For the past three years I have been enrolled in the Child Development Professions Program where I’ve assisted in implementing developmentally appropriate activities and maintaining a healthy learning environment for children aged 2-5. Most recently, I received my Child Development Associate (CDA) and Paraprofessional certifications. My goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, with a minor in dance, from Bowie State University, ultimately becoming a 3rd grade teacher. My interest in teaching started in the 7th grade where I learned of the Educators Rising Club, which led to my pursuit of a career in education. In addition to my career as a school teacher, I would like to give back to my community by becoming an entrepreneur that provides dance classes as behavior modification therapy for children with special needs and differing abilities. As a part of my CDA program, we often have volunteer opportunities at local elementary schools. The goal of these opportunities is not only to assist us as future educators to become more familiar with the educational environment, but also to support the parents of students at the schools. As volunteers we read stories to young scholars and participate in varying creative activities, which allows the parents an opportunity to connect with school leadership. These opportunities are even more impactful to the students with differing abilities population, because it creates an inclusive and equitable space for them to enjoy as well. There was a little boy in a wheelchair who attended one of the events, maybe about 6 years old. The other students were playing a round of musical chairs. I could tell that he wanted to play but just didn't know how to make it work. I asked if he wanted to play, and his face lit up! I held his hand, and we took our time walking around the chairs as the music played. The other students were extremely patient, and gave him an opportunity to participate, even if it wasn't at "normal speed". They allowed him to experience sitting down in a chair once the music stopped, so that he could continue to the next round. This moment was impactful for me because I realized that inclusion is not only necessary, but it needs more advocates who can see past tradition and create extraordinary memories. I want to use my gift of dance, and my skill of teaching to assist children in reaching their greatest potential through creative movement. After graduation, I plan to teach in my local county. My desire is to be an educator that creates a welcoming and supportive classroom where every student feels valued and seen. My classroom will be a place students remember not just for academics, but for how it made them feel. I want to create a positive learning environment, just like the one that was created for me in the 7th grade. Communities thrive where everyone feels valued by their families, friends and neighbors. Servitude has been an influential core value instilled in me by my mom, as I watched her serve in our community and at our local church faithfully. Her positive example of leading with kindness and integrity has been a great foundation. The values I’ve learned at home, and through community service, will keep me grounded as I pursue my education goals.

“Perfection”; the condition, state, or quality of being free, or as free as possible, from all flaws or defects. When I walk into the dance studio, I always have a goal in mind. It is not to be “perfect”, as often ballet dancers are expected to be, but to just focus on my artistry as a dancer. Focusing on having high extensions, perfectly pointed feet, and showing up wanting to give 110% sounds ideal, but I never want the perfection of it all make me lose sight of my “why”. I started taking dance seriously about 10 years ago. There was a freedom that I felt while dancing that I couldn’t always describe, but I loved it. I knew that there was something more that I could get out of dancing than just a round of applause at the end of a performance. Internally I had always desired “structure” but didn’t really know what that looked like for me. Enrolling in ballet classes didn’t just strengthen my technique; it taught me discipline. How consistency, showing up to class every day, and repeating the same steps over and over again until I got them right was the foundation of success in dance. My pastor, Apostle Mike Freeman began a lesson on structure, infrastructure and discipline. It's like something clicked in me and was the lightbulb moment that I didn’t even know I needed. While I grew to understand the purpose of discipline in ballet, Apostle's teachings taught me the value of having discipline in everyday life. I began to use my time wisely by keeping my calendar and assignments organized, all while keeping up with my chores at home too. Adding additional support like electronic reminders helped me fine tune some areas that needed more structure. For the past three years I have been enrolled in the Child Development Professions CTE Program at North Point High School where I’ve assisted in implementing developmentally appropriate activities and maintaining a healthy learning environment for children aged 2-5. Most recently, I received my Child Development Associate (CDA) certification and passed the Paraprofessional exam. As a senior, I started leading the classroom more. I went into it thinking that I was going to get it right the first time, but soon realized nothing is perfect when dealing with young children. Balancing classroom management, while being sure to meet academic and social milestones can be challenging. Finding my “teacher voice” and applying notes that my CTE teachers gave me, and even recalling Apostle's lessons taught me how to pivot, which is a very important component to be a successful educator. Every night, I pray, ask God for direction and write down 6 specific goals for the next day. 3 personal goals, and 3 goals of how I can serve others. I know that being successful takes intentional discipline and faith. I began asking myself “What am I hearing? Do I believe what I heard?” As I receive the promises of God, I began speaking the Word and positive affirmations over my life and the lives of my students every day. This act of my faith has been instrumental in keeping me in alignment for my future. As I begin my college journey at Bowie State University as an Elementary Education major, I’m truly grateful for the teachings from Apostle Freeman, and the example of my mom being my earthly example of structure, infrastructure and discipline. The values I’ve learned at home, and the lessons taught at Faith City Central, will keep me grounded as I continue my journey to become an impactful educator.

My career goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, ultimately becoming a 3rd grade teacher. My interest in teaching started in the 7th grade at where I learned of the Educators Rising Club, which led to my pursuit of the education careers path. I chose this path because I believe that a positive learning environment can shape a student’s confidence and growth. For the past three years I have been enrolled in the Child Development Professions CTE Program at North Point High School in Waldorf, Maryland where I’ve assisted in implementing developmentally appropriate activities and maintaining a healthy learning environment for children aged 2-5. Most recently, I received my Child Development Associate (CDA) certification, and successfully passed the Paraprofessional exam. During my junior year I started leading the classroom more. I went into it thinking that I was going to get it right the first time, but soon realized nothing is perfect when dealing with young children. Balancing classroom management, while being sure to meet academic and social milestones can be challenging. Finding my “teacher voice” and applying notes that my CTE teachers gave me taught me how to pivot, which is a very important component to be a successful teacher. My desire is to be the kind of educator who creates a welcoming and supportive classroom where every student feels valued and encouraged to succeed. My classroom will be a place students remember not just for academics, but for how it made them feel. I plan to create a positive impact by nurturing a positive and inspiring learning environment, just like the one that was created for me back in the 7th grade. Positive education environments aren’t exclusive to school buildings but have a much further reach into our homes and communities. Communities thrive where everyone has a sense of belonging, a purpose, and feels valued by their families, friends and neighbors. By helping students build confidence in themselves to reach their greatest potential, I hope to contribute to a stronger, more connected community. As an extension of my CTE program, we often have volunteer opportunities at neighboring elementary schools. The goal of these opportunities is not only to assist us as future educators to become more familiar with the educational environment, but also to support the parents of students at the schools. As volunteers we read stories to young scholars, participate in varying creative activities such as games and face painting, which allows the parents an opportunity to connect with teachers and administrators during various school events. These opportunities are even more impactful to the students with differing abilities population, because it creates an inclusive and equitable space for them to enjoy as well. Participating in these opportunities and seeing the impact on families shows the difference that 1 person can make in the lives of others. Serving others and in my community has been such a core value in my life. A value instilled in me by my mom, as I watched her serve in our community and at our local church faithfully. Her positive example of what it means to lead with love, kindness and integrity has been a great foundation for my natural gift for connecting with younger children. The values I’ve learned at home, and through community service, will keep me grounded as I continue my journey to become an impactful educator. Receiving the WCEJ Thornton Foundation Low-Income Scholarship will greatly assist me in paying my college tuition, as my family recently experienced an unexpected hardship. My dad had a stroke on December 29, 2025, leaving my mom as the current sole provider for my family. While this medical event has been truly devastating for my family, receiving this scholarship will greatly aid in my ability to pursue my education goals of earning a degree in Elementary Education.

Choosing where to go to college has been a question asked by family and friends for as long as I can remember. It was never “if” you go to college, it was always “where” will you go to college? I always understood that having an education, particularly a higher education, was a pathway to a successful life so the decision to attend college was easy. I chose an HBCU because they are known for their diverse environments that provide an opportunity to cultivate and nurture uniqueness, history, and a culture all their own. These environments create a safe space to not only foster academic success, but personal empowerment, leading to a greater sense of community. HBCUs also often educate first generation Black students, many of whom are disproportionately from families who can’t afford to pay for college. They offer the opportunity to close the racial wealth gap, often by offering lower tuition which makes a direct pathway to professional careers. This resonates with me as my family recently experienced an unexpected hardship. My dad had a stroke on December 29, 2025, leaving my mom as the current sole provider for my family. My career goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, ultimately becoming a 3rd grade teacher. My passion for teaching started in the 7th grade at when I learned of the Educators Rising Club, which led to my interest in education careers path. I chose this path because I have always believed that a positive learning environment can shape a student’s confidence and growth. For the past three years I have been enrolled in the Child Development Professions CTE Program at North Point High School where I’ve assisted in implementing developmentally appropriate activities and maintaining a healthy learning environment for children aged 2-5. Most recently, I received my Child Development Associate (CDA) and Paraprofessional certifications. As a part of my CTE program, we often have community service opportunities at neighboring elementary schools. The goal of these opportunities is not only to assist us as future educators to become more familiar with the educational environment, but also to support the parents of students at the schools. As volunteers we read stories to young scholars and participate in varying creative activities. These opportunities are even more impactful to the students with differing abilities population, because it creates an inclusive and equitable space for them to enjoy as well. The environment in my 7th grade classroom was a pivotal moment for me because I realized that positive education environments aren’t exclusive to school buildings but also reach into our homes and communities. Communities thrive where everyone has a sense of belonging, a purpose, and feels valued by their families, friends and neighbors. By helping students build confidence in themselves to reach their greatest potential, I hope to contribute to a stronger, more connected community. Community service has been such a core value in my life instilled in me by my mom, as I watched her serve in our community and at our local church faithfully. The values I’ve learned at home, and through community service, will keep me grounded as I continue my journey to become an impactful educator.

Choosing where to go to college has been a question asked by many for as long as I can remember. It was never “if” you go to college, it was always “where” will you go to college. I always understood that having an education, particularly a higher education, was a pathway to a successful life so the decision to attend college was easy. I chose to attend a Historically Black College and University because they are known for their diverse environments that provide an opportunity to cultivate and nurture uniqueness, history, and a culture all their own. These environments create a safe space to not only foster academic success, but personal empowerment, leading to a greater sense of community. HBCUs also often educate first generation African American students, many of whom are disproportionately can’t afford to pay for college. They offer the opportunity to close the racial wealth gap, often by offering lower tuition which makes a direct pathway to professional careers. This resonates with me as my family recently experienced an unexpected hardship. My dad had a stroke on December 29, 2025, leaving my mom as the current sole provider for my family. My goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Bowie State University, ultimately becoming a 3rd grade teacher. My interest in teaching started in the 7th grade where I learned of the Educators Rising Club, and through the influence of my Aunt Ginette. She was a teacher for 40 years in Washington, D.C., earning her degree from D.C. Teacher's College. I spent many summers with her preparing her classroom for the upcoming school year, as she told me stories of her journey to become an educator. For the past three years I have been enrolled in the Child Development Professions CTE Program at my high school where I’ve assisted in implementing developmentally appropriate activities and maintaining a healthy learning environment for children aged 2-5. Most recently, I received my Child Development Associate (CDA) certification and successfully passed the ParaProfessional exam. As a part of my CTE program, we often have community service opportunities at neighboring elementary schools. The goal of these opportunities is not only to assist us in becoming more familiar with the educational environment, but also to support the parents of students at the schools. As volunteers we read stories to young scholars and participate in varying creative activities. These opportunities are even more impactful to the students with differing abilities population, because it creates an inclusive and equitable space for them to enjoy as well. After graduating from college, I plan to teach in my local county. My desire is to be the kind of educator who creates a welcoming and supportive classroom where every student feels valued and encouraged to succeed. I want my classroom to be a place students remember not just for academics, but for how it made them feel. Having a positive and inspiring learning environment, just like the one that was created for me back in the 7th grade, will help students build confidence in themselves to reach their greatest potential. Receiving the Marlene Manning Scholarship will greatly assist in paying my tuition at Bowie State University, due to my dad's stroke and his inability to work currently. While this has been truly devastating for my family, I am determined to keep moving forward with my education goals of earning a degree in Elementary Education.

My journey to becoming an educator started long ago. My great-grandparents were immigrants to the United States from Haiti, having come here in the late 1930s as employees of the Haitian Ambassador. While he served in the Navy, my great-grandmother went back home to Haiti to have her baby and wait out my great-grandpa's military service. My great-grandmother and my great-aunt Ginette returned to the U.S. in 1946, and settled in the small family in Washington, D.C. Upon their arrival in the United States, my great-grandmother and great-aunt only spoke Creole, a mix of several different languages. They immediately set about to learn English. My great-grandfather would have them listen to the radio so that they would learn the proper way to speak English. Even though she did not speak English until she was 3 years old, my great-aunt Ginette later went on to earn her degree in Education from D.C. Teacher's College (later to become part of the University of the District of Columbia). She exposed our family to the possibility of higher education, particularly college life at a Historically Black College and University. Ginette's desire to teach others English and French propelled her into 40 years of teaching generations of D.C. students, 38 of those years at the same middle school! My career goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, ultimately becoming a 3rd grade teacher. My interest for teaching started when I was in the 7th grade where I learned of the Educators Rising Club, and of course, through the influence of my great-aunt Ginette. I believe that a positive learning environment can shape a student’s confidence and encourage growth. For the past three years I have been enrolled in the Child Development Professions CTE Program at North Point High School in Waldorf, MD where I’ve assisted in implementing developmentally appropriate activities and maintaining a healthy learning environment for children aged 2-5. Most recently, I received my Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. After graduating from college, I plan to teach in my local county. My desire is to be the kind of educator who creates a welcoming and supportive classroom where every student feels valued and seen. My classroom to be a place students remember not just for academics, but for how it made them feel. I want to nurture a positive and inspiring learning environment, just like the one that was created for me back in the 7th grade, and like my great-aunt Ginette did throughout her many years of teaching. Receiving the Vito Martino Memorial Scholarship will greatly assist me in paying my tuition at Bowie State University, as my family recently experienced an unexpected hardship. My dad had a stroke on December 29, 2025, leaving my mom as the current sole provider for my family. While this has been truly devastating for my family, I am determined to keep moving forward with my education goals of earning a degree in Elementary Education.

Choosing where to go to college has been a question asked by family and friends for as long as I can remember. It was never “if” you go to college, it was always “where” will you go to college? I always understood that having an education, particularly a higher education, was a pathway to a successful life so the decision to attend was easy. My career goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, with a minor in dance, ultimately becoming a 3rd grade teacher. My passion for teaching started in the 7th grade where I learned of the Educators Rising Club, which led to my interest in education careers path. I chose this path because I have always believed that a positive learning environment can shape a student’s confidence and growth. Having that positive learning environment makes students want to come in to learn and have fun. For the past three years I have been enrolled in the Child Development Professions CTE Program at North Point High School in Waldorf, Maryland where I’ve assisted in implementing developmentally appropriate activities and maintaining a healthy learning environment for children aged 2-5. Most recently, I received my Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. As a part of my CTE program, we often have volunteer opportunities at neighboring elementary schools. The goal of these opportunities is not only to assist us as future educators to become more familiar with the educational environment, but also to support the parents of students at the schools. As volunteers we read stories to young scholars and participate in varying creative activities, which allows the parents an opportunity to connect with school leadership. These opportunities are even more impactful to the students with differing abilities population, because it creates an inclusive and equitable space for them to enjoy as well. During my junior year I started leading the classroom more. I went into it thinking that I was going to get it right the first time, but soon realized nothing is perfect when dealing with young children. Balancing classroom management, while being sure to meet academic and social milestones can be challenging. Finding my “teacher voice” and applying notes that my CTE teachers gave me taught me how to pivot, which is a very important component to be a successful teacher. I started to take dance seriously about 8 years ago. When I walk into the studio, I always have a goal in mind. It is not to be able to accomplish multiple things, but to just focus on my artistry as a dancer. The thought of being perfect holds me back from living in the moment. Focusing on having high extensions, perfectly pointed feet, and showing up wanting to give 110% is ideal in hindsight, but the perfection of it all makes me lose sight of my “why” in dance. Dance has taught me discipline, structure, and determination. With many genres of dance, contemporary is where I feel the freest! It does not require me to be “perfect” like more technical styles of dance. I can tell a story or express how I’m feeling without opening my mouth. An extracurricular activity that has had a great impact on my educational journey has been Varsity Cheerleading. Being a cheerleader has shaped my understanding of leadership, service and of course school spirit. One of my most memorable moments was when our team visited a local nursing home during the Holiday season. We even had 2 members of the football team dress up as Santa and Mr. Grinch to accompany us. While we were there, we performed a few of our cheers to help spread some Holiday “cheer”. At first, I thought we were going to perform and leave, but the experience turned out to be much more meaningful. After we performed, I could tell that the residents were “looking for more”. They were so engaged and just looked like they wanted more interaction with us. I took the initiative of going to my coach and asking her if we could stay a bit longer. She agreed, so I gathered the team for a quick huddle to explain the plan. We were going to do a "Sing Along" of Christmas carols with the residents. Many of them sang along, clapped, and smiled. Seeing how something so simple as cheering and singing could brighten their day helped me realize the impact small acts of service can have on others. As Co-Captain, this experience helped me understand that leadership is not just about leading a team during practices or games. It is also about using your gifts and talents to serve others and bring joy to your community. Spending time with the residents reminded me that leadership can be shown through acts of kindness, genuine effort, and a willing heart to make someone else’s day better. My journey to becoming an educator and my career as a dancer has been anything but perfect. There have been days when I’ve wanted to quit and not ever wanted to walk into a classroom or studio again. But those are the times that I remind myself that hard times are conquered by the strongest people. Sometimes you have to just clear your head, regroup, and keep going. Because well, quitting is not an option. Ever. I should be considered for this scholarship because I'm highly motivated, ambitious and focused. Receiving the Christian Fitness Association Scholarship will greatly assist in paying my tuition at Bowie State University, as my family recently experienced an unexpected hardship. My dad had a stroke on December 29, 2025, leaving my mom as the current sole provider for my family. While this has been truly devastating for my family, I am determined to keep moving forward with my education goals.

My career goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, ultimately becoming a 3rd grade teacher. My passion for teaching started in the 7th grade where I learned of the Educators Rising Club, and through the influence of my great Aunt Ginette. She was a teacher for 40 years in Washington, DC, earning her degree from D.C. Teacher's College (later to become part of the University of the District of Columbia). I chose the education careers path because I believe that a positive learning environment can shape a student’s confidence and growth. For the past three years I have been enrolled in the Child Development Professions CTE Program at North Point High School where I’ve assisted in implementing developmentally appropriate activities and maintaining a healthy learning environment for children aged 2-5. Most recently, I received my Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. During my junior year I started leading the classroom more, and boy was I in for a surprise. I went into it thinking that I was going to get it right the first time, but soon realized nothing is perfect when dealing with young children. Finding my “teacher voice” and applying notes and feedback that my teachers gave me taught me how to pivot, an important component of being a successful educator. I realized it is ok to make mistakes, but the most important thing is to grow from them. As an educator, I want to make an impact that helps students realize that growing and learning from their experiences, whether good or bad, helps you succeed in life. As a part of my CTE program, we often have volunteer opportunities at neighboring elementary schools. The goal of these opportunities is not only to assist us as future educators to become more familiar with the educational environment, but also to support the parents of students at the schools. As volunteers we read stories to young scholars and participate in varying creative activities, which allows the parents an opportunity to connect with school leadership. These opportunities are even more impactful to the students with differing abilities population, because it creates an inclusive and equitable space for them to enjoy as well. After graduating from college, I plan to teach in my local county. My desire is to be the kind of educator who creates a welcoming and supportive classroom where every student feels valued and encouraged to succeed. I want my classroom to be a place students remember not just for academics, but for how it made them feel. I want to use my education to nurture a positive and inspiring learning environment, just like the one that was created for me back in the 7th grade. By helping students build confidence in themselves to reach their greatest potential, I hope to assist in creating a better future for them. Positive education environments aren’t exclusive to school buildings but also reach into our homes and communities. Communities thrive where everyone has a sense of belonging, a purpose, and feels valued by their families, friends and neighbors. One of my most memorable community events was when our Varsity Cheerleading team visited a local nursing home during the Holiday season. While we were there, we performed a few of our cheers to help spread some Holiday “cheer”. At first, I thought we were going to perform and leave, but the experience turned out to be much more meaningful. After we performed, I could tell that the residents were “looking for more”. They were so engaged and just looked like they wanted more interaction with us. I took the initiative of going to my coach and asking her if we could stay a bit longer. She agreed, so we gathered the residents and sang Christmas carols together. Many of them sang along, clapped, and smiled. Seeing how something so simple as cheering and singing could brighten their day helped me realize the impact small acts of service can have on others. As Co-Captain, this experience helped me understand that leadership is not just about leading a team during practices or games. It is also about using your gifts and talents to serve others and bring joy to your community. Spending time with the residents reminded me that leadership can be shown through acts of kindness, genuine effort, and a willing heart to make someone else’s day better. Serving others and in my community has been such a core value in my life. A value instilled in me by my mom, as I watched her serve selflessly in our community, friend circles and at our local church. Her positive example of what it means to lead with love, kindness, gratitude and integrity has been a great foundation for me and will keep me grounded as I continue moving forward with my education goals of earning a degree in Elementary Education.

Choosing where to go to college has been a question asked by family and friends for as long as I can remember. It was never “if” you go to college, it was always “where” will you go to college? I always understood that having an education, particularly a higher education, was a pathway to a successful life so the decision to attend college was easy. I chose a HBCU because they are known for their diverse environments that provide an opportunity to cultivate and nurture uniqueness, history, and a culture all their own. These environments create a safe space to not only foster academic success, but personal empowerment, leading to a greater sense of community. HBCUs also often educate first generation Black students, many of whom are disproportionately from families who can’t afford to pay for college. They offer the opportunity to close the racial wealth gap, often by offering lower tuition which makes a direct pathway to professional careers. This resonates with me as my family recently experienced an unexpected hardship. My dad had a stroke on December 29, 2025, leaving my mom as the current sole provider for my family. My career goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Bowie State University, ultimately becoming a 3rd grade teacher. My passion for teaching started when I was in the 7th grade where I learned of the Educators Rising Club, and through the influence of my great Aunt Ginette. She was a teacher for 40 years in Washington, DC, earning her degree from D.C. Teacher's College (later to become part of the University of the District of Columbia). I spent many summers with her preparing her classroom for the upcoming school year, as she told me stories of her education journey. For the past three years I have been enrolled in the Child Development Professions CTE Program at North Point High School in Waldorf, Maryland where I’ve assisted in implementing developmentally appropriate activities and maintaining a healthy learning environment for children aged 2-5. Most recently, I received my Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. After graduating from college, I plan to give back to my community by teaching in my local county. My desire is to be the kind of educator who creates a welcoming and supportive classroom where every student feels valued and encouraged to succeed. I want my classroom to be a place students remember not just for academics, but for how it made them feel. I want to create and nurture a positive and inspiring learning environment, just like the one that was created for me back in the 7th grade. I hope to accomplish helping students build confidence in themselves to reach their greatest potential in life.

Prompt Option1: Relationships and Impact I’ve heard it said that “presence means more than presents”. Showing up to occasions and memorable moments was something that I saw my mom do constantly. Whether it was a birthday party, graduation, or retirement party, she showed up for others when they needed her most. We would often host parties and events at our home for others who may not have family members to celebrate their accomplishments. As my senior school year began, we found out that my mom would be out of town at a conference during Senior Homecoming. You see, this was devastating to my mom, because she made a promise to me that she would not miss any senior moments. Not one. She had been working on this conference for almost a year, so I knew how much it meant to her. I completely understood that she wouldn’t be there. It was one of those life moments that was out of our control. It would be ok, right? Senior homecoming day comes, and I’m in the gym with my fellow cheerleaders getting ready for the game. Who walks in? My mom! She changed her flight to the red eye the night before and came straight to the school to see me. My face lit up and I jumped into her arms as I saw her come towards me. Her presence that day meant more to me than I ever could describe. I knew how important her conference was, but she showed me that I was MORE important. It was a moment of presence that I’ll NEVER forget! Being a cheerleader has shaped my understanding of leadership and service that I saw my mom display. One of my most memorable events was when our team visited a local nursing home during the Holiday season. While we were there, we performed a few of our cheers to help spread some Holiday “cheer”. At first, I thought we were going to perform and leave, but the experience turned out to be much more meaningful. After we performed, I could tell that the residents were “looking for more”. They were so engaged and just looked like they wanted more interaction with us. I took the initiative of going to my coach and asking her if we could stay a bit longer. She agreed, so I gathered the team for a quick huddle to explain the plan. We were going to do a "Sing Along" of Christmas carols with the residents. Many of them sang along, clapped, and smiled. Seeing how something so simple as cheering and singing could brighten their day helped me realize the impact small acts of service can have on others. As Co-Captain, this experience helped me understand that leadership is not just about leading a team during practices or games. It is also about using your gifts and talents to serve others and bring joy to your community, something I saw my mom do time after time. Spending time with the residents reminded me that leadership can be shown through acts of kindness, genuine effort, and a willing heart to make someone else’s day better. My relationship with my mom is powerful. I've watched her be resilient in the face of adversity time after time. And no matter what came her way, she survived. Not just survived, but thrived! Her example shows me and my younger sister how hard work and determination will always pay off in the end. Even with our most recent hardship, she's still surviving. On December 29, 2025 my dad had a stroke, leaving him unable to work and my mom the sole financial provider for our family. While this has been one of our families biggest obstacles, I am determined to keep moving forward and thrive. Serving others and in my community has been such a core value in my life. A value instilled in me by my mom, as I watched her serve selflessly in our community, friend circles and at our local church. Her positive example of what it means to lead with love, kindness, gratitude and integrity has been a great foundation for me and will keep me grounded as I continue moving forward with my education goals of earning a degree in Elementary Education.

My career goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, with a minor in dance, ultimately becoming a 3rd grade teacher. My passion for teaching started in the 7th grade where I learned of the Educators Rising Club, which led to my interest in education careers path. I chose this path because I have always believed that a positive learning environment can shape a student’s confidence and growth. For the past three years I have been enrolled in the Child Development Professions CTE Program at North Point High School where I’ve assisted in implementing developmentally appropriate activities and maintaining a healthy learning environment for children aged 2-5. Most recently, I received my Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. As a part of my CTE program, we often have volunteer opportunities at neighboring elementary schools. The goal of these opportunities is not only to assist us as future educators to become more familiar with the educational environment, but also to support the parents of students at the schools. As volunteers we read stories to young scholars and participate in varying creative activities, which allows the parents an opportunity to connect with school leadership. These opportunities are even more impactful to the students with differing abilities population, because it creates an inclusive and equitable space for them to enjoy as well. After graduating from college, I plan to give back to my community by teaching in my local county. My desire is to be the kind of educator who creates a welcoming and supportive classroom where every student feels valued and encouraged to succeed. My classroom will be a place students remember not just for academics, but for how it made them feel. I want to create and nurture a positive and inspiring learning environment, just like the one that was created for me back in the 7th grade. I plan to make a positive impact on the world in the Education field through servitude, a core value instilled in me by my mom, as I watched her serve our community for many years. Her positive example of what it means to lead with love, kindness and integrity has been a great foundation for my natural gift for connecting with younger children. The values I’ve learned at home, and through community service, will keep me grounded as I continue my journey to become an impactful educator. Receiving the Chris Ford Scholarship will greatly assist in paying my tuition at Bowie State University, as my family recently experienced an unexpected hardship. My dad had a stroke on December 29, 2025, leaving my mom as the current sole provider for my family. While this has been truly devastating for us, I am determined to keep moving forward with my education goals of earning a degree in Elementary Education.

My career goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, with a minor in dance, ultimately becoming a 3rd grade teacher. My passion for teaching started in the 7th grade where I learned of the Educators Rising Club, which led to my interest in education careers path. I chose this path because I have always believed that a positive learning environment can shape a student’s confidence and growth. For the past three years I have been enrolled in the Child Development Professions CTE Program at North Point High School where I’ve assisted in implementing developmentally appropriate activities and maintaining a healthy learning environment for children aged 2-5. Most recently, I received my Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. As a part of my CTE program, we often have volunteer opportunities at neighboring elementary schools. The goal of these opportunities is not only to assist us as future educators to become more familiar with the educational environment, but also to support the parents of students at the schools. As volunteers we read stories to young scholars and participate in varying creative activities, which allows the parents an opportunity to connect with school leadership. These opportunities are even more impactful to the students with differing abilities population, because it creates an inclusive and equitable space for them to enjoy as well. Being a Varsity Cheerleader has also shaped my understanding of leadership, service and community in many ways. One of the most memorable events was when our team visited a local nursing home during the Holiday season. While we were there, we performed a few of our cheers to help spread some Holiday “cheer”. At first, I thought we were going to perform and leave, but the experience turned out to be much more meaningful. I could tell that the residents were “looking for more”. They were so engaged and just looked like they wanted more interaction with us. I asked my coach if we could stay a bit longer. She agreed, so we gathered the residents and sang Christmas carols together. Many of them sang along, clapped, and smiled. Seeing how something so simple as cheering and singing could brighten their day helped me realize the impact small acts of service can have on others. As Co-Captain, this experience helped me understand that leadership is not just about leading a team during practices or games. It is also about using your gifts and talents to serve others and bring joy to your community. Spending time with the residents reminded me that servitude can be shown through acts of kindness, genuine effort, and a willing heart to make someone else’s day better. After graduating from college, I plan to teach in my local county. My desire is to serve as an educator who creates a welcoming and supportive classroom where every student feels valued and seen. My classroom will be a place students remember not just for academics, but for how it made them feel. By helping students build confidence in themselves to reach their greatest potential, I hope to contribute to a stronger, more connected community. Serving in my community has been such an influential core value in my life. A value instilled in me by my mom, as I watched her serve in our community and at our local church faithfully. Her positive example of what it means to lead with kindness and integrity has been a great foundation for me. The values I’ve learned at home, and through community service, will keep me grounded as I pursue my future education goals.

My career goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, ultimately becoming a 3rd grade teacher. My passion for teaching started in the 7th grade where I learned of the Educators Rising Club, which led to my interest in education careers path. I chose this path because I have always believed that a positive learning environment can shape a student’s confidence and growth. For the past three years I have been enrolled in the Child Development Professions CTE Program at North Point High School where I’ve assisted in implementing developmentally appropriate activities and maintaining a healthy learning environment for children aged 2-5. Most recently, I received my Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. As a part of my CTE program, we often have volunteer opportunities at neighboring elementary schools. The goal of these opportunities is not only to assist us as future educators to become more familiar with the educational environment, but also to support the parents of students at the schools. As volunteers we read stories to young scholars and participate in varying creative activities, which allows the parents an opportunity to connect with school leadership. These opportunities are even more impactful to the students with differing abilities population, because it creates an inclusive and equitable space for them to enjoy as well. After graduating from college, I plan to give back to my community by teaching in my local county. My desire is to be the kind of educator who creates a welcoming and supportive classroom where every student feels valued and encouraged to succeed. I want my classroom to be a place students remember not just for academics, but for how it made them feel. I want to create and nurture a positive and inspiring learning environment, just like the one that was created for me. Communities thrive where everyone has a sense of belonging, a purpose, and feels valued by their families, friends and neighbors. By helping students build confidence in themselves to reach their greatest potential, I hope to contribute to a stronger, more connected community. Receiving the Valerie Rabb Academic Scholarship will greatly assist me in paying my tuition at Bowie State University, as my family recently experienced an unexpected hardship. My dad had a stroke on December 29, 2025, leaving my mom as the current sole provider for my family. While this has been truly devastating for my family, I am determined to keep moving forward with my education goals of earning a degree in Elementary Education.

My career goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, ultimately becoming a 3rd grade teacher. My passion for teaching started in the 7th grade where I learned of the Educators Rising Club, which led to my interest in education careers path. I chose this path because I have always believed that a positive learning environment can shape a student’s confidence and growth. For the past three years I have been enrolled in the Child Development Professions CTE Program at North Point High School where I’ve assisted in implementing developmentally appropriate activities and maintaining a healthy learning environment for children aged 2-5. Most recently, I received my Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. Ms. Anna Taitano is one of my CTE teachers, and her example has impacted me greatly. Ms. Taitano also graduated from my high school and went through the CTE program. Upon graduating from college, she returned to the county as a teacher and began giving back to future educators like me. Ms. Taitano immediately noticed my passion for teaching and took me under her wing for guidance. When it was time to gather materials for my senior portfolio, Ms. Taitano helped me review it to make sure that nothing was missing, and that I was represented in the best way possible. Her care and attention to my educational journey really touched me, because it showed me that she cares. I am not just one of her students, I’m a future educator like her. She took the time to pour into me, just like someone poured into her. During my junior year I started leading the classroom more. I went into it thinking that I was going to get it right the first time, but soon realized nothing is perfect when dealing with young children. Finding my “teacher voice” and applying my notes that Ms. Taitano gave me taught me how to pivot, an important component of being a successful teacher. As a part of my CTE program, we often have volunteer opportunities at neighboring elementary schools. The goal of these opportunities is not only to assist us as future educators to become more familiar with the educational environment, but also to support the parents of students at the schools. As volunteers we read stories to young scholars and participate in varying creative activities, which allows the parents to connect with school leadership. These opportunities are even more impactful to the students with differing abilities population, because it creates an inclusive and equitable space for them to enjoy as well. Ms. Taitano would accompany us on these volunteer opportunities to offer additional support. Her selfless act of service and support to me and my fellow cohorts was truly inspiring. After graduating from college, I plan to give back to my community by teaching in my local county, just like Ms. Taitano. My desire is to be the kind of educator who creates a welcoming and supportive classroom where every student feels valued and seen. I want my classroom to be a place students remember not just for academics, but for how it made them feel. Receiving the Marie Humphries Memorial Scholarship will greatly assist me in paying my tuition at Bowie State University, as my family recently experienced an unexpected hardship. My dad had a stroke on December 29, 2025, leaving my mom as the current sole provider for my family. While this has been truly devastating for my family, I am determined to keep moving forward with my education goals of earning a degree in Elementary Education.

My great-grandparents were immigrants to the United States from Haiti, having come here in the late 1930's as employees of the Haitian Ambassador. While my great-grandpa served in the Navy, my great-grandmother went back home to Haiti to have her baby and wait out my great-grandpa's military service. My great-grandmother and my great aunt Ginette returned to the U.S. in 1946, and the small family settled in Washington, D.C. Upon their arrival in the United States, my great grandmother and great aunt only spoke Creole, a mix of several different languages. They immediately set about to learn English. My great grandpa would have them listen to the radio so that they would learn the proper way to speak English. Having not learned English until she was 3 years old, my great aunt Ginette later went on to earn her degree in Education from D.C. Teacher's College (later to become part of the University of the District of Columbia). She exposed our family to the possibility of higher education, particularly college life at a Historically Black College and University. Ginette's desire to teach others the fine art of speaking not only proper English but fluent French as well propelled her into 40 years of teaching generations of DC students, 38 of those years at the same middle school! My career goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, ultimately becoming a 3rd grade teacher. The influence of my great Aunt Ginette led to my interest in a career in education and and then also when I learned of the Educators Rising Club in the 7th grade. That's where it clicked for me and I saw how a positive learning environment can shape a student’s confidence and encourage growth. For the past three years I have been enrolled in the Child Development Professions CTE Program at North Point High School in Waldorf, MD where I’ve assisted in implementing developmentally appropriate activities and maintaining a healthy learning environment for children aged 2-5. Most recently, I received my Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. As a part of my CTE program, we often have volunteer opportunities at neighboring elementary schools. The goal of these opportunities is not only to assist us as future educators to become more familiar with the educational environment, but also to support the parents of students at the schools. As volunteers we read stories to young scholars and participate in varying creative activities, which allows the parents an opportunity to connect with school leadership. These opportunities are even more impactful to the students with differing abilities population, because it creates an inclusive and equitable space for them to enjoy as well. After graduating from college, I plan to give back to my community by teaching in my local county. My desire is to be the kind of educator who creates a welcoming and supportive classroom where every student feels valued and seen. I plan to effect change in the field of education by allowing my classroom to be a place students remember not just for academics, but for how it made them feel. I want to create and nurture a positive and inspiring learning environment, just like the one that was created for me back in the 7th grade. By helping students build confidence in themselves to reach their greatest potential, I hope to contribute to a stronger, more connected community.

"Kindness in Action" As a part of my Child Development Associate program, we often have volunteer opportunities at local elementary schools. The goal of these opportunities is not only to assist us as future educators to become more familiar with the educational environment, but also to support the parents of students at the schools. As volunteers we read stories to young scholars and participate in varying creative activities, which allows the parents an opportunity to connect with school leadership. These opportunities are even more impactful to the students with differing abilities population, because it creates an inclusive and equitable space for them to enjoy as well. There was a little boy in a wheelchair who attended one of the events, maybe about 6 years old. The other students were playing a round of musical chairs. I could tell that he wanted to play, but just didn't know how to make it work. I went over to him to ask if he wanted to play, and his face lit up! I told him that I would hold his hand and we'd take our time walking around the chairs as the music played. The other students were extremely patient, and gave him and opportunity to participate, even if it wasn't at "normal speed". That moment was important because just taking the opportunity to see someone who had a differing ability, and allowing them to participate in a traditional moment brought so much joy to my heart. Sometimes if we just slow down, and truly embrace all of those around us, the impact will be phenomenal! "Creating Connection" Varsity Cheerleading has shaped my understanding of leadership, service and community in many ways. One of my most memorable events was when our team visited a local nursing home during the Holiday season. While we were there, we performed a few of our cheers to help spread some Holiday “cheer”. At first, I thought we were going to perform and leave, but the experience turned out to be much more meaningful. After we performed, I could tell that the residents were “looking for more”. They were so engaged and just looked like they wanted more interaction with us. I took the initiative of asking my coach if we could stay a bit longer. She agreed, so we gathered the residents and sang Christmas carols together. Many of them sang along, clapped, and smiled. Seeing how something so simple as cheering and singing could brighten their day helped me realize the impact small acts of service can have on others. As Co-Captain, this experience helped me understand that leadership is not just about leading a team during practices or games. It is also about using your gifts and talents to create belonging and community. Spending time with the residents reminded me that leadership can be shown through acts of kindness, genuine effort, and a willing heart to make someone else’s day better.

My passion for teaching started when I was in the 7th grade where I learned of the Educators Rising Club, and through the influence of my great Aunt Ginette. She was a teacher for 40 years in Washington, DC, earning her degree from D.C. Teacher's College (later to become part of the University of the District of Columbia). I spent many summers with her preparing her classroom for the upcoming school year, as she told me stories of her education journey. I also chose this path because I believe that a positive learning environment can build confidence and growth. My career goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, first becoming a 3rd grade teacher, then ultimately becoming a school principal. For the past three years I have been enrolled in the Child Development Professions CTE Program at North Point High School where I’ve assisted in implementing developmentally appropriate activities and maintaining a healthy learning environment for children aged 2-5. Most recently, I received my Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. As a part of my CTE program, we often have volunteer opportunities at neighboring elementary schools. The goal of these opportunities is not only to assist us as future educators to become more familiar with the educational environment, but also to support the parents of students at the schools. As volunteers we read stories to young scholars and participate in varying creative activities, which allows the parents an opportunity to connect with school leadership. These opportunities are even more impactful to the students with differing abilities population, because it creates an inclusive and equitable space for them to enjoy as well. The environment in my 7th grade classroom was a pivotal moment for me because I realized that positive education environments aren’t exclusive to school buildings but also reach into our homes and communities. Communities thrive where everyone has a sense of belonging, a purpose, and feels valued by their families, friends and neighbors. By helping students build confidence in themselves to reach their greatest potential, I hope to contribute to a stronger, more connected community. After college graduation, I plan to give back to my community by teaching in my local county. I want to create and nurture a positive and inspiring learning environment, just like the one that was created for me. My classroom and office once I become a principal will be a place students remember not just for academics, but for how it made them feel. Community service has been such a core value in my life instilled in me by my mom, who I watched serve in our community and at our local church faithfully. The values I’ve learned at home, and through community service, will keep me grounded as I continue my journey to become an impactful educator.

My career goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, first becoming a 3rd grade teacher, then ultimately becoming a school principal. My passion for teaching started in the 7th grade where I learned of the Educators Rising Club, which led to my interest in the education careers path. I chose this path because I believe that a positive learning environment can build confidence and growth. For the past three years I have been enrolled in the Child Development Professions CTE Program at North Point High School where I’ve assisted in implementing developmentally appropriate activities and maintaining a healthy learning environment for children aged 2-5. Most recently, I received my Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. As a part of my CTE program, we often have volunteer opportunities at neighboring elementary schools. The goal of these opportunities is not only to assist us as future educators to become more familiar with the educational environment, but also to support the parents of students at the schools. We read stories to young scholars and participate in varying creative activities, while parents connect with school leadership. These opportunities are even more impactful to the students with differing abilities population, because it creates an inclusive and equitable space for them to enjoy as well. An extracurricular activity that has had a great impact on me has been Varsity Cheerleading. Being a Cheerleader has shaped my understanding of leadership, service and community in many ways. One of my most memorable events was when our Team visited a local nursing home during the Holiday season. While we were there, we performed a few of our cheers to help spread some Holiday “cheer”. At first, I thought we were going to perform and leave, but the experience turned out to be much more meaningful. After we performed, we gathered with the residents and sang Christmas carols together. Many of them sang along, clapped, and smiled. Seeing how something so simple as cheering and singing could brighten their day helped me realize the impact small acts of service can have on others. As Co-Captain, this experience helped me understand that leadership is not just about leading during practices or games. It’s also about using your gifts and talents to serve others. Spending time with the residents reminded me that leadership can be shown through acts of kindness, genuine effort, and a willing heart to make someone else’s day better. After college graduation, I plan to give back to my community by teaching in my local county. I want to create and nurture a positive and inspiring learning environment, just like the one that was created for me. My classroom and office once I become a principal will be a place students remember not just for academics, but for how it made them feel. I plan to influence the Education field through servitude, a core value instilled in me by my mom, as I watched her serve our community for many years.