My ultimate career goal is to become a Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist. I plan to major in Communicative Sciences and Disorders for my undergraduate degree. Then, I plan to obtain my master's degree in Speech Pathology. I have always known that I wanted to work with children. The idea of helping children was first introduced to me by watching my mother. She has been a high school teacher for over twenty years and when we are in public, at least one of her former students come up to her with excitement and thanks her for the impact she has made in their life. Although she is not financially compensated well, knowing that she has impacted a student’s life is worth more than money. I aspire to leave that effect on children's lives so much so that I am currently enrolled in the highest Early Childhood Education Program at my school. By being in this program, I am able to work with first grade and special needs students a twice a week. We have recently developed a "Child's Day Out" program and it allows me to nurture three to five year old's every Thursday. I make lesson plans that allow them to show their creative and artistic sides. Being around them every week makes me fall more in love with my future profession. I know that communication is a key part of life, and I want to teach kids the skills to express their feelings in a way that makes them feel comfortable and proud of themselves. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to fund my education and purchase necessary items related to my career goal. I have always been a success driven person and the career that I want to be in requires me to have this mindset. As of 2022, there are only 5.09 percent of African Americans in the Speech-Language Pathology field. I want to raise that percentage, and for me to do so, I need resources outside of my single parent household to help me reach my full potential. I want to soar beyond the statistics, but I cannot do it all by myself. I have calculated the costs for my undergraduate and master's degrees and unfortunately, I will not be able to fund it by myself without taking out loans. Receiving this scholarship would change my life. I would have the push I need to increase the Speech Pathology statistic, so that more people of color will enter the field.

My ultimate career goal is to become a Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist. I plan to major in Communicative Sciences and Disorders for my undergraduate degree. Then, I plan to obtain my master's degree in Speech Pathology. I have always known that I wanted to work with children. The idea of helping children was first introduced to me by watching my mother. She has been a high school teacher for over twenty years and when we are in public, at least one of her former students come up to her with excitement and thanks her for the impact she has made in their life. Although she is not financially compensated well, knowing that she has impacted a student’s life is worth more than money. I aspire to leave that effect on children's lives so much so that I am currently enrolled in the highest Early Childhood Education Program at my school. By being in this program, I am able to work with first grade and special needs students twice a week. Being around them every week makes me fall more in love with my future profession. I know that communication is a key part of life, and I want to teach kids the skills to express their feelings in a way that makes them feel comfortable and proud of themselves. As of 2022, there are only 5.09 percent of African Americans in the Speech-Language Pathology field. I want to raise that percentage, and for me to do so, I need resources outside of my single parent household to help me reach my full potential. I want to soar beyond the statistics and by being awarded this scholarship it would make my academic journey easier.