Ever since I could remember, my mom and I were always inseparable. My earliest memories were of us doing nearly everything together. Those memories remind me of the strong bond between me and my mom. However, those memories also remind me of my dad and how he was rarely present during those times. During those times, my dad seemed like someone who I barely knew, rather than someone I could connect to. During those years, the bond between me and my dad seemed to wither due to him being incarcerated in prison for more than a decade. My father’s incarceration is a topic that I don’t remember being discussed even after he got out. Even to this day, I still don’t know how to ask him about his past. I’m not sure that I’ll ever be ready. To this day, I can still see that his past affects him and those around him—including me. The world labels my dad as a felon. However, I know him to be my dad. Someone who has loved me since the moment he heard my tiny voice through the phone. My dad is someone who has taught me a powerful lesson about turning one’s tumultuous past into something meaningful. Despite his past, my father has persevered through his own battles and has made a positive impact within his community. When I was getting bullied in elementary school, it was my dad who spoke to the principal to find a solution. As a result, my dad created his own mentorship program at my school for kids who were also facing trouble in school. As the years went on, my dad continued to prove to me that one’s past does not define them. Through his accomplishments, I began to view my dad in a new light. Where he was once someone who I felt disconnected from, he is now someone who I look up to and admire. Now in college, I continue to apply the lessons my dad has taught me in nearly every aspect of who I am, including my identity as a first-generation student. Being the first in my family to attend college is anything but easy. Oftentimes, I feel lost and confused with no clue how to navigate through college. However, seeing my father breakthrough his former challenges gives me the strength I need to devote all my focus to my studies despite any hint of self-doubt that might begin to creep to the surface. In the future, I hope to honor my father by being the first in my family to earn a college degree and go into a career that allows me to work with underrepresented communities so that I may use my skills to help bring about change. Ultimately, never in a million years did I think anything good could come from my dad’s incarceration. However, I was wrong. My dad’s incarceration has taught me the most important lesson of all. It has taught me that the challenges I face shouldn’t keep me from succeeding. The challenges that I have faced and will face in the future are not a measurement of my self-worth. The challenges in front of me are opportunities to make dark situations into something beautiful and worth fighting for.

Being a first-generation student apart of a minority community in not easy. I had a lot to brace myself for. However, I mostly had to prepare myself mentally for my new journey. As a first-generation student, it often feels as if I hold the heavy expectations of my family on my shoulders. Furthermore, being the first in my family to go to college made me feel lost and confused. It is safe to say that my perspective on being a first-generation was one filled with uncertainty and confusion. However, over time, I’m glad to say that my perspective about my identity began to change for the better. Of course, when you’re a first-generation student, your time in college will be filled with many obstacles. This was something that I have come to accept and it has ultimately changed my perspective on what it means to be a first-generation student. Now, in my second year in college, I’m well aware of the many challenges that lie ahead of me. However, I have come to realize that those very same challenges will ultimately help shape the person that I will eventually become in this world. I have come to realize that my place in the world as a first-generation student may not be so clear cut. Instead, as the first person in my family to pursue a college degree, I have the unique mission of carving out my path and place within this world despite the challenges that come with my identity.

Within my family, I am the first to attend college. Growing up, my parents preached to me that college would be the doorway to success for me. I come from two Samoan parents that never had the opportunity to go to college. As a child, they made sure that I performed my best in school. I still remember bringing home my report cards and seeing their faces light up when they saw I got A's and B's. Back then, I never understood why my academic performance was such a big deal to them. However, now that I'm a little older now, I now understand that they believed education was my ticket out. A ticket out of a life filled with long hours at work. A life marked by just enough income to pay the bills and put food on the table. A life plagued with the feeling of not knowing if there will be any presents under the Christmas tree for their son once the holiday season rolls around. This is the life both my parents are all too familiar with. This is the life they didn't want their son to be stuck with. To put it quite simply, from an early age, I knew that pursuing higher education was the next step after high school graduation, even if it meant that I would be the first one in my family to do so. Being a first-generation student is anything but easy. I had a lot to prepare and brace myself for. Some of those things were how to fund my education, how I was going to cope with being hundreds of miles away from home, and how I was going to adjust being in a completely new environment. These are just some of the typical things that all incoming first-year students think about, but especially first-generation students. However, I mostly had to prepare myself mentally for my new journey as a first-generation student. As a first-generation student, it often feels as if I hold the heavy expectations of my family on my shoulders. My parents sacrificed so much to send me off to college and I do not want to let them down. Often, it feels as if I always have to perform at my best in order to prove that I can navigate my way through college without failure. Most of the time, I often feel the need to shield myself from any potential disappointment if I deliver anything but perfection. However, when you’re a first-generation student, your time in college will be filled with obstacles. You have to get familiar with those very same obstacles and get used to feeling lost or confused. This simple fact was something I was not prepared for initially, but it was something that I have come to accept. Now, in my second year in college, I’m well aware of the challenges that lie ahead of me. However, I have come to realize that those same challenges will help shape the person that I will eventually become. Being a first-generation student isn't all too scary, if you just embrace the challenges that lie ahead with a spirit of determination.

Within my family, I am the first person to attend college. Growing up, my parents preached to me that college would be the doorway to success for me. I come from two first-generation Samoan parents that never had the opportunity to go to college, so they were ecstatic when they found out that their only child had the privilege to go to college and pursue a higher education. However, I was made aware that by going to college I would be among the very few Pacific Islanders on my campus due to the lack of representation of us in forms of higher education. However, I didn’t let that discourage me from investing in not only my future, but also the future of my family. By going to college and obtaining my degree as a first-generation student, I want to be a representative for other Pacific Islanders that, despite your cultural background, getting your degree is indeed possible. Being the first in my family to obtain a college-level degree means I have the opportunity to carry my Samoan heritage in spaces where we lack numbers and show the world that we will not be deterred from our goals and dreams despite where we come from. I have chosen to pursue higher education to go against the stereotypes that plague the Samoan community and to pursue what I’m passionate about. In college, I'm currently pursuing art history with the goal of obtaining a Master’s in museum studies. In school, I’ve always gravitated towards art and the historical context behind it. While in college, I want to pursue this passion and see where it takes me. However, many people have the belief that pursing a degree in the arts is essentially useless. I’ve been told that I should instead study computer science, psychology, engineering, biology, and other fields of study that are known to bring in great income. However, despite this notion, I believe that pursing the areas that I’m passionate about is much more worthwhile than pursuing something that I feel no connection with. In the future, I see myself working in a museum as a curator, helping organize exhibits and overseeing museum collections. Furthermore, I believe pursuing this passion in the arts will not only benefit me in the long run, but I am also sure that it will have a positive impact on my community. In pursuing my college degree and working towards my long-term goals, I want other Pacific Islanders to know that they can achieve anything they desire despite our cultural heritage. In short, this scholarship will not only help alleviate the financial burdens that come with higher education, but it will also help me achieve my long-terms goal of pursuing a Master's in museum studies. As a low-income first-generation student, I often have to grapple with the pressure of being the first in my family to pursue a college degree as well as the constant feeling of anxiousness about how to fund my education. However, with this scholarship, I will be able to devote my time to my studies and my goals so that I may build a better life for myself and my family.

Growing up, I was always used to being the only Samoan in my classes. This came as no surprise considering that I grew up in San Antonio, Texas, which boasts a large Hispanic population. Nonetheless, my parents always made sure that I was aware of my Samoan heritage and to always wear it with pride wherever I went. However, this was difficult to do when I hardly saw any representation of my culture anywhere I looked. Despite this, from an early age, I took this as an opportunity to adapt to my surroundings and to try my best to connect with those around me. My feeling of isolation quickly turned into one of pure determination to cultivate bonds with those who were different from me. This skill of seeing beyond cultural differences and building genuine relationships with others is one that I have carried well into my undergraduate journey. Currently, I attend Soka University of America in southern California. At my university, the number of students who are international vastly outweighs the number of domestic students. As a result, I have had the opportunity to meet people from almost every corner of the globe. At first, this was a bit challenging, as I had to hurdle through both cultural and language barriers. I remember the feeling of isolation starting to creep up again, as it was difficult to connect with those around me. However, I also came to the realization that the students who were not from the U.S. must have been experiencing this same feeling of isolation. Adjusting and going to school in a whole new different country must've been difficult for them. With this in mind, I made it my goal to connect with my peers and spread compassion wherever I went. Even though I am still one of the few Pacific Islanders that attend my university, I haven't let that fact deter me from using my skills centered around compassion and seeing beyond differences in order to construct a more empathetic and understanding global community. In today's society, we are laser-focused on the things that make us different, which ultimately divide us. Far too often do we hear and see instances in the media of pure hatred towards others. In the long run, this will only help build a global community filled with prejudice and ignorance. However, I believe in the importance of extending compassion and empathy to the people around us, especially to those who may seem different on the surface. To conclude, as a minority student, I understand all too well the issue of lacking representation due to my cultural differences. However, I want to be a part of change within this world. I want to help foster spaces where those who feel underrepresented have the opportunity to speak freely without fear of isolation. This may seem like a hefty goal to strive towards, but I want to start small on my campus where I can be that empathetic and compassionate individual that makes those around me feel understood and seen despite their differences. This scholarship will not only aid in the financial stress that comes with higher education, but it will also help me focus on becoming a global citizen that sees beyond differences and spreads empathy and compassion wherever I go.

I was 40,000 feet in the air and on my way to the university that I had been accepted into earlier that spring. I experienced a variety of emotions during that moment. The feelings of anxiety and excitement seemed to run rampant in my heart because I was not sure how my first semester of college would go. However, I knew one thing was for certain I knew that I was a first gen Samoan student, and it took some time for me to uphold that identity with great pride. Within my family, I am the first person to attend college. Growing up, my parents preached to me that college would be the doorway to success for me. I come from two first generation Samoan parents that never had the opportunity to go to college, so they were ecstatic when they found out that their only child had the privilege to go to college and pursue a higher education. However, I was made aware that by going to college I would be among the very few Pacific Islanders on my campus due to the lack of representation of us in forms of higher education. For most people, the reason behind going to college and getting their degree is different depending on the person. For some going to college means going through the typical college experience like meeting new people, embarking on a self-discovery journey, or finding what they are truly passionate about. Of course, being the first in my family to attend college and obtain a degree can be summed up by the typical college experience. However, my reason for obtaining a college degree is something that is very meaning to me. By going to college and obtaining my degree as a first-generation student, I want to be a representative for other Pacific Islanders that despite your cultural background getting your degree is indeed possible. Being the first in my family to obtain a college level degree, means I have the opportunity to carry my Samoan heritage in spaces where we lack numbers and show the world that we will not be deterred from our goals and dreams despite where we come from.

For most people my age, we were told by society that going to college after high school would guarantee us success in the future. Everyone around me including my family echoed this notion and preached that a college education would open doors that would eventually lead to success later in my life. With this belief engrained in my mind, I went through high school firmly determined to attend college after I had graduated. Despite my determination, I knew that my journey to college would be a difficult one. Growing up, I was well aware of the significant cost that came with college. As for many low-income students, I knew that going to college would be a long shot. I knew that any financial support from my family would be limited and that I would have to rely on significant financial aid, scholarships, and even student loans. Despite my knowledge of the hefty price tag that came with a college education, I was determined to be the first in my family to obtain a college degree so that I could make a change in my family and set myself up for success in the future. Now, as a college freshman, me and my family’s financial situation has affected my ability to devote all my time to my studies. During my first fall semester, I experienced what it felt like to come from a low-income family. I was notified that I had an outstanding tuition payment and if me or my family were unable to pay it, I would have to unenroll. After being notified, I began to panic and couldn’t help but feel like a failure. It was as if my goal of getting a degree to help change the trajectory of my life was slowly slipping away. Not being able to cover the remaining amount of my tuition has made me realize that the dreams and goals of many low-income students are often determined if they can afford college or not. Eventually me and my family solved this issue with the little money we had. However, that experience made me realize that experiences such as the one I went through are far too common for low-income students such as myself. I now go about my days not knowing if I will be able to afford my future semesters. However, my goal of graduating to ensure my future success is enough to keep me motivated while in college. This scholarship will not only help alleviate the financial stress that currently lingers within me and my family, but it will also help me achieve my goal of going into a career that will allow me to work with underrepresented communities to advocate and bring awareness to the issues that they face. As a Pacific Islander, I acknowledge the fact that me and my people often lack representation within most aspects of life and society. Nevertheless, I am now currently trying to organize a Pacific Islander group on my campus. With this I hope to educate my fellow peers on Pasifika culture and shed light on the issues that my community currently faces. My cultural background and the issue of under representation that comes with it, has given way to my goal of giving a voice to people who aren’t often heard by society. We live in a society that excludes those who belong to minority groups. However, I am confident that my goal of working with those who have fallen victim to this harsh reality, will encourage others to find ways to be a voice for those who deserve to be heard.

As people, we all crave a place in this world. We all search for a sense of identity that will make us visible to others, but also a sense of identity that will result in a feeling of self-assurance within ourselves. For myself, I believe that there are many parts that make up my identity. Although I cherish each part of my identity, my identity as a first-generation Pacific Islander student is one that I hold close to my heart, as it has remained a constant piece of myself throughout my personal and educational journey.  Growing up, my parents stressed the importance of education. As a result, I strived for perfection. These expectations stayed with me all throughout my academic years. However, during my senior year of high school, I began to have doubts about the educational journey that lay ahead. Before coming to college, I realized that I was going to be the first in my family to pursue a college degree. Although I am proud to represent my family while in college, being a first-generation student has given me my fair share of doubt. Sometimes I feel unequipped compared to the rest of my peers. However, over the course of my freshman year, I have learned that being a first-generation student is just another part of my identity. It is a piece of who I am that I have chosen to uphold with great conviction. Most importantly, my identity as a Pacific Islander has played a pivotal role in my own personal journey. Growing up, I knew that being a Pacific Islander meant that I had to grapple with issues of underrepresentation. I still remember the times when I was the only Pacific Islander in my school and saw little to no representation in the mainstream media. This issue within my community is also prevalent in the world of higher education. For most of us Pacific Islanders, going to college is something that is often unheard of. This is due to a lack of resources, family obligations, and financial hardships. However, being a college student who is a Pacific Islander has helped me realize that anything is possible, regardless of your background. In the future, I want other people within marginalized communities to embrace their identities and strive to accomplish their dreams. Ultimately, this scholarship will help lessen the financial burden that comes with attending college. Although my vision for the future is still not clear, I have a rough idea of what I hope to accomplish after college. Through pursuing a bachelor’s, I want to go into a career where I can give back to people. I want to give back to my own Pacific Islander community and other various communities by formulating bonds based on mutual respect and understanding of each other’s differences. In the end, I’m certain that this scholarship will allow me to devote all my time to making my dreams, which I once thought were inconceivable, a meaningful reality for me.

When I think of the word leader, personal traits such as being driven, passionate, and sympathetic appear in my mind. To me, leaders listen to the needs of others and find ways to make everyone feel included. However, I never thought of myself as a leader. I was always shy and preferred to be in the background rather than in the limelight. Whenever I picture a leader, I envision my mother and father. People who lead our family with a determined spirit. Despite their difficult pasts, my parents used their hardships to be a positive source of change within my life. However, when I reflected on myself, I began to doubt that I had leadership qualities or that I had the capacity to be such a driving force of positive change just like my parents were and still are. However, that all changed during my senior year of high school. Growing up, I always loved music. As such, I began to play the violin in the 6th grade. I still remember all the hours of torture I would put my parents through when I would practice after school. However, playing the violin was, and still is, something that I enjoy dearly. When I started high school, my skills improved, and I decided to join my school’s orchestra. After a while I was promoted to second-chair violin during my senior year. As the year went on, I was tasked with being the section leader for the first violins. My orchestra teacher informed me that I was responsible for helping lead and providing help to the members of my section. My shy and introverted nature naturally caused me to have second thoughts about this opportunity. However, I took this new role as an opportunity to prove myself wrong. I remember being frustrated as to why members of my section had difficulty playing their music. For such a long time, I was so used to only caring about my own progress that I didn’t realize that, as a leader, I would have to also extend that same care to others. With that in mind, I quickly realized that I needed to put my ego aside and have a sense of compassion if I wanted to be an effective leader and a source of positive change. With a new perspective, I began to provide help, often in small rehearsal sessions during and after school. I reminded myself that instead of criticizing my section members, I should instead do my best to understand and help them. As the year progressed, I formed bonds with my section members, and could see that my work had caused them blossom into confident musicians, and a sense of achievement began to well up in my heart. Looking back on that experience, I realize that a good leader isn’t one who blindly leads a group with their ego. A true leader is someone who helps those around them live up to their fullest potential. Through this experience, I was able to put the needs of others before mine and find ways to listen to others and work with them at their own pace. These are valuable qualities that make me a capable yet compassionate leader that strives be a source of positive in any space I may find myself in.

It was a perfect sunny day in Oahu to learn how to ride a bike. Although it was nearly 15 years ago, I still remember the day my father taught me how to ride a bike. Over the years, my father has been someone I have admired for his strength to persevere. Despite being raised in an abusive household, being incarcerated for a decade, and missing out on the earlier years of my life, he was still determined to be the best father he could be. However, as with anyone, my father isn’t a perfect person. My father has been battling his addiction to alcohol for nearly 7 years now. It was during his ongoing battle with his addiction that my relationship with him began to change. My father’s alcoholism started to worsen while I was in high school. My father would come home each night with a fifth of whiskey. His demeanor while drinking would drastically change. He would become loud and reckless, making it almost unbearable to be around him. Over time, my dad’s drinking caused issues to arise in his relationship with me and my mother. Each night, it was as if I didn’t recognize the man on the couch. My once lighthearted father had quickly morphed into someone who I began to resent. During the day, he was a hardworking man, but at night, he seemed to show a side of himself that I never knew existed. I began to resent my dad for the amount of stress and anxiety his addiction would cause. Each day I prayed that he would be given a wakeup call to finally realize what he had been doing for years wasn’t good for his health, both mentally and physically. Recently, in June of this year, that wakeup call finally came. Around midnight on a Saturday, my dad was short of breath and told me to drive home to the hospital. After what seemed like hours, the doctor told us that my father had a multitude of health problems, all of which were worsened by his alcohol addiction. For a whole week, my dad was hospitalized, and all the resentment I had towards him and his addiction seemed to fade away once I saw my dad lying in that hospital bed, needing a machine to breathe. I realized my feelings towards my father were indeed valid, but in that moment, my father didn’t need someone who had a heart full of hate. He needed a support system that could help guide him through his own battle with addiction.  From that moment on, I was determined to exhibit compassion and try to understand what my father was going through at my own pace. I can say that addiction has profoundly affected my relationship with my father and has added a new layer to our relationship. When I was once filled with hatred towards my father, I now see that I work every day to be the much-needed support that he needs and deserves throughout his battle with addiction. My father’s addiction has also stressed to me the importance of living a clean and sober life. I have come to understand through my dad’s experience with addiction that one’s mental health plays a huge role in addiction. Therefore, I make sure to prioritize my mental health while also being open with my feelings instead of bottling them up inside. Moving towards the future, I am determined to support my father while also prioritizing my mental and physical health to break the cycle of addiction within my family.

Growing up, I always had my own interpretation of success. I always associated success with the physical things in life. I thought success meant having large amounts of money and living lavishly. As unfortunate as it is, we live in a society that associates success with wealth and fame. This notion is often dispersed through outlets such as the media and can cause pressure to live up to society’s definition of success. I often began to compare other people’s successes to my own. However, it wasn’t until just recently, during my freshman year of college, that my definition of success began to shift and change. Within my small family, I am the first to go to college. I come from two hard-working Samoan parents who never had the opportunity to attend college. For most people, the reason behind going to college is different depending on the person. My initial reason for attending college was to be successful in whatever I wanted to pursue. However, I have come to realize that success encompasses many things and has different meanings for different people. Of course, I want to be “successful” in life. However, I am beginning to understand that my definition of success deals with more than the material things in life. Success for me encompasses the most integral parts of my identity as a first-generation Samoan student. I never realized just how significant those two identities could be and how they could relate to success. I now understand that success for me is breaking the mold and having the courage to push forward. The fact that I have the opportunity to be the first in my family to pursue higher education is not only a significant milestone for my small family, but it is also a big breakthrough for my Pacific Islander community. Within the Pacific Islander community, people often lack sufficient resources that can help them access higher education. As a result, the harmful stereotype that we Pacific Islanders are uneducated or essentially “stupid” has found its way into society. My identity as a first-generation student often caused me to feel discouraged or afraid of what could possibly lie ahead of me. However, learning how to accept and live with these two identities on a daily basis has given me the courage to live my life to the fullest. Being able to pursue higher education as a first-generation minority student is a significant success for me. Reflecting on my journey to where I am today, I can confidently say that success has found its way into my life. In the future, I hope to use my success as the first in my family to attend college to inspire other students who come from the same background as me. I want my success to set the example that everyone has the right to higher education, no matter where or what their background is. This scholarship will give me the opportunity to devote all my time to school without having to stress about the cost that comes along with higher education. This opportunity will help me become the first college graduate in my family and hopefully propel me into a career working with underrepresented minority groups who need someone to advocate for them. Even though I am not wealthy or live in a mansion, this opportunity will help me achieve my own version of success and will hopefully allow me to let others know that success isn’t always something flashy. Success can be something more personal and unique for everyone.

I went to a high school in the state of Maryland with over 1,200 students. Among the busy halls, there was no one who seemed to look like me. Growing up, I became accustomed to being the only Samoan in almost every place I went. I come from a family where being Samoan is upheld with great pride. Both sides of my family have origins in American Samoa, with some still residing in Pago Pago and Vaitogi, as well as in parts of California, Texas, Hawai’i, and Alaska. At home, my parents wasted no time in telling me to be proud of my Samoan heritage. As a result, I felt proud to not only represent my culture as a whole but also my parents, who sacrificed so much for me. My mom, a Samoan woman who moved to Hawai’i at a young age for better opportunities, and my father, a Samoan man who had his fair share of trials and tribulations, have shown me what it means to exhibit unwavering strength while being proud of my heritage. However, during my first year of college, I began to question whether I and my Samoan heritage truly belonged. My school, Soka University of America, is home to a diverse student body. However, as expected, I was the only Samoan at my university. Ironically, on a campus with students from around the globe, I truly felt like a minority. Despite my feelings, I was determined to find the light at the end of the tunnel. During that time, my perspective began to shift. Being the only Samoan on campus was indeed something that I needed to get used to, but it was also a blessing in disguise. I took this unique opportunity to not only strengthen my own relationship with my culture but to also spread Fa’asamoa throughout my campus. I frequently took great joy in telling people about my heritage since many people do not know where the Samoan islands are on a map. Also, being a Pacific Islander attending college, I have had the great opportunity to exhibit the principles that many Pasifika people hold dear to their hearts. While on and off campus, I strived to be a person who treats others with respect and acknowledges the differences amongst every person I encounter. While Samoans make up a tiny percentage of students on many American campuses, I felt proud to know that I was able to represent my people in my own unique way. Through these experiences, I have come to understand what it means to be a Pacific Islander student attending college. I believe that being a first-generation Pacific Islander student is so much more than a title that I possess. Being a Pacific Islander student is a story of those who came before me and sacrificed so much so that I may forge my own future for the sake of not only myself but for my family and the Pacific Islander community as a whole. As a Samoan student, I have the great mission of representing my culture while upholding the qualities of respect, hard work, modesty, and religion that our people pride themselves on. In my humble opinion, this scholarship is right for me due to my courage to persevere when the odds were stacked against me. When I felt isolated due to my cultural identity, I decided to turn that situation into something positive. With this scholarship, I can devote all my time to my studies and work steadfastly towards my bachelor’s degree so that I may build a prosperous future for myself and my family.

When I think of the word leader, personal traits such as being driven, passionate, and sympathetic appear in my mind. To me, leaders listen to the needs of others and find ways to make everyone feel included. However, I never thought of myself as a leader. I was always shy and preferred to be in the background rather than in the limelight. Whenever I pictured a leader, I imagined a person inspiring those around them. Whenever I picture a leader, I envision my father. A person who leads our family with a determined spirit. However, when I reflected on myself, I did not possess those traits and never associated myself with the word leader. That all changed during my senior year of high school. I began to play the violin in the 6th grade. For some reason that I can’t explain, I was drawn to the violin and decided to start playing in my middle school orchestra. I still remember all the hours of torture I would put my parents through when I would practice after school. However, playing the violin was, and still is, something that I enjoy dearly. When I started high school, my skills improved, and I decided to join my school’s orchestra. After a while, I was promoted to second-chair violin during my senior year. As the year went on, I was tasked with being the section leader for the first violins. My orchestra teacher informed me that I was responsible for helping lead and providing help to the members of my section. My initial reaction was confusion. At the time, I had no reason to believe that I would be capable of leading a group of people and helping them foster their violin skills. However, I took this new role as an opportunity to prove myself wrong. The first few weeks were filled with my patience being tested. I remember being frustrated as to why members of my section had difficulty playing their music. For such a long time, I was so used to only caring about my own progress that I didn’t realize that, as a leader, I would have to also extend that same care to others. With that in mind, I quickly realized that I needed to put my ego aside and have a sense of compassion if I wanted to be an effective leader. I began to provide help and worked with them at their own pace, often in small rehearsal sessions after school. I reminded myself that instead of criticizing my section members, I should instead do my best to understand and help them. As the year progressed, I formed bonds with my section members and could see that my work had caused them to blossom into confident musicians, and a sense of achievement began to well up in my heart.   Looking back on that experience, I realize that a good leader isn’t one who blindly leads a group with their ego. A true leader is someone who helps those around them live up to their fullest potential. Now, as a university freshman, I sometimes still doubt my capabilities. However, in the future, I intend to improve my leadership skills. After graduating with my bachelor’s, I intend to go into a career where I’m able to work with people from underrepresented communities. As a true leader does, I will listen to the perspectives of those around me in order to create a more inclusive environment where different ideas can coexist. This will hopefully inspire others to widen their perspectives in order to make a positive difference in the world.

When I think of the word leader, personal traits such as being driven, passionate, and sympathetic appear in my mind. To me, leaders are people who listen to the needs of others and find ways to make everyone feel included. However, I never thought of myself as a leader. I was always quiet and shy and preferred to be in the background rather than in the limelight. Whenever I pictured a leader, I imagined a person standing courageously with strength, inspiring those in front of them. Whenever I picture a leader, I envision my father. A person who leads our family with a determined spirit. However, when I reflected on myself, I did not possess those traits and never associated myself with the word leader. That all changed during my senior year of high school. I began to play the violin in the 6th grade. For some reason that I can’t explain, I was drawn to the violin and decided to start playing in my middle school orchestra. I still remember all the hours of torture I would put my parents through when I would practice after school. However, playing the violin was, and still is, something that I enjoy dearly. When I started high school, my skills improved, and I decided to join my school’s orchestra. During my time in high school, I started to take the violin a bit more seriously. As a result, I was promoted to second-chair violin during my senior year. As a senior, I expected that year to go smoothly, to play violin with my high school orchestra for the last time, and to graduate. However, to my surprise, I was tasked with being the section leader for the first violins. My orchestra teacher informed me that I was responsible for helping lead and providing help to the members of my section. My initial reaction was confusion, and I quickly began to doubt my capability as a leader. At the time, I had no reason to believe that I would be capable of leading a group of people and helping them foster their violin skills. However, I took this new role as an opportunity to prove myself wrong. The first few weeks were filled with my patience being tested. I remember being frustrated as to why members of my section had difficulty playing a certain part of our concert music. For such a long time, I was so used to only caring about my own progress that I didn’t realize that, as a leader, I would have to also extend that same care to others in my section. With that in mind, I quickly realized that I needed to put my ego aside and have a sense of compassion for my section members if I wanted to be an effective leader. I began to provide help and worked with them at their own pace, often in small rehearsal sessions. I reminded myself that I too was once a beginner violinist and sometimes encountered difficulties, and instead of criticizing my section members, I should instead do my best to understand and help them. As the year progressed, I formed bonds with my section members, and I saw them blossom into confident musicians, and a sense of achievement began to well up in my heart. At the end of the year, all members of my section were able to confidently play their concert music. Looking back on that experience, I realize that a good leader isn’t one who blindly leads a group with their ego. A true leader is someone who takes the time to foster friendships and help those around them live up to their fullest potential. Now, as a university freshman, I am often caught up in my own world. However, in the future, I intend to improve my leadership skills and apply them to my future career in order to become someone who listens to the perspectives of those around me.

There was always one question that I couldn’t seem to answer. When people would ask the question, “What do you want to do when you grow up?”, I would try to frantically form an answer in my brain. From a very young age, we are expected to know exactly what we want to do in life. For some, this isn’t a problem as some people are quite sure of what they want to pursue in the future. However, for others, knowing your plans for the future isn’t as clear and can be quite the journey. For myself, it did take quite some time and some self-reflection to solidify my own future plans. Growing up, I always remembered people asking me what I wanted to do when I grew up. It wasn’t until my junior year of high school that I started to think about my future. Everyone around me had an idea of what they wanted to do in life. My friends would often say they wanted to pursue nursing, become a lawyer, start their own business, or even join the military. Everyone around me seemed to have a concrete dream and career plan that they were going to follow, while I still had no idea what my dream was or what career I wanted to go in. When others asked me what my plans for the future were, I couldn’t help but feel lost and confused as to what I wanted to do with my life after I graduated high school. During those times of feeling lost in life was when I looked within myself and reflected on my identity to find what my dream truly was. Growing up, my parents made sure I was always proud of my Pacific Islander heritage. However, us Pacific Islanders along with other minority groups are often underrepresented and lack the access to certain resources within this country. Furthermore, our issues and voices are often left unheard or unnoticed by the mass majority of people. Reflecting on the issues that currently affect my community, I have found myself wanting to help bring those same issues to light. Now, as a first-generation undergraduate student in college pursuing a bachelor’s degree, my plans for the future are starting to make more sense to me. Reflecting on my cultural heritage and the issues that come with it, has given way to my goal of going into a career that will allow me to work with underrepresented groups specifically within the educational field. With this plan, I want others who may also come from underrepresented backgrounds to realize that their dreams do matter regardless of their background. Additionally, in the future, I hope to take advantage of the multiple internships in my area of interest which will give me some experience and an upper hand when I graduate from college. Ultimately, this scholarship will help in the journey of making my plans for the future a reality. As a first-generation student, I am no stranger to feelings of doubt as I have had to navigate my way through college essentially by myself. Also, being a Pacific Islander student in an institution where there are very few of us, has sometimes left me feeling discouraged to even continue on with my college journey. However, I am certain that this scholarship will not only give me the financial support that I currently need, but also the opportunity to devote much needed time to my courses that will help enrich my education.

Ever since I could remember, me and my mom were always inseparable. My earliest memories were of us doing everything together. Those memories, remind me of the strong bond between me and my mom. However, those memories also remind me of my dad and how he was rarely present during those times. During those times, my dad seemed like someone who I barely knew, rather than someone I could connect to. During those first few years, the bond between me and my dad seemed to wither due to him being incarcerated in prison for more than a decade. My father’s incarceration is topic that I don’t remember being discussed even after he got out. Even to this day, I still don’t know how to ask him about his past. I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready. To this day, I can still see that his past affects him and those around him—including me. The world labels my dad as a felon. Someone who committed a serious crime. However, I know him to be my dad. Someone who has loved me since the moment he heard my tiny voice through the phone. My dad is someone who has taught me a powerful lesson about turning one’s tumultuous past into something meaningful. Despite his past, my father has persevered through his own battles and has made a positive impact within his community. When I was getting bullied in elementary school, it was my dad who spoke to the principal to find a solution. As a result, my dad created his own mentorship program at my school for kids who were also facing trouble in school. As the years went on, my dad continued to prove to me that one’s past does not define them. Through his accomplishments, I began to view my dad in a new light. Where he was once someone who I felt disconnected from, he is now someone who I look up to. Now as a freshman in college, I continue to apply the lessons my dad has taught to my own academic and career ambitions. While in college, I am determined to maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher and to take courses that challenge me intellectually. In terms of my career ambitions, after I graduate with my bachelors, I am determined to work in the educational field. I hope to help inspire students who come from underrepresented and rough backgrounds. I want them to realize that their dreams matter regardless of their upbringing or where they come from. Never in a million years did I think anything good could come from my dad’s incarceration. I was wrong. My dad’s incarceration has taught me the most important lesson of all. It has taught me that the challenges I face shouldn’t keep me from succeeding. The challenges that I have faced and will face are not a measurement of my self-worth. The challenges in front of me are opportunities to make a dark situation into something beautiful.

When people ask me where I’m from I usually tell them that I was born on the island of Oahu and grew up in San Antonio, Tx. However, after I tell them that, I’m met with puzzled looks. That’s when I realize that they were asking for my ethnicity, and I proceed to tell them that I’m Samoan. Growing up, my parents ensured that I was proud of my Samoan heritage. Growing up, my Samoan culture bought me great happiness and I took joy in telling others about my culture since there is very little representation of us in society. However, I wasn’t aware that my Samoan identity as well as my family’s low-income background also bought adversity or challenges that I had to face and still feel the effects of today. Within my family, I am the first person to attend college. Growing up, my parents preached to me that college would be the doorway to success for me. So, when the college application season arrived, I wasted no time in submitting my applications. However, during my first semester, it was a struggle having to navigate a new environment. My family tried their best to provide support, but their knowledge about college was limited. My feeling of loneliness also seemed to intensify because I am among the few Pacific Islanders that attend my college. Pacific Islanders remain underrepresented in forms of higher education. Most Pacific Islanders who come from low-income backgrounds like me usually lack the financial stability and access to certain resources that can help us go to college. So, going to college as a first-generation Samoan student is a significant milestone and privilege for me and my family. I have also faced the effects of financial adversity due to my low-income background. When coming to college, I was aware of the cost. I knew that going to college would be a long shot. I knew that any financial support from my family would be limited and that I would have to rely on significant financial aid. During my first fall semester, I was notified that the financial aid that I had received from my university would not be enough to cover tuition. Despite this, I was determined to obtain a college degree so that I could make a change in my family. We managed to gather what little money we had and set up a payment plan to eventually pay off the balance. I now go about my days not knowing if I will be able to afford my future semesters. However, my goal of graduating to ensure my future success is enough to keep me motivated while in college. Adversity has made me into an individual that welcomes life’s challenges instead of immediately accepting defeat. Reflecting on my journey to college, there were many times where I could’ve willingly succumbed to all the pressure, anxiety, and the overall fear of what the future held in store for me. However, experiencing adversity has taught me that when life gets hard it’s what you choose to do in that moment that counts. To anyone else experiencing adversity or the same challenges that I faced, I would tell them that the challenges in front of you do not define you. I always used to think why were all these challenges arising in my life. Eventually, it took a toll on my own self-esteem. Now, I know that the challenges we face in life are not a measure of our own self-worth, instead they are tests of our will to persevere and opportunities to make changes in our lives.

As a child, I thought sacrifice meant giving up something. I never expected for my perception of sacrifice to shift until I started to reflect on my journey to college. Reflecting on this journey, I’m now realizing how much those closest to me have sacrificed for me to attend college. Now as a nineteen-year-old, I’m now starting to realize the sacrifices my parents made to send their only son to college. Experiencing firsthand these sacrifices, has given sacrifice a new meaning for me and a deeper understanding of how those sacrifices have shaped the individual I am today. My mom and dad are two of the strongest people that I know. As a child, I saw just how much they worked. When we first moved to San Antonio, TX, my parents quickly started job searching. My dad’s first job was cutting grass all day for a landscaping company in the Texas heat. I still remember all the times he came home with sunburnt skin and grass covered boots. My mother also hustled working in food service. She would work long hours during the day and well into the evening. Growing up, I didn’t understand why my parents worked so much. However, they told me the reason why they worked so hard was so that I could have a better life. I didn’t understand what they meant by a “better” life. However, looking back, I now understand that my parents didn’t have the same opportunities that I am privileged to have today. One of these opportunities includes being able to go to college. As a first-generation Pacific Islander student, I realize how fortunate I am to have had parents who devoted all their efforts for me to have the chance to pursue my passions. My parent’s sacrifices have given me a great sense of appreciation for everything in my life. Their sacrifices have also taught me the importance of hard work. Thanks to them, I now understand that nothing in life comes easy and I need to persevere through whatever challenges I may face. Acknowledging how my parents didn’t have the same opportunities as me has made me want to pursue a career working with underrepresented groups within the educational field after I graduate. With this plan of mine, I want others who may come from hard working parents like me to understand that their dreams are attainable despite their cultural or socioeconomic background. Going into such a career, will allow me to work with those who may lack access to certain educational resources just as my parents did. Although the amount of gratitude I have for my parents can’t be said through a single “thank you”, I believe that this path is a start in showing my appreciation towards my parents by helping those who may have gone through the same struggles as them. Now as a freshman in college, I’m often under stress trying to navigate through my new life here. However, whenever I feel defeated, I am reminded of the sacrifices my parents have made to put me in a position to better my life. Reflecting on their sacrifices gives me the motivation to find the strength to keep pushing forward. Having parents who have sacrificed so much for me to attend college has also given me a new understanding of sacrifice. I used to believe that sacrifice entailed giving up something. However, I now realize that sacrifice is supporting those you love. I am not only lucky enough to have parents who have sacrificed so much, but also parents who truly love and support me.

For most people my age, we were told by society that going to college after high school would guarantee us success in the future. Everyone around me including my family echoed this notion and preached that a college education would open doors that would eventually lead to success later in my life. With this belief engrained in my mind, I went through high school firmly determined to attend college after I had graduated. Despite my determination, I knew that my journey to college would be a difficult one. Growing up, I was well aware of the significant cost that came with college. As for many low-income students, I knew that going to college would be a long shot. I knew that any financial support from my family would be limited and that I would have to rely on significant financial aid, scholarships, and even student loans. Despite my knowledge of the hefty price tag that came with a college education, I was determined to be the first in my family to obtain a college degree so that I could make a change in my family and set myself up for success in the future. Now, as a college freshman, me and my family’s financial situation has affected my ability to devote all my time to my studies. During my first fall semester, I experienced what it felt like to come from a low-income family. I was notified that I had an outstanding tuition payment and if me or my family were unable to pay it, I would have to unenroll. After being notified, I began to panic and couldn’t help but feel like a failure. It was as if my goal of getting a degree to help change the trajectory of my life was slowly slipping away. Not being able to cover the remaining amount of my tuition has made me realize that the dreams and goals of many low-income students are often determined if they can afford college or not. Eventually me and my family solved this issue with the little money we had. However, that experience made me realize that experiences such as the one I went through are far too common for low-income students such as myself. I now go about my days not knowing if I will be able to afford my future semesters. However, my goal of graduating to ensure my future success is enough to keep me motivated while in college. This scholarship will not only help alleviate the financial stress that currently lingers within me and my family, but it will also help me achieve my goal of going into a career that will allow me to work with underrepresented communities to advocate and bring awareness to the issues that they face. As a Pacific Islander, I acknowledge the fact that me and my people often lack representation within most aspects of life and society. Nevertheless, I am now currently trying to organize a Pacific Islander group on my campus. With this I hope to educate my fellow peers on Pasifika culture and shed light on the issues that my community currently faces. My cultural background and the issue of under representation that comes with it, has given way to my goal of giving a voice to people who aren’t often heard by people. We live in a society that excludes those who belong to minority groups. However, I am confident that my goal of working with those who have fallen victim to this harsh reality, will encourage others to find ways to be a voice for those who deserve to be heard.

Transitioning from a teenager to a young adult is a rough yet necessary transformation that everyone must go through. However, I can’t help but reminisce about the times when I was younger. The times where the world seemed so full of color and wonder. The times where everything seemed to be just right. I often remember that little boy. That little boy who was excited to go to school each morning. That little boy who didn’t quite know what the future held in store for him but was excited to see where his path would take him. Now as a freshman at a college 3,000 miles away from my family, I often reflect on my own identity. I contemplate on the impact my identity as a first-generation Pacific Islander student has had on me and where that same identify will lead me as I pursue my dreams as well as my future career. Growing up, I always remembered my parents telling me that everyone has a dream. I remember my parents telling me the importance of having a dream. When I was a young child, I of course knew what dreams were, but I never really knew just how crucial it was to have one in my life. During my senior year in high school, I often began to wonder what my dream was. Everyone around me had an idea of what they wanted to do in life. My peers would often say they wanted to pursue nursing, become a lawyer, start their own business, or even join the military. Everyone around me seemed to have a concrete dream and career plan that they were going to follow, while I still had no idea what my dream was or what career I wanted to go in. When people would ask me what my dream was, I would often make things up like me wanting to be a doctor or an entrepreneur of some sort. I began to feel lost and behind all my friends who seemed to have their life figured out. During those times of feeling lost in life was when I looked within myself and reflected on my identity to find what my dream truly was. I am a Pacific Islander. My family comes from the islands of Samoa. Growing up, my parents made sure I always held my cultural heritage in high regard. Although I didn’t grow up speaking Samoan, I always felt connected with my heritage. Having such a strong connection to my heritage has made me carry my culture and the stories of my people with great pride. However, us Pacific Islanders along with other minority groups are often underrepresented and lack the access to certain resources within this country with our issues and voices being left unheard or unnoticed. Reflecting on the issues that currently affect my community, I have found myself wanting to help bring those same issues to light and bring awareness to them. My passion towards my Pacific Islander culture has made me realize that aspects of our identity can often lead to our dreams. After graduating college, my dream is to go into a career that will allow me to work within my own Pacific Islander community as well as other underserved communities to help advocate and bring awareness to their important issues. I hope to do this by working in the education field specifically working with children who are apart of minority communities. With this in mind, I am confident that this rough idea of my dream will leave a positive mark on society.

Growing up, I always had my own interpretation of success. I always associated success with the physical things in life. I thought success meant having large amounts of money and living lavishly. As unfortunate as it is, we live in a society that associates success with wealth and fame. This notion is often dispersed through outlets such as the media and can cause pressure to live up to society’s definition of success. I often began to compare other people’s success to my own. However, it wasn’t until just recently during my freshman year of college that my definition of success began to shift and change. Within my small family, I am the first to go to college. I come from two hard-working Samoan parents who never had the opportunity to attend college. For most people, the reason behind going to college is different depending on the person. My initial reason for attending college was to be successful in whatever I wanted to pursue. However, I have come to realize that success encompasses many things and has different meanings to different people. Of course, I want to be “successful” in life. However, I am beginning to understand that my definition of success deals with more than the material things in life. Success to me encompasses the most integral parts of my identity, a first-generation Samoan student. I never realized just how significant those two identities could be and how they could relate to success. I now understand that success to me is breaking the mold and having the courage to push forward. The fact that I have the opportunity to be the first in my family to pursue higher education is not only a significant milestone for my small family, but it is also a big breakthrough for my Pacific Islander community. Within the Pacific Islander community, people often lack sufficient resources that can help them access higher education. As a result, the harmful stereotype that us Pacific Islanders are uneducated or essentially “stupid” has found its way into society. My identity as a first-generation student often caused me to feel discouraged or afraid of what could possibly lie ahead of me. However, learning how to accept and live with these two identities on a daily basis has given me the courage to live my life to the fullest. Being able to pursue higher education as a first-generation minority student is a significant success for me. Reflecting on my journey to where I am today, I can confidently say that success has found its way in my life. In the future, I hope to use my success as being the first in my family to attend college to inspire other students who come from the same background as me. I want my success to set the example that everyone has the right to higher education no matter where or what their background is. This scholarship will give me the opportunity to devote all my time to school without having to stress about the cost that comes along with higher education. This opportunity will help me become the first college graduate within my family and hopefully help propel me into a career working with underrepresented minority groups who need someone to advocate for them. Even though I am not wealthy or live in a mansion, this opportunity will help me achieve my own version of success and will hopefully allow me to let others know that success isn’t always something flashy. Success can be something more personal and unique for everyone.

Transitioning from being a teenager to a young adult is a rough yet necessary transformation that everyone must go through. However, I can’t help but reminisce about the times when I was younger. The times where the world seemed so full of color and wonder. The times where everything seemed to be just right. I often remember that little boy. That little boy who was excited to go to school each morning. That little boy who didn’t quite know what the future held in store for him but was excited to see where his path would take him. Now as a freshman at a college nearly 3,000 miles away from my family, I often reflect on my own identity and how it has changed over the years. I contemplate on the impact my identity as a first-generation Pacific Islander student has had on me and where that same identify will lead me in the future as I pursue my dreams. Growing up, I always remembered my parents telling me that everyone has a dream. I remember my mom and dad telling me how it important it was to find my dream and to chase it no matter what. When I was a young child, I of course knew what dreams were, but I never really knew just how crucial it was to have one in my life. During my senior year in high school, I often began to wonder what my dream was. Everyone around me had an idea of what they wanted to do in life. My peers would often say they wanted to pursue nursing, go to law school, start their own business, or even join the military. Everyone around me seemed to have a concrete dream that they were going to follow, while I still had no idea what my dream was or what I wanted to pursue while in college. When people would ask me what my dream was, I would often make things up like me wanting to be a doctor or an entreprenuer of some sort. I began to feel lost and behind all my friends who had an idea of what their dreams were. During those times of feeling lost and behind in life was when I looked within myself and reflected on my identity to find what my dream truly was. I am a Pacific Islander. My family comes from the islands of Samoa. Growing up, my parents made sure I always held my cultural heritage in high regard. Although I didn’t grow up speaking Samoan, I always felt connected with my heritage. Having such a strong connection to my heritage has made me carry my culture and the stories of my people with great pride. However, us Pacific Islanders along with other minority groups are often underrepresented and lack the access to certain resources within this country with our issues and voices being left unheard or unnoticed. Reflecting on the issues that currently affect my community, I have found myself wanting to help bring those same issues to light and bring awareness to them. My passion towards my Pacific Islander culture has made me realize that aspects of our identity can often lead to our dreams. After graduating college, my dream is to go into a career that will allow me to work within my own Pacific Islander community as well as other underserved communities to help advocate and bring awareness to their important issues. With this in mind, I am confident that this rough idea of my dream will help me leave a positive mark on society.

For most people my age, we were told by society that going to college right after high school would guarantee us success in the future. Everyone around me including my family echoed this notion and preached that a college education would open up doors that would eventually lead to success later in my life. With this belief engrained in my mind, I went through high school firmly determined to attend college after I had graduated from high school. Despite my determination, I knew that my journey to college would be a difficult one. Growing up, I was well aware of the significant cost that came with college. As for many low-income students, I knew that going to college would be a long shot. I knew that any financial support from my family would be limited and that I would have to rely on significant financial aid, scholarships, and even student loans. Despite my knowledge of the hefty price tag that came with a college education, I was determined to be the first in my family to obtain a college degree so that I could make a change in my family and set myself up for success in the future. Now, as a college freshman, me and my family’s financial situation has affected my ability to devote all my time to my studies. During the fall semester, I experienced what it felt like to come from a low-income family. I was notified that I had an outstanding tuition payment and if me or my family were unable to pay it, I would have to unenroll. After being notified, I began to panic and couldn’t help but feel like a failure. It was as if my goal of getting a degree to help change the trajectory of my life was slowly slipping away. Not being able to cover the remaining amount of my tuition has made me realize that the dreams of many low-income students are often determined if they can afford college or not. Eventually me and my family solved this issue with the little money we had. However, that experience made me realize that experiences such as the one I went through are far too common for low-income students such as myself. I now go about my days not knowing if I will be able to afford my future semesters. However, my goal of graduating to ensure my future success is enough to keep me motivated while in college. This scholarship will not only help alleviate the financial stress that currently lingers within me and my family, but it will also help me achieve my dream of going into a career that will allow me to work with underrepresented communities to advocate and bring awareness to the issue that they face. As a Pacific Islander, I am well aware of the fact that me and my people often lack representation within most aspects of life and society. Me having the privilege to be a college student is already a huge milestone within my small Samoan family. My cultural background and the issue of under representation that comes with it, has given way to my dream of giving a voice to groups of people and their issues that aren’t often heard of by the majority of people. Unfortunately, society often excludes those who belong to minority groups. I am confident that my dream of working with those who have fallen victim to this harsh reality, will encourage others to find ways to be a voice for those who deserve to be heard.

I was 40,000 feet in the air and on my way to the university that I had been accepted into earlier that spring. I experienced a variety of emotions during that moment. The feelings of anxiety and excitement seemed to run rampant in my heart because I was not sure how my first semester of college would go. However, I knew one thing was for certain. I knew that I was a first generation Samoan student, and it took some time for me to uphold that identity with great pride. Within my family, I am the first person to attend college. Growing up, my parents preached to me that college would be the doorway to success for me. I come from two first generation Samoan parents that never had the opportunity to go to college, so they were ecstatic when they found out that their only child had the privilege to go to college and pursue a higher education. However, I was made aware that by going to college I would be among the very few Pacific Islanders on my campus due to the lack of representation of us in forms of higher education. For most people, the reason behind going to college and getting their degree is different depending on the person. For some going to college means going through the typical college experience like meeting new people, embarking on a self-discovery journey, or finding what they are truly passionate about. Of course, being the first in my family to attend college and obtain a degree can be summed up by the typical college experience. However, my reason for obtaining a college degree is something that is very meaning to me. By going to college and obtaining my degree as a first-generation student, I want to be a representative for other Pacific Islanders that despite your cultural background getting your degree is indeed possible. Being the first in my family to obtain a college level degree, means I have the opportunity to carry my Samoan heritage in spaces where we lack numbers and show the world that we will not be deterred from our goals and dreams despite where we come from. As a freshman in college, I am currently pursuing a degree in the liberal arts with a concentration in social behavioral sciences. I’m interested in learning how one’s environment and the society they grow up in has an effect on their thinking and how they interact with the world. However, I know that my interests might change in the mere future, so I’m planning on keeping an open mind to whatever I feel drawn to. Nevertheless, my long-term goal does remain the same. While I don’t have a concrete image of what I want to do, in the future my goal is to go into a future career that will allow me to work in underserved communities by advocating for them and bringing their issues to the frontline.

Today’s world is plagued with countless issues. Poverty, world hunger, homelessness, discrimination, and senseless crime seem to run rampant throughout the globe. With all of these issues, it’s easy for our spirits to run low and lack the compassion to help others. There are too many people in the world that turn a blind eye towards those in need. Growing up, my parents instilled in me the importance of helping others not only to make myself feel good, but for the benefit of others as well. Over the years, I’ve had many experiences that made realize the importance of helping others to make them realize their true potential. One experience in particular during high school helped me realize that helping other people is truly one of my passions in life. In high school I played violin. I started out as a beginner but grew in skill and was promoted to section leader of the first violins. When my teacher told me that I was appointed section leader, I was overwhelmed. At the time, I did not think of myself as a leader. As we progressed through the school year, our 2023 winter concert was approaching quickly. We dedicated class time to practice our concert music within our respective sections. During our class time, my section was having some difficulty. Initially, I became frustrated as to why they could not play the concert music. However, I realized how inconsiderate I was considering that I too struggled with my music when I first started out as a beginner. I realized that being frustrated would do more harm than good. I came to understand that being section leader meant that I had to push aside my frustration and realize that my purpose was to help my peers so they could realize their potential. After understanding my purpose, I decided to find exactly what the problem was. I soon found out that they were struggling with the rhythm and tempo. With this information, I was determined to find a creative way to help my section members. In the next few class meetings, I told them to put their violins down. I told them that instead of playing the rhythms on the violin, we would clap the rhythms at a slower pace. After some time and additional help, my peers were able to clap the rhythms without any issues. I then challenged them to play the rhythms on their violins at a slow pace and gradually work their way up to the regular tempo. After multiple classes and a few hiccups along the way, my section was able to play the concert music. After the concert, I saw something shift within my section members. They were no longer the shy intimidated violin players that doubted their abilities. They now carried themselves with an air of confidence that motivated them to try their best with any piece of music they had to play. It bought me great satisfaction to see my section members realize the potential that laid dormant within them. All they needed was someone to help them realize it. My experience with my orchestra has helped me become a more understanding and compassionate person. Developing those qualities, has made me realize that helping people realize their true potential is truly a gift that everyone possess. I now live my life knowing that I that gift and a purpose to lend a helping hand to those in need whether it be on my college campus, in my community, in my family, or during random occurrences during my daily life.

In my family, I am the first person to attend college. During my first semester, I was notified that I had an outstanding tuition payment. I soon realized that I was new to the financial aspect of college. I began to feel like a failure towards my family. My family assured me that I was not a failure, but that I was just a first gen student who was trying their best to navigate the college world. Fortunately, my parents and my grandpa payed the balance despite their financial struggles. Seeing my parents and my grandpa sacrifice their own hard-earned money to support me gave me the motivation to do my best in college. This scholarship will not only help alleviate the financial stress that comes with college, but it will also help me achieve my educational goal of maintaining a GPA of 3.7 or higher. This scholarship will give me the opportunity to devote all my time to my studies without worrying about tuition for upcoming semesters. The problems that I have experienced has given me the courage to face issues with confidence while embracing my identity as a first gen student.