I want to start off by saying that I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to apply to this scholarship. Well first of, my name is Jose Martinez Im from Houston Texas, from a neighborhood located on fondren & bissonnet a neighborhood that not many made it passed 18, where many I grew up with ended up in jail & where somehow I made it out through the all the adversity & poverty my neighborhood brought. One thing I’m certain about is that I won’t change any of it because it made me who I am today taught me life lessons at a young age that I carry with me always, now with a different mindset I’ve become motivated to change my life around & chase my goals while learning something new. The trade I’m currently pursuing & has motivated has is becoming an electrician, everything about electricity from the book portion to the hands on work is very interesting to me. There’s always something new to learn & something about working with your hands & seeing how your projects become a success when it’s time to turn everything on. What inspired me to pursue this trade was the fact that I wasn’t really doing much with my life, I was lost for a moment working jobs that I wasn’t truly happy & only working for the paycheck. I met this man about a year ago who motivated me to go back to school & get my ged, showed me the importance of an education & how far I can truly go if I put my mind to something & put in the work, he gave me a reason to pursue my education not only to acquire my ged but to keep on growing as a person, after acquiring my ged I was told I was nominated for a scholarship & not thinking much of it I come to find out I had actually won, I was only going to use my ged to get a better job but knowing I won a scholarship it gave me that push to find a career & something I was passionate about without the worries on how it would get paid, will start my second year this fall 2025 to acquire my associates as a residential electrician. Not knowing where I was headed at the beginning of 2024, now a year later 2025 I’m looking forward to graduating as an electrician & having a life long career with skills that will stay with me forever. Everything is possible if you truly dedicate some time to better yourself, nothing comes easy but not doing anything about bettering yourself will cause you to self destruct at some point. I got tired of a being a loser while I saw everyone around me pursuing their own goals & growing as a person. Positive attitude, strong minded, willing to learn, & always ready to show up for what you truly want in this life will help you achieve those goals. If I can do it. You can do it.

I want to start off by saying that I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to apply to this scholarship. Well first of, my name is Jose Martinez Im from Houston Texas, from a neighborhood located on fondren & bissonnet a neighborhood that not many made it passed 18, where many I grew up with ended up in jail & where somehow I made it out through the all the adversity & poverty my neighborhood brought. One thing I’m certain about is that I won’t change any of it because it made me who I am today taught me life lessons at a young age that I carry with me always, now with a different mindset I’ve become motivated to change my life around & chase my goals while learning something new. The trade I’m currently pursuing & has motivated has is becoming an electrician, everything about electricity from the book portion to the hands on work is very interesting to me. There’s always something new to learn & something about working with your hands & seeing how your projects become a success when it’s time to turn everything on. What inspired me to pursue this trade was the fact that I wasn’t really doing much with my life, I was lost for a moment working jobs that I wasn’t truly happy & only working for the paycheck. I met this man about a year ago who motivated me to go back to school & get my ged, showed me the importance of an education & how far I can truly go if I put my mind to something & put in the work, he gave me a reason to pursue my education not only to acquire my ged but to keep on growing as a person, after acquiring my ged I was told I was nominated for a scholarship & not thinking much of it I come to find out I had actually won, I was only going to use my ged to get a better job but knowing I won a scholarship it gave me that push to find a career & something I was passionate about without the worries on how it would get paid, will start my second year this fall 2025 to acquire my associates as a residential electrician. Not knowing where I was headed at the beginning of 2024, now a year later 2025 I’m looking forward to graduating as an electrician & having a life long career with skills that will stay with me forever. Everything is possible if you truly dedicate some time to better yourself, nothing comes easy but not doing anything about bettering yourself will cause you to self destruct at some point. I got tired of a being a loser while I saw everyone around me pursuing their own goals & growing as a person. Positive attitude, strong minded, willing to learn, & always ready to show up for what you truly want in this life will help you achieve those goals. If I can do it. You can do it.

I want to first say Im grateful to be able to apply to this scholarship & maybe even considered a good candidate for it. With the help you guys provide many doors open to students who truly deserve it So thank you for that. My name is Jose Martinez Im from Houston Texas, from a neighborhood located on fondren & bissonnet a neighborhood that not many made it passed 18, where many I grew up with ended up in jail & where somehow I made it out through the all the adversity & poverty my neighborhood brought. One thing I’m really passionate about & hope to one day achieve as my future goals is helping others & somehow making a difference in the life of young kids that are growing up in the same neighborhood as I did. Even though it is not close to what my career path is now, I know that winning this scholarship will help me financially but will also be a hand needed to complete school without the burden of having to worry about weather or not it will get paid for or worrying about completing my degree, this scholar will also show how someone from the lowest streets of Houston Texas can win scholarships, how someone with no background of any family member ever attending college can also make it happen. the goal for me is to show the generation that comes after me that there’s much more than a neighborhood full of violence, that education & setting goals to better your life is the way. That education will open many doors & take your places you never imagined & will help you achieve much more than what we’re so used to. it’s not easy. Grew up in the ghetto, surrounded by gang violence and poverty. It's a miracle I made it out alive honestly, I remember telling my friends it’ll be a blessing if we make it past 18. I am now 26 years old & I am forever grateful for the experiences because it made me the person I am today, even tho there were bad choices along the way I realized that making the good ones were much better and now I'm trying to make a difference with my life. I remember nights listening to gunshots ring out outside. I remember friends who lost their lives to the streets at a young age and family members struggling to make ends meet.But I also remember the resilience. The way we looked out for each other, the way we found joy in the smallest things. The way we refused to give up, no matter what. That's what I carry with me today. That's what drives me to speak out against the “ hood “ to speak for those who are still trapped in the cycle of violence and poverty. It ain't easy, but it's necessary. We gotta be the change we want to see. We gotta be the ones to break the cycle, to make a new path for the generations coming after us. What they see is what they do. We can do better. We gotta do better.

I want to start off by saying that I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to apply to this scholarship. Well first of, my name is Jose Martinez Im from Houston Texas, from a neighborhood located on fondren & bissonnet a neighborhood that not many made it passed 18, where many I grew up with ended up in jail & where somehow I made it out through the all the adversity & poverty my neighborhood brought. One thing I’m certain about is that I won’t change any of it because it made me who I am today taught me life lessons at a young age that I carry with me always, now with a different mindset I’ve become motivated to change my life around & chase my goals while learning something new. The trade I’m currently pursuing & has motivated has is becoming an electrician, everything about electricity from the book portion to the hands on work is very interesting to me. There’s always something new to learn & something about working with your hands & seeing how your projects become a success when it’s time to turn everything on. What inspired me to pursue this trade was the fact that I wasn’t really doing much with my life, I was lost for a moment working jobs that I wasn’t truly happy & only working for the paycheck. I met this man about a year ago who motivated me to go back to school & get my ged, showed me the importance of an education & how far I can truly go if I put my mind to something & put in the work, he gave me a reason to pursue my education not only to acquire my ged but to keep on growing as a person, after acquiring my ged I was told I was nominated for a scholarship & not thinking much of it I come to find out I had actually won, I was only going to use my ged to get a better job but knowing I won a scholarship it gave me that push to find a career & something I was passionate about without the worries on how it would get paid, will start my second year this fall 2025 to acquire my associates as a residential electrician. Not knowing where I was headed at the beginning of 2024, now a year later 2025 I’m looking forward to graduating as an electrician & having a life long career with skills that will stay with me forever. Everything is possible if you truly dedicate some time to better yourself, nothing comes easy but not doing anything about bettering yourself will cause you to self destruct at some point. I got tired of a being a loser while I saw everyone around me pursuing their own goals & growing as a person. Positive attitude, strong minded, willing to learn, & always ready to show up for what you truly want in this life will help you achieve those goals. If I can do it. You can do it.

I want to start off by saying that I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to apply to this scholarship. The trade I’m passionate about pursuing & has really caught my attention is becoming an electrician, everything about electricity from the book portion to the hands on work is very interesting to me. There’s always something new to learn & something about working with your hands & seeing how your projects become a success when it’s time to turn everything on. What inspired me to pursue this trade was the fact that I wasn’t really doing much with my life, I was lost for a moment working jobs that I wasn’t truly happy & only working for the paycheck. I met this man about a year ago who motivated me to go back to school & get my ged, showed me the importance of an education & how far I can truly go if I put my mind to something & put in the work, he gave me a reason to pursue my education not only to acquire my ged but to keep on growing as a person, after acquiring my ged I was told I was nominated for a scholarship & not thinking much of it I come to find out I had actually won, I was only going to use my ged to get a better job but knowing I won a scholarship it gave me that push to find a career & something I was passionate about without the worries on how it would get paid, will start my second year this fall 2025 to acquire my associates as a residential electrician. Not knowing where I was headed at the beginning of 2024, now a year later 2025 I’m looking forward to graduating as an electrician & having a life long career with skills that will stay with me forever. Everything is possible if you truly dedicate some time to better yourself, nothing comes easy but not doing anything about bettering yourself will cause you to self destruct at some point. I got tired of a being a loser while I saw everyone around me pursuing their own goals & growing as a person. Positive attitude, strong minded, willing to learn, & always ready to show up for what you truly want in this life will help you achieve those goals. If I can do it. You can do it.

What I’m really passionate about & hope to achieve as my future goals is helping others & somehow making a difference in the life of young kids that are growing up in the same neighborhood as I did. Even though it is not close to what my career path is now, I know that winning this scholarship will help me financially but will also be a hand needed to complete school without the burden of having to worry about weather or not it will get paid for or worrying about completing my degree, this scholar will also show how someone from the lowest streets of Houston Texas can win scholarships, how someone with no background of any family member ever attending college can also make it happen. the goal for me is to show the generation that comes after me that there’s much more than a neighborhood full of violence, that education & setting goals to better your life is the way. That education will open many doors & take your places you never imagined & will help you achieve much more than what we’re so used to. its not easy. Grew up in the ghetto, surrounded by gang violence and poverty. It's a miracle I made it out alive honestly, I remember telling my friends it’ll be a blessing if we make it past 18. I am now 26 years old & I am forever grateful for the experiences because it made me the person I am today, even tho there were bad choices along the way I realized that making the good ones were much better and now I'm trying to make a difference with my life. I remember nights listening to gunshots ring out outside. I remember friends who lost their lives to the streets at a young age and family members struggling to make ends meet.But I also remember the resilience. The way we looked out for each other, the way we found joy in the smallest things. The way we refused to give up, no matter what. That's what I carry with me today. That's what drives me to speak out against the “ hood “ to speak for those who are still trapped in the cycle of violence and poverty. It ain't easy, but it's necessary. We gotta be the change we want to see. We gotta be the ones to break the cycle, to make a new path for the generations coming after us. What they see is what they do. We can do better. We gotta do better. Life can really be challenging sometimes and we don’t get to pick or choose where & what family we are born into but we do make the choices to either let our surroundings dictate & influence our lives or wake up & take charge of it. I aspire to someday be looked up to by my younger siblings & break the generational cycle of failure, no education & poorly made choices to have them see how staying focused & passionate about changing your lives around is truly the only way to a successful life, with the support of my mother & the guidance of god I’ve managed to come out on top from all the challenges I faced growing up. Im nothing special because I know that everyone struggles & goes through hard times but I believe god has given me the opportunity to witness everything I’ve witnessed to speak on it & maybe help at least one person to not make the same mistakes I did and give them that opportunity I wish I had at a younger age. I hope to inspire many, two years ago in September of 2023 I met an old man about 75 years old walking on the street & noticed he lived in my wife’s apt so I decided to stop & ask him if he needed a ride home & he gladly accepted it once we arrived to his apt he invited me inside for a cup of water & just kept showing gratitude for the ride, as I kept talking to him & knowing more about him I noticed how passionate he was about education & how driven he was at his age, at the time I was only 24 years old & kept thinking to myself how lost I felt not knowing what I wanted to do with my life or where I was headed & here in front me was a 75 year old man open minded about learning & exploring all the possibilities of making a change in his community despite his age, I told him I didn’t graduate high school & on that same week on a Saturday we visited our community college & he signed me up to a GED program that started on that same year 2023 in August fast forward to may 2024 I received my GED passed all my exams on the first try & on top of that I received a $500 dollar scholarship to start college, it took only one year to change my life around I felt inspired & motivated to keep pushing forward & reach my full potential. Now march 2025 I’m in trade school to become an electrician & the future looks bright. I’m very thankful for this man because till this day we still meet every Saturday to talk about my progress & how I’m doing & how we can do what he did for me for a lot more people, two years ago I was lost & confused about where I’ll be in five years and now I’m learning about electricity & building three way switches like if I been doing that forever. Good things happen when you decide you want me to make a change for the better & when you put in the work to make that change. Nothing in the life comes easy but with a positive mindset & god by your side the sky is truly the limit.

Life in the so called “hood” can be challenging, marked by economic constraints, limited opportunities, and a constant struggle for survival. For many, breaking free from such an environment can seem daunting, if not impossible. For me, the greatest achievement of my life was escaping the struggles of this environment and transforming my life for the better. Growing up in a neighborhood filled by poverty and violence, the odds were stacked against me from the very start. The daily realities included witnessing crime, swing my friends get consumed by the neighborhood we grew up in and being surrounded by individuals who had succumbed to the pressures of our challenging environment. However, what set me apart was a relentless drive to change my circumstances. I understood early on that education was my ticket to a better life, but never took advantage of it until I started seeing my peers pass away at a young age. It became real when I noticed that it was either education, jail, or maybe another young individual passing away too young. Consistent focus on education truly changed my life, it took 2 full years to change everything around, from not having a high school diploma & not knowing where I was headed to now being 2 months away from receiving my certificate as an electrician. I sought out mentors who were willing to invest in my potential and provide guidance. By taking school programs, community resources, and scholarships, I gradually built a solid educational foundation. This determination was crucial, as it opened doors that would otherwise have remained closed, highlighting the power of dedication and persistence when confronting systemic challenges. Another significant component of my journey was the conscious decision to change the narrative surrounding my life. It required breaking free from a cycle that, for many of my peers, seemed predestined. This process involved identifying and rejecting negative influences that jeopardized my aspirations. Surrounding myself with positive influences and role models who had successfully navigated similar circumstances played a pivotal role. By adopting the mindset that change was not only possible but probable if I remained committed, I fortified my resolve to strive for more. Success outside the hood was not an overnight change but a product of strategic planning and unyielding optimism. Ive cultivated skills and experiences that further propelled me towards success. This trajectory not only alleviated the burdens of my past but also empowered me to give back to the community I had left behind, escaping the constraints of the hood and transforming my life for the better was not merely a personal victory, but also a testament that change & a better future is attainable by being focused & persistent. It required blend of education, determination, and the rejection of negative influences. Most importantly, it underscored the significance of shifting personal narratives and seizing opportunities that allow for growth and development. My journey serves as a powerful reminder that while environmental factors may shape the initial path one walks, they do not have to define the destination.

What I’m really passionate about lately is helping others & somehow making a difference in the life of young kids that are growing up in the same neighborhood as I did. Even though it is not close to what my career path is now, I know that winning this scholarship will help me financially but will also be a hand needed to complete school without the burden of having to worry about weather or not it will get paid for or worrying about completing my degree, this scholar will also show how someone from the lowest streets of Houston Texas can win scholarships, how someone with no background of any family member ever attending college can also make it happen. the goal for me is to show the generation that comes after me that there’s much more than a neighborhood full of violence, that education & setting goals to better your life is the way. That education will open many doors & take your places you never imagined & will help you achieve much more than what we’re so used to. its not easy. Grew up in the ghetto, surrounded by gang violence and poverty. It's a miracle I made it out alive honestly, I remember telling my friends it’ll be a blessing if we make it past 18. I am now 26 years old & I am forever grateful for the experiences because it made me the person I am today, even tho there were bad choices along the way I realized that making the good ones were much better and now I'm trying to make a difference with my life. I remember nights listening to gunshots ring out outside. I remember friends who lost their lives to the streets at a young age and family members struggling to make ends meet.But I also remember the resilience. The way we looked out for each other, the way we found joy in the smallest things. The way we refused to give up, no matter what. That's what I carry with me today. That's what drives me to speak out against the “ hood “ to speak for those who are still trapped in the cycle of violence and poverty. It ain't easy, but it's necessary. We gotta be the change we want to see. We gotta be the ones to break the cycle, to make a new path for the generations coming after us. What they see is what they do. We can do better. We gotta do better.

What I’m really passionate about lately is helping others & somehow making a difference in the life of young kids that are growing up in the same neighborhood as I did. Even though it is not close to what my career path is now, I know that winning this scholarship will help me financially but will also be a hand needed to complete school without the burden of having to worry about weather or not it will get paid for or worrying about completing my degree, this scholar will also show how someone from the lowest streets of Houston Texas can win scholarships, how someone with no background of any family member ever attending college can also make it happen. the goal for me is to show the generation that comes after me that there’s much more than a neighborhood full of violence, that education & setting goals to better your life is the way. That education will open many doors & take your places you never imagined & will help you achieve much more than what we’re so used to. its not easy. Grew up in the ghetto, surrounded by gang violence and poverty. It's a miracle I made it out alive honestly, I remember telling my friends it’ll be a blessing if we make it past 18. I am now 26 years old & I am forever grateful for the experiences because it made me the person I am today, even tho there were bad choices along the way I realized that making the good ones were much better and now I'm trying to make a difference with my life. I remember nights listening to gunshots ring out outside. I remember friends who lost their lives to the streets at a young age and family members struggling to make ends meet.But I also remember the resilience. The way we looked out for each other, the way we found joy in the smallest things. The way we refused to give up, no matter what. That's what I carry with me today. That's what drives me to speak out against the “ hood “ to speak for those who are still trapped in the cycle of violence and poverty. It ain't easy, but it's necessary. We gotta be the change we want to see. We gotta be the ones to break the cycle, to make a new path for the generations coming after us. What they see is what they do. We can do better. We gotta do better.

What I’m really passionate about lately is helping others & somehow making a difference in the life of young kids that are growing up in the same neighborhood as I did. Even though it is not close to what my career path is now, I know that winning this scholarship will help me financially but will also be a hand needed to complete school without the burden of having to worry about weather or not it will get paid for or worrying about completing my degree, this scholar will also show how someone from the lowest streets of Houston Texas can win scholarships, how someone with no background of any family member ever attending college can also make it happen. the goal for me is to show the generation that comes after me that there’s much more than a neighborhood full of violence, that education & setting goals to better your life is the way. That education will open many doors & take your places you never imagined & will help you achieve much more than what we’re so used to. its not easy. Grew up in the ghetto, surrounded by gang violence and poverty. It's a miracle I made it out alive honestly, I remember telling my friends it’ll be a blessing if we make it past 18. I am now 26 years old & I am forever grateful for the experiences because it made me the person I am today, even tho there were bad choices along the way I realized that making the good ones were much better and now I'm trying to make a difference with my life. I remember nights listening to gunshots ring out outside. I remember friends who lost their lives to the streets at a young age and family members struggling to make ends meet.But I also remember the resilience. The way we looked out for each other, the way we found joy in the smallest things. The way we refused to give up, no matter what. That's what I carry with me today. That's what drives me to speak out against the “ hood “ to speak for those who are still trapped in the cycle of violence and poverty. It ain't easy, but it's necessary. We gotta be the change we want to see. We gotta be the ones to break the cycle, to make a new path for the generations coming after us. What they see is what they do. We can do better. We gotta do better.

What I’m really passionate about lately is helping others & somehow making a difference in the life of young kids that are growing up in the same neighborhood as I did. Even though it is not close to what my career path is now, I know that winning this scholarship will help me financially but will also be a hand needed to complete school without the burden of having to worry about weather or not it will get paid for or worrying about completing my degree, this scholar will also show how someone from the lowest streets of Houston Texas can win scholarships, how someone with no background of any family member ever attending college can also make it happen. the goal for me is to show the generation that comes after me that there’s much more than a neighborhood full of violence, that education & setting goals to better your life is the way. That education will open many doors & take your places you never imagined & will help you achieve much more than what we’re so used to. its not easy. Grew up in the ghetto, surrounded by gang violence and poverty. It's a miracle I made it out alive honestly, I remember telling my friends it’ll be a blessing if we make it past 18. I am now 26 years old & I am forever grateful for the experiences because it made me the person I am today, even tho there were bad choices along the way I realized that making the good ones were much better and now I'm trying to make a difference with my life. I remember nights listening to gunshots ring out outside. I remember friends who lost their lives to the streets at a young age and family members struggling to make ends meet.But I also remember the resilience. The way we looked out for each other, the way we found joy in the smallest things. The way we refused to give up, no matter what. That's what I carry with me today. That's what drives me to speak out against the “ hood “ to speak for those who are still trapped in the cycle of violence and poverty. It ain't easy, but it's necessary. We gotta be the change we want to see. We gotta be the ones to break the cycle, to make a new path for the generations coming after us. What they see is what they do. We can do better. We gotta do better.

What I’m really passionate about lately is helping others & somehow making a difference in the life of young kids that are growing up in the same neighborhood as I did. Even though it is not close to what my career path is now, I know that winning this scholarship will help me financially but will also be a hand needed to complete school without the burden of having to worry about weather or not it will get paid for or worrying about completing my degree, this scholar will also show how someone from the lowest streets of Houston Texas can win scholarships, how someone with no background of any family member ever attending college can also make it happen. the goal for me is to show the generation that comes after me that there’s much more than a neighborhood full of violence, that education & setting goals to better your life is the way. That education will open many doors & take your places you never imagined & will help you achieve much more than what we’re so used to. its not easy. Grew up in the ghetto, surrounded by gang violence and poverty. It's a miracle I made it out alive honestly, I remember telling my friends it’ll be a blessing if we make it past 18. I am now 26 years old & I am forever grateful for the experiences because it made me the person I am today, even tho there were bad choices along the way I realized that making the good ones were much better and now I'm trying to make a difference with my life. I remember nights listening to gunshots ring out outside. I remember friends who lost their lives to the streets at a young age and family members struggling to make ends meet.But I also remember the resilience. The way we looked out for each other, the way we found joy in the smallest things. The way we refused to give up, no matter what. That's what I carry with me today. That's what drives me to speak out against the “ hood “ to speak for those who are still trapped in the cycle of violence and poverty. It ain't easy, but it's necessary. We gotta be the change we want to see. We gotta be the ones to break the cycle, to make a new path for the generations coming after us. What they see is what they do. We can do better. We gotta do better. Life is full of blessings if you truly dedicate yourself to do what’s right & what’s in the best interest for the future of the generation that comes behind you, to show those with no role models that there are people just like them who came out of the same place that they’re growing up in, that they can have someone to look up to, that we can achieve what our minds & heart most desire & we can be great despite the challenges that life throws at us.

What I’m really passionate about lately is helping others & somehow making a difference in the life of young kids that are growing up in the same neighborhood as I did. Even though it is not close to what my career path is now, I know that winning this scholarship will help me financially but will also be a hand needed to complete school without the burden of having to worry about weather or not it will get paid for or worrying about completing my degree, this scholar will also show how someone from the lowest streets of Houston Texas can win scholarships, how someone with no background of any family member ever attending college can also make it happen. the goal for me is to show the generation that comes after me that there’s much more than a neighborhood full of violence, that education & setting goals to better your life is the way. That education will open many doors & take your places you never imagined & will help you achieve much more than what we’re so used to. its not easy. Grew up in the ghetto, surrounded by gang violence and poverty. It's a miracle I made it out alive honestly, I remember telling my friends it’ll be a blessing if we make it past 18. I am now 26 years old & I am forever grateful for the experiences because it made me the person I am today, even tho there were bad choices along the way I realized that making the good ones were much better and now I'm trying to make a difference with my life. I remember nights listening to gunshots ring out outside. I remember friends who lost their lives to the streets at a young age and family members struggling to make ends meet.But I also remember the resilience. The way we looked out for each other, the way we found joy in the smallest things. The way we refused to give up, no matter what. That's what I carry with me today. That's what drives me to speak out against the “ hood “ to speak for those who are still trapped in the cycle of violence and poverty. It ain't easy, but it's necessary. We gotta be the change we want to see. We gotta be the ones to break the cycle, to make a new path for the generations coming after us. What they see is what they do. We can do better. We gotta do better.

What I’m really passionate about lately is helping others & somehow making a difference in the life of young kids that are growing up in the same neighborhood as I did. Even though it is not close to what my career path is now, I know that winning this scholarship will help me financially but will also be a hand needed to complete school without the burden of having to worry about weather or not it will get paid for or worrying about completing my degree, this scholar will also show how someone from the lowest streets of Houston Texas can win scholarships, how someone with no background of any family member ever attending college can also make it happen. the goal for me is to show the generation that comes after me that there’s much more than a neighborhood full of violence, that education & setting goals to better your life is the way. That education will open many doors & take your places you never imagined & will help you achieve much more than what we’re so used to. its not easy. Grew up in the ghetto, surrounded by gang violence and poverty. It's a miracle I made it out alive honestly, I remember telling my friends it’ll be a blessing if we make it past 18. I am now 26 years old & I am forever grateful for the experiences because it made me the person I am today, even tho there were bad choices along the way I realized that making the good ones were much better and now I'm trying to make a difference with my life. I remember nights listening to gunshots ring out outside. I remember friends who lost their lives to the streets at a young age and family members struggling to make ends meet.But I also remember the resilience. The way we looked out for each other, the way we found joy in the smallest things. The way we refused to give up, no matter what. That's what I carry with me today. That's what drives me to speak out against the “ hood “ to speak for those who are still trapped in the cycle of violence and poverty. It ain't easy, but it's necessary. We gotta be the change we want to see. We gotta be the ones to break the cycle, to make a new path for the generations coming after us. What they see is what they do. We can do better. We gotta do better.

What I’m really passionate about lately is helping others & somehow making a difference in the life of young kids that are growing up in the same neighborhood as I did. Even though it is not close to what my career path is now, I know that winning this scholarship will help me financially but will also be a hand needed to complete school without the burden of having to worry about weather or not it will get paid for or worrying about completing my degree, this scholar will also show how someone from the lowest streets of Houston Texas can win scholarships, how someone with no background of any family member ever attending college can also make it happen. the goal for me is to show the generation that comes after me that there’s much more than a neighborhood full of violence, that education & setting goals to better your life is the way. That education will open many doors & take your places you never imagined & will help you achieve much more than what we’re so used to. its not easy. Grew up in the ghetto, surrounded by gang violence and poverty. It's a miracle I made it out alive honestly, I remember telling my friends it’ll be a blessing if we make it past 18. I am now 26 years old & I am forever grateful for the experiences because it made me the person I am today, even tho there were bad choices along the way I realized that making the good ones were much better and now I'm trying to make a difference with my life. I remember nights listening to gunshots ring out outside. I remember friends who lost their lives to the streets at a young age and family members struggling to make ends meet.But I also remember the resilience. The way we looked out for each other, the way we found joy in the smallest things. The way we refused to give up, no matter what. That's what I carry with me today. That's what drives me to speak out against the “ hood “ to speak for those who are still trapped in the cycle of violence and poverty. It ain't easy, but it's necessary. We gotta be the change we want to see. We gotta be the ones to break the cycle, to make a new path for the generations coming after us. What they see is what they do. We can do better. We gotta do better.

What I’m really passionate about lately is helping others & somehow making a difference in the life of young kids that are growing up in the same neighborhood as I did. Even though it is not close to what my career path is now, I know that winning this scholarship will help me financially but will also be a hand needed to complete school without the burden of having to worry about weather or not it will get paid for or worrying about completing my degree, this scholar will also show how someone from the lowest streets of Houston Texas can win scholarships, how someone with no background of any family member ever attending college can also make it happen. the goal for me is to show the generation that comes after me that there’s much more than a neighborhood full of violence, that education & setting goals to better your life is the way. That education will open many doors & take your places you never imagined & will help you achieve much more than what we’re so used to. its not easy. Grew up in the ghetto, surrounded by gang violence and poverty. It's a miracle I made it out alive honestly, I remember telling my friends it’ll be a blessing if we make it past 18. I am now 26 years old & I am forever grateful for the experiences because it made me the person I am today, even tho there were bad choices along the way I realized that making the good ones were much better and now I'm trying to make a difference with my life. I remember nights listening to gunshots ring out outside. I remember friends who lost their lives to the streets at a young age and family members struggling to make ends meet.But I also remember the resilience. The way we looked out for each other, the way we found joy in the smallest things. The way we refused to give up, no matter what. That's what I carry with me today. That's what drives me to speak out against the “ hood “ to speak for those who are still trapped in the cycle of violence and poverty. It ain't easy, but it's necessary. We gotta be the change we want to see. We gotta be the ones to break the cycle, to make a new path for the generations coming after us. What they see is what they do. We can do better. We gotta do better.

What I’m really passionate about lately is helping others & somehow making a difference in the life of young kids that are growing up in the same neighborhood as I did. Even though it is not close to what my career path is now, I know that winning this scholarship will help me financially but will also be a hand needed to complete school without the burden of having to worry about weather or not it will get paid for or worrying about completing my degree, this scholar will also show how someone from the lowest streets of Houston Texas can win scholarships, how someone with no background of any family member ever attending college can also make it happen. the goal for me is to show the generation that comes after me that there’s much more than a neighborhood full of violence, that education & setting goals to better your life is the way. That education will open many doors & take your places you never imagined & will help you achieve much more than what we’re so used to. its not easy. Grew up in the ghetto, surrounded by gang violence and poverty. It's a miracle I made it out alive honestly, I remember telling my friends it’ll be a blessing if we make it past 18. I am now 26 years old & I am forever grateful for the experiences because it made me the person I am today, even tho there were bad choices along the way I realized that making the good ones were much better and now I'm trying to make a difference with my life. I remember nights listening to gunshots ring out outside. I remember friends who lost their lives to the streets at a young age and family members struggling to make ends meet.But I also remember the resilience. The way we looked out for each other, the way we found joy in the smallest things. The way we refused to give up, no matter what. That's what I carry with me today. That's what drives me to speak out against the “ hood “ to speak for those who are still trapped in the cycle of violence and poverty. It ain't easy, but it's necessary. We gotta be the change we want to see. We gotta be the ones to break the cycle, to make a new path for the generations coming after us. What they see is what they do. We can do better. We gotta do better.

What I’m really passionate about lately is helping others & somehow making a difference in the life of young kids that are growing up in the same neighborhood as I did. Even though it is not close to what my career path is now, I know that winning this scholarship will help me financially but will also be a hand needed to complete school without the burden of having to worry about weather or not it will get paid for or worrying about completing my degree, this scholar will also show how someone from the lowest streets of Houston Texas can win scholarships, how someone with no background of any family member ever attending college can also make it happen. the goal for me is to show the generation that comes after me that there’s much more than a neighborhood full of violence, that education & setting goals to better your life is the way. That education will open many doors & take your places you never imagined & will help you achieve much more than what we’re so used to. its not easy. Grew up in the ghetto, surrounded by gang violence and poverty. It's a miracle I made it out alive honestly, I remember telling my friends it’ll be a blessing if we make it past 18. I am now 26 years old & I am forever grateful for the experiences because it made me the person I am today, even tho there were bad choices along the way I realized that making the good ones were much better and now I'm trying to make a difference with my life. I remember nights listening to gunshots ring out outside. I remember friends who lost their lives to the streets at a young age and family members struggling to make ends meet.But I also remember the resilience. The way we looked out for each other, the way we found joy in the smallest things. The way we refused to give up, no matter what. That's what I carry with me today. That's what drives me to speak out against the “ hood “ to speak for those who are still trapped in the cycle of violence and poverty. It ain't easy, but it's necessary. We gotta be the change we want to see. We gotta be the ones to break the cycle, to make a new path for the generations coming after us. What they see is what they do. We can do better. We gotta do better.

What I’m really passionate about lately is helping others & somehow making a difference in the life of young kids that are growing up in the same neighborhood as I did. Even though it is not close to what my career path is now, I know that winning this scholarship will help me financially but will also be a hand needed to complete school without the burden of having to worry about weather or not it will get paid for or worrying about completing my degree, this scholar will also show how someone from the lowest streets of Houston Texas can win scholarships, how someone with no background of any family member ever attending college can also make it happen. the goal for me is to show the generation that comes after me that there’s much more than a neighborhood full of violence, that education & setting goals to better your life is the way. That education will open many doors & take your places you never imagined & will help you achieve much more than what we’re so used to. its not easy. Grew up in the ghetto, surrounded by gang violence and poverty. It's a miracle I made it out alive honestly, I remember telling my friends it’ll be a blessing if we make it past 18. I am now 26 years old & I am forever grateful for the experiences because it made me the person I am today, even tho there were bad choices along the way I realized that making the good ones were much better and now I'm trying to make a difference with my life. I remember nights listening to gunshots ring out outside. I remember friends who lost their lives to the streets at a young age and family members struggling to make ends meet.But I also remember the resilience. The way we looked out for each other, the way we found joy in the smallest things. The way we refused to give up, no matter what. That's what I carry with me today. That's what drives me to speak out against the “ hood “ to speak for those who are still trapped in the cycle of violence and poverty. It ain't easy, but it's necessary. We gotta be the change we want to see. We gotta be the ones to break the cycle, to make a new path for the generations coming after us. What they see is what they do. We can do better. We gotta do better.

What I’m really passionate about lately is helping others & somehow making a difference in the life of young kids that are growing up in the same neighborhood as I did. Even though it is not close to what my career path is now, I know that winning this scholarship will help me financially but will also be a hand needed to complete school without the burden of having to worry about weather or not it will get paid for or worrying about completing my degree, this scholar will also show how someone from the lowest streets of Houston Texas can win scholarships, how someone with no background of any family member ever attending college can also make it happen. the goal for me is to show the generation that comes after me that there’s much more than a neighborhood full of violence, that education & setting goals to better your life is the way. That education will open many doors & take your places you never imagined & will help you achieve much more than what we’re so used to. its not easy. Grew up in the ghetto, surrounded by gang violence and poverty. It's a miracle I made it out alive honestly, I remember telling my friends it’ll be a blessing if we make it past 18. I am now 26 years old & I am forever grateful for the experiences because it made me the person I am today, even tho there were bad choices along the way I realized that making the good ones were much better and now I'm trying to make a difference with my life. I remember nights listening to gunshots ring out outside. I remember friends who lost their lives to the streets at a young age and family members struggling to make ends meet.But I also remember the resilience. The way we looked out for each other, the way we found joy in the smallest things. The way we refused to give up, no matter what. That's what I carry with me today. That's what drives me to speak out against the “ hood “ to speak for those who are still trapped in the cycle of violence and poverty. It ain't easy, but it's necessary. We gotta be the change we want to see. We gotta be the ones to break the cycle, to make a new path for the generations coming after us. What they see is what they do. We can do better. We gotta do better.

What I’m really passionate about lately is helping others & somehow making a difference in the life of young kids that are growing up in the same neighborhood as I did. Even though it is not close to what my career path is now, I know that winning this scholarship will help me financially but will also be a hand needed to complete school without the burden of having to worry about weather or not it will get paid for or worrying about completing my degree, this scholar will also show how someone from the lowest streets of Houston Texas can win scholarships, how someone with no background of any family member ever attending college can also make it happen. the goal for me is to show the generation that comes after me that there’s much more than a neighborhood full of violence, that education & setting goals to better your life is the way. That education will open many doors & take your places you never imagined & will help you achieve much more than what we’re so used to. its not easy. Grew up in the ghetto, surrounded by gang violence and poverty. It's a miracle I made it out alive honestly, I remember telling my friends it’ll be a blessing if we make it past 18. I am now 26 years old & I am forever grateful for the experiences because it made me the person I am today, even tho there were bad choices along the way I realized that making the good ones were much better and now I'm trying to make a difference with my life. I remember nights listening to gunshots ring out outside. I remember friends who lost their lives to the streets at a young age and family members struggling to make ends meet.But I also remember the resilience. The way we looked out for each other, the way we found joy in the smallest things. The way we refused to give up, no matter what. That's what I carry with me today. That's what drives me to speak out against the “ hood “ to speak for those who are still trapped in the cycle of violence and poverty. It ain't easy, but it's necessary. We gotta be the change we want to see. We gotta be the ones to break the cycle, to make a new path for the generations coming after us. What they see is what they do. We can do better. We gotta do better.