“Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to Omaha, Nebraska.” America, God, even the name sounded like endless possibilities. While I would quickly learn that the Hollywood movies were not based on Nebraska it still seemed entirely different from where I had come from. Not only were the roads paved, the air was different, the people, the culture, and now my life. I came to America for a heart surgery that was not available in Togo. Not only was a part of my heart changed physically it was changed psychologically as well. My heart was split into two parts: America and Africa. Two completely different places but when you mix them you make me. Bidossessi ‘Bido’ Cecilia Marietta Houessoukpe. Being a first-generation immigrant is part of who I am and who I want to be. I want to be a lawyer to support those like me. I first figured it out when I started debate. I was so nervous when I first started my legs trembled when I was getting questioned but when I won that medal it all changed. I realized what I could do with my voice. I could not only stand up for myself but for others as well. As I continue debate I speak on how certain things affect minority populations, an argument that is often overlooked. It feels good to win medals for my hard work but I want to do more. I want to support people who look like me. I want to be a voice for change. We understand these problems are out there but truly no one is doing much to change these things. As the Lorax said "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not". Not only do I care with my whole being I understand and that is something that few in the criminal justice system can say. I am not only a part of this community I have seen them. When I’m volunteering for the Open Door Mission or the Salvation Army I truly see my state and in that I see America. I see all the people that I could help to be heard. Every day that is why I push myself. Getting on the honor roll is not for me but for people like me. In my heart, I truly know that this is my purpose. But to achieve this goal I need help. College is becoming more expensive and I do not have the necessary funds to achieve this goal. If you award me this scholarship you would not just be helping me you would be helping hundreds. Thank you, Bidossessi Cecilia Marietta Houessoukpe

“Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to Omaha, Nebraska.” America, God, even the name sounded like endless possibilities. While, I would quickly learn that the Hollywood movies were not based on Nebraska it still seemed entirely different from where I had come from. Not only were the roads paved, the air was different, the people, the culture and now my life. I came to America for a heart surgery that was not available in my country. Not only was a part of my heart changed physically it was changed psychologically as well. My heart was split into two parts: America and Africa. Two completely different places but when you mix them together you make me. Bidossessi ‘Bido’ Cecilia Marietta Houessoukpe. Being a first generation immigrant is part of who I am and who I want to be. I want to be a lawyer to support those like me. I first figured it out when I started debate. I was so nervous when I first started my legs trembled when I was getting questioned but when I won that medal it all changed. I realized what I could do with my voice. I could not only stand up for myself but for others as well. As I continue debate I speak on how certain things affect minority populations, an argument that is often overlooked. It feels good to win medals for my hard work but I want to do more. I want to support people who look like me. I want to be a voice in change. We understand these problems are ot there but truly no one is doing much to change these things. As the Lorax said "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not". And not only do I care with my whole being I understand and that is something that few in the criminal justice system can say. I am not only a part of this community I have seen them. When I’m volunteering for the Open door mission or the Salvation Army I truly see my state and in that I see America. I see all the people that I could help to be heard. Everyday that is why I push myself. Getting on the honor roll is not for me but for people like me. In my heart I truly know that this is my purpose. But to achieve this goal I need help. College is becoming more expensive and I do not have the necessary funds to achieve this goal. If you award me this scholarship you would not just be helping me you would be helping hundreds. Thank you, Bidossessi Cecilia Marietta Houessoukpe

“Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to Omaha, Nebraska.” America, God, even the name sounded like endless possibilities. While, I would quickly learn that the Hollywood movies were not based on Nebraska it still seemed entirely different from where I had come from. Not only were the roads paved, the air was different, the people, the culture and now my life. I came to America for a heart surgery that was not available in my country. Not only was a part of my heart changed physically it was changed psychologically as well. My heart was split into two parts: America and Africa. Two completely different places but when you mix them together you make me. Bidossessi ‘Bido’ Cecilia Marietta Houessoukpe. Being a first generation immigrant is part of who I am and who I want to be. I want to be a lawyer to support those like me. I first figured it out when I started debate. I was so nervous when I first started my legs trembled when I was getting questioned but when I won that medal it all changed. I realized what I could do with my voice. I could not only stand up for myself but for others as well. As I continue debate I speak on how certain things affect minority populations, an argument that is often overlooked. It feels good to win medals for my hard work but I want to do more. I want to support people who look like me. I want to be a voice in change. We understand these problems are ot there but truly no one is doing much to change these things. As the Lorax said "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not". And not only do I care with my whole being I understand and that is something that few in the criminal justice system can say. I am not only a part of this community I have seen them. When I’m volunteering for the Open door mission or the Salvation Army I truly see my state and in that I see America. I see all the people that I could help to be heard. Everyday that is why I push myself. Getting on the honor roll is not for me but for people like me. In my heart I truly know that this is my purpose. But to achieve this goal I need help. College is becoming more expensive and I do not have the necessary funds to achieve this goal. If you award me this scholarship you would not just be helping me you would be helping hundreds. Thank you, Bidossessi Cecilia Marietta Houessoukpe

My life began when I was born in Lome, Togo and my struggles began there. I was born premature with a Ventricular Septal Defect or VSD. Which resulted in me not being able to breathe so I would turn a bluish color. However, I couldn’t get the help I needed in Togo because of the struggles to advance healthcare. So in a daring fit of hope and faith, my mother applied for the lottery visa answers were miraculously chosen. At the age of 4, I was stripped of everything that I knew and loved. I had to leave everything behind for a new world. A world that I was excited and yet scared to see. A world that I was ready to embrace but that I would learn didn't want to embrace me. The people I saw around me as a little girl didn't look like me, didn't talk like me, didn't eat the same food as me. I don't have one specific experience that I've faced significant adversity because that's been my whole life. Every single thing I've faced is significant to me; it's shaped and molded me and made me who I am today. It’s been ever-present in my life. It's helped me grow and harmed me at the same time. Even now I'm still growing and going through things that I shouldn't have to because of my heritage, my race, and my gender. People judge and hurt you because of something that you can’t control. They intentionally leave scars on you, and just when you think that people are getting better, and they are, there will always be those people who want to cut you down. And as an immigrant, it makes it worse because we're told to let it slide to get higher in this country. We are told to speak "proper" English to not be seen as “too black”. To be seen as "one of the good ones" as if being black is bad is a thing to be ashamed of, as if black is dirty, We're told we have to stay silent. Even if staying silent makes every single cell in your body itch and burn. And we stay grateful because of this opportunity that we were given and constantly being reminded of those who don't have the opportunity. I am always grateful. But through my experiences, I've learned not to stay silent and still succeed. While not everyone may appreciate me educating them. I've learned that you cannot let that bother you because at least you tried. That's always what it takes to succeed. That's what I would tell someone. Without enormous effort by my family, I would've never come to America and most likely would've never survived. I recognize that every day, which is why I want to impact this world by choosing a route in law. I wanna try to change the world because trying is what changed mine. One way I tried was debate unknowingly it has made one of the greatest impacts on my life. It's a way in which I can educate my peers about the racism that is deeply rooted in everyday life and I can educate myself as well. It’s given me the confidence to not stay silent and is what ultimately strengthened my road to being a lawyer. I want to be able to strengthen others' voices just as I have strengthened my own. By granting me this scholarship you would be creating a domino effect for just that because it wouldn't be just helping me it would be helping generations more to come.