My father walked through the door with a man I had never seen before. As any young child would assume he was simply a family friend. My family provided him with some food and a place to stay to bestow warmth during the colder months. Saving up pocket change to share with him, he could afford everyday necessities like a toothbrush or a pair of socks. Growing up I often heard that homeless individuals are simply lazy, but when it was time for Jean to enter the job market with his newfound support, he transgressed. I learned that our society will discriminate against you based on your speech, clothing, and skin color and completely disregard your work ethic or your skill. It became apparent to me that Jean's inability to climb up the social ladder had nothing to do with laziness but everything to do with the system that failed him. Obtaining a college degree in Political Science would give me the knowledge I need to be able to work toward my goal. Having a full understanding of how the system works is the one way that would allow me to make a difference. My goal is to obtain a degree in Political Science and use my understanding of the system to help advocate for others like Jean. On my way to school every day, I am dismayed at the homelessness that we are facing in New York City. Therefore, I continue to push myself forward, not losing sight of my dream. I remind myself that earning a college degree in Political Science is the only assurance that I can make to Jean and others like him. For now, I need to take the first step of earning a degree, then I can keep stepping forward in my pursuit, as I earn my credentials. When I started to facilitate a Pre- Voter Registration council Junior year of High School. I gain further insight into how policies are enacted and set in motion. Our goal was to get young people like ourselves, involved in voting. Help them understand the importance of their vote. We were able to pre-registered 300 NYC students. I discovered that minorities often doubt their voices' power on election days. In response, the council shared presentations on the voting process, handed out informative flyers, and created a social media page where we could communicate with the younger generations. Here, I, learned that a future in political advocacy was my path. I learned that I can help make a difference. I couldn't help but Imagine what else was possible with a college degree. I would be able to help others, like Jean, who find themselves lost in the system. This scholarship would help me pursue a degree in Political Science and which would allow me to continue this fight. A more inclusive democracy and working with others, who are just as passionate as I am about addressing the flaws in our democracy would be a dream fulfilled. I believe that I have what it takes to pursue this dream because, like Jean, I am resilient and I believe people deserve a second chance.

Collaborating with others willing to have difficult discussions about amending systematic failures that pertain to race, education, sexual orientation, and health care would be a dream fulfilled. Earning a degree in Political Science would allow me to help amend policies while fighting for a more inclusive democracy. My dream would be to work with others, just as passionate, as I am, about addressing the flaws in our democracy.

My father walked through the door with a man I had never seen before. As any young child would assume he was simply a family friend. My family provided him with some food and a place to stay to bestow warmth during the colder months. Saving up pocket change to share with him, he could afford everyday necessities like a toothbrush or a pair of socks. Growing up I often heard that homeless individuals are simply lazy, but when it was time for Jean to enter the job market with his newfound support, he transgressed. I learned that our society will discriminate against you based on your speech, clothing, and skin color and completely disregard your work ethic or your skill. It became apparent to me that Jean's inability to climb up the social ladder had nothing to do with laziness but everything to do with the system that failed him. Obtaining a college degree in Political Science would give me the knowledge I need to be able to work toward my goal. Having a full understanding of how the system works is the one way that would allow me to make a difference. My goal is to obtain a degree in Political Science and use my understanding of the system to help advocate for others like Jean. On my way to school every day, I am dismayed at the homelessness that we are facing in New York City. Therefore, I continue to push myself forward, not losing sight of my dream. I remind myself that earning a college degree in Political Science is the only assurance that I can make to Jean and others like him. For now, I need to take the first step of earning a degree, then I can keep stepping forward in my pursuit, as I earn my credentials. When I started to facilitate a Pre- Voter Registration council Junior year of High School. I gain further insight into how policies are enacted and set in motion. Our goal was to get young people like ourselves, involved in voting. Help them understand the importance of their vote. We were able to pre-registered 300 NYC students. I discovered that minorities often doubt their voices' power on election days. In response, the council shared presentations on the voting process, handed out informative flyers, and created a social media page where we could communicate with the younger generations. Here, I, learned that a future in political advocacy was my path. I learned that I can help make a difference. I couldn't help but Imagine what else was possible with a college degree. I would be able to help others, like Jean, who find themselves lost in the system. Pursuing a degree in Political Science would allow me to continue this fight. It would allow me to fight for a more inclusive democracy and work with others who are just as passionate as I am about addressing the flaws in our democracy. I believe that I have what it takes to pursue this dream because, like Jean, I am resilient and I believe everyone deserves a second chance.

My grandmother will come home, and pull the little brown bag out of her shopping bag, just to see a smile spread wide across my face. Happiness is what she longed for while immigrating to the states. As a woman who immigrated during her 30s, she desired to have a sense of independence from her husband but also one of belonging in her new home. In third-world countries, especially extremely poor ones, women play a significant role as teachers, civil servants, and housewives. They are seen as being subservient to men, so traveling here granted my grandmother the opportunity to be her own person. In search of autonomy, my grandmother picked up endless odd jobs and filled her weeks with work to make ends meet to support her family. However, no matter how hard she worked, language would always be a barrier in her life. Broken English is defined as a non-standard, non-traditionally spoken, or alternatively-written version of the English language. As I say words and slang with ease and precision, the pronunciations of certain phrases cut her and discourage repetition. In the face of discouragement, she often found herself asking my mother to make a call or write a message for her, as my mother can speak “perfect English” with ease. My grandmother skips over vowels and syllables in her speech, as she grew up speaking a different language for thirty years. This was a piece of her culture that did not seem to fade, and only made it harder for her to assimilate into the so-called American culture; A culture in which you need to be able to speak English to be seen as knowledgeable, and if not the working industry will devalue your identity. And yet, my grandmother wakes up every day with a new perspective, and optimism on her face. She puts on her freshly ironed blouse and skirt, along with her fedora hat, and makes her way out the door, hoping for a new beginning each day. I admire her, as she goes through life with so much ease, despite all the unfavorable opportunities that she has encountered. I find comfort in knowing that I have been given an inherited gift of resilience that could never be taken away from me. I, too, am capable of picking myself up and brushing it off when life doesn't go as planned. I am reassured knowing that no matter the struggle, I am capable of handling it as my grandma has. So, I thank my immigrant, Non-English speaking grandmother for her courage, for her strength, and for coming to America and paving a way for me. Most of all, I am grateful for the smile she puts on my face, every time she pulls out the brown paper bag filled with a delicious surprise for me.