I grew up in a 2-parent household with a mom, a dad, and one younger sister named Robin. My parents divorced when I was 13 but they maintained an amicable relationship. As children, Robin and I would squabble endlessly about everything and nothing. My mother always said that when we grow up, we would be each other’s best friend. She was right. At 17, I skipped my senior year of high school to attend a Brevard Junior College on an early admissions scholarship. After two years, I received my AA and transferred to the University of Florida. Visits home were always happy occasions. I did not know that my sister was fighting a continuous battle against depression. On a visit home, my sister overdosed on my mom’s prescription tranquilizers. She was rushed to the hospital and admitted for in-patient therapy. Upon release, she continued with counseling and seemed to be doing better. I could not concentrate at school so I withdrew, found a job, and got an apartment. I later moved closer to home and bought a condo. My sister moved in with me and the agreement was that she could live with me as long as she either held a job or went to school. I thought she was attending community college. One day I came home unexpectedly early from work and found her asleep on the couch. She was just staying home and sleeping all day. I said that this was not our agreement but she said she was too tired to do anything. We argued and I said if she were not going to attend school or get a shop, she would need to move back in with mom. The next morning I left for work without speaking to her. I called during the day to check on her but there was no answer. When I came home from work, I found her in her room. She had used a gun to end her life. My family and I were devastated. I especially felt unrelenting guilt. What I did not realize was that my mother was also suffering massive guilt and depression. Two years after the passing of my sister, my mother also took her life. To say that I persevered would be false. I went through the motions of life and mostly dissociated from friends and family. It took years for me to regain confidence in myself and relationships with others. At 40, I made the decision to become a single parent by choice and was blessed with a beautiful baby girl. Four years later, family friends passed and I took guardianship and later adopted their two teens. I love kids and working with kids and became licensed to foster. There were occasional difficulties but my life was full and happy. Following the Covid shutdown, my position closed. I had been with the company for 28 years and found myself suddenly adrift. I thought about transitioning to teaching but needed a bachelor’s degree for certification. I completed the credentials to work as a substitute teacher and decided to return to school to attain my BA. At this point, I am less than one year from my goal. The only impediment is financing. I hope you will consider me for your scholarship. I am most definitely not a traditional student. In starting my college journey, I thought to get my degree in 3 years. It is going to be more like 38 but I know I can do it!

My maternal grandmother was born in Poland and was one of 13 children. Her mother passed when she was still very young (preteen) and so she took on the role of caring for her younger siblings. She managed to leave Poland before the country fell and emigrated to the United States. Several of her siblings were not so fortunate; two perished in the concentration camps. Surviving brothers and sisters made their way to France, South Africa, and Israel. My grandmother married and had three daughters. Her marriage failed at a time when most women were homemakers, but my grandma rose to the task of being a single working mother. Believing it wrong to bring a man into a home with three young daughters, she did not date or remarry until all of her children were adults. My mom was the youngest daughter in the family. Her sisters both had sons. When I was born, I was the first girl. Grandparents are not supposed to have favorites but my grandma did. Me! I loved hearing of her travels and adventures. She spoke a dozen different languages and had traveled through most of Western Europe, parts of Africa, Israel, Canada, and Argentina. As a child I was fascinated by these stories. As an adult more cognizant of the political climate during WWII, I understand that many of Grandma's "travels" were necessary to survive. But growing up, my thinking was that Grandma had gone everywhere and done everything and I wanted to be just like her. Grandma's name was Marlene Cohen. One day I found an old passport with the name Marilla Perlman. I asked who that was and was surprised when she said it was her. Perlman was her maiden name and Marilla was her name in the old country. When she came to America, she wanted a more glamorous name and so she put down Marlene. I said you can't just pick a new name but that is exactly what she did. I asked if Grandpa Ely had a different name too and to my shock she said yes! He was Michel in Russia but want a more American sounded name and chose Ely. I was about 13 then and immediately started talking about what my new name should be. My name was Bari and I wanted something new and glamorous too. Grandma grew quiet and said no, I must not change my name. Then she explained that in our culture,children are named for one who passed. Her mother Breindel (Brondel?) died in childbirth with my great aunt. She said my Hebrew name was Baruch, and the "Americanized" feminine form was Bari. The meaning of both names was blessing and I was named to honor her mother. As much as others poked fun at me for having what was considered a boy's name, I never again wanted a different name. I was proud to be named for someone so loved by my grandmother. My path through life has not been a straight line but a series of squiggles and curves. I skipped my senior year of high school to attend college on an early admissions scholarship. I received my associate's degree but then had to leave school for work. I found gainful employment with a company and remained for 28 years before the position closed during the 2020 Covid shutdown. Since then I have decided to complete my degree to transition to teaching. I have less than one year to go. I like to think my grandmother would be proud to see where I am now!