Throughout high school I have been involved in many community service organizations such as Student Council, National Honors Society, Key Club, and more. While I understand these organizations may have an appeal to students for things like a resume boost, to me they have a very different value. As a young girl, I saw nothing but perseverance and grit from my mother. She not only managed to take care of two children on her own, but to ensure we experienced nothing but pure happiness. She would not have been able to take care of us without aid from our community. They provided things like food, shoes, clothing, and school supplies. As a naïve, young girl I did not realize just how much the communities generosity impacted my life. Now, as I've grown, I see just how crucial community service is especially in children's life. This experience has inspired me to continue volunteering for the very organizations that contributed to my upbringing. Not only have I continued to serve throughout high school, but I plan to attend the University of Texas at Austin to study accounting so I can aid non-profit organizations and impoverished citizens when it comes to finances.

As a young child and one of two daughters to a single mom, many of my childhood memories are owed to my community. My mother was very young when she had my sister and me, and every week was a struggle to make ends meet. She was just a carhop at Sonic Drive-In, so her pay was not sufficient to take care of two children. Through community efforts, my sister and I were able to remain safe, warm, and well-fed. Places like the High Plains Food Bank and Snack Pak 4 Kids provided us with a reliable source of food. Due to these efforts, I feel a need to contribute to my society, not only to give back, but to triple their impact. I know what it was like to grow up in less-than-desirable living conditions, but I also recognize that with the help of our community, children can be shielded from their harsh reality. For this reason, I want to pursue a career in accounting, specifically for nonprofit organizations with a mission to send low income students to higher education. My goal is to help underrepresented and underfunded communities propel themselves forward so the next generation can break the cycle. Unfortunately, underfunded communities must work 10x harder than their counterparts. Though hard work and dedication can get you far, it is often not enough. In places of poverty, money comes first. Gifted students may lack the proper amount of sleep or focus due to working to provide a second income for their families or taking care of siblings while their guardians work. This has sent impoverished communities into an endless cycle that has become increasingly difficult to break. Without proper guidance and funding to allow students to focus on their education, my community is bound to remain in the status quo. This is why I have set my sights on the University of Texas at Austin where I will study accounting through the McCombs School of Business. However, achieving this goal comes at a cost. UT Austin has set my tuition at $36,000 per year, leaving me with up to $180,000 in debt by the time I achieve my masters degree. This number feels insurmountable given my family's financial situation. My mother has worked tirelessly to provide for me, but with her existing debt due to previous financial circumstances, she cannot contribute to my education. I have taken it upon myself to seek every possible scholarship and financial aid opportunity because, without them, my dream of attending the University of Texas at Austin will be just that, a dream. This scholarship is more than just financial aid to me. It is the key to my success. You will not only be awarding me financial assistance but also a chance. A chance to attend a school some students can only dream of being admitted to. A chance to make a difference in my community. A chance to break the cycle. It will represent an opportunity to continue breaking barriers and create a path for all the children who once lived like me. Throughout my academic journey, I have learned to embrace my identity, stand firm in my ambitions, and use my experiences as motivation, not as baggage. I have worked relentlessly to overcome adversity, and I have committed myself to becoming the first student in my family to obtain a college degree. Help me continue my academic studies, uplift my community, and achieve what once was thought to be impossible. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship and helping me break the cycle.