My name is Miriam Zewdu and I grew up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. During my eight years in Ethiopia, I witnessed the traumatizing and everlasting effects of crippling poverty and debt. There, every corner of every sidewalk was riddled with families huddling together in the scorching heat, begging-- with tear stricken, hoarse voices-- for food. Elderly women would wait outside the gebeya (market), hoping that onlookers would spare them a banana, as they could not even afford to buy a bite's worth of food. This was the culture I was immersed in, one of extreme suffering caused by an environment that lacked the resources to instill principles of financial literacy onto its citizens. Moving to the United States, I was faced with a new reality: the stark dichotomy between the lifestyles and practices of the middle versus lower class families. Throughout my neighborhood, I witnessed low income families suffering the consequences of living above their means. Over-consumption consumed their livelihood, and stripped them from experiencing the financial freedom they desperately sought to attain. At school, however, I was surrounded by students who lived comfortable lives-- an evident testament to the wise financial choices made by their parents. One of the great pieces of advice given to me by a family who knew of my various financial burdens was regarding college debt. "You need to graduate college without any debt," they had told me, "That will make you free." Their unwavering faith in me, paired with the sure way with which they expressed their genuine concern and care towards me, not only nurtured me, but it also helped me digest the reality and sacrifices that come with attaining financial freedom. I plan on attending the University of Texas at Austin this coming fall to pursue a degree in corporate communications. Being admitted as an out of state applicant (8% acceptance rate), I know that I am paying a high price in exchange for the prestigious and worthwhile programs they have to offer. However, I am here despite the debilitating circumstances I have had to overcome, and words cannot describe how proud I am for tirelessly pushing myself to attain such an achievement. Since my family is not in any position to help me afford such an education, I will be working two jobs throughout my college years. My first job will be dedicated towards housing and other present expenses, while my second job will solely be dedicated to cover my tuition. I am also applying for scholarships (like this one!) to help minimize the amount of hours I will need to work so that I can further focus my attention on my studies.

Two things have overwhelmingly shaped my worldview: the experiences of a life of poverty, and the pattern set by my mother at every step of the way. When I was a baby in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, my father unexpectedly passed away. His departure shattered my family and launched us into the depths of poverty. In the years following his death, we moved from place to place, relying on friends and family to survive. Day after day, I watched my mother suffer—not only from the loss of my father and the debts he left behind, but also from my paternal grandparents who threatened to exile her from their family. Our family saw a glimmer of hope when my mother met my stepfather, a seemingly kind man from America who promised that desperate woman a life of opportunity and prosperity. We moved across the Atlantic, only to discover shortly after our arrival to San Bernardino, California that he was both emotionally and physically abusive. With no other choice and nothing to our name, we moved again, but this time, we entered a world of homelessness. But my story, and my family’s story, gets better. And it is all because of my amazing mother. For the next two years, my mother worked tirelessly as a babysitter, barista, Uber driver, Amazon delivery driver, and hotel receptionist— all while raising two children and attending school part-time. Four years ago, the city finally granted my family subsidized housing. Moving into our modest apartment, we finally found ourselves in a place where we felt safe, happy, and warm. My mother’s strength, endurance, and kindness has defined who I am, who I want to be, and what I want to do for the world. My traumatic experience with poverty has given me the boldness and determination necessary to overcome social and economic barriers. My familiarity with limitations at every turn has made me a person who recognizes and takes advantage of the smallest opportunities for success. I am determined to support my family in every way possible. When my brother was recently diagnosed with a rare and fatal neurological disease, I picked up a part-time job to help my mother pay the bills. My story is not complete, however, without a discussion of the discrimination I have witnessed along gender and racial lines. As a female immigrant from Africa raised by another female immigrant from Africa, I am unfortunately too familiar with the feminization and racialization of poverty in the United States. This country, and the world, has seen an upsurge of movements in recent years to remedy these systemic problems. But more needs to be done, and I want to be involved in these efforts. Through a college education, I hope to contribute towards the abolition of gender and racial based discrimination in corporate America. The workplace is where most of us spend the greater part of our lives. The workplace is also the source of a family’s survival. Discrimination in the workplace, then, inevitably becomes discrimination elsewhere, including in education, housing, and health. Through studying corporate communications, I hope to pursue a career of advocating for the underprivileged by maintaining transparency and fostering positive relationships between a company and its consumers. I also see myself harnessing the networks and platforms corporations offer to advance gender and racial equality. I refuse to let suffering and struggle define my life. Instead, I want to follow my overcoming spirit and ambitious heart to become a beacon to others who find themselves in similar situations, and a leader to those who want to fight for the same things.

I always catch myself reaching for a book when I have time to relax. Whether it’s during my 30 minute break at work, or simply to refresh my brain after hours of homework. Naturally, when I am not in school, I want to spend every waking moment cocooned in a blanket with a book in hand. There is no greater comfort in life like warmth and happiness, and that is what reading provides me. Reading feeds my curiosity, and I have been able to creatively implement the knowledge I gain from reading into causes that I am passionate about. When I was in the seventh grade, for example, I did an immersive study on the Holocaust. I read and listened to hours worth of interviews with Holocaust survivors and was appalled that such a horrific genocide occurred with little to no intervention. Hearing these stories, I was impelled to participate in the Holocaust Art and Writing Competition, where I was able to meet these Holocaust survivors in person and hear their stories of suffering and victory. It was through this experience that I realized the necessity of being a student of history and the value of learning from the experiences and stories of people who lived long before I did. My newfound appreciation of history drove me to participate specifically in historical competitions. It was during one of my earliest experiences with National History Day (NHD) that I experienced the accessibility of history, and its necessity in initiating change and maintaining progress. In developing my NHD project, I was able to interview key figures in civil rights history, such as Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Melba Patillo Beals, and Wally Funk. In witnessing their experiences turn from memory to resilience, I came to a realization: education and historical awareness are key to dismantling the remaining inequalities in our society today. As an incoming student to UT-Austin, I look forward to involving myself in the club Power, History and Society (PHS) under Professor Charrad. Through PHS, I want to further immerse myself in learning about political and historical sociology to be better equipped with the knowledge and education necessary to achieve racial, religious, and economic equality with diverse representation in society.

Two things have overwhelmingly shaped my worldview: the experiences of a life of poverty, and the pattern set by my mother at every step of the way. When I was a baby in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, my father unexpectedly passed away. His departure shattered my family and launched us into the depths of poverty. In the years following his death, we moved from place to place, relying on friends and family to survive. Day after day, I watched my mother suffer—both from the loss of my father and the debts he left behind. Our family saw a glimmer of hope when my mother met my stepfather, a seemingly kind man from America who promised that desperate woman a life of opportunity and prosperity. We moved across the Atlantic, only to discover shortly after our arrival to San Bernardino, California that he was both emotionally and physically abusive. With no other choice and nothing to our name, we moved again, but this time, we were entering a world of homelessness. But my story, and my family’s story, gets better. And it is all because of my amazing mother. After leaving San Bernardino, my mother worked three jobs— all while raising two children. Four years ago, my family was granted subsidized housing. Moving into our modest apartment, we finally found ourselves in a place where we felt safe, happy, and warm. My mother’s strength, endurance, and kindness has defined who I am, who I want to be, and what I want to do for the world. My traumatic experience with poverty has given me the determination to overcome social and economic barriers. My familiarity with limitations has made me a person who takes advantage of the smallest opportunities. My story is not complete, however, without a discussion of the discrimination I have witnessed along gender and racial lines. Raised by a female immigrant from Africa, I am too familiar with the feminization and racialization of poverty in the United States. This country has seen an upsurge of movements to remedy these problems, but more needs to be done, and I want to be involved in those efforts. Through a college education, I hope to contribute towards the abolition of such discrimination in corporate America. The workplace is where most of us spend the greater part of our lives, and it is the source of a family’s survival. Discrimination in the workplace inevitably becomes discrimination elsewhere, including education, housing, and health. Through studying corporate communications, I hope to pursue a career of advocating for the underprivileged by maintaining transparency and fostering positive relationships between a company and its consumers. I refuse to let suffering and struggle define my life. Instead, I want to follow my overcoming spirit and ambitious heart like Rita did to become a beacon and leader to those who find themselves in similar situations. Short Essay Question: (1) The earliest recollections I harbor of my childhood seem to have two things in common: my love of books, and the insatiable curiosity that traversed my mind. As a shy child who rarely spoke, reading helped me gain an understanding of the English language and it cultured me into appreciating the wide range of perspectives that continue to contribute to the functioning of a productive and diverse society. In turn, reading opened my eyes to a new world, one where knowledge held the keys to salvation. It was upon making this realization that I resolved to further my education. To end the cycle of cursed poverty that plagued my family. To rise above those consumed with indolence. To be a source of inspiration for the little black boys and girls who deserve more than the prejudice society has to offer. To me, a college education is not a mere choice; it is my lifeline– and I will cling to it with moon-marked palms until I reach the shore. (2) I’m usually exhausted by Saturday morning, so I sleep in until about 10AM. I like to read the Bible first thing in the morning, but my vision is almost always blurry when I wake up, so I usually just end up reaching for my journal to write out my thoughts. Another reason why Saturdays are my favorite is because I can indulge in habits that I normally wouldn’t have time for. During the week, I attend school full time and have two part time jobs, which leaves me little to no time in the morning to eat breakfast and drink tea. I usually have plans with friends on Saturdays, so my afternoon is spent with them. I end the night by going to my church’s youth group, which is a great way to clear my mind and refocus my heart on the Lord, my source of peace and joy. (3) I always catch myself reaching for a book when I have time to relax. Whether it’s during my 30 minute break at work, or simply to refresh my brain after hours of homework. Naturally, when I am not in school, I want to spend every waking moment cocooned in a blanket with a book in hand. There is no greater comfort in life like warmth and happiness, and that is what reading provides me. Reading feeds my curiosity, and I have been able to creatively implement the knowledge I gain from reading into causes that I am passionate about. When I was in the seventh grade, I did an immersive study on the Holocaust. I read and listened to hours worth of interviews with Holocaust survivors and became impelled to participate in the Holocaust Art and Writing Competition, where I was able to meet these Holocaust survivors in person and hear their stories of suffering and victory. It was through this experience that I realized the necessity of being a student of history and the value of learning from the experiences and stories of people who lived long before I did.

As I consider the multitude of hobbies I have harbored over the course of my lifetime, two come to mind as the greatest influences that have spurred my interest in pursuing corporate communications. Having lived a life of unstable conditions, the one thing that I could always rely on was reading. As a shy child who rarely spoke, reading helped me gain an understanding of the English language and cultured me into appreciating the wide range of perspectives that contribute to the functioning of society. In turn, reading equipped me with the confidence to communicate with others in a tongue that once felt so foreign. This leap of faith excavated a hidden passion, brought to light the affinity I had for communication, and propelled me to seek out opportunities to further explore it. Whenever my spare time was not being filled with reading books, I spent it diving into the world of a TV show called Shark Tank. This show introduced me to the art of effective communications in the world of business. I was drawn in by the strong exhibition of ambition and subsequent success. Beyond that, each Shark Tank episode enabled me to witness the application of communications in the corporate world, and its necessity to maintain transparency and foster positive relationships between a company and its consumer. As a recently admitted student in the Moody College of Communications and under the leadership of Dean Jay M. Bernhardt, I will be able to specialize my interest in corporate communications. Through outstanding professors such as Dr. Barry Bummett and Dr. Brendan Bankey and their focus on the core principles of intriguing rhetoric, I will be trained, shaped and inspired to become a successful communications professional in my future career.

When I was in the seventh grade, I did an immersive study on the Holocaust. I listened to hours worth of interviews with Holocaust survivors and was distressed and appalled that such a horrific genocide occurred with little to no intervention. Hearing these stories, I was impelled to participate in the Holocaust Art and Writing Competition, where I was able to meet Holocaust survivors in person and hear their stories of suffering and victory. It was through this experience that I realized the necessity of being a student of history and the value of learning from the experiences and stories of people who lived long before I did. My newfound appreciation of history drove me to participate specifically in historical competitions. It was during one of my earliest experiences with National History Day (NHD) that I experienced the accessibility of history, and its necessity in initiating change and maintaining progress. In developing my NHD project, I was able to interview key figures in civil rights history, such as Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Melba Patillo Beals, and Wally Funk. In witnessing their experiences turn from memory to resilience, I came to a realization: education and historical awareness are key to dismantling the remaining inequalities in our society today. As an incoming freshman at the University of Texas at Austin, I hope to immerse myself in learning about the various experiences and cultures of its diverse student body. I am most looking forward to involving myself in Power, History and Society (PHS) under Professor Charrad. Through PHS, I want to further immerse myself in learning about political and historical sociology to be better equipped with the knowledge and education necessary to achieve racial, religious, and economic equality with diverse representation in society.

Removing the stigma surrounding mental health is a cause I hold dear to my heart. As an elementary and middle school child living in an abusive, then later, single parent household, I came to develop suicidal thoughts and habits. I silently continued to suffer with undiagnosed symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, where, at 9 years old, I developed insomnia and paralyzing depression. I was forced to push through my mental health without assistance from anyone else, because I feared that my extroverted personality would make people think that I was doing it for attention. It was years later, after having countless painful, yet necessary, conversations with my mom about our family's history and susceptibility to various mental illnesses that I came to accept my struggles with mental health. It was during those candid conversations that my shame were lifted. My experiences with mental health led me to develop a strong sense of concern for children and teenagers who, like me, did not have access to the support provided by therapy. This led me to work with the Orange County Department of Education to implement a mental health initiative for the students at my school. We utilized art as a less intimidating approach for students to address their mental health and as a healthy outlet for their stress and anxiety. This allowed struggling students to gradually unload and express themselves. I also have the privilege of serving on the Anaheim Youth Commission, a subsidiary of the City Council. In this role, I work as the vice chair of a high school outreach sub-committee, where I plan and lead community outreach programs for the underrepresented and at-risk youth of Anaheim, in hopes of equipping them with the internal confidence to productively manage the mental health issues that plague them.

Two things have overwhelmingly shaped my worldview: the experiences of a life of poverty, and the pattern set by my mother at every step of the way. When I was a baby in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, my father unexpectedly passed away. His departure shattered my family and launched us into the depths of poverty. In the years following his death, we moved from place to place, relying on friends and family to survive. Day after day, I watched my mother suffer—not only from the loss of my father and the debts he left behind, but also from my paternal grandparents who threatened to exile her from their family. Our family saw a glimmer of hope when my mother met my stepfather, a seemingly kind man from America who promised that desperate woman a life of opportunity and prosperity. We moved across the Atlantic, only to discover shortly after our arrival to San Bernardino, California that he was both emotionally and physically abusive. With no other choice and nothing to our name, we moved again, but this time, we were entering a world of homelessness. But my story, and my family’s story, gets better. And it is all because of my amazing mother. After leaving San Bernardino, my mother worked tirelessly as a babysitter, barista, Uber driver, Amazon delivery driver, and hotel receptionist— all while raising two children. Four years ago, the city finally granted my family subsidized housing. Moving into our modest apartment, we finally found ourselves in a place where we felt safe, happy, and warm. My mother’s strength, endurance, and kindness has defined who I am, who I want to be, and what I want to do for the world. My traumatic experience with poverty has given me the boldness and determination necessary to overcome social and economic barriers. My familiarity with limitations at every turn has made me a person who recognizes and takes advantage of the smallest opportunities for success. I am determined to support my family in every way possible. When my brother was recently diagnosed with a rare and fatal neurological disease, I picked up a part-time job to help my mother pay the bills. My story is not complete, however, without a discussion of the discrimination I have witnessed along gender and racial lines. As a female immigrant from Africa raised by another female immigrant from Africa, I am unfortunately too familiar with the feminization and racialization of poverty in the United States. This country, and the world, has seen an upsurge of movements in recent years to remedy these systemic problems. But more needs to be done, and I will to be involved in those efforts. Through a college education, I hope to contribute towards the abolition of gender and racial based discrimination in corporate America. The workplace is where most of us spend the greater part of our lives. The workplace is also the source of a family’s survival. Discrimination in the workplace, then, inevitably becomes discrimination elsewhere, including in education, housing, and health. Through studying corporate communications, I hope to pursue a career of advocating for the underprivileged by maintaining transparency and fostering positive relationships between a company and its consumers. I also see myself harnessing the networks and platforms corporations offer to advance gender and racial equality. I refuse to let suffering and struggle define my life. Instead, I want to follow my overcoming spirit and ambitious heart to become a beacon to others who find themselves in similar situations, and a leader to those who want to fight for the same things. Jae'Sean, I invite you to join my journey.

I grew up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where homelessness and poverty affected the majority of the population. Witnessing hard working and well-intentioned families suffer through homelessness and poverty has always broken my heart, but it was not until I experienced it firsthand that my desire to succeed and pay it forward developed. My family moved to the United States when I was eight years old because my father passed away, and my mom remarried to a man who lived in America. During those two years, my step-father became abusive, so much so that my mother, brother, and I ran away without any money to our name. We were homeless for about two years, and lived in one tiny room that a family from our church was gracious enough to offer. After we were accepted to live in subsidized housing, my mother worked three jobs just to get us through school and pay the bills, and has experienced unemployment because of COVID. Despite the difficult circumstances I have endured, it was only after experiencing a hellish low, year after year, that my desire to overcome and achieve greatness was reinforced. I have great ambitions and expectations for myself, and intend on pursuing higher education to further my goals.

As tempting as it would be to pin homelessness, hunger, and poverty as problems of the greatest magnitude that face the world today, I would be doing my generation a disservice by staying silent regarding the "silent killer": nicotine addiction. One major issue that continues to plague youth is nicotine usage and addiction. Many teenagers have normalized vaping, unaware of its detrimental long-term effect, and its causation of teenage susceptibility to future substance abuse. In response to this epidemic, I suggest that we should take an approach that is less intimidating than the traditional D.A.R.E. program. Through observing my friends and other teenagers, I have noticed that many teenagers usually resort to drug use and self-harm as a coping mechanism to deeply rooted and unaddressed psychological trauma. The only way to fight such an addiction is by addressing the issue head-on through rehabilitation and therapy. I strongly believe that the implementation and regular utilization of highly-qualified therapists in schools will successfully combat the high rates of nicotine usage in teenagers, and, in turn, cultivate a generation of young people who are adept individuals, ready to serve a community that positively shaped their lives.

Raised in a community where financial literacy and stability are unattainable luxuries, I grew up oblivious to monetary principles. My widowed mother, who diligently worked multiple minimum wage jobs to ensure her two children were fed and the bills paid, did not have the knowledge or resources to give us extensive financial advice, but the one thing that she urged my brother and I to do was to save. "Save, save, save!" she would tell us, "You are a poor man, you know the value of the dollar you work for. Do not live extravagantly with what you do not have. Save your money, and spend it frugally." Entering my senior year of high school, I now have a job, where I am given the opportunity to put my mother's advice into practice. After paying my bills, I save the rest of my paycheck, in hopes of easing the later burden of college tuition.

First impressions matter. Oftentimes, it is the first few words we speak to a stranger that forms their perception of us for the remainder of the acquaintanceship. However, around six to eight million people in the United States suffer from some form of language impairment and are unable to portray themselves in a way that fully encapsulates who they are. As someone who has witnessed the impact speech impairment holds on one's self-esteem and mental health, I would like to study communication sciences and disorders with a minor in psychology. I plan to pursue a career in speech pathology to help amplify the voices of those who are silenced, to alleviate the mental agony associated with speech impairment, and to help cultivate a generation of young adults who can communicate with ease and precision.

I grew up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where homelessness and poverty affected the majority of the population. Witnessing hard working and well-intentioned families suffer through homelessness and poverty has always broken my heart, but it was not until I experienced it firsthand that my desire to counsel at-risk youth developed. My family moved to the United States when I was eight years old because my father passed away, and my mom remarried to a man who lived in America. During those two years, my step-father became abusive, so much so that my mother, brother, and I ran away without any money to our name. We were homeless for about two years, and lived in one tiny room that a family from our church was gracious enough to offer. After we were accepted to live in subsidized housing, my mother worked three jobs just to get us through school and pay the bills, and she is now facing the possibility of unemployment because of COVID. Despite the difficult circumstances I have endured, I have committed myself to serving my school and church by teaching Sunday School and through holding a high rank in my school's student government. I have also been awarded the Gold Presidential Community Service Award by President Donald Trump for volunteering hundreds of hours to serve my community. In college, I plan on studying child developmental psychology and pursuing a masters in school counseling so that I can help positively shape the life of at-risk youth, because I know that if I was able to talk to a counselor when I was in elementary school, I would have been able to cope with my suffering more productively.