I've always been a fan of The Wizard of Oz and all of its adaptations, but what makes Wicked stand out to me is how it flips the whole story and makes you see it differently. Growing up, I watched the original Wizard of Oz and other movies connected to it, and the Wicked Witch of the West was always painted as the villain, green skin, scary laugh, and no real reason for being who she really was. But when I saw Wicked, it made me realize there is always more to a person's story than what we are showed. What I love the most is how Wicked gives Elphaba a voice and shows her side. Instead of just being "wicked", she's someone who cared deeply about others and fought for what she believed in, even when it cost her everything. Watching her friendship with Glinda grow, struggle, and still hold so much meaning made the original Wizard of Oz feel different to me. When Glinda mourns the Wicked Witch at the end of the story, it now feels heartbreaking instead of just another "defeat of evil". I also think it's meaningful how Wicked connects the origins of the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, and the cowardly Lion to Elphaba's actions. It made me look at that character in a completely new way. Before, they were just fun companions for Dorothy on the yellow brick road, but now I understand their stories have deeper ties to Elphaba's compassion and choices, even if things didn't always turn out the way she hoped. For me, Wicked is more than just a musical, it's a lesson about perspective, empathy, and not judging people by what others say about them. Elphaba was labeled "wicked" because she didn't fit in and because she stood up to corruption, but really, she was one of the bravest characters of all. That message stays with me because it reminds me that everyone has their own story, and sometimes the people who are misunderstood are the ones with the strongest hearts. That is why I'm such a fam of Wicked. It doesn't just retell the Wizard of Oz, it makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about it, and leaves you with a powerful message about friendship, sacrifice, and staying true to yourself.

Selflessness has always been a value I try to live by, not because I was told to, but because life circumstances showed me what it looks like in action. For me, selflessness is not just about helping people when it's convenient, it's about stepping in when someone truly needs you, even if it costs you time, energy or comfort. I learned this lesson at home. My mom is a place officer and growing up I rarely saw her during the day. She would come home late at night, tired and worn down, yet still determined to provide for us. Watching her put others safety before her own made me realize the meaning of sacrifice. Because of her long hours, I often had to step up for my younger siblings. Whether it was helping with homework, making sure they ate, or simply being there to listen, I wanted them to feel supported even when mom couldn't be around/ There were nights when I was exhausted from school myself, but I pushed through because I knew they looked up to me. That taught me that selflessness sometimes means carrying more weight, so others don't have to. I carried that same attitude outside of mu home. A close friend once went through a rough time, instead of just checking in once or twice, I stayed by her side through the hardest moments. I listened, reassured them and reminded them they weren't alone, even when it meant sacrificing my won rest or setting aside my own worries. Seeing them slowly regain their strength reminded me that being present can change someone outlook. Even in school, I tried to notice when others were struggling. I've invited classmates who felt overwhelmed to study with me, encourage them when they doubted themselves, and shared positivity when I could sense they were ready to give up. These weren't huge actions, btu I've learned that sometimes the smallest gestures can make the biggest deference in someone's day. To me, selfless ness is about giving without expecting anything back. It's about showing up consistently for others, just like my mom has always shown up or us. These experiences showed not only who I am but also the kind of person I want to be in my career. I want to carry that same spirit into criminal justice, serving others with empathy, compassion, and the willingness to put people's needs above my own.

Supporting others mental health has always been an important part of who I am. I have helped friends, classmates, and family members by listening without judgement, encouraging them when they felt overwhelmed, and reminding them of their worth. I've learned that sometimes emotional support means simply being present while other times it means motivating someone to take steps toward healing, like reaching out for professional help. In both small and significant ways, I have worked to be that steady presence for the people around me. In school and within my community, I noticed how stress, personal struggles, or family difficulties can affect someone's wellbeing. I would check in on classmates who seemed withdrawn, offer to study together, and share words of encouragement when they felt like giving up. At home, I have been a listener and source of comfort to my siblings, creating a safe space where they felt valued and understood. These experiences showed me that empathy, patience, and kindness can go a long way in helping others cope emotionally. As I pursue a degree in criminal justice, I want to take this same compassion into my future career. Mental health plays a critical role in the justice system, whether its individuals facing trauma, people reentering society after incarceration or officers dealing with the stress of their jobs. Too often, these struggles are overlooked. My goals are to bridge that gap by offering not only fairness and accountability but also emotional support. In my future career, I plan to be the type of professional who not only enforces the law but also understands the human side of justice. I want to be someone who listens, validates emotions, and connects people with the resources they need to heal and move forward. Whether I am working directly with victims, supporting youth, or advocating for rehabilitation programs, I will use my role to encourage hope and resilience. By combining my passion for helping others with my studies in criminal justice, I hope to create a meaningful impact, showing people that justice is not only about rules and consequences but also about compassion, second chances, and supporting the emotional wellbeing of others.

I have always believed that even in the hardest moments, God gives us the strength to keep going. Smiling through struggles, holding on to kindness, and choosing gratitude when it isn't easy have shaped me into the person I am today. These lessons, along with my mom's example as a police officer, are why I feel called to a career in criminal justice. My values of kindness, humility, truth and gratitude have been my foundation. Life has tested me, but I have learned to stay positive even when it feels easier to give up. I believe that how we respond to challenges defines us more than the challenges themselves. This outlook has given me resilience, and it's what motivates me to help others through my future career. One of my biggest inspiration has always been my mom. She has worked as a police officer for many years, I grew up watching her make sacrifices for both her family and her community. When I was younger I barely got to see her because of her long and late shifts. She often came home exhausted, but she would still find time to share stories about her job. Some stories were difficult, others inspiring but they all showed me that he work was about much more than authority, it was about protecting and serving people. Although I missed her when she wasn't around, I admired her dedication. She gave so much of herself to make sure we were cared for and that her community was safe. Now she works as a school police officer and for the first time, our schedules match. Having her around more has been a blessing, and it has given me the chance to see her impact up close. Students look up to her and trust her, and it inspires me to follow her example in my own way. These experiences shaped my career goals. I want to be a part of creating a justice system that is both fair and compassionate. Too often, people are defined by their mistakes instead of their potential. My dream is to help break that cycle by supporting rehabilitation, offering second chances, and making sure justice includes both accountability and kindness. This scholarship would be a huge help in reaching that goal. Education is the key to building the future I want, but financial challenges sometimes make it difficult to focus completely on school. Receiving this scholarship would relieve some of that pressure and allow me to dedicate myself fully to my studies. More than just financial assistance, it would be an investment in my future and in the positive impact I hope to make.

Growing up, I learned that life is not always fair, but I also knew that how you respond to challenges can shape who you are as a person. My values of kindness, truth, humility, and gratitude come from both my faith in God and the experiences I've had in my life. There were times when things felt really difficult, but instead of letting those challenges break me, I chose to keep my faith and stay positive. Even when I felt like smiling, that was the last thing I wanted to do. I made the choice to smile anyway because I knew it would help me get through the day. That mindset has carried me forward, and it is one of the main reasons I want to pursue a career in criminal justice, to be someone who helps others push through difficult times and find a way forward. Another huge reason I want to enter this field is because of my mom. She has been a police officer for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, I barely got to see her because she worked long hours and late nights. She would come home tired, sometimes long after I had already gone to bed. Even though she sacrificed so much for us, she always made time to share stories about her job with me. Some of those stories were sad, others were intense, but many were inspiring. Listening to her talk about the people she helped and her challenges she faced showed me how important her work was. It wasn't just about wearing a uniform or having authority; it was about protecting people and making a real difference in the community. As a child, I sometimes felt the weight of missing her when she wasn't around. But over time, I came to admire her dedication. She gave so much of herself for our family and for her community. Now that she works as a school police officer, I get to see her impact in a different in a different way. For the first time, we share the same breaks and holidays, and I see the relationships she has built with students. They look up to her, trust her, and turn to her not just as an officer, but as someone they know cares. Watching her in this role has inspired me even more. It has taught me that being in criminal justice is not only about enforcing laws, but also about connecting with people, guiding them, and being a source of safety and support. My dream is to carry that same spirit into my own career. I want to be a part of creating a Justice system that doesn't just punish people but gives them the chance to grow and change. What makes me unique is that I combine resilience with empathy. I know what it's like to struggle, and I also know how important it is to have someone believe in you. My faith has taught me that every person has value, no matter their past. That belief is what I want to bring into my career. Lastly, in the future, I picture myself working in a role where I can help create a safer and stronger community, just like my mom has. Whether it is in law enforcement, advocacy, or outreach, I want to serve people with compassion, honesty, and courage. Pursuing criminal justice is more than just a career choice for me; it is a purpose, a calling, and a way to make a lasting difference in the world.