My name is KeiNija Jordan, and I am from Aliceville, Alabama. I play softball and participate in travel ball. In addition to sports, I am very active and involved in my community and school. I have been a participant in the Stillman Upward Bound program for three years, serve as a reporter for our school’s Future Business Leaders of America organization, and am the Senior Class Representative for Student Government. I have also been a basketball manager for two years, a Student Ambassador, and a member of Future Teachers of America. I volunteer in various ways to keep myself busy. Outside of school, I work part-time at a grocery store and enjoy graphic design as a hobby. I have many goals for myself; most of them are short-term aims that will help me achieve my long-term aspirations. For instance, I volunteer at my local dentist’s office to prepare for dental school and my future career. I regularly work out, practice, and reach out to coaches while attending softball camps to gain exposure. My goal is to potentially play softball in college. I recently lost a friend. His name was "Jabari Peoples". During high school or maybe even after college, I would like to donate to his foundation or even create a club or organization inspired by him for future cases like his. I also make it a daily practice to educate myself, whether that involves researching colleges, dental practices, or Biblical studies. My long-term goals include graduating high school with plenty of scholarships, applying to various dental hygiene programs and getting accepted into all of them, and receiving offers from different colleges to play softball. I aim to graduate from college and become a registered dental hygienist. Additionally, I aspire to create an organization in honor of my dear friend Jabari. I'm very pursed to get a higher education to show every young lady from Aliceville that it is possible no matter how small of a town you're from. Don't let it define your future. Only you and your hard work can define the next 5 years after high school. With my degree, I hope to become a registered Dental Hygienist. This will allow me the flexibility to work locally or travel as a dental hygienist. I'm excited about the opportunity to create bonds with my patients and make them feel welcomed. If they're having a rough day, I believe that my smile and a supportive hug could truly brighten their day.

From a young age, college has been my biggest dream, like, ever. I always saw it as the key to making my single mom, who raised three kids on her own, super proud. She's always been my hero, juggling everything and still making sure we had what we needed. It's also about making the leaders who invested so much time into me proud, and setting up the future me for success. I know college can unlock my potential and help me achieve my career goals, but the cost is a huge reality check. It's a major barrier for students like me who have big dreams but not a lot of money. I’ve been lucky enough to have dual enrollment classes from the start of my sophomore year of high school until now, without worrying about debt. Each college course was free because we have scholarship donors in my small county, Pickens County, Alabama. I’m continuing to take advantage of this opportunity through my senior year. It’s been a lifesaver, but it’s not enough to cover everything, like tuition and other college expenses. It only starts me as a late sophomore who may or may not be in debt. My dad isn’t really in the picture, so it’s mostly on my mom to figure things out. Seeing her work so hard just makes me want to work even harder. I’m determined to get as many scholarships as possible so my family doesn’t have to stress about how I’m going to pay for college. I want them to know I can handle this without putting them in debt. To overcome these challenges, I’ve been researching different ways to fund my education. Besides applying for scholarships, I’m also looking into work-study programs and part-time jobs that I can manage while studying. I’m planning to create a detailed budget to track my expenses and make sure I’m being smart with my money. I know it won’t be easy, but I’m ready to put in the effort. This scholarship would mean the world to me because it would allow me to focus on my studies without the constant worry of financial strain. It would be a huge step towards making my dream a reality and proving to my mom that all her sacrifices were worth it. With this support, I can fully dedicate myself to my education, excel in my classes, and take advantage of opportunities like internships and research projects. It would also allow me to give back to my community by volunteering and mentoring younger students who are also dreaming of going to college. Ultimately, this scholarship would not only support my education but also empower me to make a positive impact on the world.

Social media is everywhere, right? Like, everyone I know is on Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat. It's how we stay connected, see what our friends are up to, and even learn about stuff happening around the world. But, honestly, it can also be a total mind game. I've seen how it messes with people's heads, including my own sometimes. It's like we're all living in this highlight reel, constantly comparing ourselves to these perfect versions of others. One of the biggest problems is how social media can trash your self-esteem. You see all these influencers with their perfect bodies, amazing vacations, and seemingly flawless lives, and it's easy to feel like you don't measure up. It's like, am I not good enough? Am I not pretty enough? Am I not doing enough with my life? This can lead to serious feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth. Plus, there's the whole issue of cyberbullying. People hide behind fake profiles and say things they'd never say in person, which can be incredibly hurtful and damaging. So, what can we do about it? First off, we need to be more aware of how social media affects us. Recognizing that it's not real life is a big first step. Unfollowing accounts that make you feel bad about yourself is also a must. Surrounding yourself with real-life friends and focusing on your own goals and achievements can help boost your self-esteem. Also, let's be real, taking breaks from social media is super important. Go outside, hang out with friends, do something you love – anything to disconnect from the online world and reconnect with yourself. Growing up as a young Black female in Gen Z, social media has always been a huge part of my life. I remember getting my first phone and immediately downloading all the popular apps. It was exciting at first, seeing what my friends were up to and sharing my own life. But as time went on, I started noticing how it was affecting me. I'd compare myself to the influencers and celebrities I saw online, wishing I had their perfect bodies, clothes, and lifestyles. It felt like everyone was living their best life except me. The constant exposure to unrealistic beauty standards and the pressure to present a flawless image online took a toll on my self-esteem. I became overly critical of my appearance, constantly worrying about what others thought of me. The number of likes and comments I got on my posts became a measure of my worth. It was exhausting trying to keep up with the trends and maintain a perfect online persona. I knew I wasn't alone in this struggle; many of my friends felt the same way. To address the impact of social media on my mental health, I've had to make a conscious effort to change my habits. I started by unfollowing accounts that made me feel insecure or inadequate. Instead, I filled my feed with positive and uplifting content, focusing on self-love and body positivity. I also set time limits for my social media usage, making sure to disconnect and engage in real-life activities. It's a journey, but I'm learning to prioritize my mental well-being and embrace my authentic self, flaws and all.