In my family I am the first person to go to college. This is something to be proud of but, it can also cause frustration. When I applied for college I was put on the waitlist. I had a 3.7 gpa, a 22 overall on the act, and the other scores where good. The only thing that was holding me back was the math score on the act. I needed a 19 to get in and I couldn’t get above a 18. I couldn’t ask my parents what to do because they had no experience. I also couldn’t ask anyone at my school because the resources where outdated. So I went on a tour for the college. At the end of the tour I asked the tour guide if there was someone who could help. They directed us to a office with a lady inside. I told her about my problem and how I have good grades. It was my act math score. She directed me to a test that would override the act math score. I would have to practice for it and it would be my only shot. I practice every single day. I was determined to be the first one in my family to get into college. On the day I took the test, that I had to schedule an appointment for, the workers inside said they don’t know anything about an appointment. I almost started crying and was arguing with the workers. Until the head person walked out. She asked what was going on and I told her the situation . Without a second thought she let me take the test. I scored 100 points above what I needed and a couple days later I received my acceptance letter.

In high school I was not popular and did not have many friends. Sometimes the students and teachers would go on for days not hearing me speak. I remained unseen by many throughout school. Until one day in my U.S. History class of my senior year. The teacher of the class was one of my favorites. He would engage us in class ask us our thoughts and opinions. It was also one of the vary few classes that I felt comfortable to participate in. I thought I would sail through class unnoticed just like all my other classes. One day the class was doing silent work. As I was doing my work I heard my name. I looked up and there was my history looking down on me with a gentle smile. He sat down in the empty chair next to me and asked me where I was planning to go after high school. I was taken a back a little because I never had many teachers just sit and talked to me. I told him my plans and then he asked what I would I liked to do in college. I told him my interest. He then smiled some more nodding his head and asked “do you think you have the patience for that?” I told him I can only try. He was silent for a moment and then wishes me luck and if I ever needed any help to contact him. I was in shock. Someone actually believed in me. That experience shaped me into who I am. It made me have the confidence and drive to do whatever I put my mind to. If I ever think of giving up I just think of that moment with my history teacher.

Being immersed into a different world by reading words on a page. Being able to learn new things, meet new people, and be a part of new adventures. All of this done by reading a book and blocking out the world around me. What makes me happy is reading a book on a rainy day while sitting next to a window with a cup of hot chocolate. While playing a Spotify list that compliments the rain and the book I am reading. All of these elements transforms my world into the place where I am my happiest. In the world of my books. In my books I can learn about different skills, have a star-crossed romance, figure out clues to solve a mystery, or be the hero who saves the world. My books give me the opportunity to experience new things while in my real life it may not exist, I may be to busy or not enough money. Here is my happy place that makes me feel the most joy and happiness reading a book placing me in a world I may have never known before while having hot chocolate and sitting by the window on a rainy day.

When I was 13 years old I won a free pass to the New Orleans Art Museum because of my good grades. I have never been to a art museum before and my parents agreed to take me. It was a big deal to us because we are from a small town and do not experience museums and other aspects of higher education often. I entered the art museum amazed of the range of different art. I couldn’t stop smiling and kept analyzing the paintings to figure out how they use different colors for shadows and illusion. There was one painting I couldn’t stop staring at, called “Serpents and insects” by Otto Marseus van Schrieck. The more I looked the more I kept finding. At first glance there were just a few butterflies, a snake, and a mushroom. I looked deeper and more popped up. I blinked and a toad showed up catching a moth in his mouth, then two snakes showed up fighting for territory. For a second I felt like I was actually in the painting and question if the painting was real or not. I swore the butterfly actually flapped its wings. It was like peering into real darkness while catching glimpses of real creatures in a magical forest of a fairy kingdom. The painting showed and inspired me to show how great and treasured creativity and imagination is. As soon as we left that art museum I was itching to make something. To write or to paint, just to let someone else experience the same feeling I did seeing that painting. The painting inspired me to always have creativity and imagination in any job or activity I do in order to inspire others. Without creativity and imagination the work we do becomes something with no value.

It could be big or small, it could be just listening or raising money. This is all the act of giving and no matter what it is giving always have some degree of an impact on someone. It is important for me to give back because I remember when someone gave back to me and the impact it had on me. I try to give back by helping other trying to get a higher education. I am a first generation college student from a small- poverty town and I never really had anyone to help me. I always had to figure out things for myself. I never wanted to see anyone struggle the way I did so I try to help other. Mostly I try to give guidance and tips to other first generations to make their transition less frustrating. I also help locate programs or help services for first generation and make sure to share this information. I try to share on social media, talk to people I know, or even strangers who mention that they are going to college. It may not seem much but just to know that someone is willing to share information, tips and help you with being the first one going to college it means so much. It means some one believes in you and it means having a little less weight on that student shoulder. Many have asked me why I help other first generation college students when I had almost no help. And I always remember this quote I heard some where, just because the world is cruel it doesn’t mean I have to be.

I first found my area of study, anthropology through books. Where I am from there is not much exposure of the outside world. As a first generation college student I had to find this exposure for myself. The town I live in has its down little world being in the Deep South of Louisiana right by the golf of Mexico. As much as I loved my little town I needed to learn and known more about the world than what my little town had to offer. Anthropology gave me just that. With anthropology I learned more about the world around. Why and how humans function the way they do. Also, in anthropology there is a number one rule that all anthropologist must abide by. Anthropologist must do no harm with their work. The main goal of anthropology is to improve the knowledge of anthropology and the public. Most of the time we use our knowledge to help others. This is what I want to do. With my anthropology degree I want to make a program for k-12 students and teach about anthropology with other liberal arts subjects with opportunities. My target schools will be mostly like the ones I went to, low income and poverty areas. Many times students at these schools do not have chances to explore the world or become something different than the traditional job that is laid out to them just because of where they are from. Many times students do not realize subjects like anthropology exist unless they come from a family who went to college. Another way is if they find out the subject through college and only if the school has that subject. I found out anthropology through books but not everyone likes books. And that should not cause a student to loose a opportunity. Even if a student doesn’t choose a job from anthropology gives valuable tools such as communication skills, the ability to gather and analyze data, presentation skills, problem solving, and so much more. With my program that could last a day to a month would introduce anthropology that comes with these skills and how anthropology gives the opportunity to explore and experience the world. In connection anthropology gives the tools and skills for students the make changes and solution to their problems or problems in their community. This may not seem extraordinary to some people, but I see kids like me all the time. To a kid from a small-poverty town with no way out this means the world to us and so much more.

One scene from Spider-Man 2 with Toby Maguire trying to save a train full of passengers while drained and not having his mask. The part that stuck to me wasn’t Spider-Man saving lives while knowing his identity out and knowing his chance of living was slim. It was these people who were strangers coming together to pull Spider-Man in and reassure him that they will keep his identity a secret. That is what impact me the most, strangers coming together and showing kindness to Spider-Man. I was a four when I first saw it and installed in me understanding and kindness. There is such a big impact you can have on someone when you show them kindness, even to a stranger just walking down the street. The act of kindness you give to someone may not be as keeping a super hero’s identity but, it can mean just the same.

With many public schools in America, especially in poverty areas, there is a gap of exposure to higher education and the liberal arts. My goal and dream is to bridge this gap for students. I am majoring and planning my career in anthropology which many people do not know about. I want to create a program that presents and teaches students about the anthropology and all the sub fields it encompasses. Also, spreading information of opportunities and how to get involved in anthropology in college. While anthropology may not be what that student wants to major in, it can lead to a subject that wasn’t made know to them. No student should be lacking of exposure to higher education and it’s opportunities just because of their income status, area of school, or lack of family connection. I hope with my goal and dream of bridging this gap I can bring more knowledge and opportunities to public school students.

One of my main goals in the future is to do public outreach create a program that explains and presents anthropology to public k-12 students. Also to show opportunities and careers in anthropology. Mostly targeting public schools in low income areas. To show these students a possible career choice they could have or be interested in anthropology. The reason why is because usually, schools like these have little to none exposure to opportunities in majors that are considered a higher education. I come from a school that is located in a poverty parish where there is lack of resources and upper education. The only reason why I knew what anthropology was is because of books. I had to fight and struggle though to decide on what college to go to and actually what type of opportunities entail with anthropology because no one has ever heard of it. I don’t want to see any one struggle the way I did or never miss a opportunity because they never heard of the subject. So my main goal is to help others and educate about anthropology where no one struggles like me or misses a opportunity just because of living and going to school in a low poverty area.

I try to do the simple things to make my friends, family and other people in my life to feel loved. Because in the end that is what matters the most to a person is the small things. I show my love by listening and letting the people in my life feel love by knowing that what they say is important to me and I value their words and thoughts. Also, it can be as simple as reminding them that I love them and that they are important to me. By remembering simple stuff that they tell me such as their favorite candy or remembering their likes and dislikes. I also show my love through touch it can be holding their hand or a bear hug. Bear hugs are my favorite and I put all my love into it when I hug someone. That is how I make sure the people in my life feel loved is by doing the simple things.

Art has always been a safe haven for me, but it also has been a reflection of my life almost like a journal. For example, one of my paintings I have is a self portrait of myself and every year I add something to it that represents something of myself or my growth. This could be a bird, a clock, or a flower. This also shows the power of art that it has on my life. It shows that I can journal my life but you don’t always have to use words symbols and colors of paint can represent the joy and hardship of my life. This portrait will also serve as a legacy of my life showing my children and grandchildren what it was like for me as a teenager and how I grew and what I had to overcome. The reflection of my art also reminds me of what state of mind I was in while painting. Art is a representation and documentation of my life. I can look back on my art to appreciate and learn of what I been through at that time. It’s a preservation that will last for many generations. I also believe that everyone should learn how art can be a type of journaling because not everyone is good at writing. But a picture can speak a thousand words. That is what drives my passion for art is that art is a type of journaling for me and is a chance to look back at my growth and learn. This scholarship would help me pursue this passion by supporting me of journaling my life. But also encouraging others and showing how they can use art as a type of journaling and how it can help with their growth. This scholarships will help me share my art which basically the theme is to show what it is that makes us human. And that is our life, the joy, sorrow, growth, obstacles, and everything in between. Art is just as good as books and written documentation to reflect a person’s life and makes them a person. This scholarships will help me with affording supplies and my message of using art as a form of documenting and journaling. To also inspire other to document their life through art where they can look back and the path they had to take to be where they are now.

To me, Joy means the moments you try to snapshot with your eyes, mind, and heart. Trying to hold on and remember the uplifting and blissful feeling you have at that moment. That you feel so much joy you wonder if you’re in a movie or a book at that moment. I seek out joy by doing the little things. It could be sending time with family and friends or reading a book on a sunny day in the park. I try to seek out joy in the simple things in life because to me they are the purest and happiest feelings in life. Where time just stops and for a moment my focus is not on my worries but I’m the present. Focusing on the happiness that I am feeling at that moment. Where I find the most joy is in books where I am transported into another world and can picture myself in the book and alongside the characters. This is one of the main ways I seek joy.

Going to a my local bookstore to read and have coffee is some of the simple pleasures in my life. It makes me happy by giving me a cozy and comforting feeling. To be in a place surrounded by books, which I love and slipping into the world of the book I am reading. Also, at the bookstore I do another activity besides reading and that is people watching. The sitting area of the book shop is right by a panel of glass where I can see pedestrians pass by. I start to wonder about their life and put them in the context of how characters would be written. The bookstore makes me happy by giving me a place of solitude and peace. Even though it is so simply to pick up a book and sit at a bookstore, it is one of my happiest place on Earth. It is one of the best and simplest pleasure in life.

I found out who I really was as a person and how to be happy with myself. In the start of my junior year I went through something vary heartbreaking. During this time I realized I didn’t know who I was as a individual person and I didn’t like myself vary much. During the pandemic I had a lot of alone time with myself and at times it was hard. It was so hard at times that I went through times just hating myself. But, where there is darkness there must be light. Where I am now is a much better state than before, I am better mentally and physically. I have grown to be confident in myself, find my own self of style, and I am much happier with myself. I know wake up with a smile and when I look in the mirror I no longer look down on myself. While I wish the pandemic had never happen, I can not change what has happen, but I am happy that I found myself through it all.

The most inspiring and impactful book I have read is a book called "North of Beautiful" by Justina Chen. I was in the sixth grade when I read it and was one of my first big chapter books I have read at the time. It was also one of the first books I have every read that dealt with serious topics. The book had to deal with beauty standards, how we perceive ourselves, what lengths we will go to meet societies beauty expectations, and how we think we deserve to be treated based on how we look. As a girl in the sixth grade dealing with makeup for the first time and dealing with puberty, you can imagine why I remember this book after almost 10 years. The main character in the book, Terra, has endured years of trying to get a port-wine stain on her face. She hides it with her hair and makeup trying to not let people see. Really Terra is a beautiful girl she has a beautiful body, hair, and facial features. The birth mark is the only thing getting in her way or that is what she thinks. At the time of reading this book I was vary self conscious of the hair on my arms and other places society said was not right for a girl. I have vary thick dark hair and struggled with this. The book made me realize though, even years from then, that I am beautiful. That I have nothing to be ashamed about thinks like body hair, birthmarks, and other characteristics we are supposed to feel bad about is natural and shouldn't be in the way of feeling good about ourselves. I just wish that other young girls would read this and realize that they too are beautiful.

While showing kindness to others is important and can make dramatic change in the world, don't forget to show kindness to yourself. This sentence mean so much to me because as a person I want to help other people and make a difference in the world. But while doing that I am sometimes negligent and harsh of myself and my mental health. If I want to help others and make a change how can I do that when I am kind to myself? I think many people forget this including myself. People have to remind themselves that in order to be the best and do the best of their ability their mental health and body must also be the best. I remind myself of this by remembering when you multiply a positive with a negative you get a negative, but when you multiply a positive with a positive you get a positive.

Since I was little everyone in my life has said that racism doesn't exist in America anymore or that it doesn't have the same affect. As a white little girl in the south it's very easy to believe adults when they tell you this when racism doesn't affect you. I was also taught to be caring to other people and sympathetic. The motto I came to learn is just because the world is cruel doesn't mean you have to be. So you can imagine to my horror and confusion when I was about 17 years old in my cooking class when I witness blatant racism. I of course have witness micro aggression, but because of my white privilege and lack of education I didn't realize it until I went to college and gained a higher education. I was in cooking class and we were learning about cooking utensils. The class was all white except one girl, who was African American. She was really nice and smart for the purpose of telling the story lets name her D. In class we had about 15 minutes left to do anything we want and the girls including me were talking about different places that we like to eat at. This one girl, lets name her A, was a true white southern girl that believed nothing could touch her. She went on to mentioned a restaurant that was in the next town over. The restaurant was a southern soul food place and the owners are African American. Well, D was in the conversation with the rest of us girls and mentioned that she has never heard of the place or ate there. Any normal person would have taken this and either agreed or explain to her the type of food they have. If D was white maybe this wouldn't happen, but her skin color was taken into account which made A produce a prejudice comment that came afterwards that she thought was okay and hilarious. A replied with "How have you never ate there? Your black! You should love it there!" I was in shock and no one else made a comment. A thought she was hilarious and just brushed it off with a smile and saying how she was just kidding. D just put her head down and gave off a tight smile. It wasn't until later I realized the reason why she didn't say anything in retaliation was because then she would had been stereotypically labeled. I was in the wrong just like A though, and so was the rest who didn't stand up for D. I should of said something. I then realized that what every adult said to me growing up that racism was gone or wasn't that bad lied. It was, it just evolved into a nicer form and every person of color was still reminded of how their skin color affects them. That people who turned their head are as bad as those who made these comments.

I am from a vary small town that does not have much cultural exposure or exposure to higher education. But I had more exposure than most because of my love of books. This has lead me too college. In college my education has shaped my understanding of the world around by understanding people and appreciate culture. It has made the world exciting and new to me instead of daunting and scary. I have learned to be more empathetic for people knowing that certain factors and cultural environment can make it hard for those to get chances in life. I see the world as a mixing pot of opportunities, understanding the good and the bad or the world, and wanting to know what makes this all work. Education has made me realize how much history has affected us and the world around us. I know understand the saying what’s in the past stays in the past is not true at all. To understand the present we must look to the past. To understand what’s causing our present circumstances now. Even if it is more than a thousand years ago it can still have a great impact on the events in the present. Besides events it can also help explain culture and the way they are. How theses cultures have changed and grown. Education is such an important tool to understand the world around us it can change the way we understand the world or understand why people have different opinions. Education has opened my eyes to realize the world is more than my little town. That not everyone has the same opinions or even act the same way as the people in my town. I have more understanding and appreciation for the differences of cultures around me. Most importantly education has made me realize my place in this world. To understand how I fit in and work with the rest of the ever evolving and moving world. I understand I want to use my education as a tool to help others also understand the world around them. Also, to give them chances and opportunities in the world. That the world is not just a scary place out to get you but, the world can be exciting and full of opportunities. That there is so much to learn and there is no limit when it comes to exploring the world around you.

For me I am a major in anthropology this may not seem like being in a education field, but trust me it is. Anthropologist may not teach about math or grammar, but we teach something just as important. Teaches people about themselves and the world around them, about understanding are culture and other cultures. Teaches to be respectful and open minded to others around us. How to observe and respond to the world around us. It teaches people about what makes humans tick and more importantly about what makes us human. Learning the influences of our past and present. While being in this field I learn that I want to use my knowledge in anthropology to do public out reach to not just help people with my research but also help people learn and to make knowledge accessible. As children many of us do not know what anthropology is or even heard of the word because of this we loose out on what this discipline could help us learn and grow. Education like this is important to me because it gives students a tool to make decisions about themselves and the world about them. It gives them knowledge to help them make their life better and the world around them. Education can make such a difference in people’s life’s such as giving them the chance to travel and experience the world around them. Or to make career decisions that they never could before or give them the confidence to start a new business or app. The possibility is endless when you have education. And because of the endless opportunities that can come with education I realize that now everyone has access to education or even higher education. Which is why I hope one day to bring knowledge and education to all.

My favorite scientist is Margaret Mead, a cultural anthropology. She used her work to bring understanding and awareness to those around her. And in a time where men dominated the anthropological field she pushed through and out shined them all. She brought attention to what other male anthropologist ignored and saw as little interest in their work, which was women, proving this in her work “Coming of Age in Samoa”.

When I was little my great Aunt lived behind us and she had the biggest flower garden with every flower you could think of. When I would go over I would just walk up and down the garden pretending I was Alice in Wonderland and the flowers could talk. She would fuss the other kids for going by her garden, but never me. I think she knew I needed that, just to be a kid. I didn’t get that a lot. And sometimes she would let me pick a flower and bring my own piece of wonderland with me.

My best skill is to create universes and world. No I am not Peter Quill, star lords, father or a goddess. Though I am a Aquarius and been told they have god like qualities. I make universes and worlds every time my eyes land on page of a book. I make universes and worlds every time I am inspired and put my pin down to paper. I create my words to reflect my feelings, it could be happiness or sadness. I can imagine and create characters who have emotion and make them have thoughts, so much so I can mistaken them for a real person in my world. I can create these worlds and universes into words that spark other people’s imagination. I have the knowledge of knowing that by reading and writing can make a person feel a range of emotions and may be the thing to make a person take the next step into their life. This skill of creating universes and worlds by reading or writing to inspire myself and others is not only my greatest skill. But is the most powerful skill.