To continue my education at Temple University as a Media Studies & Production Major. But first let me introduce myself. My name is Hailie Jade Mejia. The first Mexican American of my family to have gotten an associate degree for Film & Television production in Camden County College. The first to have recognition in my family, as I recently was on NBC10 with CCC’s president Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett titled; NBC10 Philadelphia “How Camden County College empowers its students”: On YouTube. As well as being on PHILLY AD NEWS: Highlights of the Radio Station and my part in it. During those times I was also struggling with the news of my mother having a chance of cancer. Getting cut from jobs due to having too many workers. Having to give up interns just because I didn’t have the money. Sadly, I don’t have the recourse of connections or money in my pocket to achieve these goals. But I do have a heart with passion that burns brighter than the stars. And a stubborn mind to say that I want to give up. So, in my time at Camden County College, I chatted my way into being a referral as our radio station’s social media Director, 91.5 WDBK-FM. In that time, I had to do journalism, social media of course, brand ambassador, and some public relations. Now I graduated and attended Temple University to expand more in the Media Industry. And I plan to not only achieve my bachelor’s degree. But also, my master’s degree. As I reflect on my academic journey, I'm reminded of the challenges I've overcome and the dreams I've yet to achieve. Pursuing higher education has been a beacon of hope for me, and I'm determined to make the most of this opportunity. However, financial constraints threaten to derail my progress. That's why I'm applying for this scholarship - to bridge the gap between my aspirations and reality. At the end of this, I want to not only prove to myself. That I can do the impossible, but to my family as well. Mostly to my mother who gave up her dreams to take care of me. I want her to see that her own daughter who struggles so much to get what she wants. Is going to be okay and take care of her just like how she took care of me. I want my siblings to have someone to look up to and to say to themselves, "I can do better." Cause I want them to do better than what I could do. Following Temple's moto of "Perseverance conquers; higher to create." So, I know I deserve this because the many times I have been told to give up. I'm still here thriving with barely anything. I do not have family's money to go on. Or had the connections. But I made my own way. Cause of the relentless passion I have in my heart that keeps beating faster when situations get tuff. It's like your body fighting off a sickness that is endless. That's what I fight every day, and it isn't just for me. But for others. Who feel hopeless or that they may not feel enough to get it. I want to be the living PROOF that they can. I have been in so many traumatic events where I could've. And yet I am still here. Through the nights I have cried and thought I should end it. I want to be that living proof. Thank you for your time, Hailie Jade Mejia

Growing up in a single-parent household presented unique challenges, but it also taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, adaptability and the importance of a strong support system. As a child, I often navigated the complexities of family life without the support of two parents, which instilled in me a deep appreciation for the value of hard work and financial stability. One of the most significant challenges I faced was financial constraints. With only one parent providing for our family's needs, I witnessed firsthand the stress and pressure that came with managing limited resources. Despite these challenges, my parent prioritized my education and extracurricular activities, recognizing the importance of these experiences in shaping my future. Through this journey, I've developed essential skills such as: - *Resilience*: Learning to cope with adversity and uncertainty - *Adaptability*: Adjusting to changing circumstances and finding creative solutions - *Independence*: Taking responsibility for my actions and decisions - *Empathy*: Understanding and relating to others who may be facing similar challenges My experience in a single-parent household has shaped me into a determined and resourceful individual. I'm grateful for the lessons I've learned and the strength I've developed as a result of navigating these challenges. As I continue on my academic and professional journey, I'm confident that the skills and values I've acquired will serve me well in overcoming future obstacles. As I reflect on my academic journey, I am reminded of the countless hours of hard work, determination, and perseverance that have led me to where I am today. As a first-generation Mexican American college student, I have faced numerous challenges, but I have never let them define me. Instead, I have used them as stepping stones to push myself further. Throughout my academic career, I have achieved numerous accomplishments that I am proud of. I was featured on NBC10 Philadelphia's "How Camden County College Empowers Its Students" and appeared on PHILLY AD NEWS, showcasing my passion for media and storytelling. I also served as the Social Media Director for 91.5 WDBK-FM radio station, where I gained valuable experience in journalism, social media management, and public relations. Despite these achievements, I have faced significant personal challenges, including my mother's health crisis and financial constraints. However, I have persevered, and my experiences have taught me the importance of resilience, adaptability, and determination. I am proud to be a role model for my family and community, and I am committed to making a positive impact in the world. As I continue my academic journey at Temple University, I am eager to expand my knowledge and skills in the media industry. However, financial constraints threaten to derail my progress. That is why I am humbly applying for this scholarship. I believe that this scholarship would not only support my academic pursuits but also empower me to achieve my dreams. I am not just asking for financial assistance; I am asking for an opportunity to prove that my story matters. I am asking for the chance to show that with determination, hard work, and the right support, I can achieve greatness. I am committed to using this scholarship to make a positive impact in my community and to inspire others to pursue their passions. Thank you for considering my application. I am grateful for your time and support

Dear Liz & Wayne Matson Jr., I'm excited to apply for the 2026 Liz & Wayne Matson Jr. Caregiver Scholarship to continue my education at Temple University as a Media Studies & Production Major. But first let me introduce myself. My name is Hailie Jade Mejia. The first Mexican American of my family to have gotten an associate degree for Film & Television production in Camden County College. The first to have recognition in my family, as I recently was on NBC10 with CCC’s president Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett titled; NBC10 Philadelphia “How Camden County College empowers its students”: On YouTube. As well as being on PHILLY AD NEWS: Highlights of the Radio Station and my part in it. During those times I was also struggling with the news of my mother having a chance of cancer. Getting cut from jobs due to having too many workers. Having to give up interns just because I didn’t have the money. Sadly, I don’t have the recourse of connections or money in my pocket to achieve these goals. But I do have a heart with passion that burns brighter than the stars. And a stubborn mind to say that I want to give up. So, in my time at Camden County College, I chatted my way into being a referral as our radio station’s social media Director, 91.5 WDBK-FM. In that time, I had to do journalism, social media of course, brand ambassador, and some public relations. Now I graduated and attended Temple University to expand more in the Media Industry. And I plan to not only achieve my bachelor’s degree. But also, my master’s degree. As I reflect on my academic journey, I'm reminded of the challenges I've overcome and the dreams I've yet to achieve. Pursuing higher education has been a beacon of hope for me, and I'm determined to make the most of this opportunity. However, financial constraints threaten to derail my progress. That's why I'm applying for this scholarship - to bridge the gap between my aspirations and reality. At the end of this, I want to not only prove to myself. That I can do the impossible, but to my family as well. Mostly to my mother who gave up her dreams to take care of me. I want her to see that her own daughter who struggles so much to get what she wants. Is going to be okay and take care of her just like how she took care of me. I want my siblings to have someone to look up to and to say to themselves, "I can do better." Cause I want them to do better than what I could do. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to meet. Sincerely, Hailie Jade Mejia

Dear Equity Elevate Scholarship Funded by, I'm excited to apply for the 2026 Equity Elevate Scholarship Funded to continue my education at Temple University as a Media Studies & Production Major. But first let me introduce myself. My name is Hailie Jade Mejia. The first Mexican American of my family to have gotten an associate degree for Film & Television production in Camden County College. The first to have recognition in my family, as I recently was on NBC10 with CCC’s president Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett titled; NBC10 Philadelphia “How Camden County College empowers its students”: On YouTube. As well as being on PHILLY AD NEWS: Highlights of the Radio Station and my part in it. During those times I was also struggling with the news of my mother having a chance of cancer. Getting cut from jobs due to having too many workers. Having to give up interns just because I didn’t have the money. Sadly, I don’t have the recourse of connections or money in my pocket to achieve these goals. But I do have a heart with passion that burns brighter than the stars. And a stubborn mind to say that I want to give up. So, in my time at Camden County College, I chatted my way into being a referral as our radio station’s social media Director, 91.5 WDBK-FM. In that time, I had to do journalism, social media of course, brand ambassador, and some public relations. Now I graduated and attended Temple University to expand more in the Media Industry. And I plan to not only achieve my bachelor’s degree. But also, my master’s degree. As I reflect on my academic journey, I'm reminded of the challenges I've overcome and the dreams I've yet to achieve. Pursuing higher education has been a beacon of hope for me, and I'm determined to make the most of this opportunity. However, financial constraints threaten to derail my progress. That's why I'm applying for this scholarship - to bridge the gap between my aspirations and reality. At the end of this, I want to not only prove to myself. That I can do the impossible, but to my family as well. Mostly to my mother who gave up her dreams to take care of me. I want her to see that her own daughter who struggles so much to get what she wants. Is going to be okay and take care of her just like how she took care of me. I want my siblings to have someone to look up to and to say to themselves, "I can do better." Cause I want them to do better than what I could do. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to meet. Sincerely, Hailie Jade Mejia

I am passionate about being a first-generation college student, Mexican American college graduate because it has been unheard of in my family. When my family migrated here in America. That was their dream and nothing more of it. Until my mother encouraged me to dream big due to always being curious of what the world has to offer. I was not sure as to what I wanted to major in. But I just knew I wanted either to have a camera in my hands or the camera staring at me. My teachers growing up have helped me into using that interest for trying to be a film major. In 8th grade, all I had was my phone to create while others had cameras, I wished I could've afforded. However, that never stopped me, it encouraged me to make my films twice as better. This film production elective teacher saw and kept my motives up by showing my work in front of the whole school at the auditorium. In high school I was offered to take photographs of one of my friends who was a hockey player. Then after I graduated from Haddon Heights High School. I attended Camden County College right after as a Film & Television Production Major. In the beginning of my college freshman year, it was like living my dream. As I always wanted to be in college. This is also when I was able to achieve my dream of having a camera. A Canon T6i. But in between my freshman and sophomore year. My mother was positive for cancer, being in a car accident, lost some loved ones, and the biggest one of all. I was slowly losing myself. Thankfully I found myself again near the end of my sophomore year. But I was upset at myself that I felt like I wasted it on being depressed. Until my graduation and seeing stoles and cords on me. An opportunity to be interviewed with Camden County College's president Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett for NBC10. For being nominated as one of the goals of future Camden County College students. As well as being given a Content Innovator Award from 91.5 radio station. These events in my life, reignited that spark I had greater than before. From there that was when I applied for Temple University. Now you may be wondering why I am saying all of this. Well, it's because being a first generation is not easy. And I want you to know who I am. I am Hailie Jade Mejia, a first generation, Mexican American girl. Who takes Temple's motto "Perseverance conquers; higher to create," seriously throughout her life. I not only want my family to see that they are too can-do greater things. But other first gen students in any race know that if they keep pushing. Their goals may be closer than they think. Just like Camden County College, I will continue to do extracurricular activities and continue doing the impossibles.

I am passionate about being a first-generation college student, Mexican American college graduate because it has been unheard of in my family. When my family migrated here in America. That was their dream and nothing more of it. Until my mother encouraged me to dream big due to always being curious of what the world has to offer. I was not sure as to what I wanted to major in. But I just knew I wanted either to have a camera in my hands or the camera staring at me. My teachers growing up have helped me into using that interest for trying to be a film major. In 8th grade, all I had was my phone to create while others had cameras, I wished I could've afforded. However, that never stopped me, it encouraged me to make my films twice as better. This film production elective teacher saw and kept my motives up by showing my work in front of the whole school at the auditorium. In high school I was offered to take photographs of one of my friends who was a hockey player. Then after I graduated from Haddon Heights High School. I attended Camden County College right after as a Film & Television Production Major. In the beginning of my college freshman year, it was like living my dream. As I always wanted to be in college. This is also when I was able to achieve my dream of having a camera. A Canon T6i. But in between my freshman and sophomore year. My mother was positive for cancer, being in a car accident, lost some loved ones, and the biggest one of all. I was slowly losing myself. Thankfully I found myself again near the end of my sophomore year. But I was upset at myself that I felt like I wasted it on being depressed. Until my graduation and seeing stoles and cords on me. An opportunity to be interviewed with Camden County College's president Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett for NBC10. For being nominated as one of the goals of future Camden County College students. As well as being given a Content Innovator Award from 91.5 radio station. These events in my life, reignited that spark I had greater than before. From there that was when I applied for Temple University. Now you may be wondering why I am saying all of this. Well, it's because being a first generation is not easy. And I want you to know who I am. I am Hailie Jade Mejia, a first generation, Mexican American girl. Who takes Temple's motto "Perseverance conquers; higher to create," seriously throughout her life. I not only want my family to see that they are too can-do greater things. But other first gen students in any race know that if they keep pushing. Their goals may be closer than they think. Just like Camden County College, I will continue to do extracurricular activities and continue doing the impossibles.

I am passionate about being a first-generation college student, Mexican American college graduate because it has been unheard of in my family. When my family migrated here in America. That was their dream and nothing more of it. Until my mother encouraged me to dream big due to always being curious of what the world has to offer. I was not sure as to what I wanted to major in. But I just knew I wanted either to have a camera in my hands or the camera staring at me. My teachers growing up have helped me into using that interest for trying to be a film major. In 8th grade, all I had was my phone to create while others had cameras, I wished I could've afforded. However, that never stopped me, it encouraged me to make my films twice as better. This film production elective teacher saw and kept my motives up by showing my work in front of the whole school at the auditorium. In high school I was offered to take photographs of one of my friends who was a hockey player. Then after I graduated from Haddon Heights High School. I attended Camden County College right after as a Film & Television Production Major. In the beginning of my college freshman year, it was like living my dream. As I always wanted to be in college. This is also when I was able to achieve my dream of having a camera. A Canon T6i. But in between my freshman and sophomore year. My mother was positive for cancer, being in a car accident, lost some loved ones, and the biggest one of all. I was slowly losing myself. Thankfully I found myself again near the end of my sophomore year. But I was upset at myself that I felt like I wasted it on being depressed. Until my graduation and seeing stoles and cords on me. An opportunity to be interviewed with Camden County College's president Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett for NBC10. For being nominated as one of the goals of future Camden County College students. As well as being given a Content Innovator Award from 91.5 radio station. These events in my life, reignited that spark I had greater than before. From there that was when I applied for Temple University. Now you may be wondering why I am saying all of this. Well, it's because being a first generation is not easy. And I want you to know who I am. I am Hailie Jade Mejia, a first generation, Mexican American girl. Who takes Temple's motto "Perseverance conquers; higher to create," seriously throughout her life. I not only want my family to see that they are too can-do greater things. But other first gen students in any race know that if they keep pushing. Their goals may be closer than they think. Just like Camden County College, I will continue to do extracurricular activities and continue doing the impossibles.

I am a first-generation college student, Mexican American college graduate because it has been unheard of in my family. When my family migrated here in America. That was their dream and nothing more of it. Until my mother encouraged me to dream big due to always being curious of what the world has to offer. I was not sure as to what I wanted to major in. But I just knew I wanted either to have a camera in my hands or the camera staring at me. My teachers growing up have helped me into using that interest for trying to be a film major. In 8th grade, all I had was my phone to create while others had cameras, I wished I could've afforded. However, that never stopped me, it encouraged me to make my films twice as better. This film production elective teacher saw and kept my motives up by showing my work in front of the whole school at the auditorium. In high school I was offered to take photographs of one of my friends who was a hockey player. Then after I graduated from Haddon Heights High School. I attended Camden County College right after as a Film & Television Production Major. In the beginning of my college freshman year, it was like living my dream. As I always wanted to be in college. This is also when I was able to achieve my dream of having a camera. A Canon T6i. But in between my freshman and sophomore year. My mother was positive for cancer, being in a car accident, lost some loved ones, and the biggest one of all. I was slowly losing myself. Thankfully I found myself again near the end of my sophomore year. But I was upset at myself that I felt like I wasted it on being depressed. Until my graduation and seeing stoles and cords on me. An opportunity to be interviewed with Camden County College's president Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett for NBC10. For being nominated as one of the goals of future Camden County College students. As well as being given a Content Innovator Award from 91.5 radio station. These events in my life, reignited that spark I had greater than before. From there that was when I applied for Temple University. Now you may be wondering why I am saying all of this. Well, it's because being a first generation is not easy. And I want you to know who I am. I am Hailie Jade Mejia, a first generation, Mexican American girl. Who takes Temple's motto "Perseverance conquers; higher to create," seriously throughout her life. I not only want my family to see that they are too can-do greater things. But other first gen students in any race know that if they keep pushing. Their goals may be closer than they think. Just like Camden County College, I will continue to do extracurricular activities and continue doing the impossibles.

I am passionate about being a first-generation college student, Mexican American college graduate because it has been unheard of in my family. When my family migrated here in America. That was their dream and nothing more of it. Until my mother encouraged me to dream big due to always being curious of what the world has to offer. I was not sure as to what I wanted to major in. But I just knew I wanted either to have a camera in my hands or the camera staring at me. My teachers growing up have helped me into using that interest for trying to be a film major. In 8th grade, all I had was my phone to create while others had cameras, I wished I could've afforded. However, that never stopped me, it encouraged me to make my films twice as better. This my film production elective teacher saw and kept my motives up by showing my work in front of the whole school at the auditorium. In high school I was offered to take photographs of one of my friends who was a hockey player. Then after I graduated from Haddon Heights High School. I attended Camden County College right after as a Film & Television Production Major. In the beginning of my college freshman year, it was like living my dream. As I always wanted to be in college. This is also when I was able to big my dream of having a camera. A Canon T6i. But in between my freshman and sophomore year. My mother was positive for cancer, being in a car accident, lost some loved ones, and the biggest one of all. I was slowly losing myself. Thankfully I found myself again near the end of my sophomore year. But was upset at myself that I felt like I wasted it on being depressed. Until my graduation and seeing stoles and cords on me. An opportunity to be interviewed with Camden County College's president Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett for NBC10. For being nominated as one of the goals of future Camden County College students. As well as being given a Content Innovator Award from 91.5 radio station. These events in my life, reignited that spark I had greater than before. From there that was when I applied for Temple University. Now you may be wondering why I am saying all of this. Well, it's because being a first generation is not easy. And I want you to know who I am. I am Hailie Jade Mejia, a first generation, Mexican American girl. Who takes Temples moto "Perseverance conquers; higher to create," seriously throughout her life. I not only want my family to see that they are too can-do greater things. But other first gen students in any race know that if they keep pushing. Their goals may be closer than they think. Just like Camden County College, I will continue to do extracurricular activates and continue doing the impossibles.