I plan to become a therapist for children and teens and possibly pursue education. My mother struggled with her mental health more verbally than my father and I. No matter silent or not it was still an incredible struggle watching and hearing it first hand and experiencing it myself. I knew my mom struggled with the grief of many friends who have passed either intentionally or unintentionally. No matter what they were all struggling mentally in some way. My personal experience with loss due to suicide happened my sophomore year. To be honest, even to this day I feel almost guilty for caring so much when we weren’t close. I knew him from my culinary class. We always grouped together with my two other friends. A guy who would protect us from the creepy guy in the class and always put the dirty rags in the washer cause we didn’t wanna touch them. I found out he passed on my birthday. His was two days later. Forever he is 17. The loss of him made me understand my mom in a new way. I understood what she meant when she said she saw them everywhere. In other people, her dreams, stalking their socials. It weird to imagine someone could be there one day and just never be back after that. My second experience with loss didn’t come from suicide. But mental health was definitely a factor. My aunt passed this February due to alcohol addiction. She began to turn yellow last thanksgiving, but of course that wasn’t even close to the beginning of her addiction. I’ve, of course, known her as long as I was alive and I didn’t understand until I was older how much she truly struggled. No matter what she always cared for others, especially her family, more than herself. She put her happiness below theirs but in the end her addiction beat her. Causing her kids to either leave or be pulled away. The longer she was without them the longer it ate her away. In the hospital when she needed help walking and showering because she was so incredibly weak she still found herself apologizing for her body and for people needing to help her. All she said was sorry until the psychosis of being in the hospital got to her. I knew that wasn’t my aunt but it still hurt. Her mental health decayed long before her body did and I wish that I or my family would’ve done more to fix the root of her addiction. Which began with her mental health. I wish we wouldn’t have allowed her to stay in such a verbally abusive home. I wish we would’ve poured into her more intentionally with love and grace. As someone who struggled with mental health myself I wish I would’ve noticed and done better for others because I know what I went through. In the end i lost two people who didn’t deserve what the world gave them. With the leftover love i have for them I plan to pour into and help others with their mental health. Not allowing it to get as bad as the people In my life. With that plan in mind I am going to Houston Christian university majoring in psychology and getting my masters degree. I will become a therapist and help anyone I can.

My experiences with babysitting, nursery, being the eldest of my siblings, and witnessing the effects of mental illness in parents on children has completely helped and prepared me to teach elementary education and I cannot wait to express my love and devotion to the future generations. I grew up as the eldest and very involved with my extended family members. I had to care for my siblings since childhood which helped me adapt and overcome caring for children who do not respect or care for what I have to say or need them to do. In a class setting I will be able to help and redirect and still get what needs to be done, done, because of learning this as I take care of my own family. In my extended family, I witnessed how mentally unstable parents affected their children. Watching how their abuse and unhealed trauma affected my cousins socially, behaviorally, and mentally I can detect the sign of someone going through the same thing and it has prepared me to help to the best of my abilities when I see a child going through the same thing. Being able to help these children would not only be a blessing to them but it would fulfill something in me, being able to help them after not being able to protect the ones I grew up with. Once I learned that caring and educating children was something I had a passion for I decided to volunteer on the nursery team at my church and babysit. Seeing diverse cultures and family lives has taught me to respect and be sensitive to the things their parents teach and believe. It has also taught me what it’s like to be in a class setting as a teacher. We have curriculums and things we teach to the children, and it has taught me how to keep learning entertaining and hands on without screen time, as well as seeing the good in every child even if the day was a little crazy. I have learned what it’s like to be the only adult around in a room full of kids and being able to enforce the rules and directions needed while still being kind and respectful to them. My faith is incredibly important to me and being able to share it just by my actions is something I’ve always loved doing. The Bible teaches that children are precious and a heritage from God and that it is important to guide them in the right direction because they are our future generation. And while the public school system does not allow you to share your complete opinion on God and religion, simply loving and being kind is an expression of my faith and I’m so excited to be able to share that with kids who might not get it outside of the classroom. All of these things are so incredibly important to me and writing about this truly gets me emotional to think of all the ways I have grown closer to be an amazing teacher, helping our future generations. These all have incredibly prepared me for my career and passion so that I can do my job to the complete maximum of my abilities, and I know I continue to learn more everyday.

life experiences are so important to the person you become and what you want to do for the rest of your life. For a long time, I thought I didn’t like kids. Growing up an oldest child, I had to take care of kids that were not mine. I told myself I didn’t want kids and that I would just have everything to myself. But I later grew on to heal from the things that made me resentful. I now love kids and the only thing that being the oldest child did was teach me how to handle kids who don’t want to listen. I started working in the nursery and babysitting. Little did I know all of these things were preparing me for the career I want. I believe you shouldn’t be a teacher if you don’t plan to love, bond, or even like children. My faith has taught me the importance of children in the world. They are seen as precious, and a heritage from God. We believe that they need to be guided and taught in the right direction and discipline. And although the public school system doesn’t allow me to share my religion, simply loving is an expression of my faith. As a teacher and a follower of Jesus Christ I plan to love these littles so that I can radiate His love and give it to those who might not get it outside of the classroom. My faith prepares me to be a teacher because as I go through my career with Him I will express love and patience. Volunteering in nursery, you are exposed to many different types of home lives and rules. You truly see the way different families work. Being in the nursery has taught me to respect and adapt to the things they were taught at home. Nursery and babysitting has also taught me how to teach kids while making it fun and entertaining. Being able to redirect and refocus them when needed without being harsh or shaming them. It is preparing me for a class setting and teaching me to be a better teacher as I continue. Also being the only adult around to protect them and have educated fun without screen time. I hope working as a teacher I can’t teach without having to use too many screens and videos so they can be more hands on and have real experiences. I grew up very involved with my extended family members, all with their own mental illnesses, addictions, and abuse patterns/cycles. Growing up with my cousins and watching them grow up I see the way the home life has affected their lives whether it’s behaviorally, academically, or socially. reacting to things the way their parents would, being shy and scared around adults when a mistake is made, feeling like you need to yell to explain yourself. All of these are signs at an early age that you either have, or have grown up around mentally unwell or unloving parents. Seeing these thingsI want to be a help in some way to protect kids going through the same thing. Witnessing these things second hand has given me the ability to detect, understand, and help those going through the same thing and I truly can’t wait to be that help for a child going through these things.

life experiences are so important to the person you become and what you want to do for the rest of your life. For a long time, I thought I didn’t like kids. Growing up an oldest child, I had to take care of kids that were not mine. I told myself I didn’t want kids and that I would just have everything to myself. But I later grew on to heal from the things that made me resentful. I now love kids and the only thing that being the oldest child did was teach me how to handle kids who don’t want to listen. I started working in the nursery and babysitting. Little did I know all of these things were preparing me for the career I want. I believe you shouldn’t be a teacher if you don’t plan to love, bond, or even like children. My faith has taught me the importance of children in the world. They are seen as precious, and a heritage from God. We believe that they need to be guided and taught in the right direction and discipline. And although the public school system doesn’t allow me to share my religion, simply loving is an expression of my faith. As a teacher and a follower of Jesus Christ I plan to love these littles so that I can radiate His love and give it to those who might not get it outside of the classroom. My faith prepares me to be a teacher because as I go through my career with Him I will express love and patience. Volunteering in nursery, you are exposed to many different types of home lives and rules. You truly see the way different families work. Being in the nursery has taught me to respect and adapt to the things they were taught at home. Nursery and babysitting has also taught me how to teach kids while making it fun and entertaining. Being able to redirect and refocus them when needed without being harsh or shaming them. It is preparing me for a class setting and teaching me to be a better teacher as I continue. Also being the only adult around to protect them and have educated fun without screen time. I hope working as a teacher I can’t teach without having to use too many screens and videos so they can be more hands on and have real experiences. I grew up very involved with my extended family members, all with their own mental illnesses, addictions, and abuse patterns/cycles. Growing up with my cousins and watching them grow up I see the way the home life has affected their lives whether it’s behaviorally, academically, or socially. reacting to things the way their parents would, being shy and scared around adults when a mistake is made, feeling like you need to yell to explain yourself. All of these are signs at an early age that you either have, or have grown up around mentally unwell or unloving parents. Seeing these thingsI want to be a help in some way to protect kids going through the same thing. Witnessing these things second hand has given me the ability to detect, understand, and help those going through the same thing and I truly can’t wait to be that help for a child going through these things.

I am Dawn Newbury, I am a high school senior and soon to be first generation college student. I attend school at deer park high school and I plan to be an elementary school teacher, Sunday school teacher, and someday a daycare owner. I attend community transformation Pasadena. I have learned so much about Jesus, my relationship with Him, myself, and guiding children in the spirit. I plan to make a powerful impact in the parent and child community. I serve in the nursery team and being with so many wonderful moms and dads. being able to teach kids about Jesus is such an amazing, beautiful experience. I grew up with not-so-gentle parenting and not being spiritually guided until I was in high school. But being able to serve my community in the nursery, and in babysitting, has taught me so much. It’s so incredible to be able to provide a safe place and spiritual teaching to the littles. With this scholarship I plan to use it for my college so I can get the education required to make an impact in classrooms and daycares. I plan to attend two years of San Jacinto and two years university. I will be able to get started on college and work in daycare with this scholarship and your prayers.

How has my life experiences and the things I have done to prepare for my career, increase the chance of me succeeding in being a teacher Babysitting I babysit and it prepares me because I am the only adult around and I need to make responsible and safe decisions for the kids and take care of them and protect them with my life. It is not just about taking care but it is about caring, loving, and bonding with all the children. I believe you cannot be a good teacher or childcare worker when you do not like kids. Also teaches me how to entertain kids without screen time and have fun learning. Being able to redirect and still have a fun time. Growing up as an oldest child I had to take care of the kids in an environment where they don’t wanna listen to me or like me very much. It has given me a good way to learn to motivate kids and adapt and pull through even when the child is being difficult Nursery It teaches me to adapt to the things the children learn at home and be respectful of all cultures and home life without knowing most of it. Because it’s at my church we have lesson plans and curriculums we need to follow which prepares me for teaching and once again being able to have fun learning. Also being able to send the kids home with a kind word to the parents and being able to kindly inform parents of possible issues Seeing the physiological effects of children being around crazy people Growing up with lots of mentally ill/unstable parents helps me see and understand the reasons and reactions a child might be having because of what’s going on at home. It helps me able to not only detect it but try to help and understand so that I can change the situation. What the Bible says about littles My faith also allows me to care and love the littles, not only just because I love kids, but because I love everyone and love the children. In the Bible they’re seen as precious and a blessing and heritage From God and that we need to love and protect them as we guide them in the right direction. Overall, all of these experiences have prepared me to give my absolute best care and love to children and families. Help them gain education, compassion, and important skills to live in the world we have today. I can’t wait to be a teacher and help kids like some teachers helped me.

I am from a family that has struggled to stay in school and do well in it. Majority of my family is typically bad with children, their own at least, and I am so happy to say that I have broken those chains and generational curses. I am a straight A student, planning on going to college to pursue a career in elementary education. Then I hope to open my own daycare for kids 8 weeks-4 years old. I believe kids not only deserve to learn, but to learn in a physically and emotionally safe space and I plan to give that to every one of my students. I grew up around people who weren’t mentally prepared or able to have kids but had them anyway. I see the way their mental and their behaviors have affected the child’s development and social skills. I plan to use these kind of life experiences to make me a better teacher and safe space. With these experiences I will be able to detect and help when something might be going on. I plan to study psychology heavily so I can truly understand the mental well. Through elementary and middle school I was teased or picked on by adults and children. With the knowledge I will gain from psychology I can learn truly how the brain develops and the things I can do to build a firm foundation and secure identity within themselves. Identity issues are things that have affected me majority of my life so being able to help and equip kids with love and security is something I’m incredibly passionate and excited for. I go to a church in Pasadena. I am a Christian. My beliefs view children as precious and a heritage from God. Although the public school systems won’t exactly allow me to preach or share the gospel, simply loving these children and being kind is proof of Gods love and I plan to share that with everyone, everyday. My faith in my foundation and I can only hope and pray that the present and future generations find that. I plan to use my faith to share the fruits to everyone around me so that everyone feels loved, safe, and seen. As I said, I plan to own a daycare. It’s incredibly important to me to give mothers and fathers a safe place to bring their children so I have incredible plans to ensure a safe and kind environment for everyone involved in my establishment. These plan include requiring a degree or experience in study psychology. So that the adults their know and understand the impacts and development of children. I also hope to have my daycare faith based. I want to instill the love of The Lord in adults and children. Although of course it’s not required for kids to come because if they need a daycare they always have me. As for the adults though it’s what did prefer just for the children’s sake. I have nothing against unbelievers I just believe that to spread the love of the Lord you need examples of someone who is walking in Christ. All of these are things that are incredibly important to me and my career and I plan to use all of my knowledge and experience to benefit the future generations. I hope to be able to afford college so I can fulfill my calling and spread the love of The Lord. This scholarship would benefit me greatly and I appreciate you taking your time to read about my passions, experiences, and plans and I wish you the best!