Business and marketing have always been my main focus throughout my life. I am eager to utilize my education to contribute actively and substantially to social change movements. I understand the realities of societal inequities and am inspired to leverage my education in Business Administration with a concentration and my passion for marketing, thereby acting for positive change. Throughout school, I have always been hardworking and dedicated to my work. I have always been very focused on my schoolwork and uplifting others during the process. Throughout my time in school, I have learned so much about myself, my personal growth, and how to overcome the many obstacles life brings. My teachers and professors have been some of my biggest supporters in pushing me towards college and through college and the importance of getting my higher learning degree. Learning from my peers and teachers over the years made me appreciate how important college education is. During my last year of high school, I was enrolled in Dual Enrollment at Prince George's Community College, and I have progressed in my pre-college experience and learned from my classmates. I have discovered how much I enjoy time with my college classmates and learning how college greatly impacts our lives, especially for myself. I have been learning from my classmates about college and what it has to offer, the different majors they want to pursue, and all of the new opportunities college offers; it has also inspired me to keep pushing toward my big dreams. My main focus in my study is marketing, which greatly influences society. With my dreams of becoming a Marketing Manager, I aim to use the incredible power of marketing to spread awareness about pressing issues and promote solutions for social change. I firmly believe that a properly directed business perspective can give movements for social change a crucial edge - raising awareness and engaging the community. In the evolving landscape of marketing, information is power. The knowledge I gain from my academic pursuits will enable me to understand how to connect effectively with people and harness the power of communication for good. Every marketing action, big or small, fundamentally influences the values of the wider society. By crafting informed, meaningful marketing strategies, I believe I can be instrumental in bringing about change within communities. Another activity that I am also passionate about is the extracurricular activities I'm involved in because they make a considerable impact both within myself and others. Volunteering with multiple food banks, blood drives, and women's shelters throughout my neighborhood has taught me that it doesn't take much work to make a difference in someone's life. I have been volunteering and giving back to my community since I was in elementary school. I have always been passionate about working with others to make or create something others don't have access to and giving back. My plan has always been to continue what is known as a tradition within my household throughout college and beyond because everyone needs support and assistance from others everywhere. While volunteering, I provided women and families in need with nutritional foods and lunches their children could bring to school. Volunteering made me realize that it only takes a few hours out of your day or week to help and genuinely uplift people in need. While my educational path may seem indirectly tied to social change; business and marketing are among society's most influential forces. I can help bring about a better, fairer future by mastering its potential.

All through my life, I always wanted to pursue my goals and dreams, but for me to make it happen, I have to act and work hard to achieve them. With the help of family and community, I have been able to focus on both my academic and community goals. Working within a community has made the biggest impact in both my and others' lives by being able to give back and support individuals in need. Community has always been an important factor in my life, both in and out of school. Ever since I was little, I have always jumped at the chance to participate in community service. Community service makes a major difference within both yourself as an individual and the community. Learning how to grow as an individual to put the lives of others before yours and serve others improves character and cultivates characteristics that include gratitude and compassion. What community service means to me is a favor that is done for others without the expectation of getting something back or a return. Being able to realize the power your community holds has the power to make change and create something that becomes beneficial for everyone. Within the City of Bowie, we have multiple opportunities and action plans that we, as a community, can come together and act on. Community service within my community has always been a strong element in making our community a better space and environment for others. The local community services department promotes services from Outreach and Youth and Family Services to Senior Services, Special Events, and Recreation and Parks, the department addresses various facets of social services, community development, and recreational activities. Learning how to give back and take the time to volunteer has made me sure of myself and what I am capable of. Community service has so many beneficial factors both educationally and personally. Engaging in community service as an educational experience can enhance all sorts of critical thinking skills and real-life solutions to current, real-world problems and academic interests that could help students learn what they want for the future. Being able to go outside of the classroom and take action to solve real-world issues can bring many characters developmental life skills and acquire knowledge to provide support and help for people who need it most. My commitment to both my community and my education has always been tied very closely since elementary, from being able to provide children with presents and clothing during the winter season to providing school supplies, including new backpacks and lunch boxes, pencils, binders, and other necessities needed. I had the opportunity to gather with others and raise enough money within the community to fund other locals with the necessary materials needed for the school year. By using my future business and marketing degree, I plan to dedicate my time to creating environments and making events where individuals have the opportunity to come out to help and support those in the community day-to-day. With marketing, I have the ability to connect with others online or through social media to manage to spread and gain awareness of the importance of community service and how it can actually create change and a positive impact within a community. I love my city for all that it has to bring, with creating new steps every year to better itself and make the community a better space for everyone to come and enjoy.

My story is like any other child growing up. Like any other little girl, I loved Barbie dolls, playing dress up, wearing little princess dresses with matching heels, and dancing around my little house thinking I was a little princess, but the difference is that I didn’t have anybody to play with. It was hard making friends in school because of how they treated me. My mother was always working and trying to manage and care for herself and me simultaneously. I didn’t understand why my mother wouldn’t play with me then. Maybe she didn’t want to, or she didn’t want to be bothered, but now being older and learning about the hardships she has had to face to keep herself and me under a safe roof and our belly full. She always tried her best to support me and provide the stability that any child should have, playing both the mother and father roles. Seeing her work hard for so long helped me with my goals. I have always wanted to repay her by achieving excellence and gaining accomplishments that I don’t get to share with myself but with her. Seeing her push and strive for what she wanted has made me push even harder to achieve the things I have by graduating in the Top 10% of my class. This accomplishment won't just stop in High School; I plan to gain powerful knowledge and skills from college to achieve even more at a higher level. With dual enrollment, I gained business skills in connecting with others and networking, and I can now apply that knowledge to future internships and career opportunities. With this opportunity, I was given free college tuition as long as I was a high school student, and this was provided by my community. Over the years, I have discovered so much about my community and what it has done for the people. I was fortunate to take part in volunteering and communicating my opinions about changes that need to be brought into the community and new and modern effects that are effective. Community service within my community has always been a strong element in making our community a better space and environment for others. With the help and support I can give my community now, I can still engage in local discussions and community board meetings for changes to be made. One benefit I gained is that I can commute by attending Bowie State University while still being close to home and my school. This accessibility allows me to get involved with my school's community and environment board and still participate in my hometown, Bowie's communication board. Community service has many beneficial factors, both educationally and personally. Engaging in community service as an educational experience can enhance critical thinking skills and real-life solutions to current, real-world problems and academic interests that could help students learn what they want for the future. By using my business and marketing degree, I plan to dedicate my time to creating environments and making events where individuals can come out to help and support those in the community daily. With marketing, I can connect with others online or through social media to spread and gain awareness of the importance of community service and how it can actually create change and a positive impact within a community. I love my city for all it has to bring, creating new steps every year to improve itself and make the community a better space for everyone to come and enjoy.

All through my life, I always wanted to pursue my goals and dreams, but in order for me to make it, I have to work hard to achieve it. With the help of my mother and community, I have been able to focus on both my academic goals and community goals as well. With the pursuit of my educational journey, I plan to continue my dedication for academic excellence, leadership roles in student organizations and creating diverse initiatives. Growing up I wasn’t always goal motivated and driven to accomplish my dreams. The meaningful experiences and events that have served as a turning point in shaping me into the person I am today were being raised by a single mother and having to face the challenges of being a little girl, not having her father involved in the picture. With this experience, I had to learn how to overcome the many obstacles life brings, but with challenge comes drive and this has pushed me into becoming a better individual now and in the future. As an incoming freshman, I am HBCU bound at Bowie State University to pursue my future career path and future direction. My study focus, marketing, is an influence in society. With my future dream job becoming a Marketing Manager or working in advertisement, I aim to use the incredible power of marketing to spread awareness about pressing issues and promote solutions for social change. I firmly believe that a properly directed business perspective can give movements for social change a crucial edge - both in raising awareness and in engaging the community. In the evolving landscape of marketing, information is power. The knowledge I gain from my academic pursuits will enable me to understand how to connect effectively with people and harness the power of communications for good. Every marketing action, big or small, fundamentally influences the values of the wider society. By crafting informed, meaningful marketing strategies, I believe I can be an instrumental part of bringing about change within communities. While at my HBCU, I plan to participate highly in the extracurricular activities, example Rise against Hunger to donate over 60 thousand Nutrional meals and other community service efforts. Volunteering with multiple food banks, blood drives, and animal shelters throughout my neighborhood has taught me that it doesn't take a lot of work to make a difference in someone's life. I have been volunteering and giving back to my community since I was in Elementary school and have always been passionate about working with others to make or create something that others don't have access to and give back. My plan has always been to continue what is known as a tradition within my household throughout college and beyond because everyone everywhere needs support and assistance from others. While volunteering, I could provide individuals with nutritional foods that could impact not just one person, but possibly a whole family. Volunteering with both my mother and me made me realize that it only takes a few hours out of your day to truly help and uplift people in need. While my educational path may seem indirectly tied to social change, marketing is one of society's most influential forces. By mastering its potential, I can help bring about a better, fairer future within my community and others as well.

All through my life, I always wanted to pursue my goals and dreams, but in order for me to make it, I have to work hard to achieve it. Growing up I wasn’t always goal motivated and driven to accomplish my dreams. The hardships that have served as a turning point in shaping me into the person I am today were being raised by a single mother and having to face the challenges of being a little girl, not having her father involved in the picture. Another challenge was facing a severe case of eczema ever since I was born. Ever since I was little, I have had to cope with these many challenges. With only having little support from others, I only put myself down and degraded myself because I never thought I was good enough. As I got older, I noticed how detrimental this mindset was for a 10 year old little girl, just trying her best to figure out the wide world. Overtime I learned that you should not put pressure on yourself to look or feel a certain way. With the help of community service, I was able to learn and separate myself from other people's mistakes. Community has always been an important staple within my life, both in and out of school. Community service makes a major impact and difference within both yourself as an individual and the community. What community service means to me is a favor that is done for others without the expectation of getting something back or a return. Being able to realize the power your community holds has the power to make change and create something that becomes beneficial for everyone. With being apart of change within my community, I have developed character and self-improvement over the years, while bring smiles to others faces. My commitment to my community has always been tied very closely since elementary, with being able to provide children with presents and clothing during the winter season to providing school supplies including new backpacks and lunch boxes, pencils, binders, and other necessities needed. I had the opportunity to gather with others and raise enough money within the community to fund other locals with the necessary materials needed for the school year. By using my business and marketing degree, I plan to dedicate my time to creating environments and making events that individuals have the opportunity to come out to help and support those in the community day-to-day. With marketing, I have the ability to connect with others through online or through social media in order to manage to spread and gain awareness towards the importance of community service and how it actually can create change and a positive impact within a community. Being able to bring joy and happiness to different families made a realize the importance of truly being happy within yourself. For this and many reasons I started teaching myself and learning different lessons about life and other people, one of them being that certain people come into your life for a reason whether it is to improve it in a negative or positive way. Different people can come into your life for various reasons, from making you become more independent or just simply helping you to become a better person. My father taught me an important lesson, not physically, but emotionally about needing people. Many challenges in life allows you get to learn and study other individuals that will propel you towards bigger and greater things that will come in the future.

All through my life, I always wanted to pursue my goals and dreams, but in order for me to make it happen, I have to act and work hard to achieve it. With the help of family and community, I have been able to focus on both my academic goals and community goals as well. Learning how to grow as an individual to put the lives of others before yours and be serving others improves character and cultivates characteristics which include gratitude and compassion. Being able to realize the power your community holds has the power to make change and create something that becomes beneficial for everyone. Engaging in community service can enhance all sorts of critical thinking skills, real world problems and also academic interests that could help individuals learn what they want for the future. Within my community, the city of Bowie created a program for students in high school to attend college and gain college experience. Within the summer before my junior year of high school, I had the opportunity to participate in a program called Dual Enrollment, which created a huge impact in my life by allowing me to attend college while still in high school. With this opportunity, I was able to have my books and other college fees paid by the county in order for me to attend college for free. Towards the end of my senior year, I was able to finish my classes and gain 21 college credits. I am now able to move towards my next phase of my educational journey. I plan to continue my education at Bowie State University and with this decision I am able to stay connected with my community. At Bowie State University, I decided that I wanted to major in Business Administration and Marketing in order to be able to create and supply different ways for individuals to give back. Bowie State allows for its students to actually get involved with its community through service, internships, mentorships, and more. It provides a wide range of activities and clubs for its students to take part of and be able to create and show its support for its loving community. With the use of my business and marketing degree, I plan to dedicate my time to creating environments and making events that individuals have the opportunity to come out to help and support those in the community. With marketing, I have the ability to connect with others online or through social media in order to manage to spread and gain awareness towards the importance of community service and how it actually can create change and a positive impact within a community. With the pursuit of my educational journey, I plan to continue my dedication for academic excellence, leadership roles in student organizations and creating diverse initiatives. A scholarship would support my educational path, enabling me to focus on achieving my goals and making a significant impact within my industry.

As an ambitious and bright young woman, I have many goals and dreams and hopes to turn those dreams into my reality. The steppingstones to where I am I life currently and who I have to give thanks to is my mother. My mother had me at a very young age and it has tremendously affected both her life and mine, but I wouldn't change it for anything different. Not only were my mother juggling two small children, but also a fulltime job, and all with being a single mother, with little to no assistance. Ever since I was little, I have been taught many lessons from my mother, one of them being that certain people come into your life for a reason whether it is to improve it in a negative or positive way. In my case it was in a negative way with my father. Different people can come into your life for various reasons, from making you become more independent or just simply helping you to become a better person. My father taught me an important lesson, not physically, but emotionally about needing certain people within your lifetime to know their purpose. With this experience growing up, it was important that I learned lessons from both my mom and dad about life and how I would be able to carry them towards both my personal growth and also academic success. Ever since I can remember, my mother has always been my number one supporter with every decision I make personally or academically. With her support and hard work, it has inspired me ever since I was little to always make her feel special and appreciated. My mother has shaped my goals and accomplishments by guiding me to greatly achieve a 3.98 GPA by the time I graduated high school and being honored to graduate within the Top 10% of my class of 600 students. With being able to push myself and also have support has made me learn so much about myself, my personal growth, and how to overcome the many obstacles life brings. Growing up with such a unique experience had made appreciate the life I have and the individuals surrounding me. Another accomplishment that I owe my mother is pushing and motivating me to enroll into a special program called Dual Enrollment. With this opportunity, I had the chance to earn college credits towards what I wanted to study in while still being in high school. I had the chance to take course at Prince George's Community College and with this I was able to accomplish my goals more quickly than I had initially hoped. Through Dual Enrollment, I have successfully completed 21 college credits, towards completing my Business Administration degree with a minor in Marketing at Bowie State University. With being a rising freshman at Bowie State University in the upcoming Fall and having accomplished so much, I have to dedicate my hard work not just for myself, but my mother as well. Without her I wouldn't be where I am today or the person I am as well now and in the future.

My name is Layla Wheatherby and I am an ambitious and bright young-woman that has many goals and dreams and hopes to turn those dreams into reality. I have currently been involved in dual enrollment since my eleventh-grade year and with this opportunity; I was able to take dual enrollment classes at Prince George's Community College and with this I was able to accomplish my goals more quickly than I had initially hoped. With my dual enrollment involvement, I have already received 21 credits towards completing my business degree with a minor in Marketing. As a recent graduate of Bowie High School, I plan to continue my education at Bowie State University in the Fall and push towards my future goals and passions with working in Marketing. The individual who I have been impacted by substance abuse was my grandfather. To this day, I can only recall my mother stating, I have met him when I was very young, but she continues because she wanted to keep her distance. Substance abuse effects not just the person affected, but others around and who care about that person. When my family heard the news of my grandfather, they were upset about it, but unfortunately already knew the outcome of his substance abuse. From the stories I have heard, he wouldn't listen to anyone who tried their best to get him into rehab or other forms of help because he simply didn't want it. Because my grandfather was African American, during the 80s, it wasn't the best time for African Americans to receive medical assistance and support from others. If my grandfather had the access and guidance to an actual support team ready to take care of him and give him the necessary things he needed, he could have been alive standing next to me today. With my plan of continuing my education with business and marketing, I am able to gain skills and knowledge about spreading compelling messages and social media insights to inform others. As I continue on with my education, I plan to continue to spread social awareness about drug prevention and wellness within my school and community. Within my 11th grade year in high school, I was able to create a group of team members to have put up many posters and flyers about how if you see something, say something, don’t wait until it’s too late for yourself or others. This current event has been affecting many families and to many loved ones for so long that there has to be serious action being taken to help others struggling know that they are not alone in this fight and that there is always someone around you that can help.

My name is Layla Wheatherby and I am an ambitious and bright young-woman that has many goals and dreams and hopes to turn those dreams into reality. I have currently been involved in dual enrollment since my eleventh-grade year and with this opportunity; I was able to take classes at Prince George's Community College and with this I was able to accomplish my goals more quickly than I had initially hoped. With my dual enrollment involvement, I have received 21 credits towards completing my business degree. As a recent graduate of Bowie High School and a current GPA of 3.98, I plan to continue my education at Bowie State University in the Fall and push towards my future goals and passions with working in Marketing. Ever since I was little, I have always jumped at the chance to participate in community service. Community service makes a major impact and difference within both yourself as an individual and the community. What community service means to me is a favor that is done for others without the expectation of getting something back or a return, it just means that you are doing it out of the goodness of your heart. Community service is such a special service that someone can provide to take the time out of their day or week to donate food or other needs. Volunteering with food banks, animal shelters and hospitals, and multiple blood drives throughout my neighborhood has taught me that it doesn't take a lot of work to make a difference in someone's life. Volunteering with both my mother and me made me realize that it only takes a few hours out of your day to truly help and uplift people in need. Making contributions to my community made me and others feel good about themselves, to know that there are kind people in the world who are willing to take time out of their day and support the people in need with both housing and any food items they need for both them and their families to live. Volunteering within my community has made a major impact on myself, my family, and the others who are in need. To be able to take time out of your day to help others in need shows the characteristics you have in being involved in your community. With volunteering, you are able to connect with others and take pride in something that benefits the community. I have been volunteering and giving back to my community since I was in Elementary school and have always been passionate about working with others to make or create something that others don't have access to and give back. With my experience within working and collaborating within my community, I was able to raise fundraising money for my senior prom and ultimately, we were able to reduce the cost of Prom Tickets from $120 to $30. Being able to bring the community together and raise money for something important shows how much of an impact community can bring. My plan has always been to continue what is known as a tradition within my household throughout college and beyond because everyone everywhere needs support and assistance from others. By using my business and marketing knowledge and skills, I plan to dedicate my time to creating environments and making events that individuals have the opportunity to come out and help those in the community. With marketing, I can manage to spread and gain awareness towards the importance of community service and how it actually can create change and a positive impact within a community.

My name is Layla Wheatherby and I am an ambitious and bright young-woman that has many goals and dreams and hopes to turn those dreams into reality. I have currently been involved in dual enrollment since my eleventh-grade year and with this opportunity; I was able to take dual enrollment classes at Prince George's Community College and with this I was able to accomplish my goals more quickly than I had initially hoped. Through dual enrollment, I received 21 credits, while still continuing in my senior year of high school, towards completing my Business Administration degree with a minor in Marketing at Bowie State University. The personal experience that has served as a turning point in shaping me into the person I am today was being raised by a single mother and having to face the challenges of being a little girl and not having my father involved in the picture. Ever since I was little, I have been taught many lessons, one of them being that certain people come into your life for a reason whether it is to improve it in a negative or positive way. Different people can come into your life for various reasons, from making you become more independent or just simply helping you to become a better person. My father taught me an important lesson, not physically, but emotionally about needing people. My father has been in and out of my life ever since I was 3, with the most I hear from him is a single message every few months or possibly even years. With not being in my life and showing up for important events, he has shown me that it is possible that you can make it without certain people in life. You don’t need a whole parade of people around you, you just simply need a few, maybe one or two special people who will support and celebrate you for what you have accomplished. People who want to actually spend time and show how much they care for you, will present it to you through their actions and through showing you how much you mean to them. With this experience, it was important that I learned lessons from both my mom and dad about life and how I would be able to carry them towards my personal growth and also academic success. As a proud Freshman at BSU, I am proud to say that I have achieved a 3.98 GPA and with this I have learned so much about myself, my personal growth, and how to overcome the many obstacles life brings. My teachers have been one of my best supporters from pushing me towards college and the importance of getting my higher learning degree. Learning from my peers and teachers over the years made me appreciate how important my college education is. Having special people like my mom and teachers support has pushed me towards my dream and made me want to accomplish so much more, not just throughout college, but after college too. By continuing to push for change and better my community, this dream of mine doesn't just impact myself, but others around me too. Life brings you so many different experiences and challenges that you must work through to get to the other side. Those experiences or challenges may not be the most fun, but you get to learn and study other individuals that will propel you towards bigger and greater things that will come in the future. This Scholarship would not just support me and my dreams, but my mother's as well.

My name is Layla Wheatherby and I am an ambitious young woman that has many dreams and hopes to turn them into reality. For my 11th and 12th grade, I participated in dual enrollment, which was an organization at my school and others around Prince Georges County that allowed me to take Business and Marketing classes to gain college credit before actually starting college. As I have progressed in my pre-college experience, I have learned so much from my professors and colleagues, I have discovered how much I enjoy time with my college colleagues and learning how college makes a huge impact on our lives, especially for myself. I have been learning from my classmates about college and what it has to offer, from the different majors they want to pursue and all of the new opportunities college has to offer, has also inspired me to keep pushing towards my big dreams. With my dual enrollment involvement, I have already received 21 credits towards completing my business degree with a minor in Marketing. As a recent 2024 graduate of Bowie High School and a current GPA of 3.98, I plan to continue my education at Maryland’s oldest historically HBCU, Bowie State University in the Fall and push towards my future goals with working in Marketing. Throughout my long and time-consuming search for where I wanted my secondary education to be, I thought about two major factors, college involvement (clubs and facility) and what can that college provide for me? Making the decision to commit towards an HBCU has always been at the top of my list when it comes to making myself feel safe wherever I can and whether or not I have to hear others judging or talking about the way I look. Having HBCUs is having a safe haven around you, knowing you are protected. It gives students the feeling of multiple assets at once including culture, history, and education all in one. All HBCUs have a special culture and environment that it provides for its students in order for them to feel seen and represented which is something that is not so common within the world. Being able to connect with others that look and sound similar to you gives you the ability to feel like you belong somewhere. With that deep connection, it allows for its students to be able to uniquely network with both other colleagues and faculty together and gain knowledgeable information that can be used in the real world. As seen many times before, HBCUs have the ability to promote and create change within the world, whether it is within the community or sparking a movement throughout campus. Bowie State University specifically has multiple clubs, for example, student government (SGA) that offers its students to get involved to take action and create change, which I plan to participate in the coming Fall. With this opportunity I am able to add more activism into the history of the already rich culture of the school and get more involved within what's currently going on within the Black Community and to also see if there are any serious issues that must be tackled. While attending Bowie State I plan to prosper at my greatest potential towards my next big dreams and goals for not just myself, but for my family as well. This scholarship would help me achieve greatness both for myself personally and academically and be able to move onto the next phase of my life.

My name is Layla Wheatherby and I am an ambitious young woman that has many dreams and hopes to turn them into reality. I participated in dual enrollment since my eleventh-grade year, and I was able to take dual enrollment classes at Prince George's Community College and was able to accomplish my goals more quickly than I had initially hoped. With my dual enrollment involvement, I have already received 21 credits towards completing my business degree with a minor in Marketing. As a recent 2024 graduate of Bowie High School and a current GPA of 3.98, I plan to continue my education at Bowie State University in the Fall and push towards my future goals with working in Marketing. Throughout my long and time-consuming search for where I wanted my secondary education to be, I thought about two major factors, college involvement (clubs and facility) and what can that college provide for me? Making the decision to commit towards an HBCU has always been at the top of my list when I comes to making myself feel safe wherever I can and whether or not I have to hear others judging or talking about the way I look. Having HBCU's is somewhat, having a safe haven around you, knowing you are protected. It gives students the feeling of multiple assets at once including culture, history, and education all in one. With this opportunity I am able to prosper at my greatest potential towards my next big dreams and goals.

My name is Layla Wheatherby and I am an ambitious and bright young-woman that has many goals and dreams and hopes to turn those dreams into reality. I have currently been involved in dual enrollment since my eleventh-grade year and with this opportunity, I am able to take classes at Prince George's Community College and with this I was able to accomplish my goals more quickly than I had initially hoped. Through dual enrollment, I have already received 18 credits, while still continuing in my senior year of high school, towards completing my business management degree with a concentration in Marketing. Throughout my childhood, I have faced multiple challenges that include being raised by a single mother, my father leaving, and having to deal with the worst case of eczema and asthma. When I was the age of 3, my mother and father divorced. Growing up with a single mother was tough because I always had a sit back and watch all of my friends invite their dads to the father-daughter dance, while I sat home because I had no one else to go with. Ever since I was young, my mother has had to play both roles, the mother and father, to make up for the support and effort that my father didn't give to me. With my severe eczema, I went through many mornings where I couldn't walk, my mother was always there with a helping hand. She fought with me to find doctors and experts to try and treat my case as best as they could for years. After years with little support, at the age of 15, my mother was finally able to find a doctor that put me on a prescription for what is called Dupixent. Ever since then my skin has been the best it has ever been and to this day, my mother is still by my side. Ever since I can remember, I have always tried to do my best both inside and out of school to give and show my support for others. I have always been dedicated to pursuing my passion of graduating with a Business Management degree. My plan has always been college, I have been striving to pursue not only my own dreams, but my mother's as well. She has worked hard for many years for me to be in my position where I am. My mother has taught me multiple lessons about life and the most important lesson my mother taught me was to never stop pushing and continue to strive for excellence whenever and where I can. This scholarship would make a difference in my life for both me and my mother. Throughout high school, I have achieved a 3.98 GPA and with this, I have learned so much about myself, my personal growth, and how to overcome the many obstacles life brings. My teachers aside from my mother, has been one of my best supporters from pushing me towards college and the importance of getting my higher learning degree. From dual enrollment, I have been learning from my classmates about college and what it has to offer, from the different majors they want to pursue and all of the new opportunity's college has to offer, has also inspired me to keep pushing towards my big dreams. Winning this scholarship would give me the opportunity for a chance to achieve my goals and dreams. I have always dreamed about going to college one day and if I win, I could put the money toward my college dreams.

One technology that inspires me in so many different ways is social media. A lot of people see social media as different things which could either be good or bad. With my chosen career field/industry being in Business Management with a concentration in Marketing and Advertisement, I plan on using the technology that is developing at a rapid speed every day and using my passion to reach a big and wide range of individuals to spread compelling messages and products. Business and Marketing is everywhere, on our phones, laptops, billboards, and many more, without them people wouldn’t know how to address certain situations or who to call when they are in need. Marketing has the ability to reach many different audiences throughout the country and even the world and with the rise of the internet and social media gaining more viewers every single day, it is now easier than ever to spread products, information, or even just knowledge to everyday people. With technology advancing every minute, everyone has access and the ability to spread awareness for either something as big as a cause/movement or simply just make-up products. Marketing’s impact can be life-changing in some ways by just showing representation within demographic and minority groups to make sure everyone knows that they are being seen and heard within different companies and organizations. Technolgy has the power to change ideas and mindsets about certain topic that pertain so many current issues that individuals are battling and facing everyday. With this scholarship, I will be able to put the money towards my future goals and achievements with marketing and business with my dream job becoming a Marketing Manager. In my future, I could just imagine the new and improving technology will continue to evolve and grow every day in order to reach many different people to create change. Technology is sometimes overlooked by how much power it has over others and when people take advantage of this opportunity, they are able to bring dreams and ideas to live.

My name is Layla Wheatherby and I am an ambitious and bright young-woman that has many goals and dreams and hopes to turn those dreams into reality. I have currently been involved in dual enrollment since my eleventh-grade year and with this opportunity, in order to take dual enrollment classes at Prince George's Community College and with this I was able to accomplish my goals more quickly than I had initially hoped. Through dual enrollment, I have already received 18 credits, while still continuing in my senior year of high school, towards completing my business management degree with a concentration in Marketing. What success looks like to me is achieving what you want to accomplish your goals, whether those goals are big or small. Success for me can be many things whether they are being accepted into the college I wanted or achieved an A for one of my hardest class. Sucess to me also means that individuals are trying their best to achieve what they want and what to fulfill their purpose whether it is within themselves or their community. Throughout my schooling, I have received almost always straight As in all of my classes from elementary school to now my senior year in high school. I have always been dedicated to pursuing my passion of going to college, graduating and becoming successful. My plan has always been college, I have been striving to pursue not only my own dreams, but my mother's as well. She has worked hard for many years for me to be in my position where I am, with being a high school student and also at the same time, attending my local Prince George's Community College through Bowie High school, Dual enrollment program, I am able to pursue my dreams faster and quicker. I am still learning that this is just the beginning of my life's story and as an aspiring Business student at Bowie State University, my life experience underpins my unstoppable drive - an asset I believe crucial in fortifying my academic pursuits and shaping my future for both myself and my mother. My mother has taught me multiple lessons throughout my life and about life that I will carry and soon pass on to my future children. The most important lesson my mother taught me was to never stop pushing and continue to strive for excellence whenever and where I can. This scholarship would help my mother and I tremendously through my educational journey to future pursue my educational goals and dreams. I believe this scholarship is more than financial aid, it's a symbol of my dedication to my dream, a beacon of hope symbolizing those dreams be achieved. My current achievements, though noteworthy, are steppingstones towards my ultimate goal. For each lesson nurtured, every accomplishment etched, and all dreams cherished carry a piece of my perseverance, strength, and dream itself. Winning this scholarship would give me the opportunity for a chance to achieve my goals and dreams of receiving my bachelor's degree in business management. I have always dreamed about going to college one day and if I win, I could put the money toward my college dreams. For 2024, I plan on continuing to make a difference within my community with the contribution that I make towards my community every week which is volunteering. I have been volunteering and giving back to my community since I was in Elementary school, have always been passionate about working with others to make or create something that others don't have access to and give back. My plan has always been to continue what is known as a tradition within my household throughout college and beyond because everyone everywhere needs support and assistance from others.

My name is Layla Wheatherby. With my chosen career field/industry being Marketing/Advertisement, I plan on using this passion to reach a big and wide range of individuals to spread compelling messages and products. Marketing is everywhere, on our phones, laptops, billboards, and many more, without them people wouldn’t know how to address certain situations or who to call when they are in need. Marketing has the ability to reach many different audiences throughout the country and even the world and with the rise of the internet and social media gaining more viewers every single day, it is now easier than ever to spread products, information, or even just knowledge to everyday people. With technology advancing every minute, everyone has access and the ability to spread awareness for either something as big as a cause/movement or simply just make-up products. Marketing’s impact can be life-changing in some ways by just showing representation within demographic and minority groups to make sure everyone knows that they are being seen and heard within different companies and organizations. It’s important for everyone to feel welcome and invited into different spaces throughout the world. With this scholarship, I will be able to put the money towards my future goals and achievements with marketing and business with my dream job becoming a Marketing Manager. Winning this scholarship would assist myself with any fees, books, tuition, other expenses that my school may have. My ideal future role/industry would look like any other major corporation, but it would focus on the importance of representations and image towards every one of every demographic. As a current student, I have upheld a high academic standard in dual enrollment at Prince George's Community College, achieving a 3.98 GPA and plans on continuing my education into Bowie State University. My pursuit for this dream is more than just earning a degree. My passion thrives on the aspirations I have to revolutionize the business industry. Frequent self-reflection has made me realize that my dream isn't merely an academic journey, but a personal development voyage, too. This dedication through dual enrollment has allowed me to witness my growth into a holistic individual, learning and evolving beyond textbooks. As much as I aim to acquire knowledge, I strive towards contributing to the college community and industry at large. I see this dream graduating from a personal goal to a shared achievement - one that will uplift me and those that my future business endeavors and marketing initiatives may touch. My dream encompasses shifting in how businesses operate, embedding sustainable practices, promoting inclusivity, and honing leadership tempered with empathy. Scholarship programs like Digital marketing Scholarship provide a pivotal platform for students like me to propel towards our dreams without financial deterrents shadowing us. I believe the digital marketing Scholarship is more than financial aid, it's an affirmation of my dedication to my dream, a beacon of hope symbolizing those dreams can be achieved. My current achievements are steppingstones towards my ultimate goal. For each lesson learned, every accomplishment, and all dreams cherished carry a piece of my perseverance, strength, and dream itself. This scholarship stands the chance of not just supporting a dream, but seeding a legacy that I aspire to leave behind, inspiring dreamers to fearlessly chase their dreams too.

My name is Layla Wheatherby, I am currently a senior at Bowie High School while also being a college freshman attending Prince Georges Community College. I am a rising Bowie State University student and plan to major within Business Management with a concentration of Marketing. I love gaining knowledge and experience within both my high school and college. I plan on using this passion to reach a big and wide range of individuals to spread compelling messages and products. Business and Marketing is everywhere, on our phones, laptops, billboards, and many more, without them people wouldn’t know how to address certain situations or who to call when they are in need. Marketing has the ability to reach many different audiences throughout the country and even the world and with the rise of the internet and social media gaining more viewers every single day, it is now easier than ever to spread products, information, or even just knowledge to everyday people. I am passionate about the extracurricular activities I'm involved in because it makes a huge impact both within myself and others. Volunteering with food banks, blood drives, toy donations, and more throughout my neighborhood has taught me that it doesn't take a lot of work to make a difference in someone's life. While volunteering, I saw and expressed my deepest concern for those who needed assistance, and I could provide them with donating nutritional foods that could impact not just one person, but possibly a whole family. Volunteering with both my mother and me made me realize that it only takes a few hours out of your day to truly help and uplift people in need. If I could start my own charity, I would be making contributions to my community made me and others feel good about themselves, to know that there are kind people in the world who are willing to take time out of their day and support the people in need with both housing and any food items they need for both them and their families to live. Taking the time to help improve and impact my community has become a weekly activity that my family and I participate in. Helping others in need impacts both my life and others who I help. I can create a positive impact to grow as an individual and to also help spread awareness within the community. If I could create and start my own charity, the mission would be to provide families with homes that they love and can really make it into there forever home. Within this charity, I would help families in all different cities and states to help them gain access to fresh and healthy foods, affordable medical care, and warm and comfortable clothing. I have been volunteering and giving back to my community since I was in Elementary school, have always been passionate about working with others to make or create something that others don't have access to and give back. I plan has always been to continue what is known as a tradition within my household throughout college and beyond because everyone everywhere needs support and assistance from others.

Throughout elementary school to high school, I have always been passionate about the extracurricular activities I'm involved in because it makes a huge impact both within myself and others. I developed my skills and made it my purpose when I decided to major in Business Management with a concentration of Marketing. I realized that with this degree, I will be able to make a difference within my community and start spreading awareness about serious issues and changes throughout the neighborhood. Volunteering in many different establishments like food banks, organizing blood drives, toy deliveries, donating warm hats, gloves, and clothing, and working to support my local animal shelter to help homeless and abandoned animals. Volunteering throughout my neighborhood has taught me that it doesn't take a lot of work to make a difference in someone's life. While volunteering, I saw and expressed my deepest concern for those who needed assistance, and I could provide them with donating nutritional foods that could impact not just one person, but possibly a whole family. Volunteering with both my mother and me made me realize that it only takes a few hours out of your day to truly help and uplift people in need. Making contributions to my community made me and others feel good about themselves, to know that there are kind people in the world who are willing to take time out of their day and support the people in need with both housing and any food items they need for both them and their families to live. Taking the time to help improve and impact my community has become a weekly activity that my family and I participate in. Helping others in need impacts both my life and others who I help. I can create a positive impact to grow as an individual and to also help spread awareness within the community. In my community, we currently have a growing problem with individuals who are unhoused and don't have enough food for their families. This problem is currently growing, not just in my community, but in the United States. Volunteering in my community can help provide both myself and others a confidence boost and just feel good about themselves. Another extracurricular activity I am still currently involved in is helping with local dog shelters. Being involved with making donations to the shelter helps poor and abandoned animals have the food and nutrition they need to survive. My role in the dog shelter is at the front desk helping clients find abandoned dogs, cats, and other animals find new and loving homes. Volunteering within my community has made a major impact on myself, my family, and the others who are in need. To be able to take time out of your day to help others in need shows the characteristics you have in being involved in your community. With volunteering, you are able to connect with others and take pride in something that benefits the community. I have been volunteering and giving back to my community since I was in Elementary school, have always been passionate about working with others to make or create something that others don't have access to and give back. I plan has always been to continue what is known as a tradition within my household throughout college and beyond because everyone everywhere needs support and assistance from others.

I am Layla Wheatherby, a dedicated and ambitious African American woman, firmly rooted in a steadfast desire to turn my dreams into reality. The dreams I have for myself orbit around a specific academic goal, which is to graduate from college with a bachelor's degree in business management with a minor in marketing. As a current student, I have upheld a high academic standard at in dual enrollment at Prince George's Community College, achieving a 4.0 GPA and plans on continuing my education onto Bowie State University. My pursuit for this dream is more than just earning a degree. As strongly as the heart beats or lungs breathe, my dedication towards fulfilling my dreams pulsates with every effort invested in my education. It is the higher purpose unfolding in the form of acquired knowledge, skill sets honed, and experiences earned. My passion thrives on the aspirations I have to revolutionize the business industry and usurp conventional silos. If it were a flame, my dream would be the relentless spark igniting each endeavor as I prepare to launch into the sphere of business equipped with proficient management skills and marketing strategies. Volunteering with food banks, animal shelters, and organizing blood drives throughout my neighborhood has taught me that it doesn't take a lot of work to make a difference in someone's life. While volunteering, I saw and expressed my deepest concern for those who needed assistance, and I could provide them with donating nutritional foods that could impact not just one person, but possibly a whole family. Volunteering with both my mother and me made me realize that it only takes a few hours out of your day to truly help and uplift people in need. Making contributions to my community made me and others feel good about themselves, to know that there are kind people in the world who are willing to take time out of their day and support the people in need with both housing and any food items they need for both them and their families to live. Taking the time to help improve and impact my community has become a weekly activity that my family and I participate in. Helping others in need impacts both my life and others who I help. I can create a positive impact to grow as an individual and to also help spread awareness within the community. In my community, we currently have a growing problem with individuals who are unhoused and don't have enough food for their families. I have been volunteering and giving back to my community since I was in Elementary school, have always been passionate about working with others to make or create something that others don't have access to and give back. I plan has always been to continue what is known as a tradition within my household throughout college and beyond because everyone everywhere needs support and assistance from kind-hearted and caring others.

When I was the age of 3, my mother and father divorced. Growing up as an African American child with a single mother, life threw me its hardest punch, a severe case of eczema and asthma. Ridiculed and isolated, my challenges weren't just physical, but emotional. My family took a tumble with payments, healthcare, jobs, and security. From my memories, my father was in my life up until the age of 8 and ever since then I have not seen or heard from him. Ever since then, my mother has had to play both roles, the mother and father, to make up for the support and effort that my father didn't give to me. Throughout my childhood, I have had to deal with many experiences and obstacles that most children my age. I have had multiple allergies to many different foods, severe case of both eczema and asthma. Even though I went through many mornings where I couldn't walk, my mother was always there with a helping hand. She fought with me to find doctors and experts to try and treat my case as best as they could for years. After years with little support, at the age of 15, my mother was finally able to find a doctor that put me on a prescription for what is called Dupixent. Ever since then my skin has been the best it has ever been and to this day, my mother is still by my side. Ever since I can remember, I has always tried to do my best both inside and out of school to give and show my support for others. Throughout my schooling, I have received almost always straight As in all of my classes from elementary school to now my senior year in high school. I have always been dedicated in pursing my passion of going to college a graduating with a Business Management degree with a concentration in Marketing. My plan has always been college, I have been striving to pursue not only my own dreams, but my mother's as well. She has worked hard for many years for me to be in my position where I am, with being a high school student and also at the same time, attending my local Prince George's Community College through Bowie High school, Dual enrollment program, I am able to pursue my dreams faster and quicker. I am still learning that this is just the beginning of my life's story and as an aspiring Business student at Bowie State University, my life experience underpins my unstoppable drive - an asset I believe crucial in fortifying my academic pursuits and shaping my future for both myself and my mother. My mother has taught me multiple lessons throughout my life and about life that I will carry and soon pass on to my future children. The most important lesson my mother taught me was to never stop pushing and continue to strive for excellence whenever and where I can.

The most influence person in my life is my mother. Throughout my entire life, she has always been there for me and has been my biggest supporter through life. When I was the age of 3, my mother and father divorced. Growing up as an African American child with a single mother, life threw me its hardest punch, a severe case of eczema and asthma. Ridiculed and isolated, my challenges weren't just physical, but emotional. My family took a tumble with payments, healthcare, jobs, and security. From my memories, my father was in my life up until the age of 8 and ever since then I have not seen or heard from him. Ever since then, my mother has had to play both roles, the mother and father, to make up for the support and effort that my father didn't give to me. Throughout my childhood, I have had to deal with many experiences and obstacles that most children my age. I have had multiple allergies to many different foods, severe case of both eczema and asthma. Even though I went through many mornings where I couldn't walk, my mother was always there with a helping hand. She fought with me to find doctors and experts to try and treat my case as best as they could for years. After years with little support, at the age of 15, my mother was finally able to find a doctor that put me on a prescription for what is called Dupixent. Ever since then my skin has been the best it has ever been and to this day, my mother is still by my side. Ever since I can remember, I has always tried to do my best both inside and out of school to give and show my support for others. Throughout my schooling, I have received almost always straight As in all of my classes from elementary school to now my senior year in high school. I have always been dedicated in pursing my passion of going to college a graduating with a Business Management degree with a concentration in Marketing. My plan has always been college, but even now knowing my mother went to college for less than a year, I have been striving to pursue not only my own dreams, but my mother's as well. She has worked hard for many years for me to be in my position where I am, with being a high school student and also at the same time, attending my local Prince George's Community College through Bowie High school, Dual enrollment program, I am able to pursue my dreams faster and quicker. I am still learning that this is just the beginning of my life's story and as an aspiring Business student at Bowie State University, my life experience underpins my unstoppable drive - an asset I believe crucial in fortifying my academic pursuits and shaping my future for both myself and my mother. My mother has taught me multiple lessons throughout my life and about life that I will carry and soon pass on to my future children. The most important lesson my mother taught me was to never stop pushing and continue to strive for excellence whenever and where I can.

I am Layla Wheatherby, a dedicated and ambitious African-American woman, firmly rooted in a steadfast desire to turn my dreams into reality. The dreams I have for myself orbit around a specific academic goal, which is to graduate from college with a bachelor's degree in business management with a minor in marketing. As a current student, I have upheld a high academic standard at in dual enrollment at Prince Georges Community College, achieving a 3.9 GPA and plans on continuing my education onto Bowie State University. My pursuit for this dream is more than just earning a degree. As strongly as the heart beats or lungs breathe, my dedication towards fulfilling my dreams pulsates with every effort invested in my education. It is the higher purpose unfolding in the form of acquired knowledge, skill sets honed, and experiences earned. My passion thrives on the aspirations I have to revolutionize the business industry and usurp conventional silos. If it were a flame, my dream would be the relentless spark igniting each endeavor as I prepare to launch into the sphere of business equipped with proficient management skills and marketing strategies. Frequent introspection makes me realize that my dream isn't merely an academic journey, but a personal development voyage, too. The comprehensive framework experienced at Prince Georges community college seamlessly blends with the practical insights afforded through the business administration and marketing courses. This fusion has allowed me to witness my growth into a holistic individual, learning and evolving beyond textbooks. As much as I aim to acquire knowledge, I strive towards contributing to the college community and industry at large. I see this dream graduating from a personal goal to a shared achievement - one that will uplift me and those that my future business endeavors and marketing initiatives may touch. My dream encompasses shifting paradigms in how businesses operate, embedding sustainable practices, promoting inclusivity, and honing leadership tempered with empathy. This vision lies at the crossroads of passion and purpose, hence I feel inspired to bring it to fruition. Scholarship programs like NE1 NE-Dream provide a pivotal platform for students like me to propel towards our dreams without financial deterrents shadowing us. I believe the NE1 NE-Dream Scholarship is more than financial aid, it's an affirmation of my dedication to my dream, a beacon of hope symbolizing that dreams—no matter how colossal—can be achieved. My current achievements, though noteworthy, are stepping stones towards my ultimate goal. For each lesson nurtured, every accomplishment etched, and all dreams cherished carry a piece of my perseverance, strength, and dream itself. Today, I with resolute strength am on my journey to becoming a change-agent in the realm of business and marketing. Tomorrow, I envision myself utilizing the same strength in leading the change I dream of. This scholarship stands the chance of not just supporting a dream, but seeding a legacy that I, Layla Wheatherby, aspire to leave behind, inspiring dreamers to fearlessly chase their dreams too.

Throughout school, I have always been hardworking and very dedicated to my work. I have always been very focused on my schoolwork and getting good grades. Throughout my almost 12 years of being in public schooling, I have achieved a 3.98 accumulated GPA and with this, I have learned so much about myself, my personal growth, and how to overcome the many obstacles life brings. My teachers have been one of my best supporters from pushing me towards college and the importance of getting my higher learning degree. Learning from my peers and teachers over the years made me appreciate how important my college education is. For my 12th grade year, I am currently enrolled and participating in Dual Enrollment for my local community college and I had my doubts at first, but as I have progressed in my pre-college experience and learned from my classmates, I have discovered how much I enjoy time with my college classmates and learning how college makes a huge impact on our lives, especially for myself. I have been learning from my classmates about college and what it has to offer, from the different majors they want to pursue and all of the new opportunities college has to offer, has also inspired me to keep pushing towards my big dreams. Winning this scholarship would give me the opportunity for a chance to achieve my goals and dreams of receiving my Bachelor's degree in Business Management and soon become a Marketing Manager. When I acquire my future job, I plan to make an impact throughout the world and see what I could do to make a positive impact. I have always dreamed about going to college one day and if I win, I could put the money toward my college dreams. The contribution that I have made toward my community is volunteering. Volunteering with food banks throughout my neighborhood has taught me that it doesn't take a lot of work to make a difference in someone's life. While volunteering, I saw and expressed my deepest concern for those who needed assistance, and I could provide them with donating nutritional foods that could impact not just one person, but possibly a whole family. Volunteering with both my mother and me made me realize that it only takes a few hours out of your day to truly help and uplift people in need. Making contributions to my community made me and others feel good about themselves, to know that there are kind people in the world who are willing to take time out of their day and support the people in need with both housing and any food items they need for both them and their families to live.

Growing up I had to overcome many obstacles, for example, my severe eczema and asthma. Even since I was a baby, my mother knew something was wrong. I was always scratching my skin and even as a baby the socks put on my hands were never enough to stop me. I couldn't control it and I felt unworthy and not as good as others my age. The summer was the hardest for me, seeing all of the other little girls my age with clear bright skin and who could run all around the playgrounds. I always felt left out because people saw my skin and always thought that something was wrong with me like I was a monster sitting next to them in the classroom. Nobody would ask me to work with them or play on the playground, making me feel as though I was an outsider. We couldn't figure out why methods wasn't working for me. I would always remember my mother telling me we had to find another doctor who could try and help me. We tried multiple creams and ointment treatments, but long story short, none of them worked for me. At this time, I was between the ages of 9-11, Some mornings I would wake up and couldn't even move my legs because of the pain and suffering that I was facing. My step-father had to carry me down the stairs so I could eat because the night before I had scratched myself so badly in my sleep. At this point, I was just about to give up, I thought that I couldn't live the rest of my life like this. I put myself into an era of borderline depression because of the pain and hurt that I felt during this time. I felt that nobody else on the planet was feeling the same way I felt. The only thing that was keeping me going was the thought of at least trying to stay positive. It was a few years later when I was about 13 years old, my mother told me that she had found another doctor for me. I was filled with joy because this particular doctor specialized only in the treatment of children with severe eczema and asthma, not like the doctors before. She started putting me on a treatment called Dupixent which was an injection. My family was skeptical of course because we had never heard of this and we thought it wasn't any different from the other methods we tried. Every day, I think back to this moment and I just get emotional because all of these years I had waited for something like this, and it just fell right into my arms. I always think to myself what an amazing job I did being so young and say to myself, "I can do this, I just have to keep pushing" almost every morning. Now that I'm older, looking back at what I was saying to myself was the best thing I have done for myself. I had persevered and overcome challenges that not many kids had experienced or even understood because they didn't want to, they just judged me on my skin. This very important part of my life has shaped the way that I think about myself and others about dedication and determination to do something. It took me many years to learn that some things that appear in your life teach you a lesson and mine was to never give up, even though I wanted to, I didn't and I will take this lesson throughout my entire life.

I am passionate about the extracurricular activities I'm involved in because it makes a huge impact both within myself and others. Volunteering with food banks throughout my neighborhood has taught me that it doesn't take a lot of work to make a difference in someone's life. While volunteering, I saw and expressed my deepest concern for those who needed assistance, and I could provide them with donating nutritional foods that could impact not just one person, but possibly a whole family. Volunteering with both my mother and me made me realize that it only takes a few hours out of your day to truly help and uplift people in need. Making contributions to my community made me and others feel good about themselves, to know that there are kind people in the world who are willing to take time out of their day and support the people in need with both housing and any food items they need for both them and their families to live. Taking the time to help improve and impact my community has become a weekly activity that my family and I participate in. Helping others in need impacts both my life and others who I help. I can create a positive impact to grow as an individual and to also help spread awareness within the community. In my community, we currently have a growing problem with individuals who are unhoused and don't have enough food for their families. This problem is currently growing, not just in my community, but in the United States. Volunteering in my community can help provide with both myself and others have a confidence boost and just feel good about themselves. Another extracurricular activity I am still currently involved in is helping with local dog shelters. Being involved with making donations to the shelter helps poor and abandoned animals have the food and nutrition they need to survive. My role in the dog shelter is at the front desk helping clients find abandoned dogs, cats, and other animals find new and loving homes. Volunteering within my community has made a major impact on myself, my family, and the others who are in need. To be able to take time out of your day to help others in need shows the characteristics you have in being involved in your community. With volunteering, you are able to connect with others and take pride in something that benefits the community.

pyt.layla_xoxo

Hello, my name is Layla Wheatherby. Throughout school, I have always been hardworking and very dedicated to my work. I have always been very focused on my schoolwork and getting good grades. Throughout my almost 12 years of being in public schooling, I have achieved a 3.9 unweighted accumulated GPA and with this, I have learned so much about myself, my personal growth, and how to overcome the many obstacles life brings. My teachers have been one of my best supporters from pushing me towards college and the importance of getting my higher learning degree. Learning from my peers and teachers over the years made me appreciate how important my college education is. For my 12th grade year, I am currently enrolled and participating in Dual Enrollment for my local community college and I had my doubts at first, but as I have progressed in my pre-college experience and learned from my classmates, I have discovered how much I enjoy time with my college classmates and learning how college makes a huge impact on our lives, especially for myself. I have been learning from my classmates about college and what it has to offer, from the different majors they want to pursue and all of the new opportunities college has to offer, has also inspired me to keep pushing towards my big dreams. Winning this scholarship would give me the opportunity for a chance to achieve my goals and dreams of receiving my Bachelor's degree in Business Management. I have always dreamed about going to college one day and if I win, I could put the money toward my college dreams. The contribution that I have made toward my community is volunteering. Volunteering with food banks throughout my neighborhood has taught me that it doesn't take a lot of work to make a difference in someone's life. While volunteering, I saw and expressed my deepest concern for those who needed assistance, and I could provide them with donating nutritional foods that could impact not just one person, but possibly a whole family. Volunteering with both my mother and me made me realize that it only takes a few hours out of your day to truly help and uplift people in need. Making contributions to my community made me and others feel good about themselves, to know that there are kind people in the world who are willing to take time out of their day and support the people in need with both housing and any food items they need for both them and their families to live.

The dream version of myself is proud, she is confident, inspiring, and motivated to push herself to accomplish her goals of becoming one of the first in her family to go and graduate from college and soon after become a future Marketing Manager, to make both myself and my whole family proud.

Ever since I was a little girl receiving Barbie movies, dresses and Barbie Dreamhomes for birthdays and Christmas from my mother, I've only ever dreamed about what my own Barbie Mansion would look like. I would start by locating my home right in the center of Malibu, California. My dream Barbie House would be plastered with pink and white paint for the interior and exterior of the house. For the exterior, I would have a huge pastel pink front door as the main attraction. Going into the backyard would include beautiful landscaping throughout the front and back lawns with a bright pink pool and jacuzzi with outdoor furniture (pink and white of course) that is placed around the pool and we can't forget a mini Dreamhome for my Yorkshire Terrier. Entering the home would include pastel pink accent walls located in both the kitchen and living room. Inside the kitchen would include brand new built-in appliances with a hang-over island including barstools, marble countertops and lastly with light pink tiles on the floor. The living room would have a 75in T.V mounted on the wall with huge bold windows and a long white couch set. On the wall would have my family members because they mean the world to me and mirrors to always check my outfits. The hallways to upstairs would include a marble staircase with a railing with the second floor having a white carpet that is cleaned daily. Entering my very own master bedroom would have both pink and white walls with fuzzy rugs to match with of course a pink comforter set for my king-size bed. On the walls would have daily affirmations that I read to myself for inspiration and motivation and also even more full-length mirrors. Lastly, for all my bathrooms, they would include white tiles and white countertops, light pink backsplash tiles with gold faucet sink. Further into the bathroom would have a full-length bathtub made for especially tall people like myself and pink curtains around the huge windows looking over the streets of Malibu. This would be my Barbie Dreamhouse for myself and for my family to come and visit. Thank you for reading and I cannot wait for the Barbie movie to be aired in theaters!