What if I told you the mirror can’t judge you, but that you judge what you see in it? At first glance, I see a girl shaped by unfortunate circumstances. However, the longer I stare, my perspective shifts to a resilient young lady ready to conquer any obstacle that gets in her way. Hi, my name is Courtney Price-Bennett, and I’m an African American kid from Johnstown, one of the poorest cities in Pennsylvania. It’s the kind of place that teaches you to appreciate the little things, but I always felt the weight of how hard it could be to make something of yourself here. Living inside the four walls of my small town made me wonder what life was like for others on the outside. I was raised in a single-parent home with my older brother, and our mother who instilled a list of values within us. Watching my mother work long hours, give to others when she didn’t have, and still take care of everything showed me what real perseverance looks like. Allow me to take you back to when I was fourteen. I had just transitioned to a new private school that was predominantly white and was still trying to adjust, when my father was tragically taken from me by gun violence. This experience was one of the hardest things I’ve ever been through and left me broken for a period of time, unable to completely grasp the situation fully. As a way to keep moving forward, I devoted my time to my self-taught skill of doing makeup that I learned during COVID. My creative outlet transformed into a business in just a few months called Beat By Doll. I made the best of what I had by redesigning a corner of my room into a small studio where I could give clients an experience they wouldn’t forget. Before I knew it, I had clients ranging from all ages trusting me with their look for everyday wear and special occasions. As my work began to spread across social media, I realized that beauty was more than a passion, and that it was my calling. Now, I plan to major in nursing with the goal of one day having a career in cosmetic procedures. Instead of letting the obstacle of my father’s passing hold me back, I used it as motivation to turn my pain into purpose. Currently, I’m seventeen, and the same spirit I operated in to create my business still flows through me today. In May, I set a goal for myself to be a part of the All-American Amateur Baseball Association, an 80-year-old tournament that serves as a time capsule of Johnstown’s culture. The organization selects a group of girls every year who understand the value of community to promote ticket sales and sponsorships, but more importantly, keep the community’s spirit alive. I was blessed to be chosen for this opportunity and recognized for it. I used the platform as a way to show kids like me that the odds aren’t always going to be in your favor, but are still achievable. Connecting with my town’s community showed me the people are still full of resilience, but just need an opportunity like myself. Now, as I look forward to my future and decide what my next steps are, I cherish the experiences that have shaped me thus far. Because when you come from little to almost nothing, you appreciate everything.

Hi, my name is Courtney Price-Bennett, and I’m an African American kid from Johnstown, one of the poorest cities in Pennsylvania. It’s the kind of place that teaches you to appreciate the little things, but I always felt the weight of how hard it could be to make something of yourself here. Living inside the four walls of my small town made me wonder what life was like for others on the outside. I was raised in a single-parent home with my older brother, and our mother who instilled a list of values within us. Watching my mother work long hours, give to others when she didn’t have, and still take care of everything showed me what real perseverance looks like. Allow me to take you back to when I was fourteen. I had just transitioned to a new private school that was predominantly white and was still trying to adjust, when my father was tragically taken from me by gun violence. This experience was one of the hardest things I’ve ever been through and left me broken for a period of time, unable to completely grasp the situation fully. As a way to keep moving forward, I devoted my time to my self-taught skill of doing makeup that I learned during COVID. My creative outlet transformed into a business in just a few months called Beat By Doll. I made the best of what I had by redesigning a corner of my room into a small studio where I could give clients an experience they wouldn’t forget. Before I knew it, I had clients ranging from all ages trusting me with their look for everyday wear and special occasions. As my work began to spread across social media, I realized that beauty was more than a passion, and that it was my calling. Now, I plan to major in nursing with the goal of one day having a career in cosmetic procedures. Instead of letting the obstacle of my father’s passing hold me back, I used it as motivation to turn my pain into purpose. Currently, I’m seventeen, and the same spirit I operated in to create my business still flows through me today. In May, I set a goal for myself to be a part of the All-American Amateur Baseball Association, an 80-year-old tournament that serves as a time capsule of Johnstown’s culture. The organization selects a group of girls every year who understand the value of community to promote ticket sales and sponsorships, but more importantly, keep the community’s spirit alive. I was blessed to be chosen for this opportunity and recognized for it. I used the platform as a way to show kids like me that the odds aren’t always going to be in your favor, but are still achievable. Connecting with my town’s community showed me the people are still full of resilience, but just need an opportunity like myself. Now, as I look forward to my future and decide what my next steps are, I cherish the experiences that have shaped me thus far. Because when you come from little to almost nothing, you appreciate everything. Due to unforeseen family financial circumstances, I am applying tirelessly to scholarships that can be awarded to me to ease the cost of attendance of my upcoming freshman year. Most recently after receiving my acceptance letter; my mother was laid off unexpectedly January 27th, 2026 due to a reduction in workforce. As of now, my household is attempting to support three people with one barely livable wage. Total cost: 34,446 Scholarships and Grants: 14,468 Parents: 5,000 Need: 14,978