My journey began as an immigrant moving to the United States, carrying with me not only my family’s dreams but also the resilience that comes from starting over in a new country. Adjusting to a new culture, language, and environment taught me the importance of perseverance and community. It also opened my eyes to how opportunities are not distributed equally and to the transformative power of people and organizations who are willing to bridge those gaps. These organizations served as a first reference point of the strength in community that I experienced in the United States. As a Social Work and Psychology major, my passion lies in advocating for mental health awareness, especially among children and youth who are often overlooked or misunderstood. Mental health impacts every aspect of a person’s life, yet stigma and lack of access continue to keep too many of us from receiving the support we need. My goal is to work in the mental health field while also educating the public, empowering young people to understand that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but of courage. The destigmatization around these topics is aimed at opening the floor for conversations about emotional struggles that stunt the progression of communities, especially the collective Nigerian community that I grew up in. Service has always been an integral part of my life. As a young child in my church, I have always been committed to helping the progress of the ministry in any way I could. With this consideration, for two years, I served as a church camp counselor and Vacation Bible School teacher for children ages 6 to 10, guiding them through lessons, activities, and conversations that fostered not only their spiritual growth but also their confidence and social skills. These experiences deepened my ability to lead with empathy, to listen without judgment, and to meet each child where they are. Beyond the church, I have volunteered with my local food bank and thrift stores, helping distribute food, organize donations, and connect with families in need. These experiences have shown me that small acts of kindness can have ripple effects far beyond what we can see. Academically, I maintain a strong GPA while balancing work as a pharmacy tech, volunteering, and leadership roles. But my ambition is not measured only in grades; it’s measured in the change I hope to create. I want to break cycles of silence around mental health, especially in communities where it is still taboo, like mine. I want to ensure that no child or young adult has to navigate mental health challenges alone, and that our systems are equipped to recognize and respond to their needs early on. The challenges I’ve faced as an immigrant, a student, and a community leader have shaped me into someone who refuses to accept that barriers must remain in place simply because they’ve always been there. I believe in pushing boundaries, speaking up when others are silent, and showing through my actions that every person has inherent worth. Like Sloane Stephens’ grandparents, my family has instilled in me the values of resilience, kindness, and self-belief. These values have carried me through obstacles and guided my commitment to serving others. I want my life’s work to be a reflection of those values, ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to thrive. This scholarship would not only help ease the financial strain of my education but also allow me to continue investing my time and energy into the work that matters most, serving, advocating, and creating spaces where others can find hope and belonging.

As an immigrant who has navigated the challenges of adjusting to a new country, I have learned firsthand the importance of empathy, understanding, and advocating for those whose voices are often overlooked. My journey, both personal and academic, has shaped my commitment to becoming a mental health professional through my studies in Social Work and Psychology. My goal is to work in direct service to individuals while also educating communities about mental health, dismantling stigma, and creating inclusive spaces where every child, especially gifted and misunderstood children, can thrive emotionally, socially, and intellectually. Gifted children, like Lieba Joran, often live with a paradox: they possess remarkable intellectual capacities, yet they are sometimes misunderstood, socially isolated, or even ridiculed because they perceive and process the world differently. The assumption that giftedness automatically ensures social ease and emotional resilience is deeply flawed. Many of these children wrestle with heightened sensitivities, perfectionism, and anxiety, which can go unrecognized or untreated due to stereotypes and a lack of understanding. Fostering their mental well-being means going beyond celebrating their talents. It means recognizing the whole child, supporting their vulnerabilities, and ensuring they have tools to manage both their strengths and struggles. In my future career, I plan to work in the mental health field with a specialized focus on children who are gifted, neurodivergent, or otherwise exceptional. My academic training in Social Work and Psychology equips me to approach this population from both an individual and systemic perspective, addressing their immediate needs while also advocating for policies and educational practices that accommodate their unique profiles. I want to ensure that schools, families, and communities understand that gifted children are not immune to emotional challenges. In fact, they often require more nuanced support to navigate their inner world and social relationships. Beyond clinical work, I am passionate about public education surrounding mental health. Stigma and misinformation can delay or prevent gifted children from receiving the help they need, particularly in communities where emotional struggles are dismissed or misunderstood. Through workshops, school programs, and community outreach, I aim to bridge the gap between mental health science and public awareness. By making information accessible and relatable, I hope to create an environment where understanding and compassion replace judgment and neglect. My immigrant background fuels my empathy for those who live at the margins, whether due to culture, language, ability, or social perception. I know what it feels like to be different, to be misunderstood, and to fight for a sense of belonging. This perspective drives my determination to advocate boldly for children whose inner worlds are too often invisible to the systems around them. I believe that understanding and meeting their intellectual needs is inseparable from fostering their social-emotional well-being. Both must be addressed for them to flourish fully. I also hope to challenge the cultural narratives that frame giftedness solely as an academic advantage. The reality is more complex. Many gifted children feel intense pressure to live up to expectations, which can lead to burnout, depression, and social withdrawal. I plan to design programs that balance intellectual stimulation with emotional resilience training, ensuring these children have the coping skills and self-awareness necessary to sustain their well-being into adulthood. This approach aligns with the values Lieba embodied of standing up for the vulnerable, creating harmony, and affirming every person’s dignity. Lieba Joran’s legacy of speaking up against cruelty and championing justice resonates deeply with me. She understood that kindness requires action, not just sentiment. My vision is to carry that legacy into my work by ensuring that every gifted child feels seen, supported, and celebrated for who they are, not just what they can achieve. Through my career in mental health, I will continue to challenge misconceptions, build inclusive support systems, and model the compassion and courage that Lieba so naturally embodied. By nurturing the minds and hearts of gifted children, I hope to create a ripple effect that extends beyond the individual to their peers, families, and communities. My ultimate goal is to help build a society where difference is met with curiosity instead of judgment, and where every child, no matter how misunderstood, can find harmony between their gifts and their well-being. Thanks for considering my application.