As a non-traditional student, I’ve come to appreciate the value of pursuing a degree. Past attempts to graduate were met with frustration. I did not understand that faith, mental, physical, and social support are necessary for success. Coming from a working-class and abusive background kept my mind in a modality of scarcity. For a brief time, I found career and relationship stability. It was during this period in my life that I sought mental health support. This had tremendous positive impact on my ability to concentrate, especially with reading the Bible. I got married and was able to start my own business and began self-actualizing. Unfortunately, the relationship did not last and neither did the business. Post pandemic, the ordeal for resilience was not over. I suffered a major health complication. Surviving a heart attack. With so much loss in a short period of time, like Job I was at rock bottom. (Job 2:8) Friends encouraged me to return to college and finish my degree. I was hesitant because of my financial situation and depleted strength. Yet I am no longer eligible, at first, I received a Pell Grant that exceeded the cost of tuition for the semester. With the excess funds, I took a solo trip to North Carolina. Although I was raised Catholic, I started attending Christian church after the divorce. While on the trip, I attended service at Elevation Church. That was the day of my salvation. I became born again by a renewal from the Holy Spirit. From that time on, my eyes were opened, and I saw the world in a new way. During the service, the worship music had the lyrics, "God is not against me." This was the first time that "truth" entered my mind and prepared my heart for the Holy Spirt to work. Like Saul who was saved and immediately changed. (Acts 9:18) Surrendering to God, I've learned that I cannot go through life relying on my strength alone. God is the source of my strength. His salvation makes everything possible and by walking in faith, my steps are tread on a path of His design. Now that I have returned to school, I've continued attending a local Christian church and have prayed for more Godly resources. The Spirt has also led me to create the first of its kind Christian student group on my campus. Bringing the message of the Gospel and providing fellowship opportunities to students who feel alienated from their Christian identity. Like Samson (Judges 16:21), my eyes were blind while I believed strength came from a source outside of God. Now like Daniel, I have the faith necessary to overcome challenges, be redeemed, move forward, and be a living testimony of God's greatness. (Daniel 8:27) The truth is that I (and everyone else) am God's perfect creation, and He is not against us. His strength is enough and walking in faith we are safe with Him and will do good works in His name, Jesus Christ. (John 14:12)

As a non-traditional student, I’ve come to appreciate the value of pursuing a college degree. Past attempts to graduate were met with frustration. I did not understand that mental, physical, and social support are necessary for success. Coming from a working-class and abusive background kept my mind in a modality of scarcity. For a brief time as an adult, I found career and relationship stability. It was during this period in my life that I sought mental health support. This had a tremendous positive impact on my ability to concentrate, especially with reading and writing. I got married and was able to start my own business and began self-actualizing. Unfortunately, the relationship did not last and neither did the business. Post pandemic, the ordeal for resilience was not over. I suffered a major health complication. Surviving a heart attack. With so much loss in a short period of time, I knew that advocating for myself and getting a degree was the best pathway for avoiding poverty. Now, even with being employed, my wages only cover basic living expenses. Health care costs are not fully covered by insurance. I’m prescribed to have my heart condition managed by medication to prevent another heart attack or stroke. The cost of prescriptions, doctor’s visits, and therapy are provided with a discount by insurance but the remaining monthly costs are too much when living paycheck to paycheck. I often have to choose between medications for my heart, therapy for childhood PTSD, and making payments to further my education. Even with extreme budgeting, every two weeks my bank account draws down to zero or goes negative. I do not qualify for credit, grants, or loans. It is only with grace and mental fortitude developed during years of therapy that I am able to endure in continuing my college education. I am relying totally on scholarship money to sustain college education payments. Graduation is a right of passage for me. Coming out the other side a survivor. At the University of Baltimore, I have become a Certified Peer Health Educator and a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. Hopefully, building on my academic success will help motivate and inspire others to continue on in their journey. This scholarship will help me achieve graduation from college, get me in front of more people, and make a positive impact on me and the communities I serve.

As a non-traditional student, I’ve come to appreciate the value of pursuing a college degree. Past attempts to graduate college were met with frustration. I did not understand that mental, physical, and social support are necessary for success. Coming from a working-class and abusive background kept my mind in a modality of scarcity. For a brief time, as an adult I found career and relationship stability. It was during this period in my life that I sought mental health support. This had tremendous positive impact on my ability to concentrate, especially with reading and writing. I got married and was able to start my own business and began self-actualizing. Unfortunately, the relationship did not last and neither did the business. Post pandemic, the ordeal for resilience was not over. I suffered a major health complication. Surviving a heart attack. With so much loss in such a short period of time, I knew that advocating for myself and getting a college degree was the best pathway for avoiding poverty. Now, even with being employed, my wages only cover basic living expenses. Health care costs are not fully covered by insurance. I’m prescribed to have my heart condition managed by medication to prevent another heart attack or stroke. The cost of prescriptions, doctor’s visits, and therapy are provided only with a discount by insurance but the remaining monthly costs are too much when living paycheck to paycheck. I often have to choose between medications for my heart, therapy for childhood PTSD, and making payments to further my college education. Even with extreme budgeting, every two weeks my bank account draws down to zero or goes negative. I do not qualify for credit, grants, or loans. It is only with grace and mental fortitude developed during years of therapy that I am able to endure in continuing my college education. I am relying totally on scholarship money to sustain education payments. Graduation is a right of passage for me. Coming out the other side a survivor. At the University of Baltimore, I have become a Certified Peer Health Educator and a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. Hopefully, building on my academic success will help motivate and inspire others to continue on in their journey. This scholarship will help me achieve graduation, get me in front of more people, and make a positive impact on me and the communities I serve.