When I think about the person who has had the most influence on my life, my mind immediately goes to my mother. My mom is everything a person would want in a mother; she is loving, supportive, and patient. What I admire most in my mother, however, is not that she lives up to the ideal motherly image but that she was deliberate in how she raised me. Growing up, I was always interested in learning and trying new things. It was easy for me to get excited about new ideas, and it didn't take much to persuade me to like or agree with something. My mother recognized this and knew that while I was an inquisitive and imaginative child eager to learn, I was also rather impressionable and indecisive. Seeing this, my mother shifted her approach to teaching me different lessons and topics. Instead of simply telling me what to do, how to think, or how to feel, she'd ask me what I thought was the best or right way to act. While we talked, she'd share her thoughts and opinions and then ask me about mine. If I chose to agree with her, she'd ask me why. When I came home from school and reported what I'd learned that day, she asked me what I thought. After all those years of coaching me to become more of an independent thinker, I've become someone who seeks to understand before drawing conclusions. I am someone who values open-mindedness, curiosity, and meaningful discussion. I no longer look to my mom for the "right answer." Instead, I'm now more interested in asking the right questions. Since then, my outlook on the world and my role in it has changed. I am no longer satisfied with simply observing and questioning events happening around me; I want to do something about them. Growing older and experiencing more of the world has made me aware of how many of our societal systems and structures negatively affect people. I want to find ways to improve those structures to be more inclusive and beneficial to everyone. My mother's teachings have pushed me not just to want to observe the world but to critique it and find ways to improve it. I want to be someone who can identify problems, tackle them, and create solutions that will address their root causes while supporting those who are affected by them. That's why I want to pursue a career and education in social work. Social workers do precisely that—they confront systemic and social inequalities and work with communities to offer support while advocating for long-term change. No matter what I choose to do in the future, whether it be designing community programs, managing nonprofit initiatives, or passing legislation for policy reforms, I will carry my mother's teachings with me. I will never forget the importance of thinking critically, acting with intention, and staying curious and passionate about changing the world.

Since I was a young girl, I knew my purpose was to help others and make my world a better place. I was drawn to topics that involved social change, and I often found myself brainstorming solutions for problems I saw in daily life, (and I still do it to this day). Having a mother who nurtured my passion for current events through the news we watched and the lessons she taught, I grew up understanding that issues that are common today, like poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness should not be treated as isolated events, but rather symptoms and signs of a much larger, intracately linked system that perpetuates inequality. And as I matured, I realized these issues weren't just far-off incidents that appeared as headlines on the news; they existed right outside my front door. In my hometown, Jacksonville, Florida, I saw firsthand how certain privileges were reserved for certain people. My neighborhood school, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, was severely underfunded. Our library had little books, our textbooks were damaged and outdated, and our bathrooms were always out of toiletries. My science teacher, Ms. James, had to bring her own basket of toilet paper and soap from home because our elementary school couldn't afford to keep a supply. Children came to lunch with nothing but chips and Slim Jims, while others had to be given shoes and uniforms because their parents could not afford new ones. At that age, it was hard to explain what I was witnessing and experiencing. It was my first account of inequality, and at one point, I couldn't even explain why I felt so bothered by those seemingly "normal" things. Why did our zip code determine whether we were worthy of receiving a quality education? Why did the financial constraint of children's parents follow them into places of higher learning? How was that okay? Seeing all these things led me to dream of a career where I could help people like my classmates by finding solutions to their problems and the bigger ones that cause them. I started volunteering with local nonprofits to find this career. What other better way was there to learn how to help others than by first helping those in your community? I joined Feeding Northeast Florida, helping set up food drives at stations near my school. I joined the Mitch 22 Foundation as a student member and took part in fundraising events for foster children and underprivileged elementary schools. Through READ USA, I provided tutoring to young readers, assisting them in becoming more confident and literate. "Through every experience, I asked myself: is this bringing me closer to that career and my dream?" Every endevor felt like one step closer, but it wasn't until high school that I found my answer. During my freshman year, after signing up to volunteer at another Feeding Northeast Florida food drive, I met Ms. Gaulden. She proudly introduced herself as a United Way school social worker, and after a few hours of chatting and working with her, I worked up the courage to ask, "What exactly is a social worker?" In addition to providing support, social workers also create programs, push for legislative changes, and create systems that empower people in order to assist individuals, families, and communities. That conversation changed my life. Since then, I've been working with Ms. Gaulden in her office at Ribault Full-Service Schools, learning about the ins and outs of social work. I joined 904WARD’s Student Advocacy Training Institute, where I my advocacy project T.R.A.D.E. Afterschool, a program that connects high school students to careers in the trades through workshops, site visits, and hands-on shadowing. I created T.R.A.D.E. to help students like me—students searching for purpose and real-world direction, especially those uninterested in the traditional college track. That project won 904WARD’s Best Community Initiative award and is now being piloted at my high school. I’ve also grown as a leader as well. In the Mitch22 Foundation, I’ve taken on the responsibility of planning our community service project, helping coordinate school drives, and making sure our events are youth-led and relevant to real student needs. At READ USA, I’ve worked with students and helped them grow from struggling readers to enthusiastic learners. These experiences have shaped me into the advocate I am becoming—one who listens deeply, leads with care, and sees value in every person’s story. My vision doesn't stop there, however. This Fall, I will begin my studies in Social Work at the University of North Florida. While I'm still exploring which kind of social work I want to do, I'll get hands-on experience through internships, field work, and research to help me decide. I want to intern with nonprofits and public service agencies that work directly with underserved populations in Jacksonville. Doing so will give me insight into the specific, systemic issues my city faces, and help me learn how to advocate from both the grassroots and administrative levels. I want to work as a social worker in Jacksonville for a few years after I graduate, specializing in helping families and young people. After that, I want to pursue leadership positions in nonprofit organizations and policymaking, which will enable me to influence and enhance the systems that are supposed to help us. Working with local governments and schools to rethink housing, education, and mental health are all ideas I have to improve conditions in my city. But none of this is possible without financial support. As a college student coming from a single-income household, the cost of higher education is one of my family’s biggest challenges. My mother has always supported my decision to go to college, but despite her sacrifices, paying for college still feels out of reach. I’ve spent the last four years working toward scholarships, grants, and early college credits to lighten the financial load. Receiving this scholarship wouldn’t just ease the burden—it would allow me to be fully present in my classes, internships, and leadership opportunities. It would allow me to say yes to experiences that shape my future without constantly worrying about how to afford them. Most of all, this scholarship would serve as a symbol that others believe in the impact I hope to make. I don’t take that lightly. I’m becoming a social worker because I see the change our communities deserve—and I want to help build it. I want to help children find safety, help families access resources, and help communities reimagine what’s possible. I want to be part of the solution—not just for today’s problems, but for the long-term systems that shape tomorrow. For too long, I’ve seen communities struggle with problems that have solutions. From the moment I first asked why my school had so little while others had so much, I knew I didn’t just want to observe injustice—I wanted to challenge it. And now, with the help of this scholarship, I’m ready to begin.

"I want to be a happy person." That was my response to the interviewer's question, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" At the time, I didn't have a dream career, and while my classmates confidently came back with answers like "a teacher" or "a nurse, like my mom," I gave them the most honesty I could: to be happy. My mother raised me with a warm kind of honesty and gentleness. She'd never miss an opportunity to teach me about the realities of the world, pointing out its inequalities and keeping me aware of my privileges. One day, while she re-twisted and oiled my hair, we sat on the couch in front of the T.V., taking in the week's worth of news. Every report was filled with something negative- a natural disaster here, a shooting there. "You know, Elliana, there are a lot of unhappy people in this world; a lot of people struggling. Be happy of how lucky you are." Something about those words changed me, and suddenly, my happiness seemed like something fragile that I needed to protect. That day, I made a silent promise to treasure my happiness, never taking it for granted. Years went by, and I never stopped noticing the plights of the world. Maturing only made me more observant and realize that things I initially thought were normal were anything but, like how some of my classmates wore the same shoes every day or how my fourth-grade science teacher had to bring her own family's supply of toilet paper because our school couldn't afford to stock any. Over time, my quiet habit of simply observing and appreciating turned into a desire to actively understand and ask, "Why?" Why could my neighborhood not afford toilet paper while my 6-12 charter school could? The fact that I had to wonder about these things frustrated me, and I could no longer ignore them- I had to do something about them. The best way to help my community was to get involved, so I joined and volunteered with several local organizations to get a better understanding of my community's needs. I became a member of the Mitch22 Foundation and a student advocate with 904WARD. I became a tutor at READ USA to join their mission to eradicate childhood illiteracy. I hoped that by supporting those who were fighting the very inequalities I had witnessed, I would find direction for my newfound passion, and maybe I discover what I wanted to do "When I grew up"? In ninth grade, I finally found the career that would channel my desire to make an impact. While volunteering with Feeding Northeast Florida, I met StanVonna Gaulden, a woman who proudly introduced herself as my school social worker. Curious, I asked the question that would change my life: "What exactly is social work?" That day, I found my calling and a mentor who would guide me toward a path of advocacy and social change. This fall, at the University of North Florida, I'll be studying social work and continue learning about how societal systems influence people's lives. One day, I hope to design initiatives and programs that confront the underlying causes of inequality and invest in marginalized communities like mine. Whether I work with families, schools, or legislators, my goal will always be to make long-lasting change. The happiness I once thought needed protecting is something I now know should be shared with the world. I hope my work brings joy and confidence in others and perhaps inspires them to help build a better world for others, too.

" I want to be a happy person." That was my response to the interviewer's question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Even at the age of seven, I cared about authenticity, and I wanted to give her a sincere answer. Whenever I asked my classmates the same question, they always had confident answers, such as, "I want to be a teacher," or "I want to be a nurse, like my mom." As admirable as I thought those dreams were, none of them resonated with me, and I still hadn't manifested one of my own. However, that was until I recalled a very special moment with my mother. It was another evening of us sitting in the living room, watching the daily report of depressing news, as she re-twisted and stretched my hair. "You know, Elliana, there are a lot of unhappy people in this world- a lot of people struggling. Not everyone is lucky to be as happy as you." At that age, everything my mother said felt like words from a sage, so I made sure to listen and remember it well. That day, I made a silent promise to always protect my happiness while helping others find theirs. I started to become more mindful of others, and I couldn't help but notice the small things - how some of my classmates wore the same two pairs of shoes every day or how some students brought full lunches to school while others only ever brought snacks. As I grew up, my tendency to simply observe the injustices of the world evolved into a desire to actively learn and do something about them. I figured the best way to start my journey toward social change was by becoming an active member of my community, so I joined and volunteered with various clubs and organizations to learn about the particular needs of my city. Through all my community efforts, I hoped to find a calling—a specific career that would allow me to act on my ideas and make a difference in my community. Luckily, I was able to find that calling in the field of public service. In the summer before ninth-grade year, I met Ms. Gaulden. She introduced herself as a school social worker, but at the time, I hadn't given her much thought. I remember her saying goodbye and hoping to see me again soon. Later that year, while I was volunteering with Feeding Northeast Florida, I saw her again. That day, we talked, and I learned a lot about Ms. Gaulden: who she was, the work she did, why she chose social work, and how she felt years into her career. By the end of the conversation, it felt as if the world had stopped and focused all its energies on me. I had finally found my path. As a social worker, I'd not only get to address and improve flawed systems, but I'd also support those who they have harmed. This fall, I will study public administration and social work at the University of North Florida. Through public administration, I'll learn about how systems, rules, and policies are created, and through social work, I'll learn how those decisions affect communities. With this, I can pursue my dream of leading and designing programs that help communities worldwide, and helping this world become a better place.

Since I was a young girl, I knew my purpose was to help others and make my world a better place. I was drawn to topics regarding social change, and I often brainstormed solutions for problems I saw in the news and daily life. Having a mother who nurtured my passion for current events, I grew up understanding that the issues we see today- poverty, food insecurity, homelessness, etc.- are not isolated problems but are part of a deeply interconnected system of inequalities. As I grew older, I realized these issues existed outside of the news, like in my own city in Jacksonville, FL. I witnessed firsthand how certain privileges were reserved for certain people. My neighborhood school, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, was severely underfunded. Our library had few books, our materials were outdated and damaged, and our bathrooms were always out of supplies. Our teachers had to bring toilet paper and soap from home and would even mix water with the soap once it got too low. The streets in my neighborhood were in constant need of repair, grocery stores were scarce, and it wasn't uncommon to see groups of homeless people huddled around buildings and street corners. Seeing all this left me wanting to find a career where I could help people find solutions to the problems in everyday life. I tried finding this career through volunteering with organizations like Feeding Northeast Florida or The Mitch 22 Foundation. I hoped that by being more involved in my community, I would discover the career that best aligns with my dream. That career was social work. I am drawn to many areas of social work, such as nonprofit leadership, international humanitarianism, and policymaking. Part of what makes social work such an attractive career is how it presents so many ways to help. As a high school student, I am still figuring out which causes I am most passionate about. No matter which area I choose to work in, my goal is to create and implement programs that work to solve problems rather than just responding to them. I plan to work with current organizations that share a similar mission. I admire organizations like the Red Cross, Save The Children, and Amnesty International, as they have been some of the loudest advocates for people facing human rights crises around the world. I plan to one day work with these organizations to understand how they successfully function and how I can start my own organization one day. Before I can work with these organizations or even consider starting my own, I must first earn an education in social work. College will give me the hands-on experience I need to explore different areas of social work while also equipping me with the research, internships, and professional connections necessary for leadership roles in program design and development. For too long, I have seen communities struggle with problems that have solutions. From the moment I questioned why other schools had so much while mine lacked the bare necessities, I knew I wanted to be someone who would fight for the change we need. As a social worker, I will work to be this change- helping others navigate our world's problems while finding ways to solve them.

Empowerment means leading a life of empathy, generosity, and thoughtfulness. To empower others- and yourself, your actions must come from a place of true compassion and a desire to see others prosper. Of all my experiences with community service, nothing reminds me more of the importance of empowerment than my time at Parkwood Heights Elementary. That summer, I was designated as project planner and leader by our president, Mr. Roziers of the Mitch22 Foundation. He wanted this summer's event to be unique, and thought my creativity and passion was what we needed. During our first planning meeting with the school principal and staff, the vice principal made a comment about efforts to improve the students' reading scores. That's when my first idea struck: "Why not add books to their bags?" If each child received a brand-new book of their own, they might be more willing to give reading a try. Not every child had access to books, so after talking with READ USA, Inc., a local nonprofit promoting childhood literacy, I was able to collect 200 books for every single K-5 student. Securing two hundred books for all of Parkwood Heights' students was an accomplishment on its own, but my ideas didn't stop there. A few days later, in another meeting with the school staff, I overheard a secretary mention that they received yet another foster care student. The conversation shifted into everyone wishing that they could do more to support these children, but didn't have the resources to do so. That's when my idea to make care packages bloomed. Everyone turned to me, and immediately erupted into cries of praise and excitement. Everyone was committed to getting one kind of item for the bags, leaving me to handle the clothes. Luckily, I knew Ms. Gaulden, a social worker whom I mentored under. I assumed she'd have plenty of school clothes, but she ended up only having socks and underwear. There were eight foster students, and I wanted each one to have at least two outfits. With $39, I was able to walk out of that thrift shop with jackets, belts, and the two outfits per kid I was set to find. Working with the school and foundation, and meeting the children I was able to give to was one of my most precious experiences. It's only made me more convinced that my purpose in this life is to help others. As a young Black woman graduating as valedictorian with both my high school diploma and associate degree, my goal is to one day lead a humanitarian organization- maybe even my own- that benefits the lives of people all over the world. To do this, I am pursuing an education in social work. Social workers are advocates for their community. They help people dealing with the outcomes of society's systemic issues, while confronting those issues, looking for ways to improve and solve them. As I learn the skills and knowledge I'll need throughout college, empowerment will continue to be the root of my Why. Anytime I face a setback, I will remember my mission to make my world a better place. to keep me going. No matter what I end up doing in the future, it will always be about helping others thrive and empowering them to reach their highest good.

Last summer, I signed up for what I thought would be a simple civics training, but instead, it was a competition to launch a community advocacy project with $1,500 waiting for the winning ideas. This was something I'd never done before, and we didn't get the news until the last day of training, leaving me stunned and scrambling for ideas. Taking the advice of one of my fellow competitors, I used what I was most passionate about to guide me through my planning process: education. I attended a Title I high school where many of my peers had no plans of attending university, thinking it unrealistic or impractical. The attitude there was completely different from the one at my college-prep K-6 school. Everything from the curriculum to the Friday celebrations- even the decorations- spouted college-readiness. The constant emphasis on being college-bound felt nauseating, and I felt for my classmates who weren't as academically gifted or didn't care about Shakespeare and algebra. They were left out of celebrations, often pushed to the side, and regarded as "lazy" or "troublesome". Their talents were overlooked, and it made me think of my father. He was a regular blue-collar tradesman with dreams of becoming a farmer. Now, he's a prospering businessman with two businesses in the lumber and electrical industry. And that's when it clicked: my program will cater to students wishing to pursue non-academic careers. I started a program called T.R.A.D.E. Afterschool (Training Resources for Developmental Education), which would expose high school students to vocational careers through interactions with local organizations and professionals. I began by telling 904WARD my idea, which connected me to several organizations in Jacksonville. Everyone I met - from Alexandra Rudnick from Genesys Works to Mary Naumann from Communities in Schools - was incredibly supportive and excited for my project. Eventually, I partnered with Community First Credit Union, where we devised a seven-week program with credit union employees visiting our school weekly to discuss their careers. It ended with a field trip to a local branch where students shadowed and observed the work in person. By November, after presenting my project to the 904WARD committee, I was chosen as a project winner, receiving the $1,500 award. I was ecstatic to be recognized for my hard work and passion, and to see the committee genuinely moved by my creation. Although I have ended the T.R.A.D.E. Afterschool program to focus on my transition to college, I will remember how much work and perseverance it took to build something from the ground up. T.R.A.D.E. Afterschool taught me the importance of having patience, confidence, creativity, and vulnerability. One must be bold enough to try something new and fail, and have the resolve to try again. I am pursuing an education in Social Work and Public Administration. I hope to gain the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to become a better program designer and advocate for others. My ultimate goal is to be the leader of an organization that targets systemic issues and solves them while supporting those affected by them. Whether I am planning events at a small youth-outreach program or organizing disaster relief efforts across borders, I will carry the lessons I learned from T.R.A.D.E. Afterschool and continue on the trail to advocating for what's right while empowering others through education.

Last summer, I joined what I thought was a civics training program, but instead, a competition to launch a community advocacy project —something I had never done before. This news wasn't dropped on us until the last training day, leaving me shocked and scrambling for ideas. Taking the advice of some of my fellow competitors, I used what I was most passionate about to guide me through my decision: education. I attended a Title I school where many of my peers had no plans on attending college, thinking it too unattainable or impractical. Coming into high school from a college-prep K-6 school, I was drilled into thinking college equaled success. Everything from the curriculum to the Friday celebrations- even the school decorations- was laden with messages about college. The constant emphasis on college-readiness was nauseating, and always made me think about my father, a thriving businessman with two growing businesses in the lumber and electrical industry. And that's when it clicked. I created T.R.A.D.E. Afterschool (Training Resources and Developmental Education), a program that exposed students to technical careers through direct interactions with local professionals who would discuss and showcase their work, teaching students different routes a person could take to be successful. I began by telling 904WARD my idea, which connected me with several businesses and organizations in Jacksonville. I met many people who were incredibly passionate about their professions and who loved my idea and project. In the end, I found a partnership with Community First Credit Union, where we designed a seven-week program with credit union members visiting my high school to talk to students about their jobs. It ended with a field trip to a branch where students shadowed members and saw the work in person. Although I have ended the T.R.A.D.E. Afterschool program to focus on my transition to college, I will remember how much hard work, planning, and determination I needed to build it from the ground up. I now understand the importance of creativity, confidence, and vulnerability. One must be willing to try new things, fail, and try again to make something worthwhile. As I move forward to study social work, I will take what I learned from T.R.A.D.E. Afterschool and continue learning how to build impactful projects and advocate for my community while empowering others through education.

Since I was a child, I knew my purpose was to help others. I wanted to make the world a better place for myself and those around me, but at the time, I didn’t know what “making the world a better place” looked like to me. There are so many issues I was passionate about: poverty, homelessness, health, education, and so many ways I could contribute to society- becoming a doctor, scientist, politician, or teacher- all amazing careers, impactful in their own way. Each one of those careers, however, was too specific to a matter, and I wanted a profession that would allow me to dabble in different causes and issues. I thought that by doing small, helpful tasks like picking up trash in the neighborhood or helping my grandparents with heavy-duty chores, I would figure out the kind of impact I wanted to have. Throughout these attempts, my mother was my biggest cheerleader. She always encouraged me to continue doing good deeds. As much as I cherished her support, I wondered if what she saw in me was the hard work of a child trying to understand her passions or, rather, the innocent, fleeting wishes of a little girl. I felt misunderstood and frustrated. I wanted my mom and everyone else to understand what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be. I never stopped looking for a way to execute my passions and dreams. It wasn’t until high school that I found my way. After the COVID-19 pandemic ended, I was ready to start high school after two years of isolation. High school was my opportunity to grow and better understand myself. I signed up for different advocacy programs, joined several service clubs, and volunteered with local nonprofits. During my first time volunteering with Feeding Northeast Florida, I met Ms. Gaulden., who introduced herself as my high school’s Full-service site coordinator and social worker. To that, I responded by asking, “What’s a social worker?” Three hours later, I felt giddy and slightly overstimulated. All those years I was looking for an explanation- a title, a simple name- that would encapsulate all I desired in a career, and there I found it. From that day on, Ms. Gaulden became my mentor, and I continued to volunteer with her. Through our time, I learned that social work is one of the greatest forms of philanthropy. Philanthropy is the act of giving to a cause and community you care about and believe in. Social workers dedicate their time, energy, and entire livelihoods to causes and communities they wish to see flourish and grow. For me, that cause and community is my city, Jacksonville, Florida. As a social worker, I will work with different nonprofits to tackle our most prominent issues, like poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, mental illness, and much more. I want to create and lead initiatives that benefit my community. Before I can do any of this, I must first earn an education in social work. Winning this scholarship would ease the financial burden of college and allow me to concentrate on learning. I could focus on becoming a social worker who creates lasting change within her city while empowering and inspiring others to do the same. This scholarship would not just be an investment in my future—it would be an investment in the lives I hope to touch through my work, fulfilling the dream I’ve held since I was a child.

Since I was young, I’ve always wanted to help others. When people asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I knew I wanted to make the world a better place. At the time, however, I didn’t have a clear idea of what "making the world a better place" meant to me. Looking at my community, I saw many issues I felt were equally important and needed addressing. It was difficult to decide which of those issues I felt most passionate about and which career path I wanted to take. It wasn’t until I reached high school that I figured it out. After two years of virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was excited to start high school in person. I was committed to using the next four years to figure out what I wanted to do, so I signed up for various clubs and programs and volunteered to help numerous causes. Through one particular organization, Feeding Northeast Florida, I met a woman from United Way. She introduced herself to me as my school’s on-site social worker, to which I responded by asking, “What’s a social worker?” After four hours of deep conversation, I felt a whirlwind of emotions: curious, joyful, contemplative, and inspired. I finally realized the career path I wanted to pursue and found someone to help me. Social work has the flexibility that will allow me to help people in different ways. I can work in health care helping chronically ill patients or mourning families. I can work in the justice system, advocating for crime victims or promoting rehabilitative practices for offenders. I can work with large organizations like the Red Cross or local nonprofits like The Clara White Mission in Jacksonville. No matter which path I take, there will always be a need for people like me. I am now a high school senior on track to receive my high school diploma and associate of arts degree. I want to earn a Doctorate in Social Work and work for major humanitarian initiatives like Amnesty International or Save The Children. Through years of learning and working in these organizations, I hope to gain the experience and wisdom I need to build my own nonprofit that will serve people across the globe. We would help communities heal and navigate situations like climate disasters, food insecurity, or economic hardship. Alongside assisting communities to meet their basic needs, we would educate those communities, particularly the children, by giving them access to educational resources. I want children to have the opportunity to learn and explore different things about the world and themselves. I want them to be able to choose the path they want to take in life and have the confidence and resources to take it. Before I can start educating and changing the lives of children and communities, I must first educate myself. Obtaining my doctorate in social work will be a long, challenging, and expensive journey. This scholarship would ease the financial burden of college and allow me to focus entirely on my studies. With enough hard work, patience, and discipline, I will earn my degree in social work- the first step in my long, world-changing mission.

Writing has long been one of humanity's most powerful tools for documenting its most important achievements and moments. It transcends time, providing a direct glimpse into the voices, thoughts, and experiences of those who lived long before us. I use writing to help me stay focused and in tune with my mind and heart. With it, I can sit down and organize my thoughts and priorities and remain loyal to my goals. Whether I'm listing my duties for another busy week or mapping out resolutions for the new year, I get a sense of clarity and inspiration whenever I remind myself of my goals and why I must reach them. My high school experience has been a rollercoaster. Being in the Early College program, taking college classes in place of high school ones, along with maintaining my extracurriculars, work, and personal projects, high school became a challenge that took me years to fully navigate and manage. When things got too overwhelming, I'd procrastinate, worrying about all the work I was falling behind in. It was an endless cycle of stress and more stress. At times, I’d wonder why I was doing it all in the first place. That’s when writing came in. Gratitude journaling helped me stay aware of all the blessings I had to be thankful for. Journaling helped me calm my cluttered thoughts, and poetry gave me the break I needed to check in with how I was feeling. Writing gave me the chance to reconnect with my higher purpose and find the resilience and motivation I needed to keep going. I am now a high school senior with a passion for humanitarianism and social change. I want to become a social worker who creates projects and programs that address the needs of my community. One day, I want to lead an ogranization with the same impact as Doctors without Borders or the Red Cross to solve some of our world's most pressing issues. I know this dream will take decades of hard work and discipline before it takes root. But writing will be there to guide me through it. As I move on to college, the first step towards my dream, I will continue to write. As a future Social Work student, it's important I know how to write and communicate. Only when we can properly articulate our understandings of the world can we go on to lead successful lives and careers. I look forward to all the challenges and opportunities life has waiting for me, because I know my passion for change and my love of writing will be right beside me every step of the way.

For the longest time, I knew my life purpose was to help others. I've felt this since I was little, but at that point, I didn't know what 'helping people' would realistically look like. My mom always encouraged my love of helping others, telling me how proud she felt to have such a kind-hearted daughter. As much as I treasured my mom's support, I sometimes felt like what I did wasn't enough. As much as she cheered me on, I sensed she only saw a young girl's youthful wishes rather than her real, lifelong dream. I was frustrated because I could not show my mom and everyone else how committed I was and that what I felt was not a passing phase. But as I grew older, one particular experience gave me the direction I had been searching for. I was starting my freshman year in high school. The Covid-19 pandemic was finally under control, and life began to calm down. I was at my brother's open house when I met Ms. Gaulden, a social worker who worked at an office near my school. I hadn't given her much thought then, but I remembered her saying goodbye and that she'd see me around school. A few months had passed since the encounter, and being excited to volunteer and try community service, I signed up to volunteer with Feeding Northeast Florida, which was visiting my school. Just as I walked to our school parking lot, I recognized the office Ms. Gaulden said she worked in. As if on cue, she popped out, saying what a pleasant surprise it was to see me. We talked that day, and I learned a lot about her: what kind of work she did, why she chose to become a social worker, and how she felt years into her career. By the end of the conversation, I was in awe. This woman was the perfect image of the person I wanted to become. Listening to her, I understood then that this was what I had been searching for all those years. My dream to help others wasn't just a dream at all. With social work, I could put my vision into action. I want to focus on dealing with broader matters harming my community. My goal is to work my way up in my social work career to a position where I can create and lead programs and initiatives that will solve problems in my city. I want to build community events that get people together and encourage them to work with me as a team to tackle our community's issues. I have learned that things rarely get done when we wait for others to step in and solve our problems. When we are proactive and choose to take situations into our own hands, with the support of a team, people are capable of achieving anything. That is why I want to work directly with my people to find long-term solutions to our problems. The first step toward my goal is earning my master's in social work. Winning this scholarship would help ease the financial burden of college, giving me time to focus all my energy on my education, internships, studying, volunteering, and more. I could focus on becoming a social worker who creates lasting change within her community while empowering and inspiring others to do the same. This scholarship would not just be an investment in my future—it would be an investment in the lives I hope to touch through my work, fulfilling the dream I've held since I was a child.

I live in Jacksonville, Florida, and have called this city home since birth. Unlike many of my friends who haven’t lived in Jacksonville their whole lives, I don’t know what it’s like to live anywhere else. I often listened to them complain about the heat, the overcrowdedness, the visible homelessness, and the seemingly endless mass of terrible drivers. Those who moved here from other states often insist that Jacksonville is far from ideal. I, however, thought my city was perfectly imperfect. Yes, the heat is intense, and yes, we do have a homelessness problem. Yes, we could do with fewer bad drivers, but I see so much potential here. I dream of becoming a city leader who helps Jacksonville realize its full potential. Through policies, initiatives, and community programs, I want to address the needs of our people and help our community flourish. I aim to make Jacksonville a place its residents can proudly call home. My journey toward this goal begins with a career in Social Work. Since I was young, I knew I wanted a job that would let me make a lasting impact, helping others and inspiring change. For a long time, I wasn’t sure if such a path existed. My vision was vague, and I didn’t have a clear idea of the change I wanted to create. I considered becoming a politician, imagining myself shaping laws to benefit my community, but that idea felt too distant. Nursing also crossed my mind, but I quickly realized healthcare wasn’t for me. Teaching seemed promising- guiding and inspiring the nation's next group of changemakers- an underappreciated profession I deeply respect. However, after observing the challenges educators face in this country, I felt forced to reconsider. None of these career paths felt right, and I felt like my dream was too idealistic - that the simple wish to "make the world a better place" was not enough. I decided to leave career planning alone and focus on the present. Entering high school, I joined several clubs centered around service, academics, and social issues. In each of them, I gained something insightful. That’s when I met my mentor, Ms. Gaulden, a social worker who showed me how her career aligned with my dreams. Social work isn’t just about addressing simple needs; it’s about creating real change and empowering others to produce even more change. Pursuing a degree in Social Work is the first step toward my dream. Social workers need at least a Master’s degree to perform any clinical practice or hold higher-level positions, making a college education crucial. This scholarship will provide the financial support I need to focus on my studies without the constant worry of finances. Easing this burden will allow me to dedicate more time to internships, research, and community service—experiences that will help me grow as a future social worker. With this support, I can confidently work toward becoming a city leader who will transform her city into a place where all its members can thrive.

"I want to be a happy person". Those words were my response to the interviewer's question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Even at the young age of seven, I wanted to give a sincere answer- one that was both true and something I could strive for. I asked some of my classmates what they wanted to be when they grew up, receiving responses such as I want to be “a teacher" or "a nurse, like my mom". As admirable as I found those dreams, I still hadn't manifested one of my own, until I recalled something my mother told me. While scrolling through the news, my mom said to me "You know, Elliana, there are a lot of unhappy people in this world; a lot of people struggling." "You're lucky to have a good life. Not everyone is as happy as you." That is when I decided that I wanted to carry that happiness into adulthood. That's where the answer to the interviewer came from. In response, she suddenly swung me up and gave me a hug, telling me that I was the sweetest kid in the world. Growing up, I was often told that true happiness came from bringing happiness to others. Back then, I only passively took in that idea, never giving it much scrutiny. I just thought that it was another one of those cheesy mantras of life. However, now, as a maturing teenage girl with a goal of going to college to become a social worker and community leader, I realize that my happiness is indeed intricately linked to that of others. That conversation with my mother made me sensitive to the feelings and well-being of those around me, from classmates to passersby on the street. Since then, I have grown to not only be aware of the welfare of others, but to actively seek ways to improve it. That is why I aspire to become a social worker and leader in my community. These roles will grant me the power to kickstart community programs and lead fruitful initiatives that will bring meaningful changes in the lives of those around me. I want to be a person who listens and supports, one who advocates for those who are struggling. I want to come up with proper solutions to our nation's problems and help promote a more just and equitable world. I recently had the opportunity to tutor students at a local elementary school through a non-profit called Read USA. Our job was to promote childhood literacy. Through this tutoring experience, I witnessed just how powerful advocacy can be. Simply caring about youth literacy was enough for me and dozens of other tutors and teachers to come together to make Read USA the successful program that it is today. I was able to watch my kids grow from being hesitant readers to confident and eager learners, all in the span of a few months. My impact through Read USA was minimal compared to the greater issues that face my community. Imagine what more I could do for people as someone with the skills and assets of a social worker and community leader. With my education and experience, I plan on addressing a wider variety of issues. The happiness my work will bring to others will in turn be the happiness I have always sought for myself. This is why my goal is to pursue a career in social work.

One of my earliest lessons from school was from a story my kindergarten teacher read to our class. It was called “It’s Earth Day!” from the Little Critter series. The story follows Little Critter as he dedicates himself to helping the Earth after hearing how its warming climate is harming polar bears. His passion lead him to raise money with his class for a Polar Bear saving charity, plant trees in his neighborhood park, and even make a climate control machine! (One with a fan that blew cold air from melting ice). I thought to myself , if he could do all that and more, I could do my part with something as simple as picking up litter around my own neighborhood. This early experience really instilled a sense of responsibility and an awareness of my impact as individual. And so, I acted: One day, while my mom was getting ready inside, inspired by the story, I proudly set out with a trash bag, set on doing my duty of helping the Earth. My mom, initially distraught by my disappearance and alarmed that I was four houses down from home, was amused and proud when she found me picking up litter. This memory, along with many others, motivated me to pursue a career in Social Work and Public Administration, where I aim to serve others and make a positive impact on my community. Throughout my childhood, I continued to learn and grow, shaping my character, but it was in middle school when I reached a milestone. While puberty brought its many challenges, it also brought the need to develop true empathy, understanding, and support for my friends who were facing their own struggles. One such instance was with my friend Maria who was feeling incompetent, often comparing herself to me academically. I wanted to help her see her own intelligence and potential, so I began tutoring her, studying and doing homework together. Instead of running around and playing during gym, we would sit down together on the bleachers and go over math problems. This experience taught me the value of investing time and encouragement in others, and I was proud to see her confidence grow along with her grades. Another significant memory from this time was supporting one of my closest friends Kimani as she navigated her sexual identity. Instead of rushing to judgement and quick solutions, I chose to listen, and simply stand by her side as she navigated her journey. I learned what it meant to give and receive unconditional love, and just how valuable it is to have when you are struggling. Reflecting on these experiences, I see how much I have matured since that memorable day in Kindergarten. I have come to embrace compassion and kindness, finding fulfillment in uplifting others. That is why I choose to pursue Social Work and Public Administration, believing that I can extend my hand to more people. As I move forward, I know there will be obstacles that will test my empathy, strength, and resilience, however, I am resolved in my mission to uplift others and inspire them to be their best selves.