Mental health is deeply important to me as a student because it’s something I’ve struggled with throughout my life. Whether it’s in the classroom, at work, or even during sports, anxiety has followed me everywhere. The littlest things—like the tone of someone’s voice, an assignment deadline, or even a simple doctor’s appointment—can weigh heavily on me. For me, anxiety feels inevitable, but it’s also something I’ve learned to better understand over time. That understanding has inspired me to major in psychology and pursue a career as a therapist. I want to help others who are going through the same overwhelming emotions I’ve experienced and show them they’re not alone. What truly pushed me to take mental health even more seriously was almost losing my best friend to suicide. He’s someone I’ve known since childhood, and I had no idea he was suffering in silence. His attempt failed, thankfully, but it opened my eyes in a way nothing else had before. It made me realize how easy it is for people to hide what they’re going through and how dangerous it can be when there’s no safe space to talk about mental health. Since then, I’ve made it a personal mission to speak up about these issues whenever I can, and to be a listening ear for those who might need it. One of the places I advocate for mental health the most is on the track. I’m a member of my school’s track and field team, and I’ve noticed that I’m not the only one who struggles with performance anxiety. Sports are often seen as physical challenges, but no one really talks about the mental pressure that comes with them. I try to bring awareness to this by talking openly with my teammates about how I’m feeling and encouraging them to do the same. We all want to perform our best, but it’s hard to do that when we’re mentally overwhelmed. By starting those conversations, I’ve seen how much it helps to simply let others know it’s okay to feel nervous or anxious and that they’re not weak for struggling. Mental health matters in every part of life, but especially in school where students are juggling so many responsibilities. I know how it feels to try and push through anxiety just to keep up with everything, and I want to help create a culture where people don’t feel like they have to hide what they’re dealing with. That’s why I’m so passionate about studying psychology—not just to learn how to help others, but to also help change the conversation around mental health. Everyone deserves to feel heard, supported, and understood. If we can keep talking about mental health openly and without shame, we can make schools, teams, and communities safer and more supportive places for everyone. That’s the kind of change I want to be a part of.

Mental health and suicide prevention are more important today than ever, especially for people in my age group. With so many of us facing constant pressure from school, work, social media, and life in general, it's no surprise that anxiety, depression, and other mental health struggles are becoming more common. Yet even with all this going on, mental health is still not talked about enough—and that silence can be dangerous. For as long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with anxiety. It’s affected the way I see myself, the way I interact with others, and how I move through the world. At times, it's felt like I'm constantly carrying a weight that no one else can see. But over time, I learned to manage it, and most importantly, I learned how powerful it can be to simply talk about what you’re going through. I realized that so many people—like me—feel alone in their struggles, and that’s what made me want to become a therapist. I want to help others feel seen and heard, especially when they feel like no one understands them. That desire became even stronger a few years ago when I almost lost my best friend to suicide. He had been silently suffering, hiding his pain behind jokes and a smile. None of us had any idea what he was going through until the day he tried to take his own life. Thankfully, his attempt failed, and he survived. With support and treatment, he began to heal and became more open about his struggles. Watching him go through that made me realize how crucial it is to raise awareness about mental health and to make it okay to ask for help. Experiences like mine have shaped everything—my beliefs, my relationships, and my career goals. I believe in the importance of checking in with the people around me and creating safe spaces for open conversations. In my community, I try to be that person who others can talk to without judgment, and I want to continue supporting mental health efforts in bigger ways as I grow. Becoming a therapist is not just a career choice for me—it’s a mission. I want to be the person someone can turn to when they feel like they’re out of options. Mental health and suicide prevention are not just “important topics”—they are matters of life and death. I’ve lived through that realization, and it has changed me. I’m committed to doing everything I can to help others find hope, healing, and a reason to keep going.

From a young age, I’ve always considered myself an empath, someone who deeply understands and connects with the emotions of others. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or even a stranger, I’ve always been able to sense when someone is struggling, even if they don’t speak about it. This ability to connect with people’s feelings has shaped who I am today and is the driving force behind my desire to pursue a career as a therapist. Growing up, I didn’t have the support I needed when it came to mental health. My parents didn’t understand the impact anxiety had on me. Physical health was always emphasized in our household, but emotional struggles were often brushed off, leaving me feeling isolated. I didn’t have anyone to talk to about my own anxiety, which became overwhelming, especially as a track athlete. My anxiety would spiral before every competition. I worried about everything — how I would perform, what others thought of me, even someone’s tone of voice. Anxiety consumed my thoughts, and it made every situation feel like a battle. It wasn’t until I began to understand my anxiety better and started working through it that I realized how much I wanted to help others facing similar struggles. This experience shaped how I approach relationships. I’ve learned that sometimes, just being there for someone and listening can make a world of difference. I’ve always felt a deep sense of empathy for those going through tough times, and I’m motivated to be the person they can turn to. I’ve realized that my ability to empathize with others is a powerful tool, and I want to use it to create a more understanding and compassionate world. As I pursue my degree in psychology, I’m focused on learning how to help people who feel just as isolated and misunderstood as I did. I want to be the therapist who listens without judgment, creating a safe space for people to open up. Mental health is often overlooked or dismissed, but it’s just as important as physical health, and I want to help others understand that. I believe everyone deserves to be heard and supported, especially when it comes to their emotional well-being. Empathy is one of the most powerful tools we have to foster understanding. It allows us to see beyond our own experiences and recognize the humanity in others. When we empathize with others, we break down walls, bridge divides, and connect with people, regardless of their background or struggles. In a world where it's easy to feel disconnected, empathy is the foundation for building kindness, respect, and support. Through my education and my empathic nature, I aim to contribute to this goal. By becoming a therapist, I want to offer others the support I never had. Whether it’s helping athletes cope with performance anxiety or guiding people from diverse backgrounds through their mental health challenges, I want to create spaces where people can find understanding and healing. I hope to foster empathy on a larger scale — not only in therapy sessions but also in communities where people feel connected, supported, and empowered. In the end, I believe that empathy is the key to creating a compassionate, understanding world. It connects us all and allows us to build a global community that values mental health, compassion, and true human connection.

From a young age, I was aware of the disconnect between mental health and physical health in my household. My parents always emphasized the importance of staying physically healthy, attending doctors' appointments, and following through on physical fitness. However, when it came to mental health, the message was less clear. It was a subject that was rarely discussed, and any signs of emotional distress were often brushed off. I struggled with anxiety for years, but because my parents didn’t believe in conditions like anxiety or even understand its significance, I never had a safe space to express my feelings or seek the help I needed. As a child and teenager, I often felt isolated with my emotions, unable to explain the weight of the constant worry and fear I lived with every day. I didn’t have anyone to talk to about the overwhelming social and performance anxiety that controlled my life. As a track athlete, my anxiety was at its peak. The pressure I placed on myself to succeed, coupled with the fear of failure, made each competition a battleground. I would worry about every detail, from my performance to someone’s tone of voice, questioning if it was directed at me in a negative way. I’d stress over what others thought of me, even if it wasn’t something worth worrying about. Anxiety controlled my every move, and I felt paralyzed by the smallest things. The turning point for me came when I realized that I couldn’t continue living in constant fear and stress. I started seeking ways to cope with my anxiety, gradually learning to manage it, though it’s still a work in progress. I found strength in small victories and support in those who had been through similar struggles. As I began to heal, I realized something profoundly important: I wanted to help others who were facing the same battles I once did. I wanted to provide a space for those who feel unheard, misunderstood, or isolated, just like I once did. This desire to help others led me to pursue a degree in psychology. I am studying psychology because I want to become a therapist, someone who can offer support, guidance, and empathy to people struggling with mental health issues. I know firsthand the weight of anxiety and how it can affect every aspect of your life, and I want to be the person others can turn to when they’re in need of support. I want to create a safe, non-judgmental space for individuals to explore their thoughts, emotions, and struggles. I want to be the therapist who listens and helps others understand that their mental health is just as important as their physical health. In the future, I hope to work as a therapist specializing in anxiety disorders, social anxiety, and performance anxiety, particularly for individuals who feel overwhelmed by high-pressure situations like athletes, students, or professionals. My goal is to use my experiences, education, and empathy to help others break free from the grip of anxiety, so they can live fulfilling and balanced lives. While my journey has been long, it’s shaped my purpose, and I am committed to helping others find the same peace and resilience that I am slowly but surely discovering.

The Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship would have a profound impact on my journey, as I pursue my dream of becoming a therapist and helping others overcome their mental hardships. Financial barriers have always been a challenge for me, and the opportunity to attend my dream school has often felt out of reach. This scholarship would provide the support I need to continue my education and pursue a career that allows me to make a real difference in people's lives. My passion for mental health and therapy comes from my own personal experiences and a desire to help others find the same healing and growth that I’ve witnessed in myself. I believe that mental health is just as important as physical health, and that everyone deserves access to the tools and resources that will help them overcome their struggles. Becoming a therapist would allow me to work directly with individuals who are facing challenges, helping them develop the skills and resilience they need to live fulfilling lives. Unfortunately, without financial assistance, the path to achieving this dream feels daunting, but this scholarship would help me focus on my studies without the overwhelming concern of tuition costs and other financial burdens. I can also deeply connect with Kalia's legacy, particularly in her passion for running and her commitment to excellence. Like Kalia, I have a strong love for running, which I carried with me from high school into my community college years. I ran cross country and track throughout high school, and now I continue to compete in track and field. Running has taught me discipline, perseverance, and the value of pushing through challenges — qualities that have translated into my academic and personal life. Much like Kalia’s dedication to her athleticism, I’ve learned to set goals, stay focused, and push through the toughest moments in pursuit of success. What truly inspires me about Kalia’s story is the way she embraced life with an incredible work ethic, kindness, and drive to excel. She achieved so much in her short life, excelling as a student, athlete, and leader. Her dedication to helping others, whether through her role in the Black Student Union or her willingness to encourage and support her peers, speaks volumes about the kind of person she was. I see much of her ambition and spirit reflected in my own life. I too strive to excel in everything I do, whether it’s in my academic studies, my work as a student athlete, or in my drive to help others. Kalia’s story serves as a reminder to never give up and to keep pushing forward, no matter the obstacles, and that’s the kind of legacy I want to carry forward in my own life. This scholarship would help me not only achieve my academic goals but also honor Kalia’s memory by embodying the same principles she held dear: hard work, kindness, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. With this financial support, I would be able to attend my dream school and work toward my career in therapy, where I can have a lasting impact on others’ lives, just as Kalia did with her peers. Her legacy inspires me to continue striving for success, to never let go of my dreams, and to always lead with compassion and empathy for others. In memory of Kalia D. Davis, I am committed to living with love, laughter, and a continued dedication to learning and growing. This scholarship would help me achieve that and more, allowing me to honor the life of a truly extraordinary individual

Success is often seen as the culmination of hard work, achievement, and the realization of personal goals. However, the definition of success can vary significantly depending on who you ask. For some, it’s about excelling academically, while for others, it’s about pursuing passions, achieving personal growth, or overcoming obstacles in life. For me, success is about resilience and determination in the face of adversity. It is the ability to keep fighting for what I want, even when the odds seem stacked against me. Growing up in a low-middle-class family, I’ve always been acutely aware of the disparities between my life and that of many of my peers. It often feels as though my classmates, especially those from upper-middle-class backgrounds, have a distinct advantage in life. Opportunities seem to be handed to them in ways that are not as accessible to me. They have the financial resources to access tutors, extracurricular activities, and even college prep courses, all of which create a level of ease in their academic journeys. It sometimes feels like success is pre-determined for them, as if the doors to opportunities swing open effortlessly, while for people like me, they need to be pried open, if not kicked down entirely. There is an undeniable weight to the fact that people in more privileged circumstances seem to glide through life with fewer obstacles, while those from lower-income families often have to fight for every inch. While my peers have the luxury of not worrying about how to afford textbooks, housing, or transportation, these are real concerns that I have to face constantly. The emotional and mental toll that this disparity takes can often feel overwhelming, as I see myself struggling to get ahead, knowing that many around me do not have to work as hard to achieve similar results. However, despite these challenges, I’ve come to realize that my version of success does not depend on the same timeline or benchmarks as others. For me, success isn’t defined by the ease with which my peers achieve their goals. It’s about how much perseverance, grit, and resilience I can show in continuing to pursue my dreams, no matter the obstacles in my path. My success isn’t about comparing my progress to theirs but recognizing that every step forward, no matter how small, is a victory in itself. The challenges I face make each achievement that much more meaningful, and it’s in these moments of overcoming adversity that I truly feel successful. What makes me feel successful is the unwavering commitment to my growth. It’s the realization that despite having fewer resources and opportunities, I am still pushing forward. When things are tough—when money is tight, when I feel defeated, or when the road ahead seems uncertain—I keep going. Success to me is not about reaching a destination without struggle, but about the determination to keep striving even when it feels like the world is stacked against me. It’s the courage to keep pushing for my dreams, knowing that it might take more time and effort than it does for others. This opportunity is crucial in helping me achieve that success. The financial burden of pursuing an education has been one of the hardest obstacles I’ve faced, and this opportunity would lessen the weight of that burden. It would allow me to focus more on my studies and personal growth, rather than constantly worrying about how I’m going to afford the next semester’s tuition. The freedom to concentrate on my academic and personal goals without financial stress would allow me to fully immerse myself in learning and self-improvement. Ultimately, I define success as the ability to keep fighting, to keep pushing forward, and to maintain the belief that I am worthy of achieving my dreams, even when the odds are not in my favor. To me, success is the courage to keep striving, the determination to overcome, and the resilience to keep going, no matter how hard the journey gets. If I can continue to do that, then I will have succeeded, regardless of where my path leads or how long it takes to get there. The challenges I face only add to the richness of my experience, and with opportunities like this, I know I can continue to fight for the success I know I am capable of achieving.