The first time I realized how powerful a voice could be was the day mine almost disappeared sitting in a meeting with my previous apartment management after months of unsafe living conditions, unexplained charges, and ignored maintenance requests. Every time I tried to speak, I felt small like my concerns would be dismissed the way they had been in countless emails before. Part of me wanted to stay quiet just to avoid conflict. Another part knew that if I didn’t say something, nothing would change. When I finally spoke, my voice cracked. I explained what my family had been living with, how the conditions were affecting us, and how helpless I had felt being ignored. Instead of anger, what came out was honesty. I told them I was scared of retaliation, scared of being forced out, scared of not being believed. In that moment, I wasn’t just advocating for repairs; I was advocating for my family’s dignity and safety. Walking out of that meeting, I didn’t know if anything would change. But something inside me had. For the first time, I understood that confidence isn’t the absence of fear it’s choosing to speak even when fear is present. I learned that communication isn’t about having the perfect words; it’s about telling the truth with courage. My voice did not need to be loud or powerful. It just needed to be used. As an African American student from a low-income background, I have often felt the pressure to stay quiet, to be grateful for whatever I receive, and not to “cause trouble.” That experience taught me that silence can sometimes cost more than speaking up. It also showed me that my voice could open doors not just for myself, but for others who feel unheard. After that moment, I began advocating more for my education, for stable housing, and for opportunities I once believed were out of reach. In school and in my community, I now try to encourage others to speak for themselves too. Whether it’s helping a classmate draft an email to a teacher, supporting a friend through a difficult conversation, or sharing my story so someone else feels less alone, I want to use my voice to create space for others. My long-term goal is to work in a field where I can advocate for undeserved communities, ensuring that people who come from backgrounds like mine are not overlooked or silenced. That day taught me that voices can shake systems, challenge injustice, and protect the people we love. Mine started as a whisper, but it grew stronger the moment I chose to use it. In the future, I hope to keep speaking not just when it’s easy, but when it matters most so that others know their voices matter too.

Financial peace, to me, means the ability to lead, serve, and build a future without being limited by financial barriers. I was raised in a single-parent household, and although my parents were not in a relationship, my father remained active in my life. Even with both parents doing their best, I witnessed the strain that financial stress can place on a family. It influenced decisions about education, opportunities, and stability. Those experiences shaped my determination to pursue a life where my children and future generations are not defined by financial hardship but empowered by financial security. As a Business Administration major with a concentration in Industrial Organizational Psychology, my goal is to continue working in higher education and eventually serve in leadership roles such as a director or department chair. I already hold an associate degree in Medical Administration, and my academic journey reflects my commitment to building both knowledge and leadership skills. Financial peace matters to me because education is the pathway that will allow me to create systemic change not only for my family but for students who come from backgrounds like mine. If I had no financial stressors, I would make decisions centered entirely on growth, service, and leadership development. I would pursue additional certifications, internships, and research opportunities in organizational leadership within higher education. I would dedicate more time to mentoring students, volunteering on campus, and developing programs that support first-generation and low-income students. Financial stability would allow me to focus on long-term impact rather than short-term survival. Service has always been important to me. I volunteered on campus and in my community, including participating in a holiday event this past December where I sang for seniors at a local recreation center that provides daytime activities for elders. That experience reminded me how meaningful it is to bring joy and connection to others. Moments like that reinforce my belief that success is not just about professional achievement but about uplifting the community around you. Without financial stress, I would also invest more time into creating initiatives that improve workplace environments in higher education applying Industrial Organizational Psychology principles to ensure staff and students feel supported, motivated, and valued. My ambition is to help shape institutions where people can thrive, not just academically but personally and professionally. Financial peace represents freedom to complete my bachelor’s degree, raise my children with stability, and pursue leadership roles that influence positive change. It would allow me to make decisions based on purpose rather than necessity and to build a future where my children see education and opportunity as expectations, not obstacles. This scholarship would ease the burden of financial stress and bring me closer to my goal of becoming a leader in higher education who advocates equity, opportunity, and student success. Financial peace is important to me because it is not just about money it is about creating a life where service, leadership, and family can flourish without limitation.

The moment I first held my daughter as a middle school student, I felt a mixture of fear, love, and determination that would shape the rest of my life. At an age when most children are thinking about school dances or after-school activities, I was learning how to care for a newborn. Becoming a teen mother was not part of the plan I imagined for myself, and it is not a decision I look back on with pride. However, it is a part of my story that taught me strength, resilience, and the power of God’s protection and grace. Even when I felt unprepared, lost, or overwhelmed, I now know that God was guiding me, shaping me, and preparing me for a future far greater than I could see at the time. By the time I graduated high school, I was a mother of two. While many of my classmates were planning their first year of college, I stepped directly into adult responsibilities. I tried to manage the pressures of motherhood and young adulthood at the same time, and in the process, I lost myself for a while. I drifted away from my goals, battled depression, and struggled to believe that I could still build a successful future. But through every difficult moment, my children remained my inspiration. They may not have understood the storms I faced, but their love and presence kept me grounded. They saw me push through exhaustion, heartbreak, and uncertainty, and they unknowingly became the greatest source of my strength. Determined to reclaim my future, I returned to school with a renewed sense of purpose. Today, as a North Carolina undergraduate student at SNHU, I proudly maintain a 3.9 GPA. I am also a first-generation college student for both sides of my family. Achieving my bachelor’s degree means more than personal accomplishment, it represents breaking cycles, building new opportunities, and showing my children that circumstances do not define destiny. As a single mother raising two amazing, respectful, and bright children on my own, I work every day to show them the power of faith, discipline, and perseverance. This scholarship would provide essential support for my educational journey. College is not cheap, and every resource I receive lightens the burden and brings me one step closer to reaching my goals. I want my children to see firsthand that with hard work, faith, and determination, anything is possible. I want them to know that the choice to change your life will always be yours and that with God’s guidance and a willing heart, you can rise above any challenge. Thank you for considering my story, my journey, and my commitment to building a better future for my family.