I originally went back to school as a non-traditional student at 37 years old for education. I fell in love with teaching and working with children when I started my company in 2015 at my daughter's elementary school. I worked with the support of Communities In Schools to teach farming, and nutrition. I learned quickly that this was my gift. I wanted to gain more knowledge and experience to expand my company I knew after a year that I needed to change my major because the goal was not to teach in a classroom but to have a broader and richer impact on health outcomes for children and families. So I switched to Public Health so I could study and understand all the factors and components of health in this country and abroad. I knew I would also be able to further my studies in nutrition and have taken three courses already in addition to my certification. I plan to continue to make a positive impact through my company BekeleNutrition to educate and expose children and families that don't have the education and knowledge about farming, healthy cooking, food sources, reading food labels, ingredients in food, food preparation, and cultivation as well as wellness practices. Being healthy is a holistic practice and as I grow and learn more I always teach. I also have a background in the spa and wellness industry so I understand the importance of mindset, meditation, affirmations, movement, and all mental and physical health practices. I have taught in Atlanta Public Schools, held events, camps, and taught privately during Covid. I have grown in my curriculum and incorporated cultural exposure in the arts, and sciences, in addition to wellness education; these are all a part of enrichment for any child. I am building a tribe of conscious and self-aware children who will be the future and I am here to give them the tools and education they need to thrive and be successful as their best selves. Then they will teach others and have children and families that grow and continue to thrive. This is what basic humanity and education should look like for every child and I intend to be part of the solution. I plan to grow this village and practice in many cities in and out of the country. This scholarship helps me as a single mom trying to prepare my daughter to go to college, the time to focus and work on my education, and growing my company instead of having to work full time for another company. Scholarships are needed for my income for me to pay all my bills and stay on the road I was meant to fulfill. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Hi, my name is Miriam Bekele. I am a non-traditional student who decided to go back to school at thirty-eight. As a single mother, it is something that I wanted to do for a long time but chose to spend as much time rearing my daughter and giving her as much attention during those crucial growth years. When she started high school, I decided it was time. I chose to go back to school to continue and accelerate my education in the health and wellness field, which I have been a part of for almost 20 years. I studied independently while not at a university getting certified as a nutritionist and herbalist from the Trinity School of Natural Health. Wellness is my passion so I created a company in 2015 to help educate children and families about nutrition and wellness lifestyles, focusing on lower-income communities. I named my company Bekele Nutrition. Bekele being my last name, In Amharic means to grow or flourish. I found this symbolic of my life and what I was learning and teaching. My brand was created around this important meaning of growing and flourishing starting from seed (in plant and human form). I started teaching/volunteering at my daughter's elementary school and with the help and assistance of Communities In School was able to participate in many events for Fulton County. As I grew I hosted my own events/fundraisers, camps (with parks and recreation centers), and private classes. During the pandemic, I was able to continue private classes, field trips to museums, farms, and food enrichment excursions. I have traveled to Cuba and the Bahamas and conducted research in their schools comparing and contrasting the nutritional diets and education administered in classes about nutrition and wellness if any. I plan to learn this in every country I travel to. I am finishing up my bachelor's now in Public Health at Georgia State and plan to continue to my master's in International Business. I want to be able to continue to expand my company and spread nutrition and wellness awareness to countries outside of the U.S. as well. With the number of foods that are being mass-produced and contaminated with so many additives, chemicals and hormones it is more crucial than ever that farming, permaculture, and wellness practices such as mindfulness, meditation, breathwork, and balance are taught to young children all over the world. As a mother and educator, it is my passion and purpose to help educate and spread the knowledge that I have gained to as many children and families as possible. Thank you for this opportunity.