I am a part of the Nyamwange Foundation! Academically, this program has helped improve my confidence and communication skills. While also guiding me to be ready to step into college life. Soon I will be graduating from the program, I am proud to have won state and formal awards for all the community service and volunteer work I’ve done. This recent summer, I and others in the program went to Africa. An experience that has changed my life. A big project we did was visiting an orphanage built by the Nyamwange Foundation. We donated school supplies, books, and clothes. I helped feed everyone in the orphanage. Yet what made me most happy was being able to play with the little children. I got to dance and give love to all the kids. A time I will never forget. Also last Christmas, I participated in wrapping gifts for children at an elementary school. Afterward, we got to give out the gifts, which were the cutest. All the students loved it. Recently this summer, in Africa volunteered to feed and play with some children in an orphanage. This experience was so eye-opening and a bit heartbreaking for many reasons. Though in the moment, I was so happy to be able to make the babies and even the staff there happy. It was nice to see a place where they may feel unwanted, they are wanted and loved. I love to be in different community service opportunities, like growing the community so that everyone knows each other and won't have to feel alone while in college—especially those like me who are first years. Currently, I am VP of a club Black Student Union formally known as Black Coalition. Starting in the club, I was a little freshman who wanted to learn more about my history. I've watched it grow and continue to sprout. And being there with many other students who feel the same makes us feel like a family. Of course, I've learned about my history, but I also grew to discover that the many things I used to hide or be afraid to show are who I am. Everything that makes me is God-given, and I never want to doubt that. No one is the same, not even twins. I want to continue teaching black education and helping students of color feel more comfortable in places where they may feel the least comfortable. Yet some were trying to push away BSU. Showing that having a small community for students of color didn't matter. As a club we fought and still are fighting to be accepted. We have made so much progress, which I am proud of. Before, during Black History Month, there would be microaggressions in flyers or taught to students, yet now students of color have control of everything. We made flyers, we encourage, and we do some teach-ins.  For about 3, years in my church, I have been in the Children's Ministry/Children Management, I teach the general age of 4 to 10 years old. I Guide them through personal or life lessons so they can take and carry with them. While also advancing their vocabulary and helping them read more rigorous work. Words can influence the youth, so I strive to be as clear and positive as possible. In the beginning, I wasn't perfect. Other than my nephew I never taught anyone younger than me before. Through trial and error, I am growing and learning the life of teaching while working with others. This leadership role helps me communicate well with others, be adaptable, and improve my problem-solving skills.

My grandma is one of my greatest inspirations. She grew up in Haiti with about 8 or more siblings. It was hard for her family to financially support her education. She stayed home and looked after her siblings. Which was so fascinating to me. It shows the sacrifices we have to make just to take care of the ones we love. She wasn’t introduced to Christianity at first. But as she grew, she got into the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. Since then, from Haiti to moving to America, she has done her very best to spread the gospel. Everyone describes her as stubborn and resilient. She always stood up for what she believed in. Growing up watching my grandma, I never could understand why she did the things she did or how bold she became. But now on my way to college, I see how. Everywhere she went, you would know something of her, hear something of her. She was always ready for a challenge, big or small. She’d make you laugh or think in ways you didn’t know you could. I tend to follow in her footsteps. As someone who is up to a challenge and will work hard toward it no matter the cause. I feel as if these actions will help me shape my path of what my future can look like without worrying. One of my biggest goals in life is to find myself on the right path. I want to make the right decision and earn a degree to set my future career set in stone. Though the future is unpredictable my goal is always to find something I love to do and earning the "Linda Fontenot Memorial Scholarship " scholarship will help support me on my journey toward my future ahead of me.

My grandma is one of my greatest inspirations. She grew up in Haiti with about 8 or more siblings. It was hard for her family to financially support her education. She stayed home and looked after her siblings. Which was so fascinating to me. It shows the sacrifices we have to make just to take care of the ones we love. She wasn’t introduced to Christianity at first. But as she grew, she got into the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. Since then, from Haiti to moving to America, she has done her very best to spread the gospel. Everyone describes her as stubborn and resilient. She always stood up for what she believed in. Growing up watching my grandma, I never could understand why she did the things she did or how bold she became. But now on my way to college, I see how. Everywhere she went, you would know something of her, hear something of her. She was always ready for a challenge, big or small. She’d make you laugh or think in ways you didn’t know you could. I tend to follow in her footsteps. As someone who is up to a challenge and will work hard toward it no matter the cause. I feel as if these actions will help me shape my path of what my future can look like without worrying.  You never really fully learn everything; there is always something new to learn. Or something new to develop. I know it won’t be easy, yet that little girl who would try to research and experiment ways to do different things can now come out to the world, bringing her imagination and bright ideas to life. And knowing that the world is bigger than can be imagined but fields in STEM are way bigger, with so many things to try with so much time. It just keeps getting larger and advancing all around the world. I want to pursue engineering. If it's not for me, I still want to work in different areas of STEM. One of my biggest goals is to find myself on the right path. I want to make the right decision, choose the right college, and get a degree to set my future career in stone. Though the future is unpredictable, my goal is always to find something I love to do and not find myself as a simple office worker but to expand and learn more. Also, what I aspire to achieve is the challenge to go forward with my education. Not only stopping after college but throughout my career. Though some areas don't require a college degree, I want to have a degree as a way of accomplishment. With financial support, I can achieve my future aspirations without having to stress about being in debt or always wonder if I can even get to my future.