I am glad to share one. I grew up with a single mother who strongly encouraged us to be with faith. My mom the oldest out of four, took pride in being a leader, and wanted us to be that same way. She always encouraged us to believe in ourselves and most importantly believe in the word of God. My high school years weren’t as good as everyone else’s, I often found myself slipping when it came to grades and lack self confidence as well. I constantly found myself falling into a slight depression, and kinda shut the world out. By senior year I spoke to hardly anyone and spent most of my time at home, or working. I actually started skipping some days of school, I was emotionally exhausted. Sadly my family started noticing my changes in behavior. I was getting into more trouble at home and at school, I hid myself from everything and everyone, I overworked myself at my job. I tried my hardest to stay away from everyone I even got a second job. I lost myself. I felt lonely yet I still chose to be alone. By mid summer I had to make a change. My family constantly argued with me becoming more distant and also having a lack of motivation to do anything. They called me lazy and said it was time for me to grow up. I was shocked to hear that. I have acted out for so long I didn’t realize how much I was affecting everyone. In my head I was still the same Bella that everyone knew. This night I laid in bed, and as I looked up I asked God what happened to me. I asked him to forgive me for my mistakes that I had made. I turned and grabbed my bible and open yo a random verse. It landed on Isiah 41:10. “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” It was my reminder. I must not stand here and pout because of my misfortunes and doubts. I have a God who is never ending and never failing. A Father for one, who knows my future and what it upholds. Yes I have made mistakes and will continue to make them of course. But knowing that I have taken a step of faith and trusted the Lord with my troubles lets me feel more at ease. My journey with the Lord hasn’t reached the full potential I want it to yet but knowing I have taken a step back to him makes me happier everyday. Knowing I can go to sleep and pray to him without feeling guilty and do the same in the morning is truly a blessing. I plan to utilize God in my everyday life. I want to learn his word more, worship him, pray, and inherit the blessings he has for me. This will truly be a blessing to have such an opportunity for a scholarship. My mom has tried her best in funding my schooling but she is only one person. It hurts seeing how much she has to work just so I can have an education that she never got the chance to get. Truly trying my best with any amount possible to help her more with the cost of my schooling. This will truly mean the world to not just me but my family.

First, I want to start by introducing myself. My name is Elizabella Mills, Black African student with immigrants' parents. I am currently attending the University of Illinois- Chicago. I am studying Accounting to hopefully go into auditing when gradated. Growing up in an African Household, education has always been spoken of as the key to opportunity. My mother reminds me and my siter of this constantly, not only because she believes it, but because she lived that painfully reality of struggling without it. watching her navigate school with dyslexia has shaped my determination to pursue a business degree and build a different future for my family. My mother emigrated from west Africa as a young woman. In our culture, academic success is highly valued yet learning about disabilities like dyslexia are rarely understood or accommodated. she often tells stories of how hard it was reading for her than other students. she told us of the many times she would be teased and punished for not being able to read like her classmates. teacher labeled her as lazy, claiming her spot as the distracted student. As an African student trying to adapt to a new country was hard, considering the new rules she must follow. with very limited resources available, she didn't know how to ask for help. Despite the challenges my mother never gave up. when she came to America, she later learned she had dyslexia and realized how common it was. sadly, my mother couldn't further her education, because of this she desperately wanted us to achieve ours. even at times I still find my mom getting frustrated when reading certain documents. yet she stills turns that frustration into motivation for us. Her greatest goal is to see her daughters succeed in the ways she couldn't. She wants the best for me and my sister more than anything. Every sacrifice she makes is for our education, long hours at work, budgeting carefully, and constantly encouraging us to aim higher. She tells my older sister and me, “School is your power. Don’t let anyone take that from you.” Hearing about her experiences makes me realize how fortunate I am to have the chance to attend a strong university and work toward my dreams. Obtaining a business degree will impact my life by giving me the tools to break cycles that have affected my family for generations. I plan to major in accounting and finance so that I can secure a stable, meaningful career. With this degree, I will gain critical thinking skills, financial literacy, and professional confidence. More importantly, I will be able to create financial security for my mom, my sister, and eventually my future generation as well. A business education will allow me to go through school, help explore career options, and show that success is possible no matter where we come from. I dream of one day opening a small family business that we can run together, using the knowledge I gain in college to help it thrive.