My goal did not begin with a textbook. It began with questions I could not yet name. When my younger brother was diagnosed with autism at three years old, I wondered how he perceived the world, what shaped his behavior, and why two people could experience the same environment differently. As I grew older, those questions became an interest in autism, neurodivergence, and the relationship between the brain and behavior. They also became a plan: I want to become a neuroscience researcher. I first pursued that interest by studying Anatomy in Nigeria. After moving to the United States, I continued my education as a Biology/Pre-Medicine student at Essex County College. I have earned a 3.88 GPA, made the Dean’s List, joined Phi Theta Kappa, and become an ECC Student Ambassador. My next step is to complete my associate degree, transfer to Rutgers University, and earn my bachelor’s degree in neuroscience by 2028. Beyond my bachelor’s degree, I intend to pursue research training and a Ph.D. My developing interest in neuromusicology has also given me a more specific question to explore: how does music affect mental health from a neurological perspective? Reaching this goal requires more than ambition, so I have calculated the cost and considered several paths for meeting it. My remaining education at ECC will cost approximately $6,173. At Rutgers, I estimate $38,000 for two years of fall and spring tuition and fees, plus $10,000 for summer sessions. I have budgeted another $2,000 for books and laboratory materials, $1,800 for twenty-four monthly bus passes at $75 each, and $15,000 for accommodation. My estimated total is $72,973. I currently have $8,115 in grants, leaving a funding gap of $64,858. My mother is unemployed, and my father works demanding shifts to support our household and help pay my community-college expenses. I am also currently unemployed, so I cannot honestly list income that I do not have. Instead, my plan is to apply for external and Phi Theta Kappa scholarships, pursue additional financial aid, seek work-study or part-time employment, and use summer classes to remain on track for graduation. This $1,315 scholarship would cover most of my projected $2,000 in books and laboratory materials, leaving only $685 of that expense uncovered. I am also building ìṣẹ̀dá, a creative studio developed from the graphic-design and administrative skills I gained through years of church service. It has not produced income or paying clients yet, but I already have portfolio work, a brand identity, and defined services. Approximately $2,000 in certified graphic-design and brand-identity training, separate from my degree budget, would help me turn those existing skills into paid work. I plan to pursue separate certification funding and eventually direct part of ìṣẹ̀dá’s earnings toward my education. It is not a substitute for my neuroscience goal. It is one practical way I am preparing to help finance it. My plan accounts for where I am, what I lack, and what I can do next. I cannot control every financial obstacle, but I can keep planning my work and working my plan. With each scholarship, completed course, and opportunity I pursue, I move closer to conducting research that may help families like mine better understand the minds of the people they love.

Before I understood terms such as administration, media strategy, or brand identity, I was already learning them in church. The Redeemed Christian Church of God in Nigeria was more than my place of worship. It was the first community that trusted me with responsibility, helped me discover my abilities, and taught me that every skill should ultimately serve others. RCCG is organized into Parish, Area, Zone, Province, Region, Continent, and National levels. My journey began locally. In 2021, I served in the choir at my Parish and Area. Toward the end of that year, my dedication was recognized, and I was selected for the Provincial Teens Mass Choir. In January 2022, at twelve years old, I was appointed Assistant Choir Coordinator of the Provincial Teens Mass Choir, which included members as old as twenty-four. The responsibility initially intimidated me, but it taught me that leadership is not determined by age. It is demonstrated through preparation, humility, reliability, and helping others succeed. For almost two years, I coordinated people older and younger than me while learning from them. Serving at that age changed how I viewed faith. I saw the appointment as evidence that God could use willingness before experience. Instead of treating leadership as recognition, I learned to treat it as stewardship and be accountable to the people entrusted to me. My service soon expanded beyond one department. I joined the Regional Teens Mass Choir from 2023 to 2024 while also serving in the choir, media, and registration departments of the Provincial Pastors’ Seed Family. Managing these responsibilities simultaneously taught me organization, communication, teamwork, and time management. In registration, I created and managed Google Forms, organized spreadsheets, retrieved data, prepared reports, communicated through email, and helped coordinate events. For one program, I assisted with registration involving approximately 223 attendees. I learned that administration is also service because accurate, thoughtful systems help people feel welcomed and cared for. On December 24, 2023, I was elected Vice President of the Provincial Junior Church, serving teenagers and children. During my tenure, I helped coordinate activities, supported other leaders, and stewarded younger teenagers who looked to us for direction. My work led to an invitation to join the Provincial Youth Media Team. More importantly, I formed friendships and connections that remain strong even after my move to the United States. They remind me that meaningful service outlives a position or location. The skills my church nurtured now influence how I serve outside Nigeria. They support my involvement in the ECC Student Ambassadors Program at Essex County College and inspired me to begin developing ìṣẹ̀dá, meaning “creation” in Yoruba. ìṣẹ̀dá is a creative studio intended to help small-business owners build their brands through graphic design and visual identity, then support their growth through email management, documentation, and file organization. Although I am still developing it, its foundation was laid through years of church media, registration, and administrative service. My church also shaped my future vision. I hope to return to Nigeria, establish scholarships for underprivileged young people passionate about science, and open a neurodevelopment institute that conducts research while supporting children and families. RCCG taught me that opportunities are not gifts to keep for myself; they are resources to use in creating opportunities for others. None of this would have been possible without my church. RCCG trusted me to lead at twelve and showed me that faith should produce action. Church service did not simply add activities to my résumé. It shaped my understanding of community as a place where people recognize one another’s potential, share responsibility, and use their gifts to help others flourish.

My name is Nanette Fasasi. I am a Nigerian student who moved to New Jersey with my family in December 2025. I love music, enjoy expressing myself through graphic design, and care deeply about the people around me. I am also the kind of person who asks questions until I understand not only what happened, but why. My curiosity about the brain began before I knew the word “neuroscience.” When my younger brother was diagnosed with autism at age three, I began wondering how he perceived the world, why his brain processed information differently, and how research could help families understand neurodivergence with greater compassion. That curiosity became an academic purpose. I began studying Anatomy at Lead City University in Nigeria, earning a WES-evaluated 3.58 GPA. After moving to the United States, I rebuilt my academic path at Essex County College. I now study Biology/Pre-Medicine and hold a 3.88 GPA. I made the Spring 2026 Dean’s List and joined Phi Theta Kappa and the EVC Student Ambassadors Program. If I could do anything with my life, I would earn a bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in neuroscience, then research autism, neurodivergence, behavior, and how music affects mental health. I hope to combine research with technology and data analysis to make discoveries more precise and accessible. My dream extends beyond my own career. I hope to return to Nigeria, establish scholarships for underprivileged young people with a deep passion for science, and open a neurodevelopment institute that advances research while supporting children and families. I want people like my brother to be understood as whole individuals, and I want my education to create opportunities that continue far beyond me. What excites me about STEM is that curiosity can become something measurable, testable, and useful. A question about why the brain responds differently to sound, stress, or communication can lead to an experiment, a pattern in data, and eventually a tool that improves someone’s life. Although my long-term field is neuroscience, information technology is essential to the work I hope to do. Brain research relies on databases, imaging software, computational models, machine learning, and secure systems for organizing health information. I want to learn how to use these tools to study autism and neurodivergence, and to explore neuromusicology, especially the relationship between music and mental health. Technology could help researchers identify patterns that are difficult to see through observation alone and translate findings into accessible support for patients, families, and underserved communities. I have already seen how digital systems can expand what one person can accomplish. As Vice President in my church’s Junior Church, I used Google Forms and spreadsheets to organize registrations and retrieve information for an event serving approximately 223 attendees. At a juice bar, I also worked with a point-of-sale system while handling orders and inventory. These experiences taught me that technology is most valuable when it makes work clearer and more efficient. I hope to make a positive impact through a career connecting neuroscience with responsible information technology. My goal is not technology for its own sake, but technology that helps us understand people better, improve mental-health research, and make scientific knowledge useful beyond the laboratory. My greatest challenge has been learning how to begin again while my family was still trying to survive. We moved from Nigeria to the United States in December 2025 with little financial stability, unsure whether my academic progress would transfer. Our household income is under $50,000. My mother is unemployed, and my father works overnight alongside two daytime shifts to cover groceries and my community-college tuition. He rarely has time to come home. I understood that being a student could not be my only responsibility. I accepted a job at a juice bar and used my earnings to purchase our household’s groceries for the month. It was not the college experience I imagined. I was adjusting to a new country, restarting my education, working, and watching my parents carry an enormous burden. Yet the experience taught me to respond to uncertainty with action. I managed the challenge by creating structure where I could. I focused on my classes, sought opportunities to become involved on campus, and refused to let financial pressure lower my academic standards. At Essex County College, I earned a 3.88 cumulative GPA, made the Spring 2026 Dean’s List, joined Phi Theta Kappa, and became part of the EVC Student Ambassadors Program. I have not “gotten past” this challenge because my family is still living through it. However, I have learned how to move forward inside it. I now understand resilience as continuing to build a future while also helping your family make it through the present together.

Some days, I see my father only in passing. He works overnight shifts while also taking on two regular daytime shifts to support our family. Sometimes he barely comes home, not because he does not want to, but because he is doing everything possible to keep us afloat. My mother is currently unemployed, and my father’s income must cover our household expenses, a grocery budget that can be as little as $100 a month, and the cost of my community college education. When my family came to the United States, our greatest challenge was having to find a way to survive, and we had to do it quickly. We were entering a new country without the financial stability or support system that many families depend on during such a major transition. My father’s relatives were not as supportive as we had hoped, so we learned to make do with what we had. There was little time to slowly adjust or wait until everything felt familiar. We had to understand a new environment, manage limited resources, and begin rebuilding our lives almost immediately. Watching my father sacrifice his time, energy, and rest has changed how I understand opportunity. My education is not simply something I am entitled to receive. It is something my family works tremendously hard to make possible. That knowledge motivates me to take my studies seriously, even when adjusting to life in a new country feels overwhelming. Since enrolling at Essex County College, I have earned a 3.88 cumulative GPA, made the Dean’s List, joined Phi Theta Kappa, and become a member of the Student Ambassadors Program. These accomplishments are meaningful to me because they show that my family’s sacrifices are producing something valuable. They also represent my determination to create a more stable future through education. This experience has shaped me into someone who adapts quickly, appreciates limited resources, and refuses to take support for granted. It has also made me more aware of the struggles people may be carrying quietly. My father’s exhaustion is not always visible to others, just as many families’ financial struggles are hidden behind ordinary appearances. Because of this, I try to approach people with compassion and contribute wherever I can, including through service on my college campus. My family’s transition to the United States has not been easy, but it has taught me resilience, responsibility, and gratitude. I am pursuing an education not only to achieve my own goals in neuroscience, but also to honor my parents’ sacrifices and eventually give my family the stability for which they have worked so hard. Receiving this scholarship would ease some of the pressure my father carries and allow me to continue turning our difficult beginning into a future filled with possibility.

When I moved from Nigeria to the United States in December 2025, I brought more than my academic records with me. I carried years of ambition, uncertainty, and a determination to rebuild my education in an unfamiliar country. Beginning at Essex County College required me to adjust quickly to a new academic system while also navigating the financial and personal realities of starting over. Despite those challenges, I have earned a 3.88 cumulative GPA, made the Dean’s List, joined Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and become involved in the ECC Student Ambassadors Program. My interest in neuroscience began years before I entered college. When my younger brother was diagnosed with autism at age three, I became curious about how he experienced and interpreted the world. I wanted to understand the relationship between the brain, behavior, perception, and neurodivergence. What began as concern for someone I love gradually developed into an academic purpose. I initially studied Anatomy at Lead City University in Nigeria, and I am now studying Biology at Essex County College as preparation to transfer into a neuroscience program. My interests have continued to grow as I have learned more about the field. I am especially interested in neuromusicology and the neurological relationship between music and mental health. Music is often discussed as entertainment or emotional expression, but I want to study what is happening within the brain when music affects mood, memory, stress, and psychological well-being. My long-term goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and eventually pursue doctoral study and a research career. I hope to contribute to work that improves our understanding of the brain and produces practical support for people with neurological and mental-health conditions. My education has also taught me that meaningful contribution is not always the most visible kind. Through the ECC Student Ambassadors Program, I volunteered behind the scenes during commencement rehearsal, the commencement ceremony, and the commencement reception. I helped with the details and logistics that allowed other students and their families to celebrate an important milestone. My previous leadership in children’s and teenagers’ ministry similarly taught me to support people, coordinate programs, manage information, and step in wherever help was needed. These experiences have strengthened the patience, responsibility, and service-mindedness that I hope to carry into scientific research. Receiving the Concrete Rose Scholarship would reduce the financial pressure associated with tuition, textbooks, transportation, and transferring to a four-year university. It would allow me to devote more attention to my coursework and pursue research, laboratory, and internship opportunities that will prepare me for graduate study. Instead of making every academic decision according to what I can afford immediately, I would have greater freedom to choose opportunities according to how well they support my long-term development. A concrete rose represents growth in a place where growth may not seem easy or expected. My journey has required me to begin again, adapt, and continue working toward a goal that is larger than my present circumstances. This scholarship would not simply help me remain in college. It would help me continue building the education and research career through which I hope to understand the brain, support others, and turn a deeply personal source of curiosity into meaningful scientific work.

1. I found TXT in my freshman year of college in Nigeria in October 2024 2. I think the most important characteristic of a MOA is the ability to function in unity with people 3. My TXT bias is SOOBIN. I chose him because I see him as a Great Dane. He’s someone who leads softly. He carries a lot of influence but doesn’t have to enforce authority on anyone before getting things done. 4. My ult bias is Sunghoon from ENHYPEN. 5. I love 0x1=LOVESONG. At the time I started listening to TXT, this was the first song I ever heard, and it made me cry. At the time I didn’t understand the lyrics, but when I read them I cried even harder the next time I listened to the song. I didn’t have my person at the time, the “person” being the one the song talks about. I didn’t have anyone that made my life feel beautiful because they were in it. The song gave me hope that I would find that person. And I did. 6. I have never seen TXT in person sadly, my parents wouldn’t let me plus I used to live in Nigeria and only moved to the United States last year so I never had the chance to. 7. My favorite album concept is The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE, if I haven’t already hinted at that. The notion of being young and drowned in chaos in life but being brought to a still and finding meaning again, through one person, really resonates with me. In the 0x1 concept of turning zero into a one through love, is what I felt when I first heard 0x1=LOVESONG. It felt like TXT had experienced the kind of loneliness I had felt, how it felt like everything was falling apart and I was waiting for MY person to change that. 8. I apply for financial aid, but it barely covers my entire tuition, so my father borrows from his siblings in order to couple it with my financial aid to pay my tuition on time, and then he pays his siblings back over months. 9. The scholarship will go towards my savings for Rutgers University. I got admission to transfer there to study Neuroscience but had to decline it because I cannot afford the tuition I would be charged this year since I am still considered a foreigner. By next year, I would be considered a resident and my tuition would be slashed almost in half, which would make saving easier, and enrolling much more realistic. 10. TXT has changed my perspective on love and fate. I used to believe that I would never find THE ONE. That I would never find my person. I used to believe that “soulmates” is just a concept, and isn’t real, no matter the period of time they spend in your life. But TXT changed that, through that one song, 0x1=LOVESONG. If I were to describe my life before I found TXT through a TXT song, it would be Anti-Romantic. I didn’t believe in love. TXT gave me hope to wait on love, and now, I believe. 11. My long term goal is to get a PhD in Neuroscience. My brother was diagnosed with autism at the age of three, and he’s turning 12 this year. Growing up with him, I became intrigued in how the human brain is a universal entity but is so subjective to the owner and different from every other. With my education, I plan to conduct research in neurodivergence and shed light on the strengths of autism and neurodivergence, shifting the narrative from the negative (stigmatization of people living with autism), into positive (seeing neurodivergence as a superpower).

I did not grow up thinking about neuroscience the way most people discover a career, through a class or a documentary. I came to it through something far more personal. Watching someone I love struggle with a condition that affected their brain, their memory, their ability to be fully present, made me ask questions I could not let go of. Why does the brain fail the people who need it most? Who gets to study it, and who gets left out of that conversation entirely? Those questions are what pushed me toward neuroscience, and they are what keep me going now. I completed my freshman year at Lead City University in Ibadan, Nigeria, and moved to the United States in December 2025. Starting over academically in a new country is not easy. I had to navigate a new system, a new campus, and a new set of expectations while adjusting to a completely different environment. But I enrolled at Essex County College in Newark, New Jersey, because I knew that every semester I completed here was a step toward something bigger. I am pursuing an associate’s degree in Biology with a Pre-Medicine focus, and my plan is to transfer to Rutgers University to major in Neuroscience with a minor in Data Science. My long-term goal is to become a neuroimaging technician and researcher, with a focus on neurodivergence and neuromusicology. I am drawn to neuroimaging because it sits at the intersection of technology and human understanding. It is the tool that lets us actually see what is happening inside the brain, and I want to be someone who knows how to use it, interpret it, and build on it. Neurodivergence interests me because there is still so much stigma around the way some brains are wired, and not enough research driven by genuine curiosity and care. Neuromusicology, the study of how music affects and interacts with the brain, feels like one of the most underexplored and exciting areas in the field. I want to be part of the research that pushes those conversations forward. Higher education is not optional for the path I am on. Building a research career in neuroscience requires years of academic preparation, lab experience, and hands-on exposure to imaging technology and research methodology. I cannot do any of that without the foundation I am building right now. Every biology course, every chemistry lab, every paper I write is part of the larger structure I need. This scholarship would help me stay focused on that foundation without the constant weight of financial stress pulling my attention away from what matters. Being a low-income student in a science track is its own kind of challenge. Textbooks are expensive. Lab fees add up. Research opportunities are often unpaid. I am not saying this to ask for sympathy. I am saying it because it is the reality, and it matters that people who fund scholarships like this one understand what it actually costs to pursue science when you are not starting from a place of financial security. I work hard because I have to, and I do not have the option of coasting. What I plan to create with this education goes beyond my own career. I want to contribute to research that changes how we understand brains that work differently, whether that is through studying neurodivergence with more compassion and rigor, or exploring how music can be used as a therapeutic or diagnostic tool. I also want to be a presence in spaces that are not always accessible to people from backgrounds like mine. Science needs more perspectives, more people who ask different questions because they have lived different lives. I am sixteen years old, I am building my academic record from scratch in a new country, and I am completely committed to this path. Higher education is not just a requirement for the career I want. It is how I become someone who is actually equipped to contribute something meaningful to the field of neuroscience. This scholarship would not just help me pay for school. It would tell me that the work I am doing is seen, that the future I am building matters, and that investing in someone like me is worth it. It is.

I’m a Biology/Pre-Medicine student at Essex County College in Newark, New Jersey, and I’m on a path I’ve been building toward for most of my life. I was born and raised in Nigeria, where I completed my first year of university before making the decision to move to the United States in December 2025. Starting over in a new country mid-degree wasn’t easy. There were moments of doubt, moments of exhaustion, and moments where the distance between where I was and where I wanted to be felt overwhelming. But none of that slowed me down. If anything, it made me more intentional about every step I take. My long-term goal is to become a neuroscience research scientist. I plan to transfer to Rutgers University to major in Neuroscience with a minor in Data Science, and from there, pursue graduate school. Neuroscience didn’t feel like a choice I made so much as a direction I was pulled toward. When someone close to me experienced a serious neurological health crisis, I watched my family navigate a situation that felt foreign and frightening. We didn’t always understand what was happening or why. We didn’t have access to people who could explain it in a way that made sense to us. That experience changed something in me. It turned a general passion for science into something deeply personal and specific. I stopped thinking about research as an abstract pursuit and started seeing it as something with real consequences for real people. Growing up, I also observed how communities like the ones I come from, both in Nigeria and here in Newark, are consistently left behind when it comes to scientific progress and healthcare advancement. The findings that come out of research labs don’t always reach the people who need them most. I want to help close that gap. My goal is to contribute to neuroscience research that is not only rigorous but meaningful, work that moves us closer to understanding and treating conditions that devastate families every single day. To get there, I’m building the strongest foundation I can right now. I’m maintaining a strong GPA, seeking out research opportunities, applying to honors programs, and developing skills in data science alongside my biology coursework. I chose data science as a minor because I believe the future of neuroscience research lives at the intersection of biology and technology. The ability to analyze complex datasets, model brain activity, and interpret large-scale research findings is becoming essential in this field, and I want to be prepared for that. Being an immigrant, a first-generation student, and a young woman pursuing one of the most demanding fields in STEM comes with its own set of challenges. But it also gives me a perspective I think is genuinely valuable. I know what it means to build something from nothing. I know what it feels like to be in a situation where the resources you need aren’t readily available. That awareness shapes how I approach my work and why I care so much about what research can do for communities that have historically been overlooked. This scholarship would mean more than financial support. It would be an investment in someone who is fully committed to using science as a tool for change. I’m not just studying neuroscience to advance my own career. I’m studying it because I believe the work I do can matter to people beyond a lab. I’m asking for the chance to prove that.

Serving my community is important to me because I believe that true success is not measured only by personal achievement, but by the positive impact I have on the people around me. Growing up in Nigeria, I have seen how communities depend on shared responsibility, care, and consistency to thrive. These experiences shaped my understanding that even small acts of service can create meaningful and lasting change in people’s lives. In my family, I learned responsibility early by contributing to daily tasks and supporting those around me. This taught me discipline, empathy, and awareness of other people’s needs. It also helped me understand that service often begins in the home, through simple acts of care and accountability. These values have carried into my involvement in my church community, where I serve as a regional worker in my fellowship. In this role, I help organize programs, support younger students, and participate in activities that promote unity and spiritual growth. Through this experience, I have learned that service is not always about large or visible actions, but about being dependable, present, and willing to help when needed. Serving my community is also important to me because I care deeply about encouraging others, especially students. I often support my peers by motivating them to stay focused on their academics and personal development, even when things become difficult. I have realized that many people are not necessarily lacking ability, but are simply in need of encouragement, direction, or someone who believes in them. Being that source of support, even in small ways, is something I value greatly because it reminds me that kindness and consistency can influence someone’s path. My interest in neuroscience further strengthens my commitment to service. As I learn more about how the brain influences behavior, emotions, and mental health, I have become more aware of how much misunderstanding and stigma still exist around mental health in many communities. I want to help bridge that gap by promoting awareness and understanding, especially among young people, so that more individuals feel safe to seek help and better understand their experiences. After my education, I plan to stay actively involved in my community through youth mentorship, educational support, and mental health awareness initiatives. I want to use my knowledge and experiences to help others feel supported, informed, and empowered to reach their potential. Ultimately, serving my community is important to me because it gives purpose to my education and meaning to my goals. It is a lifelong responsibility that I intend to continue carrying wherever I go, because I believe a life of impact is a life well lived.

Going to college means more to me than just earning a degree. To me, it represents opportunity, responsibility, and the chance to turn something I’ve always been curious about into something that can actually help people. I don’t see college as just the next step. I see it as the foundation for the kind of life I want to build. I’ve always been interested in neuroscience, especially how the brain shapes behavior, emotions, and identity. That curiosity has gradually turned into something deeper, a desire to understand mental health, particularly in communities where it’s often misunderstood or ignored. I’ve seen how easily these conversations are avoided, and it made me want to learn more, not just for myself but so I can help others. College will give me the structure, guidance, and opportunities I need to explore these questions in a more meaningful way. At the same time, my goals go beyond just doing well academically. I want to use what I learn to create access. One thing I hope to build in the future is a neuroscience initiative that focuses on free mental health support and awareness. I want to organize workshops that talk openly about things like neurodivergence, including autism, and help break down the stigma around mental health. In many communities, people are either silent about these issues or do not fully understand them, and I want to be part of changing that. I also know college will challenge me in ways that go beyond academics. It will push me to think differently, work with people from different backgrounds, and step into leadership roles. I am not just interested in gaining knowledge. I want to learn how to apply it in real situations. Whether that is through research, volunteering, or campus involvement, I plan to take advantage of opportunities that allow me to grow and make an impact at the same time. I am also very aware that going to college is a privilege, and I do not take that lightly. I am committed to putting in the work, staying focused, and making the most of every opportunity I am given. I want my college experience to reflect both effort and purpose. In the end, going to college means putting myself in a position to create change that lasts beyond me. It means gaining the tools to support better mental health awareness, contribute to research, and help people who often feel overlooked or misunderstood. What I am trying to accomplish is not just a career, but a meaningful difference in my community and beyond.

My passion for neuroscience is deeply personal, rooted in my experience growing up with my younger brother, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. From a young age, I found myself asking questions that went beyond curiosity—how does he experience the world? How does his brain process emotions, communication, and connection differently from mine? These questions stayed with me and gradually developed into a genuine desire to understand the human brain. Coming from a family that places a strong emphasis on academic achievement, I was raised with the expectation to succeed and represent excellence. My relatives often measure success through educational background and career accomplishments, and while that environment pushed me to aim high, it also taught me the importance of defining success for myself. For me, success is not just about prestige—it is about purpose and impact. Because neuroscience was not available as an undergraduate course option where I began my academic journey, I chose to study Anatomy as a foundation. This decision reflects both my adaptability and commitment to my goals. Through Anatomy, I am building a strong understanding of the human body that will support my transition into neuroscience, where I hope to focus on neurodevelopment and conditions such as autism. My experiences have also shaped how I approach others. Growing up alongside my brother taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of understanding people beyond surface-level behaviors. These values influence how I interact with peers and how I contribute to group environments. I believe leadership is demonstrated through support and awareness, and I strive to be someone who uplifts others, especially those who may feel misunderstood. Pursuing a degree aligned with neuroscience will allow me to bridge my personal experiences with scientific inquiry. I plan to use my education to contribute to research that improves understanding of neurodivergence and supports individuals and families navigating similar experiences. In the long term, I hope to play a role in making scientific knowledge more accessible and inclusive, particularly for communities where awareness and resources are limited. Receiving this scholarship would significantly support my academic journey by allowing me to focus more fully on my studies and professional development. More importantly, it would bring me one step closer to turning my curiosity into meaningful impact. My goal is not only to succeed in STEM but to use my knowledge to better understand others, advocate for inclusion, and contribute to a field that has the power to change lives.

The American Dream, to me, is deeply personal and constantly evolving. It is not just about success in the traditional sense, but about becoming someone who matters, someone whose life has purpose, direction, and impact. As a neuroscience student, I see the American Dream as the opportunity to turn my curiosity about the human brain into something meaningful, something that contributes to improving lives and advancing knowledge. It represents the freedom to pursue my passion without limitations and to build a future that reflects both my ambition and my values. It is about having access to spaces where my ideas are valued and where I am given the chance to grow into the person I envision. A major part of that dream is financial freedom. I want to reach a point where I am not just surviving, but truly secure and independent. Financial stability, to me, means being able to support myself comfortably, but it goes far beyond that. It means being able to give my parents the security they deserve after everything they have sacrificed for me. I want to ease their burdens, to make sure they never have to worry about basic needs or uncertainty again. That, in itself, is a core part of what success looks like to me, because my achievements are not just mine alone. It also means building a future where my income alone can sustain my family. I want to create a life where stability is not fragile, where my children grow up with opportunities, safety, and access to the best education possible. I want to build generational stability, not just temporary comfort. The American Dream gives me the belief that through hard work, discipline, and consistency, that level of stability is achievable, even when the journey is not easy. Beyond financial success, the American Dream is about relevance and influence. I want to be a person whose voice carries weight in my professional field, someone who contributes to meaningful conversations and real solutions. Coming from Nigeria, my vision extends beyond one country. I want to build a career that allows me to make an impact both in the United States and back home. Whether through research, innovation, or mentorship, I want to contribute to growth and development in both spaces, creating opportunities for others just as I have been given opportunities. Ultimately, the American Dream is about rising above limitations and creating a life that reflects who I truly am. It is about growth, impact, financial stability, and legacy. It is the chance to not only change my own life, but to positively influence the lives of my family, my community, and the generations that come after me. It is about building a future that is bigger than me, one that leaves a lasting mark.

My name is Nanette Fasasi, and I am an international student from Nigeria with a deep curiosity about the human mind and a strong desire to make knowledge accessible to others. Growing up, I learned early that education is one of the most powerful tools a person can have. It not only opens doors but also equips people to solve problems that affect their communities. That belief has shaped the goals I have for my future. I plan to pursue neuroscience because I am fascinated by the complexity of the brain and how it influences behavior, emotion, learning, and mental health. Understanding how the brain works is not only scientifically interesting to me, but it also has the potential to change lives. Mental health and neurological conditions are still widely misunderstood in many communities, including some parts of my home country. Because of this, many people who struggle with mental health challenges do not receive the support they need. One of my long term goals is to start a neuroscience initiative that focuses on community education and accessible mental health support. I hope to create a program that provides free mental health resources and guidance to individuals who cannot afford professional care. Mental health support should not be considered a luxury, and I want to help create systems where people can receive information, counseling resources, and support without financial barriers. Another important part of my vision is spreading awareness about neurodivergence. Conditions such as autism are often misunderstood, which can lead to stigma, isolation, and a lack of proper support for those who are neurodivergent. Through my initiative, I hope to organize autism awareness workshops that educate families, students, and community members about neurodivergence. These workshops would focus on understanding neurological differences, promoting acceptance, and helping people learn how to better support neurodivergent individuals in schools, workplaces, and everyday life. Beyond education, I also want to inspire young students who are curious about science but may not see themselves represented in STEM fields. By sharing knowledge and creating accessible learning spaces, I hope to encourage others to pursue scientific careers and use their talents to improve society. Ultimately, the impact I want to make is rooted in compassion and knowledge. By combining neuroscience with community outreach, I hope to help build a world where mental health is taken seriously, neurological differences are respected, and scientific understanding is used to uplift people rather than exclude them. My goal is not only to study the brain, but also to use what I learn to support communities and create meaningful change.

Moving from Nigeria to the United States as an international student has required courage, independence, and the willingness to grow in unfamiliar environments. In many ways, I relate to the determination and boldness that defined Maggie Kwiecien’s life. Like her, I believe that when you set your mind to something, curiosity and persistence can carry you through challenges that initially seem overwhelming. Before coming to the United States, I grew up in Nigeria where I often faced a challenge that quietly shaped my confidence: ageism. From middle school through high school, I was consistently the youngest student in my class. Even though I always performed excellently academically, my age sometimes caused classmates to question the validity of my success. I remember moments when I contributed ideas in class discussions or group projects, only to feel as though they were dismissed because I was younger than everyone else. It was confusing to work hard, achieve strong results, and still feel as though my voice was not fully taken seriously. Those experiences were discouraging at times, but they also strengthened my mindset. I decided that if people doubted my voice because of my age, I would focus on proving my value through dedication, consistency, and leadership. One place where I truly began to see the power of my voice was in my church choir. I served as a tenor in the provincial teens mass choir, and the choir quickly became a space where my contributions felt meaningful. I attended rehearsals faithfully, learned harmonies carefully, and encouraged the other members of the choir. Over time, my dedication was recognized and I was appointed assistant choir coordinator. That role meant a lot to me because it showed that leadership is not determined by age but by commitment and responsibility. One of my proudest experiences was helping prepare our choir for competitions within the church. We practiced for hours, refining our harmonies and supporting one another through the pressure of performing. Those efforts paid off when our choir won three competitions. For me, those victories were deeply personal. They reminded me that even when people underestimate you, your work and determination can still speak loudly. Like Maggie, I value intellectual curiosity and a strong commitment to education. I am passionate about science and hope to pursue neuroscience because I am fascinated by how the brain shapes the way people think, feel, and behave. Moving to the United States to pursue my education has strengthened my determination to keep growing academically and personally. Maggie’s story inspires me because of her bravery in stepping into new environments and pursuing excellence without hesitation. I hope to continue embodying that same spirit by working hard, embracing challenges, and using my voice to show that determination and resilience can transform doubt into opportunity.

Growing up in Nigeria, I often experienced ageism in subtle but frustrating ways. Many adults believed that because I was young, my ideas were not fully formed or worth considering. There were times when I wanted to contribute in conversations or suggest improvements, but I hesitated because I assumed my voice would be overlooked. Even so, I refused to accept that my age determined my value. I carried a strong mindset that usefulness is defined by effort, character, and willingness to serve, not by how old someone is. One of the places where I learned this lesson most clearly was in my church choir. I joined the provincial teens mass choir and sang as a tenor. At first, I simply focused on doing my part well, learning harmonies, attending rehearsals, and supporting the choir however I could. Over time, my consistency and dedication were noticed, and I was appointed assistant choir coordinator. That role pushed me beyond just singing. I began helping organize rehearsals, encouraging other members, and supporting the choir coordinator in preparing us for programs and competitions within the church. One experience stands out to me vividly. Our choir was preparing for a major church competition, and the pressure was high because several choirs from other parishes were also competing. Some people doubted whether our group could stand out. Instead of allowing those doubts to discourage us, I tried to motivate the choir. I reminded everyone that each voice mattered and that when we worked together with discipline and confidence, our sound would reflect our dedication. We practiced tirelessly, refining harmonies and strengthening our unity as a group. When the competition day finally arrived, the performance felt powerful. Our voices blended beautifully, and the energy we shared as a choir was undeniable. By the end of that season, our choir had won three competitions within the church. For me, those victories represented more than trophies. They were proof that young people can lead, contribute, and create meaningful impact when they are given the opportunity. That experience changed the way I see my voice. I learned that confidence is not about being the loudest person in the room, but about believing that what you contribute has value. Communication sometimes means speaking up, but it can also mean leading through action, encouragement, and consistency. In the future, I hope to continue using my voice to challenge assumptions about young people and to inspire others to believe that their age does not limit their ability to make a difference.

I come from a family that takes pride in raising trophy children. My uncles and aunts are proud of their children’s academic achievements and career accomplishments, using the schools they graduated from and their places of work as a measure of success. Growing up in this environment, I understood early that excellence was not just encouraged, it was expected. And while that standard has pushed me to aim high, my deepest motivations have never been about trophies. My interest in Neuroscience is deeply personal. I have a younger brother who was diagnosed with Autism at the age of three, and growing up with him shaped my curiosity about how the human brain works. I often found myself wondering how life looks like from his perspective, how he processes experiences, and how neurodivergence influences perception and behavior. While my cousins collected accolades, I was collecting questions, questions that could not be answered by a prestigious degree alone, but by genuine dedication to understanding the human mind. Watching my brother navigate a world that was not always designed for him taught me something that no classroom could: that science, at its best, is an act of empathy. Every therapy session he attended, every milestone he reached in his own time, and every moment he found his own way of connecting with the world around him deepened my resolve to study the brain, not as an abstract organ, but as the seat of someone’s entire lived experience. I want to understand what he understands, see what he sees, and one day contribute to research that makes life more accessible and more understood for people like him. This is why I am pursuing an associate’s degree at Essex County College, with plans to transfer to Rutgers University to major in Neuroscience with a minor in Data Science. I believe that combining a deep understanding of the brain with the analytical tools of data science will position me to contribute meaningfully to modern neurological research. My academic path has not been without its challenges, but every step has been taken with intention and purpose. Getting this scholarship would be a step closer to saving enough for tuition once I transfer to Rutgers University, and would be more of an encouragement to continue working towards achieving my dreams. It would affirm that my story, shaped by family expectations, a brother who changed how I see the world, and a genuine love for science, is worth investing in. I am not chasing a trophy. I am chasing understanding.