I chose to pursue a career in the mental health field because I have always been drawn to helping others navigate life’s challenges, process emotions, and find hope in difficult circumstances. From a young age, I noticed how mental health impacts every aspect of a person’s life relationships, school or work performance, and overall well being. I realized that supporting mental health is not just about treating illness, but about empowering individuals to understand themselves, cope effectively, and reach their potential. This understanding sparked a passion within me to become part of a profession where I could make a real difference in people’s lives every day. Mental health is a field that combines compassion, empathy, and critical thinking, and I knew it was the right fit for me because I value helping people not just survive, but thrive. I want to be someone who listens without judgment, provides guidance during challenging moments, and equips individuals with the tools they need to overcome obstacles. Choosing this path also reflects my belief in prevention and early intervention helping people build resilience and coping strategies before issues become more severe. I am motivated by the knowledge that one conversation, one session, or one supportive interaction can change the trajectory of a person’s life. My future goals within the mental health field are both specific and aspirational. I plan to pursue a career as a licensed mental health professional, working with adolescents and young adults who are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, or other emotional challenges. I hope to integrate counseling, education, and advocacy into my work, ensuring that individuals not only receive care but also develop the skills to manage their mental health independently. Beyond one-on-one counseling, I aspire to create programs in schools or community centers that promote mental wellness, teach coping strategies, and reduce stigma around mental health. Ultimately, my goal is to serve as both a resource and a mentor, fostering environments where people feel supported, understood, and empowered. My experience in the mental health field has given me a foundation to pursue these goals. I have volunteered with local community programs that provide counseling support, facilitated peer support groups, and assisted in mental health awareness initiatives. These experiences have taught me how to communicate effectively, exercise empathy, and provide practical guidance in sensitive situations. I have also learned the importance of active listening, patience, and maintaining professional boundaries, all of which are crucial for building trust with clients. Through these opportunities, I have witnessed firsthand the impact that compassionate support can have on an individual’s confidence, self-understanding, and overall well-being. Choosing this career path is a reflection of my desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. My goal is to combine my experience, education, and passion to empower individuals to overcome challenges, discover their resilience, and thrive emotionally, socially, and personally. By dedicating my life to mental health, I hope to contribute to a society where support, understanding, and compassion are available to all who need it.

“I have learned that the purpose of teaching is to bring the student to his or her sense of his or her own presence.” – Professor Harold Bloom, Possessed by Memory. This quote resonates deeply with me because it captures the heart of teaching: helping students recognize their own worth, their unique strengths, and their ability to impact the world. To me, a student’s “sense of presence” is their awareness of themselves as individuals with value, potential, and a voice that deserves to be heard. For special education students, whose learning paths are often different from their peers, discovering this presence is not only empowering but transformative. I am passionate about the special education profession because it allows me to guide students in discovering their own abilities, celebrating progress in any form, and building confidence that extends beyond the classroom. I view each child as a unique story waiting to be told and believe that my role as a teacher is to provide the tools, encouragement, and environment where they can author that story. Special education is not just about teaching academics; it is about teaching life skills, fostering self-advocacy, and helping students understand that their individuality is a gift, not a limitation. To bring students to a sense of their own presence, I plan to approach teaching holistically. I will focus on recognizing each student’s strengths while addressing their challenges with patience and creativity. This includes creating lessons that are adaptable to various learning styles, integrating hands-on and interactive activities, and celebrating achievements big or small. More importantly, I will cultivate a classroom culture where mistakes are part of learning, questions are valued, and each student feels seen and heard. By consistently affirming their abilities and encouraging self-reflection, I aim to help students internalize the belief that they are capable, important, and present. To illustrate this vision, I imagine myself as the heroine of a fairy tale. In this story, I enter a kingdom where children feel invisible, their abilities unnoticed and uncelebrated. Using a magical toolkit of patience, creativity, and encouragement, I work one-on-one with each child, helping them discover hidden talents a painter discovers her ability to capture emotion on canvas, a young boy finds joy in solving puzzles, and another student discovers confidence in speaking aloud. With each discovery, a golden glow of presence appears around the child, and the kingdom becomes brighter. By the end of the story, the children no longer see themselves as invisible; they stand tall, proud of their uniqueness, and ready to explore the world with self-assurance and courage. My mission as a special education teacher is to make this fairy tale a reality. I aim to ensure that each student in my classroom not only learns academic skills but also discovers their own presence understanding that their thoughts, actions, and voices matter. By nurturing self-awareness, confidence, and individuality, I hope to inspire students to approach life with resilience, curiosity, and pride. Teaching is more than imparting knowledge; it is guiding students toward recognizing the light they carry within themselves and helping them shine, no matter the obstacles they face.

If I could create a class that all students from kindergarten through twelfth grade were required to take, it would be called “Life Skills and Emotional Intelligence.” This class would focus on teaching students how to manage emotions, communicate effectively, make wise decisions, and navigate real world responsibilities such as financial literacy, conflict resolution, and goal setting. While traditional subjects like math and science are vital, many students graduate without understanding how to handle stress, maintain healthy relationships, or manage their finances. This class would help bridge that gap by preparing students for both personal and professional success beyond the classroom. From kindergarten through middle school, the course would emphasize emotional awareness, kindness, and teamwork. Younger students would learn how to identify their feelings, show empathy toward others, and use words instead of anger to solve problems. As students grow older, the lessons would shift toward developing communication skills, self discipline, and coping mechanisms for anxiety and failure. By high school, the class would expand to include practical life skills such as budgeting, career planning, time management, and how to balance responsibilities with self care. The structure of the class would encourage open discussion and real-life practice. Students could participate in role playing exercises to learn how to handle disagreements, job interviews, or difficult conversations respectfully. They could also work on community projects that teach teamwork, leadership, and service. Each grade level would build upon the last, allowing students to grow emotionally and mentally as they mature academically. The impact of this class would reach far beyond school walls. Teaching emotional intelligence and life skills from a young age would reduce bullying, improve mental health, and create more understanding and compassionate school environments. Students would learn how to manage conflict instead of avoiding it, express their emotions without shame, and take accountability for their actions. Financial lessons would also help prepare students for adulthood equipping them with tools to save money, budget responsibly, and make informed decisions about their futures. Ultimately, the “Life Skills and Emotional Intelligence” class would help students develop not just as learners, but as people. It would prepare them to face challenges with confidence, communicate with empathy, and lead with compassion. By investing in students’ emotional growth and real-world readiness, this course could shape a generation that values understanding as much as achievement. This class could transform schools into environments where understanding and kindness are valued as much as achievement, creating lifelong benefits for individuals, families, and society as a whole.

My desire to pursue a career in teaching comes from a deep belief that education has the power to transform lives. From a young age, I’ve always loved learning, but more than that, I’ve loved seeing how teachers can spark confidence and curiosity in their students. I want to be that kind of influence someone who helps students discover their potential, feel seen, and know that they matter. Teaching, to me, isn’t just about academics; it’s about shaping hearts, building character, and helping students believe they can achieve more than they ever imagined. The person who inspired this dream was my second grade teacher, Miss Youngblood. She was the first teacher who made me feel truly capable. I remember walking into her classroom feeling nervous and unsure of myself. I struggled with reading and often doubted whether I was smart enough to keep up. But Miss Youngblood saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. She never gave up on me, even when I got frustrated or fell behind. She encouraged me to keep trying, celebrated every little improvement, and made learning fun and safe. What stood out most about Miss Youngblood was her kindness. She had a way of making every student feel important. She would start each morning with a smile, greet us by name, and remind us that we were “brave learners.” That phrase stuck with me. She taught me that mistakes are not failures but stepping stones. Over time, my confidence grew, and so did my love for learning. Her belief in me completely changed how I saw myself not just as a student, but as a person. Now, as I pursue a degree in education, I carry her example with me. I want to be the kind of teacher who notices the quiet student in the back, who stays after class to help, and who reminds students that they are capable of greatness. My goal is to teach at the elementary level, where I can help shape students’ confidence early in life. I want to be the teacher who notices when a child is struggling, who gives extra time and patience, and who inspires students to believe in themselves the way she did for me. Earning this scholarship would help me continue working toward that dream. Teaching isn’t just my career goal it’s my purpose. I want to be the teacher who changes lives, just like Miss Youngblood changed mine. Teaching isn’t just a job I want it’s a calling to impact lives, one student at a time.

I chose to pursue a degree in social work because I’ve always been passionate about helping others and creating positive change in my community. Growing up, I saw how easily people can fall through the cracks when they don’t have the right support. Whether it was a classmate struggling with family issues or a neighbor facing financial hardship, I always felt a deep desire to step in, listen, and do something meaningful. Social work stood out to me as the perfect path to turn my compassion into real action and long-term impact. At first, I thought social work mainly involved counseling and helping people through personal struggles. However, since starting the program, my understanding has completely evolved. I’ve realized that social work is about more than just helping individualsit’s about addressing the systems and barriers that create inequality in the first place. It combines empathy with advocacy and requires the courage to speak up for those who may not have a voice. Learning about policy, ethics, and community-based practice has inspired me to think bigger about what it truly means to serve others. This program has shaped not only my education but also my character. I’ve learned that real service requires patience, understanding, and humility. It’s not just about fixing problems, but empowering people to discover their own strength and resilience. Every lesson I’ve learned has reaffirmed my decision to follow this path, and I feel more confident than ever that this is the career I’m meant for. After graduation, I plan to focus on working with youth and families in underserved communities. I want to create safe spaces where children can be heard, supported, and given opportunities to thrive despite their circumstances. My goal is to work in school systems or community outreach programs that promote mental health awareness, education, and family stability. I believe the best way to give back is by being present, compassionate, and consistent helping people rebuild confidence in themselves and their future. Earning this scholarship would not only help me continue my education, but it would also allow me to focus more on developing the skills I need to make a lasting difference. My ultimate goal is to be a light for others the kind of person who brings hope where it’s needed most. I’m committed to giving back to my community with compassion, consistency, and purpose helping people heal, find hope, and create lasting change for generations to come.

Growing up I did not have much guidance to life or what It meant to be emotionally available and stable. My mom did not know how to carry these traits to me or how to love me in this emotional aspect. I believe this experience of life has shaped me into having an influence in children’s lives. I believe that it is importance to be emotionally available and vulnerable. I hope to become a child’s school counselor. For elementary students specifically. I believe that childhood role model and childhood in general plays a great role in shaping who a person becomes. My lived experiences have taught me how much it matters when someone who truly cares takes the time to listen. Because I did I not have that type of emotional support, I want to be that person for children who may be trying to navigate that stage of life. I’ve learned that being emotionally mature and intelligent can make a huge difference in a child’s growth. As a future school counselor I want to create a safe space to talk about feelings and know that their emotions are valid regardless of the circumstances. If I could make a significant change to today’s entail healthcare system I would hope to impact it in a needing and a proud place to be. I think everyone needs a check in on how they are doing and what’s going on. It could be a proud moment of achievements and excitement. I just think that everyone needs that space to express what is going on. I believe it should not only be an about problems but to find encouragement and hope. People should see mental health care as something positive. I would like to see therapy become something normal. Apart of everyone’s life no matter the background or situation. To improve therapy I think we as community should focus on finding ways to make it more comfortable and accessible. Adding more communities centers with private spacs and even more online therapy could be a great start. My hope is to help families and children see that therapy is a safety net. A supportive place where they can grow emotionally and have a new mindset. My experiences have shaped me into someone who values understanding, empathy, patience, and compassion. I want to help children learn those same things early in life. So they are able to grow emotionally strong, kind, and with confidence. That is the kind of counselor I hope to become.

My name is Miley, and I am very passionate about breaking the struggle and silence about mental health. I believe everyone should be heard, seen, and understood. I am studying psychology because I want to make a different in the world and younger generation. I want to make a different on how mental health is treated and talked about especially in communities where it is misunderstood the most. My goal is to make and create a safe space where people are able to have a check in and open up without judgement and fear. Growing up I saw and witnessed how hard it was for not just my community but my family to talk about mental health and emotions in general. Sometimes I would get told that “you’re over dramatic.” “You’re just a kid what do you know about feelings.” “Suck it up.” This in a way made me feel and go into survival mode. When I felt nervous or anxious I would shove it down because I was just a kid and didn’t know what I felt. Even when I felt overwhelmed I would bundle it all up until it would just all explode. It made me feel as if being vulnerable was a weakness. Now that I am a little order I realized patterns within family. They were never able to express their emotion or how to work through mental health. Many of my family would struggle with mental help because they were not able to have access to therapy or did not feel comfortable. I saw some of family took some dark roads due to discomfort of asking for help. It broke my heart. However that is where I first realized my purpose. I realized if I am able to become someone who listens and guide others through pain then maybe I could them find a reason why to live and find hope again. My own experience with mental health has also shaped me into the person I am today. I’ve had moment were I felt unworthy, confused, questioning my purpose and being overwhelmed in general. I don’t wish to relive those moment however I have learned from those moments. In these moments I realized how valuable and powerful it is when someone who truly cares listens. I want to be that person for others. Weather It’s daily check in’s or guidance in how to navigate through fear and sadness I want to be there. What drives me the most is the idea that one person caring can change another persons life. I don’t just want the career but I want to be a voice and an ear for others. A person that reaches out when someone feels, lost, and needs a light of hope. I believe everyone deserves to be understood, and heard.