I was born in beautiful island ofTrinidad and Tobago and moved to the United States in 2004, a journey that marked the beginning of a new chapter filled with challenges and opportunities. Currently, I am a student at Brooklyn College pursuing dual majors in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Psychology, along with double minors in Neuroscience and Philosophy. Today, as I sit down to write this, I would be lying if I said I do not feel a sense of defeat. The weight of my student loan debt, amounting to $36,664 often feels overbearing. Despite working and attending school full-time, the dream of paying off this debt and furthering my studies feels distant. Although at times I feel defeated, I refuse to give up on myself and my dreams. As a first-generation student, the pressure to succeed is immense. In everything I do, I am not only thinking about myself but also my family and loved ones, those who came before me and those who will follow. Many people depend on me, and in pursuing and achieving my dreams, I am in some small way, also fulfilling theirs. My aspirations involve becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist and eventually pursuing a Ph.D. in Immunology. My interest in the regulation of the immune system is personal, as my mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a condition for which there is currently no cure. If I can dedicate my time to making life a bit easier for people with MS and contribute to finding a cure, it would be so fulfilling. Additionally, I've always had a passion for helping others find their voice. Growing up in an abusive household where I wasn’t allowed to speak up or defend myself has made me determined to ensure that others can communicate and express themselves, no matter what disorders they may face. Everyone deserves a voice, and I am committed to dedicating my life to making that a reality for as many people as possible. Balancing work and school has been incredibly challenging, yet I have consistently earned a spot on the Dean's List every semester since I began my college journey. Transitioning from a high school dropout to obtaining my GED, and enrolling in college has been transformative, and I have never looked back since. My community involvement includes tutoring kids, helping them develop a love for reading, and volunteering my time at food and clothes drives. Reading holds a special place in my heart, as it allowed me to escape my abusive reality growing up and helped me succeed in writing, a skill I think everyone should continually improve. Giving back has always been important to me, as I understand the struggles many face and want to provide support where I can. This kind of support has directly helped my family and me countless times before. If I were to receive this scholarship, it would have a profound impact on my life. The stress of looming debt is a daily concern, but I have remained resilient, maintaining a 4.0 GPA since starting my college journey while working full-time. With the additional funds I could breathe a little easier, pay down more of my student loans, and begin rebuilding my savings, which have been depleted by school expenses and daily necessities like food and transportation. This scholarship would not only help me manage my current debt, but also allow me to focus on my studies without the constant worry of financial instability. This support would allow me to continue achieving my dreams, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Resilience is the ability to withstand adversity and emerge stronger. This definition has become a mantra that has guided my life's narrative. As a first-generation student and adult learner who's experienced my fair share of hardships and challenges, I've embraced resilience as my armor and driving force. My journey has equipped me with the tools to overcome obstacles, and I'm determined to uplift others from underrepresented communities—a community I proudly belong to. I was born in Trinidad and Tobago and grew up surrounded by the warm embrace of the Caribbean Sea. However, life on my blissful island became tainted by household struggles and an environment marked by addiction and abuse. My mother, a resilient woman in her own right, made the courageous decision to immigrate to the United States, leaving our family behind in search of a better life. Her journey, though driven by hope, was filled with uncertainty, hardships, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility as she sent money home to support me and my brother. A few years later, we migrated to Brooklyn, NY. It was a stark contrast to the carefree island life I had known. Cultural shock and environmental differences were only the beginning of my struggles. I was bullied for my accent and ridiculed for my clothing, which lacked the allure of name brands. I yearned to fit in but felt like an outsider in a sea of unfamiliarity. This sense of isolation and past circumstances took a toll on my mental health, leading to a period of depression, skipping classes, and, ultimately, dropping out of high school. In this dark chapter of my life, resilience became my lifeline. My foundation was crumbled but not destroyed. I gained confidence by seeking help through counseling and other resources. I eventually passed my GED exam and gradually rebuilt my self-esteem. During this process, I made a list of my dreams and educational goals, and one of them was to attend college. I now proudly have an Associate's degree in Education, graduating from LaGuardia Community College with a 4.0 GPA. I'm currently pursuing dual degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Psychology at Brooklyn College, with minors in Philosophy and Neuroscience. Afterward, I will attain a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology and a Ph.D. in an area related to neuroscience and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I am particularly interested in neurogenic speech disorders. My long-term research interest is stem cell therapy for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which can potentially transform many lives, including my mother, who battles this disease. MS has no known cure, and I am determined to be a part of the solution. My dream extends beyond individual success, and The Jillian Ellis Pathway Scholarship would support me by helping to break financial barriers, enabling me to continue my education. I aspire to empower individuals from underrepresented communities by providing them with access to quality education and healthcare. My passion for Speech-Language Pathology is deeply rooted in my desire to help those who are marginalized and overlooked. I've witnessed how language barriers and dialect stigmatization can create barriers to education and professional advancements. In addition to assisting individuals with neurogenic speech disorders, I'm committed to de-stigmatizing linguistic discrimination and accent bias alongside advocating for individuals from all linguistic backgrounds. Resilience is not merely a quality; it's a story of survival, transformation, and empowerment. My journey from a tumultuous childhood and high school dropout to an aspiring Speech-Language Pathologist is a testament to the power of what makes me resilient. My past does not define my future, and I am determined to empower others to believe the same.

Labels: they're all around us. Some say it reflects a partial definition of who we are, while others want to rid themselves of innocuous titles and generalizations. Either way, we all can think of ways to describe ourselves or let society define us. Since migrating from Trinidad and Tobago to the United States in 2004, several labels have followed me. Including immigrant, high school dropout, first-generation college student, dreamer/DACA recipient, and soon, college graduate. In 2021, at the height of the dreadful Covid-19 pandemic, I enrolled at LaGuardia as an Education major. Growing up in a large family and a multicultural and ethnically diverse environment fueled my desire to learn from others. Celebrating holidays and traditions from various people, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds was commonplace throughout my childhood. I remember hearing different languages spoken by respected elders throughout the island. My favorite holiday as a child was Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights. My friends and I, some speaking Hindi, some not, would gather around painting and lighting deyas (small clay lamps), dressed in bright-colored costumes, celebrating light over darkness and good overcoming evil. I mention this day because, in retrospect, it makes me appreciate my upbringing. I love being around diverse dialects, languages, and cultures. Learning about and from everyone, even when they have different views or beliefs than my own, is immensely important. At LaGuardia Community College, I naturally gravitated toward ELL 101: Introduction to Language. This course taught me about language acquisition, sentence structures, phonology, and how language evolves as society changes. It was fascinating to discover the multifaceted elements of these intricacies. During the semester, my professor emailed me about the National Science Foundation-Research Experiences for Undergraduates in the Intersection of Linguistics, Language, and Culture. Shortly after, I applied and was accepted to the NSF-REU, undergoing my first year-long research experience. From that point on, my college trajectory shifted. Conducting research with the help of my mentor and having hands-on experience pertaining to the advancements, issues, and interests within the field of linguistics, language, and culture was transformative. Suddenly, words and intonations held deeper meanings, and research was fun, albeit challenging. I want to learn more and discover answers to questions about code-switching, style-shifting, pitch perception, abnormalities in speech development, attitudes toward bilingualism, autism, and accent bias. During my research experience, I found purpose, a resounding certainty entwined within the unpredictability of life. Even when it became difficult, I pushed through to completion. Ultimately, I knew I wanted to pursue a degree in social sciences, specifically Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD). In Spring 2023, that is precisely what I will be doing at Queens College. I was accepted and will be majoring in CSD and minoring in Psychology. These degrees will allow me to positively impact the world in a collaborative environment. Barrack Obama once said, "The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don't wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope; you will fill yourself with hope." I plan to make his words a reality. In the future, I intend to add another 'label' to my list: Speech Language Pathologist (SLP). I will work alongside children as an SLP, assisting individuals in low-income areas who are marginalized and often overlooked. I still have a lot to learn and accomplish, and I don't know everything. However, I know it would be life-changing to positively contribute and impact the world in any way, through my career as a Speech Language Pathologist.