Growing up as the child of a single parent in the LGBTQ+ community has shaped my life in many ways. My mom has always been my rock and my biggest supporter. She has taught me the importance of being true to oneself and standing up for what is right. Watching her navigate the challenges of being a single parent while also being part of the LGBTQ+ community has been both inspiring and eye-opening. As a rising high school senior with a 4.0 GPA and a member of the National Honor Society, I have always been committed to my education. I am passionate about computer science and programming, and I plan to major in this field at either the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois Institute of Technology. I believe that technology has the power to change the world, and I want to be a part of that change. Being a Black woman in a field that is often dominated by men has its own set of challenges, but I am determined to succeed. My experiences in sports, such as track and field, flag football, and basketball, have taught me the value of teamwork, perseverance, and discipline. These are qualities that I bring to my academic and extracurricular pursuits as well. In addition to my studies, I am also committed to giving back to my community. I tutor young kids in my neighborhood, helping them with their homework and encouraging them to pursue their own educational goals. I also work on coding projects that aim to solve real-world problems, such as developing apps that can help people in my community access important resources and services. My goal is to use my education in computer science to make a positive impact on the world. I want to develop technology that is inclusive and accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. I believe that by creating tools and platforms that empower people, we can create a more just and equitable society. The M.R. Brooks Scholarship would help me achieve my dreams by providing the financial support I need to pursue my education. With this scholarship, I would be able to focus on my studies and continue to work on projects that make a difference in my community. I am committed to using my skills and knowledge to create a better future for all, and I am grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Thank you for considering my application.

One of the biggest academic challenges that I’ve faced within not just this school year, but the past one as well was essentially moving to Mississippi in the middle of my freshman year of high school. Because Illinois and Mississippi have very disparate graduation requirements, I was behind in certain credits before even attending Southaven High-school. Therefore, during my sophomore year of high school, I was required to retake classes that I’d already taken before including both Algebra 1 & Biology. I presume it was because those particular classes at my school require state tests that have to be passed as a requirement to graduate. The classes that I should’ve been taking my sophomore year, I was unable to take. So now I am required to take the courses that I stated previously this year, in my Junior year. Despite being able to fit both geometry and algebra II into my schedule this year, I’m still a little behind in the credits required of me. So for the past 2 years, I’ve been required to take classes that weren’t very academically challenging to me. The studying done for each of the classes I’ve taken has been very minimal, apart from my AP Psychology class, and they haven’t been very stimulating either. Some may perceive that to be a good thing, as it was very easy for me to maintain excellent grades, but it truly wasn’t. Colleges often gravitate towards admitting students who willingly take the most rigorous classes that are provided at their school. Because my credits weren’t where they were supposed to be, there was an unequal ratio between the classes that I was required to take to graduate, & the classes that I had the option to take. So I’ve only been able to take about 2 AP classes within 2 years (AP U.S. Government & AP Psychology), and although they’ve helped me maintain a 4.125 GPA consistently, I simply feel like they truly aren’t enough to be considered for top universities. I’ve said all of this to say essentially, that I will have to work especially hard within these next two years to get to exactly where I need to be. Even though most individuals use their senior year as a year to sort of relax, mine will be comprised of as many AP classes as I can fit into my schedule. I also plan on taking various dual credit courses at my school as a junior with the intent of increasing my GPA and delineating to various universities I can handle college-level classes. So even though moving to Mississippi from Illinois in the middle of my freshman year set me back exponentially, I will not use it as an excuse to not prosper in the future. I will do whatever it takes to make sure that I achieve all of my desired goals before my high school experience comes to an end. I also plan on communicating with my counselors a lot more this school year as to the measures that need to be taken for me to achieve all of those said goals. So overall, even though the setback often made me feel as though I was inferior to the vast majority of my peers, I’m very grateful for the work ethic that it has instilled within me. Knowing that I have to work twice as hard as some of my peers to get to my desired destination can feel overwhelming at times, but when I am freshly 18 and attending the university of my dreams I’ll truly realize that everything was worth it.

My mother has been my unwavering pillar of support throughout my educational journey, consistently cheering me on and providing the guidance and encouragement I needed to reach my goals. Her dedication to my education has been nothing short of extraordinary. From a young age, my mother instilled in me the value of education and the belief that knowledge is the key to unlocking a world of opportunities. She made countless sacrifices to ensure that I received the best education possible, even when finances were tight. She worked tirelessly, taking on extra jobs and cutting back on personal expenses, just to provide me with the resources I needed to succeed academically. Beyond financial support, my mother's emotional support has been invaluable. She was always there to lend an ear whenever I needed to vent about a challenging assignment or when I felt overwhelmed by the demands of school. Her calming presence and words of encouragement gave me the strength to persevere and keep pushing forward, even when I doubted myself. One of the most significant ways my mother supported me in reaching my educational goals was by being my advocate. She attended parent-teacher conferences, actively engaging with my teachers to understand my progress and areas for improvement. She would discuss strategies and interventions with them, ensuring that I received the necessary support and resources to excel in my studies. When it came to making important decisions about my education, my mother was my trusted advisor. She listened attentively to my aspirations and dreams, providing guidance and insight to help me make informed choices. Whether it was selecting the right courses, applying for scholarships, or deciding on a college, my mother was my guiding light, always ensuring that my decisions aligned with my long-term goals. Furthermore, my mother created an environment at home that was conducive to learning. She set aside designated study spaces, free from distractions, and established structured routines that allowed me to prioritize my studies. She would often sit with me, patiently reviewing difficult concepts, and offering explanations until I fully understood them. Her belief in my abilities and her willingness to invest her time in my education made all the difference. I am grateful to my mother for her unwavering support, which propelled me to achieve my educational goals. Her sacrifices, guidance, and encouragement have shaped me into a lifelong learner, instilling in me a thirst for knowledge and a passion for personal growth. I am forever indebted to her for the countless ways she has supported me on my educational journey.

Growing up with a single mother was a unique experience that shaped me into the person I am today. My mother, a radiant woman with an unyielding spirit, was both my mother and father, navigating the dual roles with grace and strength. Our modest apartment was a haven of love and warmth, despite the financial strains we often faced. My mom worked multiple jobs, always ensuring that we had enough even when times were tough. She would wake up before sunrise, prepare my breakfast and lunch, and then head off to her first job. She would come home late into the night, exhausted yet always finding the energy to ask about my day and help with my homework. Despite the challenges and hardships, my mother never let the stress reach me. She shielded me from our struggles, painting a world where dreams were achievable with hard work and determination. She instilled in me the importance of education, often saying, "Knowledge is the one thing no one can take away from you." Growing up with a single mother also meant growing up faster than most of my peers. I learned to be responsible at a young age, helping with household chores and cooking meals. But rather than feeling burdened, these experiences taught me independence and self-reliance. My mother was my biggest cheerleader, always encouraging me to pursue my passions. When I discovered my love for painting, she transformed a corner of our living room into a little art studio for me. She would sit for hours, serving as my model, never once complaining about the time it took. Holidays were always magical in our home, despite our limited resources. My mother would use her creativity to make each celebration special. For Christmas, she would handcraft ornaments for our tiny Christmas tree. On my birthdays, she would bake my favorite cake, always perfectly delicious despite her claims of not being a good baker. There were times when I missed having my father present in my life. I would see my friends with their dads, and a pang of longing would hit me. But, my mother was always there to soothe the sting, comforting me with her unconditional love and promise of unwavering support. Although I grew up without my father for a substantial portion of my life, I never felt the absence of love or guidance. My mother filled both roles with such dedication and commitment that I never felt incomplete. She taught me the values of resilience, empathy, and courage. She showed me that there is no obstacle too great if one has determination and faith. Looking back, I realize that growing up with a single mother was a blessing in disguise. It was a journey filled with lessons of strength, sacrifice, and unconditional love. It shaped me into a strong, independent individual, and for that, I am forever grateful to my incredible mother.

My spiritual journey initially began in the prominent year of 2020. Around this interval of my life, I began to heavily question my faith as a Christian. Although I didn't necessarily grow up in the church, I was immersed within the religion even from a relatively young age. Early on, I was presented with many ideologies from the bible that I didn't truly resonate with. So, amid the questioning of my religious faith, I began searching for answers as to the purpose of my very mundane existence. An answer that wasn't cultivated with intent of exploiting the labor of my ancestors for personal gain. Through continuous probing, I became exposed to the miraculous ambience of spirituality. Spirituality essentially encompasses the notion of seeking a deeply rooted connection with a force greater than oneself. A connection that is not tied to the egotistical presumptions of man, but instead originates from deep within the soul. Simply through gaining cognizance of the superficial aspects of the philosophy, I became more fulfilled and complacent in my everyday life. I no longer perceived my existence to be comprised of only futility and aimlessness. I also became aware of the beauty contained within everything in existence irrespective of how big or small. And as time diverged, the development of my spiritual journey began to broaden at my very expense. In fact, the majority of my contemporary spiritual findings can actuality be attributed to a book that I've read recently. The book is titled "Becoming Supernatural." It is a transformative exploration that entails epigenetics, quantum mechanics & neuroscience research conducted at the author's advanced workshop facilities. This research was conducted in the pursuit of converging as to how ordinary civilians are doing the uncommon to transform their consciousness, mindset, and ideologies to heal themselves and live utterly "supernatural" lives. It aims to metaphysically alter the lives of those who have suffered mentally, physically, or spiritually since initial conception. It also delineates how many individuals of differing types can use empirical doctrines and spiritual practices to transcend the habitual human experience and unlock their extraordinary potential. In regard to this, I presume that every individual in the world should read this book at least once in their life. I wholeheartedly believe it withholds the ability to use the quantum field of possibility to transcend the confines of our three dimensional reality, and alter the trajectory of one's life.

I come from a long generation of economically disadvantaged people. People whose lives have continually been sacrificed at the expense of others. People who were automatically deemed as inferior before they were acquired with the opportunity to prove themselves as otherwise. People who have shown nothing but acceptance towards those that have harmed them for as long as they can remember. And in the midst of all of these factors, they were never truly able to pursue instances of higher education. Any attempts to improve the circumstances of their life were always denied. With little to no opportunity to further advance themselves economically, they had no choice but to continue to conform to the conditions of their perpetual existence. To live in an endless cycle of poverty, despondency, and futility bestowed upon them by governmental forces greater than themselves. This interminable cycle has prospered for a myriad of generations, continuing to linger even among my immediate family as of the present. Having to watch my family struggle financially with no definitive way of helping them devastated me as a young child. But it also served as the very catalyst which compelled me to ensure that my subsequent generations would no longer endure the same circumstances that were inflicted upon the ones before. My entire life I've always felt as though I'm the one responsible for breaking these generational maledictions. That my entire purpose within this dimension of existence is to cultivate a lifetime of wealth and prosperity for future generations. And I ultimately presume that pursuing a college education is one of the ways that I can execute this very function. Once I graduate high school, I plan on attending a prestigious university where I can major in the field of computer science. Exploring the mechanics of both computers and technology has been enticing to me for nearly the entire duration of my existence. Not only that but also the notion in which proficiently qualified computer scientists make well over $100,000 a year on average. To some, that quantity may be perceived as rather minuscule, but to me, it could potentially be life-altering. In making over that amount every single year, not only will I be able to set myself up for prosperity in the future, but I could also do the same for my family as well. And when I then graduate from an accredited university of my choice, I will continue to perfect my level of expertise through contiguous toil. Once I have enough experience to be able to cultivate a means for myself, I plan to cultivate my own tech company of sorts. Maybe a biotech company that delves further into the research of the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells to help find a cure for cancer. Or maybe even a neuroscience company that utilizes computers and various other sources of technology to help find adequate treatments for numerous neurological disorders. I haven't quite figured out exactly what I want the company to encompass, but what I do know is that it'll be highly successful. Successful enough for me to be able to pass it down among generations so that my family will never have to struggle again.