My short time so far at Fresno Pacific University (FPU) has been, by far, the greatest educational experience of my life. The program I am enrolled in is for my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Organizational Leadership. In this program, I’ve learned the importance of serving others and, specifically, the concept of servant leadership. Prior to attending FPU, I had no clue this concept existed; however, I can’t imagine myself not wanting to pursue this way of life! Qualities such as integrity, humility, resilience, flexibility, respect, and empathy are some of the most important characteristics of a servant leader. A servant leader primarily focuses on the progress and well-being of others and the communities to which they belong. While traditional leadership typically entails the acquisition and exercise of power by those at the "top of the pyramid," servant-leaders share power, prioritize the needs of others, and assist people in developing and performing to their fullest potential. Serving my community has been a big passion of mine since I was in junior high. I’ve been a part of various clubs and organizations throughout the years that focus on serving those in the community and giving back to those in need, such as the Soroptimist Club, the Salvation Army, the Rotary Club of Los Banos, the Los Banos Downtown Association, and the California Scholarship Federation, among others. However, my favorite event I’ve done so far has been Relay for Life. This event is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society that brings together enthusiastic supporters who reflect the organization's vision of ending cancer. I love it because it brings communities together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones who have passed away from cancer, and raise funds to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support. I have a close friend who has suffered from cancer, as well as some family members who unfortunately lost the fight, so this charity lies deeply within my heart, and I am more than happy to serve. Having this mindset of leading with the intent to serve others has helped me grow into a more loving, giving woman with a brighter vision of contributing to society. One way I feel I am practicing the mindset of servant leadership is by sharing this concept with future leaders of our society. I have a three-year-old sister who looks at me like I am the person she wants to be when she grows up. This is extremely flattering to me, but also sometimes very scary. I must ensure that whatever I do, I am being a positive role model to her and adhering to ethical principles and standards that she will want to live up to. Whether it be empowering others over obtaining personal gain, having the courage to be innovative, or practicing stewardship in her community, my hope and dream for her is to have a positive impact on those around her and have the courage and confidence to step up and be a strong servant leader. Every day at FPU, I am learning more and more about what it means to lead by serving others. I have made great connections with my professors and peers, as well as gained an incredible understanding of the ways I can contribute meaningfully to our world. I am so excited to continue learning these things and I feel that this educational experience will follow and influence me for the rest of my life. I am incredibly grateful for your consideration, and I hope to hear from you!

As the daughter of a single mother, qualities such as independence, resilience, strength, courage, and kindness have been instilled in me from a young age. I’ve been taught to never let anything stand in the way of pursuing my aspirations, and pursuing higher education has been one of my biggest ones in life. As I’ve matured into the young lady I am today, I’ve realized the value of continuing my education, as well as the various ways it will help me develop into a more knowledgeable woman who serves and gives back to her community. My short time at Fresno Pacific University (FPU) has been the greatest educational experience of my life. I am enrolled in a bachelor's program for Business Administration with an emphasis on Organizational Leadership. I’ve learned the importance of serving others and, specifically, the concept of servant leadership. Qualities such as integrity, humility, resilience, respect, and empathy are some of the most important characteristics of a servant leader. Community service has been a big passion of mine since I was in junior high. I’ve been a part of various amazing clubs and organizations throughout the years that focus on serving those in the community and giving back to those in need. My favorite event I’ve done so far, however, has been Relay for Life. This event is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society that brings together enthusiastic supporters who reflect the organization's vision of ending cancer. I love it because it brings communities together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones who lost the fight, and raise funds to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support. I have a close friend who has suffered from cancer, as well as some family members, so this charity lies deeply within my heart, and I am more than happy to serve. I also practice this mindset of servant leadership in other aspects of my life. I have a three-year-old sister who looks at me like I am the person she wants to be when she grows up. I must ensure that whatever I do, I am being a positive role model to her and adhering to ethical principles and standards that she will want to live up to. Every day, I aim to teach her the qualities of servant leadership and the importance of serving those around us. Whether it be empowering others over obtaining personal gain, having the courage to be innovative, or practicing stewardship in the community, my hope and dream for her is to have a positive impact on society. We are both raised by our mom, whom we rely on emotionally and financially, but lately, finances have been our biggest obstacle. In September 2022, we lost my Nana unexpectedly. This loss hit my family like a ton of bricks, but my mom is the one who suffered the worst. Her grief became unbearable to the point where she quit her job and was unemployed from June 2023 to April 2024. For 10 months, we struggled financially, and due to this, I’ve had little help with my schooling expenses. I feel I am deserving of the Our Destiny Our Future scholarship because I am very passionate about serving those in my community and feel as though furthering my education is just the beginning of my story of positive change. I promise to fulfill my duties as a servant leader, fine-tuning and displaying qualities such as integrity, humility, resilience, respect, and empathy in all that I do. I appreciate your consideration and hope to hear from you!

I grew up in a very loud, large Italian family. Having approximately 80 cousins and counting, family gatherings are never a dull moment. I've always been so close to my family and their influence has certainly shaped me into the woman I am today. My great-grandfather, Luigi, passed three months before I was born so I've never met him, however, I've always felt close to him. My mom would show me home videos from her childhood of Nono (my great-grandfather) singing in Italian, with a cigarette in his mouth, and playing cards in his hands. I felt so connected to him whenever I heard him sing. His favorite song to sing was "Eh, Cumpari", and by the time I was ten years old, it became one of my favorite songs to sing too! The song features different instruments, my favorite being the saxophone, so in fifth grade, I took it upon myself to learn to play the saxophone. I've been playing it for ten years now and each time I play it, it reminds me of my Nono and when he would sing in Italian. Each year, my family gets together for a family reunion and we have a bocce tournament, where I think I get my competitive nature. The winning team gets their names engraved on the huge "Benetti Bocce Trophy" dating back to the 1960s and has the privilege of hosting the trophy at their homes until the next family reunion. Unfortunately, I have yet to host it. I think this year will be my year! I gained a deeper connection to my Italian heritage when my Nana (Nono's daughter) passed away in September 2022. She was my best friend and biggest supporter. This loss devastated my entire family, but especially my mom. She quit her job and alienated herself in our own home. I was left with the responsibility of caring for my 3-year-old sister, going through school, and dealing with grief of my own. I remember one day, I was listening to the radio, and "Eh, Cumpari" came on. It gave me such a sense of comfort and reminded me of all the amazing memories I had, which gave me the courage I needed and helped me to get out of the rut I was in. So much so, that I decided to play the saxophone at my Nana's celebration of life ceremony that was to take place that week. On the day, I played one of Nana's favorite Italian songs, which brought my family to tears. It's incredible how something as simple as a song can uplift you and provide such courage and determination. After this experience, it fueled my desire to get more in touch with my Italian roots. I'm blessed to have the opportunity to travel with a group of students to Italy this summer, where I will be able to connect with my Italian heritage and even some relatives I've never met in person! I am looking forward to gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Italian culture and seeing the places my family grew up in. Pursuing a degree in Business will help me achieve my dream of business ownership for interior design and spark change within my community. It was always important to my Nana to give back to those in the community, so I feel that I will honor her by helping local businesses and homeowners revitalize their interior spaces and bringing smiles to those around me. My determination, dedication, and love for music and my community all trace back to my roots...I'm very proud to be Italian!

Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of owning my own business. I remember my first encounter with business at six years old when my neighbor was selling lemonade across the street. I thought this idea was so incredible--I had to do the same! However, not knowing how to make lemonade, I did what any sensible six-year-old would do and started charging people ten cents for my homemade “perfume”. Creating something of my own that I felt was a success and that I could share with others birthed my love for business. Throughout my adolescent years, I came up with creative ways to make money while still putting smiles on people’s faces. From baking cookies to hand-drawing custom portraits, it felt good to know I was giving back to those around me. The positive feedback I received fueled my desire to create something of myself that could positively impact others in a way that is long-lasting and that radiates love and positivity. Now, as a young woman and first generation student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, this dream still has not faded and has only become clearer. My passion for art and design has led me to pursue a career in interior design and work toward business ownership. By combining my passions with business and the ability to help improve people's lives, I couldn’t ask for anything more fulfilling! I believe that change all starts with one person, and I’d like to be the one who brings about change within my community. In talking to many people within my community, I’ve been told that our town needs a little “revitalization” and businesses need a bit of help attracting customers. I believe that improving the interior aesthetics of businesses will potentially help attract more customers, thus strengthening our downtown business community. I believe having a local business for interior design will be beneficial to not only the business side of our community but to the residential side as well. I’ve also been told by members of the community that people are looking for local interior designers for home improvements. Whether it be nonfunctional spaces, not reflecting the homeowner's style, or simply just an outdated look, an interior designer can help renovate and create a space that the homeowner is proud to call their own. If this isn’t a call for help and a sign for me to open a business for design, I don’t know what is! Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration will help me achieve this dream of business ownership and spark change within my community. After obtaining my degree, I plan to intern with different interior design agencies to gain a deeper understanding of the art of design and the steps to successfully starting this type of business. From there, I will work towards opening my own interior design business where I will work for clients in designing the layouts of and choosing finishes for their desired space(s) and help them put their stamp on their home or business. I know I can reach my dreams and my desire to create positive change will be my momentum until I do. Change all starts with one person…and I know I can be the one to spark this change. I wish to be considered for this scholarship because it would be an incredible blessing that would help contribute to my schooling costs substantially. It will help me reach my dream with much more ease and will be a huge part of my journey to creating a brighter future for myself, my family, and my community.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). God knows when we need His words and comfort the most. He knows when we are at our lowest and need to feel his love to help bring us up again. It took me a while to fully embrace these thoughts and live life according to His will. Growing up, I was exposed to Christianity and knew that God existed, however, I never took the initiative to truly get to know Him. In high school, I was around people whose values differed from my own. I became secretive and relationships with my family deteriorated because of my selfish ways. My zest for life faded, and I blamed everyone but myself. When we were confined to our homes for distance learning in my junior year, I started doing some self-reflection. Being away from negative influences and in a space where faith was always the center, I began finding my way again. I rebuilt family relationships and worked hard to be a better person. Graduating high school and entering college left me excited about my journey toward obtaining my degree. I finally felt like I was on the right path. That is until my entire world got turned upside down. In September 2022, I woke up to the most devastating news of my life. My Nana passed away unexpectedly. She was my best friend and biggest supporter. This loss devastated my family, especially my mom. She had no father, siblings, or spouse to turn to, so she leaned heavily on me. She quit her job and alienated herself in our own home. I was left with the responsibility of caring for my 3-year-old sister, school, and grief, with little help from anyone. I was entering a dark place, losing sight of my faith, and felt I was suffocating with no one hearing my cries. Many months went on like this, feeling hopeless. One night I went to sleep crying. While asleep, I dreamt of my Nana for the first time since she passed. In the dream, she left a blank paper dated 10/30/23. In trying to figure out its meaning, my Nana emerged from double doors with a bright, golden light radiating behind her, giving me the warmest hug. Her words to me were “Keep going. Stay strong. I love you.” When I woke up and scrolled through my feed, I came across the verse Isaiah 40:31. Right then, I felt God’s love and comfort. These words went through me like electricity and lit me up like never before. I began to cry and prayed harder than ever. I prayed for forgiveness and for Him to comfort me and teach me the ways of a true Christian. I decided to transfer to Fresno Pacific University, a Christian school. This has been one of the greatest decisions I’ve made in my life because I’m constantly surrounded by those who have the same desire to learn more about God. I’ve never felt like I belonged somewhere more than where I am right now. This scholarship opportunity is so meaningful to me and would help ease the financial burden of my private education so much. I’ve learned that our call is to place our hope in God and trust that He will sustain us. No matter what it is we face, He has the power to instill in us strength and help us live life according to His will.

“Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life.” I saw this quote by Roy T. Bennett at the exact moment I needed these words the most. They helped me realize that I was strong enough to overcome the devastation I faced and that I would gracefully prosper in the end. Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of owning my own business. My imagination would run wild with thoughts of things I could do to help change people's lives. I remember my first encounter with the field of business at six years old when my neighbor sold lemonade across the street. I thought this idea was so incredible--I had to do the same! Not knowing how to make lemonade, I did what any sensible six-year-old would do and started charging people ten cents for my homemade “perfume”. This taste of “business ownership” left me hungry for more! Throughout my adolescent years, I came up with creative ways to make money while putting smiles on people’s faces. From baking to drawing custom portraits, it felt good to know I was giving back to those around me. Graduating high school and entering college left me excited about my journey toward obtaining a Business degree. My passion for art and design led me to pursue interior design and work toward business ownership. I felt so unstoppable. That is until my entire world got turned upside down. In September 2022, I woke up to the most devastating news of my life. My Nana passed away unexpectedly. She was truly my best friend and biggest supporter. This loss devastated my family, but especially my mom. She had no father, siblings, or spouse to turn to, so she leaned heavily on me. She quit her job and alienated herself in our own home. I was left with the responsibility of caring for my 3-year-old sister, going through school, and dealing with grief of my own, with little to no help from anyone. I was entering a dark place in my life and felt like I was constantly suffocating with no one hearing my cries. Many months went on like this and I felt hopeless. I remember one night I went to sleep crying. While asleep, I dreamt of my Nana for the first time since she passed. In the dream, she wrote me a poem that was dated the same day as the dream. In trying to figure out its meaning, my Nana emerged from double doors with a bright, golden light radiating behind her, and gave me the warmest hug. Her words to me were “Keep going. Stay strong. I love you.” When I woke up and scrolled through my feed, I came across this quote: “Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life. Keep going. Tough situations build strong people in the end.” – Roy T. Bennett I felt this was a sign from my Nana that this pain would only make me stronger, to not give up my dreams, and that great things were ahead...and it was true! I got accepted to Fresno Pacific University where I started my first semester this spring to pursue my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration-Organizational Leadership. I’ve also been working with different design programs to learn more about the art of interior design. Overcoming this mental and emotional adversity has been one of the strongest things I’ve done in my life. It's shown me that I am truly stronger than I ever thought possible and that I have the power to achieve my goals and gracefully prosper.

Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of owning my own business. My imagination would run wild with the ways I could help change people's lives. I remember my first encounter with business at six years old when my neighbor was selling lemonade across the street. I thought this idea was so incredible--I had to do the same! However, not knowing how to make lemonade, I did what any sensible six-year-old would do and started charging people ten cents for my homemade “perfume”. Creating something of my own that I felt was a success and that I could share with others birthed my love for business. Throughout my adolescent years, I came up with creative ways to make money while still putting smiles on people’s faces. From baking cookies to hand-drawing custom portraits, it felt good to know I was giving back to those around me. The positive feedback I received fueled my desire to create something of myself that could positively impact others in a way that is long-lasting and that radiates love and positivity. Now, as a young woman pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, this dream still has not faded and has only become clearer. My passion for art and design has led me to pursue a career in interior design and work toward business ownership. By combining my passions with business and the ability to help improve people's lives, I couldn’t ask for anything more fulfilling! I know my purpose in this world is to use my talents to help those around me and spread positivity in this world that so desperately needs it. I believe that change all starts with one person, and I’d like to be the one who brings about change within my community. I come from a small town in Central California, and in talking to many people within my community, I’ve been told that our town needs a little “revitalization” and businesses need a bit of help attracting customers. I believe that improving the interior aesthetics of businesses will help attract more customers, thus strengthening our downtown business community. Having a local business for interior design will be beneficial to not only the business side of our community but to the residential side as well. I’ve also been told by members of the community that people are looking for local interior designers for home improvements. Whether it be nonfunctional spaces, not reflecting the homeowner's style, or simply just an outdated look, an interior designer can help renovate and create a space that the homeowner is proud to call their own. If this isn’t a sign for me to open a design business, I don’t know what is! Pursuing a business degree will help me achieve this dream of business ownership and spark change within my community. After obtaining my degree, I plan to intern with different design agencies to gain a deeper understanding of the art of design and the steps to successfully starting this type of business. From there, I will work towards opening my own interior design business where I will work for clients in designing the layouts of and choosing finishes for their desired space(s) and help them put their stamp on their home or business. Winning this scholarship would provide me with great financial ease and confidence in beginning my journey to starting my business. I know I will reach my dreams and my desire to create positive change will be my momentum until I do. Change all starts with one person…and I know I will be the one to spark this change.

“Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life.” I saw this quote by Roy T. Bennett at the exact moment I needed these words the most. They helped me realize that I was strong enough to overcome the devastation I faced and that I would gracefully prosper in the end. Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of owning my own business and being my own boss. My imagination would run wild with thoughts of things I could sell and ways I could help change people's lives. I remember my first encounter with the field of business at six years old when my neighbor sold lemonade across the street. I thought this idea was so incredible--I had to do the same! Not knowing how to make lemonade, I did what any sensible six-year-old would do and started charging people ten cents for my homemade “perfume”. This taste of “business ownership” left me hungry for more! Throughout my adolescent years, I came up with creative ways to make money while putting smiles on people’s faces. From baking to drawing custom portraits, it felt good to know I was giving back to those around me. Graduating high school and entering college left me excited about my journey toward obtaining a Business degree. My passion for art and design led me to pursue interior design and work toward business ownership. I felt so unstoppable. That is until my entire world got turned upside down. In September 2022, I woke up to the most devastating news of my life. My Nana passed away unexpectedly. She was truly my best friend and biggest supporter. This loss devastated my family, but especially my mom. She had no father, siblings, or spouse to turn to, so she leaned heavily on me. She quit her job and became a hermit in our own home. I was left with the responsibility of caring for my 3-year-old sister, going through school, and dealing with grief of my own, with little to no help from anyone. I was entering a dark place in my life and felt like I was constantly suffocating with no one hearing my cries. Many months went on like this and I felt hopeless. I remember one specific night I went to sleep crying. While asleep, I dreamt of my Nana for the first time since she passed. In the dream, she wrote me a poem that was dated the same day as the dream. She then emerged from double doors and gave me the warmest hug. Her words to me were “Keep going. Stay strong. I love you.” When I woke up and scrolled through my feed, I came across this quote: “Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life. Keep going. Tough situations build strong people in the end.” – Roy T. Bennett I felt this was a sign from my Nana that this pain would only make me stronger, to not give up my dreams, and that great things were ahead...and it was true! I got accepted to Fresno Pacific University where I started my first semester this spring to pursue my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration-Organizational Leadership. I’ve also been working with different design programs to learn more about the art of interior design. Overcoming this mental and emotional adversity has been one of the strongest things I’ve done in my life. It has shown me that I am truly stronger than I ever thought possible and that I have the power to achieve my goals and gracefully prosper.

Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of owning my own business. My imagination would run wild with thoughts of things I could sell and ways I could help change people's lives. I remember my first encounter with business at six years old when my neighbor was selling lemonade across the street. I thought this idea was so incredible--I had to do the same! However, not knowing how to make lemonade, I did what any sensible six-year-old would do and started charging people ten cents for my homemade “perfume”. Creating something of my own that I felt was a success and that I could share with others birthed my love for business. Throughout my adolescent years, I came up with creative ways to make money while still putting smiles on people’s faces. From baking cookies to hand-drawing custom portraits, it felt good to know I was giving back to those around me. The positive feedback I received fueled my desire to create something of myself that could positively impact others in a way that is long-lasting and that radiates love and positivity. Now, as a young woman pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, this dream still has not faded and has only become clearer. My passion for art and design has led me to pursue a career in interior design and work toward business ownership. By combining my passions with business and the ability to help improve people's lives, I couldn’t ask for anything more fulfilling! I know that my purpose in this world is to use my talents to help those around me and spread positivity in this world that so desperately needs it. I believe that change all starts with one person, and I’d like to be the one who brings about change within my community. I come from a small town in Central California, and in talking to many people within my community, I’ve been told that our town needs a little “revitalization” and businesses need a bit of help attracting customers. I believe that improving the interior aesthetics of businesses will potentially help attract more customers, thus strengthening our downtown business community. I believe having a local business for interior design will be beneficial to not only the business side of our community but to the residential side as well. I’ve also been told by members of the community that people are looking for local interior designers for home improvements. Whether it be nonfunctional spaces, not reflecting the homeowner's style, or simply just an outdated look, an interior designer can help renovate and create a space that the homeowner is proud to call their own. If this isn’t a call for help and a sign for me to open a business for design, I don’t know what is! Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration will help me achieve this dream of business ownership and spark change within my community. After obtaining my degree, I plan to intern with different interior design agencies to gain a deeper understanding of the art of design and the steps to successfully starting this type of business. From there, I will work towards opening my own interior design business where I will work for clients in designing the layouts of and choosing finishes for their desired space(s) and help them put their stamp on their home or business. I know I can reach my dreams and this desire to create positive change will be my momentum until I do. Change all starts with one person…and I know I can be the one to spark this change.

Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of owning my own business. My imagination would run wild with thoughts of things I could sell and ways I could help change people's lives. I remember my first encounter with business at six years old when my neighbor was selling lemonade across the street. I thought this idea was so incredible--I had to do the same! However, not knowing how to make lemonade, I did what any sensible six-year-old would do and started charging people ten cents for my homemade “perfume”. Creating something of my own that I felt was a success and that I could share with others birthed my love for business. Throughout my adolescent years, I came up with creative ways to make money while still putting smiles on people’s faces. From baking cookies to hand-drawing custom portraits, it felt good to know I was giving back to those around me. The positive feedback I received fueled my desire to create something of myself that could positively impact others in a way that is long-lasting and that radiates love and positivity. Now, as a young woman pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, this dream still has not faded and has only become clearer. My passion for art and design has led me to pursue a career in interior design and work toward business ownership. By combining my passions with business and the ability to help improve people's lives, I couldn’t ask for anything more fulfilling! I know that my purpose in this world is to use my talents to help those around me and spread positivity in this world that so desperately needs it. I believe that change all starts with one person, and I’d like to be the one who brings about change within my community. I come from a small town in Central California, and in talking to many people within my community, I’ve been told that our town needs a little “revitalization” and businesses need a bit of help attracting customers. I believe that improving the interior aesthetics of businesses will potentially help attract more customers, thus strengthening our downtown business community. I believe having a local business for interior design will be beneficial to not only the business side of our community but to the residential side as well. I’ve also been told by members of the community that people are looking for local interior designers for home improvements. Whether it be nonfunctional spaces, not reflecting the homeowner's style, or simply just an outdated look, an interior designer can help renovate and create a space that the homeowner is proud to call their own. If this isn’t a call for help and a sign for me to open a business for design, I don’t know what is! Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration will help me achieve this dream of business ownership and spark change within my community. After obtaining my degree, I plan to intern with different interior design agencies to gain a deeper understanding of the art of design and the steps to successfully starting this type of business. From there, I will work towards opening my own interior design business where I will work for clients in designing the layouts of and choosing finishes for their desired space(s) and help them put their stamp on their home or business. I know I can reach my dreams and this desire to create positive change will be my momentum until I do. Change all starts with one person…and I know I can be the one to spark this change.

“Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life.” I saw this quote by Roy T. Bennett at the exact moment I needed these words the most. They helped me realize that I was strong enough to overcome the devastation I faced and that I would gracefully prosper in the end. My name is Hailie Benetti, I am 19 years old, and a hardworking Latina woman! Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of owning my own business and being my own boss. My imagination would run wild with thoughts of things I could sell and ways I could help change people's lives. I remember my first encounter with the field of business at six years old when my neighbor sold lemonade across the street. I thought this idea was so incredible--I had to do the same! Not knowing how to make lemonade, I did what any sensible six-year-old would do and started charging people ten cents for my homemade “perfume”. This taste of “business ownership” left me hungry for more! Throughout my adolescent years, I came up with creative ways to make money while putting smiles on people’s faces. From baking to drawing custom portraits, it felt good to know I was giving back to those around me. Graduating high school and entering college left me excited about my journey toward obtaining a business degree. My passion for art and design led me to pursue interior design and work toward business ownership. I felt so unstoppable. That is until my entire world got turned upside down. In September 2022, I woke up to the most devastating news of my life. My Nana passed away unexpectedly. She was truly my best friend and biggest supporter. This loss devastated my family, but especially my mom. She had no father, siblings, or spouse to turn to, so she leaned heavily on me. She quit her job and became a hermit in our own home. I was left with the responsibility of caring for my 3-year-old sister, going through school, and dealing with grief of my own, with little to no help from anyone. I was entering a dark place in my life and felt like I was constantly suffocating with no one hearing my cries. Many months went on like this and I felt hopeless. Was it worth going on like this? The day I contemplated this thought, I went to sleep crying. While asleep, I dreamt of my Nana. In the dream, she wrote me a poem that was dated the same day as the dream. She then emerged from double doors and gave me the warmest hug. Her words to me were “Keep going. Stay strong. I love you.” When I woke up and scrolled through my feed, I came across this quote: “Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life. Keep going. Tough situations build strong people in the end.” – Roy T. Bennett I knew it was a sign this pain would only make me stronger and great things were ahead...It was true! I got accepted to Fresno Pacific University where I will be transferring in the spring to pursue my bachelor’s degree in business administration-organizational leadership. I’ve also been working with different design programs to learn more about the art of interior design. Overcoming this mental and emotional adversity has been one of the strongest things I’ve done in my life. It has shown me that I am truly stronger than I ever thought possible and that I have the power to achieve my goals and gracefully prosper.