Growing up in a single-parent household was a struggle, but it also shaped me into the resilient and resourceful person I am today. Essentially, I grew up as the man of the house, taking on responsibilities that many of my peers did not have to consider. With no one else around to fix things, I took the initiative to learn and handle repairs myself. It started with simple tasks like screwing screws into cabinets, but over time, my skills and confidence grew. Eventually, I found myself designing our recent house plan, a project that solidified my passion for engineering. Engineering has always intrigued me because it combines creativity with practicality. The idea of designing solutions to real-world problems is something that excites me deeply. This passion led me to pursue a mechanical engineering degree, a field where I believe I can make significant contributions to technology and innovation. Mechanical engineering holds the potential to positively impact society by creating more efficient and sustainable systems. Whether it's developing renewable energy solutions or designing medical devices, I see my future role as an engineer as a means to address pressing challenges and enhance the well-being of others. My journey into mechanical engineering began even before I stepped foot on a college campus. By the time I entered college, I had already accumulated over 20 credit hours, allowing me to dive straight into advanced engineering classes. These courses provided me with numerous hands-on opportunities that further fueled my passion. I built a bridge from toothpicks, crafted a slingshot from PVC pipe, designed a solar charger, and gained experience using SolidWorks to design machine parts. Each project taught me valuable lessons about problem-solving, teamwork, and the importance of precision and creativity in engineering. One of the most rewarding aspects of my education has been the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical projects. For instance, designing a solar charger not only honed my technical skills but also deepened my understanding of renewable energy's potential to address global challenges. Similarly, using SolidWorks to create machine parts allowed me to appreciate the intricacies of design and manufacturing processes. These experiences have reinforced my decision to pursue a career in mechanical engineering and have given me a glimpse of the impact I can make in this field. In addition to my academic pursuits, I have been actively communicating with NASA regarding a potential internship opportunity. This interaction has been incredibly inspiring and has opened my eyes to the vast possibilities within the aerospace industry. The prospect of working with such a prestigious organization excites me and aligns perfectly with my aspirations to contribute to cutting-edge technological advancements. An internship at NASA would not only provide invaluable experience but also allow me to apply my skills to some of the most challenging and impactful projects in the world. Looking ahead, I am excited about the prospect of applying my skills to make a meaningful difference in the world through mechanical engineering. I envision myself working on projects that promote sustainability, improve healthcare, and enhance everyday life. My goal is to contribute to advancements that will benefit society as a whole, whether through innovative product designs or groundbreaking research. In conclusion, growing up in a single-parent household presented its challenges, but it also instilled in me a sense of responsibility, resilience, and a passion for engineering. My journey so far has been marked by hands-on experiences and a commitment to solving real-world problems. I am confident that a career in mechanical engineering will allow me to fulfill my aspirations and make a lasting impact on society.

Throughout my life, challenges have been present. I have learned that all the challenges I have and will face will make me stronger. Regardless of the challenges, I was taught to face them head-on because doing so would help me become better able to take care of myself in the future. I have become more creative because challenges have forced me to think of better ways to approach situations. Facing challenges has also kept me humble. I have always been taught to never think too highly of myself because I don't know everything. I know I will make mistakes, but the approach to overcoming life's challenges with positivity has made me proud of my accomplishments. The relationship I have with my family has enriched my life. I believe a family that prays through the good and not-so-good times can overcome any mountains put in their way. My family has been such a great support system for me. The training I have had from my family has made and will continue to make me a stronger young man when I soon will be on my own. My vision for making the world a better place simply involves helping others who are less fortunate see the potential in themselves to be great! Life is more than what I have. Spreading cheer in my community so others will see it is important to love where you are. In doing so, litter will decrease, and more community involvement will happen to keep our environment clearer. Being happy is important. One of my most accomplished projects was a mural I assisted with, this summer. I volunteered to assist with the mural because I wanted to make a difference in my community. My community is going down and I thought to bring my cheer, the mural would be great. The mural is located on Main Street, on the side of Meador’s Pharmacy. It took us about a month in the heat to complete it but every second was worth it. Since the mural has been up, the community has enjoyed every bit of it. There was a dedication ceremony for the mural also. The mural was dedicated to the owner of Meador’s Pharmacy. Even though I have done many other community acts such as assisting with feeding during community events and teaching kids the importance of education, the mural has to be my biggest project. After graduating number 2 in my class with a 4.3 GPA, I am currently enrolled at Arkansas State University majoring in mechanical engineering. I decided to pursue a mechanical engineering degree because of my passion for designing solutions to real-world problems. I believe that through this field, I can contribute to advancements in technology and innovation. Mechanical engineering has the potential to positively impact society by creating more efficient and sustainable systems. From developing renewable energy solutions to designing medical devices, I see my future role as an engineer as a means to address pressing challenges and enhance the well-being of others. I am excited about the prospect of applying my skills to make a meaningful difference in the world through the lens of mechanical engineering. Kindness can be shown in many ways that don’t even have to be huge, but we need to practice helping others often because you never know what someone is going through.

As I look forward to the future as a college student, being a recipient of this scholarship would assist me with the opportunity of achieving my goal of obtaining an educational degree by lessening the financial burden for my family. This scholarship would also help eliminate student loans while working towards my college degree as I have been raised in a single-parent home. I have always been taught to never think too highly of myself because I don't know everything. I know I will make mistakes, but the approach to overcoming life's challenges with positivity has made me proud of accomplishments. The relationship I have with my family has enriched my life. I believe a family that prays through the good and not so good times can overcome any mountains put in their way. My family has been such a great support system for me. The training I have had from my family has made and will continue to make me a stronger young man when I soon will be on my own. My vision for making the world a better place simply involves helping others who are less fortunate see the potential in themselves to be great! Life is more than what I have. Spreading cheer in my community so others will see it is important to love where you are. In doing so, litter will decrease, more community involvement would happen to keep our environment clearer. Being happy is important. One of my most accomplished projects was a mural I assisted with, this past summer. I volunteered to assist with the mural because I wanted to make a difference in my community and I feel that these things bring people together. The mural is located on Downtown Main Street, on the side of Meador’s Pharmacy in Dumas, Arkansas. The mural already brought much joy to my community and that’s what it’s all about! My education goals are to earn my bachelor's degree in Multimedia Journalism and my certification in Meteorology in hopes of becoming a Meteorologist . I would continue my education while working towards obtaining experience to make my courses more meaningful. I have a dream to return to Arkansas to become the head Meteorologist for KATV! I believe that applying for scholarships such as this one will only make things better for me in the future and what God has for me, I truly believe that it will come my way!

As I look forward to the future as a college student, being a recipient of the Voila Natural Lifestyle Scholarship would assist me with the opportunity of achieving my goal of obtaining an educational degree by lessening the financial burden for my family. This scholarship would also help eliminate student loans while working towards my college degree as I have been raised in a single-parent home. I have always been taught to never think too highly of myself because I don't know everything. I know I will make mistakes, but the approach to overcoming life's challenges with positivity has made me proud of accomplishments. The relationship I have with my family has enriched my life. I believe a family that prays through the good and not so good times can overcome any mountains put in their way. My family has been such a great support system for me. The training I have had from my family has made and will continue to make me a stronger young man when I soon will be on my own. My vision for making the world a better place simply involves helping others who are less fortunate see the potential in themselves to be great! Life is more than what I have. Spreading cheer in my community so others will see it is important to love where you are. In doing so, litter will decrease, more community involvement would happen to keep our environment clearer. Being happy is important. One of my most accomplished projects was a mural I assisted with, this past summer. I volunteered to assist with the mural because I wanted to make a difference in my community. To keep from going down, I thought to bring my cheer, by assisting with a mural. The mural is located on Main Street, on the side of Meador’s Pharmacy in Dumas, Arkansas. My education goals are to earn my bachelor's degree in Multimedia Journalism and my certification in Meteorology in hopes of becoming a Meteorologist . I would continue my education while working towards obtaining experience to make my courses more meaningful. I have a dream to return to Arkansas to become the head Meteorologist for KATV and help everyone and not just my little community. I believe that applying for scholarships such as this one will only make things better for me in the future, as I continue on the path that God leads me on!

Volunteering has been an eye-opening experience for me. It has allowed me to see the world through a different lens and has changed my mindset for the better. One of the most memorable experiences I have had while volunteering was painting a mural on the side of a pharmacy in my town. This experience showed me firsthand the impact that art can have on a community and how it can bring people together. Before I began volunteering, I was focused solely on my own problems and goals. However, through volunteering, I have learned the importance of giving back and helping those who are less fortunate. I have also learned to appreciate the little things in life and to not take anything for granted. Volunteering has taught me the value of hard work and dedication and has helped me develop a sense of responsibility towards my community. The mural project was a particularly transformative experience for me. I had never painted anything on such a large scale before, and I was initially intimidated by the prospect of taking on such a big project. However, with the help of my fellow volunteers, we were able to create a beautiful mural that brightened up the entire street. Seeing the smiles on people's faces as they passed by the mural was an incredibly rewarding experience, and it showed me how art can have a positive impact on people's lives. I believe that this scholarship would be very beneficial to me as it would allow me to continue volunteering and making a difference in my community. With the rising costs of education, it can be difficult for students to balance their academic responsibilities with their volunteer work. However, with the help of this scholarship, I would be able to dedicate more time and resources towards volunteering and making a positive impact on my community. In conclusion, volunteering has changed my mindset for the better and has taught me the importance of giving back to my community. Painting the mural on the side of the pharmacy was a particularly transformative experience for me, as it showed me the power of art to bring people together and make a positive impact. This scholarship would be incredibly beneficial to me as it would allow me to continue volunteering and making a difference in my community. Thank you for your consideration and I am the lucky winner of this scholarship!

Throughout my life challenges have been present. I have learned that all challenges I have and will face will make me stronger. Growing up by a single parent had been hard but she’s the best thing I could ever ask for. Regardless of the challenges, I was taught to face them head on because doing so would held me become better able to take care of myself in the future. I have become more creative because challenges have forced me to think of better ways to approach situations. Faces challenges has also kept me humble. I have always been taught to never think too highly of myself because I don't know everything. I know I will make mistakes, but the approach to overcoming life's challenges with positivity has made me proud of accomplishments. The relationship I have with my family has enriched my life. I believe a family that prays though the good and not so good times can overcome any mountains put in their way. My family nas been such a great support system for me. The training I have had from my family has made and will continue to make me a stronger voung man when I soon will soon be on my own. My vision for making the world a better place simply involves helping others who are less fortunate see the potention in themselves to be great! Life is more than what I have. Spreading cheer in my community so others will see it is important to love where you are. In doing so, litter will decrease. more community involvmeent would happen to keep our envirmonment clearer. Being happy is important. One of my most accomplished projects was a mural I assisted with, this summer. I volunteered to assist with the mural because I wanted to make a difference in my community. My community is going down and I thought to bring my cheer, the mural would be great. The mural is located on Main Street, on the side of Meador’s Pharmacy. It took us about a month in the heat to complete it but every second was worth it. Since the mural has been up, the community has enjoyed every bit of it. There was a dedication ceremony to the mural also. The mural was dedicated to the owner of Meador’s Pharmacy. Even though, I have done many other community acts such as, assist with feeding during community events and teaching kids how the importance of an education, the mural has to be by biggest project. Kindness can be shown in many ways that don’t even have to be huge, but we need to practice helping others often because you never know what someone is going through.

Throughout my life challenges have been present. I have learned that all challenges I have and will face will make me stronger. Regardless of the challenges, I was taught to face them head on because doing so would held me become better able to take care of myself in the future. I have become more creative because challenges have forced me to think of better ways to approach situations. Faces challenges has also kept me humble. I have always been taught to never think too highly of myself because I don't know everything. I know I will make mistakes, but the approach to overcoming life's challenges with positivity has made me proud of accomplishments. The relationship I have with my family has enriched my life. I believe a family that prays though the good and not so good times can overcome any mountains put in their way. My family nas been such a great support system for me. The training I have had from my family has made and will continue to make me a stronger voung man when I soon will soon be on my own. My vision for making the world a better place simply involves helping others who are less fortunate see the potention in themselves to be great! Life is more than what I have. Spreading cheer in my community so others will see it is important to love where you are. In doing so, litter will decrease. more community involvmeent would happen to keep our envirmonment clearer. Being happy is important. One of my most accomplished projects was a mural I assisted with, this summer. I volunteered to assist with the mural because I wanted to make a difference in my community. My community is going down and I thought to bring my cheer, the mural would be great. The mural is located on Main Street, on the side of Meador’s Pharmacy. It took us about a month in the heat to complete it but every second was worth it. Since the mural has been up, the community has enjoyed every bit of it. There was a dedication ceremony to the mural also. The mural was dedicated to the owner of Meador’s Pharmacy. Even though, I have done many other community acts such as, assist with feeding during community events and teaching kids how the importance of an education, the mural has to be by biggest project. Kindness can be shown in many ways that don’t even have to be huge, but we need to practice helping others often because you never know what someone is going through.

Throughout my life challenges have been present. I have learned that all challenges I have and will face will make me stronger. Regardless of the challenges, I was taught to face them head on because doing so would held me become better able to take care of myself in the future. I have become more creative because challenges have forced me to think of better ways to approach situations. Faces challenges has also kept me humble. I have always been taught to never think too highly of myself because I don't know everything. I know I will make mistakes, but the approach to overcoming life's challenges with positivity has made me proud of accomplishments. The relationship I have with my family has enriched my life. I believe a family that prays though the good and not so good times can overcome any mountains put in their way. My family nas been such a great support system for me. The training I have had from my family has made and will continue to make me a stronger voung man when I soon will soon be on my own. My vision for making the world a better place simply involves helping others who are less fortunate see the potention in themselves to be great! Life is more than what I have. Spreading cheer in my community so others will see it is important to love where you are. In doing so, litter will decrease. more community involvmeent would happen to keep our envirmonment clearer. Being happy is important. One of my most accomplished projects was a mural I assisted with, this summer. I volunteered to assist with the mural because I wanted to make a difference in my community. My community is going down and I thought to bring my cheer, the mural would be great. The mural is located on Main Street, on the side of Meador’s Pharmacy. It took us about a month in the heat to complete it but every second was worth it. Since the mural has been up, the community has enjoyed every bit of it. There was a dedication ceremony to the mural also. The mural was dedicated to the owner of Meador’s Pharmacy. Even though, I have done many other community acts such as, assist with feeding during community events and teaching kids how the importance of an education, the mural has to be by biggest project. Kindness can be shown in many ways that don’t even have to be huge, but we need to practice helping others often because you never know what someone is going through.

Throughout my life challenges have been present. I have learned that all challenges I have and will face will make me stronger. Regardless of the challenges, I was taught to face them head on because doing so would held me become better able to take care of myself in the future. I have become more creative because challenges have forced me to think of better ways to approach situations. Faces challenges has also kept me humble. I have always been taught to never think too highly of myself because I don't know everything. I know I will make mistakes, but the approach to overcoming life's challenges with positivity has made me proud of accomplishments. The relationship I have with my family has enriched my life. I believe a family that prays though the good and not so good times can overcome any mountains put in their way. My family nas been such a great support system for me. The training I have had from my family has made and will continue to make me a stronger voung man when I soon will soon be on my own. My vision for making the world a better place simply involves helping others who are less fortunate see the potention in themselves to be great! Life is more than what I have. Spreading cheer in my community so others will see it is important to love where you are. In doing so, litter will decrease. more community involvmeent would happen to keep our envirmonment clearer. Being happy is important. One of my most accomplished projects was a mural I assisted with, this summer. I volunteered to assist with the mural because I wanted to make a difference in my community. My community is going down and I thought to bring my cheer, the mural would be great. The mural is located on Main Street, on the side of Meador’s Pharmacy. It took us about a month in the heat to complete it but every second was worth it. Since the mural has been up, the community has enjoyed every bit of it. There was a dedication ceremony to the mural also. The mural was dedicated to the owner of Meador’s Pharmacy. Even though, I have done many other community acts such as, assist with feeding during community events and teaching kids how the importance of an education, the mural has to be by biggest project. Kindness can be shown in many ways that don’t even have to be huge, but we need to practice helping others often because you never know what someone is going through.

Throughout my life challenges have been present. I have learned that all challenges I have and will face will make me stronger. Regardless of the challenges, I was taught to face them head on because doing so would held me become better able to take care of myself in the future. I have become more creative because challenges have forced me to think of better ways to approach situations. Faces challenges has also kept me humble. I have always been taught to never think too highly of myself because I don't know everything. I know I will make mistakes, but the approach to overcoming life's challenges with positivity has made me proud of accomplishments. The relationship I have with my family has enriched my life. I believe a family that prays though the good and not so good times can overcome any mountains put in their way. My family nas been such a great support system for me. The training I have had from my family has made and will continue to make me a stronger voung man when I soon will soon be on my own. My vision for making the world a better place simply involves helping others who are less fortunate see the potention in themselves to be great! Life is more than what I have. Spreading cheer in my community so others will see it is important to love where you are. In doing so, litter will decrease. more community involvmeent would happen to keep our envirmonment clearer. Being happy is important. One of my most accomplished projects was a mural I assisted with, this summer. I volunteered to assist with the mural because I wanted to make a difference in my community. My community is going down and I thought to bring my cheer, the mural would be great. The mural is located on Main Street, on the side of Meador’s Pharmacy. It took us about a month in the heat to complete it but every second was worth it. Since the mural has been up, the community has enjoyed every bit of it. There was a dedication ceremony to the mural also. The mural was dedicated to the owner of Meador’s Pharmacy. Even though, I have done many other community acts such as, assist with feeding during community events and teaching kids how the importance of an education, the mural has to be by biggest project. Kindness can be shown in many ways that don’t even have to be huge, but we need to practice helping others often because you never know what someone is going through.

I look forward to the future as a college student, being a recipient of the Jaquan Webb Scholarship would assist me with the opportunity of achieving my goal of obtaining an educational degree by lessening the financial burden for my family. This scholarship would also help eliminate student loans while working towards my college degree as I have been raised in a single-parent home. My education goals are to earn my bachelor's degree in kinesiology in hopes of preparing other individuals to improve their health and fitness to get in shape and live healthier lives. I would continue my education while working towards obtaining experience to make my courses more meaningful. My plan would be to continue college while working towards my master's degree to become a physical therapist. I have a dream to return to Southeast Arkansas to assist patients and students in schools with understanding what happens to the body during exercise and how to relieve symptoms or pain during physical practice. My ultimate dream would be to return to the area where I received my start and work for an organization and eventually open my private practice. Many move away and never return unless visiting. This would be a way for me to give back in an area that has limited resources in hospitals, schools and outpatient clinics. Due to having limited resources in Southeast Arkansas, I have had to overcome adversities. I grew up in a single-parent home where my mom worked to provide what she could for me until she obtained her degree to gain a better job. She provided academic and mental support as best as she could. Oftentimes, she would leave work and take me places such as the park or any extracurricular environment to make sure I had experiences like other kids. As I reflect on those times, she was often the only mom present while other kids had their dads. Those experiences are ones I will cherish because they taught me independence and to be positive while constantly working toward a goal. Living in the Delta has also taught me to never give up on my dreams because of what surrounds me. The area is limited in resources such as retail and extracurriculars, so my mom traveled to places with me like baseball facilities and camps to keep me exposed to those things that would make me a better student and athlete. I know my life is as God planned. So I make the best of what I have. I believe that applying for scholarships such as this one will only make things better for me in the future. My experiences will make me stronger and increase my motivation to never give up. Because of my training, in five years, I can see myself having successfully finished college and working toward my second degree.

As I look forward to the future as a college student, being a recipient of the Joan Free Thompson Scholarship would assist me with the opportunity of achieving my goal of obtaining an educational degree by lessening the financial burden for my family. This scholarship would also help eliminate student loans while working towards my college degree as I have been raised in a single-parent home. My education goals are to earn my bachelor's degree in kinesiology in hopes of preparing other individuals to improve their health and fitness to get in shape and live healthier lives. I would continue my education while working towards obtaining experience to make my courses more meaningful. My plan would be to continue college while working towards my master's degree to become a physical therapist. I have a dream to return to Southeast Arkansas to assist patients and students in schools with understanding what happens to the body during exercise and how to relieve symptoms or pain during physical practice. My ultimate dream would be to return to the area where I received my start and work for an organization and eventually open my private practice. This would be a way for me to give back in an area that has limited resources in hospitals, schools and outpatient clinics. I believe that applying for scholarships such as this one will only make things better for me in the future.

As I look forward to the future as a college student, being a recipient of the Lewis Ohana Scholarship would assist me with the opportunity of achieving my goal of obtaining an educational degree by lessening the financial burden for my family. This scholarship would also help eliminate student loans while working towards my college degree as I have been raised in a single-parent home. My education goals are to earn my bachelor's degree in kinesiology in hopes of preparing other individuals to improve their health and fitness to get in shape and live healthier lives. I would continue my education while working towards obtaining experience to make my courses more meaningful. My plan would be to continue college while working towards my master's degree to become a physical therapist. I have a dream to return to Southeast Arkansas to assist patients and students in schools with understanding what happens to the body during exercise and how to relieve symptoms or pain during physical practice. My ultimate dream would be to return to the area where I received my start and work for an organization and eventually open my private practice. Many move away and never return unless visiting. This would be a way for me to give back in an area that has limited resources in hospitals, schools and outpatient clinics. Due to having limited resources in Southeast Arkansas, I have had to overcome adversities. I grew up in a single-parent home where my mom worked to provide what she could for me until she obtained her degree to gain a better job. She provided academic and mental support as best as she could. Oftentimes, she would leave work and take me places such as the park or any extracurricular environment to make sure I had experiences like other kids. As I reflect on those times, she was often the only mom present while other kids had their dads. Those experiences are ones I will cherish because they taught me independence and to be positive while constantly working toward a goal. Living in the Delta has also taught me to never give up on my dreams because of what surrounds me. The area is limited in resources such as retail and extracurriculars, so my mom traveled to places with me like baseball facilities and camps to keep me exposed to those things that would make me a better student and athlete. I know my life is as God planned. So I make the best of what I have. I believe that applying for scholarships such as this one will only make things better for me in the future. My experiences will make me stronger and increase my motivation to never give up. Because of my training, in five years, I can see myself having successfully finished college and working toward my second degree.