Cosmetology has not always been a lifelong dream of mine. It became meaningful to me during a time when I needed it most. In seventh grade, after being diagnosed with epilepsy, I found myself searching for something I could control—something that allowed me to express myself and feel like myself again. That is when I discovered hair, makeup, and eventually nails. What started as an outlet slowly became my passion. When people think of careers that change a person's life, or the world, usually what comes to mind is a doctor, politician, and engineer. Rarely does anyone think of a cosmetologist. People often wonder “why do you not want to be a doctor?” “Why not choose something more important?” But I believe that impact does not always come from saving lives in a hospital or making laws in office. Sometimes, it comes from something as simple as a compliment, a kind word, or a small act that can change how a persons day is going. I want to be that small act. Changing your hair might be small to some people, but to the person sitting in that chair, it can feel like a fresh start, a boost of confidence, or the encouragement they didn’t know they needed. A new hairstyle can help someone see themselves differently. It can help them walk a little taller, smile a little more, and feel proud of who they are. That feeling can stay with them long after they leave the salon. My goal as a future cosmetologist is to make people feel happy, confident, and comfortable in their own skin. I don’t just want to do hair, I want to create an environment where people feel safe, heard and valued. When I imagine my future, I picture people sitting in my chair and feeling comfortable enough to be honest with me. Comfortable enough to say, “this isn’t what I wanted”, and trust that I will listen. That level of trust is powerful, safe. I know that the salon chair often becomes more than just a place for hair. It becomes a place where people talk about their lives, their achievements, their struggles, their stress, and their happiness. I will be someone who listens without judgment, and a with a positive mindset. Sometimes people just need someone to hear them. Sometimes they need a space where they can feel relaxed and taken care of. Cosmetology is not just about appearance; it is about confidence and emotional well being. When people feel good about how they look, it can improve how they feel about themselves overall. I want to give people that feeling every single day. I want my clients to leave not only looking different, but feeling different-lighter, happier, and more confident than when they first walked in. One day, I hope to own my own salon—a place where others can feel as free, comfortable, and confident as I do when I am creating.

When people think of careers that change a persons life, or the world, usually what comes to mind is a doctor, politician, and engineer. Rarely does anyone think of a cosmetologist. People often wonder “why do you not want to be a doctor?” “Why not choose something more important?” But I believe that impact does not always come from saving lives in a hospital or making laws in office. Sometimes, it comes from something as simple as a compliment, a kind word, or a small act that can change how a persons day is going. I want to be that small act. Changing your hair might be small to some people, but to the person sitting in that chair, it can feel like a fresh start, a boost of confidence, or the encouragement they didn’t know they needed. A new hairstyle can help someone see themselves differently. It can help them walk a little taller, smile a little more, and feel proud of who they are. That feeling can stay with them long after they leave the salon. My goal as a future cosmetologist is to make people feel happy, confident, and comfortable in their own skin. I don’t just want to do hair, I want to create an environment where people feel safe, heard and valued. When I imagine my future, I picture people sitting in my chair and feeling comfortable enough to be honest with me. Comfortable enough to say, “this isn’t what I wanted”, and trust that I will listen. That level of trust is powerful, safe. I know that the salon chair often becomes more than just a place for hair. It becomes a place where people talk about their lives, their achievements, their struggles, their stress, and their happiness. I will be someone who listens without judgment, and a with a positive mindset. Sometimes people just need someone to hear them. Sometimes they need a space where they can feel relaxed and taken care of. Cosmetology is not just about appearance; it is about confidence and emotional well being. When people feel good about how they look, it can improve how they feel about themselves overall. I want to give people that feeling every single day. I want my clients to leave not only looking different, but feeling different-lighter, happier, and more confident than when they first walked in. Through my career, I will make a positive impact by helping people see their own beauty, inside and out. I will use my skill, my kindness, and my passion to create small moments that make a big difference in people’s lives. Because sometimes, changing the world starts with helping one person feel better about themselves.

What makes me smile the most is seeing other people feel confident in themselves. There is something really powerful about watching someone walk away feeling better than they did before, whether that confidence comes from how they look, how they feel, or simply knowing someone took the time to care. Being able to play a small role in that transformation motivates me everyday and reminds me why I am working toward a future in the trades (Cosmetology). I have always been someone who enjoys working with my hands and creating things that make a visible difference. When I help someone feel comfortable and confident, it feels meaningful because confidence affects so many parts of a persons life. It can change how they carry themselves, how they interact with others, and even how they see their own potential. Seeing people thrive because they feel good about themselves genuinely makes me smile and pushes me to keep improving my skills. Living with epilepsy has shaped how I view progress and success. It has taught me to appreciate small victories and not take good days for granted. When I am able to focus on my goals, stay consistent, and work toward my future, it feels especially rewarding. Because of this, I value growth and resilience, both in myself and in others. Watching people overcome challenges and grow more confident reminds me that setbacks do not define who we are-how we respond to them does. My experience in school mirrors how I approach life in general. Freshman year was challenging for me, and my grades reflected that-partly because I was dealing with a cluster of seizures that made focusing and keeping up with schoolwork extra difficult. Over time I realized that if I wanted a future where I could do what I love and support myself, I needed to take my education seriously. I started pushing myself to stay consistent, ask for help when I needed it, and not give up when things felt overwhelming. Raising my GPA by full point showed me that real change is possible when effort and determination are put in, even when faced with obstacles I never expected. Ultimately, what makes me smile is growth-seeing it in myself and helping bring it out in others. Whether it is through my education, my future career in cosmetology, or the way I support people around me, I want to make a positive impact. This scholarship represents perseverance,, ambition, and passion for hands-on work, all of which I strive to embody. Being able to continue my education while working toward a career that helps others feel confident would mean everything to me. At the end of my freshman year, my GPA was 2.24. My current GPA is 3.39.