This piece is titled, "Chicarus". I created this art piece during my Fall semester in college Art class, and I wanted to create a media photo collage. I received hundreds of vintage issues of LIFE magazine and decided these images would be perfect to highlight the times, while highlighting the repeating American History. This piece was also created during COVID-19, and most importantly is dedicated to my brother who is incarcerated, and my brothers' childhood friend Chicarus Vickers who was murdered by a hate crime in West Texas. This piece is a visual of American Life as we know it today and in decades before. I wanted to to highlight controversial issues, and even conspiracy theories such as corruption and sex-trafficking within the government. This piece speaks to the nuclear family, and the Conservative depiction of the Cowboy who is often viewed as a hero in American storytelling. Feminism, Racism, and Sexism are seen in the art piece as well. Thank you for your time and considering my scholarship application. I have always loved Art, and have created it in many forms.

From the time I was six years old, my brother and I had already become familiar with the fear that domestic violence brings into the home. One of my earliest memories in that old house was when I had been awakened in the middle of the night after hearing glass shatter to the floor. Quietly sneaking around the corner, I found my mom sitting on the bathroom floor holding her bleeding hand; my mom's boyfriend had taken her fist and slammed it into the bathroom mirror. I hated that old, crooked house; it would sit right in the middle of the southside of town, and my window faced directly towards an old cemetery. During those times, I felt scared that one day my mom would be in this exact cemetery; I begged her for us to leave, and finally we did when he was away at work. With a lifetime of domestic violence, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, and the wearing of the circumstances of poverty I decided that i wanted to become an attorney. I would not only pursue a career that would allow me to be a voice for those who do not have one. These factors have influenced not only women of color but men of color as well, and many times this has become underlining factors within the psychology of the brain that results in crime. It is important for the judicial system to take in account these factors more carefully, and not just present these factors during the mitigation phase during sentencing but during the actual trial. Many time factors of domestic violence or substance abuse are only presented after the fact. It is important for individuals to know the true impact that domestic violence and substance abuse has on brain development from the time you are a child, and how it follows you through your adult life. Most importantly within the judicial system, and by doing so, I believe true empathy and understanding can be found; that all life is precious, and all life is worth true justice. Thank you for taking this time to read my application. I hope that I have touched your heart today, and you will consider me for this scholarship. It would be a blessing for not only myself, but my children; so that I may obtain my degree and continue to break generational curses such as domestic violence, poverty, and underrepresentation.

An important life lesson is the importance of self-love, and what it has taught me is that confidence doesn't come from how many friends you have nor how many likes your posts get on social media; self-love allows you to be who you truly are, and this allows you to see your worth and how much you are valued to those who truly love you. In the future, I hope to obtain my JD to be an attorney. Law school is hard, and while studying for the LSAT and preparing your applications can be a daunting process. You can experience feelings of what we call, "imposter syndrome"; questions flood your mind like, "Am I good enough to be a lawyer?" " I don't think that I am qualified enough." But, by using this lesson of self-love I am able to push the self-doubt out of mind. Self-love has allowed me to be consciously aware of the negativity I feed into my own mind; by changing my mind set and taking " the wheel", I have realized that I am in control of my life. I can either tell myself I am not good enough, and dwell in self-pity or I can love myself enough to know that these are lies, and I am more than enough because I believe I am. This lesson has made my stronger as a person in life, because I no longer like for validation from others; family, friends, classmates, and society. I no longer hold my circumstances, and compare them to others circumstances. I can see the value in myself, and if I don't see the value in myself how can anyone else? Self-love is so important to me today, and after living my life too long trying to receive love from individuals who truly didn't care about me, my well-being, my feelings, or my battles; I now know that it is up to me, to love me, no one else. Thank you so much for this opportunity to apply for the William M. DeSantis Sr. Scholarship. I hope that I have touched your heart today, and I would really appreciate receiving this scholarship to help eliminate any financial barriers I am facing the last semesters of pursuing my degree. Thank you for your time.

My career goals are to pursue law school after I obtain my degree in Psychology with a minor in Political Science. I would like to work on post-conviction cases; my dream job would be an attorney for the Innocence Project of Texas. This scholarship would help me to complete my undergraduates degree, and would ease my mind as to how I will pay for the end of my college journey while working full-time and being a wife and mom. If I were to get this scholarship, it will allow me to reach my goal faster; I can establish a plan to execute my law school plans as it is a tedious process. Most importantly, I want to win this scholarship so the next time my daughter asks me if I received the scholarship, I can tell her, yes. To see the look on her face of pride for her Mom, and engraved in her mind that she can do anything she sets her mind too. That is my main goal in life, to give my children all of the opportunities that those before them never had; that they will see through hard-work, dedication, perseverance, pain, sweat, tears, expression, empathy, and compassion. Anything is possible. Thank you for your time, and I hope you consider me for this scholarship. I’m almost to the finish line.

Addiction is a common word in my life. I was once an addict, and the lowest I had ever felt was when I was addicted to drugs. Not only was I an addict, but my friends were also; as a teenager most would think that it was just kids being kids, experimenting. Addiction followed us for many years after high school though, and some of my best friends are struggling now and today. Addiction was like being on a cloud most days. You feel fuzzy and warm, until you come down and you can't remember why you're lying naked in a strange bed, bleeding from your private area, ashamed. While I was addicted to drugs this happened often to me. I would wake up not knowing where I was or what I had done. An instant regret, but an instant need to keep forgetting yet again, what I had done while I was on drugs. It was feeding the emptiness that I had felt for so long, a mask that I could hide behind so that I didn't have to face the harsh reality of my life. Today, I am clean and sober. After I had my oldest son, I knew that I had to make a change for him. I think he was the "drug" I was waiting for all my life. His hugs and kisses, the I love yous' have become my new drug. My life has changed in such a drastic way in which I am able to pursue my college journey and raise my three children with my husband. I have been able to hear my true calling. without all of the distortion and misconceptions that drugs gave me of myself. I would like to use my education in Psychology to become a lawyer who represents those who have been sentenced to Death Row or those who have long prison sentences. It is important that in our judicial system today understands the psychological components that play a role in crime and addiction. I hope that I can shed light and make a difference in the criminal justice system in Texas regarding addiction.

Many individuals in today's society are skipping college and entering the workforce immediately after graduating. College isn't for everyone, but anyone can go to college and that is a great thing. The reasons to attend college are plenty but here are just a few; the possibility for financial stability while in college and after graduation, more job opportunities in the workforce, and the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals that are working towards a common goal. Many individuals decide they would like to pursue college, because of the amount they can make after they obtain a degree. This is absolutely true, but if you're worried about during college there are grants, scholarships, and loans that can help tremendously during your college journey. It is difficult to work and attend school full-time, so the process of filling out Financial Aid can be a life changer for some. After you graduate, you will be able to have more job opportunities with a degree. Most degree can be used in pretty much any profession, and what helps is that your salary will be based off of your education background. With a degree you will have invested in yourself and will see the payback soon after graduating from college. Whether you are able to live on campus or take classes online, you will be able to meet new people and may even gain a support system to help you navigate your way through school Your professors, classmates, and other faculty can develop into life-long friendships and connections to help with future endeavors. College is a great place to set goals of financial stability for your future, be versatile in your job opportunities, and connect with people who may become a life- long contact or support system.

Being bi-racial in a South Texas rural town has been only one of the challenges I have had to overcome throughout my life. Not only was I bi-racial in appearance, I grew up being told that I was full Hispanic. This was a challenge for me growing up when kids would ask me why my Mom was so light in skin color, and why I was so dark. It was a challenge when my friends would ask me about my father, so being ashamed of not knowing; I would make up this story as to who my father was, a pigmentation of my imagination as to what my father would be like if I had him around. As time went on, it wasn't something I thought much of anymore but I only knew was that in the eyes of some I wouldn't ever be Black enough or Hispanic enough. The most challenging thing I have ever went through was the day my little brother was sentenced to Life in Prison. This was not only challenging, but extremely painful to go through. This was something that I could never escape in my small home town, because when people see me; they see my brother and the crime he was convicted for. When they see me often, they turn their heads to avoid me or they smirk; Although I wasn't the person that was accused of the crime committed I am often stigmatized by my community. For these reasons, I have decided to use my education to enter law school in the state of Texas. My hopes are to help individuals who are on Death Row or have extremely long sentences that maintain claims of innocence. Through my advocacy and my experience, it is unfortunate that those who are Hispanic or Black are often convicted at a higher rate than any other race. These individuals are often poor and indigent and can not afford legal representation other than Public Defender who is often overworked and lacking the resources needed. I hope that I can help those who have been in the same predicament as my family and my brother; that I can use my education to advocate and educate the American society of the many issues within our judicial system. One day that I may sit aside legislators, advocates, and families who are impacted everyday by the criminal justice system. I truly hope that I get this scholarship, as it would not only benefit myself but the future of my three children.

I decided to began my degree in my late 20's, and after having my two oldest children. I never imagined going back to school, as my dream was to work at a successful dance studio. With that being said, the advice that I would give myself as an incoming freshman would be that it is never too late to pursue your dream career. With hardwork, consistency, and dedication to your studies; the opportunities are endless. As I mentioned, I am not only a college senior but a mother and wife too. Throughout my college experience I've had to balance and juggle family, work, and my studies. There were times when I wanted to give up, and throw in the towel. I was convinced that I may not have what it takes to go back to school and pursue a career in Law; one day I decided that instead of not believeing in myself and accepting that I would not be the all A student given my circumstances, that I would work harder to make sure that I succeeded in my new journey as a college student. It was up to me to show my children that no matter your age, your setbacks, or failures that you can change your life for a better outcome. I still remember the hotness of the heat on my face, and the anxiety in my stomach. I asked myself, "Am I good enough?" Coming from a small community where it was difficult to fit in and be understood, because I was biracial had left me asking myself this often. Questioning my ability to be the best I could be was something familiar, as I was always the odd one out, or stereotyped for my outer appearance. When I stepped foot on to campus the first day of my Fall semester, I was astonished at the diversity of my campus.Not just in the student body, but the faculty as well. I looked around at the different ages and backgrounds of my colleagues and instantly became inspired; if they could do it, so could I. Diversity has affected my college experience drastically, because it has allowed me to work and be willing to understand lifestyles unfamiliar to me. It allowed me to be more understanding and empathetic to others who are different. Most importantly, it has made me proud of who I am; not just my race, but the person I aspired to be. It is important for me to graduate college to provide my children with the opportunities that I didn't have as an adolescent. Above all, they are my legacy. They are the future of my genetic imprint, and they are destined to be great. By graduating college it would allow me to be financially stable allowing for me to provide them with the best opportunities in the world. It is also important that I graduate, because I would like to pursue law school to work for the Innocence Project. My father and brother are incarcarated, and I am passionate about helping not only those who have been convicted wrongfully; those inmates that have changed their lives around, and deserve a second chance at life on the outside with their families. This wasn't my plan. Life happened and my life changed, but I had to have the willingness to put my own insecurities and doubts behind me. I had to pick myself up, and tell myself that I am destined for greatness; I am destined to break the generational cycles that have burdened my family. I am destined to be a leader in my community and most importantly in my home, to my children.