Mental health is important to me because I know what it feels like to struggle and to wonder if things will ever get better. There was a time in my life when I was battling addiction, carrying shame, and trying to survive one day at a time. During those years, I learned that mental health affects every part of a person's life, including their relationships, physical health, ability to work, and sense of hope for the future. As a student pursuing a degree in the mental health field, mental health is not just something I study. It is something I deeply value because I have experienced both the impact of poor mental health and the transformation that can happen when people receive support, encouragement, and appropriate care. My own journey has shown me that healing is possible, even when it feels out of reach. Mental health is also important to me because I am a mother. I want my children to grow up knowing that it is okay to talk about their feelings, ask for help, and take care of their emotional well-being. I believe mental health should be discussed openly rather than hidden behind fear, shame, or stigma. The conversations we have at home today can shape how our children care for themselves and others in the future. I advocate for mental health in my community in several ways. Professionally, I work in the substance use treatment field, where I have the opportunity to support individuals who are taking the courageous step of seeking help. Many of the people I work with are struggling not only with addiction but also with anxiety, depression, trauma, and feelings of hopelessness. I strive to meet them with empathy, encouragement, and compassion while helping connect them with the resources they need. Personally, I advocate for mental health by sharing my story. For many years, I felt ashamed of my past. Today, I choose to be open about my recovery because I know there may be someone else who needs to hear that change is possible. By talking honestly about my experiences, I hope to reduce stigma and remind others that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. As a student, mother, and future counselor, I believe one of the most powerful ways to advocate for mental health is simply to create spaces where people feel safe, heard, and valued. Sometimes people do not need someone to fix their problems; they need someone willing to listen without judgment. Mental health matters to me because I have seen firsthand how it can impact a person's life, and I have also seen the incredible growth that can happen when people are given hope. My goal is to continue advocating for mental health by educating others, supporting those who are struggling, and helping create a community where no one feels alone.

Being a first-generation college student means being the one to change the story. I did not grow up with a roadmap to college. I did not have parents who could tell me how to apply for financial aid, register for classes, or navigate higher education. Everything I have learned about college, I have had to figure out along the way. The path has not been easy. There was a time in my life when college was the last thing on my mind. I struggled with addiction, experienced homelessness, spent time incarcerated, and lost sight of who I was. There were many moments when I believed my mistakes would define the rest of my life. Looking back now, it would have been easy to accept that story and stop trying. Instead, I chose to fight for a different future. Recovery changed everything for me. It gave me the opportunity to rebuild my life one day at a time. I worked hard to regain stability, restore relationships, and become the mother my children deserved. Along the way, I discovered a passion for helping others who are facing their own struggles. Today, I have earned my bachelor's degree in psychology and am pursuing my master's degree in the mental health field. Sometimes I still have to stop and remind myself how far I have come. The woman who once felt hopeless is now working toward becoming a counselor so she can help others find hope too. My children are one of my biggest motivations. I want them to see that your past does not have to determine your future. I want them to know that no matter how many times life knocks you down, you can get back up. Every class I take, every assignment I complete, and every obstacle I overcome is not just for me. It is for them, too. My dream is to work with individuals and families who feel stuck, broken, or forgotten. I want to help people who are struggling with addiction, mental health challenges, trauma, and life's hardships. I know what it feels like to think you are beyond help, and I know how life-changing it can be when someone believes in you. This scholarship would help relieve some of the financial stress that comes with graduate school, allowing me to focus more on my education and future career. More importantly, it would help me continue the journey that started when I decided my story was not over. Being a first-generation student means proving that where you start does not have to be where you finish. My journey has been anything but perfect, but it has taught me resilience, determination, and the importance of never giving up. I am committed to using those lessons to make a difference in the lives of others for years to come.

I am pursuing a degree in the mental health field because I know firsthand how powerful it is when someone believes in you before you believe in yourself. There was a time in my life when I felt completely lost. I struggled with addiction, experienced homelessness, spent time incarcerated, and watched opportunities slip away because of the choices I was making. During those years, I often felt like I was defined by my mistakes rather than my potential. What changed my life was not a single program or event. It was the people who refused to give up on me. Counselors, mentors, and recovery professionals saw value in me when I could not see it myself. They offered compassion, accountability, and hope, and because of that, I was able to rebuild my life. Today, I am proud to be in recovery and pursuing a degree in mental health so I can provide that same hope to others. My goal is not simply to help people manage symptoms or overcome challenges. I want to help people recognize their worth. Many of the individuals I hope to serve have experienced trauma, addiction, incarceration, poverty, or family separation. They often carry shame and believe their past determines their future. I understand those feelings because I have lived them. My experiences allow me to connect with people in an authentic way and remind them that healing and change are possible. As a future mental health professional, I plan to advocate for individuals who may not always have a voice. I want to help remove barriers to treatment, reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use disorders, and create safe spaces where people feel seen, heard, and respected. I am especially passionate about supporting women and mothers in recovery because I understand the unique challenges they face while trying to heal themselves and care for their families. Earning this degree is about more than advancing my career. It is about turning my story into service. Every challenge I have overcome has given me a deeper sense of empathy and purpose. I believe that our greatest struggles can become our greatest tools for helping others. If awarded this scholarship, I will continue working toward becoming a counselor who helps people find hope in the middle of difficult circumstances. I want every person I work with to know that their story is not over, that they are more than their worst mistakes, and that a better future is possible. The difference I hope to make is simple but powerful: helping people see the strength and potential that has been inside them all along.

hen I think about the relationship that has impacted me the most, I immediately think of my daughter, Bransyn. She has changed me in ways I never expected and taught me lessons I do not think I could have learned any other way. Before having Bransyn, I knew very little about autism. If I am being honest, I did not understand much about neurodiversity or how differently children can experience and interact with the world. Looking back now, I realize I was living in the dark when it came to understanding autism. I had no idea that becoming Bransyn’s mom would completely change not only how I parent, but also how I see people and build relationships with others. The beginning of our relationship was not what I imagined motherhood would look like. Bransyn had severe colic as a baby, and those first several months were hard. I remember feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, and if I am being honest, I struggled to bond with her in the way I thought I should. That was something I carried guilt about for a long time because mothers are expected to instantly feel connected. The reality for me was different. I loved her deeply, but I was surviving those early months while trying to understand what she needed. As Bransyn grew, I started noticing she was unique. She experienced the world differently than other children around her. While many kids her age were beginning to talk, Bransyn remained nonverbal until she was four years old. There were moments of fear and uncertainty because, as a mom, you naturally worry about your child and wonder if you are doing enough. But through all of that, Bransyn was teaching me something I never expected. She taught me that love does not always need words. Before Bransyn, I think I viewed connection in a more traditional way. I thought communication meant conversations, eye contact, or hearing someone express how they felt. But my relationship with her taught me to slow down and see connection differently. Love looked like tiny moments. It looked like learning her cues, celebrating milestones that others may have overlooked, and finding joy in progress that might seem small to someone else but felt huge to us. She taught me patience in ways I never knew I needed. More than anything, Bransyn changed the way I see people. I learned that behavior often tells a story that words cannot. I became less quick to judge and more willing to give people grace because we never truly know what someone else is carrying. Every person has struggles, differences, and challenges that may not be visible on the surface. Because of my relationship with her, I try to build connections with others through empathy and understanding. I want people to feel seen and accepted for who they are, not who the world expects them to be. Whether it is another parent who feels overwhelmed, someone struggling in life, or a person who communicates differently, I try to meet people where they are. Bransyn has helped me grow not only as a mother, but as a person. She has taught me patience, resilience, and unconditional love. Most importantly, she has shown me that some of the deepest connections in life happen without words at all.

If you would have asked me years ago if I saw myself going into healthcare, I probably would not have imagined this path. But life has a way of taking hard things and turning them into purpose. The reason I chose the healthcare field is deeply personal to me. I have experienced addiction, recovery, trauma, divorce, parenting struggles, and seasons where life felt overwhelming. Through those experiences, I learned how important it is to have people in your corner who truly care and who do not judge you when you are struggling. I chose this field because I want to be that person for someone else. As a mom of four children ranging from toddlers to teenagers, I have seen firsthand how life can feel messy, exhausting, and unpredictable. I also have experience parenting a child who requires additional support, which has taught me patience, advocacy, and the importance of meeting people where they are. Life is not always neat and put together, and I think sometimes people avoid getting help because they feel ashamed that they are not “holding it all together.” I understand that feeling more than most. What drew me to healthcare is the opportunity to help people during vulnerable times in their lives. I want to work with individuals and families who are struggling with mental health, addiction, life transitions, or simply feeling stuck and overwhelmed. I know what it feels like to be scared to ask for help or to feel like no one understands what you are going through. Because of that, I want people to feel safe, heard, and supported when they work with me. In the future, I hope to use my degree to help individuals and families heal and grow, especially moms and people in recovery. I want to be someone who offers both compassion and practical support, because healing is not just about being told what to do. Sometimes it is about having someone sit beside you, remind you that change is possible, and help you take the next step. I also hope to advocate for better access to mental health and recovery resources for families who may not know where to turn. Too many people struggle in silence because they are afraid of being judged or feel like they have to figure everything out on their own. At the end of the day, I chose healthcare because I believe our hardest experiences can become something meaningful. My past has given me empathy, resilience, and a heart for helping others. I do not see this degree as just a career path. I see it as an opportunity to turn what I have been through into something that helps someone else feel less alone.

Most people are afraid of things that make sense. Heights. Snakes. Public speaking. Me? Balloons. Not balloons in a cute, “I do not really like them” kind of way. I mean genuinely uncomfortable around them. The sound they make when someone rubs their fingers across them sends a chill through me. The unpredictable nature of them makes me uneasy. At any given moment, they could pop, and somehow, that possibility feels impossible to ignore. As ridiculous as it sounds, being afraid of balloons has followed me through life in ways I never expected. Birthday parties are not relaxing for me. Baby showers? Stressful. A room filled with helium balloons casually bumping into people feels less like a celebration and more like an obstacle course I am trying to survive unnoticed. I have perfected the art of strategically choosing seats far away from balloon clusters and pretending I am not silently tracking every balloon in the room. Of course, people usually laugh when they find out. And honestly, I get it. I laugh too. It is strange. I have spent years explaining, “No really, I am actually scared of balloons,” while watching people try not to smile. But over time, I stopped being embarrassed by it. Oddly enough, this weird fear has taught me something about myself. I realized my fear is not really about balloons. It is about unpredictability. Balloons are fine until suddenly, without warning, they are not. They squeak unexpectedly. They drift into your space. They pop when you least expect it. I like knowing what is coming, and balloons refuse to cooperate with that plan. I am a mom of four kids ranging from toddlers to teenagers, and if there is one thing motherhood teaches quickly, it is that control is mostly an illusion. Life changes. Plans fall apart. Hard seasons come without warning. Yet somehow, we adapt. Even though I still strongly dislike balloons, I show up anyway. I go to birthday parties. I sit through celebrations. I decorate for my kids because their joy matters more than my discomfort. Somewhere along the way, I learned that courage does not always look dramatic. Sometimes courage looks like holding a balloon while internally panicking and smiling anyway. Maybe what makes me stand out is not my strange fear itself, but what it has taught me: it is okay to be uncomfortable, okay to be a little weird, and okay to laugh at yourself while still showing up for the things that matter.

Selflessness, to me, is about showing up for people even when it would be easier not to. It is choosing to help someone because you genuinely care, not because you expect anything in return. I do not think selflessness always has to look big or dramatic. Sometimes it is found in the small, everyday moments where someone simply needs support, understanding, or encouragement. As a mom of four who works full time, my life is constantly busy, but helping others has always been important to me. Through my own experiences with addiction, recovery, trauma, and rebuilding my life, I have learned how powerful it can be when someone feels seen and supported during hard times. Because of that, I try to be the kind of person who listens without judgment and helps where I can. One example of selflessness in my life is the work I do with people struggling with substance abuse and recovery. I have spent time supporting people who felt hopeless, disconnected from their families, or unsure if they could ever turn their lives around. Sometimes helping means sitting with someone during a difficult conversation, encouraging them not to give up, or helping them find resources they did not know existed. I know firsthand how important support can be during recovery, and I try to give that same support to others whenever possible. I also embody selflessness in my personal life. My children have taught me that being selfless often means putting someone else’s needs before your own, even when you are exhausted. Whether it is helping with schoolwork after a long day, making sure my children feel emotionally safe, or teaching them kindness and empathy by example, I try to create a home where people feel loved and cared for. Another way I help others is through my involvement in recovery communities. I have volunteered my time to encourage others, help organize meetings, and be available for people who simply need someone to talk to. Many people in recovery feel ashamed or alone, and I try to remind them that their past does not define them. Selflessness is not about being perfect. It is about being willing to care for people in a world where many are struggling silently. I believe the best way to embody selflessness is to use your own experiences to lift others up, and that is something I strive to do every day.

My experience with drug addiction is something that deeply impacted my life, but it is also what led me to where I am today. Addiction affected my choices, my relationships, and how I saw myself. There was a time when I felt stuck in a cycle that I did not know how to break. I carried a lot of shame and often felt like I was failing, not just myself, but my children as well. One of the hardest parts of addiction was how it affected my role as a mother. I was physically present, but not always emotionally available. I struggled with consistency, and that created distance in my relationships. I knew the life I wanted, but I did not know how to get there at the time. Addiction made everything feel overwhelming and out of control. Another challenge was learning how to face my emotions without using substances to cope. For a long time, I used drugs as a way to escape feelings I did not want to deal with, including depression and stress. When I entered recovery, I had to learn how to sit with those emotions and work through them in healthier ways. That was not easy, but it was necessary. Through Narcotics Anonymous, I found a community that helped me begin to rebuild my life. Being surrounded by people who understood what I was going through made a huge difference. I learned the importance of honesty, accountability, and connection. Today, I serve as a Group Service Representative for my home group, which has helped me grow in leadership and responsibility while staying committed to my recovery. My growth has come from learning how to take responsibility for my life and make better choices, even when it is hard. I have worked to rebuild trust in my relationships, especially with my children, through consistency and showing up day by day. I have also learned that recovery is not about being perfect, but about continuing to move forward. Looking ahead, my goals are focused on helping others who are struggling with substance abuse and mental health. I currently work in a virtual outpatient treatment program, and I am pursuing a degree in clinical mental health counseling. I want to use both my education and my lived experience to support people in a real and meaningful way. I understand what it feels like to feel stuck, ashamed, and unsure if change is possible, and I want to be someone who helps others find hope. The impact I hope to have is simple but meaningful. I want people to feel seen, understood, and supported. I want to help break the stigma around addiction and show that recovery is possible. I am especially passionate about helping parents in recovery, because I know the weight of wanting to change not just for yourself, but for your children. Addiction was one of the hardest challenges I have faced, but it has also given me purpose. It has shaped my goals, strengthened my resilience, and led me to a path where I can give back. I am committed to continuing my growth and using my story to help others build a better future.

I became a mom at 18, and from that moment on, my life took a different path than I had originally planned. While many people my age were focused on college and figuring out their future, I was learning how to care for a child. Over the years, that responsibility only grew as I became a mom of four. My focus was always on providing for my children, which meant putting my own education on hold. Now at 36, returning to school for my graduate degree has been both exciting and challenging. One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to balance everything. I am not just a student. I am a full time working mom with real responsibilities that do not pause for assignments or deadlines. There are days when I am helping with homework, managing schedules, working, and trying to find time late at night to complete my own schoolwork. It can feel overwhelming at times. Another challenge has been self doubt. Being out of school for so long made me question if I was still capable of succeeding academically. I wondered if I could keep up, if I was too far behind, or if I had missed my chance. On top of that, I have had to work through my own personal growth, including my recovery journey, while stepping into this new season of life. But through all of this, I have learned how strong and determined I really am. I have had to become more disciplined with my time and more intentional with my energy. I no longer wait for the perfect moment to get things done, because as a mom, that moment rarely comes. Instead, I have learned to use the time I do have and stay committed even when I am tired. I have also learned the importance of support. I lean on my recovery community, my family, and the people around me who encourage me to keep going. I have learned that asking for help is not a weakness, it is part of growth. One of the biggest motivators for me is my children. I want them to see that it is never too late to go after your goals. I want them to see what it looks like to work hard, to grow, and to not give up even when life does not go as planned. Returning to school is not just something I am doing for myself. It is something I am doing for them and for the future I am building. Going back to school after so many years has not been easy, but it has been worth it. Every challenge I have faced has helped me grow not only as a student, but as a person. I am more focused, more driven, and more confident in my ability to succeed. This journey represents more than just education. It represents resilience, second chances, and the decision to keep moving forward no matter what.

There was a time in my life when getting out of bed felt like the hardest thing I would do all day. From the outside, I was still showing up as a mom, going to work, and doing what needed to be done, but on the inside, I felt empty, overwhelmed, and disconnected. My experience with depression did not just affect how I felt. It shaped my relationships, my choices, and the direction of my life in ways I did not fully understand at the time. Depression made it difficult to be present in my relationships. I would pull away from people, even the ones I loved the most, because I did not have the energy or emotional capacity to engage. As a mom, that was especially hard. I often felt guilt for not being the version of myself that I wanted to be for my kids. In other relationships, I struggled with communication and connection. I would either shut down or avoid things altogether. Looking back, I can see how much my mental health impacted the way I showed up in every area of my life. At one point, my struggle with depression also led me down the path of substance abuse. I was trying to cope with how I felt, even though the choices I was making only made things worse. It became a cycle that affected not only me, but also my relationships and my sense of self. I felt stuck, ashamed, and unsure of how to get out of it. Over time, through recovery and support, I began to understand my mental health in a different way. I learned that depression is not a personal failure, but something that needs to be addressed with honesty, support, and care. I started to recognize my patterns and take responsibility for my healing. That process has not been perfect, but it has been life changing. My understanding of the world has also shifted because of this. I have developed a deeper level of compassion for others. I no longer assume that someone is just being distant or difficult. I understand that there may be something deeper going on that I cannot see. This has changed how I interact with people, both personally and professionally. Today, my goals are directly connected to my experience. I am pursuing a path in mental health and substance abuse counseling because I want to help others who are struggling the way I once was. I know what it feels like to be overwhelmed, to feel stuck, and to question if things will ever get better. I also know what it feels like to begin finding hope again. My relationships today look very different than they once did. I am more present, more honest, and more intentional. I have learned how to communicate, set boundaries, and stay connected even when things are hard. As a mom, I am able to show up in a more stable and supportive way, which is something I am incredibly grateful for. My experience with mental health has not been easy, but it has given me purpose. It has shaped the way I see others, the way I build relationships, and the goals I have for my future. It has taught me that healing is possible, and that is something I want to carry into the work I do helping others.

I believe I should be considered for this scholarship not because my path has been perfect, but because it has been purposeful. Everything I have walked through has led me to where I am today, and it has shaped the kind of student, mother, and future counselor I am becoming. Academically, going back to school as an adult and a mom of four has been one of my biggest accomplishments. Balancing school, work, and parenting has not been easy, but I have stayed committed. I have learned how to manage my time, stay organized, and push through even when I feel overwhelmed. My decision to continue my education in clinical mental health counseling is not just about getting a degree. It is about building a career where I can truly help people who are struggling, especially those dealing with substance abuse and mental health challenges. Outside of academics, I am deeply involved in recovery and service work. I am an active member of Narcotics Anonymous and currently serve as a Group Service Representative for my home group. This role has helped me grow in leadership, accountability, and communication. It has also taught me how important it is to give back. Recovery is not something we keep to ourselves. It is something we share so others can find hope too. In my professional life, I work in a virtual outpatient treatment program for substance abuse. This experience has been incredibly meaningful to me because I get to support people who are in different stages of their recovery. I understand the fear, the resistance, and the hope they are feeling because I have lived it myself. That lived experience allows me to connect with clients in a real and honest way. It is not just a job to me. It is part of my purpose. Being a mom is also one of the most important parts of my life. My children are a huge reason why I continue to grow and push forward. I want to show them that no matter where you start, you can change your life. I want them to see what it looks like to work hard, take responsibility, and keep going even when things are difficult. One of the biggest challenges I faced during school was learning how to stay committed while rebuilding my life in recovery. There were times when I felt overwhelmed trying to balance everything. Between work, parenting, recovery meetings, and school, it often felt like there were not enough hours in the day. On top of that, I was also working through the emotional side of recovery, which can be just as exhausting as the physical and mental demands of daily life. There were moments when I doubted myself. I questioned whether I could really do all of this at once. I had to face old patterns of thinking that told me I would fail or that I was not capable. In the past, I would have given up or avoided the pressure. But this time, I chose to do things differently. I leaned into my support system. I stayed connected to my recovery community through Narcotics Anonymous. I asked for help when I needed it instead of trying to handle everything on my own. I also learned how to break things down into smaller, manageable steps instead of looking at everything all at once. That helped me stay focused and not get overwhelmed. I also had to become more disciplined with my time. As a mom of four, I had to learn how to use the time I had wisely. That meant studying when my kids were asleep, staying organized, and sometimes making sacrifices in my free time. It was not always easy, but it was worth it. Most importantly, I had to change the way I saw myself. I stopped seeing myself as someone who struggled and started seeing myself as someone who is capable, resilient, and growing. That shift made a huge difference in how I showed up in school and in life. Overcoming this challenge has made me stronger and more confident in my ability to handle what is ahead. It has shown me that I can follow through, even when things are hard. It has also prepared me for the kind of work I want to do in the future, because I understand what it feels like to struggle and still keep going. This scholarship would not just support my education, it would support the bigger mission behind it. My goal is to continue working in substance abuse and mental health, helping people find freedom, stability, and hope. I want to be someone who meets people where they are and walks alongside them as they rebuild their lives. I am not just pursuing a degree. I am building a life that allows me to give back, to serve others, and to make a real difference. Everything I have been through has led me to this path, and I am committed to seeing it through.

Recovery to me means freedom. It means no longer being a slave to something that once controlled every part of my life. It is waking up and having the ability to make better choices, even when it is hard. Recovery has given me clarity, stability, and a chance to show up fully for my life and my children. It also means community. Through Narcotics Anonymous, I have found people who understand me without judgment and support me in ways I never had before. I have learned that I do not have to do life alone, and that kind of support has changed everything for me. Recovery means growth, honesty, and accountability. It means choosing to keep going even on the hard days. Most importantly, recovery has given me purpose. It has given me the ability to help others and remind them that change is possible.

My experience with substance abuse has shaped almost every part of who I am today. Before, i didnt understand addiction at all. It changed what I believe about people, how I show up in my relationships, and what I want to do with my life moving forward. Before recovery, my life felt chaotic and disconnected. I made choices that hurt myself and the people around me, even when I didn’t want to. I carried a lot of shame and felt like I was constantly falling short. For a long time, I thought I was the problem, not the addiction. Going through that taught me something important. People struggling with substance abuse are not bad people. They are people who are hurting, trying to cope, and often feel completely alone. My recovery journey, especially through Narcotics Anonymous, changed my beliefs. Being part of NA showed me the power of community and honesty. I learned that healing does not happen alone. It happens when you are willing to be real and when others meet you with understanding instead of judgment. Today, I serve as a Group Service Representative for my home group, and that role has helped me grow in responsibility and leadership while staying grounded in my recovery. As a mom of four, recovery means even more to me. Substance abuse affected how I showed up for my kids, and that is something I had to face honestly. In recovery, I have worked to rebuild trust through consistency, not just words. My children deserve a version of me that is present, stable, and emotionally available. That responsibility continues to push me to grow every day. It also gives me a deep understanding of other parents who are trying to break cycles and do better for their families. My relationships have changed in a big way. I have learned how to communicate, set boundaries, and be honest even when it is uncomfortable. Instead of hiding or avoiding, I try to show up as my real self. That has made my relationships stronger and more meaningful. I love people for who they are and want to meet them where they are. Today, I work in a virtual outpatient treatment program for substance abuse, and that experience has strengthened my passion for this field. I get to see people at different stages of their journey, and I understand what many of them are feeling because I have been there. My lived experience allows me to connect with them in a way that goes beyond what can be taught in a classroom and many say how much they appreciate feeling understood and related to. Because of all of this, my career goal is to continue working in substance abuse and mental health, especially as a clinical mental health counselor. I want to help people feel seen, heard, and supported. I want to be someone who meets people where they are and reminds them that change is possible. My past with substance abuse does not define me, but it has given me purpose. It has taught me resilience, compassion, and the importance of showing up even on hard days. Most importantly, it has shown me that recovery is possible, and that is what I want to pass on to others. I found a way out and I want to continue to reach for others' hands.