If the whole world only read one book, that would be a tragedy. Books provide a diverse array of perspectives and stories, and no one human being can illustrate all the complexity of the world in a single book. However, if I were forced into this sad scenario, I would have the world read "Red Rising" by Pierce Brown. It is a sci-fi series that is packed with action and complex characters. Not only is it a fantastic read, it also provides great insight into the world. The story is about a Society where democracy has been demolished and humans have inhabited the Solar System. Every human is stuck in a Color- or caste- that defines their role in society. They have little choice when it comes to forging their own paths in life. The main character, 16-year-old Darrow, is in the lowest Color- Red. After witnessing the love of his life murdered at the hands of the government, he is driven by his need for justice and revenge. With the help of those he meets along the way, he is able to rise to the top and not only defeat his opponents but show humanity that there is a better path, one where every human being is on equal footing and free to determine their own fate. I loved the setting, pacing, and style of the novel. It provides enough action to keep us engaged the entire journey, while also embedding humor, romance, and deep thoughts about life. The characters drip with emotion and are realistically written. There is just the right balance of inner monologue and outside occurrences that the reader never feels bored or overwhelmed. I also loved how it incorporated different themes into its plot. At one point in the novel, Darrow must compete in a Hunger Games-like competition which leaves the blood boiling and tension high. His fight for equality is reminiscent of books like Divergent by Veronica Roth, Matched by Ally Condie, and Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. And the best part of all is, the book isn't a stand-alone! The ending will make you trip over yourself getting the sequel. It's that good. With that said, we won't need to live in a sad world where everyone reads only one book, because Red Rising is guaranteed to make you read the second book- and the third, and fourth, and fifth and sixth! Awesome, right?

When I first found out I wanted to be a journalist, I was nine years old. It was my school's Career Day, where parents were invited to talk about their jobs to the excited students. It was my first time having such an experience. As we filed into a classroom, one of my friends' parents, a tall, friendly-looking man holding a stack of papers in one hand and dangling a notebook in the other, greeted us, then said, "Do any of you know what a journalist does?" My classmates shook their heads. He smiled and proceeded to teach us. From that day on, journalism has been the path for me. It is a way of broadcasting the truth to the world, pursuing causes that others are too scared to pursue, being involved while also informed, and upholding the mantle of freedom of the press and speech that our nation was founded upon. It melded with my personality- I loved writing from a young age and loved interacting with those outside my sphere. I did everything I could to prepare myself for that future. As I grew older, I began to grow wiser. As a nine-year-old, I couldn't comprehend the level of importance journalists held, especially during turbulent times such as ours. Their ability to shape the minds of the public- whether through sharing the truth or twisting it- is so underestimated, so overlooked. When I look into the future, I see myself being the one behind the scenes, helping spread the truth and dispel biases and lies that often pervade our country's mind. I hope to do so by entering the field of Journalism and Paralegal in college, where I can learn the skills that will enable me to achieve these goals. After that, the possibilities are endless. I'd like to use my language skills to travel the world and connect more deeply with people while reporting on newsworthy stories. I can become a mediator for peace and justice, providing a voice for the underrepresented and marginalized. And most importantly, I can learn what being a human being really is, and how diverse, expansive, and ever-changing our society really is. As a journalist, I will be able to spread the truth far beyond my limited sphere and help to change people's minds on key issues, using objective reporting and analysis. In pursuing this field, I also hope to learn more about myself and the world around me, by visiting new people and places, and by going through new experiences throughout college and beyond. I believe that journalism is a powerful catalyst for change. Journalists can push society toward progress, but only by exposing societal injustices, highlighting stories of resilience, and shedding light on issues often ignored by mainstream media. In a sense, I'm already a journalist. I help run the school newspaper, which publishes issues every month. I've gotten a taste of how it can be: I can't wait to experience it in real life. Journalists don't just give opinions- they investigate, they wonder, they dig beyond the surface. The news should not be a source of despair- rather, it should be a source of hope for communities and motivation for policymakers to make informed decisions for the better. In a world marked by polarized perspectives and deep divisions, my goal is to use journalism to bridge gaps. I believe that honest reporting could bring people together by promoting dialogue, empathy, and understanding. By showcasing common human experiences and the universal struggle for a better life, we can transcend borders, ideologies, and prejudices. That is what journalism means to me.

When I first found out I wanted to be a journalist, I was nine years old. It was my school's Career Day, where parents were invited to talk about their jobs to the excited students. It was my first time having such an experience. As we filed into a classroom, one of my friends' parents- a tall, friendly-looking father holding a stack of papers in one hand and dangling a notebook in the other- greeted us, then said, "Do any of you know what a journalist does?" My classmates shook their heads. He smiled and proceeded to teach us. From that day on, journalism has been the path for me. It was a way of broadcasting the truth to the world, pursuing causes that others were too scared to do, being involved while also informed, and upholding the mantle of freedom of the press and speech that our nation was founded upon. It melded with my personality- I loved writing from a young age and loved interacting with those outside my sphere. I did everything I could to prepare myself for that future. Unfortunately, my reality complicated my goals. I was one of eight children in my household, and my parents were strict with money. Attending college was for the strict purpose of securing as high-paying a job as possible, and journalists, supposedly, did not make much. As I worked my way to the top of my high school's newspaper, my ambition to be a journalist remained unchanged, and I worked to dispel that notion. Although I now attend a public school, I often return to my old school to volunteer and assist the faculty. I feel close to that school because of the community, and because I was raised in the dilapidated classrooms and expansive hallways that marked my childhood days. In that school, I can do what I love best- helping others while maintaining my own identity. That is what I aim to do in the future as well- help my family and my parents while asserting myself amidst my many siblings and under the pressure of the costs. It is a difficult position to be in, admittedly, but I can't waver at this pivotal time in my life. This scholarship, which aims to help those who help others, is a way for me to achieve this. By being able to pay for college, I can study Journalism as my major, work towards achieving my goals and realizing my passions, and satisfy the demands of life that may hinder me. I know that even with the help of scholarships, I will have to pull my weight. I am prepared for this and continue to plan for my future. However, this scholarship can aid me in my efforts and bring me one step closer to my dream. Every dollar counts, just as every word written on a piece of paper, distributed to the world to read, does. Anything earned in my life might be the difference between a failed effort and my aspirations realized. Therefore, I hope you will consider me for the Morgan Levine Dolan Community Service Scholarship, as it will help me on my path to becoming a journalist and spreading the truth everywhere.

"Hajar," the teacher called with a benevolent smile on her face. Heads turned to look at me. I rose on trembling legs, still unfamiliar with my surroundings and shocked by recent events. My family had fled the war in Syria and moved to my mother's home country, the United States. It was a small, confused five-year-old who made her way awkwardly to the front of the class to convey her story to the judgemental kindergarten class. It has been a long time since that day, but I will never forget how it changed my life. Neither has it been the last. Only two years later, I would transfer again, this time to a public school that was infinitely more terrifying. By then I had become used to living in the United States and comfortable with my Muslim American identity, but my world was to change yet again. My fellow students didn't have my looks or my beliefs. They stared at me, bewildered when I told them I couldn't join them for lunch because it was Ramadan, or when I told them about my family history. Eventually, I learned to keep certain parts of myself hidden, bits of my identity that people might not look favorably upon. Before middle school, I transferred again, back to the Islamic school of my youth. The classes were smaller, and resources were more scarce, but the change was still jarring. Yet again, I would have to adapt for my peers, letting those parts of me show that they could relate with and letting others melt into the background. I was able to fast with my classmates this time, bond with them over similar parts of our culture and families, but it was hard to explain why I couldn't visit Syria, why I couldn't speak Arabic as well as they spoke Urdu or Pashto. Was I American, Arab, or both? Was that possible? It was with these questions that I transferred, once again, to my town's public school for freshman year. Not only did no friends from elementary school recognize or acknowledge me- I was wearing a hijab at that point- but it was also virtual schooling that year, isolating me even further. When we finally returned to the classroom in my sophomore year, I hardly knew anybody. My hijab marked me as an outsider, as someone different, and I felt that way. It was only after a few lonely months that I finally managed to speak to others around my COVID mask, making new friends, and, I hoped, forging myself a new identity. I still struggle to express myself in school. I have since realized that I am not alone as I think, that others share my values, and that, above all, we are all human beings on our own paths, but it is difficult to be who I am- just me- as two different parts of my identity grapple for my attention. As I venture out of high school and into the uncertainty of college and beyond, these questions will continue to shape my choices. I know now that just because the world tells you that you cannot be two things at once, does not mean it is true. I can talk about American culture with friends in the daytime and sit at night for an ethnically Arab dinner at night, speaking one sentence in English and the next in Arabic. And that's okay, as long as I don't forget what brought me here, and who I am in my soul. Transferring schools, it turns out, can be a blessing in its own way.

InshaAllah I will apply in the field of Journalism and Paralegal at New York University and Kean University. As an upcoming Senior in high school, I know that punctuality and determination are vital for me during this time, and will help prepare me for my entire life. I have always been a social person- extraverted, talkative, full of energy and motivation. I believe that pursuing Journalism as a career will help me in my personal goals and provide me with the best possible way to contribute to society as an Arab American Muslim woman. As a journalist, I will be able to spread the truth far beyond my limited sphere and help to change people's minds on key issues, using objective reporting and analysis. In pursuing this field, I also hope to learn more about myself and the world around me, by visiting new people and places, and by going through new experiences throughout college and beyond. I know that preparation is key, and that includes my personal development as well. Although I am highly motivated and energetic, I can sometimes jump ahead without thinking. I deal with that by focusing on my purpose in this world, which is to worship Allah to the best of my capacity. I also draw support from family and friends, and I know that they are there for me to fall back on in hard times. Even if they are not, I hope the memory of my past experiences and relationships can strengthen me for the future. One particularly tough point in college admission and attendance is tuition and debt. Too often, students who are otherwise qualified for their dream college or university are unable to attend it due to expenses. Although I am blessed to have a middle-class living style, my parents have to provide for my many siblings, two of whom are in college at the moment and one of whom is in medical school. This leaves me with a tight budget to work with when applying to colleges, and I fear it will narrow my options. This scholarship will be able to help with paying for college, especially if I attend New York University, my expensive dream college. I believe I am eligible for Al-Haj Abdallah R Abdallah Muslim Scholarship, as I am a hard worker with much ambition. My writing skills, honed over time, have made me a winner in many competitions and assessments, and I have self-studied three languages. My leadership skills are shown through my positions in the school newspaper (editor-in-chief), Muslim Student Association (secretary), Diversity Club (vice president), and World Language Club (founder and president). As a part of the Muslim community in the US, I believe that representation is incredibly important in all facets of life. My greatest achievement to me, as a Muslim, is being there to explain the principles of Islam to well-intending non-Muslims. It is essential that we Muslims stand up for our rights and show the world who we are, and the first step to that is getting a good education at credible universities. I hope you will accept me as the recipient of this scholarship. Jazakullahukhairan. P.S.: My favorite song would be the nasheed "Lawlaka" by Maher Zain. It never fails to resonate with me :) My favorite book is the Holy Quran, and my favorite movie is Passengers. Thank you for asking!

Nearly seven years ago, I met the person who changed my life. It was the highly anticipated Career Day and I walked into an unremarkable classroom to listen to one of the parents talk about his job. I had no idea what was in store for me. The man introduced himself as the father of so-and-so and proceeded to asked us all a question: "Do you know what a journalist is?" Half an hour later I left the classroom, my stomach fluttering and my mind clear and focused. "I am going to be a journalist when I grow up," I told my friends, with all the conviction a nine-year-old could muster. Seven years have passed and although I've changed a lot since then, that conviction has remained the same. As I mature and grow more aware of the world, everything about journalism seems to call to me. Journalism is a journey, a way to influence the world while instilling positive changes in oneself, and to me, it's my way of defining myself. As a young Muslim woman growing up in a secular world, the misunderstandings and misrepresentations of groups and ideas threaten to crush my conviction every day. Instead, I turn my worries and despair into a positive force and try to change the world for the better, in the gentle and powerful way that only writing can achieve. Already, I have written about topics important to me through newspapers, blogs, and reaching out on social media, and I hope to expand my horizons to try to reach an even larger audience. Being a Muslim has many meanings for me. It's representing my religion the way it is, as a voice for peace and modesty in a world where war is the norm in many places and modesty has gone to the wayside in society. It's advocating for those that are oppressed, and giving a voice to the voiceless. It's upholding the sanctity of life and believing wholeheartedly in our universal, God-given human rights, and it's challenging the stereotypes that can cause so much harm if not corrected. But being a Muslim is not just about publicity. In many ways, it's a private journey between human and God. Being a Muslim is believing in the miracle of the Quran and the Sunnah and applying it to every aspect of life. It's prostrating to the one true Lord and thinking about nothing else. In the end, it's the feeling of contentment at the end of the day, when you close your eyes and dream of returning to the heavens with no regrets. I believe, by pursuing higher education, influencing the world through my writing, and being a voice to the voiceless, I can rise against the wave of wrongs of today, and try all I could to change them to rights, so that I can return to my Creator with a smile on my lips and contentment in my heart.