When I think about the impact I want to make, I'm sometimes overwhelmed by where to begin. As a first-generation college student, there are moments when I question whether I can ever truly make a difference somewhere. But I've realized that not every meaningful impact has to be world-changing. Maybe my purpose is simply to help people experience the place they already call home in a more meaningful way—and sometimes, that's where lasting change begins. My home state of Florida is often known for its beaches, theme parks, and rapid development, but I've always been drawn to the parts that many people overlook—the trails, state parks, freshwater springs, biodiversity, and the very rich history that make Florida unlike anywhere else. Watching so much of that disappear in the last 10 years has inspired me to pursue a career where I can help protect it while sharing it with others. Through my education in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Management, I hope to build a career that combines conservation, education, and community engagement. Whether I work in a state park, museum, historical site, or nature center, I want to create programs that encourage people to slow down, explore, and develop a genuine appreciation for the natural and cultural resources around them. I believe that when people understand the history of a place and experience its beauty firsthand, they become much more willing to protect it. I also want to make these spaces feel welcoming to everyone. Outdoor recreation and environmental education shouldn't be limited by someone's age, income, or life circumstances. I hope to develop programs for children, veterans, low-income families, and individuals facing challenges such as anxiety, PTSD, or addiction. Nature has a remarkable ability to heal, teach, and connect people, and I want to help create opportunities for others to experience those benefits. The people who inspire me are the park rangers, historians, educators, and volunteers who dedicate their lives to protecting places that future generations may never realize were almost lost. Their work often happens quietly, behind the scenes, but the impact lasts for decades. That is the kind of legacy I hope to leave. Ultimately, I don't measure success by titles or recognition. I hope my education allows me to preserve Florida's natural and cultural heritage while inspiring others to value it as much as I do. If I can help even a small number of people leave a park, museum, or community program with a deeper appreciation for the world around them, then I will know I've made a meaningful difference. I believe lasting change begins with education, curiosity, and helping people see that the places we protect today become the legacy we leave tomorrow.

Being a first-generation college student means proving to myself that where I started does not have to define where I end up. Growing up, college was never part of the conversation. I was raised by a single teenage mother, and generationally, my family focused on making ends meet and surviving rather than planning for higher education. No one could tell me how to apply for college, navigate financial aid, or choose a career path because they had never experienced it themselves. No one could co-sign on student loans and there was no college fund waiting when I graduated high school. Every step has been something I've had to learn on my own. My path to college has been anything but traditional. It has taken me years to reach a place where I could fully commit to earning my degree. Along the way, I've experienced financial instability, family challenges, and more setbacks than I can count. There were times when continuing my education felt like a frivolous goal, but I never stopped believing it was something I wanted and deserved for myself. No matter how many times I had to quit because of lack of funding, I always reminded myself that totally giving up was never on the table. Today, I am pursuing a bachelor's degree in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Management because I want to dedicate my career to protecting Florida's natural and cultural heritage. Florida has always been home state, and watching so much of its wildlife, history, and natural beauty disappear has given me a strong sense of purpose. I want to work in state parks, museums, or public programs where I can educate others, create meaningful community experiences, and help people develop a deeper appreciation for the places around them. My long-term goal is to earn a master's degree in Public History from Florida State University and continue serving Florida through conservation and education. Receiving this scholarship would do far more than ease the financial burden of college. Like many first-generation students, I balance school with work and carefully budget every expense. This support would allow me to spend more time focusing on my education, gaining valuable experience through internships and volunteer opportunities, and preparing for a career where I can give back to my community. More than anything, I hope my journey demonstrates that success doesn't have an expiration date. Being a first-generation student, I often struggle with the idea that I can make a difference. But I've found this has become more about changing the direction of my own life and, hopefully, inspiring others to believe that they can do the same too. I may not have had the easiest start, but with determination, hard work, and the support of opportunities like this scholarship, I plan on making a good life for myself and the people around me.

1. What does being the first in your family to obtain a college degree mean to you? Being the first person in my family to earn a college degree means breaking a painful cycle and proving to myself that my family history does not determine my future. My sister and I were raised by a single teenage mother, who was also raised by a single, teenage mother and neither one graduated high school. College wasn't something anyone in my family had accomplished or even thought about. Generationally, life often revolved around making money and surviving rather than planning for the future. Going back to school at 37 has taught me that it's never too late to invest in yourself. Every class I complete represents years of perseverance, growth, and choosing not to give up on my goals. Earning my degree won't just be a personal achievement—to me it will represent generations of my family's resilience, hard work, and my personal belief that education can create opportunities that will last me a lifetime. I hope it also inspires others, especially in my family, who think they have missed their chance to pursue higher education. 2. What do you want to pursue in college? I am pursuing a bachelor's degree in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Management because I want a career that combines conservation, community outreach, and education. I have always loved my home state of Florida's natural landscapes and history, and I want to help protect them while making them accessible to everyone. My goal is to work in state parks, museums, or other public spaces where I can educate visitors, develop community programs, and encourage people to appreciate the environment around them. I believe that when people form a personal connection to nature and local history, they are much more likely to protect those places for future generations. 3. What are your long-term goals? My long-term goal is to build a career dedicated to conservation, public education, and preserving Florida's natural and cultural heritage. After completing my bachelor's degree, I hope to continue my education by earning a master's degree in Public History so I can combine environmental education with historical interpretation. My ultimate goal is to earn that at Florida State University, which is something I have dreamed about since I was a kid. I want to create programs that make parks, museums, and outdoor recreation more welcoming and accessible, especially for children, low-income families, veterans, and individuals facing challenges such as PTSD, anxiety, or addiction. I also want to bring more historical context into Florida’s natural spaces so visitors can better understand the people, events, and cultures that shaped the land they’re exploring. I believe nature can support both physical and mental well-being, and that connecting it with history helps people see these places as more than scenery. I really just hope to help visitors to Florida better understand, appreciate, and take care of the places that makes the state unique.

When I think about something I want to build, it is not a building or a business. I want to build a stronger connection between people and the natural Florida that so many never get to experience. Too often, Florida is seen only through the lens of beaches, theme parks, and new development. While those places have their value, they don't tell the whole story. I want to help people discover the forests, springs, wetlands, wildlife, and history that make this state unique, and inspire them to care enough to protect it. As a Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Management student at Everglades University, my goal is to build a career that combines conservation, education, and community engagement. Whether I work in a state park, museum, nature center, or historical site, I want to create experiences that leave people with a greater appreciation for the places around them. I believe people are much more likely to protect something once they understand its value and feel personally connected to it. This goal is especially important to me because I have watched Florida change so much throughout my lifetime. I've seen forests replaced by subdivisions, wildlife lose habitat, and many people move here without ever learning about the ecosystems that existed long before the roads and shopping centers. While those changes can feel discouraging, they also motivate me. I don't want to spend my life simply mourning what has been lost. I want to be part of preserving what remains and helping others become good stewards of our public lands. I also hope to make the outdoors more accessible to people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy it. Whether it's introducing children from underserved communities to hiking and kayaking, creating educational programs for families, or helping veterans and older adults reconnect with nature, I believe our parks and public spaces should be welcoming to everyone. Spending time outdoors can improve physical health, mental well-being, and a person's sense of belonging within their community. Returning to college later in life has strengthened my commitment to this path. Every class I complete brings me closer to building a future centered on service, education, and conservation. My hope is that the work I do will leave Florida's communities not only with protected natural spaces, but with people who understand why those places are worth protecting for generations to come.

Being a first-generation college student has meant learning how to navigate life in a very hands-on way. I didn’t grow up with anyone in my family who had gone through college, so everything from financial aid to choosing a career path has been something I’ve had to figure out on my own. I was raised by a teenage mom who, who was a single parent, so stability wasn’t always there. Addiction became an issue for my mom and the challenges that come with that affected me deeply and contributed to periods of anxiety, especially during times when life felt uncertain or overwhelming. Over time, I’ve learned how important it is to understand and care for your mental health while still continuing to move forward in life. Because of everything I’ve seen, I’ve come to see education as something much deeper than just earning a degree. For me, education is stability, self-growth and freedom. It is one of the first real opportunities I’ve had to build something long-term and consistent for myself. College has helped me better understand not just academic material, but also how to manage responsibility, stress, and planning for the future in a healthier way. It has given me a sense of direction that I didn’t always have growing up, and a reminder that my circumstances do not define what I am capable of achieving. Living through loss and grief, difficult family situations, and managing my own anxiety has made me more aware that everyone is dealing with something you can’t always see. Because of that, I’ve learned to be more patient, more understanding, and less judgmental. I value genuine connections, and I’ve learned that strong relationships are built on empathy, communication, and showing up for people even when life is complicated. Those lessons are a big part of why I’m pursuing a degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at Everglades University. I’ve always felt a strong connection to Florida’s outdoors, especially through hiking the Florida Trail. Spending time on the trail has become something that helps me reset mentally and emotionally. Being in nature gives me space to manage anxiety, reflect, and find calm when life feels heavy. It has also strengthened my appreciation for Florida’s natural environment and my desire to help protect it. Looking forward, I want my career to reflect everything I’ve learned through both my education and my personal experiences. I am especially passionate about making natural and recreational spaces more accessible to underprivileged children and to people struggling with mental health challenges such as addiction, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. I believe outdoor spaces can be incredibly healing, offering peace, structure, and a sense of connection that many people may not otherwise have access to. I want to help create programs and environments where people from all backgrounds feel welcome and supported in experiencing nature. I also care deeply about mental health and believe that access to the outdoors can play a real role in helping people manage stress and improve overall well-being. Whether through parks, recreation programs, or community outreach, I want to be part of making those opportunities more available and inclusive. Ultimately, my goal is to build a life and career centered on resilience, empathy, and service. My personal struggles have not defined me, but they have shaped me into someone who values education, understands the importance of healing spaces, and wants to help others feel seen and supported. Through my degree, I hope to turn those lessons into a career that helps both people and wild Florida thrive.

Being a first-generation college student has meant figuring a lot of things out on my own. I didn’t grow up with anyone in my family who had gone through college, so everything from financial aid to class planning has been a learning process as I go. I was raised by my mom, who had me as a teen and raised me as a single parent, so life wasn’t always easy or predictable. On top of that, I’ve also dealt with family struggles over the years, including addiction issues in my household and the loss of close family members. Those experiences shaped me early on—they taught me how to adapt, stay grounded, and keep pushing forward even when life feels uncertain. Because of that, I’ve come to believe strongly that education is one of the most powerful tools a person can have. For me, education isn’t just about earning a degree—it’s about breaking cycles, creating stability, and opening doors that weren’t always available before. Being in college has shown me how much knowledge can change the way you see the world, especially when it comes to understanding people, communities, and the environment around you. It has also given me direction for something I care deeply about: protecting “Old Florida” for future generations. I’m currently pursuing a degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at Everglades University because I want to build a career that helps preserve the natural spaces and way of life that made me who I am. Growing up in Florida, some of my most meaningful memories come from fishing with my dad in Lemon Bay. We often fish for bass and redfish, and those moments on the water taught me patience, respect, and appreciation for the natural world. There’s something about early mornings on the water, surrounded by quiet and wildlife, that feels like the heart of Old Florida—simple, natural, and deeply connected to the land and water. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to realize how quickly that version of Florida is changing. Development, environmental stress, and lack of awareness can easily erase the spaces and traditions that define it. That’s why I want my education to be part of the solution. I want to use what I learn to help balance growth with conservation, making sure that natural spaces are protected and still accessible for future generations. My personal background has also shaped how seriously I take this responsibility. Growing up in a single-parent household with limited resources taught me the value of working hard and not taking opportunities for granted. There were also times of instability and loss that made life more difficult than most people see from the outside. Those experiences taught me resilience, but also gratitude—for stability, for opportunity, and for the chance to build something better. To me, leaving a legacy means more than personal success. It means protecting something bigger than myself. I want my legacy to be tied to preserving the natural beauty, culture, and identity of Old Florida—so that future generations can still experience the same sense of peace and connection I found fishing in Lemon Bay. Through education, I’m building the knowledge and tools to help make that possible. At the end of the day, I see education as the bridge between where I came from and the impact I want to leave behind.

Being a first-generation college student has meant figuring a lot of things out on my own. I didn’t grow up with anyone in my family who had gone through college, so everything from financial aid to class planning has been a learning process as I go. I was raised by my mom, who had me as a teen and raised me as a single parent, so life wasn’t always easy or predictable. On top of that, I’ve also dealt with family struggles over the years, including addiction issues in my household and the loss of close family members. Those experiences weren’t easy, but they shaped me into someone who has learned how to stay grounded, adapt, and understand people on a deeper level. Even with those challenges, I’ve stayed committed to building a future for myself through education. I’m currently pursuing a degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at Everglades University because I’ve always felt a strong connection to Florida’s outdoors. One of the most important influences in my life has been fishing with my dad in Lemon Bay. Those trips taught me patience, respect, and awareness—not just about nature, but about life. We usually fish for bass and redfish, and being on the water became a place where things felt steady even when life wasn’t. That time outdoors helped me understand how deeply people are connected to the environment and to each other, even in ways we don’t always realize. Growing up in a single-parent household with limited resources also taught me how to be independent and resourceful from an early age. There were times where things were uncertain or emotionally heavy, but I learned how to keep going anyway. Those experiences helped me develop resilience, but also empathy. I know what it feels like to go through life carrying things that others may not see, and that has made me more patient, understanding, and aware of the struggles people may be facing behind the surface. I believe those qualities are exactly what I can bring to building a more empathetic and understanding global community. Whether it’s through communication, shared spaces, or outdoor experiences, I’ve learned that people connect best when they feel seen and respected. My goal is to use my education in parks, recreation, and tourism to help create environments where people from different backgrounds can come together, feel welcome, and build mutual understanding. I’ve seen firsthand how important access to nature and recreation can be for mental and emotional well-being. I want to help make sure those opportunities are available to more communities, especially those that are often overlooked. I also care deeply about environmental justice and making sure that all people—not just some—have access to clean, safe outdoor spaces. I believe protecting the environment and building stronger communities go hand in hand. At the end of the day, my goal is to take everything I’ve lived through—the challenges, the lessons, and the moments of peace I’ve found in nature—and use it to help people connect more deeply with each other. I want to contribute to a world where empathy isn’t rare and where natural spaces are easily accessed.

Growing up as a multi-generational Floridian, I’ve always felt most like myself near the water. Some of my favorite memories are fishing with my dad—especially in Lemon Bay—where I learned not just how to catch fish, but how to slow down and appreciate the environment around me. I’ve always loved going after bass and redfish in particular. There’s something about those early mornings on the water, watching the tide and learning patience, that stuck with me and shaped how I see the world. Fishing has never just been a hobby for me—it’s where my respect for nature really began. That connection is what led me to pursue a degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism at Everglades University. I want to protect the kinds of places that gave me those experiences, while also helping others access and enjoy them. Over time, I’ve become more aware of how fragile Florida’s ecosystems are. Changes in water quality, habitat loss, and overuse can have real impacts—not just on fish populations, but on the communities that depend on them. My goal is to be part of protecting these environments through sustainable practices and education, especially when it comes to responsible fishing and conservation. I’m also passionate about environmental justice. In Florida, not every community has equal access to clean water, safe outdoor spaces, or well-maintained parks. That’s something I want to help change. Through my education, I’m learning how recreation and tourism can either harm or help communities, depending on how they’re managed. I want to be involved in creating solutions that make outdoor spaces more accessible while also protecting the environment. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience nature the way I did growing up. While I don’t have a background playing baseball or softball, the game has still had a meaningful impact on me. I loved going to Tampa Bay Rays games whenever I could at Tropicana Field. Living nearby made those experiences even more special. I didn’t grow up playing the sport, but I taught myself how to follow it by using the free scorecards at the games—carefully keeping track of each play and learning the rules along the way. It made me feel more connected, not just to the game, but to the crowd and the shared energy in the stadium. I also worked at Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill, the unofficial pre-game gathering spot, where I saw how much baseball brings people together. Those experiences showed me that athletics are about more than playing—they’re about community, belonging, and shared moments. That ties into my interest in overall health, including nutrition and physical activity. I believe that access to outdoor recreation and education about healthy living can make a real difference in people’s lives. Whether it’s through parks, community programs, or conservation efforts, I want to help create opportunities for people to stay active and connected to their environment. This scholarship means a lot to me because it honors someone who loved fishing and the outdoors—something I deeply relate to. The lessons I learned fishing with my dad in Lemon Bay are the same ones guiding my future: respect the environment, be patient, and leave things better than you found them. With my degree, I plan to turn those values into action by protecting natural spaces, supporting communities, and helping others build the same kind of connection to the outdoors that shaped me.