those coping with trauma, grief, or emotional challenges, and providing tools to help them develop coping skills early in life. I believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel understood, safe, and supported, and I am committed to turning my experiences into strengths that allow me to connect with and support others in meaningful ways. What I know for sure is that when life looks bleak, there is always a silver lining. My father’s loss shaped me, but it also strengthened my determination to move forward with purpose, compassion, and resilience. Living a good life means acknowledging hardship while refusing to let it define you. I am committed to turning my experiences into a source of strength, not only for myself, but for the children and families I plan to support in the future.

From a young age, I developed a keen sense of understanding and resilience. Whether inherited from my parents or shaped by my environment, this intuition has been a guiding force in my life. Some of my childhood is marked by tragedy, and those painful memories are deeply ingrained in my mind. One of my earliest memories was March 9, 2013, the day of my father’s funeral. I was five years old, staring up at the apex of the pyramid-shaped building I was standing in, surrounded by deep sorrow echoing from every direction. Despite the overwhelming grief, I felt an unusual calm. Although I had no idea of the trials and tribulations that were about to unfold, I knew I would always be okay, a certainty that continues to sustain me today. Although I don’t remember him well, everyone has always said my dad was one of the happiest people they knew. He was always laughing, smiling, and making others laugh, spreading joy wherever he went. Knowing this about him has taught me that you never truly know what someone is going through beneath the surface. My father battled depression throughout his life, and his struggle ended when he died by suicide, a tragedy that shaped the course of my childhood and my family’s journey. Growing up with a grieving mom and older sisters, I learned firsthand how childhood grief affects emotional development and a child’s sense of stability. Building emotional independence at such a young age while helping my mom and sisters navigate their own grief taught me patience, empathy, and inner strength. These experiences inspired my commitment to earn a PhD in psychology and become a licensed psychologist or therapist. I want to be the kind of person who provides guidance, understanding, and support, someone who could be the reason another child doesn’t have to face the loss of a parent the way I did. From what I’ve learned, people can be in so much pain that they feel like a burden to their loved ones and see no other way out. Witnessing my dad’s struggles and the impact of his loss on my family has deeply influenced me. I aspire to work directly with children, supporting those coping with trauma, grief, or emotional challenges, and providing tools to help them develop coping skills early in life. I believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel understood, safe, and supported, and I am committed to turning my personal experiences into strengths that allow me to connect with and support children in meaningful ways. What I know for sure is that when life looks bleak, there is always a silver lining. Living a good life means witnessing the hardships of the world while not letting them consume our light. Everything will be alright.

Helping others has always been at the center of my life, whether through my studies, work, or personal experiences. I am a psychology student at Florida Gulf Coast University, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, earning placement on the President’s List, and holding membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Alongside my studies, I work 20–30 hours a week as a lifeguard, a role that requires quick decision-making, vigilance, and composure under pressure. I also volunteer with Freely Reading, helping children improve literacy and fostering a love of learning. Tutoring students who face academic and emotional challenges has taught me patience, how to encourage growth, and the importance of celebrating small victories. These experiences have strengthened my leadership and interpersonal skills, which I plan to bring into a career in child psychology. My passion for child psychology and therapy grew from losing my father to suicide at the age of five and witnessing how it affected my grieving mom and older sisters. Growing up in this environment, I learned firsthand how childhood grief can shape emotional development and a child’s sense of stability. Building emotional independence at such a young age while supporting my mom and sisters taught me patience, empathy, and inner strength. These experiences inspired my commitment to helping children navigate challenges, grow emotionally, and feel supported during difficult times. Having experienced childhood grief, I bring a unique understanding and empathy to my work with children. I am able to connect with them in ways that others may not, recognizing the depth of their struggles and providing guidance that is both compassionate and informed. I believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel understood, safe, and supported, and I am committed to turning my personal experiences into strengths that allow me to guide children in meaningful ways. Watching my mom and sisters navigate mental health challenges further reinforced the importance of compassionate guidance. These experiences shaped my goal to earn a PhD in psychology and become a licensed child psychologist and therapist. I aspire to work directly with children, supporting those coping with trauma, grief, or emotional challenges, and equipping them with tools to develop coping skills early in life. I hope to improve mental health care by offering individualized support and advocating for interventions that recognize the personal and emotional experiences of each child. Coming from a single-parent household, where my mom works as a teacher to support our family, I balance school, work, and family responsibilities while managing financial challenges. Scholarship support would relieve this burden and allow me to dedicate more time to internships, research, and hands-on experiences that will prepare me for graduate school and a career in child psychology. More importantly, it would help me transform the challenges I have faced into tools for guiding others through their own struggles. I am committed to honoring my experiences by using them to serve children, just as Brian Boley’s legacy inspires others in the mental health field. By combining personal insight with academic and professional preparation, I hope to make a lasting difference in the mental health and development of children, providing care that is compassionate, informed, and transformative.

Helping others has always been at the center of my life, whether through my studies, work, or personal experiences. I am a psychology student at Florida Gulf Coast University, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, earning placement on the President’s List, and holding membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Alongside my studies, I work 20–30 hours a week as a lifeguard, a role that requires quick decision-making, vigilance, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. I also volunteer with Freely Reading, helping children improve literacy and fostering a love of learning. Tutoring students who face academic and emotional challenges has taught me patience, ways to motivate others, and the importance of celebrating small victories. These experiences have strengthened my leadership and interpersonal skills, which I plan to bring into a career in child psychology and mental health. My drive to pursue mental health began with the loss of my father to suicide when I was five and witnessing how it affected my mom and older sisters. Growing up with a grieving mom and older sisters, I learned firsthand how childhood grief affects emotional development and a child’s sense of stability. Building emotional independence at a young age while helping support my mom and sisters through my own grief taught me patience, empathy, and inner strength. These experiences fueled my commitment to helping children navigate challenges, grow emotionally, and feel supported during difficult times. Seeing my mom and sisters face mental health challenges further emphasized the importance of compassionate guidance and early support. These experiences shaped my goal to earn a PhD in psychology and become a licensed child psychologist or therapist. I aspire to work directly with children, supporting those coping with trauma, grief, or emotional challenges, and providing tools to help them develop coping skills early in life. I believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel understood, safe, and supported, and I am committed to turning my personal experiences into strengths that allow me to connect with and support children meaningfully. Coming from a single-parent household, where my mom works as a teacher to support our family, I balance school, work, and family responsibilities while managing financial challenges. Scholarship support would relieve this burden and allow me to dedicate more time to internships, research, and hands-on experiences that will prepare me for graduate school and a career in child psychology. More importantly, it would help me transform the challenges I have faced into tools for guiding others through their own struggles. I am committed to honoring my experiences by using them to serve children and families, just as Ernest Lee McLean Jr. sought to support others in the mental health field. By combining personal insight with academic and professional preparation, I hope to make a lasting difference in the mental health and development of children.

Helping others has always been at the center of my life, whether through my studies, work, or personal experiences. I am a psychology student at Florida Gulf Coast University, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, earning placement on the President’s List, and holding membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Alongside my studies, I work 20–30 hours a week as a lifeguard, a role that requires quick decision-making, vigilance, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. I also volunteer with Freely Reading, helping children improve literacy and fostering a love of learning. Tutoring students who face academic and emotional challenges has taught me patience, ways to encourage growth, and the importance of celebrating small victories. Together, these experiences have strengthened my leadership and interpersonal skills, qualities I plan to bring into a career in child psychology. My passion for child psychology and therapy grew from my early experience of losing my father to suicide at the age of five and seeing how it shaped my family's emotional journey. Growing up with a grieving mom and older sisters, I learned firsthand how childhood grief affects emotional development and a child’s sense of stability. Having to build emotional independence at such a young age while supporting my mom and sisters through my own grief taught me patience, empathy, and inner strength. These experiences inspired my commitment to helping children navigate challenges, grow emotionally, and feel supported during difficult times. Watching my mom and sisters navigate mental health challenges further emphasized the importance of compassionate guidance. These experiences shaped my goal to earn a PhD in psychology and become a licensed child psychologist or therapist. I aspire to work directly with children, supporting those coping with trauma, grief, or emotional challenges, and providing tools to help them develop coping skills early in life. I believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel understood, safe, and supported, and I am committed to turning my personal experiences into strengths that allow me to connect with and support children in meaningful ways. Coming from a single-parent household, where my mom works as a teacher to support our family, I balance school, work, and family responsibilities while managing financial challenges. Scholarship support would help relieve this burden and allow me to dedicate more time to internships, research, and hands-on experiences that will prepare me for graduate school and a career in child psychology. More importantly, it would help me transform the challenges I have faced into tools for guiding others through their own struggles. I am committed to honoring my experiences by using them to serve children, just as Christina Taylese Singh sought to serve others in her work. By combining personal insight with academic