I’m currently a psychology major with a focus on sports psychology, and I’ve always been really interested in understanding how people think, feel, and cope with challenges. Over time, I’ve realized that mental health is something that affects everyone, but not everyone has the same access to support or feels comfortable seeking help. That’s something I want to change, especially within marginalized communities where mental health is often overlooked or stigmatized. My own experiences and what I’ve seen in people around me have shaped how I view mental health. I’ve noticed that a lot of people struggle in silence because they don’t feel understood or represented. That pushed me to care more about creating safe spaces where people feel heard without judgment. It also made me realize how important it is to have culturally aware mental health services, because not everyone experiences or expresses things the same way. In terms of making a positive impact, I want to focus on increasing awareness, normalizing conversations around mental health, and making resources more accessible. Whether that’s through working directly with individuals, especially young adults and athletes, or being involved in community outreach, I want to help break down the stigma and make support feel more approachable. My experiences have definitely influenced my career goals. I don’t just want to work in mental health, I want to advocate for change. I see myself not only helping people on an individual level, but also contributing to bigger conversations about equity in mental health care. Overall, I want my work to make people feel seen, supported, and empowered to take care of their mental well-being. I also think it’s important to meet people where they are instead of expecting them to fit into traditional ideas of therapy or mental health support. Not everyone grows up talking about emotions or even believing in mental health as something that should be prioritized. Because of that, I want to approach my work in a way that feels relatable and realistic, especially for communities that may have been overlooked or misunderstood in the past. Building trust is a huge part of that, and I want people to feel like they can come as they are without feeling judged or dismissed. Another way I hope to make an impact is by using education as a tool. A lot of stigma comes from a lack of understanding, so even small things like sharing information, having open conversations, or creating content that spreads awareness can make a difference. I’m especially interested in how social media can be used in a positive way to reach more people and make mental health feel less intimidating. Overall, I want my work to reflect empathy, cultural awareness, and real connection. I don’t just want to help people cope, I want to help them feel empowered in their everyday lives.

My name is Jae’lin Acker , and I am a 21-year-old student from Compton, California. I took two gap years after high school not because I wanted to, but because I needed to. I needed time to figure out how to afford college, help out at home, and process everything life was throwing at me. Those two years were filled with both growth and grief. In 2023, I lost one of my closest friends to suicide. That loss shook me to the core and reminded me just how important it is to check on the people you love and value your time on this earth. Then in 2024, just a day after my birthday, my great-grandmother passed away. And most recently, in 2025, one of my former high school basketball teammates passed unexpectedly. These experiences changed how I look at life, loss, and the urgency of pursuing my goals. I come from a low-income household in Compton, raised alongside four sisters and one brother. My father, who has always been the backbone of our home, was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. He’s the main provider for our family, and watching his health decline has added an emotional and financial weight that none of us were prepared for. Despite all of this, I returned to school and have been doing well academically. I am currently pursuing a degree in Exercise Science, with a dream of working in sports medicine and one day giving back to underserved communities like mine. Since coming back to school, I’ve proven to myself that I am capable. I just need help staying here. This scholarship would mean more than just money it would be a form of relief. I often find myself worrying not just about tuition, but about how I’m going to eat or keep up with basic needs. I want the chance to focus on learning, to build a future where I can support my family, and to finally breathe knowing that I can make it without everything falling apart. Your support would allow me to dedicate myself fully to my education without the constant stress of financial hardship. It would help me stay on track toward my goal of working in sports medicine, where I plan to give back to communities like mine that are often overlooked and underserved Thank you for considering my story. I’m not asking for a handout I’m asking for a hand to help me keep going.

I met my friend when I was just twelve years old. We were both full of energy, passion, and joy especially when it came to cheerleading. We cheered together, grew up together, and made countless memories that are still in my heart. Our bond wasn’t just something that stayed at practice on the cheer mat it extended beyond that. My little sister and I would often go over to her house for family gatherings. Her family treated us like one of their own, and we all shared laughter, food, and love like we had known each other forever.As we got older, life started to move faster. She moved away, and with time, we lost touch. Not because we stopped caring, but because that’s just how life sometimes works. Despite the distance, we never stopped supporting one another. We’d keep up on social media, show love from afar, and celebrate each other’s wins even if we couldn’t be there physically. It felt like we were just waiting for the right time to reconnect again.But three years ago, everything changed. I found out through someone that my childhood friend had been found unconscious in her room. At first, I couldn’t process what I was hearing. I sat in silence, completely in shock. I kept telling myself that it wasn’t true, that someone had made a mistake, But as the days passed and more people confirmed it, the truth started to settle in. Personally I didn’t know how to feel because i’ve never loss anyone close to me so I didn’t know how to feel. It wasn’t until I saw her laying in her casket that it truly hit me she was gone. The girl I had laughed with, cheered with, and grown up beside was no longer here. That moment changed me. Seeing someone you love laying lifeless in front of you is a pain I can’t describe. It broke my heart and opened my eyes in a way nothing else ever could.Her death taught me that you truly never know what someone is going through. From the outside, everything can look perfect, but on the inside, people might be carrying pain, hurt, or battles that they don’t talk about. It taught me to never judge anyone and to always choose to be kind, because we’re all going through something, even if we don’t show it. I won’t lie coping with her loss hasn’t been easy.There are still moments where I think about her and wish things had turned out differently. But through it all, I’ve found comfort and strength in my faith. God has carried me through the darkest moments, given me peace when I had none, and helped me heal. I now look at life differently more thankful, more mindful, and more loving. Losing her reminded me to cherish the people I love, to reach out more often, and to live with purpose. Her memory will forever continue to live on and , I know she is watching over me.

Losing my great grandmother was one of the hardest things had to face this past year. I had never lost anyone close to me so before so grief was definitely a new experience for me. I didn’t know how to process my emotions. I hadn’t seen her in about 2 years because of school and time and ended up seeing her one more time a week before she past not knowing she would be leaving this earth the day after my birthday. It was difficult to celebrate knowing that someone I held close to me was no longer here .It was a very bittersweet moment not seeing her in so long and then seeing her on hospice care. I didn’t know how to cope with my emotions of not seeing her sooner but in moments of pain my faith in god truly became my anchor. Even when it doesn’t makes sense God timing is always perfect and I had to remind myself of that. There was a reason I was able to see her one last time before she left that it wasn’t just a coincidence. Ive never been big on prayer because I never knew where to start or what to say, But in a moment like this I knew there was only one person to turn to. I’ve talked to God about my grief and regrets of not seeing her sooner. I found a bit of comfort in knowing that my grandma was no longer in pain anymore that she was in a place of peace and that our bond wasn’t broken just because she wasn’t physically here. My faith helped me focus on the appreciation rather than loss. Instead dwelling on her passing I looked back on the memories my family and I shared at her house . It was the heart of everything from holidays, birthdays , graduation parties , proms , and just regular visits where everyone felt welcome. No matter what was going on we always knew we could come to her home. She created a sense of unity that made our family feel whole. Losing her wasn’t just losing a loved one it felt like losing the foundation of our family. But through faith, I hold onto the love she built keeping her spirit alive in how we stay connected. That belief gives me strength helping me carry her love and memory with me as I continue forward in life.