For DonorsFor Applicants
user profile avatar

Jennifer Quetant

1,355

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

Bio

I am a hardworking student that strives for all A's! In 2020, I earned a Bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies from Colorado Christian University with summa cum laude honors. I am pursuing clinical mental health counseling with an emphasis on trauma. I love the field of psychology, and I have experience in mental health due to my mother's battle with depression and schizophrenia. My long-term goal is to earn a Ph.D. and primarily counsel adults with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as a trauma counselor.

Education

Grand Canyon University

Master's degree program
2021 - 2024
  • Majors:
    • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
  • GPA:
    3.8

Colorado Christian University

Bachelor's degree program
2018 - 2020
  • Majors:
    • Bible/Biblical Studies
  • GPA:
    4

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
    • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
    • Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Religion

    • Dream career goals:

      Entreprenur, Therapist

    • substitute teacher

      Trinity Christian school
      2019 – 20201 year
    • child development staff

      restoration atlanta
      2020 – 2020
    • substitute teacher

      atlanta public schools
      2019 – Present5 years

    Sports

    Cross-Country Running

    Varsity
    2010 – 20111 year

    Track & Field

    Varsity
    2009 – 20112 years

    Awards

    • mvp

    Arts

    • independent

      Jewelry
      etsy
      2016 – Present

    Public services

    • Advocacy

      Hope Ministries Uganda: USA — Editor
      2015 – 2018
    • Volunteering

      Focus on the Family — Outreach
      2018 – 2019

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    @normandiealise National Scholarship Month TikTok Scholarship
    Supermom Scholarship
    I originally went to college with hopes of becoming a nurse, English teacher, or psychologist! I was not sure, but I knew I was going to earn a degree in something I was interested in because I did not want to experience life in my adulthood as I did in my childhood. I was raised by my mother’s parents because of her mental illness. I never knew my father because he was never around. In my sophomore year of college, I had my first child with my college sweetheart. As the familiar story goes, we got married, I dropped out, he graduated and started a career, and I became a housewife. Years later, I ended up with two more children. Unfortunately, their father was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I had to go back to work (without a degree earning minimum wage) and eventually go back to school. Today, we are divorced, and I am now seeking more education so that I can become a licensed therapist and open a private practice (counseling) for my children to someday manage. Some people give up their dreams for their children. But I choose to chase my dreams because of them! I do not want my children to have a traumatic childhood because I failed to achieve my goals. I do not want my children to lack in any area of their lives. I choose to break the generational cycle of poverty in my family. I aspire for my children to excel in their careers or businesses and not have to struggle to provide for themselves and their future families. I do not want any regrets in life. I want to spend every moment possible with my children that I possibly can and not miss any milestones. I want to witness them grow healthy and afford anything their little minds can imagine or desire. I choose to work hard to achieve my goals so that my children can enjoy life and live to their fullest potential. I selfishly believe that my high educational, personal, and professional achievements will encourage and persuade them to also think big, dream big, and achieve big! I am now a single mother, and it was the best choice for me because I have more time to cater to their wants and needs. I cannot wait until I am positioned to become a stay-at-home mother again, conducting business in my home office where I can plan my schedule so that I do not miss any more important events and moments with them. I will be honest; I have not had any support from any “family.” But my friends, coworkers, and even strangers have encouraged me along the way. I like to think that my biggest supporters are my children because their existence is my reason for everything.
    Manuela Calles Scholarship for Women
    @normandiealise #GenWealth Scholarship
    At the age of seventeen, I had an epiphany! I was at home sitting on my bed (most likely suspended from high school that day), watching a cheerleading movie. I loved how the teammates were disciplined, happy, and goal-oriented. I decided right there that I needed to make a lot of changes quickly. I was tired of hanging around "friends" who did not want to do anything positive. Everyone that I was around seemed to be alive but not living. No one had any big visions or goals to make their future better. I had no one to inspire me. No one in my family had ever gone to college; only a handful graduated high school. I did not want this to be my fate. I refused to leave high school without a plan for independence, success, and a change of scenery. I needed to see new things, meet new people, and do something I had never done before. I was bored, frustrated, and felt like I would be trapped if I did not come up with a plan. So, I decided to join my high school's track team to stay out of trouble and graduate with the positive influence of a supportive and disciplined team. My plan worked! I became the MVP of the girl's team and improved my cross-country times because it helped me build endurance with my sprints in track season. I received offers from colleges all over the country. I was ready to break out and be free! I grew up in poverty, with mental illness and abuse. I did not want my children to experience the same traumas, so I went to college to earn a degree to provide for myself and my family. Years later, I am still pursuing higher education so my family will be wealthy and not depend on anyone. I am building a business from scratch and aspire to build another when I earn my counseling degree. I want my children and grandchildren to be self-sufficient so they can live abundant and prosperous lives. I vision a life debt-free and without limits. Generational wealth is a biblical law and a no-brainer for me because I refuse to see my children struggle when I have a mind with great capacity to fulfill my potential and purpose. By all means, I will work every day to build wealth to live the life I deserve. Generational wealth means that my children and grandchildren will have homes, cash, businesses, and abundance in all areas of their lives, with nothing broken or lacking!
    @GrowingWithGabby National Scholarship Month TikTok Scholarship
    Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship
    In my early twenties, I used to think that society was making a big deal about mental health. I figured that mental health was not serious and people should deal with their problems or pray them away. I did not think that counseling made any sense or was helpful. My distorted thinking derived from my pain and my mental health issues. From birth, my father disowned me and wrote a false last name on my birth certificate to try to free himself of his parental responsibilities. My grandmother once told me that my mother’s doctor had to forcibly grab my mother’s stomach to try to push me out of her! She was diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression in her teenage years. I never knew how much this affected me until my teenage years. I excelled in academics and all I put my hands on. However, it was no secret that I had trouble controlling my anger. I would often debate with my teachers to test their knowledge, get kicked out of class, be suspended from school, and fight all my friends. I had no idea why I was so angry. I was placed in an anger management class in high school, which did not help me because the teachers assumed we were all on drugs. My anger worsened when I came home from school one day and learned that my mother had overdosed on her medications in a suicide attempt. I never knew she was mentally ill until this day because no one had ever told me. I knew she was “off” because my grandparents cared for me while she was in and out of mental wards. But I had no idea that she heard voices in her mind. Learning about her suicide attempt made my heart cold. I knew she could not be a mother, but the thought of her taking her own life and leaving me alone made me less sympathetic. But over the years, I became more understanding as my knowledge grew. When I became an adult, I grew a fascination with psychology. I was passionate about figuring out what made people “tick.” I had no hope of curing my mother, but I deserved answers. It has been fifteen years since my mother’s suicide attempt. Unfortunately, this was just the attempt I was told about because my grandparents kept many secrets, and I was never allowed to express my emotions or concerns. But ever since then, I have been disciplining myself to learn more about mental health. Even in my free time, I read books and articles on schizophrenia and listen to podcasts or YouTube videos about generational trauma and other psychological topics. I am pursuing a Master of Science degree in clinical mental counseling with an emphasis on trauma. I am taking extra courses to become more knowledgeable about the long-term effects of trauma. I learned that I suffer from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and my deep desire is to help other adults recover from traumatic childhood experiences that affect their lives as adults. I recently completed therapy, and I am forever grateful for my therapist because she helped me find hope. My long-term goal is to earn a Ph.D. and open a private practice to primarily counsel trauma victims.
    Brady Cobin Law Group "Expect the Unexpected" Scholarship
    I define legacy as an established foundation that one creates in life that supports people for generations after the person dies. To leave a legacy is for one to be a person of integrity, determination, and vision. People leave legacies behind when they successfully continue to help people even after they are no longer alive. I believe that there are different kinds of valuable legacies. For example, a father could start a car business that becomes successful after years of failure, hard work, trial, and error. Then he will pass it on to his son when he retires and then to his grandson after his death. This legacy can support this family for many years because it began with a vision, and it prospered because of excellence, faith, time, money, sweat, and even tears! People can also leave behind spiritual legacies. For example, a grandmother who has no formal education can raise her children to work hard, be kind, honest, and respectable. As a result, she will pass down her teaching and examples to her grandchildren, who will do the same and teach their children to imitate. This pattern will keep continuing all because of the grandmother's legacy of faith and love. As a wife and mother, I hope to leave behind a legacy of faith and unconditional love. I want people to remember me as a woman who loved God and expressed what I believed through my actions. I want my children and community to imitate my good work ethic and mindset. I believe that life is what we make it, and we have the power to change the world by fulfilling our callings and loving one another. I hope to leave a legacy of empowerment and encouragement for people to always see the light at the end of the tunnel and to know that they are valued and loved.
    Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship
    I suffered difficulty in my life since the day of my very first breath. My mother, who suffers from schizophrenia and depression, gave me over to her parents, and my father gave me the wrong last name on my birth certificate because he did not want to be in my life. I suffered much confusion because I did not understand why my parents did not show that they cared about me. Thankfully, my grandparents always had my back. They would protect me and provide for all of my needs. They would make sure that I had a good life and a decent childhood. My grandfather, Lou Harris, trained boxers and traveled all over the world for boxing matches. He knew everyone in the boxing world, from Mike Tyson, Don King, to Floyd Mayweather. He even trained great fighters such as Antonio Tarver and Roy Jones Jr. He was a tough man but had a loving heart. He loved his family so much. He would do anything for anyone at any time. He even served our "rough" community by training young men for little to no money so that they could have something positive to focus on other than drugs and violence. Unfortunately, mental illness runs in my family. On February 22, 2019, my oldest cousin shot and killed my grandfather in his home. I screamed from the top of my lungs for days, and I prayed for God to heal my broken heart every single day. Although I am not grieving as bad anymore, I am still scarred and sad about my grandfather's passing. We had not spoken in years, and I wanted him to see me graduate from college in 2020. It would have been our family's first college graduation! I am currently pursuing my master's degree in divinity because I want to keep pushing for excellence and become more effective at helping people grow spiritually. My grandfather was a hard worker, and he was always proud of me for getting my education. I lose focus sometimes because I reminisce about old times with him. But I pray, journal, and keep climbing the ladder of success because my grandfather raised me to be all I can be in this life. I am a wife, mother of three children, and a part-time substitute teacher. I juggle many hats, but I prioritize studying so that I will become the first in my family with a master's degree. My grandfather's loss was tragic. However, I use my pain to propel me to reach for more in life. I am fighting to achieve my next goal to earn a master's degree because I need to provide for my family as my grandfather did. My husband was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2013. Shortly after my grandfather died in 2019, my husband's symptoms worsened, and I had to go back to work while attending an online college. I do not want to have to struggle to provide for my family. I want to thrive in life and have time and resources left over to give to others to reach their goals too. Every single day, I am fighting to become better and to do more in life. My education is the only way to achieve these goals because it will provide me with many opportunities to have more and do more for those I love.
    Mental Health Movement Scholarship
    From the day of my birth, I realized that something was wrong with my mother. I could not put my finger on it, but I knew something had to be off because my grandparents were raising me while she was often away locked up in a stray jacket in a local mental ward. My mother never tried to hold a conversation with me, nor did she ever seem interested in any parts of my life. She was sometimes present, but it never did any good because her mind was in outer space. She was self-absorbed, depressed, unfriendly, and closed off. I did not know that my mother was severely ill until I went to high school and learned of a failed suicide attack. My grandparents finally told me that my mother daily fought voices in her head and was diagnosed with schizophrenia in her teenage years. Upon my second semester of my college freshmen year, I became intrigued with wanting to study psychology. I desired to find the root and cure for my mother to become healthy, so I switched my major from Nursing to psychology. I loved my classes and excelled in them all. But after a short while, I realized that I could be of no help to my mother until she sought help for herself. I realized that our family enabled my mother and did not believe that healing was even possible. I also learned that all I can do for her is pray and keep my hope alive. I am no longer interested in psychology. But I fully know what it is like to watch a loved one struggle with mental illness. I am sympathetic with those fighting for deliverance, and I hope to use my education to find an opportunity to encourage and guide people on their journeys to health.
    First-Generation, First Child Scholarship
    Growing up in my family around relatives who did not value education was not easy. As an only child of a mother with mental illness, I always had to do my homework by myself and push myself to succeed. I did not always dream of going to college, but I was confident that I would graduate from high school. I do not think college was forced upon me because no one in my family ever talked about college or pursued a degree. It was not until my junior year of high school that I became pressed with the idea of college. I wanted to use my intellect to get further in life than anyone in my family. I did not have anyone pushing me for greatness, supporting me, or telling me "good job." Sadly, I do not even remember anyone asking me, "how was your day at school?" or "do you need help with your homework?" To make matters even worse, I did not have any family contribution towards my college degree. It made me sad in my early years of college because no one saved up any money for my college expenses, and my legal guardians did not even fill out any paperwork for me to go to school for free on an available GI Bill! College in my undergraduate years had its ups and downs. I spent many nights studying to raise my GPA to get into an honors dorm, and I did. But I finally broke down when my legal guardians did not say a word about my raised GPA. I remember hearing, "Haven't you heard that no news is good news?" I went through so many negative emotions back then. I even had a panic attack my freshman year and had to be rushed to the hospital. I am still paying for my hospital debt today. Fortunately, I can happily say that now I am all grown up and have learned to encourage myself on my journey to academic achievement. I am still raising my GPA and reaching other educational goals like studying 3-4 hours a day and carving out time each day to search and apply for scholarships. I even cut hours at my job as a substitute teacher to have extra time to study. I am doing better now and motivated to keep pushing because I now have my own family to support and people to serve when I finally step into my dream career as an inspirational writer someday.
    AMPLIFY Digital Storytellers Scholarship
    I am currently an inspirational blogger online. I have been writing about my faith for many years now. I love to encourage people in their faith because I daily experience the benefits of having faith in God. I mostly write about bible studies, church notes, testimonies, and words of encouragement. I need a larger following to have the financial support to write more often than a few times a month. I am different from other writers online because I always tell the truth (no matter how bad it hurts), and I never try to be someone else. I always seek to use my personality in my writing so that people can get to know who I really am!
    Mary Jo Huey Scholarship
    I am Jennifer Quetant, a 27-year-old wife and mother of three. I am a substitute teacher, self-published author of three Christian spiritual growth books, blogger, YouTuber, and small business owner selling my faith-based crafts. On May 9, 2020 (my fifth anniversary), I finally earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies. I was so proud of myself because I accomplished my goal of graduating with honors (summa cum laude). I am currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Christian Discipleship from Regent University (online). I believe that education is vital for a black woman to have great success in the workforce. I came from generations of poverty. No one ever graduated from college in my family, owned a home, or had any dreams of prosperity. I knew that I wanted more in life and wanted to change this dead-end cycle. I knew that God made me unique and that I had a ministerial calling. Even though my life was a train wreck at times, people still looked to me for advice, motivation, inspiration, and encouragement. I have always been a shoulder to cry on and a friend to lean on. I love to express love to others by giving up my time, resources, and advice. I am blessed when I bless others. I feel as if I am fulfilling my purpose on this earth when I spend time serving others by putting their needs before my own. I firmly believe that God is pushing me to earn another degree so that I may be in a greater position to reach more people. I want to fulfill all my potential on this earth. Honestly, I want to keep pursuing higher education until there is nothing else to achieve. In other words, I dream of earning the "Dr." title by earning a Ph.D. I will become the first in my family to ever reach this far in education and hopefully inspire them to reach for the stars as well. I am always seeking career opportunities because I am not the one to be put into a box! I can do many different things and excel at them because I am a fast learner and determined to be my best at whatever I set my hands to do. I am confident that many job offers will come my way upon receiving my Masters's degree. I love nothing more than reading and writing. It was always a dream for me to become a professional writer. I hope to make that a reality soon. So, I am preparing myself through my current degree program, blogs, articles, online research, and books. Although I am determined to achieve this dream of becoming a writer (Christian writer, that is), there is a stumbling block. I do not know of any black women with degrees in divinity. It seems as if I am always competing against older white men who have a lot more experience than I and "the look." So, I am also considering starting a business where I can do my own thing, be my own boss, and let my creativity flow without the pressure of society's standards on people who look like me. I have learned not to get discouraged because rejection and patience are a part of personal and professional growth. I always find motivation from people in ministry such as Sarah Jakes-Roberts, Beth Moore, Christine Caine, and Joyce Meyer to keep dreaming and pursuing skills, education, and experience to have great success.
    RushOrderTees Young Entrepreneurs Scholarship
    I am Jennifer Quetant, a 27-year-old wife and mother of three. I am a substitute teacher, self-published author of three Christian spiritual growth books, blogger, YouTuber, and small business owner selling my faith-based crafts. On May 9, 2020 (my fifth anniversary), I finally earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies. I was so proud of myself because I accomplished my goal of graduating with honors (summa cum laude). I am currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Christian Discipleship from Regent University (online). I believe that education is vital for a black woman to have great success in the workforce. I came from generations of poverty. No one ever graduated from college in my family, owned a home, or had any dreams of prosperity. I knew that I wanted more in life and wanted to change this dead-end cycle. I knew that God made me unique and that I had a ministerial calling. Even though my life was a train wreck at times, people still looked to me for advice, motivation, inspiration, and encouragement. I have always been a shoulder to cry on and a friend to lean on. I love to express love to others by giving up my time, resources, and advice. I am blessed when I bless others. I feel as if I am fulfilling my purpose on this earth when I spend time serving others by putting their needs before my own. I firmly believe that God is pushing me to earn another degree so that I may be in a greater position to reach more people. I want to fulfill all my potential on this earth. Honestly, I want to keep pursuing higher education until there is nothing else to achieve. In other words, I dream of earning the "Dr." title by earning a Ph.D. I will become the first in my family to ever reach this far in education and hopefully inspire them to reach for the stars as well. I am always seeking career opportunities because I am not the one to be put into a box! I can do many different things and excel at them because I am a fast learner and determined to be my best at whatever I set my hands to do. I am confident that many job offers will come my way upon receiving my Masters's degree. I love nothing more than reading and writing. It was always a dream for me to become a professional writer. I hope to make that a reality soon. So, I am preparing myself through my current degree program, blogs, articles, online research, and books. Although I am determined to achieve this dream of becoming a writer (Christian writer, that is), there is a stumbling block. I do not know of any black women with degrees in divinity. It seems as if I am always competing against older white men who have a lot more experience than I and "the look." So, I am also considering starting a business where I can do my own thing, be my own boss, and let my creativity flow without the pressure of society's standards on people who look like me. I believe that I can contribute to the betterment of society through my vision of starting another blog or similar online resource to empower people in their spirituality so that they may become fully devoted people in their careers and personal life.
    Elevate Black Entrepreneurs Scholarship
    I am Jennifer Quetant, a 27-year-old wife and mother of three. I am a substitute teacher, self-published author of three Christian spiritual growth books, blogger, YouTuber, and small business owner selling my faith-based crafts. On May 9, 2020 (my fifth anniversary), I finally earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies. I was so proud of myself because I accomplished my goal of graduating with honors (summa cum laude). I am currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Christian Discipleship from Regent University (online). I believe that education is vital for a black woman to have great success in the workforce. I came from generations of poverty. No one ever graduated from college in my family, owned a home, or had any dreams of prosperity. I knew that I wanted more in life and wanted to change this dead-end cycle. I knew that God made me unique and that I had a ministerial calling. Even though my life was a train wreck at times, people still looked to me for advice, motivation, inspiration, and encouragement. I have always been a shoulder to cry on and a friend to lean on. I love to express love to others by giving up my time, resources, and advice. I am blessed when I bless others. I feel as if I am fulfilling my purpose on this earth when I spend time serving others by putting their needs before my own. I firmly believe that God is pushing me to earn another degree so that I may be in a greater position to reach more people. I want to fulfill all my potential on this earth. Honestly, I want to keep pursuing higher education until there is nothing else to achieve. In other words, I dream of earning the "Dr." title by earning a Ph.D. I will become the first in my family to ever reach this far in education and hopefully inspire them to reach for the stars as well. I am always seeking career opportunities because I am not the one to be put into a box! I can do many different things and excel at them because I am a fast learner and determined to be my best at whatever I set my hands to do. I am confident that many job offers will come my way upon receiving my Masters's degree. I love nothing more than reading and writing. It was always a dream for me to become a professional writer. I hope to make that a reality soon. So, I am preparing myself through my current degree program, blogs, articles, online research, and books. Although I am determined to achieve this dream of becoming a writer (Christian writer, that is), there is a stumbling block. I do not know of any black women with degrees in divinity. It seems as if I am always competing against older white men who have a lot more experience than I and "the look." So, I am also considering starting a business where I can do my own thing, be my own boss, and let my creativity flow without the pressure of society's standards on people who look like me.
    Undiscovered Brilliance Scholarship for African-Americans
    I am Jennifer Quetant, a 27-year-old wife and mother of three. I am a substitute teacher, self-published author of three Christian spiritual growth books, blogger, YouTuber, and small business owner selling my faith-based crafts. On May 9, 2020 (my fifth anniversary), I finally earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies. I was so proud of myself because I accomplished my goal of graduating with honors (summa cum laude). I am currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Christian Discipleship from Regent University (online). I believe that education is vital for a black woman to have great success in the workforce. I came from generations of poverty. No one ever graduated from college in my family, owned a home, or had any dreams of prosperity. I knew that I wanted more in life and wanted to change this dead-end cycle. I knew that God made me unique and that I had a ministerial calling. Even though my life was a train wreck at times, people still looked to me for advice, motivation, inspiration, and encouragement. I have always been a shoulder to cry on and a friend to lean on. I love to express love to others by giving up my time, resources, and advice. I am blessed when I bless others. I feel as if I am fulfilling my purpose on this earth when I spend time serving others by putting their needs before my own. I firmly believe that God is pushing me to earn another degree so that I may be in a greater position to reach more people. I want to fulfill all my potential on this earth. Honestly, I want to keep pursuing higher education until there is nothing else to achieve. In other words, I dream of earning the "Dr." title by earning a Ph.D. I will become the first in my family to ever reach this far in education and hopefully inspire them to reach for the stars as well. I am always seeking career opportunities because I am not the one to be put into a box! I can do many different things and excel at them because I am a fast learner and determined to be my best at whatever I set my hands to do. I am confident that many job offers will come my way upon receiving my Masters's degree. I love nothing more than reading and writing. It was always a dream for me to become a professional writer. I hope to make that a reality soon. So, I am preparing myself through my current degree program, blogs, articles, online research, and books. Although I am determined to achieve this dream of becoming a writer (Christian writer, that is), there is a stumbling block. I do not know of any black women with degrees in divinity. It seems as if I am always competing against older white men who have a lot more experience than I and "the look." So, I am also considering starting a business where I can do my own thing, be my own boss, and let my creativity flow without the pressure of society's standards on people who look like me.
    Impact Scholarship for Black Students
    I am Jennifer Quetant, a 27-year-old wife and mother of three. I am a substitute teacher, self-published author of three Christian spiritual growth books, blogger, YouTuber, and small business owner selling my faith-based crafts. On May 9, 2020 (my fifth anniversary), I finally earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies. I was so proud of myself because I accomplished my goal of graduating with honors (summa cum laude). I am currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Christian Discipleship from Regent University (online). I believe that education is vital for a black woman to have great success in the workforce. I came from generations of poverty. No one ever graduated from college in my family, owned a home, or had any dreams of prosperity. I knew that I wanted more in life and wanted to change this dead-end cycle. I knew that God made me unique and that I had a ministerial calling. Even though my life was a train wreck at times, people still looked to me for advice, motivation, inspiration, and encouragement. I have always been a shoulder to cry on and a friend to lean on. I love to express love to others by giving up my time, resources, and advice. I am blessed when I bless others. I feel as if I am fulfilling my purpose on this earth when I spend time serving others by putting their needs before my own. I firmly believe that God is pushing me to earn another degree so that I may be in a greater position to reach more people. I want to fulfill all my potential on this earth. Honestly, I want to keep pursuing higher education until there is nothing else to achieve. In other words, I dream of earning the "Dr." title by earning a Ph.D. I will become the first in my family to ever reach this far in education and hopefully inspire them to reach for the stars as well. I am always seeking career opportunities because I am not the one to be put into a box! I can do many different things and excel at them because I am a fast learner and determined to be my best at whatever I set my hands to do. I am confident that many job offers will come my way upon receiving my Masters's degree. I love nothing more than reading and writing. It was always a dream for me to become a professional writer. I hope to make that a reality soon. So, I am preparing myself through my current degree program, blogs, articles, online research, and books. Although I am determined to achieve this dream of becoming a writer (Christian writer, that is), there is a stumbling block. I do not know of any black women with degrees in divinity. It seems as if I am always competing against older white men who have a lot more experience than I and "the look." So, I am also considering starting a business where I can do my own thing, be my own boss, and let my creativity flow without the pressure of society's standards on people who look like me.
    Bold Moments No-Essay Scholarship
    This selfie picture of me was snapped to create a thumbnail image for my inspirational YouTube channel: Bible Journey Ministries. I created this channel to encourage people to develop their relationships with God through spiritual disciplines such as bible study, devotion, prayer, giving and obedience. Creating and maintaining a YouTube channel is bold because it teaches you self-discipline and perseverance so that you learn to not give up on the long and rocky climb to success. Above all, having my channel helps me reach people with empowering motivational speeches all over the world in just a click of a button!
    Better Food, Better World Scholarship
    Long walks on the beach, late-night library study sessions, lunch dates, football games, and lots of parties. This was the life of my now-husband and I when we came together in college. We were best friends and madly in love. I found my slice of heaven on earth. Life was not perfect, but it was good until a short while after my husband's graduation. In 2013, my husband attended graduate school so that he could play football for another year. Of course, he could not give up football! But for awhile he had been talking about experiencing headaches and blurred vision here and there. The football coaches took notice and sent him in for a MRI. Unfortunately, the report came back with the diagnosis of (MS): Multiple Sclerosis. This is a disease that does the opposite of what the immune system is supposed to do. Basically, the immune system attacks the nerves and causes the brain to malfunction whenever it wants to. Even worse, there is no known way of how this all begins and even worse, there is no cure. Immediately, my husband started to research natural ways to heal his condition. He mentioned to me about a testimony of a woman who practiced a plant-based diet that resulted in her body naturally healing itself. I was not interested or that supportive because it just seemed too good to be true. Fast forward a few years down the road, my husband's condition worsened. Doctors were not offering any help besides drugs that did not have any assurance of healing. So, I gave in and supported this drastic plant-based vegan lifestyle change. Guess what? We instantly noticed changes! No, my husband is not yet fully recovered. But he sure is looking a whole lot better! He has developed a deeper faith and more hope for the future. He used to relapse a lot - symptoms coming back and forth. But that does not happen anymore. For a time, he could not walk well. He was often crawling around our home but now he is able to walk like a normal person. We committed to a vegan diet for a full year by loading up on smoothies throughout the day, pasta, beans, nuts, sprouts, rice, bread, vegetables, plants...you name it! We aren't fully vegan anymore because that lifestyle is difficult for us because we have three growing small children. But, we now realize the importance of eating natural foods. Eating clean is good for our bodies because foods from the earth are packed with tons of natural vitamins and minerals that cause our bodies to function properly. Without eating natural foods daily, one can put themselves at risk for many diseases because the body would not be able to protect itself well if it is full of junk! Eating natural foods has a positive effect on the mind as well. Could it be that natural whole foods causes one to even think clearer? It is possible. I am more aware of the simple natural things in life. I pick up trash wherever I see it so that I can make the earth look a little more better. I also use simple beauty products with natural ingredients such as olive oil, shea butter, and coconut oil. Honestly, eating well and considering the world around me makes my life more simple and happier because I am healthier and more compassionate about the animals and pollution. Maybe this is how life is meant to be after all.