Coming out as a lesbian was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I knew there was a possibility that not everyone in my family would understand or accept me, but nothing could prepared me for how much my life would change, afterward. When I recently came out to my family, my mom packed up my belongings and told me, “Good luck and good riddance.” Just like that, I had to gather all my things, moved everything on my own, and go stay with my aunt. What made it even harder was that this happened right before the beginning of my senior year at Morris College. The relationship between my mom and me has already been a major part of my struggles with depression. I love my mom, so being rejected by her because of who I am hurt me in a way that is difficult to explain. No matter how old you are, you still want to feel loved, accepted, and supported by your mother. Having to leave home made me feel like I was losing more than just a place to live. I was also dealing with the pain of feeling like being myself had cost me a relationship that means so much to me. This was not the first challenge I faced during my college journey. I transferred from Francis Marion University to Morris College, and not all of my credits transferred with me. Because of that, my journey towards graduation has taken longer than I originally planned. Watching other people graduate while I was still trying to finish was hard. There have been times when I felt behind and questioned why my journey seemed so much harder than everyone else’s. On top of school, I work full-time to pay for my own expenses and continue pushing toward my degree in Early Childhood Education. Trying to balance work, school, financial responsibilities, family problems, and my mental health can become overwhelming. Some days, depression makes everything feel heavier. There are days when I am mentally and emotionally exhausted but still have to get up, go to class, go to work, complete assignments, and figured out how I am going to keep everything together. Through everything, I am still here. I think that is what perseverance means to me. It does not mean that I never struggle, cry, or feel like giving up. It means that even during the moments when life feels like too much, I continue to find a reason to keep going. Coming out has taught me that I should not have to hide who I am just to receive love or acceptance. I am still learning how to fully accept myself and understand that my life and future are worth fighting for. My experiences have also made me think about the kind of educator I want to become. My goal is to become a first-grade teacher, and I want my classroom to be a place where every child feels loved, safe, important, and accepted. I know what it feels like to need someone in your corner, and I want to be that person for my future students. My journey has not gone according to plan, but I refuse believe that means I have failed. I am entering my senior year, continuing my education, working to support myself, and learning to live proudly as who I am. I have been through moments that could have caused me to give up, but I am still choosing my future. I am still choosing my dreams. Most importantly, I am finally learning to choose myself.

Challenge Name: “Letters to My Future Love” As a hopeless romantic, I believe the strongest relationships are built through honesty, vulnerability, and meaningful conversations not just physical attraction. This challenge would allow Islanders to see whether the person they’re coupled up with truly knows them beyond the surface. Phase 1: The Secret Letter Before the challenge begins, each Islander is given 30 minutes alone to write a heartfelt letter to the person they hope to build a future with. The letter must answer questions like: • What first attracted you to me? • What qualities make you think you think we could work outside of the villa? • What kind of future could you see with me after Love Island? •What’s your favorite memory of us so far? No one is allowed to share what they wrote. Phase 2: “Do You Really Know Me?” Each couple sits back-to-back. The host ask personal questions that each Islander already answered privately earlier that day. Questions include: • What’s your biggest love language? • What’s your dream date? • What’s your biggest relationship fear? • How many kids do you want? • Where do you see yourself in five years? Each correct answer earns one point. This shows whether couples have actually been listening to one another instead of just flirting. Phase 3: The Heart Reveal Now comes the emotional part. Each Islander receives the letter their partner wrote. One by one, they read it aloud in front of everyone. There are no interruptions. No reactions. Just listening. The audience gets to see whether someone’s words match the way they’ve been acting inside of the villa. Phase 4: The Decision After hearing every letter, each Islander privately answers three questions: 1. Do you feel emotionally closer? 2. Has anything changed how you see your partner? 3. Do you want to continue investing in this relationship? The answers stay secret until the end. The Twist: If both partners answer yes to continuing their relationship, they win an exclusive overnight date away from the villa with no cameras following every conversation. If only one person says yes, then the couple remains together but the Islanders who said no becomes vulnerable during the next recoupling. If both say no, they must recouple with someone new at the next recoupling ceremony. Why This Challenge Would Make Love Island Better? As someone who has watched Love Island for years, I love the romance just as much as the drama. But sometimes it’s hard to tell whether people truly like each other or are just trying to stay in the villa. This challenge changes that. Instead of seeing who kisses the most people or wins a silly game, viewers get to watch people become vulnerable. We get to hear what they really think about one another and whether they’re building something genuine. I’m a hopeless romantic, so I believe love grows through communication, honesty, and paying attention to little things. The strongest couples aren’t always the loudest they’re the ones who truly know each other. I think “Letters to My Future Love” would become one of Love Island’s most memorable challenges because it would create real emotion, heartfelt conversations, and unforgettable moments. Some couples would leave the challenge stronger than ever, while others would realize they were never as connected as they thought. Either way, viewers would finally get to see what real love looks like beyond the flirting and the games.

Before taking Mrs.Boozer’s class during my junior year at Morris College, I already knew that I wanted to become a teacher. However, after spending a semester in her classroom, I realized that teaching was more than just a career for me it was my purpose. Mrs.Boozer was truly a God send. She had a way of speaking life into every student she encountered and making us feel like we were capable of accomplishing anything we set our minds to. She didn’t just teach us course material she taught us to believe in ourselves. Growing up in Summerton, South Carolina, a small town with only two stoplights, I learned early on that succes requires perseverance, faith, and hard work. Coming from a low income household, I have experienced challenges that could have easily discouraged me from pursing my dreams. There were times when self doubt, finances, and setbacks made me question whether I was on the right path. Despite these obstacles, I continued pushing forward because I have always believed that education has the power to change lives. My passion for teaching comes from my desire to make a difference in the lives of children, especially those who may not always have someone encouraging them. I want to become the teacher that I needed growing up the teacher who sees potential in every child, who offers encouragement during difficult times, and who creates a classroom where students feel supported, safe, and valued. I believe that children learn best when they know someone truly cares about them, and I want to be that person for my future students. Throughout my educational journey, I have gained experience through classroom observations, substitute teaching, and working as a lead teacher in a preschool setting. Each experience has confirmed that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I love watching children learn new things, build confidence, and discover their abilities. There is something special about knowing that the lessons, encouragement, and kindness you provide can stay with a child for the rest of their life. Mrs.Boozer reinforced my passion for teaching through the way she treated her students. She made every lesson meaningful, engaging, and enjoyable. More importantly, she created an environment where I felt comfortable speaking, participating, and being myself. Her grace, patience, and kindness showed me what an exceptional educator looks like. She inspired me to not only become a teacher but also to become the type of teacher who leaves a lasting impact on students’ lives. Today, I am a senior at Morris College majoring in Early Childhood Education, and my goal is to become a first grade teacher. In the future, I hope to become a school principal and eventually open my own daycare center to serve children and families in undeserved communities. I want my career to be about more than teaching academics I want it to be about inspiring, motivating, and empowering the next generation. Mrs.Boozer changed my life because she believed in me and showed me the kind of educator I want to become. Because of her, I am understanding that the best teachers do more than teach lessons they inspire dreams, build confidence, and change lives. That is exactly the kind of teacher I aspire to be.

If there is one thing I know for sure, it is that I would not be where I am today without God. My college journey has been filled with challenges that tested my faith, my patience, and my strength. There have been times when I felt overwhelmed by financial stress, questioned whether I would ever finish school, and even experienced mental breakdowns because everything felt like it was happening all at once. During those moments, I leaned on God because he was the only one who could give me the peace and strength I needed to keep going. One of the biggest challenges I faced was transferring from Francis Marion University to Morris College. When I transferred, not all of my credits came with me, which meant I had to spend more time in school than I had originally planned. It was discouraging watching my graduation timeline change and it made me wonder if I would ever reach the finish line. On top of that, I work as a security guard in the afternoons while attending classes during the day, and balancing work, school, and financial responsibilities has not been easy. There were days where I wanted to give up because I felt exhausted and discouraged. Even during those moments, I trusted that God had a purpose for my journey, even if I could not see it at the time. As an Early Childhood Education major, my faith will continue to guide me through my career. I want to be more than a teacher who helps students learn to read and write. I want to be someone who encourages children, believes in them, and reminds them that they are capable of achieving great things. Every child deserves a teacher who is patient, compassionate, and willing to meet them where they are. My faith has taught me the importance of showing kindness, extending grace, and treating others with love, and those are qualities I want to bring into my classroom everyday. Receiving this scholarship would not only help relieve some of the financial burden I am carrying, but it would also allow me to continue pursuing the calling God has placed on my life. I know that becoming a first grade teacher is more than just a career it is my purpose. My journey has not been easy, but it has strengthened my faith and prepared me to make a difference in the lives of children. I trust that God did not bring me this far to leave me now, and I am excited to see how he continues to use me to serve others through education.

At 23 years old, my journey to becoming a teacher has not been a straight path, but every challenge has made me more determined to reach my goal. I am currently a senior at Morris College majoring in Early Childhood Education, and my dream is to become a first grade teacher. Although the road has been longer than I expected, I have learned that success is not about how quickly you reach the finish line. It’s about having the determination to keep going, even when the journey becomes difficult. I began my college education at Francis Marion University, but after transferring to Morris College, not all of my credits transferred with me. It was discouraging to realize I would have to retake classes and spend more time and money earning my degree. There were moments where I questioned whether I was falling behind, especially watching friends graduate while I still had classes left to complete. However, instead of giving up, I reminded myself why I started this journey in the first place. My goal has always been bigger than a graduation date. I want to make a difference in the lives of young children. To support myself while working towards my degree, I work afternoons full time as a security guard while attending classes in the morning. Balancing work, school, assignments, and financial responsibilities has taught me discipline, time management, and perseverance. It has not always been easy, and there have been days when I felt overwhelmed, but every sacrifice has brought me one step closer to becoming the educator I know I am meant to be. One of the biggest challenges I am currently facing is paying my remaining tuition and preparing for the Praxis exam, which is required for me to become a certified teacher. These financial barriers can sometimes feel overwhelming, but they have never changed my passion for education. I know that becoming a teacher is my purpose, and I refuse to let financial hardship stop me from achieving it. Receiving this scholarship would ease the financial burden that comes with completing my degree and allow me to focus more on preparing for the Praxis and my future classroom. More importantly, it would be an investment in the students I hope to teach one day. I want to create a classroom where every child feels encouraged, supported, and ready to learn. I want my students to know that their circumstances do not define their future because I have lived that lesson myself. My story is one of resilience, determination, and faith. Every obstacle I have faced has strengthened my commitment to becoming a teacher who inspires children to believe in themselves and never give up on their dreams. I may have taken a different path to get here, but I know that every step has prepared me for the impact I hope to make. With the support of this scholarship, I will continue moving toward my goal of becoming a first grade teacher and making a positive difference in the lives of future generations.

When people ask me why I chose Early Childhood Education, my answer is simple: I want to make a difference in children’s lives from the very beginning. I believe that the first years of a child’s education are some of the most important because it helps build confidence, curiosity, and a love for learning that can last a lifetime. As a senior at Morris College majoring in Early Childhood Education, I know I have found the career that truly fits who I am and the impact I want to make. I’ve always enjoyed being around children. There is something special about seeing the excitement on a child’s face when they finally understand something they have been working so hard to learn. Whether it’s sounding out a new word, reading their first book, or solving a math problem on their own, those small moments are actually big milestones. I want to be there to celebrate those victories and remind my students that they are capable of accomplishing anything they set their minds to. Reading has always been one of my favorite hobbies, and also one of the reasons I became interested in becoming an educator. I love getting lost in book series because they allow me to connect with the characters and see the world from different perspectives. Books have taught me lessons about kindness, courage, perseverance, and believing in myself. They have also helped me realize how important it is for children to have access to stories that inspire them and reflect their own experiences. As a future first grade teacher, I want to create a classroom where reading is exciting instead of something students feel forced to do. I want my classroom library to be filled with books that encourage imagination, celebrate diversity, and make every child feel seen. Another reason I am passionate about early childhood education is because I understand that each child learns differently. Some students need extra encouragement, patience, or simply just for someone to believe in them. I want to be that teacher! I want my classroom to be a place where children feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes, and grow without the fear of being judged. My goal is not only to teach reading, writing, and math but to also help my students build confidence, kindness, and respect for others. The legacy of Sandy Jenkins reminds me that being an educator is about much more than teaching lessons from a textbook. It is about making a lasting impact on children’s lives. I hope to be the kind of teacher my students remember years later because I made them feel supported, valued, and capable of achieving their dreams. Knowing that I played even a small role in helping a child discover their potential would be the greatest reward. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to continue pursuing my degree with less financial stress and more focus on becoming the best educator I can be. More importantly, it would invest in the future students whose lives I hope to touch. My dream is to become a first-grade teacher who inspires a lifelong love of learning, encourages every child to believe in themselves, and to create a classroom where every student feels like they belong. That is why I am passionate about early childhood education, and the differences I hope to make for years to come.

Growing up, books became more than something I read for school they became an escape, a source of comfort, and sort of a way for me to imagine a bigger world. I have always loved reading, especially book series that allow me to grow alongside the characters. Every new story taught me something different about resilience, friendship, courage, and believing in myself. As I got older, I realized that reading wasn’t just a hobby. It was shaping the person I wanted to become. Now, as a senior at Morris College majoring in Early Childhood Education, I understand even more how powerful access to books and learning resources can be. One of the reasons I want to become a first-grade teacher is because I know those early years are when children begin to discover whether they enjoy learning. I want to be the teacher who helps every child fall in love with reading, especially students who may not have many books at home or who have never seen themselves represented in stories they read. Throughout college, I have experienced firsthand how expensive educational resources can be. Between textbooks, classroom materials, and the everyday cost of being a college student, there have been times when I had to carefully decide what I could afford first or just simply go without. Although those challenges never stopped me from pursuing my education, they reminded me that access to knowledge should never depend on someone’s financial situation. Every student deserves the opportunity to learn without constantly worrying about whether they can afford the resources they need. Tia Lukeya believed that access to knowledge could change the trajectory of someone’s life, and I believe that too. Her love for books and education reminds me of why I chose this career path. Like Tia, I believe learning opens doors that many people never knew existed. Every book introduces a new perspective, every lesson builds confidence, and every opportunity to learn helps someone grow into the person they are meant to become. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to focus more fully on becoming the educator I aspire to be. Instead of stressing over financial burdens, I would be able to dedicate more of my time and energy to my coursework, student teaching, praxis exams, and preparing to create meaningful learning experiences for my future students. It would also help me continue building a classroom where books are not viewed as assignments but as adventures, opportunities, and mirrors that help children see themselves while also learning about others. As a young black women, I know how important representation is. I want my future classroom library to include stories that celebrate different cultures, experiences, and backgrounds so every child feels valued and included. I want my students to know that their voices matter, their dreams are possible, and that education can take them farther than they ever imagined. The impact I hope to make begins with one bookshelf, one classroom, and one child at a time. I may not be able to change the entire world overnight, but I can create a space where children feel encouraged, safe, and excited to learn. If I can inspire just one student to pick up a book, believe in themselves, and dream bigger because of something they learned in my classroom, then I will know I am carrying forward the same belief that Tia had that knowledge has the power to change lives. This scholarship would not only invest in my education but also in the countless young learners whose lives I hope to impact for years to come.

One book that has had a lasting impact on me is Becoming by Michelle Obama. Before reading it, I knew who Michelle Obama was, but I didn’t know much about her journey. As I read her story, I realized that success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes hard work, determination, and believing in yourself, even when life presents challenges. Her honesty about over coming obstacles and staying true to herself inspired me to think more deeply about the type of person I want to become and my own goals. As a young black women and a senior at Morris College majoring in Early Childhood Education, I saw parts of myself reflected in Michelle Obama’s story. She showed me that where you come from does not determine where you can go. Instead your education, character, and willingness to keep pushing forward are what truly shape your future. Reading her memoir reminded me that there may be obstacles along the way, but they should never stop me from pursuing my dreams. One lesson that stood out to me was the importance of using your success to help others. Michelle Obama never forgot where she came from, and she used her platform to encourage young people to believe in themselves and value education. This made me think about why I chose to become a teacher. I have always wanted to work with children because I know how important it is for them to have someone who believes in them from the very beginning. My goal is to become a first grade teacher because those early years of learning can shape a child’s curiosity, confidence, and love for school. The impact I want to make on the world starts in the classroom. I want every child who walks through my door to know they are capable of learning and achieving great things. I want my students to feel safe, respected, and encouraged to be themselves. I also want to help children develop a love for reading because books have the power to inspire, teach and open doors to new possibilities. I enjoy reading book series in my free time, and I hope to share that excitement with my future students by introducing stories that make them excited to learn. Reading Becoming strengthened my belief that education is one of the most powerful tools we have to change lives. As a future educator, I hope to be more than just someone who teaches reading and math. I want to be the teacher who encourages students to dream big, work hard, and believe that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to. If I can help even one child gain confidence in themselves and discover a love for learning, then I know I will have made a meaningful impact. That is the legacy I hope to leave, and Becoming reminded me that lasting change often begins with inspiring just one person at a time.