Watching my great-grandmother struggle with Alzheimer’s disease was one of the most heartbreaking experiences of my life. Before her illness progressed, she was someone who brought warmth, stories, and comfort to our family. She remembered birthdays, family traditions, and small details about everyone she loved. Seeing Alzheimer’s slowly take those memories away from her changed the way I understood illness, family, and the importance of compassion. One of the hardest moments for me was realizing that my great-grandmother no longer remembered who I was. It is difficult to explain the feeling of standing in front of someone you love deeply while realizing they no longer recognize your face or remember your name. At first, I felt hurt and confused, even though I knew it was not her fault. Alzheimer’s does not only affect memory; it changes relationships and impacts entire families emotionally. Watching her slowly forget people, conversations, and moments that once meant so much was painful for everyone around her. As her illness progressed, I also watched the emotional toll it took on my family. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s requires patience, strength, and constant support. There were moments of frustration, sadness, and helplessness because we wanted so badly to hold onto the person we remembered before the disease took over. At the same time, I witnessed incredible love and dedication from family members who continued showing up for her every day despite how emotionally difficult it became. That experience taught me how powerful unconditional love truly is. Although Alzheimer’s affected my great-grandmother’s memory, I learned that emotional connection and compassion still matter deeply. Even on days when she could not remember names or recognize faces, moments of kindness, reassurance, and presence still brought her comfort. I learned that caring for someone means meeting them where they are, even when the relationship changes because of illness. Watching my great-grandmother battle Alzheimer’s also changed the way I view mental and neurological illnesses. It made me realize how important patience, empathy, and emotional support are not only for patients, but also for caregivers and families. Seeing the confusion and fear that can come with memory loss opened my eyes to how isolating these illnesses can feel for both the individual and their loved ones. This experience has also influenced my educational and career goals. I am currently pursuing a degree in psychology because I want to help individuals and families facing emotional, mental health, and cognitive challenges. Watching my family navigate Alzheimer’s inspired me to become someone who can provide support, understanding, and compassion during difficult times. Illnesses like Alzheimer’s impact more than memory; they affect identity, relationships, and emotional wellbeing, and I want to help people feel less alone through those struggles. Although it was painful watching my great-grandmother slowly forget parts of her life and the people around her, the experience taught me lessons I will carry forever. It taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of treasuring moments with the people we love. Most importantly, it reminded me that even when memories fade, love and human connection still remain powerful.

My faith has been one of the most important sources of strength in my life, especially during the hardest seasons I have faced. There were times when I felt completely broken by grief, addiction, loss, and the weight of my circumstances. I have experienced moments where I felt lost, ashamed, and unsure if I would ever be able to rebuild my life. Through those moments, my faith reminded me that I was never truly alone and that my past did not have to define my future. One of the most painful experiences in my life was losing my five-month-old son. That kind of grief changes a person completely. There were days where it felt impossible to understand why such a heartbreaking loss happened, and I struggled deeply emotionally and mentally afterward. During that time, faith became something I leaned on when I no longer had the strength to carry everything on my own. Prayer gave me comfort during moments where words and answers felt impossible to find. My faith also played a major role in my recovery journey. Addiction had taken me far away from the person I wanted to be, and there were moments where I doubted myself and whether change was truly possible. Faith reminded me that healing, forgiveness, and redemption are possible even after mistakes and hardships. It gave me hope during moments when I felt hopeless and helped me continue moving forward one day at a time. I have now been clean since February 19, 2025, and I truly believe God gave me the strength to fight for a different life for myself and my children. As a single mother pursuing higher education, faith continues to help me persevere during difficult moments. Balancing school, parenting, finances, and recovery can feel overwhelming at times, but my faith reminds me to trust the process and continue working toward the future I am building. It has taught me resilience, humility, compassion, and the importance of serving others with kindness instead of judgment. I believe my faith will also guide me throughout my future career in psychology and mental health advocacy. My experiences have shown me how important compassion, empathy, and hope can be for people struggling with grief, trauma, addiction, and emotional pain. I want to help others feel seen, heard, and supported during difficult seasons of their lives. Faith has taught me that people deserve grace and second chances, and I want to carry that mindset into the work I do helping others heal. Most importantly, my faith has taught me that even broken seasons in life can have purpose. Although my journey has not been easy, it has strengthened me and inspired me to use my experiences to encourage and support others who may be struggling to find hope within their own lives.

One of the most meaningful relationships in my life is the relationship I have with my children. That connection has shaped who I am more than anything else and completely changed the direction of my life. During my addiction, I was not fully present the way my children deserved. Addiction created distance between me and the people I loved most, and one of the hardest parts of recovery has been facing the pain of knowing I missed moments I can never get back. However, rebuilding my relationship with my children through recovery has become the greatest source of healing, motivation, and purpose in my life. Addiction affected every area of my life, including the way I connected with others. I became emotionally disconnected, lost within my own struggles, grief, and pain. At the time, I thought I was coping, but in reality, addiction was taking me further away from the person and mother I wanted to be. One of the most painful realizations was understanding how deeply addiction impacts not only the individual, but also the people who love them. Being away from my children emotionally and physically during parts of my addiction left me carrying guilt and heartbreak that I still work through today. When I entered recovery, one of my biggest motivations was rebuilding the relationship with my children and becoming fully present in their lives again. Recovery gave me the opportunity to reconnect with them in ways I never could while struggling with addiction. The process was not instant, and rebuilding trust required patience, consistency, and accountability. But little by little, our connection became stronger. Today, some of the smallest moments mean the most to me: helping with homework, hearing about their day, laughing together, or simply being present for moments I once took for granted. Reuniting with my children after addiction taught me what authentic human connection truly looks like. It is not based on perfection. It is built through honesty, vulnerability, consistency, and showing up even when it is difficult. My children taught me the meaning of unconditional love and second chances. Their love gave me hope during moments when I struggled to believe in myself. That relationship has completely changed the way I build connections with others. Because of my experiences, I approach people with more empathy and compassion. I know firsthand that many people are fighting battles others cannot see. I understand how powerful it can be when someone feels heard, supported, and not judged for their past. Those experiences are a large part of why I chose to pursue a degree in psychology. I want to help individuals and families who are struggling with addiction, trauma, grief, and mental health challenges rebuild their lives and relationships the way I have been rebuilding mine. My children are also the reason I continue pushing myself academically and personally. I want them to see that healing and growth are possible no matter how difficult life becomes. I want them to grow up understanding that mistakes do not define a person forever and that people are capable of change when they choose to fight for a better future. The connection I have rebuilt with my children is the most meaningful relationship in my life because it saved me in many ways. It gave me purpose, accountability, and hope. Through recovery and reconnecting with them, I learned that genuine human connection has the power to heal people, restore families, and completely transform lives.

Recovery means choosing every single day to become the person I know I am capable of being, even when it is hard. For me, recovery is more than just staying sober; it is rebuilding my life, healing from trauma and grief, and learning how to love myself again after losing who I was to addiction. I have been clean since February 19, 2025, and that decision changed my life. Recovery has taught me accountability, strength, and resilience. It has forced me to face pain I once tried to escape from, including the loss of my five-month-old son, and learn healthier ways to cope and heal. Recovery also gave me hope and purpose again. Today, I am pursuing a degree in psychology so I can help others struggling with addiction, grief, trauma, and mental health challenges. I want people to know that their past does not define them and that healing is possible. Most importantly, recovery means freedom. Freedom to be present for my children, freedom to create a better future, and freedom to finally believe that I deserve happiness, growth, and a second chance at life.

A life of service, to me, means using your experiences, compassion, and education to help others through difficult moments in their lives. My journey has not been easy, but the challenges I have faced have shaped me into someone who deeply values empathy, resilience, and giving back to others who may be struggling. Throughout my life, I have experienced grief, addiction, recovery, incarceration, and the challenges of being a single mother while pursuing higher education. One of the most heartbreaking experiences I have faced was losing my five-month-old son. That loss changed me completely and forced me to reevaluate my life and the direction I wanted to take moving forward. At the same time, I began my recovery journey and committed myself to rebuilding my life in healthier and more meaningful ways. Recovery taught me accountability, strength, and the importance of never giving up, even during the darkest moments. As a single mother, service is something I live every day through the sacrifices I make for my children and the example I try to set for them. Balancing parenting, work, and school has required discipline and perseverance, but it has also shown me how important it is to continue growing despite obstacles. I want my children to see that difficult circumstances do not define a person’s future and that healing and growth are always possible. I am currently pursuing a degree in psychology because I want to dedicate my life to helping people who may feel lost, unheard, or judged because of their past. My experiences have given me a level of understanding and compassion that cannot be learned from textbooks alone. I know what it feels like to struggle with grief, trauma, mental health challenges, and addiction, and I want to use my education to support individuals who may be facing those same battles. In the future, I hope to work in mental health advocacy and counseling, particularly with individuals in recovery, those impacted by trauma, and families facing emotional hardship. I want to create safe spaces where people feel supported rather than ashamed of their struggles. I believe true service is about meeting people with compassion and reminding them they are capable of healing and rebuilding their lives. My journey has taught me that some of the most broken moments in life can eventually become the foundation for helping others. Through my education and life experiences, I hope to continue serving my community by offering encouragement, understanding, and hope to people who need it most.

Addiction affected every part of my life in ways I did not fully understand until I entered recovery. At the time, addiction felt like an escape from pain, grief, trauma, and overwhelming emotions, but over time it slowly took away pieces of who I was. It impacted my mental health, relationships, self-worth, and the future I once imagined for myself. Looking back now, I realize I was not just battling addiction itself, but also the unresolved pain and struggles underneath it. One of the hardest parts of addiction was feeling trapped inside a cycle I did not know how to break. I felt ashamed, lost, and disconnected from the person I wanted to be. Addiction affected not only me, but also the people I loved most, especially my children and family. There were moments in my life where I hit emotional lows and questioned whether things would ever truly get better. Losing my five-month-old son added another level of grief and pain that deeply affected me emotionally and mentally. For a long time, I struggled to cope with that loss in healthy ways. Recovery changed my life completely. It forced me to take accountability for my choices, face difficult emotions, and rebuild myself from the ground up. Recovery has not been easy, and it is something I continue to work on every single day, but it gave me hope and a second chance at life. Since becoming sober, I have learned how strong and resilient I truly am. I have rebuilt relationships, regained self-respect, and started creating a future I once thought was impossible for me. One of the biggest changes in my life since sobriety is returning to school and pursuing a degree in psychology. Education gave me purpose and reminded me that my past does not define my future. My experiences with addiction and recovery inspired me to want to help others who may feel hopeless, misunderstood, or trapped in their own struggles. I understand firsthand how important compassion, mental health support, and second chances can be. In the future, I hope to use my education to work with individuals struggling with addiction, trauma, grief, and mental health challenges. I want to help people feel seen and supported rather than judged for their mistakes. I know how life-changing it can be when someone believes in you during your darkest moments, and I want to be that source of encouragement for others. Although addiction brought pain and hardship into my life, recovery gave me strength, purpose, and a new perspective. Today, I am focused on continuing my healing journey, creating a better future for my family, and using my experiences to help others realize that recovery and change are possible.

My journey as a single mother pursuing higher education has been filled with both heartbreak and healing. There have been moments where life felt unbearably heavy, but those experiences have also shaped me into someone resilient, determined, and deeply motivated to create a better future for my family and myself. One of the most difficult experiences I have faced was losing my five-month-old son. Losing a child changes every part of a person. The grief, pain, and emptiness that followed were overwhelming, and there were times I did not know how I would continue moving forward. That loss taught me how fragile life can be, but it also taught me the importance of perseverance, love, and finding purpose even after unimaginable pain. In addition to navigating grief, I am also in recovery. Recovery has been one of the hardest yet most rewarding journeys of my life. It required me to take accountability, rebuild myself, and learn healthier ways to cope with pain and trauma. Recovery is not something that happens overnight. It is a daily commitment to growth, healing, and becoming the person I want to be for my children and myself. I am proud of how far I have come because I know the strength it took to choose a different path for my life. As a single mother, balancing school, parenting, finances, and personal healing has been incredibly challenging. There are nights when I stay up late finishing assignments after caring for my children all day, running on exhaustion but still refusing to give up. Financial stress, emotional struggles, and self-doubt have all been obstacles along the way. However, pursuing my education has also been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life because it represents hope, stability, and the opportunity to break cycles for my family. I am currently pursuing a degree in psychology because I want to help others who may be struggling with grief, trauma, addiction, or mental health challenges. My experiences have given me a level of empathy and understanding that cannot be taught in a classroom alone. I know what it feels like to struggle, to feel lost, and to rebuild your life piece by piece. Because of that, I want to be someone who helps others feel seen, supported, and capable of healing. Furthering my education means creating a better future not only financially, but emotionally and generationally. I want my children to see resilience, growth, and determination through my journey. I want them to know that even after loss, mistakes, or hardships, it is still possible to rebuild your life and pursue your dreams. Although my journey has not been easy, it has made me stronger. Every challenge I have overcome has reminded me why I continue pushing forward: to honor my son’s memory, to continue my recovery, and to create a life filled with purpose, compassion, and hope for my family’s future.

Watching my grandmother battle breast cancer was one of the most emotional and life-changing experiences of my life. Before her diagnosis, cancer was something that felt distant and hard to fully understand. Once it affected someone I loved deeply, I saw firsthand how physically and emotionally devastating the disease can be, not only for the person fighting it, but also for the entire family surrounding them. I watched my grandmother go through radiation treatments, lose her hair, undergo surgery, and lose a breast during her fight against cancer. There were moments where our family feared we might lose her completely. Seeing someone so strong become physically weak and emotionally exhausted was heartbreaking, especially because I had always looked at my grandmother as someone invincible. Cancer changed the way our family lived day to day. There was fear, uncertainty, stress, and emotional pain, but there was also strength, resilience, and love. One of the most meaningful moments during her journey was when she began losing her hair from treatment. I could see how painful and emotional that was for her because it affected not only her physically, but also her confidence and identity. I did not want her to feel alone in that experience, so I made the decision to shave my head alongside her. To some people, it may have seemed like a small gesture, but to me it was my way of showing support, love, and solidarity. I wanted her to know she was not fighting alone. That experience taught me the true meaning of compassion and being present for the people you love. I learned that sometimes support is not about finding the perfect words; it is simply about standing beside someone through their hardest moments. Watching my grandmother fight so hard for her life also taught me resilience and gratitude. It reminded me not to take health, family, or time for granted. Seeing her survive and beat breast cancer inspired me in many ways. It strengthened my desire to help others and pursue a career where I can make a positive impact in people’s lives. I am currently studying psychology because I want to support individuals and families through difficult emotional and mental health challenges. Experiences like cancer can leave lasting emotional effects on both patients and loved ones, and I want to be someone who provides encouragement, understanding, and support during those difficult times. Although cancer brought fear and pain into my family’s life, it also brought us closer together and showed me how powerful love and resilience can be. My grandmother’s strength continues to inspire me every day, and her journey taught me lessons about courage, empathy, and perseverance that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

My incarceration was one of the most difficult and life-changing experiences of my life. It forced me to take a hard look at the choices I made, the direction my life was heading, and the kind of future I truly wanted for myself and my children. Although it is not a chapter of my life I am proud of, it is a part of my story that taught me resilience, accountability, and the importance of personal growth. During that time, I experienced feelings of shame, isolation, and fear about what my future would look like. I worried that my mistakes would define me forever and limit my opportunities moving forward. One of the hardest parts was realizing how incarceration impacts not only the individual, but also the people who love and depend on them. That experience opened my eyes to how important support systems, mental health resources, and second chances truly are. What I learned most from incarceration is that people are capable of change when they are given the opportunity and support to grow. I learned the importance of taking accountability for my actions while also believing that my past does not have to determine my future. Instead of allowing that experience to defeat me, I decided to use it as motivation to become better and create a different path for myself and my family. Returning to school after incarceration has not been easy. There have been financial struggles, self-doubt, and moments where I questioned whether I deserved another chance. However, pursuing higher education has given me purpose and hope. I am currently studying psychology because I want to help people who may feel lost, misunderstood, or trapped by their circumstances. I understand how important compassion and support can be during difficult moments in life, and I hope to use my education to advocate for mental health awareness and rehabilitation rather than judgment alone. My experience with incarceration has also made me more determined to break cycles and create a better future for my children. I want them to see that mistakes do not have to define a person forever and that growth is possible through perseverance, education, and hard work. Although incarceration changed my life in painful ways, it also pushed me to reflect, grow, and rebuild. Today, my academic and career ambitions are driven by a desire to turn my experiences into something meaningful. I want to prove not only to myself, but also to others facing similar struggles, that it is possible to overcome adversity and create a positive future despite past mistakes.

Growing up with a single mother shaped nearly every part of who I am today. Watching my mom raise a family on her own taught me strength, sacrifice, resilience, and the importance of never giving up, even during the hardest moments. Although there were challenges that came with being raised by a single parent, those experiences helped shape me into someone who is hardworking, compassionate, and determined to build a better future for myself and my children. As a child, I remember seeing how much pressure my mother carried while trying to provide for our family. She worked hard to make sure we had what we needed, even when times were financially difficult. Looking back now, I realize there were many struggles she protected us from. She carried responsibilities that would overwhelm most people, yet she still found ways to show love, support, and strength every single day. Watching her handle life with resilience taught me early on that strength is not about having an easy life; it is about continuing to move forward despite challenges. Growing up in a single-parent household also taught me independence at a young age. I learned how to adapt, help where I could, and appreciate the value of hard work. While other kids may not have fully understood those responsibilities, they helped me mature and understand the importance of perseverance and responsibility. Those lessons continue to guide me in my life today as I balance being a mother, working, and pursuing higher education. Now that I am a parent myself, I have an even deeper appreciation for everything my mother sacrificed. I understand the emotional, physical, and financial weight that comes with trying to provide stability and opportunity for your children. Her example inspires me to keep pushing forward even during difficult times because I want my children to see the same resilience and determination in me that I saw growing up. My experiences have also shaped my career goals and passion for helping others. I am currently pursuing a degree in psychology because I want to support individuals who may be struggling emotionally, mentally, or financially. Growing up, I learned how important compassion and support can be, especially during difficult seasons of life. I want to create safe spaces where people feel heard, understood, and encouraged to keep going. Although growing up with a single mother came with challenges, it also gave me some of the most valuable lessons of my life. It taught me empathy, perseverance, and the importance of believing in yourself even when circumstances are difficult. Most importantly, it showed me what unconditional love and sacrifice truly look like, and those lessons continue to shape the person I am becoming every day.

Being a single parent while pursuing higher education has been one of the hardest and most meaningful experiences of my life. As someone in the LGBTQ+ community, I have also experienced the fear of judgment, misunderstanding, and feeling like I had to constantly prove myself. Balancing parenthood, work, school, and personal growth has not been easy, but those experiences have shaped me into a stronger, more compassionate person. There have been many moments where I questioned whether I could truly handle everything on my plate. Between caring for my children, managing financial stress, and completing coursework, life can feel overwhelming. Many nights, I stay up late after my children are asleep just to finish assignments or study for exams. At times, the pressure of trying to create stability for my family while also building a future for myself has felt exhausting. However, becoming a parent also gave me a deeper sense of purpose and motivation. My children are the reason I continue pushing forward even on the difficult days. Being part of the LGBTQ+ community has also influenced the way I see the world and the way I connect with others. I understand what it feels like to want acceptance and to simply be seen for who you are without judgment. Those experiences have taught me empathy, resilience, and the importance of creating safe spaces where people feel supported and valued. I believe everyone deserves to feel heard, respected, and accepted regardless of their background or identity. I am currently pursuing a degree in psychology because I want to make a positive difference in the lives of others, especially those who may feel overlooked or misunderstood. Mental health is something I care deeply about because so many people silently struggle with anxiety, trauma, depression, and feelings of isolation. I want to use my education to help people feel less alone and to advocate for better mental health awareness and support systems within communities. As a single parent, I also hope to show my children that difficult circumstances do not define their future. I want them to grow up seeing resilience, determination, and compassion firsthand. I want them to know that no matter how challenging life becomes, they are capable of overcoming obstacles and pursuing their goals. Receiving this scholarship would help ease some of the financial burden that comes with balancing school and parenthood, but more importantly, it would support my dream of creating a meaningful impact through mental health advocacy and helping others heal. My experiences have taught me that strength is not about having a perfect life; it is about continuing to move forward despite adversity and using your story to help others along the way.

Returning to school as an adult has been one of the most rewarding but challenging experiences of my life. Unlike many traditional students, I am balancing school while also being a mother, working, managing finances, and handling everyday responsibilities. There have been moments where the pressure felt overwhelming, but those challenges have also strengthened my determination to succeed. One of the biggest challenges I faced when returning to school was self-doubt. After being away from education for years, I questioned whether I was capable of succeeding academically again. I worried about balancing assignments, deadlines, and exams while also caring for my family and working. It was intimidating stepping back into school later in life, especially while seeing younger students who seemed to have more time and fewer responsibilities. At first, I felt behind and unsure of myself. Financial stress has also been a major obstacle. As someone trying to provide for my family while pursuing higher education, there have been times when I had to stretch every dollar just to make ends meet. Paying for tuition, books, and everyday expenses while balancing work and parenting responsibilities has not been easy. However, those struggles have motivated me even more because I know education is the key to creating a more stable future for myself and my children. Time management has probably been one of the hardest adjustments. Many nights, I complete homework after long days of work and taking care of my children. There have been moments where I felt exhausted mentally and physically, but I have learned how to push through even when things feel difficult. Returning to school has taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of perseverance. Despite the challenges, going back to school has given me a sense of purpose and confidence that I did not have before. I am currently pursuing a degree in psychology because I want to help people who may be struggling emotionally or mentally feel supported and understood. My experiences have helped me develop empathy and compassion, which I believe will make me stronger in my future career. Most importantly, returning to school has shown my children the importance of determination and never giving up on your goals. I want them to grow up seeing that obstacles do not have to stop you from creating a better future. Every challenge I have overcome has reminded me why I started this journey in the first place. Although returning to school later in life has not been easy, it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. The challenges I have faced have shaped me into a stronger, more focused, and more resilient person, and they continue to motivate me to keep moving forward.

Higher education is more than just earning a degree to me. It represents opportunity, stability, and the chance to create a better future for both myself and my children. As a full-time psychology student, mother, and working adult, pursuing higher education has not been an easy path, but it is one I am deeply committed to because I know the impact it can have not only on my life, but on the lives of others around me. Growing up, financial struggles often created limitations and uncertainty. Because of those experiences, I understand how difficult it can be to pursue education while balancing real-life responsibilities. There have been many nights where I completed assignments after long work shifts or while caring for my children. At times, the stress of finances, parenting, and school all at once felt overwhelming. However, those challenges have also motivated me to keep pushing forward. I want to show my children that difficult circumstances do not define your future and that perseverance can open doors that once felt impossible to reach. Attending college is helping me work toward my goal of building a meaningful career in psychology and mental health advocacy. I have always been passionate about helping people feel heard, understood, and supported, especially during difficult times in their lives. Mental health affects every part of a person’s wellbeing, yet many individuals struggle silently because they lack resources, support systems, or someone willing to listen without judgment. Through higher education, I am gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to make a positive impact in this field and advocate for those who often feel overlooked. In the future, I hope to work in a career where I can support individuals dealing with emotional struggles, trauma, addiction, and mental health challenges. I want to create safe spaces where people feel comfortable seeking help and where they are reminded that their experiences do not make them less valuable. I also hope to mentor and encourage other nontraditional students and parents who may believe higher education is out of reach for them. I want others to see that it is possible to continue growing and pursuing goals no matter your age, background, or obstacles. Receiving this scholarship would not only help ease the financial burden of pursuing my education, but it would also allow me to continue focusing on my long-term goals of helping others and creating generational change for my family. Education is giving me the opportunity to transform my experiences into purpose, and I plan to use that opportunity to positively impact my community through compassion, advocacy, and service. Most importantly, higher education is teaching me resilience. It is teaching me that success is not always about having the easiest journey, but about continuing to move forward despite the challenges. I plan to carry that lesson into my future career and use it to inspire others who may be struggling to believe in themselves.

Growing up, people always teased me for having a big mouth. I was loud, opinionated, emotional, and never very good at hiding how I felt. If something bothered me, everyone knew it. If I cared about something, I spoke passionately about it. For a long time, I thought that was something I needed to fix about myself. I became insecure and started believing I was “too much” compared to everyone else around me. As I’ve gotten older, though, I’ve realized that what people once made fun of is actually one of my biggest strengths. Having a “big mouth” means I speak up when something matters. It means I care deeply about people. It means I am not afraid to express emotion, stand up for others, or advocate for myself. Those are qualities I now carry with pride instead of embarrassment. Life has not always been easy or traditional for me. I am balancing being a full-time psychology student, a mother, and working while trying to create a better future for my family. There are many days where I feel exhausted and overwhelmed, but I keep going. My voice has helped me through those difficult moments. I have learned how important it is to ask questions, communicate honestly, and stand up for what I believe in even when it feels uncomfortable. I think my ability to connect with people is also tied to being outspoken. Because I wear my emotions openly, people often feel comfortable opening up to me too. Friends, coworkers, and even strangers have come to me during hard times because they know I will listen without judgment. That ability to make people feel heard is one of the reasons I decided to pursue psychology. Mental health is something I care deeply about, and I want to work in a field where I can support people who feel misunderstood, unheard, or alone. For years, I viewed being loud and outspoken as something awkward about myself. I compared myself to quieter people who seemed more polished or put together. But now I realize that authenticity matters more than perfection. My experiences, personality, and challenges are what make me unique. They have shaped me into someone resilient, compassionate, and determined to help others. What makes me stand out is not that I have everything figured out. It is that I continue showing up as myself despite criticism or self-doubt. I have learned that the qualities people tease you for growing up can become the exact qualities that help you succeed later in life. So yes, I may have a big mouth, but now I see it differently. I see it as a voice. A voice I plan to use to encourage others, advocate for mental health awareness, and remind people that being different is not something to hide. Sometimes the things that make us awkward are also the things that make us unforgettable.

Growing up, I learned early that strength is not just about pushing through hard times, but about helping others through theirs too. As a full-time psychology student, mother, and someone who has balanced work, school, and family responsibilities all at once, I understand how important compassion, resilience, and mental health truly are. My goal is to “Be More” by using my education to advocate for people who feel overlooked, unheard, or unsupported. I chose psychology because I have always been passionate about understanding people and helping them heal. Mental health affects every part of a person’s life, including physical health, relationships, confidence, and overall wellbeing. I want to work in a field where I can make a lasting difference by supporting individuals through challenges such as anxiety, trauma, addiction, and emotional hardship. Too many people suffer in silence because they feel ashamed or believe they have nowhere to turn. I want to help change that. Being a nontraditional student has taught me perseverance and empathy. There have been many nights where I stayed up late finishing assignments after caring for my children all day, but those experiences have strengthened my determination. They remind me why I am working so hard toward my degree. I want my children to see that no matter how difficult life becomes, education, kindness, and dedication can create a better future. In my career, I hope to advocate for accessible mental health resources and create safe spaces where people feel valued and understood. I also want to give back to my community by mentoring others who may feel discouraged from pursuing higher education because of financial struggles, age, or personal obstacles. Sometimes people simply need someone to believe in them before they can believe in themselves. To me, “Be More” means doing more than achieving personal success. It means using my experiences, education, and voice to positively impact the lives of others. I want to leave behind a legacy of compassion, encouragement, and service. Through psychology and mental health advocacy, I hope to help others heal, grow, and realize their own potential.