Losing my cousin in May of 2025 was one of the hardest moments of my life. It was completely unexpected. She was healthy, happy, and full of life, and the call from my grandmother telling me she had passed away felt like the world had stopped. I was devastated. I spent my entire childhood living with her, watching her grow, and admiring who she was becoming. She was more than a cousin to me. She was like a sister, a role model, and someone I looked up to in every way. Losing her felt surreal, as if a piece of my world had been ripped away, and I didn’t know how to move forward. Her death forced me to confront my own fears and my own perspective on life. Before she passed, I never really thought about college or what I wanted to achieve academically. It seemed distant and unnecessary. But losing her made me realize how short and unpredictable life is. She never got the chance to finish school or pursue her dreams, and I knew I wanted to honor her memory by taking every opportunity seriously. I decided that I would pursue college, not just for myself, but to make her proud, and to show my family that her legacy could live through my achievements. This loss has shaped who I am today in a way nothing else could. It taught me resilience, determination, and the importance of living with purpose. I no longer take life for granted, and I have a clearer understanding of why goals matter. Every time I face a challenge, I think of her, and it motivates me to push through even when things feel hard. I want to graduate college, something that nobody in my family has done since my great-grandfather, and I want to be an example for my siblings, cousins, and community. Her life may have been cut short, but I carry her spirit in the way I work, study, and strive for success. Her memory also drives me to be compassionate, focused, and determined to make an impact. I want to create a future where my achievements honor her, inspire my family, and prove that resilience and hard work can overcome even the deepest pain. Losing her was devastating, but it has given me purpose, motivation, and a relentless drive to succeed. I will carry her with me in every step I take, every goal I set, and every milestone I achieve. Her life, though short, continues to shape mine, and I intend to make her proud in everything I do.

One of the most challenging periods of my life began when I moved to Georgia and realized how far behind I was academically. When I arrived, I only had two credits, and graduating on time felt almost impossible. The weight of that reality hit me hard. I knew that if I wanted to walk across the stage with my class, I would have to push myself beyond what I thought I was capable of. In that moment, my faith became my foundation. I had to enroll in an intensive program and stay on track with all my classes at once, knowing there was no room for mistakes. Every day required discipline, focus, and resilience. At the same time, I was facing challenges outside of school that made the journey even harder. I experienced deep emotional struggles, the loss of family members, financial stress, and moments where everything felt overwhelming. There were days when I felt exhausted mentally and emotionally, but my faith reminded me that I was not walking alone. During this time, I leaned on prayer and belief to keep going when I felt like giving up. My faith gave me peace in moments of uncertainty and strength when I felt weak. It reminded me that struggles do not mean failure, but preparation. I trusted that God had a purpose for the pressure I was under and that every late night, every setback, and every tear had meaning. That belief kept me moving forward even when the path felt heavy. Despite the obstacles, I stayed committed. I showed up every day, completed my work, and refused to let my circumstances define my future. My faith taught me perseverance and helped me believe in myself when doubt tried to take over. It gave me the courage to keep pushing through loss, stress, and fear, knowing that growth often comes from discomfort. Looking back, I am proud of how far I have come. What once felt impossible became proof of my strength. This experience showed me that faith is not just believing when things are easy, but trusting even when everything feels uncertain. I learned that resilience is built through struggle and that with faith, discipline, and determination, no obstacle is too great. This journey has shaped who I am today. I am stronger, more focused, and more confident in my ability to overcome challenges. My faith carried me through one of the hardest seasons of my life, and it continues to guide me forward. No matter what I face next, I know I am capable, prepared, and supported by a strength greater than myself.

I am a motivated and driven individual who believes that purpose comes from using your skills to uplift others. I have always been passionate about creativity, self improvement, and helping people feel confident in who they are. My interest in cosmetology and barbering began when I taught myself how to cut my own hair. What started as a personal challenge quickly turned into a passion when I realized how much confidence it gave me. That experience changed how I saw myself and showed me the power that this career can have in someone’s life. Through my career in cosmetology and barbering, I plan to make a positive impact by helping people feel seen, confident, and valued. A haircut or style is not just about appearance. It can change how someone carries themselves and how they face the world. I want to create an environment where clients feel comfortable, respected, and encouraged the moment they sit in my chair. By providing consistent, quality service and genuine care, I aim to build trust and long lasting relationships within my community. I am passionate about growth and discipline. I believe success is earned through dedication and consistency, and I am committed to constantly improving my skills. I plan to continue my education, learn new techniques, and stay current with trends so I can always offer the best to my clients. Beyond technical skill, I am passionate about being a positive influence. I want to show younger people and those from similar backgrounds that it is possible to build a successful career through hard work, even when resources are limited. My long term goal is to build a career that goes beyond personal success. I want to use my platform to give back by mentoring others who are interested in the trade, especially those who may not have guidance or support. I hope to eventually open my own space that provides not only services, but opportunities for learning, confidence building, and community connection for the next generation. I plan to continue to make a positive impact on the world by turning my passion into purpose. Through my career, I want to inspire others to believe in themselves, take pride in their journey, or even start it, and never let their starting point define their future. By staying disciplined, compassionate, and driven, I am confident that I can create meaningful change, one person at a time.

Education is important to me because it represents more than just academics. It represents breaking cycles, creating opportunity, and building a future that looks different from the past. My mother never had the opportunity to attend college, and growing up I saw how limited access to education can affect not only one person, but an entire family. That reality pushed me to want more, not just for myself, but for the people who come after me. For generations to come. I want to be the first to start a new legacy and prove that where you begin does not determine where you can go. Education gives me the knowledge, discipline, and confidence to take control of my life. It teaches me how to think critically, solve problems, and push through challenges instead of giving up when things get hard. I see education as a foundation that supports every dream I have. Like my grandparents say "Education is the Key" With it, I am not limited by circumstances, doubt, or fear. Instead, I am empowered to turn goals into action and effort into achievement. Education gives me the ability to build something lasting, rather than just getting by. The legacy I hope to leave is one of resilience, ambition, and possibility. I want my sisters to look at my journey and believe that they can aim higher and dream bigger. I want my future children to grow up knowing that success is earned through consistency, hard work, and faith in yourself. I want them to understand that obstacles are not roadblocks, but stepping stones. By pursuing my education, I am setting an example that challenges are meant to be faced head on, not avoided. I also want my legacy to be rooted in inspiration. I want people who come from humble beginnings to see that it is possible to rise above limitations and create a life of purpose. No matter how low someone starts, growth is always possible when effort meets opportunity. Education is the tool that turns potential into progress, and I am committed to using it fully. To me, true success is not just personal achievement. It is opening doors for others and creating a path they can follow. Through education, I am building more than a future for myself. I am building a standard of perseverance, pride, and progress that my family and community can carry forward for generations.

I plan to pursue a career in cosmetology and barbering because it is a skilled trade that allows me to impact people in a real and personal way. Learning how to cut my own hair was the beginning of my journey. At first, it was simply about saving money and learning something new, but over time it became much deeper. As my skills improved, so did my confidence. For the first time, I felt proud of something I taught myself with patience, discipline, and determination. That experience showed me how powerful this trade can be, and I realized I wanted to give that same confidence to others. I chose cosmetology and barbering because it combines creativity, technical skill, and human connection. A haircut or style is not just about appearance. It affects how someone feels when they walk out the door. I have seen how something as simple as a fresh cut can lift someone’s mood, change their posture, and improve their self-esteem. This trade allows me to work with my hands, express creativity, and build meaningful relationships with clients, all while providing a valuable service that people will always need. I plan to build a long term career in this field because it offers growth, independence, and stability. Barbering and cosmetology reward hard work and consistency, and success is directly tied to effort and skill. I am motivated by the idea of mastering my craft, continuing to learn, and eventually building a loyal clientele and possibly my own business. I want a career where my progress reflects my dedication, and this trade offers exactly that. I know I will be successful because I am disciplined, resilient, and committed to self improvement. I take pride in learning on my own, accepting feedback, and pushing myself to get better every day. I do not give up easily, especially when something matters to me. I understand that success in this trade requires patience, professionalism, and a strong work ethic, and I am prepared to put in the time and effort it takes to excel. To me, a successful life is not defined only by money. Success means stability, purpose, and the ability to positively impact others. It means waking up proud of the work I do and knowing I made someone feel confident, valued, and happy. Through cosmetology and barbering, I believe I can build a meaningful career while helping others feel their best, and that is true success to me.

I plan to study business and entrepreneurship with a focus on management and financial literacy. I chose this field because I want more than a job. I want ownership, control, and the ability to build something that creates opportunities for others. Business education will give me the foundation to understand how money moves, how systems are built, and how to turn an idea into something sustainable. I don’t just want to dream big, I want to know how to execute. I have planned an entrepreneurial career because I’ve seen firsthand how limited options can trap talented people. I want to become an entrepreneur and open my own barber school for low-income families, especially kids who have passion and potential but lack resources. Barbering is more than a skill. It is confidence, creativity, discipline, and independence. For many young people, it can be a way to support themselves and their families while doing something they love. Too many never get that chance because of the cost of tools, education, or licensing. I want to change that. My barber school would focus on both skill and mindset. Students would learn the craft, but also business fundamentals like branding, customer service, budgeting, and ownership. The goal is not just to create barbers, but to create entrepreneurs who can open shops, employ others, and reinvest in their communities. I want to build something that breaks cycles instead of continuing them. What sets me apart and will make me successful where many are not is my purpose. I am not chasing entrepreneurship for status or fast money. I am driven by impact. I understand that success requires patience, discipline, and adaptability. As a high school senior, I have already learned how to balance responsibility, stay focused under pressure, and keep going even when things are not easy. I don’t quit when things get uncomfortable. I adjust and move forward. To me, a successful life is not just measured by income, but by influence. Success means stability for my future family, freedom to make my own decisions, and the ability to give others a chance they may not have had otherwise. It looks like walking into my own barber school years from now and knowing that the people inside are building real futures because someone believed in them. The Jessie Koci Future Entrepreneurs Scholarship would help me take the next step toward that vision. I am ready to learn, to build, and to lead. I don’t just see problems, I see possibilities. And I am committed to turning those possibilities into something real.

I’ve always noticed how talent doesn’t depend on money, but opportunity often does. Growing up, I’ve seen too many kids with real skill and ambition give up on their dreams simply because they didn’t have the resources, tools, or guidance to move forward. That reality stuck with me, and it is the reason behind what I want to build. As a senior in high school, I’ve learned early that success is not handed to you. You have to create it. I’ve spent a lot of time balancing school, responsibilities, and planning for my future, while also paying attention to the people around me who were just as capable but lacked support. I often found myself helping others by sharing information, offering advice, and reminding them that their circumstances do not define their potential. Those moments showed me how powerful access and encouragement can be. My long-term goal is to become an entrepreneur and open my own barber school for low-income students. Barbering is more than cutting hair. It is creativity, confidence, discipline, and business all in one. For many kids, especially those who feel overlooked or underestimated, it can be a real path toward independence and pride. Unfortunately, many talented young people never get the chance to pursue it because they cannot afford the equipment, training, or licensing process. If I had the money and resources, I would create a barber academy designed to remove those barriers. Students would be provided with the tools, supplies, and hands-on education they need to succeed. The school would focus not only on technical skills, but also on business knowledge such as managing money, building a brand, and opening a shop. Mentorship would be a major part of the program so students could learn from professionals who understand their background and challenges. This school would not just produce barbers. It would create entrepreneurs. It would give students structure, confidence, and a clear direction. Too often, young people are made to believe there is only one definition of success. I want to prove that success can come from passion and skill when the right support system exists. I am applying for the Richard Neumann Scholarship because it represents the kind of future I am working toward. I do not ignore problems I see in my community. I think about solutions and how to make them real. This scholarship would help me take meaningful steps toward building a business that creates opportunity for others, not just myself. My goal is not only to succeed, but to give others the chance to do the same. One barber chair can change a life. A school can change generations.