Reading about Brandon Repola’s story, I resinated with it. Not just because we have similar interests, but because his mindset, his boldness, and his heart reminded me of my own. He didn’t just have a goal in life, he acted on it. He wanted to change the world and show other young people that it’s possible if you put your mind to it. That’s exactly how I’ve been trying to move through life, even when things haven’t been easy. My name is Elaya Newman and I am a digital marketing at Louisiana State University. I was originally a Computer Science major but, I sooner realized that I did not had a passion for it and I was only doing it out of persuasion. What started as me trying to help my small business grow turned into something much bigger and I realized I actually love this. I love the way branding, visuals, storytelling, and strategy all come together to connect with people and realized that I can make this a career. Whether I’m editing a video, reposting business content to different platforms, or managing engagement through Instagram DMs, I’m always thinking about the bigger picture. How can my work make someone feel seen? How can it inspire people? How can this open a door for me and for others? In all honesty, none of this came handed to me. I am a first-generation college student, and that means I’ve had to figure out everything on my own. Things like financial aid, school systems, editing tools, etc. I didn’t have a blueprint but I was always eager to learn how to do things. My Youtube and Google searches were full of “how-to” videos and while I’m proud of how far I’ve come, I’m still learning and still growing. Financially, college has been a challenge. Scholarships are hard to come by, especially for someone like me who didn’t have access to all the “right” resources growing up. That’s why this scholarship means so much because it’s not just support, it’s recognition. It says, “We see you, keep going” and that is something seek heavily. What I admire most about Brandon is how he embraced all of his passions and turned them into purpose. He had multiple passions like digital marketing, videography, cars, and computers and I have several passions as well. Between marketing, dancing/aerial work, or providing beauty services, I embrace them all because they are apart of me. I want to use my creative sides to help small businesses grow, to tell stories that matter, and to build platforms that highlight people who are usually overlooked. My long-term goal is to start a digital media agency that uplifts creatives worldwide, and eventually launch a scholarship fund of my own. I want to create a powerful legacy and make an impact on communities through my work like Brandon has done. I’m still learning and growing but, my passion and goals speaks volume and I stand strong behind my values in life; creativity, growth, and integrity. I have a vision, the hustle mindset, and the purpose and I want to honor Brandon's name by creating with meaning, and making sure the next generation knows their aspirations are real, important, and absolutely within reach.

In my family, I was always meant to go to college. Out of all my siblings, I was the one who did the best academically. It wasn’t really a choice; it was expected of me to succeed. And honestly, I didn’t mind. I liked the feeling of getting good grades, being recognized, and knowing I had the potential to do something greater. School came naturally, so I always knew I had the foundation to further my education. I chose to pursue higher education because I wanted to be the change. I’ve always been creative whether it was dancing, doing my hair, lashes, or nails, I found different ways to express myself. But I knew I didn’t want to just work for someone else for the rest of my life. I wanted more. I wanted freedom. That’s when I realized I could take my creativity and turn it into something bigger. I decided to study digital marketing with a minor in dance, and that’s where my vision started to grow. But being a first-generation college student is hard. I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know until I got here. I thought I was ready, but I wasn’t. My parents didn’t go to college. My older siblings didn’t either. So, when it came to figuring out financial aid, and who to talk to when I was struggling, I while also dealing with personal issues on my own. And I’ll be honest; there were times during my first year that I felt completely overwhelmed. The stress, the anxiety, the isolation, it almost broke me. But I reminded myself that I was more than my setbacks. I was meant to be here. I started reaching out, asking for help, using the resources on campus, going to office hours, making friends, and building support systems. I had to learn that it’s okay to need help and that accepting it doesn’t make me weak. It makes me stronger. As a digital marketing major and small business owner, I now see marketing not just as a job, but as a tool to inspire meaningful change. In high school, I ran my student government campaign, designed the visuals, managed my social media, and gave speeches. I didn’t win, but I was proud of what I created and the confidence I gained. That same year, I helped lead and promote our senior dance show. We built a supporting audience through branding, short teasers, and fundraising; all by ourselves. These experiences showed me how powerful storytelling and community can be. In five years, I want to launch a marketing agency that helps small businesses and nonprofits, especially those doing good in the world to get the recognition they deserve. So many amazing brands don’t have the resources or voice to grow, and I want to help tell their stories the right way. Receiving this scholarship from the Concrete Rose Foundation would be a huge step forward. It would help take a weight off me and my family financially so I can stay in school and keep going. I wouldn’t have to worry as much about how I’m going to afford my education, and I could put more energy into doing what I enrolled in school to do: graduate, grow, and make something of myself. Having that kind of support behind me would remind me that I’m not alone and that my goals are valid. Being the first in my family to get a degree is more than just a goal. It’s a promise to myself and my future legacy.

As a digital marketing major and small business owner, I don’t just see marketing as a career—I see it as a tool to make real, positive change. Marketing influences how people think, feel, and act. It shapes what we care about. Over the next five years, I plan to use my digital marketing skills to make an impact, starting with my community, growing my reach, and always staying rooted in purpose. My love for marketing started back in high school. When I ran for student government, I made my own campaign flyers, created a social media plan, and spoke in front of my classmates. I used what I knew, my creativity and voice, to earn their trust and support. That same year, I helped lead our senior dance performance. It was a student-led event, and I was in charge of promotions. I created consistent branding, teaser content, and hyped it up online. That experience showed me how powerful marketing could be when you’re passionate and intentional about your message. Now, in college, I’ve taken that passion to another level through my own nail business. What started as a fun side hustle turned into something much more meaningful. I focus on using non-toxic products and sustainable packaging for my custom orders. I use my platforms to not just show my work but, also to teach people the importance of using safe products to protect your clients and yourself. I’ve had real conversations with my clients and even in group settings, where I educate them about harmful chemicals in common beauty products and why switching to safer alternatives is important. It’s amazing to see how just one conversation can get someone thinking differently. Being a first-generation college student plays a big part in this journey. I didn’t grow up with a blueprint or extra resources, so I had to make my own way. That’s why I’m so driven to create a business that reflects who I am; creative, smart, and purpose-driven. I want to do work that helps others and leaves a legacy behind. In the next five years, my goal is to offer free or low-cost marketing help to small eco-friendly brands and nonprofits who don’t have the funds to promote themselves. These are businesses doing amazing work but, without the visibility, their message stays small. I want to help them grow by offering digital campaigns, content creation, social media management, and branding strategies. Eventually, I plan to start a marketing agency that focuses fully on sustainable, mission-driven brands. I’ll use tools like influencer collabs, storytelling, analytics, and visual design to give ethical businesses the competitive edge they deserve. Receiving this scholarship would help me invest in the tools and certifications I need so, I can bring my visions and aspirations to life. Marketing changes minds and builds movements and I know that with authenticity, creativity, strategy, and heart that I can be part of that change.

Being a first-generation college student plays a huge role in how I view my future and the goals I’ve set for myself. In my family, I was always expected to go further. Out of all my older siblings, I was the best academically. It was demanded of me to do well in school, and even though it was a lot of pressure, I enjoyed the advantages that came with it. I knew I had the discipline and the drive to take my education to the next level. As someone who didn’t grow up with college funds or access to guidance from family about how to navigate school, I had to figure out a lot on my own. That experience shaped me into someone who’s independent, creative, and motivated to build a future that looks completely different from the one I came from. My identity as a first-gen student made me want more. I didn’t want to just work for someone else my whole life. I wanted freedom, options, and control over my success. That’s why I decided to major in digital marketing with a minor in dance. I’ve always been passionate about creative expression whether it’s dancing or doing my own hair, lashes, and nails but, I knew I needed the business knowledge to take those passions to a higher level. My end goal is to become an entrepreneur and build my own brand and business. Being first-gen has made me hungry for that kind of success. Not just for me, but for my family and the generations after me. I want to be the person who breaks the cycle of just graduating high school and settling. I want to be the example of what’s possible when you believe in yourself and take risks, even when the path isn’t clear. College is helping me become that person, and being first-gen is what pushes me to never give up on that dream.

Being a first-generation college student has shaped how I see the world and my place in it. In my family, I was always expected to be the one who “made it.” Out of all my older siblings, I was the best in school. Although it was demanded of me to do well and while that pressure was real, I also enjoyed the benefits of being a strong student. I knew I had the skills to take my education further, and that gave me a sense of purpose. I didn’t grow up with money, college funds, or people who could guide me through this journey. I had to figure it out for myself. That experience shaped me into someone who’s independent, resilient, and willing to work hard for what I want. I’ve had to search for financial help, use all the resources I could find, and learn how to ask for help even when it felt uncomfortable. As a creative person with talents like dancing and doing my own hair, nails, and lashes, I knew I didn’t want to be stuck working for someone else my whole life. My identity made me want more. That’s why I chose to study digital marketing with a minor in dance to build something of my own and combine my passions . I want to be the change in my family and create a new successful future that looks completely different from the one I came from.

In my family, I was destined to be the first to go to college. Out of all my older siblings, I was the one who stood out academically. It was demanded of me to excel in school—and although that pressure was heavy at times, I genuinely enjoyed the benefits that came with having a strong academic standing. I’ve been an excellent student all my life, so I knew I had the foundation and discipline to take my education further. I chose to pursue higher education because I wanted to be the change. As a child, I discovered my talents: dancing, doing my own hair, lashes, and nails. I knew I wanted to hold on to those creative parts of myself, but I also wanted to showcase them in bigger and more meaningful ways. I didn’t want to work under someone else for the rest of my life. I knew I wanted options, and I wanted control over my future. My ultimate goal is to become an entrepreneur, and I knew that earning a college degree would be a major step in building my own empire. That’s why I chose to study digital marketing with a minor in dance to combine business knowledge with my creative passions. Still, I’ll be honest: I wasn’t prepared for college. As a first-generation student, I thought I knew what to expect, but I quickly realized how wrong I was. There was so much I had to figure out on my own. My parents and older siblings didn’t go to college, so I didn’t have anyone to guide me through the process. On top of that, I was dealing with personal challenges within my family. Many of my peers had college funds or parents who could take out loans, but I didn’t have that. My parents simply couldn’t afford it, so I had to search for as much financial help as I could find just to reduce some of the burden. I also struggled with asking for help. I had always been the one to figure things out on my own, but this time was different. This was new, and I needed support. My freshman year came with a lot of stress, anxiety, and moments where I felt defeated. But I also realized that I was more than the setbacks I faced. I was stronger than the obstacles in front of me. Slowly, I started to reach out for help. I built relationships with my professors, leaned into campus support resources, went to therapy, attended school events, and made meaningful friendships. I began to feel like I belonged, and most importantly, I learned how determined and strong-willed I truly am. That first year taught me so much about who I am and what I’m capable of. Now, I’m walking into my sophomore year fully prepared and excited. I know how to navigate through college now. I know where to go for help, how to manage challenges, and how to advocate for myself. Most importantly, I’m ready to continue chasing my dream of being a college-educated entrepreneur. Receiving this scholarship would not only help relieve some of the financial stress I carry, but it would also bring me one step closer to my goals. Being a college graduate is deeply meaningful to me because I will be the first in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree and I will break the cycle of only graduating from high school. And also, I want to be the beginning of a new legacy: a generation of college education, ambition, and success.

To me, dance means expression. At its core, dance is the rhythmic movement to music, but it’s also so much more than that. I think of it as a relatable language, a sense of release, and a connection to oneself. For someone who simply jumps up when their favorite song comes on, dance is how we physically express emotion. A joyful beat might make you bounce, while a more emotional song, when you feel a specific part, you move to it with expression. From a dancer’s perspective, the music speaks directly to your body, your mind, and your soul. Your movements, facial expressions, and energy shift to match the song, expressing the joy or pain that words alone often can’t. It’s communication, and for me, it’s my truest form of self-expression. As a person of color pursuing a dance minor, I’ve had to overcome several internal and external challenges. One of the hardest things was letting go of the idea that I didn’t fit the “average dancer standard” in terms of technique, body type, or how I was perceived. I often compared myself to others, thinking that if I didn’t look or move like them, I wasn’t good enough. That mindset nearly held me back from embracing the very thing I love most. But over time, I realized that every dancer brings something unique to the stage. What I may lack in one area, I make up for in another and the same vis versa. I started to understand that dance is not about perfection. It’s about connection, growth, and individuality. I started to see my differences as powerful strengths instead of flaws. Being a dancer of color comes with pressure and underestimation, but it also comes with the opportunity to shift narratives and create space. I now focus on becoming the best version of myself. Not by trying to copy someone else’s style or shape, but by embracing my own. I’ve worked hard to improve my technique, tell impactful stories through my movement, and dance with intention. Every time I step into a studio or onto a stage, I remind myself that I deserve to be there because it is my happy place and it is who I am; it is a part of me. While studying dance as a minor, dance gives me the space to be honest, vulnerable, bold, and unapologetically myself. It has taught me resilience and helped me find power in your voice; that I lacked understanding even when I was speaking or moving. It is my whole away from home. It helps me distract myself from other things I am dealing with. It is a cure to my anxiety. Through dance, I hope to inspire others, challenge stereotypes, and continue create a space for dancers who belong in these spaces who may have had the same doubtful thoughts that I did. Receiving this scholarship would mean more than just financial support; it would be a powerful affirmation that my dreams are valid and worth fighting for, especially dealing with family who do not support going into a career of dance. It would allow me to continue my training, continue explore new creative avenues such as aerial silks, and grow into the impactful dancer and storyteller I know I’m meant to become. Lastly it would help reassure me that there is room in this world for dancers like me, who are driven by passion, not perfection, and who believe that their voice deserves to be heard, even if it’s through movement instead of words.

Throughout my life, I have discovered a variety of passions. As a young girl, I developed an interest in both cosmetology and dance. My initial dream was to become a professional dancer and choreographer, while also attending cosmetology school to become a licensed hairstylist and nail technician. However, it wasn’t until high school that I realized my ultimate goal was to become a college graduate. Obtaining a college degree would represent a significant "generational change" in my family. As a first-generation college student, I found the motivation to push further in both my educational and personal aspirations . While dance and cosmetology remain my core passions, I began to explore advertising and content creation, which led me to major in digital marketing. I realized that this field would allow me to combine my three passions by using the knowledge I gained in marketing to grow my beauty service business and showcase my dance talents to a wider audience. It will also help me have a broader understanding of the business world that won’t only just help me personally, but help me also be an asset to other businesses and brands. Attending college has been an incredibly fulfilling experience, giving me a sense of accomplishment and motivation each day. Being able to graduate from college will also make me a role model for my younger siblings to motivate them to continue the legacy of being college graduates. It’s not just about achieving my goals for myself; I’m also working hard for my family, hoping to make them proud and show them that their investment in me was worthwhile. Outside of my aspirations, it is important for me to make a statement in my work field as a minority woman. As an African American woman who will be exposed to the business field, it is important to bring my intelligence and charisma into the field to show how deserving of my position I am. The importance of diversity in marketing or advertisement fields is having different ideas and different forms of creativity being shared to one another. It will create a comforting environment for everyone with a sense of feeling valued by one another and by the company. Diversity in those fields will help businesses flourish by bringing cultural relevance to the company and bring in large audiences from different cultures and backgrounds. It will also help companies with relativity. Having diversity in the workplace will help companies with relatable campaigns and will help connect with the audience. Furthermore, increasing the number of minority individuals will give us a sense of belonging and satisfaction because it will outweigh all of the doubts and underestimation we have received because of intersectionality and fulfill us with being seen and heard.

It is common knowledge that communication is key to any relationship. As a kid, you learn how to communicate from those around you, mainly your parents. Growing up, I lacked a good example of communication. I was taught the stereotypical rules of a child: to watch what you say to adults, and that adults should be put on pedestals regardless of whether they are right or wrong. I was expected to keep my thoughts and feelings to myself. While I didn’t know it at the time, these lessons affected my mental health and ability to express myself. I have always been a loving and joyful person. I always cheered friends on, making them laugh and showing them love, but was never good at expressing my own emotions. I am the child of a difficult divorce and have always felt unheard, like I have to keep most things to myself. I was in elementary school when my parents separated and wanted the “perfect family” that my friends had. I struggled to come to terms with the fact that would never happen. My parents may have known that I was sad about them separating, but they certainly didn’t know how much of an impact it had on me. I was expected to keep secrets from my mom about my dad’s new girlfriend because, as my father emphasized, “whatever happens in this house, stays in this house.” This put a major strain on my relationship with my mom as I felt like I had to choose between the two. In elementary school, I had to bring heavy bags, stuffed as tight as possible, to school because my parents could not stand to see each other face to face. As I got older, the random breakdowns became harder to handle, so I finally decided to stand up for myself and tell my dad about how I had been feeling. It felt like talking to a brick wall. My father told me I had to “toughen up,” because this was my reality. Once again being told that my feelings weren’t valid, I shut down and kept my feelings inside from that day forward. Once I entered high school, I realized that keeping my feelings to myself took a massive toll on my mental health. After struggling with long days, little sleep, and overwhelming amounts of work, I knew I needed to find new ways to cope with my feelings. I began to journal, writing my feelings down to process what those feelings were, and how they impacted me. Journaling made me realize how important it was to be able to express my feelings and thoughts. I became more self-assured with my feelings, which contributed to running for and being elected as Site Ambassador for College Bound, a college readiness organization. As the site ambassador for College Bound, I give people the opportunity to express themselves and feel heard. I have sought opportunities that give me the freedom to express myself and others a chance to speak in a way that I was never given growing up. Going into the next stage of my life, I’ve realized that it is important to be candid about and validate my feelings, in order to build healthy connections with myself, those around me, and future relationships. I have reflected on my circumstances and found my voice so that I not only convey my feelings and thoughts, but encourage others to do the same.

Despite the challenges, I have always been a loving and joyful person. Many people would know me as a girl who always smiled and cheered on her friends and family, making them laugh and showing them love and support consistently. However, many people didn’t know what I’ve dealt with mentally. I am the child of a difficult divorce. I constantly heard the bickering and arguing, the name-calling, and continually keeping secrets. I also dealt with the rocky relationships with me and my parents and with their significant others as well at such a young age. I’ve always felt unheard, like I have to keep most things to myself. I was in elementary school when my parents separated. My parents may have known that I was sad about them separating, but they certainly didn’t know how much of an impact it had on me. In elementary school, I had to bring heavy bags stuffed as tightly as possible to school because my parents could not stand to see each other face to face. As I got older, the random breakdowns became more burdensome to handle, so I finally decided to stand up for myself and tell my dad about how I had been feeling. It felt like talking to a brick wall. My father told me I had to “toughen up” because this was my reality, and through it all, I’ve maintained to keep my joyous spirit alive. With those words ringing in my mind, I knew I needed to find another outlet. Once I entered high school, I realized that keeping my feelings to myself took a massive toll on my mental health, and I couldn’t continue to let that happen. I knew I needed to find new ways to cope with my feelings. I began to journal, writing my feelings down to process what those feelings were and how they impacted me. As I continued to journal, I saw a drastic improvement in my mental health. Journaling made me realize how important it was to be able to express my feelings and thoughts. I became more self-assured with my feelings, contributing to running for and being elected as Site Ambassador for College Bound, a college readiness organization. As the site ambassador for College Bound, I allow people to express themselves and feel heard. Every week at Site, I greet everyone and do a mental health check-in, asking about their days and feelings. At the end of Site, I ask people to share positive news and create space to highlight events in their lives that they would like to share. I have sought opportunities that give me the freedom to express myself and give others a chance to speak in a way I was never given growing up and being an advocate for theirs. It made me more accepting of myself and made me realize what impact I had on the other students. It showed me my potential greatness and what I bring to different communities and society. My inspiration to work in STEM came from Katherine Johnson, an intelligent and gifted woman who experienced racial discrimination at her workplace. As a child, I have always been fascinated with computers. My dad had so many different gadgets around the house, and I wanted to play around and mess with them, but my favorite was the computer. I loved to hear the clicking noises. I knew how to work the computer for personal reasons, but I was eager to learn about the computer’s software and its algorithms. I first learned about Katherine Johnson from watching the movie “Hidden Figures.” As a young black girl, I gravitated towards the film. Even though I have not experienced overt racism, I still knew that it is accurate and there will come a time, somewhere, that I will experience it. Watching and researching Katherine’s story taught me how my skin color should never deter my intelligence. Yearning to work at an organizational level similar to NASA and as a data scientist, I understand that setbacks in my life may discourage me, but knowing who I am, I will still thrive despite the odds. During my long-term career, I plan to work alongside future-educated professionals to create a better society. I have always had a passion for being a leader and helping others, so in the future career path that I envision, I want to contribute to and create positive technological change and develop more safe and efficient technology. While achieving my goal, I want to become a leader for other colored women and girls who desire to study technology and contribute to technological advancement, showing them that black excellence is fundamental—showing everyone that a black woman can and will do it. My aspiration is not just personal success, but to use my skills and knowledge to make a meaningful impact on society, breaking down barriers and paving the way for others. My unwavering passion for technology and leadership has always been the driving force in my life. I’ve used the challenges I’ve faced as a reason to stay spirited and involved in my community. Despite the complex challenges, I’ve prayed and motivated myself to wake up positively and do my best daily. I’ve reflected on my circumstances, learned from them, and found my voice so that I not only convey my feelings and thoughts but also encourage others to do the same. As I prepare to further my education at Louisiana State University and become a first-generation college student, I am committed to keeping my advocate and ambitious spirit alive. I want others around me to feel the positivity as a comrade or friend while I take the initiative to put the “word of mouth” philosophy into my academic and personal aspirations to better our society and build community. I am determined to pave the way for other colored women who aspire to have STEM careers like me. My long-term mission is to achieve my aspirations and be proud of the path I’ve carved.

Going to college means having lifelong experiences. College is where you experience independence, responsibilities, and earning future opportunities. You start to learn your true identity in college. You understand the first adult stage of learning how to do things independently and hold yourself accountable. You know how to have discipline, and learn that time waits for no one. You learn about different careers, find which suits you best, and earn different internships or jobs. And in the end, you also create bonds with students and professors that you will cherish and significantly appreciate. As the first person in my family to go to college, I bring a unique perspective and a strong determination to succeed. I've already accomplished the goal of breaking the cycle of only completing high school. I also want to hold the achievement of graduating college with remarkable academic and extra-curricular performance, networking with others, creating community at school, and being a leader and companion to all. Still, ultimately, I want to become a data scientist and a global leader for other women. As a child, I have always been fascinated with computers. My dad had so many different gadgets around the house. I have always wanted to play around and mess with them, but my favorite gadget was the computer. I tried to type on the computer and mess with the software. I always loved to hear clicking noises. My father is great at fixing devices simply by watching YouTube videos, but I was eager to learn about computer software and what makes it work. A lot of advanced technology now surrounds our world today, and this was the beginning of my calling to work in the computer science field. My passion for technology and leadership has always been a driving force in my life. During my long-term career, I plan to work alongside future-educated professionals to create a better society. I have always had a passion for being a leader and helping others, so in the future career path that I envision, I want to contribute to and create positive technological change and develop a better future for the world. I want to create a positive civilization that breaks the cybernated barriers between everyone, making technology more accessible and efficient. While achieving my goal, I want to become a leader for other colored women and girls who desire to study technology and contribute to technological advancement, showing them that black excellence is fundamental—showing everyone that a black woman can and will do it. Eventually, I want to be proud of myself and say I have accomplished my mission. Becoming a first-generation college student has become one of my significant accomplishments in my family. It will reassure me that I am one step closer to accomplishing my long-term goal and can contribute to my family and society in a more meaningful way.

I would say my greatest achievement to date would be learning how to express myself coming from a point in my life where I felt I was unable to. It is common knowledge that communication is key to any relationship. As a kid, you learn how to communicate from those around you, mainly your parents. Growing up, I lacked a good example of communication. I was taught the stereotypical rules of a child: to watch what you say to adults, and that adults should be put on pedestals regardless of whether they are right or wrong. I was expected to keep my thoughts and feelings to myself. While I didn’t know it at the time, these lessons affected my mental health and ability to express myself. I have always been a loving and joyful person. I always cheered friends on, making them laugh and showing them love, but was never good at expressing my own emotions. I am the child of a difficult divorce and have always felt unheard, like I have to keep most things to myself. I was in elementary school when my parents separated and wanted the “perfect family” that my friends had. I struggled to come to terms with the fact that would never happen. My parents may have known that I was sad about them separating, but they certainly didn’t know how much of an impact it had on me. I was expected to keep secrets from my mom about my dad’s new girlfriend because, as my father emphasized, “whatever happens in this house, stays in this house.” This put a major strain on my relationship with my mom as I felt like I had to choose between the two. In elementary school, I had to bring heavy bags, stuffed as tight as possible, to school because my parents could not stand to see each other face to face. As I got older, the random breakdowns became harder to handle, so I finally decided to stand up for myself and tell my dad about how I had been feeling. It felt like talking to a brick wall. My father told me I had to “toughen up,” because this was my reality. Once again being told that my feelings weren’t valid, I shut down and kept my feelings inside from that day forward. Once I entered high school, I realized that keeping my feelings to myself took a massive toll on my mental health. After struggling with long days, little sleep, and overwhelming amounts of work, I knew I needed to find new ways to cope with my feelings. I began to journal, writing my feelings down to process what those feelings were, and how they impacted me. As I continued to journal, I saw a drastic improvement in my mental health. Journaling made me realize how important it was to be able to express my feelings and thoughts. I became more self-assured with my feelings, which contributed to running for and being elected as Site Ambassador for College Bound, a college readiness organization. As the site ambassador for College Bound, I give people the opportunity to express themselves and feel heard. Every week at Site, I greet everyone and do a mental health check in, asking about their days and how they feel. At the end of Site, I ask people to share positive news and create space for them to highlight events in their lives that they would like to share. I have sought opportunities that give me the freedom to express myself and give other people a chance to speak in a way that I was never given growing up. Going into the next stage of my life, I’ve realized that as I continue to grow, it is important to be candid about and validate my feelings, in order to build healthy connections with myself, those around me, and future relationships. I hope to become an advocate and be a companion for other people to help them understand the importance of expressing themselves and being able to feel a sense of mental relief. I have reflected on my circumstances, learned from them, and found my voice so that I not only convey my feelings and thoughts, but encourage others to do the same.

During high school, I became a leader as the site ambassador at College Bound, a college preparation program and served at my school to give back to my community. As site ambassador, I have developed public speaking skills and built relationships with my fellow students. At the beginning of site, I take the time to ask everyone how their week was, and if they are doing well that day. I get to know all the new students at the site and make them feel welcomed.I ask people to share any activities they have coming up that people might want to know about. I create a space for discussion and collaboration at this site that is inclusive not just for me, but for everyone. Having overcome the feeling of not being understood in my personal life, I prioritize making positive space for others to be heard and feel like they belong to this community. I seek to foster this same sense of community and compassion on my college campus by engaging in different clubs and volunteer work around my campus. I have a passion for giving to my school and peers. I volunteered in my school’s usher program to show my support for the community. They have served me in so many ways, and I desire to give back. As an usher, I assist guests who come to see student performances and events. Giving back to communities that have impacted my life in meaningful ways is important to me, and I plan to engage with the community at my future college in a similar way. I want to involve myself in the college community and in the opportunities that my college will have available for me in extracurriculars and volunteer work. During college I want to major in Computer science. I believe that technology is the future of the world and everything will soon be controlled with AI and other technological advancements. Computer science is of interest to me because I want to understand how things work. I have been very inquisitive about knowing the way technology works and what drives it. In order to continue the growth of technology, we will need educated professionals to develop it. I plan to be a part of that group of professionals. I plan to work alongside the future educated professionals to create a better society. My goal in life has always been to help others, so in the future career path that I envision for myself, I want to contribute to and create positive technological change and develop a better future for the world. I want to create a positive civilization that breaks the cybernated barriers between everyone, making technology more accessible and more efficient. While achieving my goal, I want to become a leader for other colored women and girls who have a desire to study technology and contribute to technological advancement and showing them that black excellence is real. Showing everyone that a black woman can and will do it. And in the end, I want to be proud of myself and say that I accomplished my mission.

During high school, I became a leader as the site ambassador at College Bound, a college preparation program, served at my school to give back to my community, and took initiative to create and build my own brand. As site ambassador, I have developed public speaking skills and built relationships with my fellow students. At the beginning of site, I take the time to ask everyone how their week was, and if they are doing well that day. I get to know all the new students at the site and make them feel welcomed.I ask people to share any activities they have coming up that people might want to know about. I create a space for discussion and collaboration at this site that is inclusive not just for me, but for everyone. Having overcome the feeling of not being understood in my personal life, I prioritize making positive space for others to be heard and feel like they belong to this community. I seek to foster this same sense of community and compassion on my college campus by engaging in different clubs and volunteer work around my campus. I have a passion for giving to my school and peers. I volunteered in my school’s usher program to show my support for the community. They have served me in so many ways, and I desire to give back. As an usher, I assist guests who come to see student performances and events. Giving back to communities that have impacted my life in meaningful ways is important to me, and I plan to engage with the community at my future college in a similar way. I want to involve myself in the college community and in the opportunities that my college will have available for me in extracurriculars and volunteer work. In addition to these experiences, I became a sales associate at Five Below to learn useful business skills and grow as an independent woman. As a sales associate, I manage the register and also tidy up the store and register area throughout the day. While having a busy 8 to 5 school schedule and additional familial responsibilities, whenever the store needs help - even on my off days - I prioritize being able to come in and assist. I’ve always had a strong sense of independence and drive. I’ve been determined to do things independently and follow my vision of entrepreneurship. In order to achieve my personal goals, I took the initiative to put the “word of mouth” philosophy into place and started my nails, lashes, and hair service business, building a successful base of clients. I wanted to gain experience starting and running a business to further the skills I developed as a sales associate, and to develop those soft skills that will help me in my future career. With these experiences, I see myself being involved in campus activities and even becoming a leader in my future extracurriculars. I plan to also join the student body organization of my college since I wasn't able to join during high school. Using my leadership skills, I plan to create a club for women studying computer science to create a supportive and empowering community of women whose dreams are to work in the science field. I will bring this drive and determination to my desired college and into life. Being a first generation student, I plan to be an example of change in our society and for other first generation childrens. I plan to continue making new relationships and advocating for everyone to go further than what society may expect of them.

My intended major is Computer Science. My interest in computer science began at a young age. I have always been fascinated with computers. As a child, my dad had so many different gadgets around the house. I always wanted to play around and mess with them but my favorite gadget was the computer. I wanted to type on the computer and mess with the software. I always loved to hear clicking noises. My father is great at fixing devices simply through watching YouTube videos, but I was eager to learn about the software of computers and what makes them work. Our world today is now surrounded by a lot of advanced technology and I felt like this was the beginning of my calling to work in the computer science field. As a future aspiring data scientist, my inspiration to move forward with my aspiring career came from Katherine Johnson, an intelligent and gifted woman who experienced racial discrimination at her workplace. I first learned about Katherine Johnson from watching the movie “Hidden Figures.” As a young black girl, I gravitated towards the film. Even though I have not experienced overt racism, I still knew that it is real and there will come a time, somewhere that I will experience it. Watching and researching Katherine’s story, taught me how the color of my skin should never deter my intelligence. Yearning to work at an organizational level similar to NASA as well as a data scientist, I understand that there will be setbacks in my life that may try to discourage me, but knowing who I am as a person I will still thrive despite the odds. Katherine’s journey has encouraged me to move forward with being another aspiring African American woman to be in the technology industry. I believe that technology is the future of the world and everything will soon be controlled with AI and other technological advancements. Computer science is of interest to me because I want to understand how things work. I have been very inquisitive about knowing the way technology works and what drives it. To continue the growth of technology, we will need educated professionals to develop it. I plan to be a part of that group of professionals. I plan to work alongside future educated professionals to create a better society. My goal in life has always been to help others, so in the future career path that I envision for myself, I want to contribute to and create positive technological change and develop a better future for the world. I want to create a positive civilization that breaks the cybernated barriers between everyone, making technology more accessible and more efficient. While achieving my goal, I want to become a leader for other colored women and girls who have a desire to study technology and contribute to technological advancement showing them that black excellence is real. Showing everyone that a black woman can and will do it. And in the end, I want to be proud of myself and say that I accomplished my mission.

In my household, I am the oldest child of 3 siblings and the oldest grandchild. As an older sister, I take care of my baby sister after school and on weekends when my parents are working and or out. I also babysit my younger cousins when my aunts and uncles need help or someone to watch the children while they are out. Aside from babysitting, I also help my family with tasks around the house especially my older family members when I have free time. Outside my household, I continue to engage with others. During high school, I became a leader as the site ambassador at College Bound, a college preparation program in Washington, DC. As a site ambassador, I have developed public speaking skills and built relationships with my fellow students. At the beginning of site, I take the time to ask everyone how their week was, and if they are doing well that day. I get to know all the new students at the site and make them feel welcome. I ask people to share any activities they have coming up that people might want to know about. I create a space for discussion and collaboration at this site that is inclusive not just for me, but for everyone. Having overcome the feeling of not being understood in my personal life, I prioritize making positive space for others to be heard and feel like they belong to this community. With this experience, I see myself being more involved in campus activities and even becoming a leader in my future extracurriculars. Using my leadership skills, I plan to create a supportive and empowering community for black women working in different fields while teaching them the importance of believing in God. Being a first-generation student, I plan to be an example of change in our society and for other first-generation children. I plan to continue making new relationships in life and my career and advocating for everyone to go further than what they or society may expect of them.

In today's world, we are surrounded by a lot of advanced technology and I felt like this was the beginning of my calling to work in the computer science field. As a future aspiring data scientist, my inspiration to move forward with my aspiring career came from Katherine Johnson, an intelligent and gifted woman who experienced racial discrimination at her own workplace. I first learned about Katherine Johnson from watching the movie “Hidden Figures.” As a young black girl, I gravitated towards the film. Even though I have not experienced overt racism, I still knew that it is real and there will come a time, somewhere that I will experience it. Watching and researching Katherine’s story, taught me how the color of my skin should never deter my intelligence. Yearning to work at an organizational level similar to NASA as well as a data scientist, I understand that there will be setbacks in my life that may try to discourage me, but knowing who I am as a person I will still thrive despite the odds. Katherine’s journey has encouraged me to move forward with being another aspiring African American woman to be in the technology industry. I believe that technology is the future of the world and everything will soon be controlled with AI and other technological advancements. Computer science is of interest to me because I want to understand how things work. I have been very inquisitive about knowing the way technology works and what drives it. In order to continue the growth of technology, we will need educated professionals to develop it. I plan to be a part of that group of professionals. I plan to work alongside future educated professionals to create a better society. My goal in life has always been to help others, so in the future career path that I envision for myself, I want to contribute to and create positive technological change and develop a better future for the world. I want to create a positive civilization that breaks the cybernated barriers between everyone, making technology more accessible and more efficient. While achieving my goal, I want to become a leader for other colored women and girls who have a desire to study technology and contribute to technological advancement showing them that black excellence is real. Showing everyone that a black woman can and will do it. And in the end, I want to be proud of myself and say that I accomplished my mission.

In college, I plan to major in Computer science with a minor in dance. Computer science is of interest to me because I want to understand how things work and dance minor interests me because dance is my second way of expression without using my mouth. I use dance to escape the madness in my life, but also use dance to express my joy to my audience. I have been very inquisitive about knowing the way technology works and what drives it. I plan to work alongside future educated professionals to create a better society with my academic and arts education. My goal in life has always been to help others, so in the future career path that I envision for myself, I want to contribute to and create positive technological change and develop a better future for the world. I want to create a positive civilization that breaks the cybernated barriers between everyone, making technology more accessible and more efficient and I plan to continue to continue the legacy of dance while maintaining the aesthetic and value of dance. I plan to become a leader for other colored women and girls who have a passion for dancing like me and show them that black excellence is real. Showing everyone that a black woman can and will do it. And in the end, I want to be proud of myself and say that I accomplished my mission. With incomes that are nowhere near equal to the cost of tuition, my parents will not be able to contribute a significant amount to my college education which will lower my financial burden. This scholarship would significantly help me and my family finance my education. I want to break the cycle in my family and be the first to graduate college. I want to achieve my aspirations of getting a college education and a career in computer science and dance. I also hope to be a role model for my two younger siblings and help inspire them to continue their education and join the legacy of becoming a college graduate. Becoming a first-generation college student is a major accomplishment in my family and will give me the reassurance that I accomplished my main goal, and can contribute to my family and society in a more meaningful way. During high school, I became a leader as the site ambassador at College Bound, a college preparation program in Washington, DC. While being a part of this organization, I have had the opportunity and honor of serving as site ambassador for my site. As site ambassador, I create a space for discussion and advocacy at my site that is inclusive not just for me, but for everyone. This includes giving people the opportunity to express themselves and feel heard. Every week at Site, I greet everyone and do a mental health check-in, asking about their days and how they feel. At the end of Site, I ask people to share positive news and allow them to highlight events in their lives that they would like to share. Holding the position as a site ambassador has helped me gain leadership and public speaking skills. College Bound has made a remarkable change in my life by building a space for me to have people in my corner to advocate for my aspirations. Having overcome the feeling of not being understood in my personal life, I prioritize making positive space for others to be heard and feel like they belong to this community.

As a future aspiring data scientist, my inspiration to move forward with my aspiring career came from Katherine Johnson, an intelligent and gifted woman who experienced racial discrimination at her workplace. I first learned about Katherine Johnson from watching the movie “Hidden Figures.” As a young black girl, I gravitated towards the film. Even though I have not experienced overt racism, I still knew that it is real and there will come a time, somewhere that I will experience it. Watching and researching Katherine’s story, taught me how the color of my skin should never deter my intelligence. Yearning to work at an organizational level similar to NASA as well as a data scientist, I understand that there will be setbacks in my life that may try to discourage me, but knowing who I am as a person I will still thrive despite the odds. Katherine’s journey has encouraged me to move forward with being another aspiring African American woman to be in the technology industry and because of her bravery, I want to continue the legacy of black women in the STEM field. I believe that technology is the future of the world and everything will soon be controlled with AI and other technological advancements. Computer science is of interest to me because I want to understand how things work. I have been very inquisitive about knowing the way technology works and what drives it. To continue the growth of technology, we will need educated professionals to develop it. I plan to be a part of that group of professionals. I plan to work alongside future educated professionals to create a better society. My goal in life has always been to help others, so in the future career path that I envision for myself, I want to contribute to and create positive technological change and develop a better future for the world. I want to create a positive civilization that breaks the cybernated barriers between everyone, making technology more accessible and more efficient. While achieving my goal, I want to become a leader for other colored women and girls who have a desire to study technology and contribute to technological advancement showing them that black excellence is real. Showing everyone that a black woman can and will do it. And in the end, I want to be proud of myself and say that I accomplished my mission. Growing up, I lacked a good example of communication. I was taught the stereotypical rules of a child: to watch what you say to adults, and that adults should be put on pedestals regardless of whether they are right or wrong. I was expected to keep my thoughts and feelings to myself. While I didn’t know it at the time, these lessons affected my mental health and ability to express myself. I have always been a loving and joyful person. I always cheered friends on, making them laugh and showing them love, but was never good at expressing my own emotions. I am the child of a difficult divorce and have always felt unheard like I have to keep most things to myself. Once I entered high school, I realized that keeping my feelings to myself took a massive toll on my mental health. After struggling with long days, little sleep, and overwhelming amounts of work, I knew I needed to find new ways to cope with my feelings. I began to journal, writing my feelings down to process what those feelings were, and how they impacted me. As I continued to journal, I saw a drastic improvement in my mental health. Journaling made me realize how important it was to be able to express my feelings and thoughts. I became more self-assured with my feelings, which contributed to my running for and being elected as Site Ambassador for College Bound, a college readiness organization. As the site ambassador for College Bound, I give people the opportunity to express themselves and feel heard. Every week at site, I greet everyone and do a mental health check-in, asking about their days and how they feel. At the end of site, I ask people to share positive news and create space for them to highlight events in their lives that they would like to share. I have sought opportunities that give me the freedom to express myself and give other people a chance to speak in a way that I was never given growing up. Going into the next stage of my life, I’ve realized that as I continue to grow, it is important to be candid about and validate my feelings, to build healthy connections with myself, those around me, and future relationships. I have reflected on my circumstances, learned from them, and found my voice so that I not only convey my feelings and thoughts but encourage others to do the same.

During high school, I became a leader as the site ambassador at College Bound, a college preparation program, served at my school to give back to my community, and took the initiative to create my brand. As a site ambassador, I have developed public speaking skills and built relationships with my fellow students. At the beginning of site, I take the time to ask everyone how their week was, and if they are doing well that day. I get to know all the new students at the site and make them feel welcome. I ask people to share any activities they have coming up that people might want to know about. I create a space for discussion and collaboration at this site that is inclusive not just for me, but for everyone. Having overcome the feeling of not being understood in my personal life, I prioritize making positive space for others to be heard and feel like they belong to this community. I have a passion for giving to my school and peers. I volunteered in my school’s usher program to show my support for the community. They have served me in so many ways, and I desire to give back. As an usher, I assist guests who come to see student performances and events. Giving back to communities that have impacted my life in meaningful ways is important to me, and I plan to engage in my community. I want to involve myself in my community and in the opportunities that will be available for me in volunteer work. In addition to these experiences, I became a sales associate at Five Below to learn useful business skills and grow as an independent woman. As a sales associate, I manage the register and also tidy up the store and register area throughout the day. While having a busy 8 to 5 school schedule and additional familial responsibilities, whenever the store needs help - even on my off days - I prioritize being able to come in and assist. I’ve always had a strong sense of independence and drive. I’ve been determined to do things independently and follow my vision of entrepreneurship. To achieve my personal goals, I took the initiative to put the “word of mouth” philosophy into place and started my nails, lashes, and hair service business, building a successful base of clients. While having these experiences, I have continued to improve my relationship with God and ask for his guidance throughout it. Dealing with my home life and dealing with a busy schedule is not an easy task, but I continue to walk in faith, with my head high because I know that God has my best interest and is making ways for me. I wanted to gain experience starting and running a business to further the skills I developed as a sales associate, and to develop those soft skills that will help me in my future career, but none of this would be possible without God. With these experiences, I see myself being involved in campus activities and even becoming a leader in my future extracurriculars. Using my leadership skills, I plan to create a supportive and empowering community for black women working in different fields while teaching them the importance of believing in God. Being a first-generation student, I plan to be an example of change in our society and for other first-generation children. I plan to continue making new relationships in life and my career and advocating for everyone to go further than what they or society may expect of them.