My Journey to Becoming a Registered Dental Hygienist As a young girl growing up in low-income housing with my single mother, I understood early on that education was the most powerful tool to break the cycle of financial instability. Tragically, at the age of fourteen, my mother passed away in a car accident. My grandfather, who lived states away, moved in to provide for me. It was in this moment that I truly understood the significance of education—not just as a means of personal growth, but as a way to secure my future. Determined to honor my mother’s memory, I focused on my studies in high school. I immersed myself in extracurriculars, including FFA, FCCLA, DECA, and the Spanish Club. I worked hard to maintain a strong GPA, which led to my nomination into the National Honor Society (NHS). I took college credit classes during high school, graduating early with honors. My commitment to my education led me to enroll in a local community college, where I began my dental hygiene prerequisites, planning to transfer to a nearby university. However, life had other plans. During my final semester of prerequisites, my grandfather was diagnosed with stage-four cancer. In the midst of my studies, I had to step away to care for him as his health declined rapidly. With hospice care at home being financially out of reach, I became a certified CNA so I could provide the care he needed in our own home. At 19, I lost my grandfather, the man who had become my rock. The medical bills and home foreclosure were overwhelming, as I was his only next of kin. In the face of these overwhelming challenges, I knew I had to continue pursuing my passion for dental care. I became a dental assistant and worked for five years, all while navigating court battles and finalizing my grandfather’s estate. Through it all, I never lost sight of my dream to become a registered dental hygienist. And now, after nearly a decade of hard work and perseverance, I’ve been accepted into the dental hygiene program at Shawnee State University. This has been my dream for almost a decade. The path to get here has not been easy, but it has only made me more determined to succeed. I am fully committed to working as hard as I possibly can in school and giving my very best in every class, clinical, and assignment. I know that my hard work and dedication will allow me to thrive in this program and soon in my career. Receiving this scholarship would provide crucial financial relief as I embark on the next chapter of my educational journey. It would ease the burden of tuition and allow me to fully focus on my studies and my future as a dental hygienist. I am so grateful for your consideration, and I would be deeply honored to receive any support to help me achieve my goals. This scholarship would not only alleviate financial stress, but also provide the opportunity to turn my dreams into reality. Thank you for your time and for believing in students like me.