My mother had me at the young age of 20. She worked three jobs and was in school while pregnant with me. After I was born, she continued her education. She ended up graduating from a California State University when I was 10 years old. That moment I watched her graduate, it ignited something in me. It ignited a determination to be great, to make her proud. It ignited a sense of pride, knowing my mom graduated with a Master's Degree. Every time I think of my hero, my mom comes to mind. She's my biggest inspiration in life, my biggest supporter, and my best friend. As a person, I learned to appreciate what I had. Growing up, we didn't have everything. I didn't get in trouble with school or the law, and I maintained decent grades. I tried to give my mom some peace for everything she's done. She was a high school math teacher, so I never dared to disrespect teachers because my mom would tell me how horrible her students treated her. I'm very protective of my mom; she's my world. In 2022, at the age of 20, I had my son. It seemed like history repeated itself, and I was nervous about how I'd maintain. I remember how hard she worked, and I changed my mindset from "I don't know how I'll do this" to "It'll be a bit harder, but I can do it". As a student and a mother, I pride myself on being great. I maintain a 4.0 GPA every term, I have my child in preschool, and I'm working towards my Social Work degree before I continue on to getting my Business Management degree. My mother raised me with all the good qualities I could ever need. I am hard-working, determined, passionate, and overall a good person because I've watched my mother. In a way, we grew up together. She's married now, with two beautiful little girls, and although she has the family we should've had, I'm so happy she's finally happy in her life. My mother has been through so much, I owe it to her and my son to be great in this life, provide for them, and be a good person. My mother always told me to give back to my community, and I'm pursuing my Social Work because of her. She is the reason I am who I am, and I couldn't ask for a better mother. I love and appreciate her more than she will ever know.

I grew up with a single mom. I grew up watching her struggle to provide, watching her give up her 20s to raise me. She went through struggles she never spoke about, and I had no idea until recently. I was always a little chunky as a kid. I was bullied throughout elementary school and called "fatty Maddy". By middle school, I was self-harming as a way to cope. I'm not sure why I started. I just remember that being the one thing I looked forward to, until after I did it, when I felt ashamed. I felt so depressed in my life, and no therapy helped. I was sexually assaulted at 13, and that only made it worse. I attempted to end my life a few times, and thankfully failed. I felt alone, miserable, and ashamed at how my life was turning out. I felt like I had no way out. I began to seek real help, and I went outside more to find the beauty in life. I have always struggled since then, and I just try to change the way I cope. As a single mom now, without any help from my child's absent father, I find myself fighting against the thoughts and exhaustion. I lost my grandfather and my aunt in 2025, and instead of sinking into my grief and depression, I have used all the grief, sadness, anger, and all the negative emotions in my schoolwork. I began understanding that helping people fulfills me. Improving someone's day, giving someone directions, and helping a friend. I'm pursuing a degree in the Social Work field, so I can help change the system from within. I want to provide support and services for those who need help and don't know where to start. I have a big heart, and I believe everyone deserves support. No one deserves to feel alone. Many veterans, homeless, single parents, and foster children lack support. I would like to be the person who genuinely wants to see them succeed. I want to help guide people to take the steps they need to succeed. I know without a doubt in my heart that I can make a difference, and I know I am destined for greatness in this life. I want to improve the system, my community, and the lives of many while being a role model for my child. I want to raise my child to help those in need and to always be kind.

Being a single mother is one of the most challenging yet rewarding roles a woman can take on. Juggling the responsibilities of parenthood, trying to make ends meet, and pursuing education is no easy feat, especially when financial resources are limited. A $2,000 scholarship may seem modest on the surface, but for a single mom such as myself, with an absent co-parent and minimal help, who is striving to improve her future and provide a better life for her child, it represents more than just money—it represents opportunity, hope, and stability. For me, every dollar counts. The cost of tuition, books, transportation, and daily living expenses can quickly become overwhelming. My child has recently been diagnosed with autism, and I am now learning to navigate how to support him. A $2,000 scholarship can ease this burden significantly by covering a portion of my child's therapy, my tuition, educational materials, and will allow me to focus more on my studies and less on financial stress. Education is often the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. I was raised by a single mother, and being one myself now, earning a degree can open doors to higher-paying and more stable career opportunities. With additional financial support, I can take on a fuller course load, graduate sooner, and enter the workforce with the skills and qualifications necessary to build a better future. This not only benefits me but also sets a powerful example for my child that perseverance, hard work, and education can lead to success. Moreover, the impact of a $2,000 scholarship goes beyond academics. It can also be used to pay for essential services like my son's therapy. Grocery prices are extremely high as well, nourishing my body and my child's will create a better path to success by eating well. The past year has been incredibly hard, and with my child's father absent completely, everything falls on me. This scholarship would alleviate some of the weight on my shoulders and create a better focus. In some cases, this scholarship might help cover transportation costs, such as gas, ensuring I can commute to campus or attend internships and job interviews. It will also allow me to obtain my course materials, study tools, and help me save for the future. Emotionally, receiving a scholarship provides validation. It’s a sign that someone believes in my goals and sees my potential. That sense of support can be incredibly motivating during moments of self-doubt or fatigue, which I can experience frequently. This past year I have lost three of the closest people to me, so I have been trying my hardest to push myself to success. Knowing that my hard work is being recognized helps me keep pushing forward, even when the path is difficult. A $2,000 scholarship can make a world of difference. It’s not just financial aid, but a stepping stone toward independence, self-sufficiency, and a brighter future. With the right support, I can rise above my challenges, complete my education, and create a better life for myself and my son.