In Pear Orchard of Beaumont, Tx, you’ll see broken roads, broken people, and the use and dealing of drugs. But Pear Orchard is not a bad neighborhood. In fact, you’ll find some of the strongest, kindest people there with incredible hearts and resilience. Unfortunately, many of them have been deeply affected by the presence of drugs. Since I was young, I admired my Uncle Larry. Every time he walked past my grandmother’s house, he would stop to spend time with me. Sometimes he would walk me down the street and bring me back. Other times, he would take me to the store to buy me something, or we would simply talk. No matter what we did, I cherished every moment I spent with him. As I got older, however, those childhood memories began to lose their innocence. The street I lived on had two drug dealers, and once I was mature enough to understand what was happening around me, I realized something painful: my uncle was not coming to see me, he was coming to buy drugs from my grandmother’s next-door neighbor. Drug addiction touched more than just one person in my family. I had multiple family members who struggled with the same addiction. My grandfather, too, was consumed by it. He often passed by me on his way to get what he wanted, barely noticing I was there. I remember finally building up the courage to say hello one day, only to be brushed aside. The next time I reminded him who I was, embarrassment washed over his face, and his attitude immediately changed. Drugs take someone you love and slowly turn them into someone unrecognizable. One of the hardest losses my family faced was losing my Uncle Larry to a drug overdose. His death made the consequences of addiction painfully real. Addiction no longer felt like something happening “around” me it became something that permanently altered my family. Losing him left grief, anger, and unanswered questions. I often think about who he could have become if addiction had not taken control of his life. Although I never fully knew the versions of my Uncle Larry before addiction, I still mourned the parts of him I was able to know before drugs took over. Now that I am older, I sympathize with them differently. I understand addiction is not simply about bad choices, but it is often tied to trauma, pain, mental health struggles, and cycles that are difficult to escape. I am grateful to say that my grandfather is now fully sober and in recovery, however I will never forget the pain his addiction caused. These experiences are a major reason I want to become a financial advisor. I strongly believe that a person’s environment plays a significant role in shaping who they become. When people are constantly surrounded by addiction, poverty, and limited opportunities, escaping those cycles becomes incredibly difficult. I have learned that overcoming addiction and poverty often requires more than personal determination it also requires access to better opportunities, education, resources, and sometimes even a change in environment. In many cases, to truly break free from destructive cycles, people must be able to leave the environments that continue to reinforce them. As a future financial advisor, I want to help individuals and families build financial stability and create opportunities that can change the trajectory of their lives. I want to empower people with financial knowledge, guidance, and resources so they can break generational cycles of poverty and build a stronger future for themselves and their families.

As a first-generation college student and Finance major, I understand the importance of legacy; the traditions, values, and impact we pass down to our families and future generations. Being the first in my family to move away for college is the first step in building that legacy. It represents not only personal growth, but also the opportunity to create a better future for those who come after me. My passion for finance is deeply personal. My parents were unable to assist me financially with college due to poor financial decisions they made earlier in life. Because of this, I had to navigate college without a Parent PLUS loan, without a car, and without financial support from home. Despite these challenges, I have still been able to make it through college through my personal savings, discipline, and by working two jobs while attending school full-time. I am proud to say that I am now a junior. However, I have also seen many students with similar financial burdens struggle or leave college before reaching this point. As a Finance major, I have learned that wealth is often hereditary, and many financial habits are passed down through generations. The behaviors and beliefs our parent's model for us often shape the way we manage money ourselves. Through my studies and independent research in economics and finance, I have come to understand that poverty is not simply a matter of mindset. Many hardworking people still struggle financially due to systemic barriers. In fact, a significant portion of people experiencing homelessness are actively employed, which highlights the deeper structural issues within our economic system. As a double minority, a Black woman, I understand that there are spaces, especially in finance and business, where I may be the only person in the room who looks like me. While that reality can feel intimidating, I also see it as motivation. Representation matters, and meaningful change often begins from within the very systems that need improvement. I believe change starts from the inside. By earning my place in these spaces, excelling, and using my voice, I hope to help create more opportunities for those who come after me and ensure that future generations see leadership that reflects them. I strongly believe that financial literacy should be accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy. Everyone deserves the knowledge needed to budget, save, invest, avoid debt traps, and build generational wealth. I have tried to share financial knowledge with the older generations in my family, but I have also learned that once habits are deeply formed, change can be difficult without strong motivation and support. That is why I believe financial literacy education should begin in schools at an early age. Children are more open to learning and developing healthy habits before costly financial mistakes shape their futures. Teaching students' practical financial skills such as budgeting, saving, credit management, and investing could empower future generations to make informed decisions and break cycles of poverty. I hope to be part of that change by using my education and passion for finance to help others build stronger financial futures and create lasting generational impact.

As a first-generation college student and Finance major, I understand the importance of legacy; the traditions, values, and impact we pass down to our families and future generations. Being the first in my family to move away for college is the first step in building that legacy. It represents not only personal growth, but also the opportunity to create a better future for those who come after me. My passion for finance is deeply personal. My parents were unable to assist me financially with college due to poor financial decisions they made earlier in life. Because of this, I had to navigate college without a Parent PLUS loan, without a car, and without financial support from home. Despite these challenges, I have still been able to make it through college through my personal savings, discipline, and by working two jobs while attending school full-time. I am proud to say that I am now a junior. However, I have also seen many students with similar financial burdens struggle or leave college before reaching this point. As a Finance major, I have learned that wealth is often hereditary, and many financial habits are passed down through generations. The behaviors and beliefs our parent's model for us often shape the way we manage money ourselves. Through my studies and independent research in economics and finance, I have come to understand that poverty is not simply a matter of mindset. Many hardworking people still struggle financially due to systemic barriers. In fact, a significant portion of people experiencing homelessness are actively employed, which highlights the deeper structural issues within our economic system. Studying finance has given me not only financial knowledge, but also greater self-awareness and empathy for others. It has helped me understand how access to financial education can significantly impact a person’s opportunities and quality of life. This is one of the main reasons I chose to pursue finance as my field of study. I strongly believe that financial literacy should be accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy. Everyone deserves the knowledge needed to budget, save, invest, avoid debt traps, and build generational wealth. I have tried to share financial knowledge with the older generations in my family, but I have also learned that once habits are deeply formed, change can be difficult without strong motivation and support. That is why I believe financial literacy education should begin in schools at an early age. Children are more open to learning and developing healthy habits before costly financial mistakes shape their futures. Teaching students' practical financial skills such as budgeting, saving, credit management, and investing could empower future generations to make informed decisions and break cycles of poverty. I hope to be part of that change by using my education and passion for finance to help others build stronger financial futures and create lasting generational impact.

In the golden triangle in the southeast of texas you’ll find a city called beaumont. If you go further south you’ll find my neighborhood, the Pear Orchard, infamous for its lack of quality. In the Pear Orchard you broke down roads, broken down people, and the use and dealings of drugs. The pear Orchard is not a bad neighbor you’ll find of the greatest people this world has to offer but with the presence of drugs they have been affected by it. Since I was younger I have admired my uncle Top. Every time he walked by my grandmother's house he’d see me and come spend time with me whether it was walking me down the street and bringing me back, taking me to the store to buy something for me or just plain talking to me. Regardless of what we did I enjoyed every moment I spent with my uncle Top. It was until I got older that those memories I thought of so fondly turned gray. On that one street I lived on were two drug dealers and when I was mature enough to understand I found out that my uncle did not come to see me but to get drugs from my grandmother's next door neighbor. On the other hand I had two family members who engaged in the same activities as my uncle but did not wish to see me as much. My grandfather not only went to his house more often but passed over me each time he went because he only had one thing on his mind. One day I had the courage to tell him hello, but was brushed off. Next time I reminded him of who I was and he immediately changed his attitude from embarrassment. Finally, closer to me there was my uncle Top living inside of my grandmother's house. His activities came along with lies and deceit that my great grandfather always had to pay for. Whether it was borrowing money from a dangerous man, stealing from neighbor, or ending up in jail my grandfather was alway left to pick up the pieces. Drugs take someone you truly love and make them unidentifiable. Although I never truly knew my uncle Top and grandfather but as far as my uncle Jerry I miss the little part of him I had before drugs fully took control over him.Now that I am older I sympathize with them less yet understand their mental condition more. I am happy to say that now my grandfather is totally recovered sober and as for my Uncle Top and Uncle Jerry I’m still praying that they can seek help before it is too late. Drugs have affected my life since I was younger. I've seen the effects of it in my neighborhood and I've watched young lives ruined seeking it as a way out whether they're consuming it to escape reality or dealing it to escape reality. Seeing it was a part of the reason why I want to become a lawyer to defend those who can’t defend themselves and help those who can't help themselves.

I am a first generation college student pursuing a bachelor degree as well as graduating with honors and leaving home to attend college. Which is one of the things that drives my ambition to do my best. Being the first generation to a 4 year college I am hoping that my story encourages others to do the same in stepping out of their comfort zone.Becoming a first generation college graduate is a personal mission for me. I want to be an example to my family that pursuing a higher level of education is possible. I was raised by parents that did not complete college due to various life obstacles. My parents have worked together to ensure that my chosen life path to a higher education will not be affected by their life thereof. I want to earn my Bachelor Degree in Political Science and attend Law School thereafter. Since I was 6 years old I have always wanted to be a lawyer and since then I have defended people that could not defend themselves. My father always told me that if I chose a career that I am passionate about I will never work a day in my life. Therefore, I'm seeking higher education at Stephen F. Austin State University not to secure a job but to pursue my life passion to help others. Being a first generation seeking higher education I learned a lot of things on my own . I don’t asked for help and do things myself. Furthermore, it was a result of me not being able to accept affection from others. I assumed I shouldn’t ask for help so I wouldn’t be a bother. Growing up showing affection was not a big thing in my family in fact we didn’t even say “I love you” until I started saying it. For the longest I found nothing wrong with it until I noticed the lack of affection was harming my relationships with family and friends. I used to tell people “ I’m not a hugger” or “I’m not an affectionate person “ but it wasn’t true. I had never had the chance to receive affection therefore I assumed it was something I didn’t want yet that was the farthest from the truth. I yearned for affection with my loved ones. Therefore when I noticed that was the reason I was having trouble in relationships I took heed. I had a lengthy discussion with my mother about my shortcomings and we decided to do better together to show each other love. I began before her asking about her day, telling her I love you and giving her hugs ( which we usually don’t do unless a family member dies). And slowly but certainly she began to reciprocate the kindness I was showing her back to me. Even though it was not how I was initially raised and it was difficult to open up and show myself venerable I understood it was critical. I set a example for my family long before my upcoming success. Showing future generations not only to work hard but love hard as well because you receive true happiness through love.

I am a first generation college student pursuing a bachelor degree as well as graduating with honors and leaving home to attend college. Which is one of the things that drives my ambition to do my best. Being the first generation to a 4 year college I am hoping that my story encourages others to do the same in stepping out of their comfort zone.Becoming a first generation college graduate is a personal mission for me. I want to be an example to my family that pursuing a higher level of education is possible. I was raised by parents that did not complete college due to various life obstacles. My parents have worked together to ensure that my chosen life path to a higher education will not be affected by their life thereof. I want to earn my Bachelor Degree in Political Science and attend Law School thereafter. Since I was 6 years old I have always wanted to be a lawyer and since then I have defended people that could not defend themselves. My father always told me that if I chose a career that I am passionate about I will never work a day in my life. Therefore, I'm seeking higher education at Stephen F. Austin State University not to secure a job but to pursue my life passion to help others. Being a first generation seeking higher education I learned a lot of things on my own . I don’t asked for help and do things myself. Furthermore, it was a result of me not being able to accept affection from others. I assumed I shouldn’t ask for help so I wouldn’t be a bother. Growing up showing affection was not a big thing in my family in fact we didn’t even say “I love you” until I started saying it. For the longest I found nothing wrong with it until I noticed the lack of affection was harming my relationships with family and friends. I used to tell people “ I’m not a hugger” or “I’m not an affectionate person “ but it wasn’t true. I had never had the chance to receive affection therefore I assumed it was something I didn’t want yet that was the farthest from the truth. I yearned for affection with my loved ones. Therefore when I noticed that was the reason I was having trouble in relationships I took heed. I had a lengthy discussion with my mother about my shortcomings and we decided to do better together to show each other love. I began before her asking about her day, telling her I love you and giving her hugs ( which we usually don’t do unless a family member dies). And slowly but certainly she began to reciprocate the kindness I was showing her back to me. Even though it was not how I was initially raised and it was difficult to open up and show myself venerable I understood it was critical. I set a example for my family long before my upcoming success. Showing future generations not only to work hard but love hard as well because you receive true happiness through love.