Growing up in a small town can bring you to think in a smaller perspective. However, I have realized that if I want to make it somewhere in life I have to think bigger. The business industry has always been a thought of mine since I was a child. I wanted to not only be able to provide for my family but to seek a better life. As I’m coming into the final moments of my senior year, I know that I want to pursue a career in business. I feel that this field will definitely interest me because I’ve always had an interest in becoming an entrepreneur. Going to a university will only push me further with my skills and help me to become more knowledgeable on entrepreneurship. My father always taught me the importance of being my own boss since I was a younger. That stemmed from him wanting to start his own business, and I can say that he’s definitely inspired me. I’ve started business ventures my 10th and 11th-grade year. I enjoyed learning how to sell items, while also having an impact on others. The item I was selling is a major product in the beauty industry, this item is known as false eyelashes. I knew that as an individual they gave me that boost of confidence and I wanted other people to feel the same. My vision is to not only sell false eyelashes but to sell other products as well. Personally, I’ve always had an interest in fashion, designing my own items, and selling this is definitely a goal for me. I wish to not only expand my products but to expand my brand also. As an African-American woman, I know that I will have to work ten times harder to achieve my goals, but I will never let that stop me. I have the vision to become a business owner and I will do just that. I know how it feels to be at a low point in one’s life, and small products like eyelashes can make you feel better about yourself. I want people around the world to experience that glimpse of happiness when they’re down. It may sound cliche, but the smallest things can make a big difference. In my future business I want to make sure that my customers are satisfied with my products, and that they can make a difference within their life. I wish to be globally known and a business that customers can always count on. I don't come from a family of wealth, which is why I have always wished to seek wealth. Coming from a poor neighborhood has pushed me to want to get myself and my family out of that situation. Starting my own successful business would be a great source of income to reach my goal. I mean who wouldn’t want to be their own boss? Just because you were born in a low-income environment doesn’t mean you have to be confined to the things you see.

Sometimes as people, we never truly understand how important mental health is until we are affected by it. Experiencing the loss of a loved one due to mental health isn’t an easy pill to swallow. Over the years I’ve progressed with my feelings as far as dealing with death and also working on myself to notice the signs of depression in others. In today's time, during the global pandemic even more people are starting to experience depression. I hate to hear that someone I know is going through a rough patch in their life. I never want anyone to feel so low or hopeless, to the point they choose to take their own life. I want to make sure everyone knows that they are worth something, you are loved, and this darkness that you are feeling will not last forever. As an individual who has dealt with losing a loved one to suicide, it hurts to think that someone you love is fine, but on the inside, they are crying for help. Mental health has always been an important aspect of my life, but losing someone has made it a priority for me today. If you feel that a peer or friend is beginning to act distant, never hesitate to show concern regarding their behavior. A small gesture could make a huge impact on someone's life. By noticing a change in behavior and taking action, you can save someone's life. As a high school student, I know what it feels like to feel depressed. You feel as if you can’t go on, and the world would be better off without you, but that is in no way true. I wouldn’t wish those feelings on my worst enemy. As someone who has experienced the effects of mental health, I want to share my side of the story. The people who we think are strong and happy on the outside could be crying for help on the inside. When I found out the news that one of my first cousins committed suicide, I was in shock. My cousin committed suicide on September 23, 2017. My brain couldn’t process what happened during that time, and I began to feel so numb afterward. There's a saying that goes, “suicide doesn’t take away the pain, it passes it on to someone else.” Unfortunately, that was the case for me. I began to feel down and I also began to feel like the sadness I was experiencing was something that would never end. It is now the year 2020 and I want to make sure everyone knows that depression is definitely an obstacle you can overcome in life. As a Christian, I’ve found that spending more time talking to God and reading the scripture is a big help. Also as an individual, you should seek time to be kind to yourself. When you're kind to yourself in a sense you are nurturing your brain. When one seeks to take care of their brain, they are taking a valuable step in their life. Taking care of your brain and being kind to oneself, could result in a stronger mental state. Uplifting others and showing kindness is so important. You never know how the comments you may say or the actions you partake in could affect someone. Mental health is such an important issue, and I want people to feel like it's okay to open up about their feelings. One should never take someone opening up to them for granted, it could be the first step into someone stabilizing their mental state. Although I wished I could’ve saved my cousin's life, unfortunately, that wasn’t the circumstance. His life was valued and important, however, he may not have felt that way. Today I want every individual struggling with mental health to know how important they are. Not only are they important, but that life will become better. Today might be hard but there is always hope for a better tomorrow.

My name is JaLeah Bones, but everyone calls me “Leah”. I am currently a senior in high school. Since this is my last year of high school every moment is bittersweet. I live in a small town in Eastern Arkansas. Everyday since I was little I’ve traveled ten miles away from where I lived to attend school in another city. Growing up in such a small town opportunities weren’t always given, because people in smaller towns tended to be overlooked. Being an African-American woman made my situation even more complex. Despite the challenges I faced, I never chose to put myself in a box. I knew from a young age that my education was important, and working hard academically would pay off. I am currently a senior attending Clarendon High. This year is very important to me and I’ve been working hard to get noticed by colleges. I’ve always wanted to go to college since I was smaller. I’ve dreamed of getting an education at a four year university, becoming successful, and making myself proud. As of now due to my indecisiveness, I want to major in marketing when I go off to college in the fall. Starting my own business would be a step closer to where I want to be in life. But before I start my business ventures I want to get my degree in some field of business. Of course I want to be great, who doesn’t? However, I don't come from a rich family that would be able to pay for all my college expenses. It would be great if they could, but our situation is far from rich. I want to have the opportunity to get a college education without putting a burden on my parents, and myself regarding the expenses. I don’t want the cost of college to prevent me from furthering my education outside of high school. I’ve been applying to scholarships continuously since before the beginning of the school year. Although at times it gets frustrating I will continue to do what is beneficial for my future. Knowing that my parents won’t be able to provide the money for my college expenses, drives me each day to work hard on scholarships. My main priority in life is being successful. I know that attending college can play a major part in helping me achieve that success. Getting my degree in marketing would help me with running my own successful business. Gaining this success I would not only prove to myself what I can do, but to others as well. Inspiring others that no matter where you come from or what your race is you can achieve what you want in life, is what I wish to achieve. Seeing someone come from the same situation you came from, and being able to overcome the circumstances is amazing. I want to inspire african-american women alike to me to pursue their dreams, despite the challenges you may face. Society may try to knock you down, but it’s your choice on whether to get back up. I hope that one day I can reach the goals that I’ve set for myself. I’ve chosen to be better than where I come from. When looking at the adversity I faced thus far in life, I saw an opportunity. Giving up will not be an option for me with regards to my career after school. In the words of the late Dr.King “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitably, but comes through continuous struggle.” The struggle makes those within the african-american community push even harder in today's society. I will choose to make it out of where I come from, inspire minds, and encourage success amongst others.

The only time that you dream, shouldn’t be when your eyes are closed. You should never choose to let your circumstances define your future. My name is JaLeah Bones, and I'm from a small town located in eastern Arkansas. I attend Clarendon High and I'm currently a senior in high school. I am super excited for my future after I graduate. You have to tell yourself that you will be great and go places in life, before someone else does. I am a self motivated, driven, and outgoing individual. I want nothing but the best for myself in life, and I know that starts with me. Although I come from a small town in Arkansas I never chose to compromise my dreams. As of now I'm currently deciding on whether I want to major in the marketing field or the nursing field. I got interested in marketing towards the end of my junior year, while nursing has just now become an interest for me. As stated, I come from a small town in eastern Arkansas. I was born and raised in Arkansas also known as the “natural state.” I’ve grown up in a small town that I’d say would be between poor class and middle class. Although I come from a relatively small area I never chose to diminish my dreams based on where I came from. When I was younger I wanted to be a singer, model, and an actress. Although that never happened, who’s to say it can’t happen within the next few months? My parents never received an education outside of High School, but they never tore down my dreams regarding life in general. They’ve always taught me how important a college education was, even though they never got to experience that in their lives. Since they never went to college, they chose to settle for a job they didn’t like, but still supported their family. Because of the predicament they were placed in, they’ve instilled within me the importance of college. I not only want to make them proud, but I want to make myself proud. Today I am focusing on my education more than I ever have. Since I am a senior this year, it's important that I work three times as hard. I’ve always put my best effort into my academics, but now I want to prove to universities that I am a capable student. To better oneself I’ve chosen to not give up no matter how hard life can get. Taking AP courses can come with a large workload, but I don’t let it bring me down. I look at the workload as an opportunity to grow as an individual. The work can get stressful, however it helps to build character, helps build time manage, and helps to prepare for college. I encourage my classmates to keep going forward despite how hard life and school can get it. When my peers are down, I never resist the urge to make sure that they're okay mentally. Making it to where you want to be in life will be the reward for all the hardships you experienced within your lifetime. If you know that you want to be better for yourself and others around you, take the opportunity to go for it. I dream of owning my own business, which is a particular reason as to why I want to major in marketing. Owning my own business will not be an easy venture, however it will be worth the trials and tribulations. As the saying goes, “nothing in life comes easy” is so true. I like to think that I’m placed in certain positions for a reason. When I’m in a bad position I still know that something good can come out of it. Having the courage to keep going is important, and encouraging others is important. I never chose to belittle anyone else's dreams because I know how big I dream.