My name is Baylee Pleasant. I am attending college full-time and will be the first person in my family to graduate. Not all of us are dealt the right cards, but that doesn't mean you can't reshuffle the deck for a successful outcome. Especially after losing a parent, becoming homeless, managing a disability, and then dealing with the perils of a pandemic. This was the wake-up call to action that caring about each other, is what keeps us strong. Human connection is the epitome of life. That is why I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at The University of South Florida. To research, share wisdom from my journey, and create a safe space for others’ and their mental health. As an adult with early childhood devlopment trauma, I know that what happened to me wasn't my fault, but it is my responsibility to take control of my life. With that being said I have chosen a career path to teach others and help humanity see that healing is absolutely possible. The first step is hope. As a psychologist, I plan to conduct research and seek advanced training to deeply understand the impacts of adversity and build evidence-based treatment plans. My vision is a society with the resources to support our social-emotional needs. My father suffered from early-onset comorbid mental illnesses, abusing illegal substances to cope with the pain that he never thought he could get help with. He died from an overdose, right before my eleventh birthday. Through my trials of grief and loss, I learned that the mind is truly a fascinating place full of knowledge, creation, and emotional expression. We all have the power to make a great change in this world. The first step is to take care of what helps us do that—our brains. With this, we can prevent abuse, illness, and even death. No one deserves to be that eleven-year-old, orphaned and traumatized, because society can let the people who need the most help, just fall through the cracks. It is my purpose to make that change and I will keep striving, learning, and persevering until the mind is treated like the garden it is. We can change, grow, and flourish to create a future we want to live in. For a long time in my life, it had seemed like I had lived loss to loss. Especially when I was homeless at 16 years old. Coming from a lower-income household of just my mother and me after the death of my father, I knew what it was like to be frugal. Those blistering three summer months were the longest, most demanding, in my existence, but had changed me for the better and taught me invaluable lessons about life. My mother had been unexpectedly laid off from her job that she maintained for eight years, forcing us out of our home and losing the majority of our belongings. We slept in a car that couldn’t lock, nor had any air conditioning. Due to the sweltering Florida weather, all the homeless shelters in the area did not have any open availability to take us. My mother had to make her money in the serving industry because she’s a waitress, the only type of job experience she ever had. Reaching deeply into my psyche, I had contemplated questions about life that no one genuinely had the answers to. These trials were not living loss to loss, I realize, as they were needed for my growth and had taught me my life’s purpose. To live with my heart and extend it to help others.

My name is Baylee Pleasant. I am attending college full-time and will be the first person in my family to graduate. Not all of us are dealt the right cards, but that doesn't mean you can't reshuffle the deck for a successful outcome. Especially after losing a parent, becoming homeless, managing a disability, and then dealing with the perils of a pandemic. This was the wake-up call to action that caring about each other, is what keeps us strong. Human connection is the epitome of life. That is why I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at The University of South Florida. To research, share wisdom from my journey, and create a safe space for others’ and their mental health. As an adult with early childhood devlopment trauma, I know that what happened to me wasn't my fault, but it is my responsibility to take control of my life. With that being said I have chosen a career path to teach others and help humanity see that healing is absolutely possible. The first step is hope. As a psychologist, I plan to conduct research and seek advanced training to deeply understand the impacts of adversity and build evidence-based treatment plans. My vision is a society with the resources to support our social-emotional needs. My father suffered from early-onset comorbid mental illnesses, abusing illegal substances to cope with the pain that he never thought he could get help with. He died from an overdose, right before my eleventh birthday. Through my trials of grief and loss, I learned that the mind is truly a fascinating place full of knowledge, creation, and emotional expression. We all have the power to make a great change in this world. The first step is to take care of what helps us do that—our brains. With this, we can prevent abuse, illness, and even death. No one deserves to be that eleven-year-old, orphaned and traumatized, because society can let the people who need the most help, just fall through the cracks. It is my purpose to make that change and I will keep striving, learning, and persevering until the mind is treated like the garden it is. We can change, grow, and flourish to create a future we want to live in. For a long time in my life, it had seemed like I had lived loss to loss. Especially when I was homeless at 16 years old. Coming from a lower-income household of just my mother and me after the death of my father, I knew what it was like to be frugal. Those blistering three summer months were the longest, most demanding, in my existence, but had changed me for the better and taught me invaluable lessons about life. My mother had been unexpectedly laid off from her job that she maintained for eight years, forcing us out of our home and losing the majority of our belongings. We slept in a car that couldn’t lock, nor had any air conditioning. Due to the sweltering Florida weather, all the homeless shelters in the area did not have any open availability to take us. My mother had to make her money in the serving industry because she’s a waitress, the only type of job experience she ever had. Reaching deeply into my psyche, I had contemplated questions about life that no one genuinely had the answers to. These trials were not living loss to loss, I realize, as they were needed for my growth and had taught me my life’s purpose. To live with my heart and extend it to help others.

My name is Baylee Pleasant. I am attending college full-time and will be the first person in my family to graduate. Not all of us are dealt the right cards, but that doesn't mean you can't reshuffle the deck for a successful outcome. Especially after losing a parent, becoming homeless, managing a disability, and then dealing with the perils of a pandemic. This was the wake-up call to action that caring about each other, is what keeps us strong. Human connection is the epitome of life. That is why I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at The University of South Florida. To research, share wisdom from my journey, and create a safe space for others’ and their mental health. As an adult with early childhood devlopment trauma, I know that what happened to me wasn't my fault, but it is my responsibility to take control of my life. With that being said I have chosen a career path to teach others and help humanity see that healing is absolutely possible. The first step is hope. As a psychologist, I plan to conduct research and seek advanced training to deeply understand the impacts of adversity and build evidence-based treatment plans. My vision is a society with the resources to support our social-emotional needs. My father suffered from early-onset comorbid mental illnesses, abusing illegal substances to cope with the pain that he never thought he could get help with. He died from an overdose, right before my eleventh birthday. Through my trials of grief and loss, I learned that the mind is truly a fascinating place full of knowledge, creation, and emotional expression. We all have the power to make a great change in this world. The first step is to take care of what helps us do that—our brains. With this, we can prevent abuse, illness, and even death. No one deserves to be that eleven-year-old, orphaned and traumatized, because society can let the people who need the most help, just fall through the cracks. It is my purpose to make that change and I will keep striving, learning, and persevering until the mind is treated like the garden it is. We can change, grow, and flourish to create a future we want to live in. For a long time in my life, it had seemed like I had lived loss to loss. Especially when I was homeless at 16 years old. Coming from a lower-income household of just my mother and me after the death of my father, I knew what it was like to be frugal. Those blistering three summer months were the longest, most demanding, in my existence, but had changed me for the better and taught me invaluable lessons about life. My mother had been unexpectedly laid off from her job that she maintained for eight years, forcing us out of our home and losing the majority of our belongings. We slept in a car that couldn’t lock, nor had any air conditioning. Due to the sweltering Florida weather, all the homeless shelters in the area did not have any open availability to take us. My mother had to make her money in the serving industry because she’s a waitress, the only type of job experience she ever had. Reaching deeply into my psyche, I had contemplated questions about life that no one genuinely had the answers to. These trials were not living loss to loss, I realize, as they were needed for my growth and had taught me my life’s purpose. To live with my heart and extend it to help others.

My name is Baylee Pleasant. I am attending college full-time and will be the first person in my family to graduate. Not all of us are dealt the right cards, but that doesn't mean you can't reshuffle the deck for a successful outcome. Especially after losing a parent, becoming homeless, managing a disability, and then dealing with the perils of a pandemic. This was the wake-up call to action that caring about each other, is what keeps us strong. Human connection is the epitome of life. That is why I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at The University of South Florida. To research, share wisdom from my journey, and create a safe space for others’ and their mental health. As an adult with early childhood devlopment trauma, I know that what happened to me wasn't my fault, but it is my responsibility to take control of my life. With that being said I have chosen a career path to teach others and help humanity see that healing is absolutely possible. The first step is hope. As a psychologist, I plan to conduct research and seek advanced training to deeply understand the impacts of adversity and build evidence-based treatment plans. My vision is a society with the resources to support our social-emotional needs. My father suffered from early-onset comorbid mental illnesses, abusing illegal substances to cope with the pain that he never thought he could get help with. He died from an overdose, right before my eleventh birthday. Through my trials of grief and loss, I learned that the mind is truly a fascinating place full of knowledge, creation, and emotional expression. We all have the power to make a great change in this world. The first step is to take care of what helps us do that—our brains. With this, we can prevent abuse, illness, and even death. No one deserves to be that eleven-year-old, orphaned and traumatized, because society can let the people who need the most help, just fall through the cracks. It is my purpose to make that change and I will keep striving, learning, and persevering until the mind is treated like the garden it is. We can change, grow, and flourish to create a future we want to live in. For a long time in my life, it had seemed like I had lived loss to loss. Especially when I was homeless at 16 years old. Coming from a lower-income household of just my mother and me after the death of my father, I knew what it was like to be frugal. Those blistering three summer months were the longest, most demanding, in my existence, but had changed me for the better and taught me invaluable lessons about life. My mother had been unexpectedly laid off from her job that she maintained for eight years, forcing us out of our home and losing the majority of our belongings. We slept in a car that couldn’t lock, nor had any air conditioning. Due to the sweltering Florida weather, all the homeless shelters in the area did not have any open availability to take us. My mother had to make her money in the serving industry because she’s a waitress, the only type of job experience she ever had. Reaching deeply into my psyche, I had contemplated questions about life that no one genuinely had the answers to. These trials were not living loss to loss, I realize, as they were needed for my growth and had taught me my life’s purpose. To live with my heart and extend it to help others.

My name is Baylee Pleasant. I am attending college full-time and will be the first person in my family to graduate. Not all of us are dealt the right cards, but that doesn't mean you can't reshuffle the deck for a successful outcome. Especially after losing a parent, becoming homeless, managing a disability, and then dealing with the perils of a pandemic. This was the wake-up call to action that caring about each other, is what keeps us strong. Human connection is the epitome of life. That is why I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at The University of South Florida. To research, share wisdom from my journey, and create a safe space for others’ and their mental health. As an adult with early childhood devlopment trauma, I know that what happened to me wasn't my fault, but it is my responsibility to take control of my life. With that being said I have chosen a career path to teach others and help humanity see that healing is absolutely possible. The first step is hope. As a psychologist, I plan to conduct research and seek advanced training to deeply understand the impacts of adversity and build evidence-based treatment plans. My vision is a society with the resources to support our social-emotional needs. My father suffered from early-onset comorbid mental illnesses, abusing illegal substances to cope with the pain that he never thought he could get help with. He died from an overdose, right before my eleventh birthday. Through my trials of grief and loss, I learned that the mind is truly a fascinating place full of knowledge, creation, and emotional expression. We all have the power to make a great change in this world. The first step is to take care of what helps us do that—our brains. With this, we can prevent abuse, illness, and even death. No one deserves to be that eleven-year-old, orphaned and traumatized, because society can let the people who need the most help, just fall through the cracks. It is my purpose to make that change and I will keep striving, learning, and persevering until the mind is treated like the garden it is. We can change, grow, and flourish to create a future we want to live in. For a long time in my life, it had seemed like I had lived loss to loss. Especially when I was homeless at 16 years old. Coming from a lower-income household of just my mother and me after the death of my father, I knew what it was like to be frugal. Those blistering three summer months were the longest, most demanding, in my existence, but had changed me for the better and taught me invaluable lessons about life. My mother had been unexpectedly laid off from her job that she maintained for eight years, forcing us out of our home and losing the majority of our belongings. We slept in a car that couldn’t lock, nor had any air conditioning. Due to the sweltering Florida weather, all the homeless shelters in the area did not have any open availability to take us. My mother had to make her money in the serving industry because she’s a waitress, the only type of job experience she ever had. Reaching deeply into my psyche, I had contemplated questions about life that no one genuinely had the answers to. These trials were not living loss to loss, I realize, as they were needed for my growth and had taught me my life’s purpose. To live with my heart and extend it to help others.

Mental health is a critical aspect of our overall well-being, and its importance cannot be overstated. It is the foundation of our ability to navigate life's challenges, to build and maintain relationships, and to achieve our goals. As a first-generation college student who is pursuing a career in psychology, I understand the significance of mental health from both a personal and professional standpoint. My childhood experiences with parental drug addiction and abuse have shaped my perspective on mental health and underscored its importance in my life. Growing up in a household affected by addiction and abuse, I witnessed firsthand the impact it had on my family's mental health. The trauma, stress, and anxiety caused by these experiences had long-lasting effects on my own mental health. However, I also learned the importance of seeking help and support, which ultimately helped me to overcome the challenges I faced. My experiences have inspired me to pursue a career in psychology, with the goal of helping others who have faced similar challenges. Maintaining good mental health is essential, and it is something that I prioritize in my own life. I have developed a set of strategies to maintain my mental wellness, which have proven effective for me. One of the most important is practicing self-care. This includes prioritizing my physical health through exercise and a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that bring me joy, such as reading and spending time with loved ones. Creative outlets such as dance and visual arts authentically express how I’m feeling when there are no words to match my emotions. Another strategy I use is mindfulness. I find that practicing mindfulness helps me to stay grounded and present in the moment, which can be particularly helpful during times of stress or anxiety. I also make sure to stay connected with my support network, including friends, family, and mental health professionals. Seeking support and guidance from others, may seem so difficult to do at first, but it is the most rewarding and essential part of maintaining good mental health. In addition to these strategies, pursuing my academic and career goals has also been critical for my mental health. As a first-generation college student, I have faced unique challenges in navigating the higher education system. However, my passion for psychology and my desire to make a positive impact in the world has kept me motivated and focused. Pursuing my academic and career goals has given me a sense of purpose and direction, which has been essential for my mental well-being.

Psychological illness has shown me a brutal world that deserves tremendous alteration in its treatment and support. I have decided to devote my life to being part of this change. In the past, I observed someone with incredible detail that was also affected. The information of what I know is only limited to the first eleven years of my life before my father passed away from a drug overdose. He used opioids to cope with his mental affliction. It shocked me to find out that it was not normal to have visited hospitals, psychiatric facilities, rehabs, and specialized doctors’ offices as much as I have on account of a parent. I thought that was just the way every kid lived. I loved my dad; he was funny and had a great personality, but there was a yin and yang. He would be aggressive and so unreasonable at times, even to what I now know was the “mature” child I was. He would tell me strange stories that would confuse me; like how he was shot in the war, or that his doctor told him he was going to die in 6 months of cancer, or he would randomly become extremely religious out of nowhere (I had never even been to a church). Once, he defecated on the floor and blamed it on the dog. In his car, he swerved at a man who “was looking at him wrong” while I was in the passenger seat. My mom is a waitress. While she worked during the day, I was home and looked after him. It was stressful to make sure he wouldn’t do something stupid, all while I was still a little girl and had to learn about life through him and my mom, as children do. I now know that a lot of my childhood was spent cruising around with my dad looking for drugs, lending, selling, to and from his connections, and playing in the “pill game”. When I was in the third grade, there was a long period of time, probably about eight months, when he never left the couch. He was just this lump of blue comforter. Every day I walked home from the bus stop hoping the blinds would be open and he would be up doing something on his computer or watching TV, but it was always dark and smelly like a cave. It dawned on me one day, during his hibernation period, that I never noticed him get up and eat, or do anything for that matter. Guiltily, I put an applesauce pack and a spoon on the coffee table next to him. An hour later, I returned, and the applesauce was eaten. After so long, I guess my mom got sick of this because he was admitted to a rehab facility. When he came back, he seemed a lot better. He bought a motorcycle that he had no idea how to drive and had two girlfriends that were prostitutes. He started making drawings and illustrated his own diploma of rehab completion. My dad was my best friend. We had long philosophical discussions together. We shot each other with BB guns, watched The Discovery Channel, and played pranks on my mom and cousin. Our favorite thing was Shark Week, which comes on every August. We enjoyed McDonald’s Strawberry Shakes together from the drive-thru. We both had a great sense of humor and were talented at figuring out computers and electronics. We liked a lot of the same music and movies with certain actors and directors. My mom and I never talk about it, so she thinks I just forgot everything he was. I came to this conclusion when she asked me, “Remember that I used to call your dad Moon?” when something triggered her memory at the store. All I could do was think, "How could I forget? I see his moon face and big eyes whenever I look in a mirror. I hear the timbre of his voice when I talk. I remember every little detail about everything." A therapist that I saw for one summer had asked me if it bothered me that I remember everything from my childhood with such intense detail. I even remember things even from when I was in a crib and people came to check on me. I guess it is a blessing and a curse. When he died, I was so relieved. He didn’t have to be in pain anymore and I didn’t have to worry about him getting into trouble. I recently told my mom this and she said, “I never knew you thought about it like that.” A weight was lifted off of me but left a hole in my heart. He would have withdrawals so bad that they would trigger seizures, which frightened me. The violent convulsions and foaming of the mouth. Once, it caused him to fall and hit his head on the wooden armrest of a lawn chair. I remember the pattern of blood that trickled out. It wasn’t like a puddle that you see in movies, but a long stream that slowly rolled out onto the pavement. Late at night, I woke up to strange noises. They were choking, both my mom and my dad. My dad was choking as a result of his convulsions, while he uncontrollably locked his hands around my mom’s neck when she ran to help him. I was so scared that I was stunned sitting up in my bed. I was frozen and I wanted it to end so badly but I could not move; I was paralyzed. This scholarship essay made me realize that although a negative influence was, perhaps, removed from my life, it did not take my motivation to make a better world. Had he been able to reach better resources, I would've had a happier story to tell. But happy stories don't ignite change. I will use my education to know and be these resources as a psychotherapist and psychological researcher.

Knowing that getting a degree brings me closer to having a stable career and a better life, I am attending college full-time and will be the first person in my family to graduate. Not all of us are dealt the right cards, but that doesn't mean you can't reshuffle the deck for a successful outcome. Especially after losing a parent, becoming homeless, managing a disability, and then the COVID-19 pandemic crashed into life. This was the wake-up call to action that caring about each other, is what keeps us strong. Human connection is the epitome of life. That is why I am going to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Services. In an effort to perpetuate the wisdom from my journey and create awareness of how crucial mental health is. My father suffered from Early-Onset Schizophrenia and abused illegal substances to cope through pain that he never thought he could get help with. He died from an overdose, right before my eleventh birthday. Through my trials, I learned that the mind is truly a fascinating place full of knowledge, creation, and emotional expression. We all have the power to make a significant change in this world. The first step is to take care of what helps us do that—our brains. With that knowledge, we can prevent abuse, illness, and even death. When I was 16 years old, I was homeless. Coming from a lower-income household of just my mother and me, I knew what it was like to be frugal. I had thought that another tragedy would not strike me after the death of my father, but the hot summer of 2018 had proven me wrong. My mother had been unexpectedly laid off from her job that she had maintained for most of my life, forcing us out of our home and losing most of our belongings that would not fit in our vehicle. We slept in a vehicle that couldn’t lock, nor had any air conditioning. Due to the sweltering Florida weather, all of the homeless shelters in the area did not have any open availability to take us. My mother had to make her money in the serving industry. This is what she had to do to support me as a result of her educational background. Those three months were the longest, most demanding ever in my existence, but had changed me for the better and taught me invaluable lessons about life. I was exposed to many different kinds of people and dangerous situations. The most important conclusion was that education is directly related to the quality of life one has. I realize I have the chance to help and inspire people, to show them that they can have a great life no matter where they come from or what they've been through, financially, culturally, or socially. These difficult times motivated me to make the most of every day I have on this planet. One day, I hope to make this planet a home. For everyone. Not just a place where we humans live, but a place where we are unconditionally loved and supported by those around us. No one deserves to be that child, orphaned and traumatized due to the fact that this society can let the people that need the most help fall through the cracks. So it is my life purpose to make that change and I will not stop until the mind is treated like the garden it is. We can change, grow, and flourish to make a future we want to live in.

When I was 16 years old, I was homeless. Coming from a lower-income household of just my mother and me, I knew what it was like to be frugal. I had thought that another tragedy would not strike me after the death of my father, but the hot summer of 2018 had proven me wrong. My mother had been unexpectedly laid off from her job that she had maintained for most of my life, forcing us out of our home and losing most of our belongings that would not fit in our vehicle. We slept in a vehicle that couldn’t lock, nor had any air conditioning. Due to the sweltering Florida weather, all of the homeless shelters in the area did not have any open availability to take us. My mother had to make her money in the serving industry. This is what she had to do to support me as a result of her educational background. Those three months were the longest, most demanding ever in my existence, but had changed me for the better and taught me invaluable lessons about life. I was exposed to many different kinds of people and dangerous situations, but it was always my mom that kept me safe. Home--is the people who love you, encourage you, and support you, not where you sleep at night. My mom always trusted that I would make good choices and she would support me wherever I hit a speed bump. The most important choice was the conclusion that education is directly related to the quality of life one has. I knew I needed to break the cycle. I need to have the chance to inspire people, to show them that they can have a great life no matter where they come from, financially, culturally, or socially. I want to make an exceptional life for myself and my future family. I need to know that they won’t have to fear for their survival or be in danger. These difficult trials motivated me to make the most of every day I have on this planet. One day, I hope to make this planet a home. Not just a place where we humans live, but a place where we are unconditionally loved and supported by those around us.

When I was 16 years old, I was homeless. Coming from a lower-income household of just my mother and me, I knew what it was like to be frugal. I had thought that another tragedy would not strike me after the death of my father, but the hot summer of 2018 had proven me wrong. My mother had been unexpectedly laid off from her job that she maintained for eight years, forcing us out of our home and losing most of our belongings that would not fit in our vehicle. We slept in a vehicle that couldn’t lock, nor had any air conditioning. Due to the sweltering Florida weather, all of the homeless shelters in the area did not have any open availability to take us. My mother had to make her money in the serving industry. This is what she had to do to support me as a result of her educational background. Those three months were the longest, most demanding ever in my existence, but had changed me for the better and taught me invaluable lessons about life. I was exposed to many different kinds of people and dangerous situations. My deep thinking while living outside had brought me to the conclusion that education is directly related to the quality of life one has. I knew I needed to break the cycle. I need to have the chance to inspire people, to show them that they can have a great life no matter where they come from, financially, culturally, or socially. I want to make an exceptional life for myself and my future family. I need to know that they won’t have to fear for their survival or be in danger. These difficult trials motivated me to make the most of every day I have on this planet.

We are all human. The one thing we humans share, is the need for love and acceptance. For that to happen, we need to show the population the reality of our world of growing technology. The reality is that we are a part of nature and play a huge role in its cycle. In the past, diversity in terms of disabilities, sexual orientation, and ethnic background were underrepresented, which then leads to underappreciation for the beauty of this world. A delicate flower is just as radiant as the grand oak tree. We can find the same amazement and appreciation in two completely different living things, so why can't we do this with people? Of all living things, our intelligent and conscious human brain is a blessing. We have an ever-growing advancement in technology, we need to let diverse perspectives make technological improvements and equity in representation to benefit everyone. The delicate flower, grand oak tree, tide-influencing moon, to the small buzzing bees all contribute to the life cycle in their unique ways. Even a small change, such as extinction, in comparison to the bias of these groups of people, wreaks havoc on our perfect cycle of life. The fact that I am a neurodivergent woman with a disability does not impact my ambition to become a teacher. In fact, it gives me an advantage to understanding those who relate to me and an awareness that someone in a non-underrepresented group would not have. As well as providing an accurate representation and teachings of our world's technology road pavers from groups like women, black, Latinx, and the disabled, there should be a balance of history in lessons of every subject. I will be the change I want to see. We need to teach our future generations what we did wrong in the past in order to repair our future. Many systems don't serve our population well because we failed to integrate a variety of technologies that attune to individual needs in the basic education system. This has resulted in pollution, poorly designed engineering, a lopsided economic system, and a plethora of events that I'm too ashamed to list. From a young age, only seeing one representation of a standard American imprints self-doubt and a lack of motivation in diverse groups, forbidding them to thrive as adults. There is a simple fix. Inclusion without bias. We need everyone's unique consciousness in a society that is constantly growing in technology. This growth needs to be fruitful, not negative, for the sake of everyone's basic wellbeing and happiness. The world would not be the same without the appreciation of the delicate flower and grand oak tree, in which are just a few of the many divine puzzle pieces to attain harmony.