Essay: Sewing Seeds of Hope By:Gabrielle Jones My grandmother, the late Geraldine Bell, had a significant impact on my life. She served as a cook for many years, and even after retiring, she continued to use her recipe of love and compassion. She fed the hungry and gave to the needy, even if it was her last. She taught me that service is important, and how small seeds planted can grow into something beautiful. She shaped my aspirations and who I am today by inspiring me to become an occupational therapist. When she fell ill, I took care of her and assisted her with daily activities. Seeing her make progress and regain independence inspired me to want to help others through my future career as an occupational therapist. My grandmother always told me that whatever I do, I should do it with love. Service isn't about me; it's about impacting the lives of others for the better. People may not remember your name, but they will remember how you treated them. Neighbors who were hungry would knock on her door for a meal, and no matter the hour, she would always answer the door with a smile. My grandmother inspired me to always treat others the way I want to be treated. I will continue to sew love and hope into others through my nursing home ministry, where I engage in conversations with residents, do activities with them, and serve with a loving heart. Some residents in nursing homes don't have family or friends to visit them, but I know my small acts of kindness can impact their lives. This scholarship would impact my life, as it will allow me to continue my education. I'm a student of a single mother, and although it may be difficult to financially clear every semester, my mother believes in me and my aspirations just as my grandmother did. I want to finish my education because I know a patient out there needs my kindness and compassion. I know my grandmother would want me to keep helping others, and to keep achieving my goals. I will honor her memory, influence, and legacy by serving others with love and compassion and helping those in need, whether it is providing a meal or helping someone learn how to feed themselves. I will always strive to be of service to others and keep the legacy of Lena B. Davis alive.

Scholarship Essay: Leading Through Faith By Gabrielle Jones My faith has always been more than belief—it's been a way of life, instilled in me by my praying, loving grandmother. Her example of grace, service, and unwavering trust in God continues to shape how I lead and live each day. Even after her passing, her legacy fuels my passion to serve others and lead with compassion, purpose, and humility. Faith has impacted my leadership style by grounding it in service. I believe that true leadership mirrors the example of Christ—someone who served others, uplifted the hurting, and led not from pride, but from love. As a student leader at Oakwood University—serving as the Pre-Alumni Council President, chaplain of the Health and Human Sciences Club, and a member of the AY prayer team—I strive to create spaces where others feel seen, heard, and spiritually supported. My role on the AY prayer team, where I intercede on behalf of fellow students, is a direct reflection of how faith fuels my leadership: through compassion, spiritual connection, and a heart for others. When my grandmother passed during the spring semester, I carried the weight of grief and the light of her legacy at the same time. One of the things she always said was, “Maranatha, Jesus is coming.” Those words still echo in my heart today, reminding me that there is purpose in every act of love and every step of service. A powerful expression of my faith came through my nursing home ministry. Visiting residents, coloring with them, and engaging in meaningful conversation taught me how healing presence and genuine connection can be. Showing up with a smile and a listening ear reminded me that even the smallest acts can reflect Christ’s love. Several years ago, I also served as a Bible worker, going into the community to share the gospel. I passed out Christian literature and told others about Jesus—sometimes at their doorsteps, sometimes in casual conversation. It was an experience that taught me boldness, patience, and the importance of planting seeds of hope. I learned that leading through faith isn't always about big platforms—it’s about faithfully doing what God asks, wherever He places you. Leading through faith means making space for God to work—especially in the hearts of others. My goal is to carry this spirit into every area of my life, including my future as an occupational therapist. I want to be a light for those who are hurting, just as my grandmother was for me. This scholarship would allow me to continue living out that legacy—serving with strength, leading through love, and walking boldly in faith, always remembering: Maranatha, Jesus is coming.

My name is Gabrielle Jones. I am 19 years old and proudly from the state of Louisiana. I grew up in a close-knit, Christian home where the word of God was not just spoken but lived out daily. My upbringing was rooted in strong spiritual values, and I am incredibly grateful for the foundation that my family and church community laid for me. From a young age, I was surrounded by love, faith, and purpose. My mother and my grandmother ensured that I understood the importance of faith, service, and dedication—not only to God but also to others. My spiritual journey truly began to deepen as I took on active roles in my local church. Over the years, I’ve served as an usher, a Bible worker, and a vacation Bible school (VBS) counselor. Each of these positions allowed me to grow not just in my leadership skills but also in my personal walk with God. As an usher, I learned the importance of hospitality and welcoming people into a space where they could experience God’s presence. As a VBS counselor, I helped nurture the spiritual lives of young children, planting seeds of faith in their hearts. But it was my time as a Bible worker that transformed my understanding of ministry and my personal faith the most. Being a Bible worker opened my eyes to the real-life impact of ministry. I had the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone and enter the lives of people in my community who were longing for hope, encouragement, and spiritual connection. I spent time going door to door, sharing the word of God, praying with individuals, and offering Bible studies. One of the most profound aspects of this experience was ministering to the elderly in nursing homes. Listening to their stories, offering prayers, and just being present in their lives brought a sense of purpose to my work. It was during this time that I had a life-changing realization—sometimes, we are the only Bible someone will ever read. Our actions, compassion, and words can serve as someone’s first encounter with God’s love. This powerful truth continues to motivate me to live a life of service and intentionality. I want my life to be a reflection of Christ, not just in church, but in my daily interactions with others. Currently, I am a student at Oakwood University, pursuing a degree in health and human sciences with a pre-occupational therapy concentration. My decision to study occupational therapy comes from a deep-rooted desire to help others regain their independence and live fulfilling lives. I have a particular interest in working with the elderly population in nursing home settings. Many people choose careers based on financial potential, but for me, it's all about purpose. I chose this path because I have a sincere passion for people, especially for those who are often overlooked or underserved. My inspiration for entering the healthcare field comes from a deeply personal place—my late grandmother. When she became ill, I stepped in to help care for her. I assisted with her daily routines, offered emotional support, and did everything I could to make her feel comfortable and loved. That experience opened my eyes to the needs of elderly individuals who often lose their sense of independence due to illness or aging. It also showed me how important it is to treat patients with kindness, patience, and dignity. As an occupational therapist, I want to offer not just professional support, but also emotional encouragement and compassionate care. I want to be someone who empowers others and helps them reclaim their confidence and independence. While I am incredibly passionate about my future career, pursuing higher education has come with its own set of challenges. I come from a single-parent household, and my mother has been my biggest supporter—spiritually, emotionally, and financially. She works extremely hard and often puts her own needs aside so that I can have the opportunity to earn a college degree. Unfortunately, I do not qualify for much financial aid, so my mother has had to take out a significant amount of private loans to cover my tuition. Despite the financial burdens, she continues to sacrifice and push forward because she believes in me and my future. Receiving this scholarship would mean the world to us. It would alleviate some of the financial strain and allow me to focus more on my studies and less on the stress of how we are going to cover the next tuition payment. Beyond becoming an occupational therapist, I have bigger dreams and goals that I am praying and working toward. I want to become a philanthropist and start nonprofit organizations that give back to communities in need. I want to create programs that provide mentorship, resources, and support to underprivileged youth and families. Whether it’s through providing school supplies, career training, mental health resources, or simply a safe space to gather, I want to create an impact that goes beyond the four walls of a clinic or therapy room. I believe God has called me to be a vessel of hope and change, and I’m determined to walk boldly in that calling. I also want to incorporate my faith into every aspect of my professional and philanthropic work. For me, faith and service go hand in hand. I want my future organizations to reflect the love and compassion that God shows to all of us daily. I envision hosting free health clinics, offering occupational therapy services to underserved populations, and organizing mission trips where volunteers can serve both physically and spiritually. I see myself mentoring young women and encouraging them to chase their dreams with confidence, just like my mentors and church community encouraged me. In everything I do, I want to remain grounded in the values that were instilled in me from a young age—faith, service, compassion, and integrity. My journey has not been easy, but it has been filled with purpose and perseverance. I am grateful for every experience that has shaped me into the person I am today, and I look forward to continuing this journey with faith as my foundation. In conclusion, I am not just pursuing a degree—I am pursuing a calling. A calling to serve others, to make a difference, and to live out my faith in every area of my life. Receiving this scholarship would be a blessing and a step closer to fulfilling the purpose that God has placed on my life. Thank you for considering me.

Charity is important to me because I believe in helping to better the lives of others. When I think about charity, I think about my late grandmother, who gave without expecting anything in return. She fed the hungry, she gave to those in need, and she exemplified charity throughout her entire life. She taught me how giving is better than receiving, and I've used this life lesson throughout my life as well. I currently have a nursing home ministry where every few months I do activities with the residents and make them feel loved. Some residents in nursing homes don't have any family or friends to come and visit them, but my acts of kindness positively impact their lives. I intend to give back in the future by helping others regain their independence through my future career as an occupational therapist. I want to help my future patients feel confident and make progress in their day-to-day lives. I want to be a beacon of light and an advocate for the marginalized and those without a voice. I want to help others feel loved and cared for, and I want to make a lasting impact in my community. My university's motto is "Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve." To me, this means that our goal as humans should be to serve our community, family, friends, and the world. This scholarship will help me to continue my education and change the world.

My name is Gabrielle Jones. I am 19 years old, and I am from Louisiana. I am a rising Junior at Oakwood University majoring in health and human sciences, pre-occupational therapy. I intend to become an occupational therapist and work in a nursing home. I plan to work in a nursing home because I have a passion for the elderly, and I want to help make their lives better. Some of my hobbies include writing poetry, community service projects, spending time with the elderly, and traveling. I try and be active and involved; I am apart of clubs and extracurricular activities on my campus. I currently serve as the president of the Pre-Alumni Council of Oakwood University. I am the chaplain of the Health and Human Sciences Club, and I am apart of a campus community outreach club, and I will be a residential assistant (RA) in the upcoming semester. One of my favorite quotes is, "Do something you love, and you'll never work a day in your life." -- Mark Twain and Confucius. Many individuals choose a career for the money, but I chose my career path because I have a passion for serving others. My grandmother became sick, and I would spend my days taking care of her. She is one of the main reasons why I chose this career. I assisted her in doing day-to-day activities, and it was incredibly rewarding seeing her progress. I plan to make a positive impact on the world through my career by helping others gain their independence. For example, as an occupational therapist, I will be aiding people with daily activities such as brushing their teeth, turning a doorknob, brushing their hair, etc. I will help them regain their independence, and I want to boost their self-esteem as well. Some of my future patients may feel discouraged and defeated, but I want to help them feel joy in their lives. I want to spread kindness to every patient that I work with. I strongly believe that the world can be a better place through our actions, words, and decisions. Throughout my career and my life, I want to share love with others. I believe in the golden rule, which is, "Treat others the way you want to be treated." This scholarship will help me to continue my education as I plan to spread kindness and keep Charlene K. Howard's legacy alive.

My name is Gabrielle Jones. I am 19 years old, and I was born and raised in Louisiana. My faith has played a pivotal role in my journey towards success. Praying and spending time with God is what has brought me this far. I want to share the love of Christ with others because, as a Christian, I don't want to keep the good news to myself. My main goal in life is to hear, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant." I aim to be faithful to God in every aspect of my life. I am a sophomore majoring in occupational therapy, and I plan on becoming an occupational therapist, helping others regain independence in their daily lives. I chose this career path because, through my kind words and deeds, I want to share the love of Christ with my patients. I want them to see Jesus through me, because sometimes you're the only Bible people will ever read. I grew up in a single-parent household, and I understand what it means to have to sacrifice and trust God. My mother has to work two jobs just so that I can have everything that I need to be successful. She has taught me how to be faithful to God even in the midst of challenges. Ever since I was young, my mother has always told me to pray and to build my own relationship with God. Clearing financially for school every semester is challenging, but my mother has always told me to have faith because God didn't bring me this far to only bring me this far. My mother's faith in God is a huge inspiration to me. I'm reminded how important mustard seed faith is, because faith can move mountains. I am also a fervent believer in community service and helping others. My grandmother became sick, and I spent my summer taking care of her. Whenever I am home on break from school, I am there every day at her house, caring for her every need. I believe that being a Christian isn't just listening to Christian songs and posting scripture; it's about taking care of others and treating them with the same love and compassion God gives us. My grandmother has played a vital role in my faith journey, as she has always taught me how to bear the fruits of Jesus. She gives to the hungry, helps others even when she may not have a lot, and has faith in God despite the hardships. I've achieved some great things and have had many triumphs, but it's only because of God and my faith. I do my best to be involved as much as possible on campus because I want to make a positive and lasting impact in my community. I currently serve as a campus prayer warrior, interceding on behalf of others. I am the president of the pre-alumni council at my school, and I am the chaplain of the health and human sciences club at my university. Every achievement I owe to God. One of my favorite bible verses is Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this very thing, he that began the good work in you is faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." This verse helps me to stay faithful, as I am reminded of the work that God is doing in me. I hope that you consider me for this scholarship, as I will continue to trust God, have faith, and share God's love with others.

My name is Gabrielle Jones. I am 19 years old, and I was born and raised in Louisiana. My faith has played a pivotal role in my journey towards success. Praying and spending time with God is what has brought me this far. I want to share the love of Christ with others because, as a Christian, I don't want to keep the good news to myself. My main goal in life is to hear, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant." I aim to be faithful to God in every aspect of my life. I am a sophomore majoring in occupational therapy, and I plan on becoming an occupational therapist, helping others regain independence in their daily lives. I chose this career path because, through my kind words and deeds, I want to share the love of Christ with my patients. I want them to see Jesus through me, because sometimes you're the only Bible people will ever read. I grew up in a single-parent household, and I understand what it means to have to sacrifice and trust God. My mother has to work two jobs just so that I can have everything that I need to be successful. She has taught me how to be faithful to God even in the midst of challenges. Ever since I was young, my mother has always told me to pray and to build my own relationship with God. Clearing financially for school every semester is challenging, but my mother has always told me to have faith because God didn't bring me this far to only bring me this far. My mother's faith in God is a huge inspiration to me. I'm reminded how important mustard seed faith is, because faith can move mountains. I am also a fervent believer in community service and helping others. My grandmother became sick, and I spent my summer taking care of her. Whenever I am home on break from school, I am there every day at her house, caring for her every need. I believe that being a Christian isn't just listening to Christian songs and posting scripture; it's about taking care of others and treating them with the same love and compassion God gives us. My grandmother has played a vital role in my faith journey, as she has always taught me how to bear the fruits of Jesus. She gives to the hungry, helps others even when she may not have a lot, and has faith in God despite the hardships. I've achieved some great things and have had many triumphs, but it's only because of God and my faith. I do my best to be involved as much as possible on campus because I want to make a positive and lasting impact in my community. I currently serve as a campus prayer warrior interceding on behalf of others. I am the president of the pre-alumni council at my school, and I am the chaplain of the health and human sciences club at my university. Every achievement I owe to God. One of my favorite bible verses is Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this very thing, he that began the good work in you is faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." This verse helps me to stay faithful, as I am reminded of the work that God is doing in me. I hope that you consider me for this scholarship, as I will continue to trust God, have faith, and share God's love with others.

My name is Gabrielle Jones. I am 19 years old, and I was born and raised in Louisiana. I currently attend Oakwood University, a HBCU in Huntsville, Alabama. I'm a sophomore majoring in health and human sciences pre-occupational therapy. I intend to be an occupational therapist working with the elderly in a nursing home. I love helping others, and I aim to help others regain their independence through my career. I am very involved and active on my campus. I currently serve as the president of the pre-alumni council, the chaplain of the health and human sciences club, a campus prayer warrior, and a member of a community outreach group, and I intend to become a residential assistant (RA) this upcoming semester. Some of my hobbies include writing poetry, reading, listening to music, engaging with the elderly, and giving back to the community. I enjoy doing community service projects because I believe that giving is better than receiving. I am teachable, kind, compassionate, giving, God-fearing, and hardworking. As a child of a single mother, I know what it means to sacrifice and work hard. My mother works two jobs just to be able to provide for me. She works early mornings and late evenings to ensure that I have the very best. She is my inspiration to pursue my dreams and career path. My mother has always taught me to love my melanin, my culture, and my heritage and to always be confident in who I am. To attend an HBCU means to tread the very ground that my ancestors walked. Powerful individuals such as Harriet Tubman and Martin Luther King Jr. treaded my campus. To walk the school grounds where historical figures and trailblazers walked is both incredible and inspiring. Ever since I was younger, I knew that I wanted to attend an HBCU and be around people who love their culture as much as I do. I am passionate about social justice and raising awareness about police brutality and injustices. I want to be a beacon of light and an advocate for the marginalized and those without a voice. I want to make a difference not just at my HBCU but in the world. I want to help others feel loved and cared for, and I want to make a lasting impact in my community. My university's motto is, "Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve." To me, this means that our goal as humans should be too serve our community, family, friends, and the world. Service and giving back to others is important. Chadwick Boseman once said, “HBCUs are the embodiment of the African American spirit, where students are encouraged to embrace their heritage and use it as a catalyst for success.” This quote is a reminder of how HBCUs provide a community where our heritage, culture, and who we are are celebrated. A quote that I love is, “If you don't feel it, flee from it. Go where you are celebrated, not merely tolerated.” To attend an HBCU means to be celebrated daily for not just academic success but for who you are as a person. I intend to use the tools and skills that I am given at my HBCU to change the world. I plan on becoming a philanthropist one day, and I hope to fund a student's tuition to a HBCU. I want them to experience what I experience at a HBCU: community, culture enrichment, and more. I hope that you consider me for this scholarship, as I will take everything that I learn at my HBCU and use it to change the world.

My name is Gabrielle Jones. I am 19 years old and I am from Louisiana. I am a sophomore at Oakwood University majoring in health and human sciences, pre occupational therapy. I intend to become an occupational therapist and work in a nursing home. I plan to work in a nursing home because I have a passion for the elderly, and I want to help make their lives better. Some of my hobbies include writing poetry, community service projects, spending time with the elderly, and traveling. I try and be active and involved; I am apart of clubs and extracurriculars on my campus. I currently serve as the president of the Pre-Alumni Council of Oakwood University. I am the chaplain of the Health and Human Sciences Club, and I am apart of a campus community outreach club, and I am currently working on becoming a Residential Assistant (RA) in the upcoming semester. One of my favorite quotes is, "Do something you love, and you'll never work a day in your life." -- Mark Twain and Confiscus. Many individuals choose a career for the money, but I chose my career path because I have a passion for serving others. My grandmother became sick, and I would spend my days taking care of her. She is one of the main reasons why I chose this career. I assisted her in doing day-to-day activities, and it was incredibly rewarding seeing her progress. I plan to make a positive impact on the world through my career by helping others gain their independence. For example, as an occupational therapist, I will be aiding people with daily activities such as brushing their teeth, turning a door knob, brushing their hair, etc. I will help them regain their independence, and I want to boost their self-esteem as well. Some of my patients may feel discouraged and defeated, but I want to help them feel joy in their lives. I want to spread kindness to every patient that I work with. I strongly believe that the world can be a better place through our actions, words, and decisions. Throughout my career and my life, I want to share love with others. I believe in the golden rule, which is, "Treat others the way you want to be treated." I hope you consider me for this scholarship, as I plan to spread kindness and keep Robert F. Lawson's legacy alive.

My name is Gabrielle Jones, and I am a sophomore in college pursuing a career in occupational therapy. As the daughter of a single parent, I have always been taught how to persevere through challenges. My mother has always taught me how to see the glass as half full and not half empty, teaching me that perspective is everything. Every time I skinned my knee, my mother was always there; every time I didn't make a sports team, she was still my biggest cheerleader. Through every obstacle in my life, coming from a single-parent household has taught me how to be independent, how to trust God to supply every need, and how to be resilient despite the challenges. My mother works two jobs in order to provide for me. Early mornings and late evenings she has sacrificed because she only wants the very best for me. Through this sacrifice, I have learned the importance of hard work. Even when my mother didn't feel the best or didn't know how she was going to pay for something, she never let me see her discouraged. She always held her head high and trusted God in spite of everything.I plan to use my life experience to make a positive impact in the community and world by sharing kindness with everyone and doing community service projects. Although my mother is a single mother, she has always given back to those around her. I plan to give back to the less fortunate because giving is better than receiving. I am actively working towards pursuing my goals by maintaining good grades and being active in clubs and extracurriculars. I will not let my mother's sacrifice be in vain; I will achieve my goals and make this world a better place.

My name is Gabrielle Jones. I am a sophomore at Oakwood University, a HBCU in Huntsville, Alabama. As a child, I wanted to be a veternarian. After watching movies like The Zookeeper and Dr. Dolittle, I fell in love with animals and have had many pets of my own. Now, at 19 years old, this is not my career path. I am a college sophomore majoring in health and human sciences, pre occupational therapy. I used to want to be a veterinarian because I love animals, but after praying and looking at all of my passions, I decided to choose occupational therapy. I plan to work in a nursing home as an occupational therapist, helping the elderly become more independent and get back to doing their normal daily activities. I want to have a positive impact on every patient I work with. In addition, I love social justice and raising awareness about gun violence. I also enjoy writing poetry, reading, listening to music, engaging with the elderly, and doing community service. As a sophomore in college, I am very active in different clubs and extracurriculars. I currently serve as the president of the Pre-Alumni Council of Oakwood University; I am the chaplain for the Health and Human Sciences Club; I am apart of a choir called "A New Song," and I am an intercessor prayer warrior on campus. I am also working on becoming a residential assistant (RA) in the upcoming school year. Through out all of my extracurriculars, I still manage to stay on top of my assignments. I try my best to maintain A's and B's. I am in a single-parent household, so I do my best to try and apply to as many scholarships as possible. I am a fervent believer in following your dreams and aspirations regardless of how challenging it may get. Although it may be a challenge to get financially cleared every semester, I will aim to stay at my university to complete my education. One of my favorite quotes is, "May the flowers remind you why the rain was necessary."- Xan Oku. There will be no flowers without the rain. And in life, there will be no accomplished dreams and goals without hardships at times. As a future occupational therapist, I will aim to remind my patients of this quote. It will be a positive reminder of how their achievements are proof why the challenges were necessary.