Since elementary school, I have enjoyed the challenge of solving complex math equations and participating in mental math competitions. I have always found it rewarding to get a correct answer after working tirelessly through a complex math problem. While I know accounting entails much more than solving mathematical equations, I believe that the problem-solving and analytical skills I use in my math classes will help me excel in a career in accounting (no pun intended). Accounting is the best industry for me to leverage my problem-solving, critical thinking, leadership, and analytical skills. My innate skills and talents make me a great accounting student and will make me a successful CPA in the future. As a first-generation college student with immigrant parents, I have always been motivated to break barriers and achieve success. Growing up in a low and single-income household, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of financial literacy and effective money management. My experiences growing up with limited resources, paired with my passion for math and problem-solving, have naturally led me to develop an interest in pursuing a career in accounting. I plan to graduate from Kennesaw State University with 150 credits to sit for the CPA exam. Once I obtain my CPA, I hope to join a large accounting firm before ultimately starting my own CPA firm. I am particularly interested in becoming a CPA because it will allow me to use my skills to make a meaningful impact in my community. I am drawn to the idea of helping businesses grow and succeed and empowering individuals from similar backgrounds to mine to achieve financial stability. For this reason, I volunteered at Georgia Writers, a non-profit dedicated to providing resources to underserved writers in Georgia. At Georgia Writers, I created and updated the organization's monthly and annual budgets and found ways to increase funds and reduce expenses. This experience allowed me to apply my accounting and financial skills in a real-world setting and contribute to the success of a local non-profit. Financial planning is only one of the many ways I can help organizations as a CPA. I will also contribute positively to society by promoting ethical financial practices and supporting the growth of a strong and equitable economy. As someone who loves math and problem-solving, I know accounting will be a rewarding career. Becoming a CPA will also allow me to fulfill my desire of becoming an entrepreneur. As a CPA, whether I am working for a large accounting firm or in my own practice, I will have the opportunity to help people make informed financial decisions and improve their financial situation. This is exactly what I strive to do.

My name is Michelle Morel, and I am a junior at Kennesaw State University. I plan to graduate from KSU in May 2025 with a 4.0 GPA. Along the way, I want to make sure I am involved in student organizations and also make time to volunteer. My parents have always stressed the importance of giving back to people in need -- I expect to spend time each week volunteering for as long as I can. Playing an active role in community service is primordial to me. I also plan on joining two organizations this fall: BETA ALPHA PSI and Women in Technology. As a member of these clubs, I will make new connections and learn more about accounting/finance and technology. Each summer before graduation, I plan on doing a summer internship related to accounting/finance. Last summer, I interned with Norfolk Southern as an Information Systems Internal Audit Intern. It was a wonderful experience -- I learned the in-and-outs of various software and added value to the company by ensuring there were no exceptions in the control processes. This summer, I am interning at PwC as a Start Intern, where I work on a consulting project. At KSU, I hope to gain the knowledge, skills, and qualifications needed to help me achieve my ultimate ambition of owning my own CPA firm. By double majoring in Accounting and Information Systems at Kennesaw State University, I am pursuing the education required to meet the CPA requirements and acquire the technical skills to audit and advise clients. During my time in school, I will learn how to provide valuable, personalized financial guidance and solutions to my clients. I plan to start by getting hands-on experience in the real world of auditing and compliance by working for a reputable, large accounting firm after graduation. My work at a large accounting firm will provide me with the professional experience and client connections I can leverage when launching my own CPA firm. This summer at PwC, I am learning how a large public accounting firm operates and how it adds value to clients. As a first-generation college student from a low-income family, The Bright Lights Scholarship would significantly impact my life. Winning this scholarship would provide me with the financial support needed to continue my education and pursue my goals without the added burden of worrying about how to pay for it. Attending Kennesaw State University has been a dream come true, but it has also come with financial challenges. As a result, I have had to work part-time jobs to help pay for my education, which has limited the time I can dedicate to volunteering and attending networking events. Winning this scholarship would allow me to reduce my work hours and focus more on my studies and extracurricular activities. As a child of immigrants, I know education is the key to unlocking opportunities and achieving success. Winning The Bright Lights Scholarship would not only help me achieve my own goals but also serve as an inspiration to others in my position. It would demonstrate to them that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. Winning this scholarship would allow me to reduce my work hours and dedicate more time to volunteering and getting more involved on campus. It would also demonstrate to my parents that their sacrifices and hard work have not gone unnoticed and that I am committed to achieving my goals and making them proud.

"Can ghosts go to space?" my 5th-grade reading buddy asks me, confident that I, as a "big kid" will have the answer. His eyes gleamed out of his curiosity. Five minutes before, he asked if ghosts could eat. I grin wide and chuckle a little inside, but I was afraid I had no response other than "maybe" and "I hope so!" In high school, I volunteered to read with at-risk children -- most of whom were learning English as a second or third language. The 30-minute reading sessions with my reading buddies a few times a week were the highlight of my busy high school days. My buddy and I would scan through the selection of books, making sure to read only the books with topics that interested them. Each of my buddies loved learning and was extremely curious -- traits that I am sure will lead them down a successful path. I was grateful to have the chance to teach at-risk children and steadily watch as their reading levels increased every few sessions. I was proud of my reading buddies for reading through challenging books, asking great questions, and keeping an open mind throughout all the sessions. After volunteering to read with children with the organization Ebookbuddy, I have a different outlook on life. Seeing children light up when I tell them they're doing great, watching them persevere and keep trying even when they slip up on a few words, allowed me to step outside myself. I am now grateful to have been given the ultimate opportunity to help young, underprivileged children increase their reading and comprehension skills. As an ESOL student in elementary school myself, I needed someone to believe in me and take the extra time to help me understand concepts that other students had already mastered. Being a child of two immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic, I could not rely on my parents to help me with schoolwork since all my assignments were in English. My ESOL teachers played a vital role in my development as a student, and I want to enrich the lives of children the way my teachers enriched my life. At-risk children often have more struggles and personal issues than meets the eye. Children that perform poorly in school or have limited reading abilities need someone who cares about their success to help them push forward despite their sometimes unpleasant circumstances. I want to be the person who helps these children advance and overcome adversity. I plan to continue cultivating the love of learning and curiosity in at-risk children, building relationships with them, and showing them that I care about their success. I want to fill the role of mentor, tutor, and friend for children struggling academically. As such, I will continue to voluntarily tutor and read to kids, always aiming to instill confidence in them and show them that their opinions matter. In the future, I would like to start a nonprofit similar to Ebookbuddy, where volunteers read to children. Instead of focusing solely on reading, I want my program to encompass various subjects like math, science, and social studies. This way, children can get a more comprehensive tutoring session, getting help in all their classes if need be. I want to give back to the community by setting children from all walks of life up for success.

"Can ghosts go to space?" my 5th-grade reading buddy asks me, confident that I, as a "big kid" will have the answer. His eyes gleamed out of his curiosity. Five minutes before, he asked if ghosts could eat. I grin wide and chuckle a little inside, but I was afraid I had no response other than "maybe" and "I hope so!" In high school, I volunteered to read with at-risk children -- most of whom were learning English as a second or third language. The 30-minute reading sessions with my reading buddies a few times a week were the highlight of my busy high school days. My buddy and I would scan through the selection of books, making sure to read only the books with topics that interested them. Each of my buddies loved learning and was extremely curious -- traits that I am sure will lead them down a successful path. I was grateful to have the chance to teach at-risk children and steadily watch as their reading levels increased every few sessions. I was proud of my reading buddies for reading through challenging books, asking great questions, and keeping an open mind throughout all the sessions. After volunteering to read with children with the organization Ebookbuddy, I have a different outlook on life. Seeing children light up when I tell them they're doing great, watching them persevere and keep trying even when they slip up on a few words, allowed me to step outside myself. I am now grateful to have been given the ultimate opportunity to help young, underprivileged children increase their reading and comprehension skills. As an ESOL student in elementary school myself, I needed someone to believe in me and take the extra time to help me understand concepts that other students had already mastered. Being a child of two immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic, I could not rely on my parents to help me with schoolwork since all my assignments were in English. My ESOL teachers played a vital role in my development as a student, and I want to enrich the lives of children the way my teachers enriched my life. At-risk children often have more struggles and personal issues than meets the eye. Children that perform poorly in school or have limited reading abilities need someone who cares about their success to help them push forward despite their sometimes unpleasant circumstances. I plan to continue cultivating the love of learning and curiosity in at-risk children, building relationships with them, and showing them that I care about their success. I want to fill the role of mentor, tutor, and friend for children struggling academically. As such, I will continue to voluntarily tutor and read to kids, always aiming to instill confidence in them and show them that their opinions matter. In the future, I would like to start a nonprofit similar to Ebookbuddy, where volunteers read to children. Instead of focusing solely on reading, I want my program to encompass various subjects like math, science, and social studies. This way, children can get a more comprehensive tutoring session, getting help in all their classes if need be. I want to give back to the community by setting children from all walks of life up for success.