Ever since I was a little girl watching my grandmother transform blank spaces into magical weddings, I knew I was born to bring people’s dreams to life. I am an Armenian American and the proud daughter of immigrant parents who taught me that success is earned through hard work, resilience, and unwavering ambition. Growing up in a tight-knit, culturally rich household, I learned to embrace tradition while dreaming of innovation. My grandmother, a wedding planner in our community, was the first woman I saw lead with elegance, strength, and creativity. She showed me that event planning was not just about organizing a party, it was about creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences that leave a permanent mark on people’s hearts. I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps and take her legacy even further. I am passionate about event planning because it blends everything I love, creativity, connection, culture, and design. Weddings, in particular, are deeply emotional events that deserve to be handled with care, intention, and beauty. I want to become a luxurious wedding planner who creates breathtaking, high-end experiences while building a brand that represents strength, independence, and cultural pride. Every detail, from floral arrangements to music selection to guest experiences, tells a story. I want my clients to feel like their love is honored in the most beautiful, personalized way imaginable. As a young Armenian woman, I have often felt the tension between cultural expectations and modern ambition. Many young women in my community grow up without seeing examples of female entrepreneurs who look like them. I want to change that. I want to show that it is possible to be an Armenian woman and own a successful, independent business. I want to inspire others to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and pursue careers fueled by passion and purpose. Through formal education in event planning and project leadership, I will gain the skills and confidence I need to manage complex events, lead diverse teams, and build an impactful business. I want to learn how to scale an event company, manage budgets efficiently, lead with integrity, and design experiences that are both luxurious and meaningful. I also plan to integrate sustainable practices into my business, showing that elegance and environmental responsibility can coexist. Long-term, I hope to mentor young women in my community, especially those from immigrant backgrounds, and provide opportunities for them to intern, learn, and grow. I want to create a brand that is known not only for beautiful weddings, but also for empowering women and celebrating cultural roots. My dream is to open a high-end wedding agency that reflects the perfect balance between tradition and modern luxury, a place where every client, regardless of background, feels understood, celebrated, and transformed. Receiving this scholarship would not just help me further my education, it would help me turn a lifelong dream into a legacy. I’m ready to prove that with vision, heart, and hard work, anything is possible.

Over the next five years, I will use my passion for luxury wedding planning to create a positive environmental impact in both my local and global communities. While weddings are often seen as extravagant celebrations, I believe they can also serve as powerful statements of sustainability, beauty, and responsibility. My goal is to show that luxury and environmental consciousness can coexist in the most elegant and memorable ways. As a future wedding planner, I will design high-end events that are both breathtaking and environmentally thoughtful. I will collaborate with florists who use locally grown, seasonal flowers and repurpose arrangements after events to avoid waste. I will work with caterers who prioritize organic and locally sourced ingredients, and I will implement composting and donation strategies for leftover food. When selecting venues, I will favor those with green certifications, energy-efficient practices, and a commitment to sustainability. The wedding industry has a significant carbon footprint, from travel emissions to fast fashion and single-use decor. I plan to offer clients refined and sustainable alternatives like digital invitations, vintage furniture rentals, and timeless décor that can be reused or repurposed. I will partner with ethical designers who create eco-friendly bridalwear and encourage couples to offset their carbon footprint, especially for destination weddings. I want my clients to know that celebrating their love can also be a way of showing love to the planet. On a local level, I will launch a program called “Green Glam,” a workshop series that teaches aspiring planners how to incorporate sustainability into event design without sacrificing luxury or style. Through community outreach, styled shoots, and hands-on training, I will empower others in the industry to prioritize environmental responsibility in their careers. Globally, I aspire to build a wedding planning brand that becomes known for sustainable luxury. By sharing real examples, behind-the-scenes content, and expert tips through social media and publications, I will influence how weddings are planned around the world. I want couples and planners everywhere to see that beauty and sustainability can enhance each other. To me, luxury is not about waste or excess. True luxury is thoughtful, elegant, and meaningful. A wedding should reflect love in all forms: for one another, for the experience, and for the planet. This scholarship will give me the foundation I need to build a career that transforms the wedding industry and leaves behind a legacy of beauty, care, and purpose. I dream of being an impactful planner, and this would set me in the right direction!