My personal experiences with finances and financial education have not always been easy—but they’ve definitely taught me a lot. I started attending a private school in 5th grade, completely unaware of how much of a financial burden it was on my mom, especially since she was raising me on her own. I’m endlessly grateful that she tried shielding me from these worries. At that age, I didn’t think about tuition, bills, or budgeting—I just assumed everything was taken care of. Now that I’m older, I realize how much my mom sacrificed behind the scenes to make sure I had access to better opportunities, and I’m truly grateful for that. Looking back, I wish I had been more aware of our financial situation earlier on. Not so I could carry the burden, but so I could have developed a deeper appreciation for the value of money and hard work. I used to see money as something that just existed, not something people had to work tirelessly for. Over time, I began to connect the dots and understand the impact of financial choices, how income affects quality of life, and how budgeting and planning play major roles in stability. These realizations didn’t come from education, but from real-life experiences and watching my mom handle everything with strength. Unfortunately, financial education hasn’t been a strong part of my school experience. Most of what I’ve learned has come from asking questions, doing my own studying, or from family members who’ve shared their experiences. I believe financial literacy is something that should be taught early and consistently in school. Understanding credit, taxes, loans, savings, and investments is essential—especially as we get closer to adulthood and start making decisions that affect our futures. Looking ahead, I want to use what I’ve learned to create a more stable and smart future for myself. I hope to be financially independent, stay out of debt, and make good choices with my money. One day, I also want to give back to my mom for everything she’s done for me. Most of all, I want to break the cycle of financial instability by being prepared and responsible. Even though my experiences haven’t always been easy, they’ve taught me to value hard work, being thankful, and understanding how money works. I plan to keep learning more about saving, budgeting, and investing so I can build a future where I don’t have to constantly worry about money, as well as creating generational wealth for years to come in the future. I also hope to share what I learn with others in my family or community who might not have had the chance to learn about finances growing up. I know that even small steps can lead to big changes over time.

My Caribbean heritage means a lot to me. My dad is from Haiti, my mom from the Virgin Islands. Being Haitian means everything to me. It's more than just a nationality—it's my identity and culture. My heritage connects me to a country full of strength, resilience, and history. Haiti was the first Black republic to win independence, and that legacy of freedom and courage is something I carry with me every day. I’m proud to come from people who never gave up, no matter how hard life got. Growing up in a Caribbean household has shaped the way I see the world. I speak Haitian Creole with my father’s side, eat traditional foods like diri ak sòs pwa and griyo, and celebrate with music that fills the whole house with joy. But the culture is not just about food and music—it’s about values. Seeing my parents, I learned that Caribbeans believe in hard work, respect, faith, and family. I’ve seen that especially in my parents, who have sacrificed so much to build a better life here. They taught me that success doesn’t come to those who wait—it comes to those who keep pushing forward to provide, no matter the circumstances. That’s one of the main reasons why I’m so passionate about going to college. I want to honor their sacrifices and make them proud. I’ll be one of the first in my family to attend college, and that means a lot to me. I want to show my younger siblings, cousins, and other colored kids in my community that it’s possible to succeed no matter the situation. For me, college isn’t just about getting a degree. It’s a chance to open new doors, meet people from different backgrounds, and grow into the person I want to be. I’m interested in studying something that allows me to help others, such as business, psychology or education—because I’ve seen how much my community needs more voices, more role models, and more people who understand what it’s like to grow up Caribbean in this country. I also want to use my education to give back. There’s so much talent and potential in Caribbean communities, but sometimes we’re overlooked or underestimated. I want to change that. I want to break stereotypes and help shine a light on everything that’s beautiful and powerful about being Caribbean. My heritage and background is what keeps me going and will keep me going throughout college as things get hard. It reminds me of where I come from and makes me want to go further. College is how I’ll get there—not just for me, but for my family, my culture, and everyone who supports me. Being Caribbean isn’t just part of who I am—it gives me strength and motivates me to do my best.