Pursuing higher education has always been important to me, but it has not come without challenges. I come from a hardworking family that deeply values education, even though we’ve never had the financial resources to afford it comfortably. My parents are currently supporting two children in college while also caring for both of my grandparents. We are not a wealthy family by any means, and every semester has required sacrifices—from working overtime shifts to cutting back on basic household expenses—just to keep me enrolled and focused on my future. I will be the first person in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree, which is incredibly important and impactful to me. It represents breaking a cycle and opening doors not just for myself but for those who come after me. This milestone carries a deep sense of responsibility and pride, which motivates me to keep pushing forward despite the challenges. On top of the financial strain, there are other, less visible challenges that I carry with me. As a Black woman pursuing a degree in chemistry with minors in forensics and criminal justice, I rarely see people who look like me in my classrooms or professional spaces. Currently, I intern with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and in the toxicology department, there are only two other Black employees. That underrepresentation can be isolating. There are times when I have felt like I needed to work twice as hard to prove I belong, just to earn the same respect and opportunities. There is also a unique emotional toll that comes with being a Black woman working in a field tied to law enforcement. When I first told my family about my internship with SLED, many of them expressed concern—not because they doubted my abilities, but because of the historic and ongoing tension between Black communities and law enforcement. I understood where they were coming from, and I also understood the weight of the path I was choosing. I see my work in this space as part of a broader mission to change systems from the inside and to be a representative of both scientific excellence and cultural understanding. Receiving this scholarship would not just support me financially—it would be a relief for my entire family. It would ease the pressure on my parents, who are already stretched thin trying to support multiple generations under one roof. It would give me more room to breathe and focus on my education, my internship, and preparing for graduate school, rather than worrying about how we’re going to cover next semester’s costs. I am determined to continue my education and pursue a master’s degree in forensic chemistry, with plans to work in a government agency and eventually return to school for a Ph.D. I want to give back through public service and research, and this scholarship would bring me one step closer to that goal by helping me overcome the very real financial and emotional barriers that stand in the way.