I am a first generation college student who is being raised by a single mother. I’ve seen first hand how hard it is to attain goals without the proper educational gain. My mother and my entire family have always provided me with morals, values and a headstrong belief that all things are possible when you put your mind to it. They also tirelessly give advise, direction and positive confirmation that I have potential. Although I have aunts and cousins who attended college, it will be rewarding to know that I am a part of those who also attended and graduated college. Throughout my educational years I have always tried to remain focused on doing my best and also encouraging others to do their best so that my generation can make a difference in the future of this world. More often, my generation and the younger generation are looked at as a failure, a detriment and not held in a positive light. It’s sometimes challenging to stay focused when there are negative people and hurtful things going on in your life, but I try my best to block those things out. Two years ago my school was on lockdown because a student decided to bring a gun to school. We hear this a lot of times of the news and unfortunately it’s all too common. I want to get out of the stereotypical community and show people that although I may live in a low income community where we are looked at as less than or not expected to succeed, it can be done. Everyone has the potential to become a better version of themselves. Everyone has the potential to be successful. Everyone has the potential to attend college and graduate. By assisting me financially in attending college I will have the potential to graduate and become the Architect that I are striving for. I know that I have that potential to succeed not only in College but in life as well. The cost for attending College is an expensive one, with limited scholarships and grants I am relying on loans and assistance from any and all venues that I can attain. By being awarded this scholarship I will be deeply appreciative and it will also encourage me and give me a boost in striving harder because there are individuals who like yourself see my potential and my dedication and perseverance to succeed. It’s also important to me and I plan on giving back to my community. After I become an Architect, I will be able to show the younger generation and others to never give up regardless of your circumstances and challenges and even obstacles and negativity. Our African American communities are filled with people who are determined to be successful, but they lack the resources and guidance. I plan on being a resource and officer guidance and encouragement, because someone gave me a chance I will never forget it and always be indebted to return the favor and opportunity as well. I am striving to reach the potential that I know I’m capable of. This Scholarship will allow me to get a step closer and becoming what I know I can do and be. Regardless of what comes my way I will not stop and I will succeed.

This Scholarship will help me reach my potential by allowing me to attend college, graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture and attain a career that I have always dreamed of allowing me to become a positive, productive, successful young African American who will be able to show others that by staying focused, being dedicated and sacrificing you can reach your goals. I am a first generation college student who is being raised by a single mother. I’ve seen first hand how hard it is to attain goals without the proper educational gain. My mother and my entire family have always provided me with morals, values and a headstrong belief that all things are possible when you put your mind to it. They also tirelessly give advise, direction and positive confirmation that I have potential. Although I have aunts and cousins who attended college, it will be rewarding to know that I am a part of those who also attended and graduated college. My maternal grandfather, although I was unable to have the privilege to meet him, was also diagnosed with AVM and unfortunately passed due to some complications related to that. His legacy and impact on our family is greatly rooted and remains alive with us. He was always encouraging to his children and those around him and also instilled in each of his children the importance to be goal oriented and seek a good education. And then graduate and become a positive person in society. Throughout my educational years I have always tried to remain focused on doing my best and also encouraging others to do their best so that my generation can make a difference in the future of this world. More often, my generation and the younger generation are looked at as a failure, a detriment and not held in a positive light. It’s sometimes challenging to stay focused when there are negative people and hurtful things going on in your life, but I try my best to block those things out. Two years ago my school was on lockdown because a student decided to bring a gun to school. We hear this a lot of times of the news and unfortunately it’s all too common. I want to get out of the stereotypical community and show people that although I may live in a low income community where we are looked at as less than or not expected to succeed, it can be done. Everyone has the potential to become a better version of themselves. Everyone has the potential to be successful. Everyone has the potential to attend college and graduate. By assisting me financially in attending college I will have the potential to graduate and become the Architect that I are striving for. I know that I have that potential to succeed not only in College but in life as well. The cost for attending College is an expensive one, with limited scholarships and grants I am relying on loans and assistance from any and all venues that I can attain. By being awarded this scholarship I will be deeply appreciative and it will also encourage me and give me a boost in striving harder because there are individuals who like yourself see my potential and my dedication and perseverance to succeed. It’s also important to me and I plan on giving back to my community. After I become an Architect, I will be able to show the younger generation and others to never give up regardless of your circumstances and challenges and even obstacles and negativity. Our African American communities are filled with people who are determined to be successful, but they lack the resources and guidance. I plan on being a resource and officer guidance and encouragement, because someone gave me a chance I will never forget it and always be indebted to return the favor and opportunity as well. My community service experiences mainly involve helping the older and elderly community. I am a first generation college bound student and I have been instilled with the importance of helping and giving back to others because so many have aided and given to me. One mantra that my mother always says when speaking of others and when they help you is that "no one owes you anything". Meaning people do not have to help you, but when they do, they do it out of the kindness of their heart. I am a part of a very close knit family with a close relationship to my Grandmother. During the summer months I've spent countless hours with her and her Senior community in assisting them with getting food, running errands and assisting with their physical and recreational activities. Each time I visit her, there is always a neighbor who may need assistance with something and I am always will to assist. I also have assisted with the 8th Street Historical District, which is the oldest African-American Neighborhood and District in Dallas, TX where it was where former slaves who were freed settled. This neighborhood celebrates yearly through community awareness and celebrations of how far we have come and continue to build. There is also recognition from the City of Dallas and I have assisted with the programs. There is a Community Garden where I have assisted with maintaining it's growth and development. The impact of helping others and being able to see that people can come together and reach the goal of togetherness and assistance is vital. We cannot survive without each other and we all must work together for a common goal in order for us to be successful in life. Helping others is a satisfying experience and I intend to continue where I can and when I can so that I can show others that working together and servicing others is an experience that is enjoyable and rewarding. I am striving to reach the potential that I know I’m capable of. This Scholarship will allow me to get a step closer and becoming what I know I can do and be. Regardless of what comes my way I will not stop and I will succeed.

My community service involves helping the older and elderly community. I am a first generation college bound student and I have been instilled with the importance of helping and giving back to others. I've assisted with the 8th Street Historical District, the oldest African-American Neighborhood in Dallas, TX where former freed slaves settled. We celebrate through community awareness and celebrations of how far we have come and continue to build. The impact of helping and seeing people come together and reach goals is vital. We can't survive without each other and we must work together to be successful in life. Helping others is a satisfying experience and I intend to continue so that I can show others that working together and serving is an experience that is enjoyable and rewarding. My intention is to become an Architect. I will be able to show the younger generation that if you put your mind to it, stay focused and determined, you can succeed. I plan on being one of the individuals who gives back and in that I can be proud in knowing that I am able to make a difference. Throughout my education I have always remained focused on doing my best and encouraging others to do their best so that my generation can make a difference in the future. More often, my generation and the younger generation are looked at as a failure, a detriment and not held in a positive light. It’s sometimes challenging to stay focused when there are negative people and hurtful things going on in your life, but I block those things out. Two years ago my school was on lockdown because a student decided to bring a gun to school. We hear this a lot of times and unfortunately it’s all too common. I want to get out of the stereotypical community and show people that although I may live in a low income community where we are looked at as less than or not expected to succeed, it can be done. My intention is to become an Architect. In this role I will be able to show that if you put your mind to it, stay focused and determined, you can succeed. By becoming an Architect I am able and will go back to my community and assist others. I will be able to give advise, direction and encouragement. Our African-American communities are filled with people who are determined to be successful, but they lack the resources, encouragement and guidance. I will give back and in that be proud in knowing that I am able to make a difference. The cost for attending College is expensive, with limited scholarships and grants I am relying on loans and assistance from all available venues. By being awarded this scholarship I will be deeply appreciative and it will also encourage me and give me a boost in striving harder because there are individuals who like yourself see my potential and my dedication and perseverance to succeed.

I am a first generation college student who is being raised by a single mother who is diabetic and has been over 30 years of her life. I've seen her struggles and yet she never gives up and always persevere. I’ve seen first hand how hard it is to attain goals without the proper educational gain. My mother and my entire family have always provided me with morals, values and a headstrong belief that all things are possible when you put your mind to it. They also tirelessly give advise, direction and positive confirmation that I have potential. Throughout my educational years I have always tried to remain focused on doing my best and also encouraging others to do their best so that my generation can make a difference in the future of this world. More often, my generation and the younger generation are looked at as a failure, a detriment and not held in a positive light. It’s sometimes challenging to stay focused when there are negative people and hurtful things going on in your life, but I try my best to block those things out. Two years ago my school was on lockdown because a student decided to bring a gun to school. We hear this a lot of times of the news and unfortunately it’s all too common. I want to get out of the stereotypical community and show people that although I may live in a low income community where we are looked at as less than or not expected to succeed, it can be done. Everyone has the potential to become a better version of themselves. Everyone has the potential to be successful, attend college and graduate. By assisting me financially in attending college I will have the potential to become the Architect that I are striving for. With limited scholarships and grants I am seeking and assistance from all avenues. By being awarded this scholarship I will be very appreciative and it will also encourage me and give me a boost in striving harder because there are individuals who like yourself see my potential and my dedication and perseverance to succeed. It’s also important to give back to my community. After I become an Architect, I will be able to show the younger generation and others to never give up regardless of your circumstances and challenges and even obstacles and negativity. Our African American communities are filled with people who are determined to be successful, but they lack the resources and guidance. I plan on being a resource and officer guidance and encouragement, because someone gave me a chance I will never forget it and always be indebted to return the favor and opportunity as well. I am striving to reach the potential that I know I’m capable of. This Scholarship will allow me to get a step closer and becoming what I know I can do and be. Regardless of what comes my way I will not stop and I will succeed.

I attend a High School that is predominantly Hispanic. Attending MacArthur High in Irving has taught me to persevere even when you are the minority. This Scholarship will help me reach my potential by allowing me to attend college, graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture and attain a career that I have always dreamed of allowing me to become a positive, productive, successful young African American who will be able to show others that by staying focused, being dedicated and sacrificing you can reach your goals. I am a first generation college student who is being raised by a single mother. I’ve seen first hand how hard it is to attain goals without the proper educational gain. My mother and my entire family have always provided me with morals, values and a headstrong belief that all things are possible when you put your mind to it. They also tirelessly give advise, direction and positive confirmation that I have potential. Although I have aunts and cousins who attended college, it will be rewarding to know that I am a part of those who also attended and graduated college. Throughout my educational years I have always tried to remain focused on doing my best and also encouraging others to do their best so that my generation can make a difference in the future of this world. More often, my generation and the younger generation are looked at as a failure, a detriment and not held in a positive light. It’s sometimes challenging to stay focused when there are negative people and hurtful things going on in your life, but I try my best to block those things out. Two years ago my school was on lockdown because a student decided to bring a gun to school. We hear this a lot of times of the news and unfortunately it’s all too common. I want to get out of the stereotypical community and show people that although I may live in a low income community where we are looked at as less than or not expected to succeed, it can be done. Everyone has the potential to become a better version of themselves. Everyone has the potential to be successful. Everyone has the potential to attend college and graduate. By assisting me financially in attending college I will have the potential to graduate and become the Architect that I are striving for. I know that I have that potential to succeed not only in College but in life as well. The cost for attending College is an expensive one, with limited scholarships and grants I am relying on loans and assistance from any and all venues that I can attain. By being awarded this scholarship I will be deeply appreciative and it will also encourage me and give me a boost in striving harder because there are individuals who like yourself see my potential and my dedication and perseverance to succeed. It’s also important to me and I plan on giving back to my community. After I become an Architect, I will be able to show the younger generation and others to never give up regardless of your circumstances and challenges and even obstacles and negativity. Our African American communities are filled with people who are determined to be successful, but they lack the resources and guidance. I plan on being a resource and officer guidance and encouragement, because someone gave me a chance I will never forget it and always be indebted to return the favor and opportunity as well.

My community service experience involves helping the older and elderly community. I am a first generation college bound student and I have been instilled with the importance of helping and giving back to others. I've assisted with the 8th Street Historical District, the oldest African-American Neighborhood in Dallas, TX where former freed slaves settled. We celebrate through community awareness and celebrations of how far we have come and continue to build. The impact of helping and seeing people come together and reach goals is vital. We can't survive without each other and we must work together to be successful in life. Helping others is a satisfying experience and I intend to continue where I can and when I can so that I can show others that working together and servicing others is an experience that is enjoyable and rewarding. My intention is to become an Architect. I will be able to show the younger generation that if you put your mind to it, stay focused and determined, you can succeed. I plan on being one of the individuals who gives back and in that I can be proud in knowing that I was and am able to make a difference. Throughout my educational years I have always tried to remain focused on doing my best and also encouraging others to do their best so that my generation can make a difference in the future of this world. More often, my generation and the younger generation are looked at as a failure, a detriment and not held in a positive light. It’s sometimes challenging to stay focused when there are negative people and hurtful things going on in your life, but I try my best to block those things out. Two years ago my school was on lockdown because a student decided to bring a gun to school. We hear this a lot of times of the news and unfortunately it’s all too common. I want to get out of the stereotypical community and show people that although I may live in a low income community where we are looked at as less than or not expected to succeed, it can be done. My intention is to become an Architect. In this role I will be able to show the younger generation that if you put your mind to it, stay focused and determined, you can succeed. By becoming an Architect I am able and will go back to my community and assist those who are interested in not only becoming an Architect, but I will be able to give advise, direction and encouragement. Our African-American communities are filled with people who are determined to be successful, but they lack the resources and encouragement and guidance. I plan on being one of the individuals who gives back and in that I can be proud in knowing that I was and am able to make a difference. The cost for attending College is an expensive one, with limited scholarships and grants I am relying on loans and assistance from any and all venues that I can attain. By being awarded this scholarship I will be deeply appreciative and it will also encourage me and give me a boost in striving harder because there are individuals who like yourself see my potential and my dedication and perseverance to succeed.

My community service experience involves helping the older and elderly community. I am a first generation college bound student and I have been instilled with the importance of helping and giving back to others. I've assisted with the 8th Street Historical District, the oldest African-American Neighborhood in Dallas, TX where former freed slaves settled. We celebrate through community awareness and celebrations of how far we have come and continue to build. The impact of helping and seeing people come together and reach goals is vital. We can't survive without each other and we must work together to be successful in life. Helping others is a satisfying experience and I intend to continue where I can and when I can so that I can show others that working together and servicing others is an experience that is enjoyable and rewarding. My intention is to become an Architect. I will be able to show the younger generation that if you put your mind to it, stay focused and determined, you can succeed. I plan on being one of the individuals who gives back and in that I can be proud in knowing that I was and am able to make a difference. Throughout my educational years I have always tried to remain focused on doing my best and also encouraging others to do their best so that my generation can make a difference in the future of this world. More often, my generation and the younger generation are looked at as a failure, a detriment and not held in a positive light. It’s sometimes challenging to stay focused when there are negative people and hurtful things going on in your life, but I try my best to block those things out. Two years ago my school was on lockdown because a student decided to bring a gun to school. We hear this a lot of times of the news and unfortunately it’s all too common. I want to get out of the stereotypical community and show people that although I may live in a low income community where we are looked at as less than or not expected to succeed, it can be done. My intention is to become an Architect. In this role I will be able to show the younger generation that if you put your mind to it, stay focused and determined, you can succeed. By becoming an Architect I am able and will go back to my community and assist those who are interested in not only becoming an Architect, but I will be able to give advise, direction and encouragement. Our African-American communities are filled with people who are determined to be successful, but they lack the resources and encouragement and guidance. I plan on being one of the individuals who gives back and in that I can be proud in knowing that I was and am able to make a difference. The cost for attending College is an expensive one, with limited scholarships and grants I am relying on loans and assistance from any and all venues that I can attain. By being awarded this scholarship I will be deeply appreciative and it will also encourage me and give me a boost in striving harder because there are individuals who like yourself see my potential and my dedication and perseverance to succeed.

My community service experience involves helping the older and elderly community. I am a first generation college bound student and I have been instilled with the importance of helping and giving back to others. I've assisted with the 8th Street Historical District, the oldest African-American Neighborhood in Dallas, TX where former freed slaves settled. We celebrate through community awareness and celebrations of how far we have come and continue to build. The impact of helping and seeing people come together and reach goals is vital. We can't survive without each other and we must work together to be successful in life. Helping others is a satisfying experience and I intend to continue where I can and when I can so that I can show others that working together and servicing others is an experience that is enjoyable and rewarding. My intention is to become an Architect. I will be able to show the younger generation that if you put your mind to it, stay focused and determined, you can succeed. I plan on being one of the individuals who gives back and in that I can be proud in knowing that I was and am able to make a difference.

Being able to see your designs and work in skylines and throughout cities is amazing. I want to pursue a degree in Architecture because I enjoy graphics, graphic design and art. I love photography and I think that being able to show my work on paper, in people's homes and on buildings would be great. Coming from a single-parent home I know and have seen what hard work and determination is, from my mother, and she has taught me and encouraged me and instilled in me that there is nothing that I cannot achieve if I put my mind to it. I want to attend college and get a degree in order to become a positive, successful, productive person. Every building that we see daily was designed by an individual. Every McDonald's, every Kroger, every hospital, had someone with an idea of how to design that building. I want to be part of the team that creates that. I want to have the opportunity to show people that regardless of your background, your upbringing and your past, you can always overcome and become successful. I love creating and being creative. When I was in my Junior year of high school, I received my Adobe Certification. I have been a member of my high school's Graphic Design class since Freshman year and this year, my Senior year, I have been introduced to photography and have had the opportunity to take pictures at the football games, school activities and even in the community. My photographs are also on display throughout the school. I also enjoy graphics and creating different logos, posters and other things related to graphic design. I would love the opportunity to pursue becoming an Architect and learn more about Architecture in depth. I know that it involves being dedicated, focused and willing to learn and I am definitely willing and able to do all of that. I know that going to college can be and is very expensive, but I believe that with scholarships and having the opportunity for others to believe in you and be willing to help you it can be done. I pride myself on making those who believe in me know that I don't take anything for granted and that people don't have to help me. But there are still some pretty awesome people out here who have a heart and take chances on people they don't even know so that my future can be brighter and so that I can and will make a contribution to this world and to others. As I pursue my college path, I will also give back to the community and help the next young person who wants to pursue their dream and let them know that if you keep the faith and stay focused you can definitely reach your dream.