Growing up with limited financial resources, I learned early that opportunity is not always evenly distributed. For many students, including myself, pursuing higher education requires balancing immediate financial responsibility with long-term goals. It is not simply a decision to attend college. It is a commitment to invest in a future that is uncertain but full of potential. Despite those challenges, I chose to continue my education because I believe it is the most effective way to create lasting stability and meaningful impact. I began my academic journey at the Community College of Allegheny County, where I earned my associate degree in business management. Transferring to Duquesne University as a business administration student was a pivotal step for me. It represented both an academic progression and a personal commitment to push beyond what is comfortable. At Duquesne, I am concentrating in entrepreneurship and finance, fields that align with my long-term goal of building and contributing to ventures that solve real problems and create value. My coursework has given me a strong foundation in financial analysis, operations, and strategic thinking. In my finance classes, I have developed skills in evaluating investments, understanding risk, and modeling long-term business decisions. In entrepreneurship courses, I have worked on projects that required me to take an idea from concept to execution. One example is a make-to-order apparel project where I was responsible for sourcing materials, pricing products, managing production, and selling directly to customers. Another project involved developing and selling a custom deck of Duquesne-themed playing cards, which required budgeting, supplier coordination, and real-time sales strategy. These experiences taught me how to apply classroom concepts in a practical setting and reinforced the importance of accountability and adaptability. Outside of academics, I have worked in roles that strengthened my ability to communicate and problem-solve. My experience in customer-facing positions required me to manage expectations, resolve issues, and deliver value consistently. These roles helped me develop a strong work ethic and an understanding of how businesses operate at the ground level. They also showed me the importance of trust, reliability, and clear communication in any professional setting. Higher education is equipping me with more than technical knowledge. It is shaping how I think about impact. I plan to use my education to contribute to businesses and initiatives that create tangible benefits for others. Whether that means improving operational efficiency, helping individuals make better financial decisions, or building ventures that serve local communities, my goal is to create outcomes that are both practical and meaningful. I am particularly interested in opportunities that support local economies and provide access to resources for individuals who may not otherwise have them. Receiving this scholarship would significantly reduce the financial burden associated with continuing my education. It would allow me to focus more on developing my skills, gaining relevant experience, and continuing to build toward my long-term goals without the constant pressure of financial constraints. It would also serve as a reminder that the effort I am putting into my education is supported and valued. I approach my education with a simple mindset: always learn. That principle has guided me from community college to Duquesne and continues to shape how I approach every opportunity. Higher education is not just a step in my journey. It is the foundation that will allow me to build a career, create opportunities for others, and contribute in a way that makes a lasting difference. Thank You Luke Poljak

I was 11 years old when my mother passed away from breast cancer at the age of 48. At that age, I did not fully understand the depth of the loss, but I knew something important in my life was gone. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to understand more clearly how much her presence shaped me and how much her absence has influenced the person I am becoming. My mother was a fun and zany person who brought joy and laughter into every space she entered. People were naturally drawn to her energy and the way she made others feel. She taught me that it is good to be curious and to ask questions, a lesson that has stayed with me and continues to shape how I approach learning and life. At the same time, she was an uncompromising mother. She was always there for me, always supportive, and always someone I could rely on without hesitation. Some of my most meaningful memories with her reflect that balance of joy and presence. I remember going to the wave pool in the summer, spending time at the BMX track, and stopping for Rita’s Italian Ice. I remember seeing David Copperfield perform at the Benedum Center, which left a lasting impression on me. One memory that stands out the most is when she would take me to the local magic shop and I would spend over an hour there, completely absorbed, looking through books and watching demonstrators perform tricks. She was incredibly patient with me, never rushing me, allowing me to explore something that fascinated me. That moment reflects who she was—present, supportive, and encouraging of my curiosity. Losing her at such a young age forced me to grow up in ways I was not ready for. There were moments where I felt the absence of guidance, reassurance, and support that a parent typically provides, especially during important stages of growing up. It created challenges emotionally and mentally, and there were times when I had to navigate life without the structure I once depended on. At the same time, that experience shaped my resilience. It taught me how to keep moving forward even when things feel uncertain. I have learned to rely on myself, to stay disciplined, and to continue working toward my goals despite obstacles. Her influence is still present in how I carry myself. I value connection, I try to bring positivity into the environments I am part of, and I remain curious about the world around me. Pursuing my education is a meaningful part of that journey. It represents an opportunity to build stability, create something of value, and shape a future with intention. More than that, it is a way for me to honor her. While she is no longer here, the lessons she gave me and the memories we shared continue to guide my decisions. Losing my mother will always be part of my story. It has brought challenges, but it has also given me perspective, resilience, and a deeper sense of purpose. I move forward with the intention of building something meaningful, driven by curiosity, grounded in resilience, and shaped by the same sense of possibility she always encouraged in me.

Entrepreneurship feels personal to me. It is not just about starting a business or chasing an idea. It comes from noticing problems in real life and feeling like they should not just be accepted. I have always been drawn to the idea that things can be improved, especially when inefficiencies affect people’s daily lives. Before transferring to Duquesne, I worked for over two years at a plumbing and HVAC supply company. I spent time at the counter helping contractors, in the warehouse handling inventory, and working through real customer problems. I saw how often issues like unreliable heat or hot water kept coming up in older buildings. These were not one-time problems. They were ongoing frustrations that people learned to live with. Later, I dealt with similar issues in my own apartment, which made it even more real. That experience pushed me to think more seriously about how these systems could be improved, especially with better data and more proactive solutions. My path has not been perfectly smooth. I have gone through periods where staying motivated was difficult and where I had to be more intentional about my habits and focus. Those moments forced me to become more disciplined and honest with myself. I realized that entrepreneurship is not about always feeling inspired. It is about continuing to show up, even when things feel uncertain or slow. That shift made my interest in entrepreneurship stronger and more grounded. During college, I have been intentional about turning that interest into real experience. As a double major in Entrepreneurship and Finance, I have worked on building and evaluating actual business ideas in my classes. I have developed concepts ranging from a functional wellness brand to early-stage work around improving visibility and performance in building systems. These projects required more than ideas. I had to think through customer needs, pricing, and how the business would actually work in practice. Outside of class, I have made an effort to get involved in Pittsburgh’s startup community. I have attended events through organizations like Innovation Works and programs connected to Carnegie Mellon University. I try to ask questions, learn from people who are further along, and understand how real businesses are built. I have also reached out directly to contractors and small business owners to hear their perspectives. Those conversations have been some of the most valuable learning experiences I have had. I have also worked on smaller ventures, like running a custom t-shirt operation on campus. That experience forced me to think about pricing, production time, and how to sell to people in real time. It made entrepreneurship feel less theoretical and more practical. What motivates me most is the idea of building something that genuinely improves how things work. I am especially interested in solutions that make everyday systems more reliable and efficient. Being in Pittsburgh makes that goal feel possible. There is a strong community of builders here, and I want to be part of it. I am not waiting until after graduation to start. I am already learning through action and building toward something meaningful. As Pittsburgh continues to grow as a center for innovation, I want to contribute by building practical, real-world solutions that reflect the needs of the people and industries here. This scholarship would support my development and strengthen my ability to be part of the next generation of founders shaping the city’s future