Dear Sirleaf-Gaskin, My name is Jeanette Valdez, and I am a proud first-generation college student, mother, and Psychology major with a 3.5 GPA. I was raised by a strong and hardworking immigrant Mexican mother who did her best to provide for us as a single parent. Growing up in a low-income household, financial security was never promised. We often lived paycheck to paycheck, and the idea of college always felt like a dream just out of reach. As a minority and the child of an immigrant, I’ve experienced the unique struggles that come with trying to navigate a system that wasn’t built with families like mine in mind. Lack of access to resources, cultural stigma around mental health, and financial instability created obstacles I’ve had to face at every stage of life. Still, I remained determined to rise above those limitations and become a role model to my siblings, my children, and others in my community. Unfortunately, like many in my position, I entered adulthood with very little financial guidance. Without anyone to teach me about credit, savings, or student loans, I made mistakes that have led to significant debt. But instead of letting that defeat me, I’ve taken it as an opportunity to learn. I’m actively educating myself about budgeting, debt recovery, and financial literacy—not just to better my own future, but so I can one day educate others in my community who face the same challenges. We deserve access to knowledge and tools that can empower us to build wealth and stability. Despite these personal and financial hardships, I’ve remained focused on my academic and career goals. I graduated with honors from my community college and will soon be transferring to California State University, Monterey Bay. I’ve chosen to pursue Psychology because I want to work with underserved populations—particularly those dealing with trauma, poverty, and lack of access to mental health care. My background has given me a deep sense of empathy and a passion for healing, advocacy, and representation. I’m not just working toward a degree—I’m working toward rewriting my family’s narrative. I want my children to grow up knowing that education is possible, that breaking cycles is possible, and that they are capable of achieving anything, no matter where they start. I want to be the example I didn’t have growing up—proof that resilience and community can carry you through even the hardest times. This scholarship would significantly ease the financial burden I carry as a student and mother. It would allow me to continue pursuing my education without the constant stress of how to afford it. More importantly, it would be an investment in someone who is committed to giving back—to uplifting others through knowledge, compassion, and lived experience. Thank you for considering my application. I hope to use my story and education to serve, inspire, and lead by example. Sincerely, Jeanette Valdez

Dear Learner, My name is Jeanette Valdez, and I am pursuing a degree in Psychology as a first-generation college student. My journey here has been shaped by years of struggling with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), childhood trauma, and learning how to break cycles of silence and pain within my family. I was diagnosed with GAD at 14, but I can remember getting panic attacks as young as 8yrs old, instead of receiving support, I was met with confusion and denial. My mother, who was silently battling untreated depression, didn’t understand what I was going through, therefore, never sought for treatment. Her own mental health struggles affected the way she parented me and my middle sister who was 3years younger. As a child, I endured both physical and emotional pain—my mother would hit me, lash out, and often use hurtful words. These experiences left deep emotional scars and contributed to the anxiety I still work to manage today. For a long time, I felt alone in my pain, being the oldest I felt responsible for my little sister. I didn’t have the tools or the voice to advocate for us, and my mental health often suffered in silence. But even in those moments, I held on to the hope that I could one day break free from that environment and help others who faced similar challenges. More importantly, be a better mother to my own children. As I grew older and began to seek healing for myself through therapy, medication and education, I also began to understand my mother—not to excuse the harm she caused, but to recognize that she, too, was suffering. Over time, and with patient, honest conversations, I helped her begin her own healing journey. She has since started therapy and medication, become more emotionally aware, and now deeply regrets the pain she caused. She has expressed sincere apologies, and I’ve watched her become a more nurturing and present mother. My sister, however, still struggles with our childhood wounds is having a harder time to accept she needs help. With patience and empathy, I hope to guide her through the right path on to healing. Witnessing this transformation has been both painful and healing. It has shown me the power of compassion, growth, and the possibility of change—even in the most broken relationships. I carry this perspective with me into my studies, determined to become a mental health professional who understands trauma not just from books, but from lived experience. Living with GAD and navigating the aftermath of childhood trauma has not been easy. It has taken strength to heal, courage to forgive, and persistence to continue pursuing my goals. But these struggles have shaped me into someone who is deeply empathetic and passionate about mental health advocacy. I want to use my education to support others—especially those who feel invisible, unheard, or trapped in painful cycles. This scholarship would help ease the financial burden I carry as a low-income student and mother, allowing me to focus more fully on my studies and future goals. More than that, it would be an investment in someone committed to turning pain into purpose and giving back to the communities that need it most. Thank you for considering my story and for supporting students who rise above their circumstances to create something better—not only for themselves, but for those around them. Sincerely, Jeanette Valdez