The Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) in 2022 changed the trajectory of my life, and it all began with a single question: “What makes you think you can show up like that?” Rodney Glasgow posed this question to each of us, not in the sense of being present, but in the sense of showing up authentically, unapologetically, and fully committed to who we are and why we are there. As I listened to other students’ responses, I realized I didn’t know my answer. Why was I at SDLC? Why did I think I could represent myself among 1,600 other marginalized students? This question lingered in my mind long after the conference ended. I reflected on why I show up in any space. It was through hours of listening, learning, and reflecting at SDLC that I discovered my answer. My path to understanding this began long before the conference, on a night in September 2019 when I sent what I thought would be a final goodbye to three close friends. I don’t recall the exact trigger, but I meant every word I typed. As I stood at the threshold of a decision that would have been irreversible, my friends intervened. That intervention saved my life—a life I didn’t yet understand but somehow fought to preserve. Deep down, I wanted to keep going despite everything. Throughout high school, my life has felt like a cycle of implosions. I’ve navigated a dysfunctional home life while existing in an academic environment where racism and exclusion constantly reminded me that I don’t belong. I’ve processed trauma and grief publicly and often in silence. My mental health struggles compounded every challenge, making forward momentum feel impossible. Yet, I pushed on, not because I found inspiration but because autopilot felt like survival. Sophomore and junior year blurred by as I desperately searched for meaning—a reason to keep fighting for a future I wasn’t sure I wanted. I clung to not disappointing my parents, to being a role model for my younger sister. But these motivations weren’t enough. My grades and attendance reflected my detachment and frustration. I couldn’t be the student I knew I was capable of being, and I scraped by through sheer determination. Senior year marked a shift. I grew tired of existing without joy and chose to embrace what makes me who I am. I dyed my hair as a visible reminder of my queerness—a statement that I refuse to hide who I am. I wear a dagger necklace engraved with the Latin phrase “ad res vitae,” meaning “to things of life,” as a pledge to embrace the path my life takes, no matter how unpredictable. Receiving this scholarship would relieve a significant financial burden and allow me to focus on my growth and education. My family’s financial challenges have been a source of stress, and this support would mean fewer unexpected hurdles It would allow me to immerse myself fully in my studies and community efforts, continuing the journey I began at SDLC and carrying forward the answer to why I show up: to make a difference, not just for myself, but for those who come after me. This scholarship would mean more than just financial relief; it would represent a recommitment to this new chapter in my journey—one where I show up in every space, proud of who I am and what I stand for. It would empower me to continue growing and contributing to communities that need authentic voices, ensuring that my experiences and hard-won lessons can inspire others to persevere and thrive.