My academic journey has not followed a traditional path, but it has shaped me into someone who is deeply driven, focused, and resilient. I currently hold a 3.66 GPA and am entering my final year in the Dental Hygiene program at CCRI. Getting to this point has not been easy, but every challenge I’ve faced has reinforced my dedication to building a life of stability, purpose, and service. Growing up, my home life was unstable. We lived off Section 8 housing and food stamps, and no apartment ever truly felt like home because it was never really ours. We moved often, and the financial insecurity was constant. Neither of my parents finished college, and both struggled to maintain a stable life, especially my father, who battled addiction. I eventually dropped out of high school due to mental health struggles, and for a time, I couldn’t see a future for myself at all. But despite the pain and the uncertainty, I found a way forward. I earned my GED and made the decision to pursue a career that would offer both stability and the opportunity to positively impact others. I chose dental hygiene because I want to create positive experiences in an environment that many people find stressful. The dentist’s office isn’t anyone’s favorite place, but hygienists have the ability to make it more approachable, educational, and empowering. I enjoy the structure and consistency the field offers, and I’m excited to build my expertise in something that will allow me to both grow professionally and serve my community. More than just building a career, I’m building a life. CCRI was the clear choice for me because it houses the only hygiene program in Rhode Island, and it’s an exceptional one. I enjoyed completing my prerequisites here, where I felt supported and encouraged. Entering the dental hygiene program this past year has been my most difficult academic challenge to date, but also the most rewarding. My first year of college, back in 2021, was especially hard; I lost my father to a fentanyl overdose just as I was beginning this new chapter of my life. Balancing that grief with the pressure of starting college was overwhelming, but I persevered. That experience has only strengthened my commitment to this path. Since Fall 2022, I’ve made the Dean’s List every semester, an achievement that reflects personal growth, consistency, and discipline. I also serve as treasurer for the Dental Hygiene Class of 2026, and I take pride in being involved and representing my peers beyond the classroom. Education matters to me because it is the foundation of the stable, healthy life I’ve always wanted. I’ve exhausted my savings, any support relieving the financial strain of buying essential instruments and supplies during my final year would make a tremendous difference. What sets me apart is my perseverance. I’ve come from a place of instability and transformed that experience into motivation. I am determined to create a future that feels like mine - stable, meaningful, and earned.

My academic journey has not followed a traditional path, but it has shaped me into someone who is deeply driven, focused, and resilient. I currently hold a 3.66 GPA and am completing my final year in the Dental Hygiene program at CCRI. Getting to this point has not been easy, but every challenge I’ve faced has reinforced my dedication to building a life of stability, purpose, and service. Growing up, my home life was unstable. We lived off Section 8 housing and food stamps, and no apartment ever truly felt like home because it was never really ours. We moved often, and the financial insecurity was constant. Neither of my parents finished college, and both struggled to maintain a stable life, especially my father, who battled addiction. I eventually dropped out of high school due to mental health struggles, and for a time, I couldn’t see a future for myself at all. But despite the pain and the uncertainty, I found a way forward. I earned my GED and made the decision to pursue a career that would offer both stability and the opportunity to positively impact others. I chose dental hygiene because I want to create positive experiences in an environment that many people find stressful. The dentist’s office isn’t anyone’s favorite place, but hygienists have the ability to make it more approachable, educational, and empowering. I enjoy the structure and consistency the field offers, and I’m excited to build my expertise in something that will allow me to both grow professionally and serve my community. More than just building a career, I’m building a life. CCRI was the clear choice for me because it houses the only hygiene program in Rhode Island, and it’s an exceptional one. I enjoyed completing my prerequisites here, where I felt supported and encouraged. Entering the dental hygiene program in 2024 has been my most difficult academic challenge to date, but also the most rewarding. My first year of college, back in 2021, was especially hard; I lost my father to a fentanyl overdose just as I was beginning this new chapter of my life. Balancing that grief with the pressure of starting college was overwhelming, but I persevered. That experience has only strengthened my commitment to this path. Since Fall 2022, I’ve made the Dean’s List every semester, an achievement that reflects personal growth, consistency, and discipline. I also serve as treasurer for the Dental Hygiene Class of 2026, and I take pride in being involved and representing my peers beyond the classroom. Education matters to me because it is the foundation of the stable, healthy life I’ve always wanted. I’ve exhausted my savings, any support relieving the financial strain of buying essential instruments and supplies during my final year would make a tremendous difference. What sets me apart is my perseverance. I’ve come from a place of instability and transformed that experience into motivation. I am determined to create a future that feels like mine - stable, meaningful, and earned.