To people around the world, the American dream might mean escaping hardships, seeking freedom and safety, or simply looking for a better life. To me, the American dream means something extremely personal. It means having the chance to achieve my goals through hard work and dedication, which is something many of the women before me in my family were robbed of. Growing up, my grandmother on my father's side always told me stories about how she and her family grew up in Trinidad and Tobago. She would recount how she couldn't get her secondary school education because her family was too poor to afford it. She only owned one pair of shoes, and most of her days as a young girl were spent helping her mother rear cows, goats, and chickens. My mother faced similar circumstances. After her mother passed away when she was only sixteen, she was left to take care of her younger sibling all alone. With so many adult responsibilities at a young age, a college education became impossible for her. Despite her challenges growing up, my mother always gave everything to ensure my odds were better. She worked hard and made many sacrifices so that I'd be able to go further than she could, especially in terms of education. From a young age, books, along with my education, were my safe haven. While my mother managed the responsibilities that once held her back, I was reading anything I could find—whether it was magazines, novels, or some old pamphlet—until I was reading far above my grade level. I would also tell stories to my little sister, not only for fun, but also because I found it amazing how words on a page could take us to entirely different worlds. As I grew more aware of the world outside of my own, I came to realise how much of a privilege education really is. Through watching the international news as a child, I was disturbed upon discovering that some young girls in different countries couldn't go to school or learn to read at all. I realised that, while I had liberal access to books, teachers, and classrooms, some young women and girls were punished merely for wanting the same. That realisation is what inspired my goal to be the first in my family to attend college, and to do it as an international student in the United States of America. I intend to major in Political Science with a concentration in International Affairs, building the skills I need to become a diplomat at the United Nations someday. Specifically, I hope to contribute to the UN Women's Second Chance Education initiative, which supports women and girls who have been denied access to learning due to poverty, gender inequality, or crisis. For me, studying in the US is a way to turn my family’s sacrifices and struggles into a way to help others through lasting change. My mother and my grandmother may have never had the chance to pursue their dreams, but their resilience and selflessness are the reason that I have a chance to pursue mine. All I am now and will be in the future is the result of the sacrifices they made so I could achieve what they couldn't. This is my American dream.

Growing up with my family in Trinidad, there was a sentence always repeated to me like a mantra: “Kaiyah, education is the key to success.” For numerous reasons, this particular saying carried a lot of weight in my household. My grandmother would always tell me stories about how she never passed primary school education because her family was deeply affected by poverty, and couldn't afford to pay for her secondary education. My mother, too, could not get her 4-year college degree, as, after her mother's untimely death, her financial and family situation did not allow it. Despite this, she always gave everything to ensure my odds were better than hers and that I could go further in education than she could. From early on, I have always been particularly passionate about reading and essay writing, as I would spend most of my free time with my nose buried in books of all different genres and making up my own silly stories to relay to my mother and sister. As I got older, my simple appreciation for reading and learning matured into something more. I grew to understand that literacy is a blessing and, undoubtedly, a privilege. As a future first-generation college student, this is especially evident to me. I would watch international news channels like CNN and BBC very often with my parents in my primary school days, and this revealed to me that not all girls and women get to learn how to read like I did or even have access to books at all. This was devastating to my younger self, and it's a pressing issue even today that must be rectified. This is why I want to create opportunities for young girls and women everywhere to gain strong skills in reading, writing and comprehension so that they can build a brighter and more promising future for themselves just as my family has always encouraged me to do. That desire is exactly what fuels my interest in majoring in Political Science at college, as it will allow me to gain the skills and qualifications needed to pursue my career goal of working with the United Nations as a diplomat. More specifically, I want to support the UN's global education goals by working as a member of the UN Women's Second Chance Education initiative. This will allow me to help give women and girls all around the world faced with issues like gender discrimination, poverty, war and other crises a fighting chance at a quality education. Hopefully, this will give them an escape from the circumstances they face and allow them to enjoy the freedoms and rights that everyone should have. Additionally, I also dream of starting my own foundation one day that will provide free and easily accessible lessons in reading, writing and comprehension to women and children in marginalised communities all over the world. These skills are highly important for things like employment, self-reliance and also for further education, so I believe that this will allow girls and women of all ages to learn, grow and survive in the world, regardless of their circumstances. Ultimately, I hope to contribute to women's empowerment by giving girls of all ages, races and backgrounds the tools they will need to build their future and chase their dreams. Just as my mother fought to give me a chance at my dreams, I want to give that same gift to girls and women everywhere.

Ever since I was in elementary school, reading was always my biggest pastime. When I was younger, if my parents ever found that the house was a little too quiet and came to check on me, chances are I was tucked away in my room, engrossed in one of my books. The books I've read, both then and now, give me a way to temporarily escape from the stress of my academic and personal life. They give me something to look forward to and characters to look up to, apart from the real-life people I admire. More than anything else, the stories I've read have reinforced the importance of education to me and also taught me that imagination and creativity can be powerful forms of resilience. One series of books in particular that really left a lasting impression on me is the Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy Maud Montgomery. My upbringing certainly wasn't the same as Anne's but her story was still able to resonate deeply with me. Anne spent her early childhood in an orphanage after losing both of her parents. There, she faced abuse, and neglect, living in conditions that were far less than ideal for a child. Her circumstances were saddening, but what really stuck with me was the fact that she never let her circumstances become the whole of who she was. Her love for reading, storytelling and learning (and the love and care of Matthew and Marilla) allowed her to create a new destiny for herself. In her adult years, Anne used those same skills and interests she had to help children who were much like her when she was younger. She became a schoolteacher and used her blessings and talents as a way to give back to her community, helping children learn and grow just as she was given a chance to. Anne's tenacious and generous character has left me with the lesson that education, creativity and a simple opportunity can change the lives of so many people in the world for the better. With this, I want to lead a life that follows Anne's in the entire series, even if my journey is a bit different. Just like Anne, I do believe that education is a blessing that can change lives. However, instead of taking the pathway of a schoolteacher, I want to work in a field that will help make education more accessible for people living in difficult and vulnerable circumstances. This is why I want to go to college to major in Political Science, which will give me the skills and knowledge I need to advocate for and assist children all over the world facing crises that prevent them from getting an education. My ultimate goal is to become a United Nations diplomat, working to support initiatives like the Education in Emergencies programme, which provides quality education to children who live in countries facing war, poverty and other hardships. I want to pitch in to help give these children a second chance at life and education, just like Anne was by Matthew, Marilla and the Green Gables community. Ultimately, reading these books about Anne has helped me to discover what I want to do with my future. I might not be exactly like Anne in terms of background or upbringing, but I absolutely hope to embody her value for education and her willingness to help change the lives of others.

When I was younger, there was a sentence my family always repeated to me like a mantra: “Kaiyah, education is the key to success.” This particular phrase, albeit very commonly said, carried a lot of weight in my household and still does today. When I was little, my grandmother would always tell me stories about how she couldn't move past her primary school education because her family, struggling with poverty and being from a marginalised community, couldn't afford to pay for her secondary education. My mother, too, could not get her 4-year college degree as after her mother's untimely death, her financial and family situation did not allow it. Despite this, she always gave everything to ensure my odds were better than hers and that I'd be able to go further in education than she could. From early on, I have always been particularly passionate about reading and essay writing, as I would spend most of my free time with my nose buried in books of all different genres and making up my own silly stories to relay to my mother and sister. As I got older, my simple appreciation for reading and learning matured into something more. I grew to understand that literacy is a blessing and, undoubtedly, a privilege. My regard for education as a privilege was furthered by watching the international news with my parents in my primary school days. It revealed to me that not all girls and women get to learn how to read like I did or even have access to books at all. This was devastating to my younger self, and it's a pressing issue even today that must be rectified. This is why I want to create opportunities for young girls and women everywhere to gain strong skills in reading, writing and comprehension so that they can build a brighter and more promising future for themselves as my family has always encouraged me to do. That desire is exactly what fuels my interest in being the first in my family to go to college and major in Political Science with a concentration in International Affairs at college, as it will allow me to gain the skills and qualifications needed to pursue my career goal of working with the United Nations as a diplomat. At college, I'll learn more about the different political structures in place around the world and I'll also understand the relationships and history between different countries much more than I do now. Graduating with a degree in Political Science will allow me to see how different groups of people in society are affected by social issues, conflict and interactions between different governing bodies around the world. With this, I'll have the skill set I need to fulfil my dream of working with the United Nations to help people in difficult situations due to circumstances beyond their control. When I think of my elders, especially my grandmother and my mother, achieving this goal is very important to me as they were deprived of their chances at an education and better opportunities solely because they were poor growing up. I want to make them proud first by becoming successful on my own and then by helping others to do the same. When I graduate from college in 2029, I want to start honing my skills in the field of global affairs and advocacy through working with NGOs and governmental agencies to support underprivileged communities. From there, I want to go on to support the UN's global education goals by working as a member of the UN Women's Second Chance Education initiative. This will allow me to help give women and girls all around the world faced with issues like gender discrimination, poverty, war and other crises a fighting chance at a quality education. Hopefully, this will give them key skills that have the potential to extricate them from the unfortunate circumstances that they are faced with, thus empowering them to go forth and fight for the rights and freedoms of other girls and women in the world like themselves. For a long-term plan, I also dream of starting my own educational foundation that will provide free and easily accessible lessons in reading, writing and comprehension to women and children in marginalised communities all over the world. These skills are highly important for things like employment, self-reliance and also for further education, so I believe that this will allow girls and women of all ages to learn, grow and survive in the world, regardless of their personal circumstances. I've already worked with my home country's leading organisation for literacy as a student volunteer, so this would only be a continuation of my service to people everywhere in need of a second chance at an education. Given that I come from a low-income household, this scholarship would be of great help to me. It would make covering my tuition and fees for the upcoming academic year more manageable for my family, and it would make my dreams more foreseeable. I would be extremely grateful for such an amazing opportunity, as it would put me one step closer to achieving my professional goal of helping to make getting an education a reality rather than a fantasy for different people all over the world. I want to be someone who always gives back to their community for all they have given her in the past, and this scholarship would push me forward to do exactly that. Ultimately, receiving this scholarship would make a huge difference for me and my family, as it would make funding my education much easier. It will also allow me to pursue my career goals and hopefully make the world better; no matter how big or small my future contributions may be. I hope to make a positive impact on the world by contributing to women's empowerment by giving girls of all ages, races and backgrounds the tools they will need to build their future and chase their dreams, just like I've been given the chance to do.

When I was younger, there was a sentence my family always repeated to me like a mantra: “Kaiyah, education is the key to success.” This particular saying carried a lot of weight in my family. My grandmother would always tell me stories about how she couldn't move past her primary school education because her family, struggling with poverty, couldn't afford her secondary education. My mother, too, could not get her 4-year college degree as after her mother's untimely death, her financial and family situation did not allow it. Despite this, she always gave everything to ensure my odds were better than hers and that I'd be able to go further in education than she could. From early on, I have always been particularly passionate about reading and essay writing, as I would spend most of my free time with my nose buried in books of all different genres and making up my own silly stories to relay to my mother and sister. As I got older, my simple appreciation for reading and learning matured into something more. I grew to understand that literacy is a blessing and, undoubtedly, a privilege. Watching the international news with my parents in my primary school days revealed to me that not all girls and women get to learn how to read like I did or even have access to books at all. This is why I want to create opportunities for young girls and women everywhere to gain strong skills in reading, writing and comprehension so that they can build a brighter and more promising future for themselves as my family has always encouraged me to do. That desire is exactly what fuels my interest in being the first in my family to go to college and major in Political Science at college, as it will allow me to gain the skills and qualifications needed to pursue my career goal of working with the United Nations as a diplomat. More specifically, I want to support the UN's global education goals by working as a member of the UN Women's Second Chance Education initiative. This will allow me to help give women and girls all around the world faced with issues like gender discrimination, poverty, war and other crises a fighting chance at a quality education. Hopefully, this will give them key skills that have the potential to extricate them from the unfortunate circumstances that they are faced with, thus empowering them to go forth and fight for the rights and freedoms of other girls and women in the world like themselves. Additionally, I also dream of starting my own foundation one day that will provide free and easily accessible lessons in reading, writing and comprehension to women and children in marginalised communities all over the world. These skills are highly important for things like employment, self-reliance and also for further education, so I believe that this will allow girls and women of all ages to learn, grow and survive in the world, regardless of their personal circumstances. Ultimately, winning this scholarship will allow me to pursue my career goals and hopefully make the world better, even if my contribution seems small. I hope to make a positive impact on the world by contributing to women's empowerment by giving girls of all ages, races and backgrounds the tools they will need to build their future and chase their dreams, just like I've been given the chance to do.

When I was younger, there was a sentence my family always repeated to me like a mantra: “Kaiyah, education is the key to success.” This particular saying carried a lot of weight in my family. My grandmother would always tell me stories about how she couldn't move past her primary school education because her family, struggling with poverty, couldn't afford her secondary education. My mother, too, could not get her 4-year college degree as after her mother's untimely death, her financial and family situation did not allow it. Despite this, she always gave everything to ensure my odds were better than hers and that I'd be able to go further in education than she could. From early on, I have always been particularly passionate about reading and essay writing, as I would spend most of my free time with my nose buried in books of all different genres and making up my own silly stories to relay to my mother and sister. As I got older, my simple appreciation for reading and learning matured into something more. I grew to understand that literacy is a blessing and, undoubtedly, a privilege. Watching the international news with my parents in my primary school days revealed to me that not all girls and women get to learn how to read like I did or even have access to books at all. This was devastating to my younger self, and it's a pressing issue even today that must be rectified. This is why I want to create opportunities for young girls and women everywhere to gain strong skills in reading, writing and comprehension so that they can build a brighter and more promising future for themselves as my family has always encouraged me to do. That desire is exactly what fuels my interest in being the first in my family to go to college and major in Political Science at college, as it will allow me to gain the skills and qualifications needed to pursue my career goal of working with the United Nations as a diplomat. More specifically, I want to support the UN's global education goals by working as a member of the UN Women's Second Chance Education initiative. This will allow me to help give women and girls all around the world faced with issues like gender discrimination, poverty, war and other crises a fighting chance at a quality education. Hopefully, this will give them key skills that have the potential to extricate them from the unfortunate circumstances that they are faced with, thus empowering them to go forth and fight for the rights and freedoms of other girls and women in the world like themselves. Additionally, I also dream of starting my own foundation one day that will provide free and easily accessible lessons in reading, writing and comprehension to women and children in marginalised communities all over the world. These skills are highly important for things like employment, self-reliance and also for further education, so I believe that this will allow girls and women of all ages to learn, grow and survive in the world, regardless of their personal circumstances. Ultimately, going to college this year is important to me as it will allow me to pursue my career goals and hopefully make the world better, even if my contribution seems small. I hope to make a positive impact on the world by contributing to women's empowerment by giving girls of all ages, races and backgrounds the tools they will need to build their future and chase their dreams, just like I've been given the chance to do.

When I was younger, there was a sentence my family always repeated to me like a mantra: “Kaiyah, education is the key to success.” This saying, in particular, carried a lot of weight in my household. My grandmother would always tell me stories about how she couldn't move past her primary school education because her family, struggling with poverty, couldn't afford to pay for her secondary education. My mother, too, could not get her 4-year college degree as after her mother's untimely death, her financial and family situation did not allow it. Despite this, she always gave everything to ensure my odds were better than hers and that I could go further in education than she could. From early on, I have always been particularly passionate about reading and essay writing, as I would spend most of my free time with my nose buried in books of all different genres and making up my own silly stories to relay to my mother and sister. As I got older, my simple appreciation for reading and learning matured into something more. I grew to understand that literacy is a blessing and, undoubtedly, a privilege. Watching the international news with my parents in my primary school days revealed to me that not all girls and women get to learn how to read like I did or even have access to books at all. This was devastating to my younger self, and it's a pressing issue even today that must be rectified. This is why I want to create opportunities for young girls and women everywhere to gain strong skills in reading, writing and comprehension so that they can build a brighter and more promising future for themselves as my family has always encouraged me to do. That desire is exactly what fuels my interest in majoring in Political Science at college, as it will allow me to gain the skills and qualifications needed to pursue my career goal of working with the United Nations as a diplomat. More specifically, I want to support the UN's global education goals by working as a member of the UN Women's Second Chance Education initiative. This will allow me to help give women and girls all around the world faced with issues like gender discrimination, poverty, war and other crises a fighting chance at a quality education. Hopefully, this will give them key skills that have the potential to extricate them from the unfortunate circumstances that they are faced with, thus empowering them to go forth and fight for the rights and freedoms of other girls and women in the world like themselves. Additionally, I also dream of starting my own foundation one day that will provide free and easily accessible lessons in reading, writing and comprehension to women and children in marginalised communities all over the world. These skills are highly important for things like employment, self-reliance and also for further education, so I believe that this will allow girls and women of all ages to learn, grow and survive in the world, regardless of their personal circumstances. I've already begun this journey by volunteering with ALTA TT, an organisation that focuses on helping children strengthen their reading and writing, which has reinforced my belief that having access to an education is an empowering resource. Ultimately, I hope to make a positive impact on the world by contributing to women's empowerment by giving girls of all ages, races and backgrounds the tools they will need to build their future and chase their dreams, just like I've been given the chance to do.

When I was younger, there was a sentence my family always repeated to me like a mantra: “Kaiyah, education is the key to success.” This particular saying carried a lot of weight in my household. My grandmother would always tell me stories about how she couldn't move past her primary school education because her family, struggling with poverty, couldn't afford to pay for her secondary education. My mother, too, could not get her 4-year college degree as after her mother's untimely death, her financial and family situation did not allow it. Despite this, she always gave everything to ensure my odds were better than hers and that I could go further in education than she could. From early on, I have always been particularly passionate about reading and essay writing, as I would spend most of my free time with my nose buried in books of all different genres and making up my own silly stories to relay to my mother and sister. As I got older, my simple appreciation for reading and learning matured into something more. I grew to understand that literacy is a blessing and, undoubtedly, a privilege. Watching the international news with my parents in my primary school days revealed to me that not all girls and women get to learn how to read like I did or even have access to books at all. This was devastating to my younger self, and it's a pressing issue even today that must be rectified. This is why I want to create opportunities for young girls and women everywhere to gain strong skills in reading, writing and comprehension so that they can build a brighter and more promising future for themselves as my family has always encouraged me to do. That desire is exactly what fuels my interest in majoring in Political Science at college, as it will allow me to gain the skills and qualifications needed to pursue my career goal of working with the United Nations as a diplomat. More specifically, I want to support the UN's global education goals by working as a member of the UN Women's Second Chance Education initiative. This will allow me to help give women and girls all around the world faced with issues like gender discrimination, poverty, war and other crises a fighting chance at a quality education. Hopefully, this will give them key skills that have the potential to extricate them from the unfortunate circumstances that they are faced with, thus empowering them to go forth and fight for the rights and freedoms of other girls and women in the world like themselves. Additionally, I also dream of starting my own foundation one day that will provide free and easily accessible lessons in reading, writing and comprehension to women and children in marginalised communities all over the world. These skills are highly important for things like employment, self-reliance and also for further education, so I believe that this will allow girls and women of all ages to learn, grow and survive in the world, regardless of their personal circumstances. Ultimately, I hope to make a positive impact on the world by contributing to women's empowerment by giving girls of all ages, races and backgrounds the tools they will need to build their future and chase their dreams, just like I've been given the chance to do.

I still remember the night that everything changed. My parents were shouting at each other again. Loud. It was like they forgot my sister and I were even around. In desperation, just to make everything stop, I faked an asthma attack to get everyone's attention. At that point, I was only in my first year of middle school, watching my family fall apart right before me. The fighting didn’t end that night. If anything, it got worse from there. The tension seeped into my high school years, eventually spiralling into a full-blown, chaotic divorce. As my parents’ marriage fell apart, my father slowly pulled away from us all. He was technically present, still living under the same roof, claiming to be involved, but it was obvious, in more ways than one, that he had already checked out of our family. What hit me even harder than the money was how it made me feel. My father’s withdrawal left a huge hole in my life, and I filled it with a boatload of self-blame. Different questions plagued my mind: “Did I do something wrong?” “Was I the reason he didn’t want to support us?” While I understood deep down that my parents’ issues had nothing to do with me, emotionally, it felt like it was all my fault. On top of that, it started affecting my school life too. I’d sit in class and zone out, worrying if I’d go home to another argument. I couldn’t focus, couldn’t sleep, and definitely couldn’t enjoy the things I loved. The divorce wasn’t just happening to my parents. It was happening to me too. Additionally, the divorce completely warped how I viewed relationships. I overheard some of the ugliest details of my parents’ separation that absolutely no child should ever have to know about their parents. After that, I built walls around myself. I stopped being open to romantic relationships, avoided vulnerability in friendships, and operated under the assumption that every relationship I had was automatically doomed. I began suppressing my emotions and pulling away from everyone, causing me to experience depressive episodes and meltdowns. This wasn't because I was weak or just didn’t care about my friends or family, but because I convinced myself that relationships and showing emotion would only lead to hurt and betrayal in the end. With time and counselling, I’ve grown to understand that my parents’ relationship isn’t a prediction for my future relationships. I’ve had to teach myself that I am not doomed to repeat their mistakes, and that real and healthy relationships, romantic or not, are still possible. My parents’ divorce didn’t break me, but it definitely helped build me, albeit differently than others. It forced me to develop emotional and mental resilience. Robert H. Schuller once said, “Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future,” and I carry this lesson with me every day. I really wouldn’t wish my experiences on anyone, but I also wouldn’t erase them because they’ve made me into someone tenacious who keeps on keeping on even when things get hard. To anyone facing the same situation, I leave you with this. Always have someone you can confide in—a friend, a teacher, a guidance counsellor or any trusted adult. It's super important not to let your emotions become pent up over time, because it can lead to breakdowns. Above all, always remember that you are in charge of your own destiny, no matter how unsteady your foundation might seem.

Being a first-generation college student has dramatically impacted how I value education. Growing up, my grandmother always told me stories about her limited access to education due to growing up in poverty. My parents didn't get their undergraduate degrees either as college was expensive, and my grandparents couldn't afford it. Due to this, I grew to understand that education is a blessing and, undoubtedly, a privilege. With my family’s emphasis on education and my first-generation status came the realisation that even today, not everyone has access to education like I do. This was devastating to my younger self, and it's a pressing issue even today that must be rectified. This is why I want to create opportunities for children everywhere to gain strong skills in reading, writing and comprehension so that they can build a brighter and more promising future for themselves as my family has always encouraged me to do. One day, I hope to work in the Education in Emergencies program, which is spearheaded by UNICEF. In this line of work, I will dedicate my career to providing quality education to children who live in countries struck by crises like war, political instability, and displacement and who may not have had the opportunity to get an education otherwise. Ultimately, my first-generation identity has completely changed how I value education. I hope to use my privilege and future experience to help children everywhere gain access to educational resources and to give back to my family and community.

When I was younger, there was a sentence my family always repeated to me like a mantra: “Kaiyah, education is the key to success.” This saying, in particular, carried a lot of weight in my household. My grandmother would always tell me stories about how she couldn't move past her primary school education because her family, struggling with poverty, couldn't afford to pay for her secondary education. My mother, too, could not get her 4-year college degree as after her mother's untimely death, her financial and family situation did not allow it. Despite this, she always gave everything to ensure my odds were better than hers and that I'd be able to go further in education than she could. From early on, I have always been particularly passionate about reading and essay writing, as I would spend most of my free time with my nose buried in books of all different genres and making up my own silly stories to relay to my mother and sister. As I got older, my simple appreciation for reading and learning matured into something more. I grew to understand that literacy is a blessing and, undoubtedly, a privilege. Watching the international news with my parents in my primary school days revealed to me that not all girls and women get to learn how to read like I did or even have access to books at all. This was devastating to my younger self, and it's a pressing issue even today that must be rectified. This is why I want to create opportunities for young girls and women everywhere to gain strong skills in reading, writing and comprehension so that they can build a brighter and more promising future for themselves as my family has always encouraged me to do. That desire is exactly what fuels my interest in majoring in Political Science at college, as it will allow me to gain the skills and qualifications needed to pursue my career goal of working with the United Nations as a diplomat. More specifically, I want to support the UN's global education goals by working as a member of the UN Women's Second Chance Education initiative. This will allow me to help give women and girls all around the world faced with issues like gender discrimination, poverty, war and other crises a fighting chance at a quality education. Hopefully, this will give them key skills that have the potential to extricate them from the unfortunate circumstances that they are faced with, thus empowering them to go forth and fight for the rights and freedoms of other girls and women in the world like themselves. Additionally, I also dream of starting my own foundation one day that will provide free and easily accessible lessons in reading, writing and comprehension to women and children in marginalised communities all over the world. These skills are highly important for things like employment, self-reliance and also for further education, so I believe that this will allow girls and women of all ages to learn, grow and survive in the world, regardless of their personal circumstances. Ultimately, I hope to make a positive impact on the world by contributing to women's empowerment by giving girls of all ages, races and backgrounds the tools they will need to build their future and chase their dreams, just like I've been given the chance to do.

Growing up, there was a sentence my family always repeated to me like a mantra: “Kaiyah, education is the key to success.” This saying, in particular, carried a lot of weight in my household. My grandmother would always tell me stories about how she never passed primary school education because her family was deeply affected by poverty, and couldn't afford to pay for her secondary education. My mother, too, could not get her 4-year college degree, as, after her mother's untimely death, her financial and family situation did not allow it. Despite this, she always gave everything to ensure my odds were better than hers and that I'd be able to go further in education than she could. From early on, I have always been particularly passionate about reading and essay writing, as I would spend most of my free time with my nose buried in books of all different genres and making up my own silly stories to relay to my mother and sister. As I got older, my simple appreciation for reading and learning matured into something more. I grew to understand that literacy is a blessing and, undoubtedly, a privilege. As a future first-generation college student, this is especially evident to me. As I began growing more aware of the world's issues, watching the international news with my parents in my primary school days revealed the harsh reality that not all girls and women get to learn how to read like I did or even have access to books at all. This was devastating to my younger self, and it's a pressing issue even today that must be rectified. This is why I want to create opportunities for young girls and women everywhere to gain strong skills in reading, writing and comprehension so that they can build a brighter and more promising future for themselves as my family has always encouraged me to do. That desire is exactly what fuels my interest in majoring in Political Science at college, as it will allow me to gain the skills and qualifications needed to pursue my career goal of working with the United Nations as a diplomat. More specifically, I want to support the UN's global education goals by working as a member of the UN Women's Second Chance Education initiative. This will allow me to help give women and girls all around the world faced with issues like gender discrimination, poverty, war and other crises a fighting chance at an education. I believe that quality education has the potential to open doors people never thought they'd get past, just as it did for me. While my aspirations are large, my family’s financial situation, unfortunately, does serve as a potential barrier for me. This scholarship would mean a lot to me because it would alleviate my parents and family—who have already done so much for me—of some of the financial burdens from my tuition, allowing me to focus fully on my education and volunteer work in college, and to prepare for my future career. With this scholarship, things that weren't possible for those before me, like my grandmother, will become attainable for me. I will be able to pursue my career in diplomacy and uplift women everywhere. This isn't just an investment into my college education but into the work I hope to do in the future with thousands of girls and women whose lives I hope to impact positively. If I can help even one girl like myself unlock her true ability with education, then I'll have already begun giving back to the community that built me.

Growing up, there was a sentence my family always repeated to me like a mantra: “Kaiyah, education is the key to success.” This saying in particular carried a lot of weight in my household. My grandmother would always tell me stories about how she never passed primary school education because her family was deeply affected by poverty, and couldn't afford to pay for her secondary education. My mother, too, could not get her 4-year college degree, as, after her mother's untimely death, her financial and family situation did not allow it. Despite this, she always gave everything to ensure my odds were better than hers and that I'd be able to go further in education than she could. From early on, I have always been particularly passionate about reading and essay writing, as I would spend most of my free time with my nose buried in books of all different genres and making up my own silly stories to relay to my mother and sister. As I got older, my simple appreciation for reading and learning matured into something more. I grew to understand that literacy is a blessing and, undoubtedly, a privilege. As a future first-generation college student, this is especially evident to me. Watching the international news with my parents in my primary school days revealed to me that not all girls and women get to learn how to read like I did or even have access to books at all. This was devastating to my younger self, and it's a pressing issue even today that must be rectified. This is why I want to create opportunities for young girls and women everywhere to gain strong skills in reading, writing and comprehension, so that they can build a brighter and more promising future for themselves, like my family has always encouraged me to do. That desire is exactly what fuels my interest in majoring in Political Science at college, as it will allow me to gain the skills and qualifications needed to pursue my career goal of working with the United Nations as a diplomat. More specifically, I want to support the UN's global education goals by working as a member of the UN Women's Second Chance Education initiative. This will allow me to help give women and girls all around the world faced with issues like gender discrimination, poverty, war and other crises a fighting chance at a quality education. Hopefully, this will give them key skills that have the potential to extricate them from the unfortunate circumstances that they are faced with, thus empowering them to go forth and fight for the rights and freedoms of other girls and women in the world like themselves. Additionally, I also dream of starting my own foundation one day that will provide free and easily accessible lessons in reading, writing and comprehension to women and children in marginalised communities all over the world. These skills are highly important for things like employment, self-reliance and also for further education, so I believe that this will allow girls and women of all ages to learn, grow and survive in the world, regardless of their personal circumstances. Ultimately, I hope to contribute to women's empowerment by giving girls of all ages, races and backgrounds the tools they will need to build their future and chase their dreams, just like I've been given the chance to do.

“Yuh want some bhandania?” (Would you like some bhandania?) my grandmother's neighbour, who everyone called Aunty Kamari, asked me. Completely lost, I stood with my head tilted and eyebrows knitted together.  "Bhandania? Was she asking me if I wanted a bandana?" I thought to myself. Noticing my visible confusion, she explained to me (through audible laughter) what bhandania meant. After this incident, I now know that the bhandania she referred to is the Trinidadian Bhojpuri word for culantro. A wave of severe embarrassment washed over me.  That was my own culture and my own language. How could I not know what it meant? My confusion over the word bhandania unearthed how much I still had to learn about the languages of my country, which reflect both its history and the unity of the multiple ethnic groups that reside here. Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by physical reminders of my cultural identity, which ensured that I was always aware of my multicultural background. Due to this, I often found myself fixated mainly on tangible aspects of my culture, neglecting the linguistic aspect of it—a crucial part of my identity that would serve as the liaison between my ancestors, my fellow Trinidadians, and myself. My encounter with Aunty Kamari and the word bhandania sparked a moment of realisation in me: even though I was born into this culture, I still had so much to learn about my own heritage and the languages of my ancestors. My newfound understanding triggered a deeper interest in languages and foreign countries. If the word bhandania by itself could reveal so much about my own country, what could I learn about other countries simply by learning their languages? I finally came to understand that language is not merely the words we say to one another every day, but rather the key to new ideas, connections, and perspectives. As a result, I gained a thirst for exploring languages and cultures beyond the borders of my little twin island of Trinidad and Tobago. I soon began binge-watching Chinese series on Netflix and listening to music in Spanish and French, like Reggaeton and Franco-pop, hoping to learn new words that I would be able to use at school, and with family and friends. This also inspired me to enrol in Caribbean Hindustani and Mandarin classes outside of school hours, which deepened my affinity for foreign languages and cultivated my interest in foreign cultures. My newfound language and culture have indubitably shaped my vision for the future. At college, I plan to pursue a degree in Political Science and eventually work at the United Nations, where I can use the skills and knowledge I gain to effectively advocate for cultural exchange and peaceful relations between countries. I hope that I can become a diplomat for my home country, using language not only as a tool for communication but also as a bridge for genuine connection.

Growing up with my family in Trinidad and Tobago, life was always lively. If you know any Trinis, you know that we LOVE a good party. It doesn't matter if it's a birthday, an anniversary, or just making it to the end of the week. Any excuse works. Even though we love partying, we never neglect our responsibilities. In fact, I often watched my parents party at a relative's way into the night, but still shook themselves off the next morning to go to work. My family taught me the importance of balance. More specifically, the balance between enjoyment and working towards my goals. With these lessons about balance came a sentence my family repeated like a mantra: “Kaiyah, education is the key to success.” This carried a lot of weight in my household. My grandmother never made it past primary school because her family couldn’t afford it. My parents, too, couldn’t get their 4-year college degree as their financial situation did not allow it, yet they gave everything to ensure my odds were better. My main motivation for attending college in the United States is to seize the opportunities many of my relatives didn't have, and to make my parents proud. At college, I want to major in Political Science. This will allow me to pursue my dream of working with UNICEF to support their education initiatives. There, I want to work under the Education in Emergencies program to give children in crisis-stricken nations a fair shot at an education. My roots have taught me the importance of dreaming big, always working hard and celebrating every milestone I hit to the fullest. Going to college in the US will allow me to honour these values and build a future where millions of people like me can do the same.

I still remember the night that everything changed. My parents were shouting at each other again. Loud. It was like they forgot my sister and me were around. In desperation, just to make everything stop, I faked an asthma attack to get everyone's attention. At that point, I was only in my first year of middle school, watching my family fall apart right before me. The fighting didn’t end that night. If anything, it got worse from there. The tension seeped into my high school years, eventually spiralling into a full-blown, chaotic divorce. As my parents’ marriage fell apart, my father slowly pulled away from us all. He was technically present, still living under the same roof, claiming to be involved, but it was obvious, in more ways than one, that he had already checked out of our family. What hit me even harder than the money was how it made me feel. My father’s withdrawal left a huge hole in my life, and I filled it with a boatload of self-blame. Different questions plagued my mind: “Did I do something wrong?” “Was I the reason he didn’t want to support us?” While I understood deep down that my parents’ issues had nothing to do with me, emotionally, it felt like it was all my fault. On top of that, it started affecting my school life too. I’d sit in class and zone out, worrying if I’d go home to another argument. I couldn’t focus, couldn’t sleep, and definitely couldn’t enjoy the things I loved. The divorce wasn’t just happening to my parents. It was happening to me too. Additionally, the divorce completely warped how I viewed relationships. I overheard some of the ugliest details of my parents’ separation that absolutely no child should ever have to know about their parents. After that, I built walls around myself. I stopped being open to romantic relationships, avoided vulnerability in friendships, and operated under the assumption that every relationship I had was automatically doomed. I began suppressing my emotions and pulling away from everyone, causing me to experience depressive episodes and meltdowns. This wasn't because I was weak or just didn’t care about my friends or family, but because I convinced myself that relationships and showing emotion would only lead to hurt and betrayal in the end. With time and counselling, I’ve grown to understand that my parents’ relationship isn’t a prediction for my future relationships. I’ve had to teach myself that I am not doomed to repeat their mistakes, and that real and healthy relationships, romantic or not, are still possible. My parents’ divorce didn’t break me, but it definitely helped build me, albeit differently than others. It forced me to develop emotional and mental resilience. Robert H. Schuller once said, “Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future,” and I carry this lesson with me every day. I really wouldn’t wish my experiences on anyone, but I also wouldn’t erase them because they’ve made me into someone tenacious, who keeps going even when things seem too difficult to bear. To anyone facing the same situation as me, I leave you with this. Always have someone you can confide in, whether it's a friend, a teacher, a guidance counsellor or a trusted adult. Also, take my story as a cautionary tale. It's super important not to let your emotions become pent up during this, because it can lead to breakdowns and even end relationships over time. Finally, I want you to always remember that you are in charge of your own destiny, no matter how unsteady your foundation might seem.

Old soca music blasts from a huge black speaker, aunties pass out plates of pelau and avocado slices, and someone shouts over the music, “Yuh want some mauby?” while nudging you to take a plastic cup from their hands. That's exactly how you know you're at a Trinidadian family gathering. Growing up with my family in Trinidad and Tobago, my life was always lively and enjoyable, with a deep appreciation for community. If you know any Trinis, you know better than anyone that we absolutely LOVE a good party. It didn't matter if it was a birthday, an anniversary, good exam results, or just making it to the end of the week in one piece–any old excuse to celebrate would suffice for us. Even though we loved to party, we never neglected our responsibilities and duties. Growing up, I watched my family members stay at a lime at a relative's house until way into the night, but still shake themselves off the next morning to prepare for work. My Caribbean family taught me the importance of balance. More specifically, the balance between enjoyment in life and working towards our goals and self-improvement. With these lessons about balance came a sentence my family repeated like a mantra: “Kaiyah, education is the key to success.” This saying in particular carried a lot of weight in my household. My grandmother (Nice Mummy as we would call her) never passed primary school education because her family could not afford it. My parents, too, could not get their 4-year college degree as their financial and family situation did not allow it, yet they gave everything to ensure my odds were better than theirs. I'm passionate about attending college in the United States to seize the opportunities many of my older, close relatives did not have and to make my parents and grandparents proud. When I return home after college, I want to give back to my family and community for all they have invested in me up until now. At college, I want to major in Political Science. This will allow me to pursue my career goal of working with the UN to support their education goals worldwide. I want to work as a member of the Education in Emergencies program to give disadvantaged children a fair shot at getting their education. My Caribbean roots have taught me, thus far, the importance of dreaming big, always working hard for what I want and celebrating every milestone I hit—no matter the magnitude—to the fullest. Going to college will allow me to honour these values and build a future where thousands—maybe even millions—of little Caribbean girls and boys in the future can do the same.

Being a first-generation college student has dramatically impacted how I value education. Growing up, my grandmother always told me stories about her limited access to education due to growing up poor and marginalised. My parents didn't get their undergraduate degrees either as college was expensive, and my grandparents couldn't afford it. Due to this, my family always told me that education is the key to success in life, no matter its form. To me, a degree is more than a mere piece of paper; it is a physical manifestation of my resilience and my family's hard work. It is also a testament to the truth that anything is possible in this lifetime with a bit of hope and faith. With this in mind, attending college this year isn't just about getting my degree. It's also about showing gratitude for my family's sacrifices for me and making them proud by doing what they didn't have the chance to do at my age. By getting my college degree, I will be able to set the tone for those who come after me in my family, making higher education the norm for us all rather than a dream that is just out of reach. I hope that in doing this, my younger relatives, like my niece and my younger cousins, will be inspired to pursue their dreams with confidence and the calm assurance that someone close to them has walked the same path. From early on, I have always been particularly passionate about reading and essay writing, as I would spend most of my free time with my nose buried in books of all different genres and making up my own silly stories to relay to my mother and sister. As I got older, my passion for reading grew into a desire to give back to my community through volunteering with my country’s leading organisation for literacy and reading at their annual event called ‘Readings Under the Trees.’ There, I helped coordinate communication between authors and students at the event while ensuring the smooth run of activities specifically for the children, which taught them key literacy skills, phonics, and sight words. This experience furthered my appreciation for education and taught me the importance of spreading my love for reading and writing to others. Because of this, I want to major in Political Science. I know this doesn't show any immediate connection to education, but I promise there's a strong connection. A Political Science degree will equip me with the necessary skills to understand how global organisations can help people, especially educationally. It will also allow me to pursue my longtime dream of working with the United Nations. If this comes to fruition one day, I hope to work in the Education in Emergencies program, which is spearheaded by UNICEF. In this line of work, I will dedicate my career to providing quality education to children who live in countries struck by crises like war, political instability, and displacement and who may not have had the opportunity to get an education otherwise. Ultimately, I want to be known as a person who dedicated her life to improving things for those who came after her and as an inspiration to younger generations to never take their education for granted. I hope to dedicate my life to helping others and giving people equal opportunities to learn and further themselves academically. I want to give adults and children who are at a disadvantage a fair chance at the opportunities my parents and grandparents never got. This is the kind of legacy I want to leave behind.

Being a first-generation college student has dramatically impacted how I value education. My family always told me that education is the key to success, no matter its form, which has still stuck with me. Growing up, my grandmother always told me stories about her limited access to education. In addition to this, my parents didn't get their undergraduate degrees as college was expensive, and my grandparents simply couldn't afford it. With this in mind, attending college this year isn't just about getting my degree. It's also about showing gratitude for my family's sacrifices for me thus far and making them proud by doing what they didn't have the chance to do at my age and becoming successful. From early on, I have always been particularly passionate about reading and essay writing, as I would spend the majority of my free time with my nose buried in books of all different genres and making up my own silly stories to relay to my mother and sister. As I got older, my passion for reading grew into a desire to give back to my community through volunteering with my country’s leading organisation for literacy and reading. This experience furthered my appreciation for education and taught me the importance of spreading my love for reading and writing to others. Because of this, I want to major in Political Science. I know this doesn't show any immediate connection to education, but I promise there's a strong connection. A Political Science degree will equip me with the skills to understand how global organisations can help people, especially in education. It will also allow me to chase my longtime dream of working with the United Nations. If this comes to fruition one day, I hope to work in the Education in Emergencies program, which is spearheaded by UNICEF. In this line of work, I will dedicate my career to providing quality education to children who live in countries struck by crises like war, political instability, and displacement and who may not have had the opportunity to get an education otherwise. At the end of it all, I want to be known as a person who dedicated her life to making things better for those who came after her and as an inspiration to younger generations to never take their education for granted. I hope to dedicate my life to helping others and giving people equal opportunities to learn and further themselves academically. I want to give adults and children who are at a disadvantage a fair chance at the opportunities my parents and grandparents never got. This is precisely the kind of legacy I intend to leave behind.

Being a first-generation college student has dramatically impacted how I value education. Growing up, my grandmother always told me stories about her limited access to education. My parents didn't get their undergraduate degrees as college was expensive, and my grandparents couldn't afford it. With this in mind, attending college this year isn't just about getting my degree. It's also about showing gratitude for my family's sacrifices for me thus far and making them proud by doing what they didn't have the chance to do at my age and becoming successful. From early on, I have always been particularly passionate about reading and essay writing since elementary school, as I would spend the majority of my free time with my nose buried in books of all different genres and making up my own silly stories to relay to my mother and sister. As I got older, my passion for reading grew into a desire to give back to my community through volunteering with my country’s leading organisation for literacy and reading. This experience furthered my appreciation for education and taught me the importance of spreading my love for reading and writing to others. Because of this, I want to major in Political Science. I know this doesn't scream "education" straight away, but I promise there's a strong connection. A Political Science degree will equip me with the skills to understand how governments and global organisations can best help people, especially in education. It will also allow me to chase my longtime dream of working with the United Nations. If this comes to fruition one day, I hope to work in the Education in Emergencies program, which is spearheaded by UNICEF. In this line of work, I will dedicate my career to providing quality education to children who live in countries struck by crises like war, political instability, and displacement, who may not have had the opportunity to get an education otherwise. I hope to dedicate my life to helping others and giving people equal opportunities to learn and further themselves academically. I also want to give adults and children who are at a disadvantage a fair chance at the opportunities my parents and grandparents never got. This is precisely the kind of impact I intend to leave behind.

I still remember the night everything started feeling completely different. My parents were shouting at each other again. Loud. It was like they forgot my sister and I were around. In desperation just for some quiet, I faked an asthma attack to get everyone's attention. At that point, I was only in my first year of middle school, watching my family fall apart in real-time. Their fighting didn’t stop that night. If anything, it got worse from there. The tension dragged out into my high school years, eventually becoming an absolute tornado of a divorce. Two of the biggest adversities I saw during this time were financial uncertainty and emotional distress. As the relationship between my mother and my father fell apart, my father slowly pulled away from us. He was technically present, still living under the same roof, claiming to be involved but it was obvious, in more ways than one, that he checked out from our family. What hit me even harder than the money was how it made me feel. My father’s withdrawal left a huge hole in my life, and I filled it with a boatload of self-blame. I kept asking myself, “Did I do something wrong?” “Was I the reason he didn’t want to support us?” While I understood deep down that my parents’ issues had nothing to do with me, emotionally it felt like it was all my fault. This constant emotional turmoil started worming its way into other areas of my life. I’d sit in class and zone out, worrying if I’d go home to another argument. I couldn’t focus, couldn’t sleep, and definitely couldn’t enjoy the things I loved. The divorce wasn’t just happening to my parents. It was happening to me too. Additionally, the divorce completely warped how I viewed relationships. I overheard some of the ugliest details of my parents’ separation that absolutely no child should ever have to know about their parents. After that, I built walls around myself. I stopped being open to romantic relationships, avoided vulnerability in friendships, and operated under the assumption that every relationship I had was automatically doomed. I began suppressing my emotions and pulling away from everyone, causing me to experience depressive episodes and meltdowns. This wasn't because I was weak or just didn’t care about my friends or family, but because I convinced myself that relationships and showing emotion would only lead to hurt and betrayal in the end. With time and counselling, I’ve grown to understand that my parents’ relationship isn’t a prediction for my future relationships. I’ve had to teach myself that I am not doomed to repeat their mistakes, and that real and healthy relationships, romantic or not, are still possible. Even now, as an incoming college freshman, the divorce still affects me. My parents’ divorce has made my financial situation a bit more unpredictable, and I know that my ability to pay for my tuition at my dream school, Rutgers University, might be impacted by circumstances I can't control. That’s why I’m applying for this scholarship as my best bet at pushing forward despite everything I've experienced from childhood to the present. My parents’ divorce didn’t break me, but it helped build me, albeit differently than others. It forced me to develop emotional and mental resilience, and to understand that I should, according to Robert H. Schuller, let my hopes, not my hurts, shape my future. I really wouldn’t wish my experiences on anyone, but I also wouldn’t erase them because it’s made me into someone tenacious who keeps on keeping on even when things get hard.

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X. First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to both the family and friends of Ms. Charlene Howard. There is absolutely no doubt in my heart that she was a remarkable and dedicated person in everything that she did, who touched the lives of many. My name is Kaiyah Boxill, and I'm a high school senior from Trinidad and Tobago, who will be attending college in the United States this Fall. In my high school years, I have had thus far the great privilege of volunteering with the Adult Literacy Tutors Association of Trinidad and Tobago during their annual event dedicated to promoting literacy and cultivating a genuine love for reading among both adults and children. The event, ‘Readings Under the Trees,’ includes a plethora of engaging activities, including reading circles, phonics and vocabulary games, and storytelling sessions, which are specifically designed to teach participants of all age groups the value and beauty of literacy and reading. I have always been particularly passionate about reading and essay writing since elementary school, as I would spend the majority of my free time with my nose buried in books of all different genres and making up my own silly stories to relay to my mother and sister. With that being said, my involvement in this event was not just any old act of service but rather a way to give back to my community in the best way I knew how. This experience furthered my appreciation for education and taught me the importance of spreading my love for reading and writing to others. The UN's 4th goal for sustainable development, quality education, is indubitably furthered by ALTA's events and work, and I intend to continue working with them in the future to contribute to higher literacy and education rates in my country. I will achieve this not only through volunteering with ALTA but also through working with the UN as a diplomat after I achieve my Bachelor's degree in Political Science. If my longtime dream of working with the United Nations does come to fruition one day, I hope to work in the Education in Emergencies program which is spearheaded by UNICEF. In this line of work, I will dedicate my career to providing quality education to children who live in countries struck by crises like war, political instability, and displacement, and who may not have had the opportunity to get an education otherwise. All in all, I hope to dedicate my life's work to helping others and giving people equal opportunities to learn and further themselves academically, just as Ms Howard has. I will not achieve this just by pursuing a career in diplomacy, but also by making education accessible for those who need it most. This is the kind of impact I intend to leave behind.

My name is Kaiyah Boxill, and I am a highschool senior from Trinidad and Tobago. This year, I will hopefully begin my undergraduate studies at Rutgers University New Brunswick, where I plan to major in Political Science, and double minor in Spanish and Chinese. My career goal is to become a foreign service worker or to work as a Peace Officer with the United Nations, uniting people and helping build policies that promote peace, justice, and fraternity among nations. I've always been fascinated by foreign languages and cultures. This is furthered by the fact that I speak varying levels of five languages: English, English Creole, Spanish, French, and Mandarin. I see language not only as a way to communicate, but also as a pathway to understanding other people’s values, their history and their different perspectives. I believe that this is important for anyone with the intention of working in global affairs like myself. During high-school, I have been given the opportunity to take on many leadership roles. For instance, I served in student government for three years, where I learned how to advocate for the needs of others, collaborate with teammates to resolve issues, and be a leader with integrity. I volunteered with the Adult Literacy Tutors Association in my home country, Trinidad and Tobago, to help coordinate an annual event meant to promote literacy in the English language for adults and children. Volunteering with this organisation was especially important to me as I have always valued reading, and acknowledge the importance of everyone having the ability to read and communicate for both enjoyment and professional purposes. I also volunteered with the Living Water Community, a charitable Catholic organisation that assists underprivileged and marginalised communities in the Caribbean. My most memorable moment from volunteering with this organisation was packing hampers for their annual Christmas food drive to be distributed to persons who needed it the most. This deepened my awareness of social inequalities, and also taught me the importance of altruism. While I have worked hard to achieve my goals, I have hit some speed bumps along the way. One of the most significant challenges I faced was my parents’ separation then eventual divorce. After the divorce, my father slowly withdrew from our lives, emotionally and financially, making things extremely difficult for my mother, my sister and I at one point, even though he was physically present and lived in the same house. My parents’ divorce impacted me more than I'd like to admit, even affecting my grades and my performance in my extracurricular activities that I once excelled in. However, I have gradually overcome this through having open and honest conversations with both my parents, my friends and professionals to work things out, but I still struggle with some of them today. From all of this, I’ve learned to always express and process my emotions like fear, hurt and confusion in a healthy way, but not let it take complete control of everything I do. Even now, as I prepare to start college, the financial uncertainty from my parents' divorce still affects me, but I refuse to let it limit me in my educational and professional pursuits. This scholarship would not only ease the financial burden on my family, but also help me take on my career in diplomacy, in which I would help those that need it most through peace negotiations, humanitarian aid and the fight for human dignity and equality.

I have always been highly interested in global affairs and strongly believe that diplomacy and the implementation of effective policies have the potential to create real peace and progression around the world. Language learning and cultural exploration have always been at the centre of my personal and academic development. From a young age, I was fascinated by the different countries and cultures that exist outside of my own, and over the years, I have cultivated a strong interest in International Affairs. During my time in Secondary school, I served in student government for three years. In that time, I helped coordinate activities and represented the concerns and interests of my peers. These leadership roles helped me develop a sense of responsibility, while also honing my ability to advocate for the best interests of others, work collaboratively, and lead with integrity and honesty. Additionally, I have maintained consistent involvement in community service over the years. I have volunteered with the Adult Literacy Tutors Association (ALTA) of Trinidad and Tobago, assisting with a major national literacy event that aims to help both adults and children improve their reading and writing skills in English. I also volunteered with the Living Water Community, a charitable Catholic organisation that supports underserved populations. During the Christmas season, I assisted this organisation by volunteering to pack and distribute food hampers to families and individuals in need. These experiences showed me the value of altruism, generosity, and service, and they helped me realise just how impactful small, collective efforts can be in the lives of those who really need it most. I have been admitted to Howard University, where I will hopefully be able to achieve my Bachelor's degree in International Affairs with a minor in Spanish. This is linked heavily to my love for foreign languages and affairs, as I have obtained proficiency in 5 languages, which I tend to make ample use of in my future professional endeavours. After completing my undergraduate studies, I intend to continue with my academic journey up to the doctorate level. My long-term goal is to become either a foreign service worker or a Peace Officer with the United Nations. Furthermore, I also hope to gain more hands-on experience by working under major international organisations such as the United Nations, as well as with governmental agencies and NGOs that work to assist underdeveloped and marginalised communities in all parts of the world. With this, I hope to develop inportant skills like communication, negotiation, and policy analysis, which are a necessity for a person in any role focused on diplomacy. Ultimately, I want to dedicate my life and my career to creating positive and long-term global change. I believe that through higher education and a genuine commitment to diplomacy, I can play a part—no matter how major or minor—in helping the world achieve this.

I still remember the night everything started feeling completely different . My parents were shouting at each other again. Loud. It was like they forgot my sister and I were even in the house. In a fit of utter desperation just for some temporary quiet, I faked an asthma attack. At that point, I was only in my first year of middle school terrified of watching my family fall apart in real time. Their fighting didn’t stop that night. If anything, it got worse from there. The tension dragged out into my high-school years, eventually becoming an absolute tornado of a divorce. My parents’ divorce and all the arguments and fights leading up to it have affected me to this day in more ways than I'd like to admit. One of the biggest impacts I saw was the financial uncertainty. As their relationship broke down, my father slowly pulled away. Not only emotionally, but financially too. He was still technically present, still living under the same roof, claiming to be involved but it was clear as day that in more ways than one, he checked out from our family. What hit me even harder than the money was how it made me feel. My father’s withdrawal left this massive hole in my life, and I patched it up with a truckload of self-blame. I kept asking myself: Did I do something wrong? Was I the reason he didn’t want to support us? Even though I understood deep down that my parents’ issues had absolutely nothing to do with me, emotionally it felt like it was somehow all my fault. This constant emotional turmoil started worming its way into other areas of my life, especially school. I’d sit in class and zone out, not because I didn’t care, but because I was too busy wondering if I’d go home to another quarrel when I went home. I couldn’t focus, couldn’t sleep, and definitely couldn’t enjoy the things I used to. The divorce wasn’t just happening to my parents. It was happening to me too. Additionally, the divorce completely warped how I viewed love and every kind of relationship. I overheard some of the ugliest, most painful details of what led to my parents’ separation. Things that absolutely no child should ever have to know about their parents. After that, I built tall and wide walls around myself. I stopped being as open to romantic relationships, avoided vulnerability in friendships, and operated under the assumption that every relationship I had would inevitably end badly. I also began suppressing my emotions severely , not because I didn’t care about my friends or family, but because I had gotten into my own head that showing genuine care and human feeling would only lead to hurt and betrayal in the end. Over time, I’ve grown to understand that my parents’ relationship isn’t a prediction for my future relationships. I’ve had to teach myself that I am not doomed to repeat their mistakes, and that real and healthy relationships, romantic or not, are still possible. Despite that, the fear still lurks in the shadows. Sometimes it sneaks up on me after a really long time, reminding me of everything I would have witnessed growing up. I have learned how to understand it and manage it now, instead of letting it control me. This gradual understanding, however, did not come without trial and error as I have lost valuable friendships over the years because of my thoughts and the behaviours I thought were protecting me from one of my biggest fears. Even now, as an incoming college freshman, the divorce still affects me. One of the biggest ways is with college. My parents’ divorce has made my financial situation a bit more unpredictable, and I know that my ability to pay for my tuition at my dream school, Rutgers University, might be impacted by things outside my control. That’s why I’m applying for this scholarship, not just as financial support, but as my best bet at pushing forward despite everything I've experienced from childhood to present. Ultimately, my parents’ divorce didn’t break me, but it did help build me, albeit differently than normal. It forced me to grow up faster, to develop emotional resilience, and to understand that I should, according to Robert H. Schuller, let my hopes, not my hurts, shape my future. I really wouldn’t wish my experience on anyone, but I also wouldn’t erase it, because it’s made me into someone who keeps on keeping on, even when things get hard, and tries to learn from it.

My name is Kaiyah Boxill, and I am a Senior at St Joseph’s Convent, Port of Spain, located in Trinidad and Tobago. I have been admitted to Rutgers University, New Brunswick, where I will pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Chinese. After I complete my undergraduate studies, I intend to continue with my educational pursuits to the doctoral level. My career goal is to become a diplomat or a Peace Officer with the United Nations. I am and have always been deeply committed to global affairs and believe that diplomacy and the implementation of effective policies both have the potential to create peace and progression worldwide. Language learning and cultural exploration have always been at the centre of my academic and personal development, as I've been interested in the many different languages and countries of the world since my early childhood. I possess varying degrees of proficiency in five languages: English, English Creole, Spanish, French, and Mandarin, and I plan to refine my skills in these languages while branching out into others. I firmly believe that language is not only an outlet for communication, but a gateway to cultural understanding, which is crucial for anyone pursuing a career in international politics/affairs. During my time in secondary school, I served in student government for three years, where I helped coordinate school-wide initiatives and represented the concerns and interests of my peers. My leadership roles nurtured my sense of responsibility and sharpened my ability to collaborate harmoniously, advocate for the needs of others and lead with truth and integrity at all times. I also do research projects consistently in and out of school, writing papers and pieces on various societal issues that affect people all over the world. Beyond academics, I have maintained my involvement in community service. I volunteered with the Adult Literacy Tutors Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ALTA), assisting with their major national literacy event, which helps both adults and children to improve their ability to read and write English. I also volunteered with the Living Water Community, a Catholic organisation that typically assists under-served communities. With this organisation, I worked alongside other volunteers at Christmas to pack and distribute food hampers to families from local communities that needed it the most. These experiences showed me the importance of altruism and servitude and revealed the impact that consistent support and generosity can have on people in vulnerable situations. If I had the chance to start a charity, I would create a food and clothing bank aimed at serving marginalised communities in my country. This program would operate consistently throughout the year, providing constant aid to people living in poverty, which contrasts the typical seasonal initiatives pop up in many different places. Eventually, I would expand this project to other developing and poverty-stricken countries around the world. The charity would recruit volunteers aged 18 and older who are committed to community service and also willing to contribute their time toward distribution efforts, organising food and clothing drives, and offering more support to underserved populations. My overall goal would be to address not just temporary needs, but systemic issues of equal access to necessities and basic amenities by providing dignity, stability, and support to those whose voices tend to go unheard in this world.

More often than not, people decide who I am before I even have the chance to say anything. Words like “intimidating,” “too serious,” and even “mean”have been made my identity before I even show who I really am. As a dark-skinned Black girl, I’ve been labeled simply based on things I cannot control like my skin tone and my gender. What I never expected was that a seemingly ordinary Disney sequel, The Lion King 2, would be the first place I saw my personal experience reflected back at me. The movie focuses on the protagonist, Kovu, a young lion distrusted simply because he was chosen to follow in Scar’s footsteps. Kovu has absolutely no intention of continuing Scar’s legacy, yet Simba and the animals of the Pride Lands judge him anyway. It’s not about anything he already did, but rather what they assume he will do and who they assume he will be. The movie observes how fear and generational trauma trickle into prejudice, and how fixed mindsets about specific groups and individuals get passed down. Simba inherited fear and wariness from his father's ill-fated story. The Pride Lands inherited bias and prejudice towards outsiders, and resultantly, Kovu inherits judgment and isolation he never asked for. To me, one of the most striking moments in the movie is when the song “One of Us” (my favourite) comes on. After a huge misunderstanding, Kovu is exiled from the Pridelands, and all the animals create a spectacle, chanting, “He is not one of us. He has never been one of us.” The words “Deception” and “Disgrace” ring out as they pass judgment before he can even prove himself. That scene hit me. Hard. It mirrored the language and behavior that myself and many other people of colour have experienced in life. Like Kovu, people see my skin and decide, “She is not one of us,” creating a narrative before knowing me fully. What made the movie impactful to me is that the story didn't end there. Kovu meets Kiara, Simba’s daughter, and she chooses to see him differently. She doesn’t ignore her fear but instead questions it. Her decision posits the idea that adopting patience and empathy can dismantle negative biases. This is a moral that has stuck with me to this day. This wasn’t a mere children's movie. It was a story about unlearning bias, rejecting inherited hate and being brave enough to ask yourself, “Why do I think this?” Watching The Lion King 2 made me reflect on labels I’ve internalized. How often have I shrunk myself to seem less threatening? Have I let others’ perception define how I navigate the world? This movie reminded me that rejecting those ideas is empowering. It also forced me to check my own assumptions about others and to always extend the same graciousness I want for myself. This lesson goes far beyond personal experience. Even today, our world is shaped by systems of assumption like racism, colorism, classism. Recognizing them is the first and arguably most crucial step. Challenging them is next. The Lion King 2 taught me that we possess the power to break these cycles if we choose understanding and harmony over fear and unwarranted hate. Ultimately, as a dark-skinned Black woman, I carry the weight of being misjudged. However, I also carry the strength to define myself. Not by others’ labels, but being true to myself. With this, I am mindful of the judgement I may pass, trying my best to give the same grace I want for myself. This is what the Lion King 2 gave me.

Some seek success. I seek purpose. Learning, in my opinion, has never been about school. It is all about growth that propels you and pushes you outwards. It is the kind of learning Chidubè represented: reflective, fearless, and rooted in service. I do not set out to learn for myself. I would want to be a person who will utilize the knowledge to serve others. I've never been the type of person to just question. Not just the things inside the book, but what is happening outside of it. Why are certain communities overlooked? Why are some people better off than others? That need for answers pushed me to take challenging courses, learn different languages, and place myself in situations that caused me to reach. I've faced pressure, obstacles, and financial struggles, but it has only made me more determined. Yet, growth is not solely measured in academic performance and grades. It is seen in how you act towards others and how diligently you strive to do better. I have involved myself in countless leadership roles at school, volunteered for food drives and literacy programs, and helped to organize events that united people. Whether I was guiding younger students or organizing in the background, I saw exactly how much small contributions and seemingly little things can add up to transform a community. Leadership has nothing to do with position but rather everything to do with one's attitude and willingness to contribute and persevere. To me, one of the most important things of all is access. More specifically access to education, opportunity, and representation. I want to contribute to a world where more people can easily enter rooms and spaces they thought they would never be able to enter. That is why I plan on pursuing a career in International relations or Political Science after the completion of my tertiary education. I aspire to work all over the world but remain especially close to the concerns of the general population. I wish to have the ability to use my voice and my presence to initiate discussions and make full use of my talents and skills to effect tangible and sustainable change in the world. Ultimately, this scholarship would provide me and my family with relief from the financial strain that goes hand in hand with higher education. More importantly, it would affirm the service I am committing and the positive impact I strive to create. Chidubè believed that he could help lift others by means of action and knowledge, and I too believe that I can do this one day if I am properly equipped with the necessary resources and opportunities. I am fully committed to continuing on that path of purpose by studying with intention, developing persistently, and using all of what I've learned to give space for others to thrive.

From my early teenage years, my life was always overcast with some sort of uncertainty. This was especially true when it came to finances. After my parents separated, my father’s financial support became inconsistent, often leaving my mother to carry a heavy burden caring for my sister and me, even though she was already stretched thin. Still, despite not having it all, my mother always made something work for us. Watching her do everything she could with limited resources taught me early on that survival isn’t always loud and in your face. Sometimes, it is a quiet strength, a constant sacrifice, and pushing through even when very few people are cheering you on. There were nights where I confined myself to my room and cried, overwhelmed by everything I wished I could control, like money, academic pressure, and personal stress. Even so, every morning, I got up. I showed up to school, tired but determined, because I knew that doing my absolute best was the only way out. I pushed myself every single day, even when it felt like the odds weren’t in my favor. Eventually, I came to realize that my father’s inconsistency didn’t just affect our finances. It made it clear that I couldn’t afford to rely on anyone else to help me achieve my goals. I had to go after them for myself. Since then, that mindset has shaped everything I do. I have stayed disciplined in my academics, taken on leadership roles, and remained grounded in my goals. This hasn’t been easy. I’ve had to overcome the instability of growing up in a financially strained household, the emotional weight of my parents’ separation, and the pressure of pushing myself without some of the extra academic help many of my peers had access to. Ultimately, I have worked hard not just for grades, but for the freedom to one day support my family the way they have supported me wholeheartedly, even when money was scarce. This scholarship would make a massive difference in my life. I have already proven that I can thrive with the odds against me, but at this point, I also know how far I could go if I had the additional financial support. I plan to study International Relations and Political Science in college, with the goal of becoming a Diplomat or a foreign service worker. I want to promote peace, equity and stability among countries, and advocate for education and increased support for students everywhere. Presently, I am extremely proud of and grateful for how far I have come, but I also understand that I cannot do it all on my own. This scholarship would give me the chance to focus on my academic pursuits without constantly worrying if my family can afford to keep supporting me. In practical terms, I would use this money to help cover my college tuition. Support may have been inconsistent in my past, but my ambition and tenacity never were.