Growing up as a Congolese immigrant in Washington, my understanding of community was shaped during one of the most unstable periods of my life. After arriving in the United States in 2019, my family lived in a homeless shelter while we worked to rebuild stability. During that time, we relied heavily on community organizations and volunteers who helped families like mine adjust to a new country. That experience stayed with me and influenced how I see service today. Remembering how much support meant to my family, I began volunteering at a local food bank, where I have completed over 70 hours of service. I help organize donations, assist families during distribution, and support visitors navigating resources. Many of the families who come through remind me of my own during our transition to life in the United States. Volunteering has allowed me to give back in a practical way while staying connected to communities experiencing financial and cultural adjustment. As I prepare to enter higher education, financial need is a significant reality for my family. As a first-generation college student, I am navigating an education system that is unfamiliar to my parents, who work hard but did not have the opportunity to attend college in the United States. Understanding financial aid, applications, and career pathways has largely been something I have had to learn independently. Scholarships are essential in helping me pursue my education without placing additional financial strain on my family, especially as we continue rebuilding financial stability after experiencing housing insecurity. Protecting children and youth from bullying and online dangers has become especially important to me because of my community and my own family. Many immigrant parents in my community face language barriers or are unfamiliar with modern technology and social media platforms. Because of this, children sometimes have access to online spaces without adults fully understanding the risks involved. Recognizing this gap, I take initiative in starting conversations with families and younger students about digital responsibility and online safety. Together with friends, I help explain common online safety concerns, including cyberbullying, online manipulation, and the dangers of participating in harmful online challenges. Conversations often include how to recognize warning signs, protect personal information, and report unsafe behavior. Rather than assuming young people fully understand the risks, I focus on encouraging open dialogue and reminding peers that online trends and “challenges” can carry serious real-world consequences. This issue is also personal to me as an older sister to two young girls, ages six and four, who already use iPads and play online games. Watching how early children are introduced to digital spaces has made me more aware of how vulnerable young users can be. I want young people—including my sisters—to grow up using technology safely, without fear of harassment, exploitation, or pressure from others online. My experiences as an immigrant, volunteer, and older sibling have taught me that protecting youth requires awareness, communication, and community involvement. By sharing knowledge, supporting families, and staying engaged in my community, I hope to contribute to safer environments both in person and online. As I pursue higher education, I plan to continue promoting digital safety awareness and encouraging responsible online behavior among younger students in my community. Pursuing higher education will allow me to continue serving others while advocating for safer and more informed communities.

When my family moved to Washington after fleeing civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we lived in a homeless shelter while trying to rebuild our lives. Just months after we finally moved into our first apartment, I was diagnosed with tuberculosis. The illness was frightening, but what made it even more overwhelming was navigating an unfamiliar healthcare system in a language my parents were still learning. Watching my family struggle to understand medical instructions and appointments showed me how vulnerable patients can feel when communication is unclear. I realized that quality healthcare is not only about treatment, but about patience, clarity, and cultural understanding. That experience shaped my academic and professional goals. I plan to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at a Washington university and become a Registered Nurse serving the same communities that gave my family a second chance. Through Running Start, I have challenged myself with college-level coursework and prepared for the rigor of a nursing program. Staying in Washington for my education is important to me because this state became our foundation for stability, and I want my career to strengthen it in return. In the future, I hope to work in community health or in women’s and children’s health, particularly with immigrant and low-income families. I understand how intimidating healthcare systems can feel when you are new to a country or unfamiliar with the language. As a nurse, I want to provide not only clinical care, but also reassurance and advocacy so that patients feel heard and respected. Long-term, I plan to continue my education and expand my impact within Washington’s healthcare system. Higher education is more than a personal milestone for me. It is the pathway that allows me to transform my experiences into service and to give back to the communities that once supported my family.