The day before a spirited holiday. Where people dress up and collect candy just by saying "trick or treat." A little girl was born to 17 year old, hispanic parents. With the mother being obsessed with Mariah Carey at the time, she names her little girl Mariah. Wishing for her first child to achieve things she never could. Hoping that the city where her baby was born, New York City, would take good care of her. My name is Mariah. I'm 19 years old, currently studying Business Administration, Data Analytics, and Finance at the private institution of Hartwick College. My dreams have always been big. Seeing them now, of course, they were. I'm from a city with 8 million people who have different views and goals. But they are also big because of my family, specifically my parents. My mother is from Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Both met in the big city at a young age, but dropped out of school to raise their first child, me. At a young age, my parents told me the story of their love and why they were happy to be parents at a young age, even if it wasn't planned. They gave up their dreams for me, focusing on being parents instead of their education. To this day, I can't help but feel guilt, as my family gave up their dreams for me to hopefully catch mine in my growing process. In high school, I met many people who had the same upbringing as me. First-generation parents who gave up their lives just for their kids. How their family went the extra mile of working more than 3 jobs just to support their families. When I thought I was the only one who had a struggling family, I wasn't. Everyone around me doesn't necessarily go through the same thing, but they have had the same struggles. There was a specific group of people I met that I connected with deeply on the history of our families. Our parents weren't from the same countries, but they gave up their lives, jobs, dreams, and education to raise new lives we call our own. We'd gather at lunch and talk about our plans in the future and how we could help our families and maybe even others see through and strive in the struggle. After graduation, we all went our separate ways, trying to focus on our futures. But always in the back of my mind, I always thought about how to help others in the situations we were in. My dream is to own businesses surrounding body and skin care. I want to have stores all over the country, sharing my story with younger generations. Hoping to inspire them to keep going. A goal of mine is to hire low-income and first-generation students in the summer. It will not only help them strive for their own greatness. To help them with their education expenses and family struggles. Making sure that others are supported the way I wish to be. Showing younger generations that if all doors are closed, there's always a window open to crawl out of.

I was born and raised in New York City by a strong, determined mother who had me at the age of seventeen. As a teenage mother navigating life in one of the busiest cities in the world, she faced hardship head-on, sacrificing her dreams to give me a chance at mine. Watching her struggle to keep food on the table, balance multiple jobs, and raise me without ever losing her spirit shaped who I am at my core. Her journey taught me early on that life isn’t always fair, but with resilience and heart, we can overcome anything. Growing up in a low-income household came with many challenges. There were times when the lights would get cut off, or we’d stretch the same groceries for days. But it also came with valuable lessons: how to be resourceful, how to appreciate the small things, and most importantly, how to remain hopeful. Despite our financial struggles, my mother instilled in me a love for education. She never got to walk across a graduation stage herself, but she made sure I understood the power of knowledge and the doors it could open. Now, as a college student majoring in Business Administration and Data Analytics, I carry her dreams with me. I’m passionate about using business not just as a tool for personal success, but as a way to create opportunities for others. I believe that numbers tell stories, and with the right tools, we can use data to solve real-world problems, especially those affecting underserved communities. I dream of starting my nonprofit organization that provides mentorship, financial literacy, and career readiness programs for young people from low-income backgrounds. Too many gifted individuals never reach their full potential simply because they lack access to resources or support systems. I want to help bridge that gap to be the person I wish my mother had been when she was 17 and pregnant, scared, and unsure of the future. Beyond business, I hope to lead by example. I want to show other young women, especially women of color, that where you come from does not define where you can go. Being the first in my family to attend college is not a weight I carry, but a badge of honor. It’s a reminder that I’m walking a path my mother paved with her sacrifices. I plan to make a positive impact on the world by combining empathy with action, numbers with heart, and purpose with perseverance. Every late-night study session and every class I take is a step toward not just changing my life, but creating ripples of change for others. I don’t want to just succeed for myself; I want my success to be a light for others still trying to find their way. Because of where I come from, I don’t take this opportunity lightly. And because of where I’m going, I know that what I do will matter.

Imagine Tinder came to life, spilled the tea, strutted down a runway and then publicly shattered egos in front of the entire villa. That’s the chaos of “Swipe Right or Take a Flight,” Love Island’s boldest, most brutally honest challenge yet. Part savage roast, part flirty fun, and 100% emotional whiplash, this challenge is where confidence either skyrockets or crashes fast. In the ever-unpredictable world of Love Island, “Swipe Right or Take a Flight” mimics the thrilling, ruthless pace of modern dating with the theatrical flair the show is famous for. The result? A challenge that’s as shocking and revealing as it is hilarious and entertaining. The villa transforms into a dramatic dating arena, complete with blinding lights, thumping music, and a giant digital departure board listing Islander names like flight gates ready for takeoff or cancellation. A red carpet cuts through the garden, rebranded as the “Runway of Romance,” and Islanders sit on bleachers like a judging panel with foam paddles that read either Swipe Right or Take a Flight. One by one, Islanders strut down the runway while a fake dating profile secretly crafted by the others is revealed behind them. Each bio includes a wild fake occupation “Emotional Support Situationship”, fake dating traits “Loyal, but only on weekdays”, and an embarrassing red flag “Once ghosted someone after making them dinner”. As the villa erupts into laughter and gasps, the clock starts ticking. Islanders have ten seconds to vote, visibly flipping their paddles. Here’s where the drama hits full force. If an Islander gets more “Flights” than “Swipes,” they must face the Walk of Shame a slow, spotlight-lit return down the runway, followed by a Redemption Challenge designed to charm or embarrass. They may have to deliver a romantic monologue, act out their worst breakup, or admit a secret crush in front of everyone. It’s vulnerability on blast and the villa lives for it. But the stakes are even higher for those who dominate. A unanimous “Swipe Right” earns the Golden Boarding Pass a game-changing power that lets them crash another couple’s date and potentially steal a partner. This is where the emotional fireworks begin. Tensions rise, jealousy sparks, and confident swagger might just unravel a stable couple. What makes this challenge electric isn’t just the roasts it’s the truth bombs. The raw honesty. The look on someone’s face when their closest ally flips “Flight.” The way underdogs shine and favorites fall. It sparks connections or derails them entirely. “Swipe Right or Take a Flight” is Love Island in its purest form: unpredictable, outrageous, and real. It’s a challenge that leaves fans screaming, couples reeling, and Islanders learning sometimes the hard way that love here is never guaranteed. In a villa where everything can change with one paddle flip, this challenge proves the golden rule: date smart, vote fast, and never get too comfortable.

I’m an 18-year-old girl, born and raised in New York City, a place full of energy, ambition, and endless inspiration. Living in NYC has shaped the way I view the world and myself. Every day, I walk past towering buildings, charming brownstones, and sleek, modern apartments that represent dreams turned into reality. From a young age, I was drawn to real estate, not just because of the impressive buildings, but because of the joy and hope I saw in people when they found a place they could call home. Real estate, especially in a city like New York, is more than just property; it’s about people, emotions, and stories. I want to be part of that story by helping others find spaces where they can grow, heal, and be happy. My passion for commercial real estate is rooted in my love for connection. I want to help create environments where people feel safe and seen, whether that’s helping a small business owner find the right storefront or assisting a family in discovering the perfect apartment. In a city where everything moves quickly and life can feel overwhelming, having a place that feels like home matters. I want to be the person who makes that possible for others. Receiving this scholarship would mean the world to me. It would not only support my educational journey but also give me the freedom to fully focus on building a future in commercial real estate. As someone just beginning my professional path, the financial help would relieve pressure and open doors to internships, networking opportunities, and deeper learning experiences. More importantly, it would be a reminder that others believe in my goals, and that belief is powerful. With this support, I hope to eventually become a real estate professional who creates change and spreads happiness through every lease, sale, or development I’m part of. The most influential person in my life is my grandmother. She’s the strongest person I know, and her presence in my life has shaped who I am today. She taught me that even in life’s darkest and most challenging moments, there is always a way forward. “When all the doors are locked, there’s always a window open,” she used to say. That phrase stuck with me. It reminds me to stay hopeful, even when things don’t go as planned. My grandma also taught me how to be happy with myself, how to find peace and joy without relying on anyone else to give it to me. She showed me the value of education not just as a step toward a career, but as a path to becoming a strong, independent, and fulfilled woman. Thanks to her influence, I’ve learned to dream big while staying grounded. This scholarship would be a crucial part of that dream, helping me rise, contribute to my city, and light up other people’s lives, one space at a time.

One of the most meaningful and vivid memories I have is waking up around 5 a.m. to eat breakfast with my grandma while she watched the Spanish news. She would already be awake, quietly preparing something simple, tropical fruits like mangos and pineapples, or sometimes just crackers with white cream cheese to top it off. I didn’t understand the news back then, but I understood her love through those quiet moments. She made sure I was by her side, even in the early hours before the world around us fully woke up. Those mornings were peaceful and full of care, one of the first times I truly felt someone’s consistent, unconditional love. It showed me that love doesn’t always need to be expressed with words or grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s simply about being there, sharing space, and starting the day together. My grandma holds a significant place in my life because of the deep, steady love she gave me through simple acts. She didn’t have the opportunity to go to college or speak much English, and her life was full of sacrifices and challenges. But her strength and quiet resilience gave me roots, a sense of belonging, and the courage to dream beyond what I had seen around me. Those early mornings became a symbol of love and support that I carry with me, especially now as I prepare to take steps that will change my life. Being a first-generation college student means carrying a mixture of pride, excitement, and a lot of responsibility. When I got accepted to college, my whole family celebrated with joy, but beneath the excitement was also a feeling of worry. None of us had experienced what it meant to be away from home for school. My family has always been tightly knit, and the thought of being separated felt overwhelming for all of us. They worried about how I would manage, how I would balance the pressures of college, and how I would stay connected to the family that is the center of my world. Despite not having the guidebook of college experience, my family has given me something just as valuable: unwavering support, belief, and love. They have been my foundation, constantly reminding me that family is the most important priority, even when life pulls us in different directions. Being the first in my family to attend college also means I carry the hopes of many people who have sacrificed so much. There are moments when I feel pressure and uncertainty, wondering if I can handle the responsibilities alone. But when those moments come, I think back to those early mornings with my grandma. Her quiet strength and her simple, loving actions remind me that I am not alone. I am part of a legacy of resilience and love. My journey as a first-generation student is not just about personal success. It’s about honoring my family’s sacrifices and making sure their belief in me turns into something real. It’s about being that steady presence, like my grandma was for me, for future generations in my family and community.

Books have taught me more than just stories; they’ve taught me purpose. Reading The Color of Water by James McBride opened my eyes to the complexity of identity, resilience, and sacrifice. The way McBride navigated life between two worlds, while discovering strength in both, inspired me to embrace my background and use my experiences to fuel something greater. That book helped shape my biggest goal: to own a business that not only supports my success but also gives back to kids in New York City who struggle with basic needs like food and clothing. My turning point came while growing up in New York City and realizing just how hard my parents worked to raise me here. Living in one of the most expensive cities in the world, I didn’t always understand why we couldn’t afford what others had or why my parents skipped out on things for themselves. Over time, I began noticing how much they sacrificed, how they’d pass on new clothes or second jobs just so I could have what I needed for school, a warm meal, or a chance to participate in a class trip. That realization hit hard. But it also opened my eyes, I don’t have to be limited by what I’ve seen. I can create a future that’s better than what I once believed was possible for me. That moment lit a fire in me to work harder, dream bigger, and build something that can help others who grow up facing the same struggles I did. Mentorship has played a huge role in helping me stay focused on that dream. My grandparents, who have always been pillars of strength and wisdom in my life, constantly reminded me of the importance of education, generosity, and believing in myself. They didn’t have much, but they always found a way to help others, whether by cooking extra food for a neighbor or offering encouraging words to someone struggling. Their actions taught me that giving back doesn’t require wealth; it requires heart. Their guidance gave me the confidence to stay on my path and never settle for less than my full potential. That’s why I try to be that person for others now, whether it’s helping a younger student with homework, handing out food during a drive, or organizing a small clothing donation event at school. I know what it feels like to need help and not know who to ask, and I want to be someone others can turn to. What makes me unique is my drive to turn my struggles into strength. I believe business can be more than profit. It can be a platform for good. In the future, I want to create a business that gives back, offering free meals, clothing programs, and mentorship for youth in New York City. I want to show kids growing up in tough circumstances that they’re not alone, and that where they start doesn’t have to be where they finish.

Growing up in a low-income Hispanic household, I learned early on what it meant to fight for my future. My parents worked tirelessly to provide for me and my brother, instilling in us the importance of hard work, family, and resilience. But even as a child, I knew I wanted something more—not just for myself, but for everyone who came after me. I didn’t want to settle for surviving; I wanted to build something lasting. I wanted to be the first person in my family to own a business. The road to entrepreneurship hasn’t been easy. My first attempt at starting a business didn’t go as planned. I spent months crafting what I thought was the perfect plan, only to see it fall apart before it ever got off the ground. At that moment, I felt crushed. I questioned myself, my vision, and whether I was even capable of making it. But giving up wasn’t an option. I remembered why I started in the first place—not just to make money, but to create a life of meaning and impact. So I got back up. I revised my plan, learned from my mistakes, and most importantly, I kept going. Today, I can proudly say I’ve succeeded. I’ve launched a business that not only supports me but stands as a symbol of everything I’ve worked for. More than anything, it proves to myself and to others that success is possible, even when the odds are against you. Being from a Hispanic/Latino background, I’ve often felt the pressure of breaking generational cycles—of being the one to rewrite the story. And that’s exactly what I’m doing. My goal is about more than just personal success. I want to create generational wealth for my family so that those who come after me never have to face the same financial struggles I did. I want to find true happiness, not in material things, but in knowing that I am building a legacy. And one of the most important parts of that legacy is giving back. In the future, I want to create programs or scholarships for kids who come from backgrounds like mine—kids who are smart, driven, and full of potential, but who may not have the resources or support to pursue college or their dreams. I want to be the person I once needed: someone who believes in them, invests in them, and reminds them that where you come from doesn’t define where you can go. This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every step. I’m no longer just dreaming about changing my life—I’m doing it. And I hope to inspire others to do the same.