My name is Mariyah E Johnson and I am a current 4th year scholar at my illustrious institution, Alabama A&M. If give the opportunity I would improve my community by helping students find resources for financial assistance. This is very important to me because I have struggled financially through college and I understand how difficult this is. It is important to me to help the next generation with opportunities that will ensure they get the financial assistance and help they deserve. I hope to not only help those around me find opportunities but I also hope to be able to provide them with the financial assistance I desired but wasn't able to obtain while studying. Apart from financial assistance I want to give the next generation hope. I was to encourage students to take risk and follow their dreams no matter what. I cam from California to Alabama to follow my dreams and although there were many bumps on the road, I know that after every storm comes a rainbow. I want the next germination to chase their dreams even when they don't feel that their dreams are attainable. Living in fear of not only failure but stressing about how you're going to pay for college are two things that have gotten the best of me and I don't want that to be the case. I have the desire to lead and to not only be a financial help to them but a mentor that can genuinely understand their concerns and worries. Improving your community means leaving a legacy. Leaving a legacy doesn't just mean doing something because you can, it means doing something because you genuinely want to. It means not allowing the world to tell you who you are or will be. Leaving a legacy means aspiring to inspire those that come from backgrounds like yours, look like you, or even share similar experiences. I plan on leaving my mark by letting those who are coming after me know the importance of always shooting for the stars no matter what. I want to leave a legacy so powerful that little kids of my background understand the importance of always being a part of something bigger than themselves. Giving young African Americans the courage to always be stronger than what the world wants them to be, stronger than what society throws at them, and stronger tomorrow than they are today. I thank you for giving me this opportunity and hope that my words leave a lasting impression as I seek to leave a lasting legacy at this illustrious institution. Thank you again for your time and consideration.