My academic and professional goals are centered around becoming a lawyer or judge so that I can make a meaningful impact within the justice system. I plan to major in political science or criminal justice, along with a minor in psychology, to gain a deeper understanding of the law and human behavior. I want to be able to make fair decisions, advocate for others, and contribute to a system that not only enforces laws but also supports people and communities. I understand that my academic record, including my current GPA, may not fully reflect my potential. However, it does not define my ability, my work ethic, or my future. Throughout my high school experience, I have faced personal challenges that made it difficult at times to perform at my highest level. Instead of letting that stop me, I have learned from those experiences and developed resilience. I am now more focused, motivated, and determined to improve. I see college as an opportunity to reset, grow, and prove to myself and others what I am capable of achieving. Giving back to my community has been one of the most important parts of my journey. For the past two years, I have served as the President of my community service club, Genesis, where I have led efforts to support others and create positive change. Through this role, I have developed leadership skills, responsibility, and a strong sense of purpose. I have also been involved in multiple nonprofit organizations that focus on helping children, which has strengthened my passion for service. One of the most meaningful experiences I have had was advocating for a homeless woman in my community by writing letters to the Department of Human Services. This experience showed me how powerful it can be to use my voice to stand up for someone in need. It also helped me understand the importance of advocacy and inspired me to pursue a career where I can make a difference on a larger scale. These experiences have shaped the kind of future I want to create. I want to be successful, independent, and in a position where I can help others. As a future lawyer or judge, I hope to contribute to a justice system that is fair, compassionate, and focused on making a real impact. Overall, my journey has not been perfect, but it has made me stronger and more determined. I am committed to continuing my education, improving myself, and working toward my goals. I believe that with dedication and perseverance, I can overcome any obstacle and create a future that reflects my true potential.

One experience that shaped my motivation to pursue higher education is growing up in an environment where I didn’t always feel stable or supported. At times, my home life has been difficult, especially because of my mom’s drinking and the impact it has had on our relationship. There have been moments where I felt like I had to grow up faster than I should have, learning how to handle situations on my own instead of relying on a strong support system at home. Living through that made me realize that I don’t want my future to look the same. It showed me how important stability, independence, and personal growth really are. There were times when things felt overwhelming, but instead of letting that stop me, it pushed me to think about what I want my life to become. I started to understand that if I want something different, I have to work for it , and for me, that starts with education. Another part of this experience is seeing how the choices people make can affect not only their own lives but the people around them. Watching someone struggle with alcohol made me more aware of how important it is to have control over your decisions and to think about your future. It also made me realize that I want to be in a position where I can take care of myself and not depend on unstable situations. Because of this, pursuing higher education has become very important to me. I see it as a way to build a better life and create opportunities that I may not have otherwise. Going to college means more than just getting a degree, it means gaining independence, learning new skills, and setting myself up for long-term success. It’s my chance to create a different path for myself. This experience has also influenced the kind of future I want to create. I want a future where I feel secure, both emotionally and financially. I want to have a career where I can support myself and not have to struggle the way I’ve seen others struggle. I also want to build healthier relationships in my life, based on trust, respect, and communication. In addition, I want to be able to give back and help others who may be going through similar situations. Whether it’s through my career or just being someone people can look up to, I want to show that your environment does not have to define your future. You can come from a difficult situation and still build something better for yourself. Overall, my experiences at home have been one of the biggest motivations for me to pursue higher education. They have taught me resilience, independence, and the importance of making better choices for my future. Instead of letting my circumstances limit me, I am using them as motivation to grow, succeed, and create the kind of life I know I deserve.

Drugs, especially fentanyl, have had a direct impact on my life and the way I see the world around me. One of the most serious experiences I’ve had was when a student at my school passed away from a fentanyl overdose in the bathroom. That situation really affected me because it showed how dangerous drugs can be and how quickly someone’s life can be taken. It wasn’t something distant or just something you hear about on the news, it happened in a place where I go every day. Knowing that someone my age lost their life like that made me realize how real the drug crisis is and how important it is to address it. Substance use has also affected my family in different ways. Many of my family members smoke, and my mom struggles with drinking. Because of that, our relationship isn’t the best. There are times when it feels like the substance use gets in the way of communication, trust, and stability in our home. Growing up around that has been difficult because it can create stress and emotional distance. It has also made me more aware of how addiction doesn’t just affect one person, it affects everyone around them, especially family members. Seeing both personal and community experiences with drugs has shaped my perspective and motivated me to want something different for my future. That is one of the main reasons I am interested in pursuing a degree in criminal justice. I don’t just want to look at drug use as a crime, but also as a serious social issue that needs better solutions. I want to understand why people turn to drugs, how addiction works, and what can be done to prevent overdoses and support people before it’s too late. Through my criminal justice degree, I plan to learn about drug policies, law enforcement strategies, and rehabilitation programs. I am especially interested in approaches that focus on prevention and recovery rather than only punishment. For example, I think it’s important for communities to have more access to education about drugs like fentanyl, as well as resources for people who are struggling with addiction. If people are given the right support early on, it could prevent situations like the one that happened at my school. In the future, I hope to work in a career where I can help make communities safer and support people who are dealing with substance abuse. Whether that means working in law enforcement, community outreach, or rehabilitation programs, my goal is to make a positive impact. I want to be someone who helps reduce the number of overdoses and helps families who are going through similar situations as mine. Overall, my experiences with drugs and substance use have been challenging, but they have also given me a sense of purpose. Instead of letting those experiences define me in a negative way, I want to use them as motivation to create change and help others avoid the same struggles.

I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer, and maybe one day a judge. That urge comes from watching how unfair the world can be, especially when it comes to race and gender. Where I grew up, you see all sorts of people, and the legal system messes with their lives a lot more than it helps. I watched friends and family hit these barriers real brick walls and it just ate at me. There’s the frustration, but also this ache for them, like you wish you could do something. That’s what really pushes me to want to fix things in the justice system, especially in civil and family law. People need actual help in those areas. I think standing up for folks who usually get ignored matters more than anything. The system feels cold and distant, especially if you’re from a group that gets overlooked. As a lawyer, I’d want to make sure they’re heard. I want things to be fair, or at least fairer, so everyone actually has a shot. For that, I know I need to major in political science get the basics down about government and law. I’m planning on minoring in psychology too, because you’ve got to understand people if you’re going to help them in court. Law school’s going to be tough, no question about it. So undergrad has to be solid good grades, internships, maybe even reaching out to professors for advice and recommendations. It’s not just about the classroom, though. Debate club can help me find my voice. Volunteering, joining advocacy groups those things build up your critical thinking and keep you close to the problems people actually face. You see what families are up against, and I want to help with that. After I finish undergrad, it’s straight to law school. That part’s going to take everything I’ve got, but the idea of speaking up for people who never get heard keeps me going. I want to focus on civil and family law, especially clinics that help low-income people or people of color. That’s where you learn the real stuff, up close the challenges, the setbacks, the little wins. That’s how I’ll get better at fighting for them. Once I graduate, I need real-world experience. Public defender, civil rights lawyer, family law doesn’t matter, each path teaches you something. Volunteering at nonprofits matters too. It keeps you connected, reminds you who you’re fighting for. I never want to lose that. Becoming a judge? That’s the long game. You’ve got to see the whole system, stay committed to fairness, never zone out. It’s a long road, and there’s no way around that. Maybe I’m dreaming big maybe it sounds out there but I believe a more compassionate system could change everything. Some days the dream feels far off, but I’m okay with that. I’m not giving up.

My interest in law really started picking up during the Black Lives Matter protests. It was this big thing that made me think hard about justice and how unequal things can be in society. I saw people fighting for their rights, and it pushed me to learn more about legal systems and how they are supposed to protect everyone. That is what got me into political science as my major, and now I am set on working in family law or civil law someday. The movement showed me all these systemic problems, like how laws can help or hurt people depending on who you are. It seems like a lot of folks do not have the right support to deal with legal stuff, especially families going through tough times. I want to step in as an advocate for those who feel like they have no voice, maybe in cases involving kids or home issues. Being president of my community group and an intern for Department of Human Services in Child Support Administration has given me a closer look at real legal challenges. We do outreach, and I have talked to families facing custody fights, domestic violence situations, or even unstable housing. These interactions make me believe that access to legal help should be for everyone, not just those who can afford it. The law can empower people if it is used right, but often it feels the opposite. In my classes, political science ties into all this by showing how policies and laws connect to bigger societal values. I am starting to see the links, which I think will help me push for better reforms later on. Movements like BLM keep inspiring that kind of change, calling out injustices that need fixing. Family law and civil law overlap in ways that interest me a lot, especially how decisions affect whole families across time. I aim to work on policies that put children and families first, making sure the system protects them instead of pushing them away. It might be oversimplifying, but that intersection feels like where I can make a difference. This scholarship would take a lot of pressure off financially, so I could focus more on school and my community work. Without that stress, I can build the skills to be a solid advocate for people who need it. I am committed to making the legal world fairer, improving access for all kinds of families. My passion from BLM has grown into something real for me in family and civil law. Through advocacy, I hope to bring positive shifts to communities. With support like this, I will keep moving toward that, focused on justice for those who get overlooked most.

Growing up being surrounding by family all around, I always wanted to help people. My grandmother was very active in our community (Seat Pleasant, MD) she would take in foster kids, host events, charities, and was apart of the NANBPWC (Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club Inc. She is my role model, once I turned 13 she came to me and my cousins with an opportunity to start a youth club. Starting off wasn’t easy we would have meetings once a week but I felt like we weren’t getting anywhere. Until I turned 16 she asked me if I wanted to bring it back, I answered with Of Course! She then asked me to be the president, and I was so honored. My grandmother a leader of many things saw me as one. So from then on me and my friends and my little cousin made it a goal to actually help people doing meetings every week. Helping my grandmother at church when we can. And making goals such as hosting huge events, feeding the homeless, etc. That wasn’t the only thing I did. Once I reached Highschool I was very depressed so my academics isn’t what I want it to be so, I started doing more. I’ve been apart of 3 non-profits Lessons Learned, Ketchmore Kids, and Goode Fight. These three non profits have the same goal which is to better the life of kids going through hardships. Before helping and joining these organizations I didn’t realize how everyone life is different. I grew up in a household with both parents who have been married for 20+ years, 4 siblings, aunts and uncles, and having loving grandmothers. All lot of people don’t have support systems or any family at all. Which is why I want to continue with my club and potentially expand it, not just helping the youth but everyone who needs help. Life isn’t easy, I can’t change the life of people but I at least want to help them be better. Thats why my life goal is to become a civil lawyer, someone who is about the people for the people. I rarely see younger lawyers of my skin color helping us or worried about us instead a lot of them are in politics more worried about the president than helping people. I want to be an example to younger people and even older people because it is never to late to chase what you want and strive for greatness. All I want to do is help people and I would do whatever it takes to get there mentally, physically, and emotionally. I want to help like my grandmother and even like Ms. Hill. When I leave this world I want to leave with a purpose and a mark on this earth, I want to help people even after life. It gives me purpose knowing I can make someone’s life easier. I want to be the kind of person who leaves other better than I found them.

I love help the youth and minorities so volunteer work is my favorite extracurricular activity more than 53,000 youth are tried as adults every year in the US. These are just a few facts when it comes to the criminal justice system. A lot of African-Americans aren’t able to get the justice they need because of opinionated people. Things like this for you can affect them in the near future can affect them getting jobs, getting houses, etc. When minors are criminalized at an early age a placement a long-term strain on courts, law-enforcement, correctional facilities and social services and every year hundreds and thousands of minors are arrested for the most nonviolent offensives like theft, drug possession or disorderly conduct and in 2021 405,000 arrest were minors in for these offensive they have to serve time which affected their life, such as getting the proper education and being able to grow with their surrounding families. Cases like these heavily made me wanna work with the youth and minorities because they’re being treated unfairly in the criminal justice system, and I feel like if kids see another minority help them Maybe they’ll feel protected in a way. Growing up a big family I have always been surrounded by kids and different minorities such as African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, etc. so it’s not just African-Americans I wanna help. I wanna help everyone, but I have noticed that minorities are the ones who don’t get as much help being black myself I have noticed a repetitive cycle of mistreated civilians and seeing this cycle has grown my love for wanting to be in the criminal justice system to be able to help those mistreated civilians. since 2020 I have been a part of three nonprofits that help youth individuals get out of their hardships and show them a better life so in a way I have been helping people but being a lawyer or a judge is my career goal to help those people even further. Being a part of these nonprofits have shown me that everybody doesn’t grow up the same and everybody has their own situation going on and seeing these things have grown my horizon on how everybody goes through different things and has made me more understanding as a person. So that is one change that I would like to see in the criminal justice system, and I will wanna be a part of that change.

The criminal justice system today is not really focused on African Americans and Youth. The has been a big problem years but right now we are talking about recent issues, in 2022 the arrest rates for Black individuals was 4,544 per 100,000 which is double the amount for white individuals. Black people takeover 14% of U.S. population but 32% of the 14% is incarcerated. Black students take more disciplinary action than white students. getting the proper education and being able to grow with their surrounding families. More than 53,000 youth are tried as adults every year in the US. These are just a few facts when it comes to the criminal justice system. A lot of African-Americans aren’t able to get the justice they need because of opinionated people. Things like this for you can affect them in the near future can affect them getting jobs, getting houses, etc. When minors are criminalized at an early age a placement a long-term strain on courts, law-enforcement, correctional facilities and social services and every year hundreds and thousands of minors are arrested for the most nonviolent offensives like theft, drug possession or disorderly conduct and in 2021 405,000 arrest were minors in for these offensive they have to serve time which affected their life, such as getting the proper education and being able to grow with their surrounding families. Cases like these heavily made me wanna work with the youth and minorities because they’re being treated unfairly in the criminal justice system, and I feel like if kids see another minority help them Maybe they’ll feel protected in a way. Growing up a big family I have always been surrounded by kids and different minorities such as African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, etc. so it’s not just African-Americans I wanna help. I wanna help everyone, but I have noticed that minorities are the ones who don’t get as much help being black myself I have noticed a repetitive cycle of mistreated civilians and seeing this cycle has grown my love for wanting to be in the criminal justice system to be able to help those mistreated civilians. since 2020 I have been a part of three nonprofits that help youth individuals get out of their hardships and show them a better life so in a way I have been helping people but being a lawyer or a judge is my career goal to help those people even further. Being a part of these nonprofits have shown me that everybody doesn’t grow up the same and everybody has their own situation going on and seeing these things have grown my horizon on how everybody goes through different things and has made me more understanding as a person. So that is one change that I would like to see in the criminal justice system, and I will wanna be a part of that change.

The criminal justice system today is not really focused on African Americans and Youth. The has been a big problem years but right now we are talking about recent issues, in 2022 the arrest rates for Black individuals was 4,544 per 100,000 which is double the amount for white individuals. Black people takeover 14% of U.S. population but 32% of the 14% is incarcerated. Black students take more disciplinary action then white students. In California ages 12 to 24 are most likely to be stopped and searched for guns and drugs. in 2017-2018 school year black students made up 15% of the enrollment but 31% of arrests a lot of schools policies, push students into the justice system instead of offering help or counseling to better them. more than 53,000 youth are tried as adults every year in the US. These are just a few facts when it comes to the criminal justice system. A lot of African-Americans aren’t able to get the justice they need because of opinionated people. Things like this for you can affect them in the near future can affect them getting jobs, getting houses, etc. When minors are criminalized at an early age a placement a long-term strain on courts, law-enforcement, correctional facilities and social services and every year hundreds and thousands of minors are arrested for the most nonviolent offensives like theft, drug possession or disorderly conduct and in 2021 405,000 arrest were minors in for these offensive they have to serve time which affected their life, such as getting the proper education and being able to grow with their surrounding families. Cases like these heavily made me wanna work with the youth and minorities because they’re being treated unfairly in the criminal justice system, and I feel like if kids see another minority help them Maybe they’ll feel protected in a way. Growing up a big family I have always been surrounded by kids snd different minorities such as African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, etc. so it’s not just African-Americans I wanna help. I wanna help everyone, but I have noticed that minorities are the ones who don’t get as much help being black myself I have noticed a repetitive cycle of mistreated civilians and seeing this cycle has grown my love for wanting to be in the criminal justice system to be able to help those mistreated civilians. since 2020 I have been a part of three nonprofits that help youth individuals get out of their hardships and show them a better life so in a way I have been helping people but being a lawyer or a judge is my career goal to help those people even further. Being a part of these nonprofits have shown me that everybody doesn’t grow up the same and everybody has their own situation going on and seeing these things have grown my horizon on how everybody goes through different things and has made me more understanding as a person. So that is one change that I would like to see in the criminal justice system, and I will wanna be a part of that change.