Starting my academic journey as a first-generation, non-traditional student came with both excitement and self-doubt. There was a time when I paused my education, overwhelmed by imposter syndrome and convinced I was too old or unqualified to belong alongside my classmates. But I realized that my dreams could not be fulfilled if I were to stay in my comfort zone. In my family, higher education was unfamiliar territory. Most adults worked jobs they weren’t passionate about, and no one could guide me through college’s complexities. I knew, however, that I could forge a different path—not only for myself but as a guide for my younger siblings. I became their source of knowledge about student loans, navigating guidance counselors, and leveraging academic clubs and networks to thrive. Navigating college independently was challenging. I had to learn how to apply myself, manage my time, and seek opportunities proactively. But my perseverance inspired those around me. Today, my sister has graduated from college, and my brother is entering his junior year, poised to achieve his own goals. I take pride in knowing that my journey made the path clearer for them. My ambition and drive pushed me further. I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees within a year, breaking barriers and redefining what was possible for my family. Now, I plan to pursue a second master’s or doctoral degree, continuing to expand my skills and professional opportunities. Being first-generation has shaped who I am: resilient, determined, and committed to creating opportunities where none exist. It has taught me that challenges are invitations to innovate and lead. This scholarship would help me access the resources and mentorship necessary to continue my education, grow as a business professional, and maximize my impact. I carry the hope, courage, and determination of first-generation students with me every day. Receiving this scholarship would not only support my academic journey but also empower me to continue paving the way for others in my family and community. It would affirm that what once seemed impossible can become achievable through persistence, vision, and the drive to succeed.

Graduate school didn’t just prepare me for business—it revealed the entrepreneur within me. Pursuing a business track was one of the smartest decisions I have made, sharpening my skills, strengthening my discipline, and unlocking possibilities I never imagined. After graduation, I began my first in-house marketing position. I entered with enthusiasm, eager to contribute strategies and proposals to help the company succeed. Yet my ideas went unheard, and I was ultimately let go. Though disappointing, this experience became a turning point. I realized that while I could not control others’ decisions, I could control my response. Instead of letting rejection define me, I chose to create opportunities of my own. Drawing on the knowledge and confidence built in my graduate program, I launched a freelance marketing assistantship. In a new city, I networked with determination and, within a year, secured two steady clients while building a growing professional presence. Along the way, I was reminded of a quote that continues to guide me: “If you wait for the perfect time to be ready, you will never be ready.” Nothing about starting my business felt perfect, but I trusted myself, leaned on my education, and committed to giving every client my best. That leap became the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey. Soon after, another opportunity emerged from an unexpected place. What began as a hobby—designing henna art—grew into a steady side business. In less than a year, I provided services at four events, scheduled private appointments, and even offered at-home sessions. What once served as a creative outlet became another income stream, fueled by the same business acumen and entrepreneurial confidence I developed in graduate school. These experiences taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of building multiple pathways to success. Losing my first job was difficult, and constant rejection during my job search was disheartening. Yet my education reminded me that business is not only about fitting into existing structures—it is also about creating new ones. That lesson gave me the courage to flourish as an entrepreneur and to see myself as more than an employee. Looking ahead, I am actively developing two additional ventures that will expand my professional reach and impact. My education has equipped me with the tools to build, sustain, and scale businesses while also instilling in me the confidence to lead with creativity and vision. Marilynn Walker’s legacy as a trailblazer in business resonates deeply with me. Like her, I strive to forge my own path, uplift others, and lead with courage. Graduate school gave me the foundation, but resilience and determination fuel my future. With this scholarship, I will continue to expand my ventures, refine my skills, and honor the example of women who came before me by becoming a trailblazer in my own right.

Imagine a world where every voice, no matter how often overlooked, is given a platform to inspire change. That’s the world I want to create. When I think about the life of my dreams, the image shifts, but one constant is my mission to bring diverse people together through storytelling. After earning my graduate degree in Strategic Communications and Management, I’m committed to leveraging my skills in marketing, PR, and community engagement to create meaningful change. The world I dream of is one where I can bridge cultural gaps, advocate for the underrepresented, and elevate voices that are too often overlooked. I’ve spent years honing my skills in marketing, PR, and community engagement—skills that I now want to leverage to rewrite the narrative and share untold stories of underrepresented communities. In my full-time work, I help organizations communicate their missions while connecting people in meaningful ways. I’ve learned that the power of storytelling goes beyond just telling a story—it’s about creating connections, spreading awareness, and driving change. That’s why my dream is to become a strategic storyteller—creating narratives that bring people together and inspire action. The dream I’m chasing isn’t just mine—it’s one that involves uplifting communities that have long been silenced and showing the world the beauty of our diversity. I’ve always been passionate about travel and the lessons it can teach. I want to use my experiences to write about cultures, art, health practices, food, and the ways communities around the world shape their social norms. Through travel writing, I plan to share the stories of women of color—people who, like me, have been overlooked by mainstream media but have incredible stories to share. I dream of creating a platform for these women to explore new experiences and find their voices in the global conversation. I am not just pursuing a career in travel writing—I’m committed to reshaping the stories we tell and who gets to tell them. Since graduating, I’ve worked full-time in marketing and community engagement, deepening my understanding of how effective communication can bring about change. My role involves crafting narratives for organizations and businesses that aim to make a positive social impact. These experiences have fueled my desire to focus on stories that amplify marginalized voices and create lasting impact in the communities I care about. In a world where narratives are often shaped by the privileged, I will be the one who tells the stories that are most needed. The work I aspire to do is about more than just documenting experiences; it’s about using travel writing as a tool for change. I want to highlight different cultures and experiences that challenge preconceived notions and build a more inclusive, accepting world. Through my writing, I plan to educate others about the richness and diversity of the world’s cultures, encouraging people to expand their perspectives. This scholarship isn’t just a financial lifeline—it’s an investment in a future where the voices of underrepresented communities are amplified, celebrated, and shared with the world. The life of my dreams involves using my skills to educate, inspire, and unite. I want to create a career that celebrates diversity, fosters inclusivity, and helps shift the narratives that shape our world. This scholarship would not only ease my financial burden but also help me continue on the path toward building a career dedicated to storytelling and advocacy.

Transferring to a new university in my junior year was one of the biggest risks I’ve taken, but it was also the most rewarding. As a nontraditional student, I had to start over—not just in academia, but in my career and personal growth. That decision set me back financially, but it set me forward in every other way. Initially, I was searching for what I wanted to do for myself, but that journey evolved into discovering how I could serve others. That realization pushed me beyond my comfort zone. I joined organizations like the Black Graduate Student Association, participated in protests, and used my marketing and communication skills for community service. I wasn’t just a student—I was becoming a connector, a storyteller, and an advocate. One of my most meaningful experiences was assisting a domestic violence prevention nonprofit with their newsletters and updates. It wasn’t just about writing—it was about amplifying voices that needed to be heard. That experience solidified my passion for marketing, freelancing for nonprofits, and engaging in cultural events. Whether attending a Gullah Geechee festival or a Black networking event, I made it my mission to share those spaces and create opportunities for others. Since moving to Savannah, GA, I have continued to use my academic background in marketing and media to foster community connections. I seek out cultural events, collaborate with local entrepreneurs, and support grassroots organizations that align with my passions. Through storytelling and digital engagement, I help bring visibility to important initiatives, strengthening movements and amplifying underrepresented voices. Academically, I’ve pushed myself beyond my expectations. I won a research award for detecting fake news and an accolade from Garnet Media Group for my professional growth. Most importantly, I was accepted into graduate school, where I’m pursuing my dream of working internationally in travel and marketing while advocating for social justice issues like racism, reproductive rights, and healthcare access. Beyond that, I aspire to earn a Ph.D. in Media, Culture, and Communication, researching how media shapes diversity, inclusion, and equity (DEI). I hope to teach and mentor students who, like me, need to take risks to find their purpose. This scholarship wouldn’t just ease my financial burden—it would fuel my ability to uplift others, create change, and turn my passion into a lasting impact. Paying down my student loans means I can continue my education without financial strain, allowing me to pursue my Ph.D., conduct meaningful research, and expand my community-building efforts. With less debt, I can dedicate more time to using my skills for advocacy, media literacy, and education. I am grateful for organizations like yours that support students striving to create change. Thank you for considering my application and for helping students like me turn risks into rewards.

The book I would have everyone in the world read is a book that made me see humanity on another level of aggravation and compassion. The book is called ‘Picture Bride’ by Yoshiko Uchida. I read this book in high school as a required reading assignment. What I never would have thought was that this book will be imprinted in my memory for the rest of my life. Without spoiling the book, because I hope to get someone else to read it, it follows the challenging life of Hana. A Japanese city girl that is a picture bride (or mail-order bride) for an arranged marriage. When she moves and settles in California with her new husband, she and the Japanese community experience racism, prejudice, and unfair treatment. A lot of unjust ups and downs happen for Hana, her husband Taro, their friends, and their church community. Things grow dire for them all once the U.S. go to war with Japan in World War II and are forced to live in desert concentration camps. This book was so memorable for me because it was different than the other required readings in high school. Compared to Shakespeare or Nathaniel Hawthorne, I was more intrigued because the book was not predictable. This book made me feel things for characters in a visceral way. I felt true anger, annoyance, skepticism, and rarely any contentment. When things seem to have gotten better, they have only gotten worse. I would think that some kind of justice will be done, but then you as a reader have to see the compassion these characters carry. This book challenged me to see humanity as it is, and how we as people have to be better and be above the injustices of the world. The cultural introduction of the Japanese community in California in the early 20th century and how it contrasted with city life in Japan was relatable in that I also was a city girl living in a new place at the time. I remember our class having tough and expansive conversations because of this book. Minds were broadened and we grew to love the book for what it is. A reminder of how to have humility in the most trying times. I may even get the book and reread it to remind myself of this message.

The dream version of my future self is a role model that does not shy away from a challenge and will keep pushing until the game is over.

Ms. Alma Grubbs sounds like she was incredible and certainly an inspiration. My passion for education stemmed from my experience in my undergraduate and graduate school years. The more I continue to learn, the more I grow. I want to share my learnings and teach people how to be more media literate and know that learning does not stop with a certificate, degree, or job promotion. I even presented my research on teaching the general public more about media literacy and its importance in this era. Winning an honorary award for showing my passion and findings. It was through the help of my professors that I was able to become more ambitious about teaching. My professors are some of the most influential and caring people I have ever met. They helped me see that as a student I have so much potential. Going above and beyond the classroom, my professors have been the pinnacle of helping me build up to the scholar I am now and continue to grow into. I used to have this outlook that getting an education is only necessary when you are trying to get a job. Since most jobs require a bachelor's degree at the least. It comes to show that I no longer believe that is all education is about. My relationships with my professors broaden my horizons so that I have more understanding of how valuable and priceless education can be. Last semester in graduate school I connected more with one of my favorite professors. He came from both a business and educational background, a prime example of the best both worlds can do for a person. In his class, I learned financial literacy, how to manage projects, and be a great leader for people in management. This was from a form of education that I thought was only achievable once you get the job as a manager. Understandably, I have so much gratitude for his patience, knowledge, and continuing motivation for me to reach my goal of obtaining a Ph.D. My aspirations for higher learning and teaching were because I have had some of the best examples of instructors to guide me. Academia expanded further as another one of my favorite professors is currently trying to help me publish my academic book review for the Taylor & Francis online journal. I have not been published yet, but the effort my professor is putting in to help me will forever be appreciated. Making my love for becoming a teacher more profound. It’s the little moments and actions from these professors that make me dream that one day I can do this for a student. They have turned my life around (literally) because I have found more joy and belonging in academia. That teaching indeed has the potential to make some of the most skeptical people believers in its capabilities. Once I get my Ph.D. in the future I plan to go the extra mile for my students just like how my mentors have gone the extra mile for me. That all you need is to engage, try, and be humble with your studies. With the state of the school system in this country, I see a challenge that I’m more than ready to prepare for. The impact I want to leave is that I can help someone understand the value of education and that there’s nothing wrong with finding joy in it. People have become better humans because of education, and I am one of them.

Personally, writing has always been a form of therapy and expression. It has kept me sane, centered, enthusiastic, and motivated. When I got my first diary as a kid, I remember how much fun I was having writing just about anything. Now that I’m older, I appreciate that writing can come in so many forms and expressions. As an avid reader, I love looking for different writing styles. Learning new methods and words is some of the best things when it comes to writing. In my undergrad, I studied journalism, ad, and public relations writing. In graduate school, I have learned research, technical, and analytical writing. I also used to write poetry and still take part in journaling. As of now, I write blogs and look forward to writing social media copy every day for my job. Writing also gives us the chance to be as imaginative as possible. My favorite genres are sci-fi and fantasy. I love these genres because you can see the writer’s vision so clearly in your head (if written well). Giving me the pleasure of immersing in a series like ‘Legendborn’ or a stand-alone like ‘The Night Circus.’ All of this is to say that this is how much I love writing. It is so important to me because I need to do it as much as possible to continue to learn, grow, and express myself. Because of writing I founded my own blogging website, have a portfolio of writing pieces I cherish, and have a lifelong dream to publish a book series one day in sci-fi and/or fantasy. My goals and hopes are to be able to write a book, delve into travel writing once I start going to new places, and start an international publishing company for BIPOC people that want to publish more stories in sci-fi and fantasy. A large dream of mine because this is how much I love writing. There are so many other reasons why I love writing, ranging from experimenting with grammar excises to seeing how much detail you can add to a story. I feel that that’s the beauty of writing; there are no limits to what you can put in words. Through writing, we communicate with each other, tell stories, create new ideas, and even become better people. My favorite hobby that turned into a career has done all of these things for me. Hopefully, it has also shown how much writing this essay was another fun challenge with seeing how well it has done once in review. Thank you so much for this chance and consideration.

I am working/planning to address my current student loan debt by paying for my last semester of graduate school without taking out another loan. As a nontraditional and first-generation student, I have been applying for grants and scholarships to try and alleviate the amount I owe on my student loans. I managed to save up to pay for my last semester in graduate school within the year, and I am excited to get this part of my journey done without adding more to my loans. Thanks to my goals and ambitions, taking out loans were sometimes the only way to stay on track with my education. While I am grateful that my loans are possibly manageable after I graduate, I still worry that it could get cumbersome once I start my professional career. Thanks to my budgeting and spending planning within the last year, I did what I thought was impossible and can pay for the summer semester in school. I am relieved to see that I have this level of discipline and drive. Though this part of school is covered, I still have the rest of my loans to consider. I plan to secure a job before graduation and return back home to get my financial affairs in order without adding more stress to myself paying off my loans. If I’m fortunate enough to win a grant or scholarship, that money will immediately go toward my loans. I know that I will not stop applying for scholarships and grants with the chance to get these loans paid for. I took a risk when I transferred to a new school, this set me back financially in a tremendous way. While working a lower-level job and a grant position at my university (both part-time) I have learned to handle my finances better. And this was a major accomplishment for me because this was during the height of Covid-19. With this new discipline, I have managed the stress and demands of school a lot better. I graduated decorated in cords and honors in my undergrad and was admitted into graduate school right afterward. This time in graduate school has taught me more about being financially literate and appreciative of my budgeting abilities. In the future, I will keep pushing to pay down my loans and apply for more scholarships and grants. Further down the line, I would love to get a Ph.D. in ‘Media, Culture, and Communication.’ My only thing is that I not pursue that until I have completely paid off my student loans. I hope to get a job that offers tuition reimbursement, or I can save and pay for my time and education in a Ph.D. program. These are the only options because I don’t anticipate taking out any more loans. I know that if I keep up with what I have been doing and have a solid plan until I have paid off the last of my loans, then I will be fine.

As a nontraditional student, I took a risk transferring to a new university in my junior year. I started all over, both in my career and academia, to understand what I wanted in life. That set me back financially, but it was a risk I would not hesitate to take again. I spent some time in undergrad trying to figure out what I wanted to do for myself. This eventually turned into “what can I do for others and to be an asset rather than a bystander.” Pursuing my education meant that I had to expand my options and take more risks. I stepped out of my comfort zone to join more clubs like the Black Graduate Student Association, participated in protests, and used my skills in disseminating communication for community service. I fell in love with marketing, freelancing for nonprofits, and participating in cultural events. I have gone out into my city to find events and festivals to join in to share those experiences with others. Whether it be a Gullah Geechee festival or a black networking event, I shared these spaces and opportunities. One of the most cherished experiences in my field was assisting a domestic violence prevention nonprofit with its newsletters and updates. I felt like I have done something with meaning. I have achieved and accomplished more than I thought possible for myself. I won a research award for my project in detecting fake news and an award from the organization Garnet Media Group in 'The Most Improved’ award. Before I got these awards, I was accepted to graduate school, hoping to achieve my dream as an international worker for travel and marketing. While doing freelance and volunteer work for social justice and social issues like racism, reproductive rights, and healthcare. Further down the line, my other dream is to receive a Ph.D. in ‘Media, Culture, and Communication.’ My time in graduate school inspired me to teach and research the evolving ways that we can engage in diversity, inclusion, and equity (DEI). Especially in the media. I hope to win any prize money to immediately put towards my student loans. As stated before, I took a financial risk with my academic and professional ambitions. I am not upset, but excited about where this journey will take me and my dreams. In the meantime, I am setting aside money to pay down my loans while still in school and hope to graduate with a lower amount owed. With my Ph.D. aspirations also playing a part in this, I plan to set aside some funds and apply for grants and scholarships to take care of that. As I write this essay, I am reminded of why I am doing what I am doing. I am appreciative of donors like yourselves that help students like me achieve our dreams with as little financial resistance as possible. I am grateful for this opportunity and thankful for your consideration.

Over the past year, I became someone I could only dream of. I was timid and meek for the most part, but I am now more assertive and confident. I went through huge growth, and I refuse to be intimidated to take more risks. Essentially, I’m braver than I have been in a long time. The chance for someone to read this personal essay is a part of that growth. Because there was a time I would rather hold all of my insecurities inside from the world. But a tragic event led me to become a whole new person almost overnight. The death of my big brother. I promise I am not looking for a pity party or sympathy. This is just an event that happened so suddenly and unexpectedly. In 2020 my family and I got a call from my brother’s aunt that he passed away in his sleep in late June. I spent that entire summer in tears and mourning for him. I never felt a pain that deep in my whole life. I pushed on with school because it was one of the things to keep my mind off it. And knowing my brother, he would tell me to stop crying and do what I had to do. In a way, I use his tough love to push on with my goals. This same tough love also transformed me to be the person I always wanted to be. He used to call me his inspiration because he admired how smart and creative I am. He saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself at the time. And that’s why his love communication towards me was tough love. He was adamant, assertive, and went after whatever he wanted. Whenever I was sensitive and emotional it would annoy him. He would always tell me to stop crying and that I was stronger than I gave myself credit for. I used to think he was judgmental and couldn’t accept that I can be sensitive. But now, I see that he was (in his way) pushing me to be a better version of myself. Over the past year, I somewhat channeled his assertive energy but in my way. I express my opinion more vehemently, became more passionate about the topics I love to speak about, engage with more people confidently, and became a better leader. Sometimes I think about how I used to be and am in awe of how much I’ve changed. But I remain the same sensitive and emphatic person I have always been. I’m assertive now, but that doesn't mean I can’t show sensitivity. My brother’s death was a tragic reminder that life is defiantly too short. He was young like I am and still had so much he wanted to do in life. This journey of self-discovery taught me that I can’t wait around in my insecurities anymore. And that I would need to be more action-driven while maintaining my sympathetic nature. His encouragement still plays in my head from time to time. When I went through my growth, it was because I wanted him to be proud of me. But I’ve come to learn that he has always pushed me to become a leader I didn’t know I was capable of. Every day I try to use his memory as a positive in my growth. For all the good that has happened to me in the last year, I credit it all to him. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

I am also a huge Disney fan! I have a list of favorite characters, but the one I identify with most is Belle. She has been my favorite character since I was a little girl. It is not because she is a beautiful princess that makes her my favorite. It is because I see a lot of myself in her. She loves to read, her signature flower is the rose, she aspires to have more in life, and she craves adventure. As I grew older, these traits became my own. I'm a bibliophile, I love roses, refuse to settle for anything less than what I want in life, and I hope to see the world after graduation. Another thing I love about her is that she was willing to give up her freedom to save her father in the movie. I remember being touched by this as a kid. Belle was an oddball in her village because of her infinity for books and not conforming to provincial life. As a kid, I saw this as a statement. I was also an oddball as a kid, and seeing a Disney princess go through a similar phase was strangely refreshing. Especially if she was a dreamer of adventures like I am. While I appreciate her social status, I love how fearless she can be. I saw Belle as a brave woman when she did what was right. Trading her freedom for her father's, stands her ground against Gaston, and even tells the Beast to control his temper. Looking back, I forgot how impressed I was with how she carried herself. Lastly, she sees people as they are on the inside rather than on the outside. I love that it is a person's character that makes her attracted to them. She is far from vain, and I love her for it. She was an inspiration of mine in my childhood, and now I just had the pleasure of remembering this again. Thank you for sharing my love for this Disney character and this opportunity!

I believe that living a healthy life makes living more fun! Taking care of your body with the right foods will give you a clearer mind, boost your mood, and keeps your body strong. It is tricky maintaining a healthy lifestyle while being a full-time graduate student. But I think this is one of the best times to be consistent with it. Living a healthy life is more than just living longer and avoiding illnesses. I see living a healthy life as a chance to experience so much with your body and mind. Admittedly, I would love to be more physically fit and have a better diet. But I have been diverting my stress and anxiousness to other areas. In preparing to start my first semester in graduate school, I added maintaining healthier habits along with my new class schedule. As a stress eater, I always go for fast food or treats. So, I managed to turn that stress towards power yoga and jogging. I got into this habit over a month ago. And I am getting stronger and more flexible every day. As for food, I only leave fast food and treats as a last resort. Fruit salads, smoothies, and kombucha replace treats I used to eat. Substituting fast food was more fun. I make pre-planned meals and sometimes use vegan/vegetarian options to avoid fats and meat. While trying to maintain this part of my life, I noticed that I'm less anxious and have more energy. I remind myself that this is the lifestyle I need to keep constant in my life. Because when I was in a different place, a place where my health declined with my depression, I was close to chronic illness. As dejecting as this may seem, I sometimes remind myself that I was in that darker place and how that made me feel at the time. Then I think about how getting more physically active and eating more consciously has made me a much better person. I believe in a healthy life for these reasons. Taking the time to value your health is crucial for everyone, not just students going through transitions in their academic careers. I am grateful that now, I have the advantage of keeping fit with a schedule. I have power and strength yoga on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. And I go jogging on my off days and weekends. My diet will be the elimination of junk foods and substitution with the right foods. One of my goals is to keep up this part of my life for as long as possible. Because I'm excited to see how healthy, strong, and clear-minded I can be in the future.

All my life I dreamed of being able to travel the world, share amazing stories, and live a full life. I am continuing my education for that fulfillment and development. Thank you for this opportunity!

After taking a few social science courses, I became inspired by all the benefits that could come from what I learned. I remember learning about agenda-setting, framing, the spiral of silence, and the silent majority. One of my passions is to help underrepresented people have a voice in the media. I also love sharing their stories on different platforms. After I took these courses, I brainstormed how to work towards being that impact while earning my bachelor's degree. What I love about social science is that it is broad. So I can use this to help people in different ways. One of those ways is to study more about media literacy. About how it is essential in this decade and beyond. In my 'Freedom, Responsibility and Ethics in Mass Media' class, I learned about digital/technology dissemination and misinformation. I incorporated that with my studies in media and decided to start a side project (a website). The goal of the project is to enforce the importance of media literacy. The news and media are easy to dissect for someone like me. But others may not have the skills that I have. I hope to one day take my platform further and create sources to help our community become more media literate. Presenting my side project at university was like a warm-up toward sharing my goals. And winning a runner-up prize was the motivation I needed to continue. Now that I'm in graduate school, I will keep working on mastering social science. I aspire to become a professional marketer and strategic storyteller. Internships and professional experience in news writing allowed me to show more of what the audience wanted to know. And I enjoyed producing stories that are not riding the wave of popular media (e.g., celebrity news, viral shenanigans, etc.) I was elated that this small thing I did was well received. And being introduced to this scholarship was a great reminder of why I enjoy social sciences. I took a break this summer from anything academic. So, I am reminded of what I love about social science. Now that I started graduate school this week, I am again motivated for my goals. To produce meaningful stories and raise awareness for those who don't have enough space or time in media. Learning about Marie J. Smith, Esq. was very inspiring. I have moments where I question if I can even do what I aim to do. And I begin second-guessing myself. But reading about Marie J. Smith, Esq. helped me feel like I can overcome these challenges and persevere in college again. I plan to continue my media literacy passion project and share it with the world. I love that social science is my projected career field. I want to share with everyone about dispelling and absorbing all kinds of information. Thank you for this opportunity and for taking the time to read my essay!

I love that I am writing about eliminating/reducing student loan debt. I did the research in 2012 when I graduated high school and started community college. I was not working a job yet, but I used some of the federal refund money to pay down my loans. I did not win any scholarships, but I was conscious enough to make sure that I would contribute some money to pay down my student loans. I have been a non-traditional student for about a decade. I had three gap years, two from taking a break from college to understand myself better (this included the career I would love to have), and one because my family and I took care of my grandfather. He has an advanced stage of Alzheimer's. College was always my goal of completing, even while working full-time and part-time throughout my journey. What was also (and still is) my goal is eliminating student loan debt. Before my graduation in May, I already begun paying down my student loans. No clear plan was made, only that I give something to (then) Navient to help reduce the loan amount while I was working. Thankfully, the interest on my loans was not as bad as I thought it would be. I was trying to do what I could to keep the loans from compounding. If there was a good thing about being a non-traditional student, I was staying on top of my loans while trying to figure out what I truly wanted from my education. This led me to apply for graduate school and reevaluate how to eliminate my student loans. I looked into the student loan forgiveness programs, but I am not a public service worker. So, I decided to do what I was doing before. Pay my loans down with what I can and apply for scholarships. Hoping I win some that will lower my loans. Now that I am a graduate research assistant, I see the advantage of creating a spreadsheet to a reasonable amount to pay to Aidvantage monthly. All the while, I will continue to find scholarships and other means to pay them down. Paying down my loans before graduating with my master's motivates me because I never want this burden to pass to my family. Recently, I watched 'The Late Night Show with Trevor Noah.' His report on the student debt crisis reminded me why I try actively to lower my loans. The last thing I would want is (God forbid) something would happen to me, and then my loans be forced on to the rest of my family. The elderly in this crisis will never be able to pay back their loans, and their debt to forced onto surviving family members. After watching this report, it become more of an incentive to eliminating my loans. Addressing my loans would be simple. While in school, I will budget the right amount I can contribute every month that I can add to my loans. Continue to find and apply for scholarships. Start or find other ways to make money to reduce my loans. And when the time comes, speak with a counselor from Aidvantage to set up a payment plan that I can work with post-graduation. I see this plan being tweaked and changed in the meantime, but this is how I address my current/future loans. Thank you for your time reading my essay and for this opportunity!

When I envision the life of my dreams, I always feel as though the image itself changes. But I always think of innovative ways of bringing different people together and advocating for underprivileged citizens. I have always dreamed of traveling the world. To meet new people, learn new languages, and build social bridges severed because of prejudice. Seeing and enjoying places gave me the dream of becoming an avid travel writer, but being a service to others is how I want to realize my dreams. For my graduate school education, I aim to become a strategic storyteller and marketer. But in the meantime, I plan to do some culture and travel writing. I see this as a fulfilling hobby I would one day take part in. I want to start a website that would benefit other women of color look for new and exciting experiences in different places. I realized I could do something like this when I interviewed two amazing women about their experiences after their career changes. Something they have in common is that they left everything in their hometowns and traveled to places that called out to them. One went on a mission trip to Mexico, and the other returned home to Edisto Island to reclaim her Gullah Geechee roots. I felt so inspired by their tenacity and want to have an experience like this one day. I reached out to them to cover their stories because I always feel that we black people are not prioritized as much as we should in media. Though these stories are more evergreen, these are stories I love to hear about and want to share. I knew that the state of media today and having marketing skills would make this work more interesting. I like a challenge, especially starting from the ground up. This dream took some time to form and involved self-reflection in the making. Though the stories I already have and the work I aspire to do are more on the spectrum of carefree, the journalist in me wanted to cover the more serious stories and experiences of our people. I want my travel writing to include languages, culture, art, health practices, politics in different regions, safe places, food, social norms, and societal norms. People would learn more than just how to "get along." They would also understand how much more exciting life is by expanding their views and opportunities. I see the future becoming more accepting in due time. This dream may seem outlandish, but I see travel writing as a way to build a more inclusive community. This is the life of my dreams, and I hope to have it realized after graduate school.

I never felt like I could objectively describe myself. But I can say that I was always irritated with stereotypical gender norms and double standards. In school and my childhood, I always noticed that women of color don't have the same advantages as men. So, I was encouraged by my closest friends and family to not only be better but to uplift women of color as well. In my childhood, I loved playing sports. But, the boys used to ridicule me for not being a good athlete because I was a girl. Since I never liked double standards, things like calling low-impact push-ups, "girl push-ups" and a boy being surprised if I was the team leader would always annoy me. While dealing with these situations of sexism at a younger age, I was also exposed to the reality that as a black woman, I would continuously need to work twice as hard to get my foot in the door. Unfortunately, this would affect me a lot in life. I have held myself back constantly, worrying that the effort and time I put into anything would never amount to success. I failed in a tech program I participated in some years ago. Naively, I believed it was because I was the only girl in my cohort that was not smart enough. Honestly, I was doing something I thought I "should" do. I wanted to be part of something that would look good on the outside as a woman. When I got myself together and strategize a new game plan for myself, that motivation to be my absolute best once again ignited within me. My pride in my identity was a push to do more than I could have dreamed in the three years I was at UofSC. My goal is to be a strategic storyteller. This includes specializing in black and brown voices, calling attention to real news stories rather than puff pieces, and limiting the celebrity news we are constantly bombarded with. My other goal is to promote women as much as I would men while building my platform and portfolio as a storyteller. Supporting women in anything (business promotions, services, teachers, award winners, etc.) is second nature to me. I hope I can make a positive impact in the world because I have had the pleasure of being a part of ways of encouraging BIPOC women. I've written stories of incredible women during my internships, celebrated wins with colleagues on their successes, and continue to share different events and services of women entrepreneurs. Our society is on the right track to eradicating these double standards, but I want to use my coming platform to keep encouraging and uplifting women at any stage of their lives. This scholarship reminded me of why I am so passionate in sharing the victories and voices of amazing women. Doing this brings me joy, but uplifting these women is more important. The quote provided of Maya Angelou resonated so much with me. Because by standing up for myself throughout my journey, I have stood up for my fellow women.

A healthy lifestyle is important to me because it is more than just looking good on the outside, it involves a few things for me. Eating the right foods for fuel, moving your body enough to maintain strength, and guarantees a more fulfilled life. Personally, living a healthy lifestyle is crucial because I have seen what eating unhealthy, no physical activity, and cigarette smoking can do to someone close to me. Some unhealthy lifestyles lead to disease and death in my family, and I had a scare with high cholesterol at a young age. I grew a slight fear of being subjected to illness. That fear motivated me to get into shape again (I used to be an athlete) and research the proper foods to eat to maintain or lose weight. Because I am naturally a researcher I always find different recipes and workouts to fight disease. And I'm always vouching that having a healthy diet improves mental health. I notice that eating right and staying active improves my mood, attitude, brain function, and outlook in life. My depression lowers significantly and I always feel so much better about myself. Because we live in an unhealthy society I always think of ways to stay as healthy as possible. Especially with the resources I do have and the time I can allot to do yoga or a HIIT workout. My goal is to make this succinct because I can go on about why I love talking about having a healthy lifestyle. Its importance is essential and even a privilege to me, because we only have some limited chances to live life to its fullest in health.