I am working to achieve a dream that has been watered over many years. Growing up, I always was the person helping others whether that was through a volunteer at my church or with my school organizations. I found the most fulfillment when my middle school and high school Junior Reserves Officer Training Corps programs would volunteer with the American Legion. I could hear the stories of many veterans, both the good and the bad. One 24-year-old retired First Sergeant told me, “Most people who leave the military do not leave without a bad story to tell, it’s just whether they will tell it or not.” This thought puzzled me for the longest time. I was so intrigued by the experience that I wanted to help these heroes to tell their stories. It was not until I had my own experience with military trauma that I realized that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was that “bad story”. Becoming a counselor is only the first step on the career path that I have chosen. I am attending the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga to obtain a master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I plan to specialize in trauma counseling with an emphasis on Military trauma. Post-graduation, I plan to obtain a Doctorate from Austin Peay State or Belmont University. I want to use my doctorate to be a supervisor or teacher for future counselors. My ultimate goal is to open my counseling practice in my hometown to give back to the community where this passion started. My education is for me, my future clients, and my community. I want to be able to leave a legacy to inspire the next generation to pick up the torch and continue to improve the world around us.

Most people who leave the military do not leave without a bad story to tell, it’s just whether they will tell it or not,” was a piece of wisdom given to me by a 24-year Army retired First Sergeant. Often, when we see military members and veterans we praise and celebrate them, but what if, for them, their military journey is not something they care to celebrate? These thoughts intrigued me and set me out on the career path that I find myself on now. It was not until I had my own experience with PTSD that I realized that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was the “bad story” that the Army veteran had told me about. I am drawn to working with these populations due to my own experiences being in the military. I pursued a full ride through the U.S. Army for my undergraduate degree which would train me to become an Army Officer. I sustained a knee injury during my time in the program and continued to press through the program despite the injury. Throughout this recovery process, I was constantly treated as less than others, my intellect was often challenged, and my peers chose to isolate me due to my injury. me, this was the darkest time in my life. I felt that I did not have access to resources such as counselors who understood my experience. My injury did not fully heal and led to me being medically discharged. I aim to be the counselor that I needed during this time, for this population. I found that a career in counseling would provide me with the best opportunities to advocate for those who struggle with mental illness, which is seen as an underserved population. I also found that counseling can reach people where they are and grow them to their full potential. The benefit of counseling is that it is not just for those with severe mental illness but it’s also for those struggling with their job or life in general. Working with a rural population is also a primary goal of my career, to bridge the gaps in mental healthcare from urban to rural areas. When working at a counseling center, I gained an understanding of how to complete client intakes and how to turn those into treatment plans. When working at the substance abuse clinic, I gained skills on how to conduct group therapy sessions, and how insurance is verified, developed an understanding of mindfulness techniques and skills. From my first research experience, I gained a deeper understanding of school counseling and what it was like to work with students. From my second research experience, I was able to gain an understanding of what it is like working with clients from different backgrounds. In conclusion, I am interested in conducting research related to the experiences of military populations who have experienced trauma within the military. This issue is important to me because mental health access should not be only available to a few, but it should be available to all. Advocacy is an important component of counseling and to improve the field, this advocacy must be tailored to the best interest of all people. The mission of this scholarship aligns with me because I live to be a voice for those who cannot or are unsure of how to speak for themselves. Many military members struggle to advocate for themselves to receive the benefits they are entitled to and as a counselor, I want to aid in their ability to gain these skills.

I am working to achieve a dream that has been watered over many years. I did not come from a wealthy family, but we were able to make it. Growing up, I always was the person helping others whether that was through volunteering at my church or with my school organizations. I found the most fulfillment when my middle school and high school Junior Reserves Officer Training Corps programs would volunteer with the American Legion. I was able to meet veterans and their families who served in the military dating back to the Korean War. I was also able to meet veterans and service members from all branches, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. I could hear the stories of their time in the military, both the good and the bad. One 24 year-Army retired First Sergeant told me, “Most people who leave the military do not leave without a bad story to tell, it’s just whether they will tell it or not.” Often, when we see military members and veterans we praise and celebrate them, but what if, for them, their military journey is not something they care to celebrate? These thoughts intrigued me and set me out on the career path that I find myself on now. I was so intrigued by the military that I wanted to join and serve my country because I wanted to help these heroes to tell their stories. On my journey of military service, I hit a large stumbling block, my injury. Facing adversity is not a new concept to me. Adversity has surrounded me my whole life from my parents being teen parents to being in interracial relationships and the ridicule I faced because of my values and beliefs. A significant example of adversity for me was my knee injury. For me, my injury cost me my dream career. I developed a cyst in my right knee that prevented me from walking and running. I was set to commission into the United States Army but due to my not being able to meet physical standards post-surgery I was medically discharged. My injury caused me a lot of trauma from the way that the military treated me, and the mental exhaustion of trying to force myself to meet the standards set for me. I also gained 30 pounds due to not finding a balance between my limited exercise and my diet. This weight gain caused more problems with the Army because I did not meet their height and weight standards either. I slipped into a dark depressive state. After being medically discharged, I felt that I had failed, and this mindset only made my depression worse. Being medically discharged also meant that I lost my full ride to college. Thankfully I was able to find other scholarships and grants while my family also helped to cover the cost of my final year of undergraduate. It was during this time that I found the field of counseling. My injury reminded me of the piece of wisdom the Army veteran told me. It was then that I realized that the bad story was Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. During my undergraduate experience, I found a fascination for counseling. I found that this field would provide me with the best opportunities to advocate for those who struggle with mental illness, which is seen as an underserved population. Counseling provided me the opportunity to reach people where they are and aid them as they grow into their full potential. One of the benefits of counseling is that it is not just for those with severe mental illness but it’s also for those struggling with their job or life in general. Both avenues, benefit from having someone to speak with that can serve as a teacher of skills to aid in the reduction of the stresses of life. Being a counselor, for me, is the ability to advocate and change the stereotypes associated with counseling, especially in rural areas. Working with a rural population is also a primary goal of my career, to bridge the gaps in mental healthcare from urban to rural areas. I worked at a counseling center as a Clinical Assistant. When working at the counseling center, I gained an understanding of how to complete client intakes and how to turn those into treatment plans. I also was able to sit in on therapy sessions to see what a one-on-one session would look like. Following this experience, I wanted to gain an understanding of how substance use is tied to military trauma. I began to work at a substance use clinic to find this answer. When working at the substance abuse clinic, I gained skills on how to conduct group therapy sessions, and how insurance is verified, and developed an understanding of mindfulness techniques and skills. Not only did I obtain real-world experiences in the field but I was also able to obtain research experiences. From my first research experience, I gained a deeper understanding of school counseling and what it was like to work with students. From my second research experience, I was able to gain an understanding of what it is like working with clients from different backgrounds. Although military trauma is a significant research passion for me, I am interested in researching the effects of trauma on a wide range of populations especially underrepresented populations in rural areas. This population is important to me because mental health access should not be only available to a few, but it should be available to all. Advocacy is an important component of counseling and to improve the field, this advocacy must be tailored to the best interest of all people. I chose this career path because I truly have a passion for wanting to serve my country. I also want to make it to where our veterans can receive the proper treatment regarding their mental health. Due to their willingness to defend their country, these populations received invisible wounds from their service. Another reason, I chose this career is because due to the lack of procedures for providing treatment of mental health in veterans. I also empathize with this population due to being medically discharged from the Army. While the career I have chosen is a necessity today, I shall face a few obstacles in the process of achieving this career. Becoming a counselor is only the first step on the career path that I have chosen. While obtaining a master’s in clinical mental health counseling could be the end of my education, I have chosen to pursue a doctorate as well. I want to use my doctorate to be able to be a supervisor or teacher for future counselors. I want to be able to guide and mentor others to find their journey in the field of psychology. This education level allows me to have a direct influence on the growth journey of my patients whether that is through higher education, hospitals, or private practice. My ultimate goal is to open my counseling practice in my hometown to give back to my community which helped mold and grow me into the person I am today. My education is not only for me but also for my future clients and community. I want to be able to leave a legacy to inspire the next generation to pick up the torch and continue to improve the world around us. At Mercer the motto is, “Everyone majors in changing the world” and that is just what I am striving to do. I find that giving back to others can help to alter their perspective on life just a little. I am also earning my degree for my family as the first to be college educated. All in all, my injury served as a pivotal point in my life by helping me to learn to advocate for myself and others while also motivating me to pursue my education to help veterans who also have military traumas. Without this injury, my passion for this population would not be as strong as it is. I understand the struggle and scars that come from being involved with the military and I want to advocate for others on the same journey as me. Becoming a counselor will allow me to change the world by teaching my clients the skills needed to improve their lives. If I could give any advice, I would say to take the criticism of others with a grain of salt. When others can dictate your life, then you lose the value of learning lessons on your own. Others have good intentions but at the end of the day, you want to look back on the choices you made and be proud of yourself, not other people.

I have struggled a lot while also being intrigued with mental health. I was taught as a child that mental health is not that important. It was not until high school after being sexually assaulted did, I find that that thought was very wrong. My mental health went downhill exponentially in a short period to where I thought suicide was the only answer to stop the pain. Another catalyst for improving my health was my knee injury. For me, my injury cost me my dream career. I developed a cyst in my right knee that prevented me from walking and running. I was set to commission into the United States Army but due to my not being able to meet physical standards post-surgery I was medically discharged. My injury caused me a lot of trauma from the way that the military treated me, and the mental exhaustion of trying to force myself to make the standards set for me. I also gained about 30 lbs due to not finding a balance between my limited exercise and my diet. This weight gain caused more problems with the Army because I did not meet their height and weight standards. I slipped into a dark depressive state during the state of why I was losing mobility. After being medically discharged, I felt that I had failed, and this mindset only made my depression worse. I overcame my injury. I received surgery and after being discharged my body was able to heal and rest. I am now incorporating better eating habits. I have also developed a love of exercise now rather than just doing it because I must. I began meeting with a counselor regularly. Not only was my experience with PTSD influential on this path but so were other experiences. I found a fascination for counseling. I found that this field would provide me with the best opportunities to advocate for those who struggle with mental illness, which is seen as an underserved population. I also found that counseling can reach people where they are and grow them to their full potential. Being a counselor, for me, is the ability to advocate and change the stereotypes associated with counseling, especially in rural areas. Working with a rural population is also a primary goal of my career, to bridge the gaps in mental healthcare from urban to rural areas. When I worked at a counseling center, I gained an understanding of how to complete client intakes, how to turn those into treatment plans, and shadowing therapy sessions. When working at the substance abuse clinic, I gain skills on how to conduct group therapy sessions, and how insurance is verified, and developed an understanding of mindfulness techniques and skills. Since graduating from undergraduate I have chosen to attend the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, to obtain my Masters in Counseling. I went the counseling route and being able to have a nonjudgmental source to help me work through the traumas proved to be very beneficial. My experience with counseling inspired me to want to become a counselor. I strive to provide that same nonjudgmental zone in my counseling sessions to my future clients. I would like to specialize in trauma and PTSD. My experiences with mental health steered me to the career path that I have chosen. I want to advocate for those who have had similar experiences but do not know the proper channels to return to normalcy. The trauma’s that I experienced and my journey through counseling proved to be a turning point in me determining who I am meant to be.

For me, I am working to achieve a dream that has been watered over many years. Growing up, I always was the person helping others whether that was through a volunteer at my church or with my school organizations. I found the most fulfillment when my middle school and high school Junior Reserves Officer Training Corps programs would volunteer with the American Legion. I was able to meet veterans and their families who served in the military dating back to the Korean War. I was also able to meet veterans and service members from all branches, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. I could hear the stories of their time in the military, both the good and the bad. One 24 year-Army retired First Sergeant told me, “Most people who leave the military do not leave without a bad story to tell, it’s just whether they will tell it or not.” This thought puzzled me for the longest time, but it also set me out on the career path that I find myself on now. I was so intrigued by the military that I wanted to join to serve the military because I wanted to help these heroes to tell their stories. It was not until I had my own experience with military trauma that the career path truly became clear. I realized then that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was the “bad story” that the previous Army veteran had told me about. I wanted to learn more about it. I was set to commission into the United States Army but due to a knee injury, I could not and therefore could not fulfill the dream of becoming a serving Army Psychologist. The pressure of trying to force my body to conform to the standards of the military and the way that I was treated created a significant depressive state for me. Once I was discharged I began to seek counseling and my body healed. After my experience with counseling, I knew I wanted to create the same experience for others on a similar journey. Henceforth, I believe that the career of being a Clinical Mental Health Counselor would be the most rewarding in being able to see that sigh of hope and relief as a client has found their answer to a disorder that has loomed over their life negatively in several different ways. Becoming a counselor is only the first step on the career path that I have chosen. While obtaining a master’s in clinical mental health counseling could be the end of my education, I have chosen to pursue a doctorate as well. My goal population to work with will be military veterans and their families who have been diagnosed with military related PTSD and/or trauma. I want to use my doctorate to be able to be a supervisor or teacher for future counselors. I want to be able to guide and mentor others to find their journey in the field of psychology. My ultimate goal is to open my counseling practice in my hometown to give back to my community which helped mold and grow me into the person I am today. My education is not only for me but also for my future clients and community. I want to be able to leave a legacy to inspire the next generation to pick up the torch and continue to improve the world around us. At Mercer the motto is, “Everyone majors in changing the world” and that is just what I am striving to do.

I have struggled a lot while also being intrigued with mental health. I was taught as a child that mental health is not that important. It was not until high school after being sexually assaulted did, I find that that thought was very wrong. My mental health went downhill exponentially in a short period to where I thought suicide was the only answer to stop the pain. Another catalyst for improving my health was my knee injury. For me, my injury cost me my dream career. I developed a cyst in my right knee that prevented me from walking and running. I was set to commission into the United States Army but due to my not being able to meet physical standards post-surgery I was medically discharged. My injury caused me a lot of trauma from the way that the military treated me, and the mental exhaustion of trying to force myself to make the standards set for me. I also gained about 30 lbs due to not finding a balance between my limited exercise and my diet. This weight gain caused more problems with the Army because I did not meet their height and weight standards. I slipped into a dark depressive state during the state of why I was losing mobility. After being medically discharged, I felt that I had failed, and this mindset only made my depression worse. I overcame my injury. I received surgery and after being discharged my body was able to heal and rest. I am now incorporating better eating habits. I have also developed a love of exercise now rather than just doing it because I must. I began meeting with a counselor regularly. Not only was my experience with PTSD influential on this path but so were other experiences. I found a fascination for counseling. I found that this field would provide me with the best opportunities to advocate for those who struggle with mental illness, which is seen as an underserved population. I also found that counseling can reach people where they are and grow them to their full potential. Being a counselor, for me, is the ability to advocate and change the stereotypes associated with counseling, especially in rural areas. Working with a rural population is also a primary goal of my career, to bridge the gaps in mental healthcare from urban to rural areas. When I worked at a counseling center, I gained an understanding of how to complete client intakes, how to turn those into treatment plans, and shadowing therapy sessions. When working at the substance abuse clinic, I gain skills on how to conduct group therapy sessions, and how insurance is verified, and developed an understanding of mindfulness techniques and skills. Since graduating from undergraduate I have chosen to attend the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, to obtain my Masters in Counseling. I went the counseling route and being able to have a nonjudgmental source to help me work through the traumas proved to be very beneficial. My experience with counseling inspired me to want to become a counselor. I strive to provide that same nonjudgmental zone in my counseling sessions to my future clients. I would like to specialize in trauma and PTSD. My experiences with mental health steered me to the career path that I have chosen. I want to advocate for those who have had similar experiences but do not know the proper channels to return to normalcy. The trauma’s that I experienced and my journey through counseling proved to be a turning point in me determining who I am meant to be.

For me, I am working to achieve a dream that has been watered over many years. Growing up, I always was the person helping others whether that was through a volunteer at my church or with my school organizations. I found the most fulfillment when would volunteer with the American Legion. I was able to meet veterans from the Korean War to the Present from all branches. I heard their stories, both the good and the bad. One 24 year-Army retired First Sergeant told me, “Most people who leave the military do not leave without a bad story to tell, it’s just whether they will tell it or not.” This thought puzzled me for the longest time, but it also set me out on the career path that I find myself on now. I was so intrigued by the military that I wanted to join to serve the military because I wanted to help these heroes to tell their stories. It was not until I had my own experience with military trauma that the career path truly became clear. I realized then that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was the “bad story” that the previous Army veteran had told me about. From then on I set forth on a mission to delve into this topic more. I was set to commission into the United States Army but due to a knee injury, I could not fulfill this goal. I thought that my dream had to die there but it did not because I found the career of being a counselor. I believe that the career of being a Clinical Mental Health Counselor would be the most rewarding in being able to see that sigh of hope and relief as a client has found their answer to a disorder that has loomed over their life negatively in several different ways.Becoming a counselor is only the first step on the career path that I have chosen. While obtaining a master’s in clinical mental health counseling could be the end of my education, I have chosen to pursue a doctorate as well. I want to use my doctorate to be able to be a supervisor or teacher for future counselors. I want to be able to guide and mentor others to find their journey in the field of psychology. I think that the field of psychology has so many avenues and populations that are in dire need of amazing psychological professionals to aid in their growth. Counseling and clinical psychology are the fields that have the most interaction with clients on a one-on-one level. This interaction allows for direct influence on the growth journey whether that is through higher education, hospitals, or private practice. My ultimate goal is to open my counseling practice in my hometown to give back to my community which helped mold and grow me into the person I am today. My education is not only for me but also for my future clients and community. I want to be able to leave a legacy to inspire the next generation to pick up the torch and continue to improve the world around us. At Mercer the motto is, “Everyone majors in changing the world” and that is just what I am striving to do. I am also earning my degree for my family as the first to be college educated. I am striving to be the change and the person that my ancestors prayed for and my education is just the stepping stone to get me there.

I have struggled a lot while also being intrigued with mental health. I was taught as a child that mental health is not that important. It was not until high school after being sexually assaulted did, I find that that thought was very wrong. My mental health went downhill exponentially in a short period to where I thought suicide was the only answer to stop the pain. I chose to begin talking about how I was feeling and now I am pursuing a degree in Psychology to become a Clinical Psychologist. I went the counseling route and being able to have a nonjudgmental source to help me work through the traumas proved to be very beneficial. My experience with counseling inspired me to want to become a counselor. I strive to provide that same nonjudgmental zone in my counseling sessions to my future clients. I would like to specialize in trauma and PTSD. To achieve these goals, I must obtain a masters's and/ or doctorate in Clinical Psychology. For me, the goal of impacting the lives of military members and their families is not just a personal goal but a goal of necessity. I want to be able to allow this community to develop into the best versions of themselves this will have a ripple effect on the communities that they are part of which ultimately changes the world. Often people think that it takes a large amount of time or money to change the world but changing the lives of one person in turn changes the world. This population sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms and way of life. When they return home often they are just given Band-Aids for their wounds rather than regarded as people who need help. I chose to obtain and will use my psychology degree to bridge the gap between veterans, their families, and freedom and a healthy lifestyle. In conclusion, my passion for veterans and their struggles with invisible wounds led me to pursue a degree in psychology on a clinical counseling track. I am looking forward to obtaining my master’s within the next three years and then going on to obtain my doctorate in Counseling Psychology. I plan to attend the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga for my masters's and then the University of Georgia for my Doctorate. To become the woman and leader I am meant to be I must continue my studies and become the best counselor I can be.

Most people who leave the military do not leave without a bad story to tell, it’s just whether they will tell it or not,” was a piece of wisdom given to me by a 24-year Army retired First Sergeant. Often, when we see military members and veterans we praise and celebrate them, but what if, for them, their military journey is not something they care to celebrate? These thoughts intrigued me and set me out on the career path that I find myself on now. I found the most fulfillment when I would volunteer with the American Legion. I could hear the stories of their time in the military, both the good and the bad. It was not until I had my own experience with a veteran with PTSD that the career path truly became clear. I realized then that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was the “bad story” that the Army veteran had told me about. I began looking into careers related to trauma and PTSD and then aspired to become an Army Psychologist. To achieve this dream, I was set to commission into the United States Army but faced several physical setbacks, making that dream impossible. I thought that my dream had to die there but I found the career of being a counselor. I found a fascination for counseling after an internship I completed. I found that this field would provide me with the best opportunities to advocate for those who struggle with mental illness. I also found that counseling can reach people where they are and grow them to their full potential. A benefit of counseling is that it is for those with severe mental illness and those struggling with their life in general. To me, being a counselor is the ability to advocate and change the stereotypes associated with counseling, especially in rural areas. Working with a rural population is also a primary goal of my career, to bridge the gaps in mental healthcare from urban to rural areas. When working at the counseling center, I gained an understanding of how to complete client intakes and how to turn those into treatment plans. I also was able to sit in on therapy sessions to see what a one-on-one session would look like. When working at the substance abuse clinic, I gain skills on how to conduct group therapy sessions, and how insurance is verified, and developed an understanding of mindfulness techniques and skills. These skills and techniques were ones that I could use to conduct the group sessions. From my research experiences, I gained a deeper understanding of school counseling and working with clients from different backgrounds who hold the same religious values. A graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling will allow me to achieve my goal. By obtaining this degree, I can aid in the transition from military life to civilian life. I will be able to provide my clients with the tools needed to advocate for themselves through the VA system. This degree will further develop my skills in being a trauma counselor. Being able to meet people at the point of crisis and provide them with the tools needed to successfully progress through trauma is a primary goal for my career. This population is important to me because mental health access should not be only available to a few, but it should be available to all. Advocacy is an important component of counseling and to improve the field, this advocacy must be tailored to the best interest of all people.

Facing adversity is not a new concept to me. Adversity has surrounded me my whole life from my parents being teen parents to being in interracial relationships and the ridicule I faced because of my values and beliefs. A significant example of adversity for me was my knee injury. For me, my injury cost me my dream career. I developed a cyst in my right knee that prevented me from walking and running. I was set to commission into the United States Army but due to my not being able to meet physical standards post-surgery I was medically discharged. My injury caused me a lot of trauma from the way that the military treated me, and the mental exhaustion of trying to force myself to make the standards set for me. I also gained about 30 lbs due to not finding a balance between my limited exercise and my diet. This weight gain caused more problems with the Army because I did not meet the height and weight standards they had either. I slipped into a dark depressive state during the state of why I was losing mobility. After being medically discharged, I felt that I had failed, and this mindset only made my depression worse. Being medically discharged also meant that I lost my full ride to college. Thankfully I was able to find other scholarships and grants while my family also helped to cover the cost of my final year of undergraduate. I am still working to overcome the feeling of being a failure, but I did overcome my injury. I received surgery and after being discharged my body was able to heal and rest. I am now incorporating better eating habits. I have also developed a love of exercise now rather than just doing it because I must. All in all, this injury taught me a lot about perseverance and the trauma that I experience solidified my desire to work with veterans with traumatic injuries. I chose to attend the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga for my master’s degree to become a trauma counselor. Without this injury, my passion for this population would not be as strong as it is. I understand the struggle and scars that come from being involved with the military and I want to advocate for others on the same journey as me. If I could give any advice, I would say to take the criticism of others with a grain of salt. When others can dictate your life, then you lose the value of learning lessons on your own. Others have good intentions but at the end of the day, you want to look back on the choices you made and be proud of yourself, not other people.

The dream version of my future self is being able to give back to my community by providing mental health care to veterans and their families.

I deserve this scholarship because as an out-of-state commuter student, my cost of attendance for my dream university is a significant financial burden. In the Fall, I will attend the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga to obtain a master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I plan to specialize in trauma counseling with an emphasis on Military trauma. Post-graduation, I plan to obtain a Doctorate in Psychology from Austin Peay State University. Their program has a special emphasis on military psychology. Since my master's is not the culmination of my education journey, the smaller the financial burden would be best for me to continue to press toward my educational and career goals. My undergraduate degree was paid for in full by scholarships and financial contributions from myself and my family. Therefore, I graduated without the use of student loans and have a debt-free degree. My goal is to continue this path and complete my master's without the financial burden of student loans. My goal is to reduce the contributions that I will have to pay by offsetting them with scholarships. I also have applied for graduate assistantship positions to help offset my tuition as well. This scholarship will allow me to continue to offset that financial burden while striving to graduate with this degree and be debt free. My family characterizes me as a person who remains focused and is determined to move forward. My family would also describe me as dedicated and resilient. I overcame several major challenges including the loss of my full-ride scholarship for my undergraduate degree. I was awarded the National Army ROTC Scholarship for my undergraduate degree but due to an injury I sustained, I was medically discharged. I was still determined to graduate debt free and without using student loans. I was able to achieve this goal through the help of scholarships, grants, my family, and work-study programs. I was the first in my family to complete an undergraduate degree and I graduated with honors and magna cum laude. I also am the first in my family to not have a child as a teenager. My family challenged me to be the greatest version of myself and I was able to break a lot of the generational curses that were surrounding my family. All in all, I feel that I deserve this scholarship because there are not many people in my field focused on the population, I am interested in working with. I also think that as a commuter student who is willing to make sacrifices to attend the school of my dreams, this scholarship would be highly beneficial. Also, I believe that my character and my drive to be a role model for others is one that will help me to make my mark on the world. At my alma mater, the motto is that “Everyone majors in changing the world.” I want to change the world for others and leave a legacy that shows determination and resilience. If I can just be the change in one person’s world I hope that it will have a domino effect on changing the lives of others.

As a college student, I can be an agent of change in reducing the stigmas around mental health. Often people believe that struggling with a mental health concern makes you:” weak” or “crazy” and that is furthest from the truth. I believe that once we create a welcoming environment where mental illness is talked about rather than criticized then the stigmas will decrease. Mental health concerns are something that everyone will experience at some point in their lives. In psychology, one of the key tenants is the mere exposure effect, the more you are exposed to something the better you will understand it. To bring these points to the forefront there must be individuals willing to be the catalysts. There are several ways in which I can make an impact on mental health awareness. I found that obtaining regular counseling was helpful for me to retrain my mental health to be a healthy place. For one, I find comfort in telling others of my story regarding mental health struggles due to trauma. I find that my being able to be vulnerable with others has created a bond where they feel as though they can be vulnerable with me and others. I also think that my telling my story helps to make others feel that they are not alone in their journey to better mental well-being. To help bring mental health awareness to my campus, I think that having mental health sessions where we talk about what mental health is and the ways that it affects our lives would be a start. Beyond this, I could create social events that people can attend that help to unwind the thought webs that come with mental illness. In conclusion, all though I am a college student I can make a positive impact on the mental health of others by being an active agent of change. In conclusion, the relationship with mental health in America is often not seen as important or held to the priority that it should be. I have found that when mental health is talked about and not disregarded, there can be a change of perspective. In my journey with mental health, it became evident that having an outside perspective was needed to align my mental wellness back to a path of healthiness. I want to be able to give this same experience to others and as a college student, I can do this by getting involved with mental wellness activities on campus. I can also be an advocate for those who are unsure of the resources that are available to them.

Leading a healthy lifestyle involves making conscious choices daily to be a better version of yourself. A lot of my family members have significant health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure. There are also genetic illnesses that run in my family as well. As a child, I knew I wanted to be different and live a long and healthy life. I was heavily involved with physical activity in high school but became slack when I joined ROTC in college. It was not until I sustained a traumatic injury that I found the importance of mental health as well as physical health. A catalyst for improving my health was my knee injury. For me, my injury cost me my dream career. I developed a cyst in my right knee that prevented me from walking and running. I was set to commission into the United States Army but due to my not being able to meet physical standards post-surgery I was medically discharged. My injury caused me a lot of trauma from the way that the military treated me, and the mental exhaustion of trying to force myself to make the standards set for me. I also gained about 30 lbs due to not finding a balance between my limited exercise and my diet. This weight gain caused more problems with the Army because I did not meet their height and weight standards. I slipped into a dark depressive state during the state of why I was losing mobility. After being medically discharged, I felt that I had failed, and this mindset only made my depression worse. I am still working to overcome the feeling of failure, but I overcame my injury. I received surgery and after being discharged my body was able to heal and rest. I am now incorporating better eating habits. I have also developed a love of exercise now rather than just doing it because I must. On my journey to finding ways to exercise for joy, there were several activities that I have begun to enjoy. Some healthy habit that I developed is meeting with a counselor regularly. I also have found exercises such as swimming and the elliptical that I enjoy but are low impact on my joints. I have begun to incorporate mindfulness and yoga into my routine as well as to be proactive about my mental well-being. All in all my health journey is one that has come a long way but is still progressing forward also.

I was born to two teenage parents who were able to go on to college and make a life for themselves through the help of my village of family members. I grew up in a majority-white small town in North Georgia. My childhood forced me to learn to be resilient in the face of adversity as well as to be the best in all situations. In high school I broke records and traditions, making paths for those that would come behind me. I was in JROTC in high school and I am in ROTC in college. I have always had an interest in joining the military, and I chose my major in Psychology because I want to be able to work with combat veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in a therapy capacity. My family characterizes me as a person who remains focused and is determined to move forward. My family would also describe me as dedicated and resilient. I overcame several major challenges including the loss of my full-ride scholarship for my undergraduate degree. I was awarded the National Army ROTC Scholarship for my undergraduate degree but due to an injury I sustained, I was medically discharged. I was still determined to graduate debt free and without using student loans. I was able to achieve this goal through the help of scholarships, grants, my family, and work-study programs. I was the first in my family to complete an undergraduate degree and I graduated with honors and magna cum laude. I also am the first in my family to not have a child as a teenager. My family challenged me to be the greatest version of myself and I was able to break a lot of the generational curses that were surrounding my family. All in all, my family instilled the values of hard work and perseverance in me. I chose to take these values and leave a legacy for my younger family members to follow. I want them to know that they too can be better than the circumstances we came from. I want to be able to create generational wealth for both my family and future generations so that they do not have to struggle in the ways that I did. I want them to be able to achieve a college education, if they choose, without fear of financial constraints. Our dreams should not be limited by our current situations.

I am currently pursuing my Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. I want to specialize in trauma counseling with an emphasis on Military Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I would like to achieve this degree with a specialty certification in Trauma. I want to be able to specialize in treating military members and their families that have received a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I would like to work in a private practice setting and with the Department of Defense. To reach these career goals, I must obtain a master’s as well as a Doctorate in Counseling. I want to make a difference in a population that seems to be not as easily reached in mental healthcare currently. I have struggled a lot while also being intrigued with mental health. I was taught as a child that mental health is not that important. It was not until high school after being sexually assaulted did, I find that that thought was very wrong. My mental health went downhill exponentially in a short time to where I thought suicide was the only answer to stop the pain. I chose to begin talking about how I was feeling and now I want to be able to provide that same relief for others. I went the counseling route and being able to have a nonjudgmental source to help me work through the traumas proved to be very beneficial. My experience with counseling inspired me to want to become a counselor. I strive to provide that same nonjudgmental zone in my counseling sessions to my future clients. I worked as an Administrative Assistant at a Christian Counseling Center. I found through this experience my initial break into the world of psychology outside of an academic setting. I also found that there can be a relationship between faith and mental illness. I saw such growth in my abilities from completing client intakes to sitting in on sessions where the use of new forms of treatment was being applied. I was able to see the behind-the-scenes as well as the work in practice. I grew in my level of confidence and the skills of interpersonal communication. While hearing the stories of why others were wanting to obtain counseling, I was able to further develop my skills of empathy and solidify what I want my career to look like. In conclusion, my passion for veterans and their struggles with invisible wounds led me to pursue my career path. My greatest passion is to help and serve others. I have often been told that I have a “servant’s heart.” As a Christian my purpose is to worship and draw others to the Lord and I believe that helping others to find peace will lead them to the father. I find great joy in being able to help others because giving to one has a domino effect. In such a cruel world, if I can just positively impact one person, I am on the way to changing the world.

I am pursuing a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. I want to specialize in trauma counseling with an emphasis on Military Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I would like to achieve this degree with a specialty certification in Trauma. I want to be able to specialize in treating military members and their families that have received a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. P I would like to work in a private practice setting and with the Department of Defense. To reach these career goals, I must obtain a master’s as well as a Doctorate in Counseling. I want to make a difference in a population that seems to be not as easily reached in mental healthcare currently. I want to make a difference in the lives of a population that I can relate to. After my own experience with military trauma, I chose to advocate and obtain a career serving military members and their families. To make this difference, I have chosen to take the path of psychology. I see myself in 10 years having completed my doctorate and working as a counselor in a VA hospital in Georgia or Tennessee. I also see myself researching the effects of chiropractic adjustments and treatments for PTSD. I also see myself owning a small farm with goats, cattle, and ducks. I also want to have a few horses to explore animal therapy as well. I would eventually also like to own my counseling center in Bartow County, GA. I want to bring my services back to my community to help those in need. All in all the trauma’s that I experienced and my journey through counseling proved to be a turning point in me determining who I am meant to be. I am meant to be a counselor and a servant to those who need me the most. In conclusion, my passion for veterans and their struggles with invisible wounds led me to pursue a degree in psychology on a clinical counseling track. I am looking forward to obtaining my master’s within the next three years and then going on to obtain my doctorate in Counseling Psychology. I plan to attend the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga for my master's and then the University of Georgia for my Doctorate. To become the woman and leader I am meant to be I must continue my studies and become the best counselor I can be.

A unique contribution that I would like to give to make mental health care more affordable would be to meet people where they are. Often people may not be able to come into a clinic or have a safe space for televisits. I would like to find a way to either bring counseling to communities or provide transportation assistance for clients looking to seek mental health services. I believe that mental health care should be accessible to all. I am currently pursuing my master's in Counseling to aid military populations with traumatic injuries. All in all, bridging the gap for mental health access is an important passion of mine, I will devote my career to helping irradicate shortages within my community and others.

Facing adversity is not a new concept to me. Adversity has surrounded me my whole life from my parents being teen parents to being in interracial relationships and the ridicule I faced because of my values and beliefs. A significant example of adversity for me was my knee injury. For me, my injury cost me my dream career. I developed a cyst in my right knee that prevented me from walking and running. I was set to commission into the United States Army, but due to my injury, I was medically discharged. My injury caused me a lot of trauma from the way that the military treated me, and the mental exhaustion of trying to force myself to make the standards set for me. I also gained 30 lbs due to not finding a balance between my limited exercise and my diet. This weight gain caused more problems with the Army because I did not meet their height and weight standards. I slipped into a dark depressive state during the state of why I was losing mobility. After being medically discharged, I felt that I had failed, and this mindset only made my depression worse. Being medically discharged also meant that I lost my full ride to college. Thankfully I was able to find other scholarships and grants while my family also helped to cover the cost of my final year of undergraduate. I overcame my injury. I received surgery and after being discharged my body was able to heal and rest. I am now incorporating better eating habits. I have also developed a love of exercise now rather than just doing it because I must. Another challenge that I had was finding ways to keep up my GPA while being injured and suffering two deaths within a month of each other. I was supposed to be fully recovered by August of 2021 but that was not the case. I had multiple setbacks and my childhood best friend and great grandmother passed away in November and December of 2021. I was devastated because the Army would not allow me to attend the funeral of my friend. I felt that the way I was being discarded for an injury that the Army caused. I still feel guilty for not attending my friend’s funeral, but it was out of my control. From this experience, I continued to learn the value of resilience and staying focused. All in all, this injury taught me a lot about perseverance and the trauma that I experience solidified my desire to work with veterans with traumatic injuries. I chose to attend the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga for my master’s degree to become a trauma counselor. Without this injury, my passion for this population would not be as strong as it is. I understand the struggle and scars that come from being involved with the military and I want to advocate for others on the same journey as me. My goal is to open a mental health clinic in my hometown as well as become a donor to my county's scholarship pool. I have received a scholarship from my community every year and I want to be able to give that opportunity to more students. If I could give any advice, I would say to take the criticism of others with a grain of salt. When others can dictate your life, then you lose the value of learning lessons on your own. Others have good intentions but at the end of the day, you want to look back on the choices you made and be proud of yourself.