Hello, my name is Melanie Moss and I have always had a deep-rooted love for plants and the study of plants. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, and being raised by my mother and grandmother, I was surrounded by their passion and love for plants and nature, which in turn sparked my passion for horticulture. I have fond memories of tending to the garden with my mom and grandma, learning about different plant species. I am earning my bachelor's degree in plant and soil science from Texas Tech University, with a focus on local food and wine production. Currently, I have a small garden in my backyard that consists of squash, strawberries, and multiple herbs and flowers. In my spare time, I love to read and travel, and one of my favorite activities when visiting a new city is to explore its botanical gardens. Being surrounded by plants and getting the opportunity to learn about plants at a college academic level has been so exciting for me, as I had felt lost in what I wanted to do after I graduated high school. What sets me apart is my drive and determination. As a first-generation college student who returned to school after a five-year gap following high school, I am committed to pursuing my education and making a difference in my community. My upbringing in a low-income household has influenced my desire to raise awareness about food deserts and to establish community gardens. I believe that everyone should have access to fresh produce, and I am dedicated to making this a reality. Currently, I volunteer at my local community garden, ensuring that the plants are being properly maintained, which includes buying seeds, and soil, planting them, watering them, fertilizing them, and ensuring that they are pest-free. Being involved in a community garden is a great way to connect with your community. Being raised in the city, most people don't realize the potential for urban agriculture. Yes, there are limited spaces, but it is not impossible and can provide access to essential fresh fruit and produce that the majority of people in lower-income neighborhoods cannot afford or do not have access to these types of resources. Receiving a scholarship would have a significant impact on my life. As I currently work part-time while attending school full-time, I have had to take out multiple loans to fund my education. A scholarship would alleviate some of the financial burden, allowing me to focus on my studies and my goal of creating positive change through horticulture, I don't think people realize how essential agriculture and horticulture are, especially with the effects of global warming and the increase of population. We need to combine our efforts to present a sustainable, economically fiscal solution that will benefit not only lower-income neighborhoods but in turn, everyone will have a benefit. I want to be a part of this change, and being able to receive scholarships based on my academic merit and dedication is an honor, it pushes me to continue to pursue my academic education and my goal of providing fresh food to those who do not have access to it.

Hello, my name is Melanie Moss and I have always had a deep-rooted love for plants and the study of plants. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, and being raised by my mother and grandmother, I was surrounded by their passion and love for plants and nature, which in turn sparked my passion for horticulture. I have fond memories of tending to the garden with my mom and grandma, learning about different plant species. I am earning my bachelor's degree in plant and soil science from Texas Tech University, with a focus on local food and wine production. Currently, I have a small garden in my backyard that consists of squash, strawberries, and multiple herbs and flowers. In my spare time, I love to read and travel, and one of my favorite activities when visiting a new city is to explore its botanical gardens. Being surrounded by plants and getting the opportunity to learn about plants at a college academic level has been so exciting for me, as I had felt lost in what I wanted to do after I graduated high school. What sets me apart is my drive and determination. As a first-generation college student who returned to school after a five-year gap following high school, I am committed to pursuing my education and making a difference in my community. My upbringing in a low-income household has influenced my desire to raise awareness about food deserts and to establish community gardens. I believe that everyone should have access to fresh produce, and I am dedicated to making this a reality. Currently, I volunteer at my local community garden, ensuring that the plants are being properly maintained, which includes buying seeds, and soil, planting them, watering them, fertilizing them, and ensuring that they are pest-free. Being involved in a community garden is a great way to connect with your community. Being raised in the city, most people don't realize the potential for urban agriculture. Yes, there are limited spaces, but it is not impossible and can provide access to essential fresh fruit and produce that the majority of people in lower-income neighborhoods cannot afford or do not have access to these types of resources. Receiving a scholarship would have a significant impact on my life. As I currently work part-time while attending school full-time, I have had to take out multiple loans to fund my education. A scholarship would alleviate some of the financial burden, allowing me to focus on my studies and my goal of creating positive change through horticulture, I don't think people realize how essential agriculture and horticulture are, especially with the effects of global warming and the increase of population. We need to combine our efforts to present a sustainable, economically fiscal solution that will benefit not only lower-income neighborhoods but in turn, everyone will have a benefit. I want to be a part of this change, and being able to receive scholarships based on my academic merit and dedication is an honor, it pushes me to continue to pursue my academic education and my goal of providing fresh food to those who do not have access to it.

In the world, we live in today, and the hate that is still being spread and the continuation and divide and separation of people becomes larger and larger, there needs to be inspiration and hope that can be spread to others, especially in times where it can be very easy to fall into a hole of wishing you could do more for your community, or country, but it seems like such a daunting task that many don't know where to begin. What brings people together is compassion, shared empathy, and understanding, and just one person empathizing and helping can start planting the seeds to sow change in a community. Being a first-generation college student from a lower-income neighborhood with parents who provided the best they could for me but didn't care whether I did well or not in school had a profound impact on me. I found out early on that I was my motivator, and to see change, I had to put in the time and effort to see the fruits of change. When I graduated from high school, I admittedly felt lost. I loved learning and I knew I wanted to attend college but I had no idea what I wanted to study, how I was going to get to college, and how I was going to pay for it, and I let the anxiety of the "what if's" get the best of me and led me down the career path, but I knew that I wanted to do more and I could do better for myself. I want people to know that it is okay to be unsure of what you want to do in life. It's okay to not have a plan figured out, and it's okay to not have a plan figured out by society's standards of where you should be at a certain age. I am almost thirty years old, working full time and also attending school full time because I am determined to not only make a better life for myself, but I want to impact others as well that may feel the same way that I do, or did growing up. I am currently studying plant and soil science at Texas Tech, and I want to use this degree to help others in lower socioeconomic communities like the one I grew up in. I want to be able to spread awareness of urban agriculture and the benefits it can bring to people who do not have a lot of growing space. Having access to fresh, healthy food can be hard to come by in poorer neighborhoods, and everyone deserves to have access to fresh produce. Not only would it provide fresh food, but it provides a sense of community and also provides an outlet for many people in the community. Food brings people together, provides insight, and can transcend many things like culture, generational, and social boundaries. In essence, food is more than just sustenance; it is a powerful tool for building connections, fostering understanding, and creating shared experiences that unite people across various walks of life.

In the world, we live in today, and the hate that is still being spread and the continuation and divide and separation of people becomes larger and larger, there needs to be inspiration and hope that can be spread to others, especially in times where it can be very easy to fall into a hole of wishing you could do more for your community, or country, but it seems like such a daunting task that many don't know where to begin. What brings people together is compassion, shared empathy, and understanding, and just one person empathizing and helping can start planting the seeds to sow change in a community. Being a first-generation college student from a lower-income neighborhood with parents who provided the best they could for me but didn't care whether I did well or not in school had a profound impact on me. I found out early on that I was my motivator, and to see change, I had to put in the time and effort to see the fruits of change. When I graduated from high school, I admittedly felt lost. I loved learning and I knew I wanted to attend college but I had no idea what I wanted to study, how I was going to get to college, and how I was going to pay for it, and I let the anxiety of the "what if's" get the best of me and led me down the career path, but I knew that I wanted to do more and I could do better for myself. I want people to know that it is okay to be unsure of what you want to do in life. It's okay to not have a plan figured out, and it's okay to not have a plan figured out by society's standards of where you should be at a certain age. I am almost thirty years old, working full time and also attending school full time because I am determined to not only make a better life for myself, but I want to impact others as well that may feel the same way that I do, or did growing up. I am currently studying plant and soil science at Texas Tech, and I want to use this degree to help others in lower socioeconomic communities like the one I grew up in. I want to be able to spread awareness of urban agriculture and the benefits it can bring to people who do not have a lot of growing space. Having access to fresh, healthy food can be hard to come by in poorer neighborhoods, and everyone deserves to have access to fresh produce. Not only would it provide fresh food, but it provides a sense of community and also provides an outlet for many people in the community. Food brings people together, provides insight, and can transcend many things like culture, generational, and social boundaries. In essence, food is more than just sustenance; it is a powerful tool for building connections, fostering understanding, and creating shared experiences that unite people across various walks of life.

Like many of us, the global pandemic shutdown led to the exploration of hobbies and activities that many of us found that we had newfound time for, and I was no exception with playing video games, like many others. Nintendo was always a staple in my childhood, and the love started when my parents gifted me the clear Nintendo Gameboy Advance, with a Barbie game, a Power Puff Girls game, and Crash Bandicoot. I was in heaven. I would spend hours and hours in the bathroom playing because that was where the brightest, and best light in the house was, which was optimal for looking at the screen. The Nintendo Gameboy Advance went everywhere with me. Fast forward 10+ years, and I am now in my early twenties with a Nintendo Switch, that was a gift from my boyfriend, and I adore and get sucked into playing, but like the average adult, I have many things I need to do and don't get to spend as much time as I would like to explore and play. Then, two things happened that changed the course of the world. One, obviously was the pandemic. Two was the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. I had always wanted to play the Animal Crossing games, but hard times fell on my family when I was a teenager and I wasn't able to have the same luxuries, like having a gaming console. My boyfriend knew this and surprised me and bought the game for me and my life changed, and it honestly led me to a newfound purpose of doing something during this depressing, uncertain time. Animal Crossing New Horizons became my beacon of hope that I would get so excited to wake up and play and explore. My best and favorite memories during this time are when I would get to wake up and play with my boyfriend and we would co-create and cohabitate in this special place that we built together. It brought us closer as a couple and brought joy to our lives in a time that was filled with uncertainty, stress, and doubts. On the island together, we didn't have to worry about what was going on in the real world for a little bit. We could catch bugs together, look at the stars, or sit on the ocean and watch the waves. It was a small getaway that I don't think the creators of Animal Crossing anticipated when they released the game during that time. That game will always have a special place in my heart, and I will always cherish the time that I played with my boyfriend during one of the scariest times in our lives, it provided warmth, comfort, a creative outlet, and just an outlet in general to get away and escape from everything.

In the world, we live in today, and the hate that is still being spread and the continuation and divide and separation of people becomes larger and larger, there needs to be inspiration and hope that can be spread to others, especially in times where it can be very easy to fall into a hole of wishing you could do more for your community, or country, but it seems like such a daunting task that many don't know where to begin. What brings people together is compassion, shared empathy, and understanding, and just one person empathizing and helping can start planting the seeds to sow change in a community. Being a first-generation college student from a lower-income neighborhood with parents who provided the best they could for me but didn't care whether I did well or not in school had a profound impact on me. I found out early on that I was my motivator, and to see change, I had to put in the time and effort to see the fruits of change. When I graduated from high school, I admittedly felt lost. I loved learning and I knew I wanted to attend college but I had no idea what I wanted to study, how I was going to get to college, and how I was going to pay for it, and I let the anxiety of the "what if's" get the best of me and led me down the career path, but I knew that I wanted to do more and I could do better for myself. I want people to know that it is okay to be unsure of what you want to do in life. It's okay to not have a plan figured out, and it's okay to not have a plan figured out by society's standards of where you should be at a certain age. I am almost thirty years old, working full time and also attending school full time because I am determined to not only make a better life for myself, but I want to impact others as well that may feel the same way that I do, or did growing up. I am currently studying plant and soil science at Texas Tech, and I want to use this degree to help others in lower socioeconomic communities like the one I grew up in. I want to be able to spread awareness of urban agriculture and the benefits it can bring to people who do not have a lot of growing space. Having access to fresh, healthy food can be hard to come by in poorer neighborhoods, and everyone deserves to have access to fresh produce. Not only would it provide fresh food, but it provides a sense of community and also provides an outlet for many people in the community. Food brings people together, provides insight, and can transcend many things like culture, generational, and social boundaries. In essence, food is more than just sustenance; it is a powerful tool for building connections, fostering understanding, and creating shared experiences that unite people across various walks of life.

In the world, we live in today, and the hate that is still being spread and the continuation and divide and separation of people becomes larger and larger, there needs to be inspiration and hope that can be spread to others, especially in times where it can be very easy to fall into a hole of wishing you could do more for your community, or country, but it seems like such a daunting task that many don't know where to begin. What brings people together is compassion, shared empathy, and understanding, and just one person empathizing and helping can start planting the seeds to sow change in a community. Being a first-generation college student from a lower-income neighborhood with parents who provided the best they could for me but didn't care whether I did well or not in school had a profound impact on me. I found out early on that I was my motivator, and to see change, I had to put in the time and effort to see the fruits of change. When I graduated from high school, I admittedly felt lost. I loved learning and I knew I wanted to attend college but I had no idea what I wanted to study, how I was going to get to college, and how I was going to pay for it, and I let the anxiety of the "what if's" get the best of me and led me down the career path, but I knew that I wanted to do more and I could do better for myself. I want people to know that it is okay to be unsure of what you want to do in life. It's okay to not have a plan figured out, and it's okay to not have a plan figured out by society's standards of where you should be at a certain age. I am almost thirty years old, working full time and also attending school full time because I am determined to not only make a better life for myself, but I want to impact others as well that may feel the same way that I do, or did growing up. I am currently studying plant and soil science at Texas Tech, and I want to use this degree to help others in lower socioeconomic communities like the one I grew up in. I want to be able to spread awareness of urban agriculture and the benefits it can bring to people who do not have a lot of growing space. Having access to fresh, healthy food can be hard to come by in poorer neighborhoods, and everyone deserves to have access to fresh produce. Not only would it provide fresh food, but it provides a sense of community and also provides an outlet for many people in the community. Food brings people together, provides insight, and can transcend many things like culture, generational, and social boundaries. In essence, food is more than just sustenance; it is a powerful tool for building connections, fostering understanding, and creating shared experiences that unite people across various walks of life.

Hello, my name is Melanie Moss and I have always had a deep-rooted love for plants and the study of plants. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, and being raised by my mother and grandmother, I was surrounded by their passion and love for plants and nature, which in turn sparked my passion for horticulture. I have fond memories of tending to the garden with my mom and grandma, learning about different plant species. I am earning my bachelor's degree in plant and soil science from Texas Tech University, with a focus on local food and wine production. Currently, I have a small garden in my backyard that consists of squash, strawberries, and multiple herbs and flowers. In my spare time, I love to read and travel, and one of my favorite activities when visiting a new city is to explore its botanical gardens. Being surrounded by plants and getting the opportunity to learn about plants at a college academic level has been so exciting for me, as I had felt lost in what I wanted to do after I graduated high school. As a first-generation college student who returned to school after a five-year gap following high school, I am committed to pursuing my education and making a difference in my community. My upbringing in a low-income household has influenced my desire to raise awareness about food deserts and to establish community gardens. I believe that everyone should have access to fresh produce, and I am dedicated to making this a reality. Being involved in a community garden is a great way to connect with your community. Being raised in the city, most people don't realize the potential for urban agriculture. Yes, there are limited spaces, but it is not impossible and can provide access to essential fresh fruit and produce that the majority of people in lower-income neighborhoods cannot afford or do not have access to these types of resources. Receiving a scholarship would have a significant impact on my life. As I currently work part-time while attending school full-time, I have had to take out multiple loans to fund my education. A scholarship would alleviate some of the financial burden, allowing me to focus on my studies and my goal of creating positive change through horticulture, I don't think people realize how essential agriculture and horticulture are, especially with the effects of global warming and the increase of population. We need to combine our efforts to present a sustainable, economically fiscal solution that will benefit not only lower-income neighborhoods but in turn, everyone will have a benefit. I want to be a part of this change, and being able to receive scholarships based on my academic merit and dedication is an honor, it pushes me to continue to pursue my academic education and my goal of providing fresh food to those who do not have access to it.

In the world, we live in today, and the hate that is still being spread and the continuation and divide and separation of people becomes larger and larger, there needs to be inspiration and hope that can be spread to others, especially in times where it can be very easy to fall into a hole of wishing you could do more for your community, or country, but it seems like such a daunting task that many don't know where to begin. What brings people together is compassion, shared empathy, and understanding, and just one person empathizing and helping can start planting the seeds to sow change in a community. Being a first-generation college student from a lower-income neighborhood with parents who provided the best they could for me but didn't care whether I did well or not in school had a profound impact on me. I found out early on that I was my motivator, and to see change, I had to put in the time and effort to see the fruits of change. When I graduated from high school, I admittedly felt lost. I loved learning and I knew I wanted to attend college but I had no idea what I wanted to study, how I was going to get to college, and how I was going to pay for it, and I let the anxiety of the "what if's" get the best of me and led me down the career path, but I knew that I wanted to do more and I could do better for myself. I want people to know that it is okay to be unsure of what you want to do in life. It's okay to not have a plan figured out, and it's okay to not have a plan figured out by society's standards of where you should be at a certain age. I am almost thirty years old, working full time and also attending school full time because I am determined to not only make a better life for myself, but I want to impact others as well that may feel the same way that I do, or did growing up. I am currently studying plant and soil science at Texas Tech, and I want to use this degree to help others in lower socioeconomic communities like the one I grew up in. I want to be able to spread awareness of urban agriculture and the benefits it can bring to people who do not have a lot of growing space. Having access to fresh, healthy food can be hard to come by in poorer neighborhoods, and everyone deserves to have access to fresh produce. Not only would it provide fresh food, but it provides a sense of community and also provides an outlet for many people in the community. Food brings people together, provides insight, and can transcend many things like culture, generational, and social boundaries. In essence, food is more than just sustenance; it is a powerful tool for building connections, fostering understanding, and creating shared experiences that unite people across various walks of life.

Hello, my name is Melanie Moss and I have always had a deep-rooted love for plants and the study of plants. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, and being raised by my mother and grandmother, I was surrounded by their passion and love for plants and nature, which in turn sparked my passion for horticulture. I have fond memories of tending to the garden with my mom and grandma, learning about different plant species. I am earning my bachelor's degree in plant and soil science from Texas Tech University, with a focus on local food and wine production. Currently, I have a small garden in my backyard that consists of squash, strawberries, and multiple herbs and flowers. In my spare time, I love to read and travel, and one of my favorite activities when visiting a new city is to explore its botanical gardens. Being surrounded by plants and getting the opportunity to learn about plants at a college academic level has been so exciting for me, as I had felt lost in what I wanted to do after I graduated high-school. What sets me apart is my drive and determination. As a first-generation college student who returned to school after a five-year gap following high school, I am committed to pursuing my education and making a difference in my community. My upbringing in a low-income household has influenced my desire to raise awareness about food deserts and to establish community gardens. I believe that everyone should have access to fresh produce, and I am dedicated to making this a reality. Currently, I volunteer at my local community garden, ensuring that the plants are being properly maintained, which includes buying seeds, soil, and planting them, watering them, fertilizing them, and ensuring that they are pest-free. Being involved in a community garden is a great way to connect with your community. Being raised in the city, most people don't realize the potential for urban agriculture. Yes there are limited spaces, but it is not impossible and can provide access to essential fresh fruit and produce that majority of people in lower-income neighborhoods cannot afford or do not have access to these types of resources. Receiving a scholarship would have a significant impact on my life. As I currently work part-time while attending school full-time, I have had to take out multiple loans to fund my education. A scholarship would alleviate some of the financial burden, allowing me to focus on my studies and my goal of creating positive change through horticulture, which I don't think people realize how essential agriculture and horticulture are, especially with the effects of global warming and the increase of population. We need to combine our efforts to present a sustainable, economically fiscal solution that will benefit not only lower-income neighborhoods but in turn, everyone will have a benefit. I want to be apart of this change, and being able to receive scholarships based on my academic merit and dedication is an honor, and it pushes me to continue to pursue my academic education and my goal of providing fresh foods to those who do not have access to it.