My mother’s incarceration has profoundly shaped my life, creating an emotional void that I struggled to fill. After giving birth to my youngest brother, she faced severe postpartum depression, which went untreated. She insisted that she was fine, masking her struggles with a facade of normalcy. Her denial not only affected her mental state but also impacted her ability to care for us. This mental turmoil caused her to be in and out of jail most of my life. After being taken away from her at a young age, I was left without the maternal guidance that many girls take for granted. This absence meant navigating the complexities of growing up without learning essential aspects of womanhood, such as self-care, understanding my body, and building healthy relationships. Instead of having a mother to turn to during pivotal moments, I felt isolated, grappling with confusion and self-doubt. My father, while loving and supportive, simply couldn’t provide the insights that only a mother could. This experience significantly impacted my self-esteem and understanding of what it means to be a woman. To avoid the same circumstances that led to my mother’s struggles, I have developed a proactive plan focused on education, self-awareness, and mental health advocacy. I recognize the importance of addressing mental health issues early, so I prioritize my emotional well-being through therapy and self-reflection. Seeking knowledge about mental health helps me understand the signs and symptoms that I, or others, may experience. I also surround myself with positive role models like strong women who can provide guidance and support as I navigate my path. Breaking the cycle of silence and stigma surrounding mental health, especially in the black community, is essential to me. By advocating for awareness and resources, I aim to create a supportive environment for others who may face similar challenges. I want to ensure that future generations are equipped with tools to seek help and understand their mental health, fostering a culture of openness and support. To cope with the emotional weight of my mother’s incarceration, I have adopted several self-care measures that help me manage my feelings and promote resilience. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and journaling, allow me to process my thoughts and emotions. Writing serves as a therapeutic outlet for my feelings of loss and confusion, helping me articulate my experiences. Additionally, while my single dad is not as maternal, he still provides me with the tools I need to succeed. He has been there since my mom went back to jail when I started college. He was even there when she got out and wanted to see me. Ultimately, my mother’s incarceration has shaped my journey, but it has also fueled my determination to create a different narrative for myself. Through education, advocacy, and self-care, I am committed to breaking the cycle of trauma and fostering resilience. I strive to cultivate a life defined by empowerment, transforming my experiences into a source of strength for myself and others. By addressing mental health openly and seeking support, I hope to create a brighter future.

When I was younger, I dreamt of soaring above the clouds and maybe even reaching the stars. I remember that my aunt, who served in the military, would visit once a year and captivate me with her incredible stories from abroad. She spoke of the Great Wall of China and raved about the delicious ice cream in Italy. Her tales ignited a deep passion in me. I wanted not only to see and experience the world she described but also to make a meaningful difference in protecting it. This passion led me to study Aerospace Engineering and intern with NASA. During this internship, my team designed a satellite to measure climate change patterns. This experience solidified my determination to build and optimize satellites to better understand and combat climate change. Additionally, I am highly motivated by the prospect of space travel. My aim is to make space travel more affordable, sustainable, and, above all, safe, with the ultimate objective of becoming an astronaut myself. These aspirations were all inspired by my aunt’s stories and my desire to protect the Earth she described. Receiving the "'John Young' Pursue Your Passion" scholarship will alleviate the financial burden of my education and affirm that my ambitions are within reach. This support will allow me to focus more intently on my studies and projects, propelling me closer to my dream of advancing aerospace technology and contributing to the betterment of our world. With this scholarship, I am more motivated than ever to continue my journey toward making space travel accessible and addressing the pressing challenges of climate change. Ultimately, I hope to make my aunt proud by exploring the world she so vividly described and reaching for the stars.

The church has been a cornerstone in my life for as long as I can remember. Throughout my childhood, I immersed myself in various roles in the church, from singing in the choir, reading scripture, preparing for our annual Bible Bowl, and even serving as an usher. Today, my involvement has evolved as I actively participate in the Young People's Division (YPD) and oversee our church's social media presence and GroupMe communications, maintaining a digital connection within our community. My inaugural experience with community service emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this challenging period, my church started distributing food baskets with fresh fruit and snacks. Through this experience, I was deeply moved and found profound joy and gratitude in seeing the illuminated faces of those receiving these baskets. This pivotal moment not only showed me the impact of service but also solidified my commitment to helping others. Following this experience, my dedication to volunteering expanded. During the Christmas season, we distributed heartfelt cards and hand-warmers to the elderly, and during a heatwave in Mississippi, we provided cold water bottles to those in need. These initiatives fueled my desire to extend my service beyond the church's walls. I began volunteering at the Jackson Mississippi Children's Museum and the Tutoring Center, where I further honed my commitment to community support. By the time I graduated from high school, I had amassed over two hundred hours of community service, a testament to the profound impact these experiences had on me. As a current college student, my commitment to community service remains unwavering. I tutor children at a local daycare, organize clothes at my local thrift store, and engage in campus clean-up initiatives with my service group. These endeavors are a direct continuation of the values instilled in me through my church-based volunteer work. Despite the demands of my academic life, I make it a point to return to my home church regularly, where I continue to read scripture, usher, and sing upon request. In Starkville, MS, where I am pursuing my studies, I attend a local church, ensuring that my commitment to spiritual and communal engagement endures. The Sherman S. Howard Legacy Scholarship would provide invaluable support, significantly reducing my financial burdens and allowing me to pursue my higher education with greater ease. Beyond its practical benefits, this scholarship would also symbolize recognition of my steadfast dedication to both my college and church communities, affirming my ongoing commitment to service and leadership.

There is an old, but inspirational saying that states “ Reach for the Stars.” As a person whose head was always in the clouds, this phrase has always stuck with me. This aphorism allowed me to dream big no matter what people deem impossible. It is my goal and dream to become an Aerospace Engineer. This goal may seem lofty, but it has encouraged me to always try to do my best in all things that I put my mind to. When I was younger, my favorite thing to watch on television was the Avengers cartoon. My favorite character was Iron Man. He had rockets on his feet and could fly. Other Avengers such as Thor could fly also, but it always fascinated me that Iron Man built his technology. He made something that would allow him to soar amongst the clouds. This was when my fascination for Aerospace and Aviation started. I started to build paper airplanes, dreaming that one day I would be able to fly just like my favorite heroes. In high school, I interned with the NASA SEES program. Through this program, I worked with the Aerospace Engineering team. We designed a satellite that measured El Nino and Climate change patterns. I learned a lot from that experience, like how to use CAD to design projects, work in a team, and how complicated flight is. This was my first real introduction to the industry. The summer before my freshman year at Mississippi State University, I toured the Raspet Flight Research Laboratory for an engineering camp. I was the only Aerospace Engineer and it was very apparent. I was excited about everything. They were testing different materials and engines for aircrafts. Everything seemed so fascinating. I was like a kid in a candy store. Even though at this point I had never even flown in a plane, I knew I still wanted a career in Aerospace. My freshman year at Mississippi State University was when I was able to see my passion though. My first time flying in an Airplane was when my Speech and Debate team traveled to California for a tournament. It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever experienced. I was in the window seat and I stared out the window the entire time. My eyes were big and wide-eyed as I saw the plane take off. I saw the world below me get smaller. The trees started to look like they were decorations on a play set. As the plane soared above the clouds I felt like a superhero. Something that I dreamed about for so long became a reality and I loved it. I am now going into my sophomore year of college and I am very excited about what the future has in store. I am currently the secretary for the National Society of Black Engineers where I help future and current MSU black engineers. I accomplished this by working hard, staying diligent in my goals, and looking towards the future. This scholarship will allow me to be persistent in my objectives and will make my college journey substantially easier. I look forward to what’s to come and I will continue to “Reach for the stars.”