Hello, my name is Keira Nieves. I chose the path to pursue a career in culinary arts and food and beverage because I have always had a strong passion for cooking. Truthfully, at first I had no idea if I really did want to pursue culinary arts. When I would cook, sometimes I would mess up really badly, get disappointed and think I wasn't cut out for this. I gave up on it at the beginning of high school but felt like I couldn't give up on making things, so I tried other crafts like carpentry and jewelry making. Not to blow my own horn, but I was really good at them, and I liked doing it! But it didn't exactly give me the same feeling as cooking did, so I decided to try it again. I began to practice cooking once more during my junior year. I practiced more, and became better at it. I was happier too. A lot of personal things had been happening at that time. I wasn't exactly sure what came over me to start again, but it happened (It may have started when I was hungry in the middle of the night). I was happy when I cooked and baked, being able to make things again, and even being able to eat it was a plus. What made it even better was what locked me into the decision of pursuing culinary all the way. Was when others would eat my cooking and say it was good, and they would smile with a satisfied look after that meal. It made me feel like I was good enough; it felt great it still does now- seeing someone so happy after obtaining something that you made yourself when you put that hard work into it. Whether it's serving them the food or making it, or asking if they need anything else and if they enjoyed everything, it really does fill me with joy. I suppose that's the people pleaser side in me talking, but it's not forced, and it's about something I love, so whether they give positive or even negative takes on it, I always take it as a step to improve. A step that I need; I've already come this far, and I'm not going to stop. I'll stop right now about why I want to pursue culinary, or else I won't have enough room for everything else. There are many social causes in this world, from the earth and animals to humans. I'm not sure if this may be a bit controversial if I say I kind of care a little more about animal causes than human causes. I think it may just branch off from the fact that many people have hurt me greatly compared to animals, but that doesn't mean that I don't care about human causes. Animals have always helped me when I was at my lowest, so when it comes to saving stray animals, I don't hesitate. I know it may be a bit odd too, considering most animal protesting is about animal slaughter and I am a culinary student, but that's why at the college that I attend we like to buy from farms that give the animals a great life before it happens, and we make sure to never waste when cooking because life is very important and no joking matter. However, here are some of the causes that I've recently become aware of and some that I've already supported. Animal agriculture, Pyometra in animals, Animal testing, Pollution, Animal Habitat loss, logging, deforestation, Water diversion and land conversion.

1. The trade that I am pursuing after my graduation is culinary arts specifically confectionary arts is what I wish to mainly learn more about for I wish to open a cage later on in life but for now still in my studies I am doing both traditions of cooking and baking. 2. I am interested in this particular trade because it reminds me of the good times of being younger and always watching those cooking shows with my grandmother wanting to create all the amazing cool things they made and how it made the people that ate they're food and lite up with such happiness, I've experienced my fair share of making things recently and giving it to the people close to me or showing my chef's in class and they always have smiles on their faces my chefs of course critique here and there as they should so I can improve but when they tell me I did good and smile I gain more confidence and when I give the things I make to my friends or family and they say " wait did you really make this! This is really good, wait this is dangerous I might eat too much!!" It always makes me laugh and feel so proud to see the joy they gain when they eat the food made. 3. While I've written some of of highschool examples before for this scholarship this time I'll share one of my recent college one's now there have been times when I accidentally messed up here or there and had to improvise and get creative before chef comes over and asks what wrong which isn't bad but I would rather try to fix it first before asking for help immediately if I know I can fix it it was a risotto dish I had accidentally added the wrong wine it made it a more bitter and tart flavor to the dish though I had proceeded to then add a bit of sugar, salt and lemon with Parmesan, rosemary, saffron, paprika in it. It ended up with a more light and creamy sweet taste but still with that hint of deepness in the back with a hint of spice and my chef really liked it tho it didn't thankfully it was one of those recipes we were just practicing on so it was okay if we experimented a tad. 4. Since I have just graduated last year and am now in college for my trade to learn more things about the confectionary world as well as culinary I would like to try minoring in business so I can gain enlightenment about how to own as well as taking care of my own business and finances, I have been trying to get a job recently as well as work study but things have been a bit rough though my side hobbies of making jewelry could also be self employment though it is not for my trade it can help me get food I could also maybe save some of it to hopefully apply for housing too being a commuter is pretty hard. And tuition is still high but I am still looking for a part time I've talked to my chefs and they are also looking out too but this Winter I couldn't get any because of my schedule. 5. Honestly I can't really answer this one by myself so I will admit I am asking an adult the same question you would ask. it's my first ever chef, he said that he would recommend me to receive this scholarship because I am a hard worker and he sees a spark in me whenever I make pastries and that he knows that with my leading skills from what he's seen that I can make it far he also says he wishes to see me go far and is very proud of me for how far I've come he'd recommend me because he feels I am deserving of it which makes me really happy to hear and being able to talk to him again and mention this is also really fun too. Truthfully I hope whoever does receive this award really deserves it and I hope it can make them happy and help them out in life thank you for giving me this opportunity to participate in this scholarship I hope your days are wonderful.

Hi, my name is Keira Elizabeth Nieves. I am a first-year student at Drexel University, and I started becoming a fan of Wicked when I was quite young. It started with watching The Wizard of Oz, and then finding out about the Wicked Witch of the West books. I would read them to my sister when we went to bed, but then again, it was more like she read them to me because I wasn't that good of a reader. Though as we read them together, we became huge fans of them, it wasn't until recently, when we started making our own money and saw that Ariana Grande, a childhood favorite, was playing thee Galinda, or well, we should say Glinda, I honestly didn't know who Cynthia Erivo was at the time when they released the part 1 of wicked but wow her voice took me away it was so powerful just like Elphaba and you could feel the emotions so well she really is a great actor, and honestly after seeing part 1 when part two was released we bought every collective item we could from the Dunkin donuts tins the movie theater bucket and shirts and the makeup set well only one piece because it was too expensive, but we really love Wicked and my sister got to see part 2 she's in a club at her college and she got to go for free but I'm not that lucky but as soon as it comes out I will most definitely watch it and I absolutely cannot wait.

Hello my name is Keira Nieves, I've been a fan of Sabrina Carpenter since I saw her in law and order. I remember her role in that episode it was so impactful seeing that as a young girl and of course I was even more excited when I recognized her in her, her most famous show that really got her going "girl meets world". her character Maya Hart was really what I wanted in a friend truthful at times but someone that always stands behind me and never lets you fall. someone that'll be with you through thick and thin and even if you get into a bad argument. you make up and stay without doubt because you know you guys know each other the best and would never want to hurt one another. Her character really helped me in growing up as well as seeing people and knowing who to befriend. Oh when she decided to take up a career in music was I there the moment she announced that. I mean I was still there even when she produced that song "twiddling thumbs" with Disney but I really wanted to see what else she'd make. I love her music so much I've bought tons of merch and even dressed up as her for last Halloween. my playlists without doubt always have her in there I love how she has such upbeat songs but also has depressing ones it really makes you relate to her music too. I've always wanted to go to one of her concerts and I can't wait till I can. I'd like to be known as one of her biggest fans but ik there are more out there with more money to really claim that biggest fan trophy.

Hello my name is Keira Nieves I've seen many toxic relationships growing up and I've been in one too it's not a safe place to be in and I will say I was saved because of the people in my school. In a place where I thought it'd be better to keep it to myself that with time things will get better my counselors and friends saw something and reached out they could see I haven't been okay and I wanted to tell someone talk about it but being in that relationship the partner always made me feel like a burden so I could not bring myself to ask first but when they asked that one question "are you okay, do you want talk about it" I couldn't hold it anymore we were already reading a book in class about the same situation I thought "that girl made it out so why couldn't I" and it sparked something in me to just scream it all out and ask for help a little I'm out of that situation now and that was because of gaining an education having one. It can really help you even when you think it won't it can. I believe that having an education can help reduce IPV with the resources that can be provided the connections to better help and higher authority education that can teach people the signs. what to look out for how to keep yourself safe or ask help in those kinds of situations it's hard when your all alone and don't know what to do because of fear. but I'm sure that with the proper education about these things people can be safer and can learn to help and ask for help. Being honest having the resources because of an education to be safe again was so much help It even made me gain confidence to join in a school event at the Constitution center. With one of my friends that also dealt with a similar assault we came up with solutions on how to make it more aware. How to help more, we presented it to the people there and we even won an award for it I was very proud of us and what we accomplished. And it got me thinking that we could do more stuff like that bring our voices out and help not just woman but males to that also have dealt or dealing with partner violence even just sexual assault and abuse in general although I am a culinary and business major. But it doesn't change the fact that I can still be a voice and help with my degree I plan on doing something different. I plan to run a cafe and be a place where people can come together and eat good desserts to lift their moods and talk if they want about what's happening. even maybe having a hotline number to better help in discuss of just ordering out so the abuser wouldn't be suspicious and check the number you called. of course if it's legal I have lots of ideas and going into this fall I hope to make connections in the culinary program and community at Drexel University and get things going. I want to be a change and help others like I was helped. Thank you!

Hello my name is Keira Elizabeth Nieves and growing up in Philadelphia for me has mainly influenced my beliefs in many things. from relationships to careers, personal identity and overall beliefs in society it's self. Philly has influenced me from a young age to love football and learn to be a team player. It's taught me the many wrongs in society that's here in Philly, and the things to stay away from. While they're many many wrongs in Philly that are always seen in the news there are many rights that go unnoticed. There are many good people in the Philly community that work hard and give to the poor and to charity or even just to neighbors walking by. One of my two core memories is going to school and packing up so we can go and sell all the pastries we made the day before to other schools so we can share and show off our talents. The other is working out on the side walk with my grandfather to sell pork to the neighbors that walked by so they could eat. While these are the memories that I hold most dear. There are also so many others of just helping out in the community and giving, helping younger kids out and pets too. I only learned these things by watching others do it first. Just from taking a walk outside with my family to the store and seeing people give out water ice or campaigning for better help. It's taught me to mainly be true to myself and to others but always watch out and be cautious. These might be some things that everyone in life has to do but it's very important here in Philly and that's what it's taught me. To watch your back and be careful especially as a young lady. Although I hope that later on in life I won't need to be as cautious and can feel more safe. There are many places where you do feel safe and can find help. but of course there are places in Philly where you do need to be. I've always been surrounded by Philly food-trucks. And it's brought me to have a passion for food and wanting to create it though I've always seen good trucks I've never seen a dessert truck. but I'm thinking more of having a cafe so I can decorate more! Philly has really inspired me to pursue it and. it's also taught me a lot about relationships too seeing online how there are lovely couples but also so so many toxic ones. These are just a few things that Philly has taught me and I'm still learning more. I hope to see the many other things when attending to college this fall, I can't wait so these are the things that Philadelphia has taught me. Thank you!

Through planning fundraising events as a culinary student, I’ve seen the positive results it can have on a community. The school I attend is a low-income public trade school that gets the funding it needs for student events through the students' efforts. We’ve put together many events, one being senior brunch, which consisted of breakfast items made by other culinary students and myself, which were sold to all students and adults to both help the Seniors get money for their events and pay for a senior brunch event. There was also a cookie dough fundraiser for everyone, including parents and family members. It was on a website where people could order cookie dough to fund the junior prom. We partnered with a popcorn company this year in a contest to sell to students and outside for a chance at winning a refund for prom or the senior trip. Other than fundraising, we’ve put together a senior pinning and catered for it. As well as making breakfast for the college recruiters who came to talk to the student body. I’ve led people throughout these events but creating one myself is something I did this year with the School wide movie day. I created the idea after seeing how exhausted everyone felt after testing and thought that the students could benefit from an event that focused on everyone being together and relaxing with a movie. I planned everything with the other members of the student government and worked the event to make sure it went smoothly. Having done these and many other events throughout my years, I’ve seen both the effort it takes to put things together and make them run. But I’ve been motivated by the effects it has on the people it was put on for. The feeling of being appreciated by people who I’ve made food for is one thing. But seeing the looks on their faces and that feeling of "yeah I did this event and it came out well" just adds something different to it it's like that feeling of accomplishment and attainment. That the plan went through with no mistakes and people are having a good time just makes it all worthwhile. It also gives a sense of encouragement to do it again and even better the next time so that people could keep talking about even days later from attending. I'm passionate about event planning because simply events make people happy and making others happy makes me happy. I can also display the things I make and show off a bit but seeing their faces light up with happiness is the best part.

1. The trade that I will pursue after graduation will the culinary arts specifically confectionary arts. 2. I am interested in this particular trade because it reminds me of the good times of being younger and always watching those cooking shows with my grandmother wanting to create all the amazing cool things they made and how it made the people that ate they're food light up with such happiness. 3. Well in my Shop (Culinary Class) at school we always sell food that we make to the people in our school so we can buy more supplies for the kitchen there have been times that I was in charge of making sure all the platters are put together and taken out to the cafeteria I also then go out and help sell them some are pre-orders and we always set those to the side and wait till the time that they ordered it for to arrive and deliver it to them there was a time when one of the newer culinary students that were helping sold and already pre-ordered platter and they specifically wanted no greens on it all of the other ones already had greens so I said to one of the other workers "okay you go tell chef, you sit down for now don't touch any of them it's okay we all mess up sometimes but just remember the ones on the bottom are already pre-ordered if we sell out and someone says oh but there's some on the bottom just don't touch those" the other student came back and said that he's making a new one and that he called for me in so I can be there and deliver it when I came in he asked what happened I explained it to him and he said that I did well in handling it and that next time we should remember to tell everyone that the ones on the bottom are pre-orders so it won't happen again. There was also another times when a classmate of mine was making the deserts to sell that day and she messed up quite bad and she started to panic she wanted to throw them all out and start over but I had stopped her and said we don't have time for that it's okay that there messed up because they still taste good (I took one prior) she was doing cupcakes she wanted to do a thing glaze on top so it looked clear and have crystal crunch to it but she didn't wait for it to cook down enough and went right for it when she was trying to brush it across the top of the cupcakes started to lift up and began to be all crumbly I said I've done the same thing before and took the glaze she'd started added a bit of lemon juice and more confectionary sugar and created a thicker glaze one that you could pipe so I piped it out of a piping bag and then added little blue berries on top and a chocolate leaf that we had bought they turned out so pretty and she was really happy and thank me I felt so happy that I could help her. They were vanilla lemon cream glaze blueberry cupcakes. 4.my plan for after graduation is going to school for my trade to learn more things about the confectionary world while also minoring in business so I can gain enlightenment about how to own also taking care of my own business and finances, I've gotten so far as to being accepted by a school school that has a good culinary program and business I've also gotten on contact with the head chef at the college and he wishes to meet and show me and my chef so we can see the kitchen and other facilities that they offer I've also gotten a job offer but that's for my side hobbies of making jewelry that I have so I wish to be able to be rewarded with this scholarship in hope that it can help pay for my tuition. 5. Honestly I can't really answer this one by myself so I will admit I am asking an adult the same question you would ask. it's my chef again and he said that he would recommend me to receive this scholarship because I am a hard worker and he sees a spark in me whenever I make pastries and that he knows that with my leading skills from what he's seen that I can make it far he also says he wishes to see me go far and is very proud of me for how far I've come he'd recommend me because he feels I am deserving of it which makes me really happy.

I have two career goals but my most passionate career goal is to be a baker, to own my own bakery or café I want to be able to learn to create pastry mastery to be able to create such confectionary and share with others the comfort of my passion the sweetness and happiness it can bring you. With saying this I know that with this scholarship it can assist me to getting the higher education I need to perfectly pursue my goals I've been accepted to a great college with a great program and I really deeply wish to attend it if I am able to greatly receive this scholarship it can help pay for some of the quantity of tuition. I'd be so deeply grateful if that could happen and hope it shall. I've always wanted to create a business of my own and help my parents with dues. I want to show them that they've taught me well and I can make it higher up and get a good pay so they can finally have a break and rest. We are not well off and baking has always been my passion since childhood it's been like I just instantly knew what to do and felt comfort in it. it helps me when I'm sad and even when I am happy I love to share what I make with others and see how they enjoy it. Seeing something that I made make someone else day or even moment makes me feel accomplished and rewarded. Just with that and I hope that if I can get to go to the school of my choice that. With this scholarship that I can learn how to perfect the dreams that I've had. So I can truly make them into a reality, I wish to be able to earn and accept the higher education I wish for. so that I can be able to show to others and give to others what I love in a more easier and professional way like a café or bakery. I want to learn all the different pastries of the world and be able to enjoy that culture and share that with others. I feel as though there's no way better of communication then food especially desert foods. I wish that in the future I can accomplish these types of things I dream of and actually be able to put it to show. I know that I can get to this place with the assistance of this scholarship. I wish to be awarded with it in hopes of being able to pursue the higher education of confectionary wisdom.

Honestly the greatest driving force in my life the person who taught me to drive. For more and succeed to the fullest would have to be my sister Trinity. She's done so much for me and with have a couple disabilities she didn't really hold it against me. I say this because in my eyes she's perfect she always has straight A's and is good at almost everything reading, writing, singing, playing instruments. kinda everything academic wise I have bad dyslexia and stuttering and I never could read correctly when I was younger. I was discouraged also having a heart murmur didn't make it any better it was kinda server when I was younger I'm 17 now. They say it's not as bad thankfully although I do still get bad chest pains. So bad to the point I can't get up from bed or have trouble breathing. We didn't always get along I thought she hated me for the longest but she taught me to read better. She made me love reading I'm of course still not the best writer but she helped me as much as she can. I never had much confidence and always hide the fact that I had a heart condition from friends whenever I said I couldn't play. At times it never got too bad that I was hospitalized thankfully because we are not to well off financially. But I was limited at many times I'm happy that I was able to grow through it and get a bit better and most of that came from my sister. If I'm honest it may seem that she didn't do much other then help me read and write or encourage me to have a bit more confidence in myself. Though with her doing that and also her being so smart drove me to be a bit competitive and made me want to be as good as her or even better. it was good competitiveness and it drove me to be almost just as smart her I get great grades I've won awards on things and sell my own jewelry and she's supported me on everything. I've done she's helped me on projects and many other things she is indeed the greatest force in my life with helping me and supporting me on everything I do. with encouraging me that I can do extraordinary things. Even with a heart condition that many others have had illnesses and still produced greatness, that I shouldn't let it hold me back. And I didn't I've now made it into Drexel University and hope to receive this scholarship so I can pay for tuition. I am happy to share my story of who helps my drive in life, thank you.

I believe there was only really one teacher that deeply influenced me on how to approach my life and that was my shop teacher chef.Bell I wish to pursue a life in pastry arts and chef bell has helped so much in many ways he's helped all his students and we all call him grandpa because he feels like family to us he cares about all of us so deeply. And whenever we are having a hard and difficult time wether it's personal or class wise he always asks if we need to talk and helps us out especially when I was severely depressed and wasn't acting like myself he didn't ask until a couples months later because he wanted to see if I'd be able to take care of it my self or if he should ask after a while he did ask and talked to me the talk really helped me because even though it was personal he showed he cared when I was in my darkest moment thinking I wasn't needed that I was alone and ignored he showed that he cared and helped me through it. even recently he has helped me a lot by contacting the head chef of the college Drexel that I am trying to attend he gave me an invitation to check out the kitchen and they're facilities but because of financial problems I might not be able to attend that why I'm hoping I can get this scholarship in fact chef. Bell is the one who helped me find out about this scholarship page and another one called college vine he had told me to make sure to be careful and if any of the scholarships ask for pay to not pay it because you shouldn't need to go out of pocket to try and get money he said to use your intelligence and find the free ones because there is a lot out there. honestly chef. Bell is such an amazing teacher and the stories that he told us about his days in the kitchen always spark such a cool learning environment and really helps us learn what we're going into the field for and how to be presentable. He teaches us so many things and cares about us so much I'm sad to leave highschool because of him but I want to prove to and show him what I can because he always says that believes that we all will make it far in life and I can't wait to show him he's right.

Hi my name is Keira Elizabeth Nieves I am 17 years old and I am Puerto Rican. I wish to pursue a life in the culinary industry to be more specific the pastry arts industry. I believe that this scholarship can help me do that I come from a low income family that makes less the 30,000 a year my tuition is about 21,000 a year that 7,000 per semester I'd need to commute too to bring down the cost and I'm beginning this fall I haven't gotten any scholarships so far it's probably because I applied to many that say will be announced in June or August but I hope I can get this scholarship so I can attend without my parents needing to pay so much. we are not a very stable family and I feel bad for holding them down they say they're proud of me and that if I want to go there I will because made it in and I'm smart but I still feel bad and I'm applying to as many as possible I hope I can be blessed by one of these many scholarships including this one I know that I will go far with my higher education that I pursue I want to become a business women and will fight to get the education that I need in order to do it in the best way. I wish to not hold my parents back and earn money so I can pay for tuition and get far in the career I chose I am determined to do it and I know I can with the help from you with this scholarship I will not give up because I truly love what I want to pursue. I want to be able to make it into a professional living for me I want to be able to have that education and make that type of money to help support my family like they supported me I hope that I can win this scholarship and get to be able to attend the college I got into and get the higher education I need to be a great pastry chef. I hope to be chosen for such a great scholarship and hope to go into the world of higher education where I can get the support and connections that are needed to pursue all of my culinary dreams.

Why am I passionate about the trade I'm pursuing honestly I feel like I can talk about this for days on end but I'll try to keep it short I'm passionate about my trade culinary arts because it gives me joy it reminds me of my childhood all the warm memories I love to make food I love to make desserts I grew up eating them and learning how to make them one of my fondest memories would be going to my grandparents house it was a nice spring day and the sun was going down I was laying down on the carpet watching the TV my grandma had left her cooking show as she went to go cook dinner for us my parents came in and said "you don't have to watch that if you don't want to, put something else on" I remember being so entranced with it and I said "no, look at what there making it's so pretty" they where some type of pastry I can't remember what it was exactly but I remember the feeling I felt watching how they made it and it stuck with me I couldn't get over how beautiful and peaceful it was going seeing it and wanted to do that myself so I would always make cake, brownies anything that was pretty simple to do at a young age for my family of course it was box cake or brownies but hey I still made it. But now it's a bit different I make everything from scratch and it brings me so much joy especially when I'm stressed it's the best time to make cookies because you can mix it as hard as you can and it won't mess up. But I want to be able how to make a perfect pound cake and I hope with the scholarship I apply to that I can pay for tuition and get the Higher Education I crave for so I can make it there and get the education on how to make pastries the best way. I plan that after getting this education and graduating from the higher education that I receive that I can be able to open my own cafe or bakery I hope I can do this so I can help my family out and give back to the community by giving away the pastries at the end of the day instead of throwing them all out I'd even hope to make not just pastries but also healthy food and give it out to people I hope I can receive this award so I can achieve these goals.

Some of my academic goals that I've accomplished so far are getting a 3.6 gpa and being top of my class getting an award at the Constitution center and starting a student council at my school. I believe I've given back to my community by using the education I've had so far to make these accomplishments and show that they raised and taught me well some of the community around me is not good at all but it's inspired me to make a difference by speaking up about the dangers that happen in North Philly specifically sexual assault with that project thats how I won the award at the Constitution center and hope that with this scholarship money if I win that I can get a higher education and maybe even spread it more out in the world that it should be taken more seriously and that it's an important topic that should be more cared for and solved even though I'm going to school for pastry arts which indeed my main passion I believe going into higher education and being able to spread that throughout the people in a big school creating podcasts and other things like safe spaces for people to talk about can really make a change for the better and I hope that with my academic scores and overall smarts that I can do it in a way that can reach out so others in a way that everyone can understand I have many goals now it's not just trying to sell the jewelry I make to make money for tuition or just to buy new clothes I want to do that still of course but I also want to open my own cafe and also spread word about the podcast that I plan on making so everyone can join and help each other so you can feel safe. My main professional goal will to be gaining the higher education and learning pastry arts and business so I can have a business of my own that always been my life long dream and I will make it come true no matter what I truly hope I am able to receive this award so I can learn more things and do what I've said to the best of my abilities and in the most professional and efficient way possible I hope to be blessed with this scholarship and will work hard with it.

Out of all of the challenges we've had in our lives from sexual assault to family separation, death I feel like the one that's always constantly on going is our financial hardship we've never been truly stable it's hard growing up knowing that your only working parent is never getting what he deserves just because of his race he's been working at community college since 2010 and was deeply discriminated because he was Puerto Rican his pay was always lower then everyone else's he's fought several times telling that it's not fair because he basically takes care of the whole north east which is true he'd come home always so tired from overworking himself they where so shameless to even give him tasks that was not his job saying that they'd pay him overtime for it but they never actually payed him what he deserved while other people that where always just sitting around never actually working got promotions my father never did he'd apply for a promotion and get denied even till now they are still the same way but my father stays because at least we get free healthcare we are a family of six and finance has always been so hard even when my mother would try to get jobs she worked as a home care nurse but it never really payed enough though when she was employed we were quite stable for a bit but she was laid off because no one needed help she has gotten another home care job now that pays a little bit above minimum wage but it's only part time it's now even extra hard with adding a new child to the family it was a surprise but a happy one even though we're struggling even though growing with that financial hardship we've always made it work somehow and are continuing to make it work sadly my mother is now paying off her own mother's debt which makes us struggle slightly more but. with growing up and even now seeing the struggle my family deals with it teaches me to make smarter financial choices and how to overcome them seeing this and how my parents taught me about it has shaped me into a person who understands financial struggle and discrimination with this I believe I can shape my future goals of becoming a business women in jewelry and pastry arts in a fine way that can lead to the least financial struggle and instead lead to success and great financial stability I believe I can truly do this with the Higher Education I can receive this fall but I can't do it without this scholarship if I am able to obtain this award I believe I can get the education I dream of and build my own business with this I truly hope I am chosen and get to be able to get the help of keels pays it forward so I can fight and help my family when retired know the word of financial stability.

If my life were a movie the title would be "Moving Forward" the opening seen would take place in 2024 the summer of 2024 itd be July 13th the week after my birthday I was so happy after my birthday week because for the first time I had both my grandparents there to wish me happy birthday they never really where close because my father and grandfather on my mom's side didn't like each other but I guess with old age now they decided to put all odds aside and come celebrate my birthday as the first official "breaking the ice" I had so much fun, on that birthday weekend the 6th we had also helped my grandfather sell pork it was so much fun I was happy it's been a while since I was this happy because I was having a bad time with depression but now it was better until the 13th of July when we all would find out that something horrible would happen we found out my grandfather had a stroke a stroke that lasted 7 days straight he had called 911 several times whenever he regained consciousness but nobody came it wasn't till my parents went over the see him because he wasn't answering his phone and found him like that he was taken to the hospital my mom was a wreck she was the one that mainly held the house hold together and with her like this it was hard to not feel the same she was trying to stay strong but I knew she was hurting more then ever my grandfather had always said that if he were to ever get like this his wish was to pull the plug he didn't want to live not being able to move while my mother and uncle where going to go with his wishes my aunt decided otherwise and kept him alive because they didn't all agree the doctors kept him here suffering while he was in and out of consciousness he had died for seconds and came back several times had several more strokes but he was fighting hard and survived although it's not what he wanted but he fought to live even though not being able to move or speak to barely focus on anything even acting like a child he has come a long way from that now but when it was happening it was the hardest thing to witness then finding out that afterwards my grandmother was hit with the same thing, we were just at home playing games then a incoming call is here and my mother starts to cry then rushes out of the house we knew it was something bad again our father calls to get ready for bed that mom is having a hard time because now Grandma has a stroke thankfully she survived they were going to either cut her good leg off or pull the plug but my mom saved her because she realized that her leg was still moving the doctor was an amateur and was wrong but my mom fought for it they all realized she was right my grandma was way better off then my grandfather and recovered slightly better though it was still bad while right after that my uncle on my father's side died we knew he was sick and was not doing well we visited and we're always there for him but his death after all of this happening was so sudden everything was too sudden it hurt everything hurt so bad, I fell back into a very deep depression at that time it was already half way into the school semester I was about done 11th grade with my mental state being horrible I had a male acquaintance that I was very close with he took advantage of my mental state he was very toxic and manipulative to me it wasn't till the spring of 2024 that I was tired, actually waking up from my stupidity pushing him away after that I felt like I was my old self again I was getting better so were my grandparents I felt happier my grandfather was able to do more than before that summer I felt I was ready for my last school year I was happy that was until something had happened my best friend ran away the only one I truly felt comfortable with I loved my cat Tera it hurt way more then anything that happened before but this time I was able to deal with it even though I wasn't exactly stable I knew Tera would want me to "Move Forward" to not let her down I did just that having accomplished getting into college, winning awards.I think I'm ready to keep moving forward without fail

An issue in my community that I've taken initiative to address is sexual assault I made a power point and a board on the statics of sexual assault throughout the years till now and how it should be more acknowledged and not just pushed to the side it should be talked about more even if it's uncomfortable I presented this at my local constitution center in Philly and won an award for most open mindedness they all loved it and helped me come up with even more ideas on how to expand it, how to get it out there for more people to acknowledge and take seriously I'm very happy with this accomplishment so far and hope to pursue it more with the help of friends. This issue motivated me to tackle this problem because I'm a victim of it so are many of my family members and friends and I realized I should not just stay quite and keep my opinions to myself but actually speak out about it because I know there are many out there that think the same as me and that just need a little push of confidence to also speak out about it although im not very good at wording things I believe that I can at least share my ideas and opinions with others that are and that we together can be able to make it more understandable why it shouldn't be taken as a joke or set aside it's an important matter that needs to be stopped the people of our city of our country should feel protected and feel as though there is a safe space where help is offered. A place where your not being told it's your fault because it happened "you should've been smarter" "you asked for it" but instead "it's okay were here for you" "we'll get justice for you" "it's not your fault" "you didn't do anything wrong for trusting someone" or "for not realizing it sooner". I hope to make this matter more seen and make more people in our community feel safer and cared for.