No one sat with him at lunch. His mom was newly divorced, and he was one of over six siblings. He wasn't good at sports and was very shy. Making friends is hard, especially when you're not good at the traditionally "cool" things. Yet, alone with a guitar, his fingers filled the empty space he was feeling. There are so many kids like this boy in my community. When I met him, I knew I wanted to help. For me, music helped save my mental health. So, for this young boy, I taught him guitar. Chord by chord, his confidence grew. I saw how his perception of himself began to grow more positive, but also, the way people saw him changed. He became more outgoing and started making more friends. I love teaching him, it not only fills me, but I love how healing music is and that I get to share that. Now, I give guitar lessons to multiple kids for free, as well as piano lessons. The issue in my community is there are too many kids without parents who are able to be fully involved. Many families are single-parent households or have parents that need to work full-time or both! This results in kids who don't get enough love, attention, and one-on-one time with loving people. I've seen this issue and have taken steps to love and care for the kids in my community. I love listening to them and helping them heal through music.

I've always loved people. The way they talk, express themselves, and even the faces they make; reflected something I knew wasn't of this world. My work in speech and debate prepared me to share my Christian faith in so many ways. Debate taught me how to read different cues in people's faces, as well as listen to their opinions and arguments- before launching into something outrageous. Speech has helped me so, so much. Because of my work in both speech and debate, I now get to preach at my youth group once a month, and thanks to these classes, I know how to convey, capture, and speak to an audience. When I was around 13 years old, I was born again and saved. I knew I loved Jesus more than life itself. I knew I had to share this newfound peace with the world and with others. The thing was, I didnt know how to speak to people. On one occasion in high school, I overheard a girl my age speaking up for things that, as a Christian, I don't agree with. She was fiery and passionate as she spoke on these political issues. The debating, passionate part of my mind piped up, and before I knew it, I was debating this girl, burning her and her points to the ground. As people began to gather, my emotion only heightened; where soon, it was no longer an equal debate- it was me, a hell-fire-filled "Jesus-lover" squashing a once passionate girl and her opinions. As people cheered, I saw the glisten in her eyes, and the heat rises in her cheeks. Suddenly, my heart broke. I had used this tool of speech to hurt someone. Not only that, I pushed her further from Jesus. Later that day, I found her and apologized. Her name was Adelina, and well, she wasn't happy with me. I intentionally tried to be kinder to her, but I caused a wedge. Now, 5 years later, I've learned a lot. Speech and debate have helped me in debates where I am defending my faith and having constructive conversations with people. Yet, now, I strive to listen first and speak as Jesus did. Clear and direct, but kind and compassionate. Since that "fiery debate," I've prayed for hundreds of people and had dozens of constructive conversations where I was able to see the other person's side without condemning them. College is a place where I will not only learn more about Jesus, but I will learn more tools on how to share his name and bring more into the kingdom of heaven.

Every kid deserves to be loved. Every person deserves to be loved. An issue with our society today is that there are not enough selfless, kind, well-educated adults loving our children and youth. Kids thirst for love and attention and look for it in all the wrong places if it can’t be obtained in a healthy way. My dream is to help serve underprivileged kids and youth both in Southern California and worldwide by teaching English and overseeing non-profit efforts. This scholarship could help me achieve my dreams. I want to be an overseas missionary with an English degree, helping educate those who cannot afford it. Going to college would give me the tools and knowledge I need to pour into those who don’t have anyone pouring into them. Growing up in a low-income household of 6, my parents were busy with four kids and work. Not only this, but being an interracial home presented challenges in itself. I didn't look like a lot of other kids at school, and my brothers were often teased for being "Chinese" when we were Korean! Most of the time, I don't think people are outwardly racist. But I do think it's easier for people to gravitate towards wealthier, privileged kids because it often means they can get something out of it, you know? Later in my childhood, my mom became permanently disabled, which was hard for my family. My parents did the best they could, but sometimes life throws you things that are out of your control. Due to this, my three siblings and I became homeschooled, and I became a primary help in my family. My dad worked full time, and my mom needed lots of help changing IVs, using the bathroom, or even just brushing her hair. This was hard for my mental health, but obstacles make us stronger. Luckily, I had a few young women intentionally pouring into me. Whether it was math tutoring or coffee dates, these women poured love into me. Now that I am of age, I want to help the future “Jael’s,” but I want to expand that to the world. I want to help young girls who don’t have well-educated, loving role models. In the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of giving free music lessons to underprivileged kids in Riverside Ca. I teach piano and guitar, but more than that, I give attention to these kids who might not get it at home. I love them. I want to do that for more kids on a bigger scale, and receiving an education would make me a better asset to help serve them. Thank you for reading this I hope to partner with you to make a difference in the lives of kids who need it most.

Everyone in life, at some point or another, will feel lonely. In life, we lose friends, family members, and sometimes, people just- change. When I was 15 years old, I lost my best friend, my mom was newly disabled, and I was doing online school. In the same time frame, 3 of my other close friends moved away, all for different unrelated reasons. Life felt so lonely and just hard. In my pain, I turned to anyone who paid attention to me, whether it was a guy I somewhat knew or a random teacher who was paid to check in on me. I just wanted to stop feeling lonely. The pain in my chest felt like a second heartbeat, constantly nagging my heart. When that guy and I stopped talking, I cried for days, exclaiming to my dad, "You don't understand! I have no friends; I feel so alone. It hurts." For weeks, I felt hopeless and alone. My days suddenly grew longer, and my phone no longer rang. It wasn't until I found hope that I began to smile again. I know religion is controversial to some people, and it might even cost me scholarships. Finding God is what changed my entire life. I remember one night, I was so angry at the world. So mad at God- if He was there. He had taken away my mom's walking ability, he had taken my friends, he was the reason I was so miserable- right? I cried hot tears of anger in the privacy of under the covers of my bed. "God, if you're real, why? Why would this happen to me?" Then, like a whisper, in the back of my mind, I heard a still, small voice saying, "I've been with you all along. I'm the friend you've been waiting for. Do not be afraid, for I have good plans for you, Jael." Suddenly, a weight was lifted off my chest- and I knew, I knew God was real. I got plugged back into my local church and made many friends my age. I began reading not only the Bible but other books, too! I read 100 books in the year 2022. Soon, my life began to have hope again. I didn't feel alone anymore, and I knew I was never really alone. I've decided to study theology, to know more about this God who says "You're never alone."

Success to me is being heard. Success is taking your kid on a nice vacation- no matter their color or face shape. Success is having an equal opportunity to work wherever I want to and receive the same pay as my male counterparts. Success is living happily and comfortable enough to pour into those I love. I come from a low-income, mixed-race family of 6. My mom is a first-generation Korean and immigrated to the States from Canada when she was in her early twenties. She met my dad at a small college, and from there, they started a family. Poverty has always been a challenge in our bloodline. Dad came from a family of 6 where they ate white 'wonder' bread for dinner most nights. Mom was abandoned and had to work from age 13. As a kid, my parents did everything they could to give me, my brothers, and my sister the best life possible. We would cram into our little car and spend hours at the park playing. I didn't understand why some people just seemed 'better off' than us. Was it because we were a mixed-race family? Was it because we were a big family? I'm not sure why, but it never stopped us from loving each other and others. College has always been a big dream of mine. Seven years ago, my mom was diagnosed with some rare genetic diseases that a car accident had revealed. From then on, she was legally disabled and could no longer work. My dad does everything he can to provide for us, and I help around the house, schooling my younger siblings and taking care of mom. Going to college seemed impossible for a long, long time. Yet, I can see that with the help of people like you, my dream is possible. I give free music lessons (piano and guitar) to kids in my community, and I want to be able to do that on a bigger scale. I help volunteer for multiple sports/karate organizations, and I see how much hope it brings socially challenged kids. College would give me the education and ability to build a system in which I could further help my community. Receiving an education would also give me the resume I need to help in schools or big-scale community help. Being an inspiration for the kids here and showing them that anything is possible- that would be success.

Growing up in Riverside, California, I was shaped by my community. Riverside, Rubidoux, and Moreno Valley are three cities all close together that are extremely underserved. Throughout my life, I've volunteered in all these communities, seeing the joy of giving to underprivileged, minority kids and people. I grew up in a low-income, bi-racial family of 6, and as a kid, we didn't have much. My brothers wanted to play basketball, so my dad became a volunteer basketball coach for Moreno Valley Recreational Center (and still is after 10 years)! I used to make sandwiches for the little kids, and I still help with their practices. Now that I'm older, I give free piano and guitar lessons to kids who can't afford it. Coming from a low-income home, I know how hard it is to pay for music lessons- but I know how healing music can be. So, after a few years of lessons, I decided I would share my knowledge with kids who couldn't afford it. Honestly, it has been so, so healing. Seeing these kids with no father, no money, and so much hardship beams with happiness and accomplishment. Getting to teach them music has been a great joy in my life. I also volunteer at a local non-profit karate school that aims to help underserved kids, giving them access to quality martial arts for free. Giving back to the community has shaped my life in so many ways. For one, it has given me purpose and joy when I thought there was none. When I was 11 years old, my mom was in a car accident that left her forever disabled. This led me to a dark place mentally, which then led to toxic relationships and friendships that hurt me more. I felt so lost and hopeless. Yet, giving piano lessons to this little girl in Riverside gave me hope. Teaching kids karate and seeing them smile- the best feeling ever. One young boy I used to teach was so broken and hopeless. At 7 years old, he had no father and an overworked mom, and he was getting bullied at school. Yet, through my volunteering, I saw him grow. By the time he was eight, he was smiling, happy, and no longer getting bullied. Volunteering in my community helped that change happen. I still give free music lessons and help volunteer to teach karate, but I also help give food to the Riverside homeless community through a local church. Through this church, I've also helped run basketball camps, flag football seminars, and toy giveaways for minority kids in the community. Nothing can express the joy and lessons I've gained through volunteering. I've learned how to work with many difficult parents and kids, but I've also learned how to be compassionate to those who have bad situations. I've got to hold babies and sing with orphans- I've played basketball with kids who have no money- and I've eaten with those who had no food. Going to college would prove to all these kids here that living your dreams is possible. I want to be that inspiration for all these kids, and I hope to do that!

Hello, my name is Jael Brattrud and here's a little about me. I grew up the oldest of 4 kids in a small house located in Moreno Valley, California. We crammed together in shared rooms, because that's the best i parents could do. My parents are church planters and started a small church in a rough area of Riverside California. They believed it was their duty to help disadvantaged youth, kids and people, helping them grow in faith and well-being. Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money, but we tried to help those worse off than us. I remember handing sandwiches to homeless people while clinging on to my mother's hand. And staying up late while my parents did odd jobs for money. My mom is first generation Korean and immigrated from Canada when she was a young adult. She met my dad in college, and they began life together shortly after graduating. When i was 11 years old, my mom was in a car accident, that lead to a series of health complications. She was diagnosed with a host of rare, chronic, genetic diseases that the accident had "activated." Within a year, she could barely walk. Life was hard for my family. We were already barely making ends meet- and now, dad had to not only work, but take care of my mom (and us). Due to this, all 4 of us kids became homeschooled simply because my dad couldn't drive us to school, and work. So, I began helping teach my siblings the best i knew how. I'd spend extra time diving into textbooks and watching educational videos to better help my family. I took on the chores and house jobs my mom could no longer do. This meant cooking, cleaning and doing laundry for 6 people. My mom's medical bills took a large chunk of the money dad brought in. Even though we are on state insurance, theres a lot of expenses health insurance doesn't pay. As time progressed, my mom's health got worse and worse. This led me to learn a lot about health care, first aid and proper care taking. At age 14, I learned how to properly clean and change my mom's pick line. I took first aid classes, and CPR classes to get certified in case of emergency. Life was super challenging mentally and often lead me to be incredibly sad and overwhelmed. As an outlet for these emotions, I picked up numerous hobbies to do when I had time. I began teaching myself guitar and took piano lessons from a friend of a friend. I started running and weightlifting, so that, in case of an emergency, I’d be strong enough to help my mom and siblings. Now, that i'm almost an adult, i get to help my family in any ways they need. Going to college has always been a dream of mine that i thought was impossible. But and this scholarship can actually make my dream come true!