As a child, I believed my mother's addiction defined her. Today, I understand that untreated trauma and mental illness played a far greater role than I could have imagined. That realization changed the course of my life and inspired the career I am pursuing today. Growing up, I watched my mother struggle with addiction. For many years, I viewed her experiences through the eyes of a hurt child. I couldn't understand why she had left our family for a period of time, and I believed she had chosen addiction over her children. It wasn't until I became an adult, served in the United States Army, and eventually became a mother myself that I began to understand the complexity of her story. I learned that she was a young mother of four trapped in an abusive relationship while struggling with overwhelming emotional pain. Addiction was not the beginning of her story; it was the result of trauma, mental illness, and circumstances she didn't know how to escape. That realization completely transformed my perspective. Instead of asking, "Why did she make those choices?" I began asking, "What happened to her?" That single shift taught me the importance of compassion, trauma-informed care, and treating the whole person rather than judging the symptoms they present. Those experiences led me to earn my bachelor's degree in Human Services, and this fall I will begin my Master of Social Work at George Fox University. My long-term goal is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, providing mental health services to individuals and families, especially in underserved rural communities where access to care is often limited. What motivates me is the belief that mental health care should never stop at treating a diagnosis. People deserve to be heard, understood, and treated with dignity. Too often, individuals facing mental illness or addiction encounter stigma instead of support. They are viewed as their worst decisions instead of as people carrying stories of pain, trauma, resilience, and hope. Throughout my career, I want to help create a mental health system that is more compassionate, accessible, and trauma-informed. I want to advocate for earlier intervention, strengthen connections between mental health and substance use treatment, and help individuals recognize that asking for help is a sign of courage rather than weakness. Brian J. Boley's story is a reminder of the devastating consequences that can occur when mental illness is not adequately understood or treated. His legacy reinforces why this work matters so deeply. Every person deserves the opportunity to receive support before reaching a crisis point. My mother's journey taught me that recovery is possible. It also taught me that one person's compassion can change the trajectory of another person's life. As a future social worker, I hope to be that compassionate presence for individuals and families navigating some of their darkest moments. If I can help even one person feel seen, supported, and hopeful, I will know I have honored both my education and the experiences that led me to this profession.

Growing up, I did not have the language to understand mental illness, addiction, or trauma. I only knew that my mother struggled with addiction and, for a period of my childhood, was absent from our family. Like many children, I took her absence personally. I believed she had chosen drugs over her children, and for years I carried resentment I did not yet know how to release. As I grew older, my understanding began to change. After graduating from high school, serving in the United States Army, and eventually becoming a mother myself, I started to recognize the realities my mother had faced. She became pregnant at a young age, was raising four children, and was trapped in an abusive, manipulative relationship. I learned that addiction rarely exists in isolation; it is often intertwined with trauma, mental illness, fear, and hopelessness. The more I learned about mental health, the more I began to see my mother not with anger, but with compassion. Today, I no longer see only the woman who left. I see an incredibly resilient woman who survived circumstances that would have broken many people. She confronted her addiction, rebuilt her life, and became someone I deeply admire. One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that compassion begins when we stop asking, “What is wrong with this person?” and instead ask, “What happened to them?” That shift in perspective changed not only how I viewed my mother, but also how I wanted to live my own life. That realization inspired me to earn my bachelor’s degree in Human Services and to pursue a Master of Social Work at George Fox University this fall. My goal is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker so I can support individuals and families navigating trauma, addiction, and mental illness. I want to be the kind of professional who sees the whole person, not just the symptoms, diagnoses, or circumstances they present. Mental illness does not affect only the person experiencing it. It touches spouses, children, parents, siblings, and entire communities. I experienced that firsthand as a child, but I have also learned that painful experiences do not have to define us in negative ways. Today, I hope to transform my experiences into empathy rather than resentment, and into service rather than silence. My mother’s story taught me that healing is possible. It taught me that people deserve understanding, support, and access to quality mental health care. Most importantly, it taught me that our hardest experiences can become the foundation for helping others feel seen, supported, and less alone. As I continue my education, I hope to honor that lesson by dedicating my career to walking alongside people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue that path and prepare me to serve families with the compassion, patience, and understanding that every person deserves. If I can help even one family experience understanding sooner than mine did, then every challenge I have overcome will have served a greater purpose.

Neither of my parents graduated from high school. In fact, my father did not earn his GED until I was around twenty years old. Growing up, college was not something we talked about because it was not something anyone in my immediate family had experienced. There was no roadmap for applications, financial aid, or degree planning. If I wanted to pursue higher education, I would have to learn how to navigate that path on my own. Being a first-generation student has meant stepping into unfamiliar territory while carrying the hopes of future generations with me. The journey has not been easy. After high school, I joined the United States Army, where I learned discipline, resilience, and perseverance. Later, I returned to school as a wife and mother, balancing coursework alongside family responsibilities. There were many nights spent studying after my children went to bed and many early mornings dedicated to assignments before the rest of the house woke up. Despite these challenges, I earned my bachelor's degree in Human Services and became the first person in my family to graduate from college. This fall, I will continue my education by pursuing a Master of Social Work degree at George Fox University after being accepted into two MSW programs. I have also secured a practicum placement with Asante, bringing me one step closer to my goal of becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. My experiences growing up around addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges inspired me to pursue social work. I want to help individuals and families access the support and resources they need to heal and thrive, particularly in underserved communities where access to care can be limited. What drives me most is knowing that my education is creating opportunities not only for myself but also for my children. They are growing up watching their mother attend college, earn a degree, and pursue graduate school. I hope they will see higher education as an achievable goal rather than something beyond their reach. This scholarship would help ease the financial burden of graduate school, childcare, transportation, and educational expenses. More importantly, it would support a journey that began with no roadmap and has become a commitment to creating a better future for my family and the communities I hope to serve. As a first-generation student, I am proud of how far I have come, and I am determined to continue paving the way for those who follow after me.

Neither of my parents graduated from high school. For most of my childhood, higher education felt like something that belonged to other families, not mine. My mother struggled with addiction, and my father did not earn his GED until I was around twenty years old. There was no roadmap for college in my household. Conversations about university applications, financial aid, and career planning simply did not exist because neither of my parents had experienced those opportunities themselves. If I wanted to pursue higher education, I would have to learn how to navigate that path on my own. Growing up, I also witnessed the impact of addiction, trauma, and mental health struggles within my family. As a child, I did not fully understand the circumstances surrounding my mother's addiction. I only understood the confusion, hurt, and instability that often accompanied it. For many years, I viewed those experiences through the eyes of a child. As I grew older, joined the military, and eventually became a mother myself, I gained a different perspective. I came to understand the role that trauma, abuse, and mental health challenges played in her struggles. That understanding transformed resentment into compassion and helped shape the person I am today. After graduating high school, I joined the United States Army. Military service taught me discipline, resilience, and perseverance. It showed me how to work through challenges, adapt to difficult circumstances, and remain committed to long-term goals. Those lessons became invaluable when I later decided to pursue higher education. Returning to school was not easy. As a first-generation college student, I had to learn how to navigate higher education largely through trial and error. At the same time, I was balancing the responsibilities of marriage, parenthood, and family life. There were many nights spent studying after my children were asleep and many early mornings dedicated to coursework before the rest of my household woke up. While the journey was challenging, each obstacle strengthened my determination to succeed. One of the areas where I have excelled is academic perseverance. Despite the challenges of being a nontraditional student, I successfully completed my bachelor's degree in Human Services. Throughout my studies, I developed strong skills in research, academic writing, critical thinking, and community advocacy. I completed projects focused on mental health, suicide prevention, social services, and community outreach. These experiences strengthened my passion for helping individuals and families overcome barriers and access the support they need. My dedication to education has continued beyond my undergraduate degree. I was recently accepted into two Master of Social Work programs and chose to attend George Fox University. I have also secured a practicum placement with Asante before even beginning my graduate program. These accomplishments represent years of hard work, persistence, and a commitment to personal growth. My field of study is social work. After graduating with my Master of Social Work degree, my goal is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I hope to provide mental health services to individuals and families, particularly those living in underserved and rural communities where access to care is often limited. My experiences have shown me how profoundly mental health, addiction, trauma, and socioeconomic challenges can affect a person's life. I want to help people navigate those challenges and connect them with the resources necessary to heal and thrive. The changes I hope to create extend beyond individual clients. In my field, I want to contribute to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and substance abuse. Too many individuals suffer in silence because they fear judgment or do not know where to seek help. I want to advocate for greater access to mental health services, increased awareness of trauma-informed care, and stronger support systems for individuals and families facing difficult circumstances. Personally, I hope to continue breaking generational barriers through education. Earning a bachelor's degree was a significant milestone as the first person in my family to do so. Pursuing a master's degree represents another step forward. More importantly, I hope my educational journey demonstrates to my children that higher education is attainable and valuable. They are growing up watching their mother attend college, complete assignments, pursue graduate school, and work toward a meaningful career. My hope is that education becomes an expectation rather than an exception for future generations of my family. I understand that meaningful change requires commitment, sacrifice, and persistence. I am willing to dedicate the time, effort, and energy necessary to achieve my goals because I know the impact they can have on others. Every class I complete, every practicum hour I earn, and every challenge I overcome brings me one step closer to serving the communities that inspired me to pursue social work in the first place. As a first-generation college student, veteran, mother, and future social worker, I have learned that obstacles do not determine our future. What matters is how we respond to them. My journey has taught me resilience, compassion, and the value of education. Those lessons have shaped both the person I am today and the professional I hope to become. Through social work, I hope to transform personal experiences into opportunities for service, advocacy, and lasting positive change.

My "awkward" thing is that I don't seem to fit neatly into any one category. I'm a veteran, a mother, a graduate student, a writer, a gardener, and an aspiring social worker. Depending on the day, I might be discussing trauma-informed care for my Master of Social Work program, baking sourdough bread, helping my children with school, tending sheep on our property, or writing chapters of a dystopian novel. People often seem surprised by the combinations. When I tell someone I'm a veteran, they don't expect me to also be an author. When I mention that I write books, they don't expect me to be pursuing social work. When they learn I'm a social work student, they don't expect me to spend my free time gardening, raising animals, or obsessing over perfecting a loaf of sourdough bread. For a long time, I thought I was supposed to choose one identity and stick with it. It felt like everyone else had a straightforward answer to the question, "What do you do?" Meanwhile, my answer always seemed to require a paragraph. Over time, I've realized that being a little difficult to categorize is actually one of my greatest strengths. My experiences in the military taught me discipline and resilience. Motherhood taught me patience and adaptability. Writing taught me creativity and empathy by allowing me to see the world through different perspectives. My Human Services education taught me how to understand people, systems, and communities. Each part of my life contributes something valuable to the others. As I prepare to begin my Master of Social Work program at George Fox University, I have come to appreciate that the things that make us different are often the things that make us effective. My diverse experiences allow me to connect with people from different backgrounds and approach challenges from multiple perspectives. So if I have an "awkward" thing, it's that I don't fit into a single box. I am a collection of experiences that don't always seem like they belong together. Yet those experiences have shaped who I am and who I hope to become. I've learned that standing out isn't about being the loudest person in the room. Sometimes it's about embracing the unique combination of interests, experiences, and passions that make you who you are. In my case, that means being a veteran who writes novels, a mother pursuing graduate school, and a future social worker who still enjoys spending time with sheep and sourdough starter. It may be a little unusual, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Service has been the defining theme of my life. Whether through military service, motherhood, higher education, or my future career in social work, I have always been driven by a desire to help others and make a meaningful difference in my community. I believe I should be considered for this scholarship because I have demonstrated resilience, dedication, academic achievement, and a commitment to serving others while overcoming significant personal and financial challenges. After graduating high school, I joined the United States Army, where I learned the importance of discipline, perseverance, and selfless service. The military taught me how to adapt to difficult situations, work as part of a team, and remain committed to goals larger than myself. Those lessons continue to guide me today as I pursue graduate education and prepare for a career dedicated to helping individuals and families overcome life's challenges. My path to social work was shaped not only by my education but also by my personal experiences. Growing up, I watched my mother struggle with addiction. As a child, I viewed her struggles through the lens of abandonment and confusion. When she left our family for a period of time, I could not understand why. For many years, I carried feelings of hurt and resentment, believing she had chosen addiction over her children. It was not until I graduated high school, joined the military, and gained more life experience that my perspective began to change. As I matured, I learned more about the circumstances surrounding my mother's addiction. She was a young mother of four trapped in an abusive and manipulative relationship, struggling with emotional pain, trauma, and mental health challenges. For the first time, I understood that addiction was not simply a matter of poor choices. It was often connected to deeper wounds that had never been properly addressed. That realization transformed my understanding of both my mother and the people who struggle with mental health and substance abuse. I replaced resentment with compassion and gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of accessible mental health services, support systems, and community resources. Today, when I look at my mother, I no longer see the woman who left. I see a strong woman who faced extraordinary adversity, overcame her struggles, and rebuilt her life. Her journey inspired my desire to help others facing similar challenges. As a wife and mother of two young children, returning to school presented its own obstacles. Balancing coursework, parenting responsibilities, household obligations, and financial concerns often required careful planning and sacrifice. There were many nights spent studying after my children were asleep and early mornings dedicated to assignments before the rest of my family woke up. At times, the workload felt overwhelming, but my children became my motivation to continue moving forward. Despite those challenges, I successfully completed my bachelor's degree in Human Services. Throughout my education, I developed a strong interest in mental health advocacy, crisis intervention, community support, and social services. My coursework reinforced what I had learned through personal experience: people facing difficult circumstances need compassion, resources, and support rather than judgment. My commitment to education and service has continued beyond my undergraduate degree. I was recently accepted into two Master of Social Work programs and chose to attend George Fox University this fall. I have also secured a practicum placement with Asante, where I will gain hands-on experience working with individuals and families facing complex life challenges. My long-term goal is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and provide mental health services to underserved populations, particularly in rural communities where access to care is often limited. Financially, pursuing graduate school is challenging. While I am grateful for the educational benefits I earned through military service, there are still significant expenses associated with graduate education. Childcare, transportation to my practicum site, educational costs, and reduced housing assistance create ongoing financial pressures. Like many graduate students, I must carefully balance my educational goals with the realities of supporting a family. Receiving this scholarship would help alleviate some of that burden and allow me to focus more fully on my education and practicum experience. More importantly, this scholarship would be an investment in the communities I hope to serve. My goal is not simply to earn a degree. My goal is to use that education to help individuals and families navigate mental health challenges, overcome barriers, and build healthier futures. Every class I complete, every practicum hour I earn, and every step I take toward becoming a social worker is rooted in a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Education has given me the opportunity to transform personal hardship into purpose. The experiences that once caused pain have become the foundation for a career dedicated to helping others heal. Through military service, motherhood, and higher education, I have learned the value of perseverance, compassion, and service. I am committed to carrying those values forward throughout my career, and I would be honored to receive your support as I continue that journey.

My new Love Island challenge would be called **"The Future Test."** One of the biggest questions in any relationship is whether two people are compatible not just today, but in the future. Couples often connect over attraction and chemistry, but real relationships require shared goals, communication, and an understanding of each other's priorities. This challenge would put those factors to the test. Before the challenge begins, each Islander would privately answer a series of questions about their future. Questions would include topics such as marriage, children, finances, career ambitions, travel goals, living preferences, and personal values. Their answers would remain secret from both their partner and the other Islanders. The couples would then compete in a game where they must predict how their partner answered each question. For every correct match, the couple earns points. However, the challenge becomes more interesting when the actual answers are revealed to the entire villa. Imagine an Islander confidently saying that their partner wants five children, only for the reveal to show they never want children at all. Or discovering that one partner dreams of traveling the world while the other wants to settle down immediately. The challenge would create both funny moments and serious conversations. The winning couple would earn a private date and an exclusive villa reward. The couple with the fewest matching answers would face a consequence, such as sleeping separately for a night or being vulnerable in the next public vote. What makes this challenge perfect for Love Island is that it combines everything fans love about the show: romance, surprises, drama, and relationship growth. It would reveal which couples truly understand each other while exposing cracks in connections that may be based only on physical attraction. Most importantly, it would create unforgettable television. The best Love Island moments happen when Islanders learn something unexpected about their partners, and "The Future Test" would guarantee plenty of shocking reveals, emotional conversations, and villa-wide drama.

For years, I believed my mother chose drugs over her children. As a child, that was the only explanation I could understand. When my mother struggled with addiction and left our family for a period of time, I felt abandoned, confused, and hurt. I could not understand why a parent would leave her children behind. Those feelings stayed with me throughout much of my childhood and adolescence, shaping my relationships and my understanding of the world. I viewed addiction as a choice and carried resentment toward my mother for many years. It was not until I graduated high school, joined the military, and gained more life experience that my perspective began to change. As I matured, I learned more about the circumstances surrounding my mother's addiction. I began to understand that she was not simply a woman who walked away from her family. She was a young mother of four who found herself trapped in an abusive and manipulative relationship that she felt she could not escape. She carried emotional wounds, experienced trauma, and struggled with challenges that I had never fully understood as a child. For the first time, I recognized the role mental health played in her story. What I had once viewed as abandonment, I came to understand as the actions of someone desperately trying to survive overwhelming emotional and physical pain. Addiction was not the root of the problem; it was a symptom of deeper struggles that had gone unaddressed. That realization transformed my understanding of both my mother and mental health itself. Learning this did not erase the pain I experienced as a child, but it allowed me to replace resentment with compassion. I forgave my mother because I finally understood that people are often fighting battles that others cannot see. Today, when I look at her, I no longer see the woman who left. I see a strong woman who overcame extraordinary adversity. I see someone who confronted her demons, rebuilt her life, and emerged stronger than many people ever could. My experiences with mental health have also shaped the way I view relationships. I have learned the importance of empathy, active listening, and understanding the stories that exist beneath the surface. It is easy to judge someone based on their actions. It is much harder—and much more meaningful—to understand the experiences that led them there. This lesson has influenced how I interact with family, friends, classmates, and members of my community. Mental health has affected my own life as well. Throughout my educational journey, writing became a powerful tool for managing anxiety and processing emotions. Through storytelling, I found an outlet that allowed me to work through challenges, reflect on difficult experiences, and better understand myself. Writing taught me that healing can take many forms and that mental wellness is not a destination but an ongoing process. These experiences ultimately shaped my career goals. I recently completed my bachelor's degree in Human Services and will begin a Master of Social Work program at George Fox University this fall. I have also secured a practicum placement with Asante, where I will gain hands-on experience supporting individuals and families facing difficult circumstances. My long-term goal is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and help people navigate challenges related to mental health, trauma, addiction, and life transitions. One of the reasons I am drawn to social work is because I understand the consequences of stigma. Too many people suffer in silence because they fear judgment or believe asking for help is a sign of weakness. My mother's story taught me that struggling with mental health does not make someone weak. It makes them human. I want to be part of creating a world where seeking support is viewed as an act of courage rather than something to hide. Mental health has profoundly shaped my goals, relationships, and understanding of the world. It taught me that people deserve compassion, that healing is possible, and that every person has a story worth understanding. Most importantly, it inspired me to dedicate my life to helping others find the support, resources, and hope they need to overcome their own challenges. The little girl who once felt abandoned could never have imagined that her greatest source of pain would one day become her greatest source of purpose. Yet that journey has led me to where I am today—a future social worker committed to helping others heal, just as my family did.

When I first returned to school, I quickly realized that online learning would be more than a convenience—it would be the key that made higher education possible. As a veteran, wife, and mother, traditional classroom schedules often conflicted with the realities of family life. Online education provided the flexibility I needed to pursue my goals while continuing to fulfill my responsibilities at home. Throughout my Human Services degree, I relied on a variety of online platforms and digital resources to support my learning. My university's online learning management system allowed me to attend classes, participate in discussions, submit assignments, and collaborate with classmates regardless of my location. Digital library databases provided access to peer-reviewed research, helping me explore topics such as mental health, substance abuse, community outreach, and social services. Video conferencing platforms enabled meaningful interaction with instructors and peers, creating a sense of connection despite the physical distance. One of the most valuable online tools in my educational journey has been access to academic research databases. Through these resources, I learned how to evaluate evidence-based practices and apply research findings to real-world problems. During my Human Services coursework, I completed projects focused on suicide prevention, mental health services, and community-based interventions. Online databases allowed me to access current studies, government reports, and professional literature that strengthened both my academic work and my understanding of the field. Technology has also helped me apply knowledge beyond the classroom. As I learned about mental health, addiction, and social services, I became better equipped to understand the challenges faced by individuals and families in my community. The information I gained through online education reinforced my commitment to pursuing a career dedicated to helping others access resources and support systems. Beyond formal coursework, I frequently use online tools to continue learning independently. Educational videos, professional organizations, webinars, and digital publications allow me to stay informed about developments in social work and mental health. These resources have helped me build skills that extend beyond what is required in the classroom and have encouraged a mindset of lifelong learning. This fall, I will begin a Master of Social Work program at George Fox University after completing my bachelor's degree in Human Services. I have also secured a practicum placement with Asante, where I will gain hands-on experience working with individuals and families. The knowledge and skills I developed through online learning have prepared me for this next step and strengthened my confidence as both a student and future social worker. As a veteran, I understand the importance of adaptability and perseverance. Online education provided the flexibility I needed to overcome obstacles while continuing to pursue my goals. More importantly, it gave me access to knowledge, opportunities, and connections that will allow me to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others throughout my career.

I don't want to build a product or a company. I want to build bridges. Throughout my life, I have seen how easily people can fall through the cracks when they don't have access to support. As a child, I watched my family struggle with the effects of addiction and mental health challenges. At the time, I did not fully understand what was happening, but as I grew older, I realized how often people suffer not because help doesn't exist, but because they don't know how to access it or feel too overwhelmed to ask for it. That realization inspired me to pursue a degree in Human Services and continue my education through a Master of Social Work program. This fall, I will begin my MSW at George Fox University after completing my bachelor's degree. My long-term goal is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and help individuals and families navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives. The bridge I hope to build is one that connects people to the resources, support, and opportunities they need to heal and thrive. Whether someone is facing a mental health crisis, substance abuse challenges, housing insecurity, or financial hardship, they often encounter complex systems that can feel impossible to navigate alone. I want to help make those pathways clearer and more accessible. Building this bridge begins with education. Through my graduate studies and practicum placement with Asante, I will gain the knowledge and experience necessary to serve individuals and families effectively. It continues through advocacy by helping reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and encouraging people to seek support when they need it. Most importantly, it continues through relationships. Real change happens when people feel heard, respected, and supported. The impact of this work extends beyond individual lives. When people receive the help they need, families become stronger, children have greater stability, and communities become healthier. A single connection to the right resource can change the course of someone's future. Those small changes create ripple effects that benefit entire communities. My education is helping me build the foundation for that future. Every class, practicum experience, and professional opportunity is another piece of the bridge I hope to create. While the structure may not be made of steel or concrete, its impact can be just as lasting. The most meaningful thing I can build is a pathway that helps people move from crisis to stability, from isolation to support, and from hopelessness to possibility. Through social work, that is exactly what I intend to do.

Returning to school as a parent has been one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life. While many students worry primarily about exams, deadlines, and tuition, parents pursuing higher education must balance those responsibilities alongside the needs of their children. Throughout my educational journey, I have learned that success is not about having more time; it is about making the most of the time you have. When I returned to school, I was not just a student. I was also a wife, a mother, and a veteran working to build a better future for my family. My days often revolved around school assignments completed during nap times, late evenings after my children went to bed, and weekends spent balancing coursework with family activities. There were many moments when I questioned whether I could successfully meet all of my responsibilities. One of the greatest challenges I faced was the feeling that I was constantly being pulled in two directions. When I was studying, I worried that I was not spending enough time with my children. When I focused on family, I worried about upcoming assignments, exams, and deadlines. Learning to manage that guilt became just as important as learning course material. Over time, I realized that pursuing my education was not taking away from my children—it was setting an example for them. I wanted them to see that goals are worth pursuing, even when the journey is difficult. Financial challenges also played a significant role in my experience. Like many student parents, I had to carefully budget resources and make thoughtful decisions about how to balance educational expenses with household needs. While military education benefits helped make school possible, there were still many sacrifices and adjustments required along the way. Despite these challenges, I persevered because I knew exactly why I was pursuing my education. I earned my bachelor's degree in Human Services while raising my children and was recently accepted into two Master of Social Work programs. This fall, I will begin my MSW at George Fox University and have already secured a practicum placement with Asante. My long-term goal is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and provide mental health services to underserved individuals and families. My children have been one of my greatest sources of motivation throughout this journey. On difficult days, they reminded me why I started. Every assignment completed, every exam passed, and every milestone reached brought me one step closer to creating a stable future and meaningful career that would allow me to help others. Returning to school as a parent has taught me resilience, patience, time management, and perseverance. More importantly, it has shown me that challenges do not have to define our limits. While balancing education and parenthood has not always been easy, it has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I hope my journey demonstrates to my children that with determination, hard work, and support, it is possible to achieve goals that once seemed out of reach.

Mental health is important to me because I have seen firsthand how profoundly it shapes a person's life, relationships, and future. Some of the most important lessons I have learned about mental health came through experiences within my own family, my education, and my personal journey toward understanding the challenges many people face. When I was a child, my mother struggled with addiction and left our family for a period of time. At the time, I could not understand why. I carried feelings of confusion, hurt, and resentment for many years. As I grew older, however, I began to see the situation differently. After graduating high school, joining the military, and gaining more life experience, I started to understand the role that trauma, abuse, and mental health challenges played in my mother's addiction. What I once viewed only as abandonment, I came to recognize as a symptom of overwhelming pain and a lack of support. That experience taught me an important lesson: mental health affects every aspect of a person's life, and untreated struggles can have consequences that reach far beyond the individual. It also taught me the importance of empathy. Understanding my mother's journey allowed me to replace resentment with compassion and inspired my desire to help others facing similar challenges. Mental health has also been important in my own life. Writing became an outlet that helped me manage anxiety and process difficult emotions. Through storytelling, I found a healthy way to cope with stress, reflect on experiences, and express thoughts that were often difficult to put into words. That experience reinforced my belief that mental health support looks different for everyone and that people need access to resources that meet their unique needs. As a student, I advocate for mental health by encouraging open conversations and reducing stigma. During my Human Services education, I became passionate about increasing awareness of mental health challenges and the barriers many people face when seeking help. I believe that talking openly about mental health creates opportunities for understanding, support, and early intervention. This fall, I will begin a Master of Social Work program at George Fox University after completing my bachelor's degree in Human Services. I have also secured a practicum placement with Asante, where I will gain experience working with individuals and families navigating difficult circumstances. My long-term goal is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and provide mental health services to underserved populations, particularly in rural communities where access to care can be limited. Whether through my education, future career, or everyday conversations, I strive to advocate for mental health by helping others feel seen, heard, and supported. Mental health matters because every person deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and live a fulfilling life. By promoting understanding and reducing stigma, I hope to contribute to a community where seeking help is viewed as a sign of strength rather than weakness.

When I joined the Army after high school, I thought service meant sacrifice. I believed it meant putting the needs of others before my own and completing the mission regardless of the obstacles in front of me. While those lessons remain important, I have since learned that selflessness is something much deeper. True selflessness is showing up for people consistently, even when there is no recognition, no reward, and no guarantee that your efforts will be remembered. Throughout my life, helping others has never been about recognition. It has been about making a meaningful difference where I can. Military service first taught me the importance of teamwork, accountability, and supporting others through difficult situations. Those experiences reinforced my belief that strong communities are built when people are willing to serve one another. After leaving the military, I pursued a degree in Human Services because I wanted to continue helping people in a different capacity. During my education, I learned about the many barriers individuals and families face, including mental health challenges, poverty, housing insecurity, and lack of access to resources. The more I learned, the more determined I became to be part of the solution. One example of selflessness that has shaped my life is my commitment to pursuing social work despite the challenges of balancing school, family, and other responsibilities. As a mother, student, and veteran, there have been many times when continuing my education felt overwhelming. However, I persevered because I know the work I hope to do will benefit others. I recently completed my bachelor's degree in Human Services and was accepted into two Master of Social Work programs. This fall, I will begin my MSW at George Fox University and have already secured a practicum placement with Asante. My goal is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and serve individuals and families facing difficult circumstances. I also believe selflessness involves investing in the future of your community. Whether through volunteer work, supporting classmates, helping family members, or advocating for those who feel unheard, I have always tried to contribute where I can. Many of these actions may seem small, but meaningful change is often built through countless small acts of kindness and service. Perseverance has been equally important in my journey. There were moments when balancing military service, higher education, family responsibilities, and career goals seemed impossible. Yet each challenge strengthened my commitment to helping others. Rather than viewing obstacles as reasons to quit, I learned to view them as opportunities to grow. Michael Rudometkin's legacy reminds us that life is about more than personal success. It is about relationships, service, and leaving the world better than we found it. I strive to embody those values every day. Through my education, future career, and commitment to serving others, I hope to continue making a positive impact on the people and communities around me.

As a child, I viewed addiction through the eyes of abandonment. When my mother struggled with substance abuse and left our family for a period of time, I could not understand why. I was too young to comprehend addiction, trauma, or mental health. All I knew was that my mother was gone, and I carried feelings of hurt, confusion, and resentment for many years. Eventually, my parents reunited, and my mother returned to our lives. While our family moved forward, I continued to hold onto the pain of her absence. For most of my childhood and adolescence, I saw her addiction as a choice that had hurt our family. It was not until I graduated from high school, joined the military, and gained life experience of my own that my perspective began to change. As I matured, I started to understand the circumstances that had shaped my mother's life. I learned more about the relationship she was in as a young woman and the challenges she faced. She became a mother of four at a young age while navigating an abusive and manipulative relationship that she felt she could not escape. I began to recognize how trauma, fear, isolation, and untreated mental health struggles contributed to her addiction. What I had once viewed solely as abandonment, I came to understand as the actions of someone who was desperately trying to cope with overwhelming emotional and physical pain. That realization changed me. It did not erase the hurt I experienced as a child, but it allowed me to replace resentment with compassion. I forgave my mother because I finally understood that addiction is rarely as simple as people believe. Behind substance abuse are often stories of trauma, mental illness, abuse, and hopelessness. Understanding that truth gave me a deeper appreciation for the importance of mental health services, support systems, and treatment programs. Today, when I look at my mother, I no longer see the woman who left. I see a strong woman who has overcome extraordinary adversity. I see someone who faced her demons, worked through her struggles, and rebuilt her life. Her journey taught me that people are capable of change and that recovery is possible even after profound hardship. My mother's experience has had a lasting influence on my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations. It is one of the reasons I chose to pursue a degree in Human Services and why I will begin a Master of Social Work program at George Fox University this fall. As a future social worker, I hope to support individuals and families affected by substance abuse with the same empathy and understanding that transformed my relationship with my mother. I want to help people see that addiction does not define a person's worth and that healing is possible when individuals are given the support, resources, and compassion they need. My mother's story taught me that behind every addiction is a human being fighting a battle others may never fully see. That lesson has shaped the person I am today and the social worker I hope to become.

When I was serving in the Army, I learned that the strongest communities are built when people look out for one another. No one succeeds alone, and the willingness to serve others can change lives. That lesson has stayed with me long after my military service ended and has become the foundation of my decision to pursue a career in social work and the nonprofit sector. Throughout my education in Human Services, I have become increasingly aware of the barriers many individuals face when seeking help. Whether those barriers involve mental health, financial hardship, housing instability, or limited access to healthcare, they often leave people feeling isolated and without support. Living in a rural community has allowed me to see these challenges firsthand. Resources are frequently limited, waitlists are long, and many families must travel significant distances to receive services. These experiences inspired me to pursue a career dedicated to helping people access the support they need to improve their lives. This fall, I will begin my Master of Social Work program at George Fox University after being accepted into two MSW programs. I have also secured a practicum placement with Asante, where I will gain hands-on experience working with individuals and families navigating complex life challenges. My goal is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and provide mental health services to underserved populations, particularly in rural communities where access to care remains a significant issue. While clinical social work is my long-term objective, I am equally passionate about the role nonprofit organizations play in strengthening communities. Nonprofits often serve as a lifeline for individuals facing crises by providing food assistance, housing support, mental health resources, advocacy, and educational opportunities. They address needs that might otherwise go unmet and help create pathways toward stability and self-sufficiency. I hope to contribute to these efforts through direct service, community partnerships, program development, and advocacy. My Human Services education has taught me that meaningful change happens when organizations focus not only on immediate needs but also on long-term solutions. I hope to help develop programs that improve access to mental health services, reduce barriers to care, and connect individuals with the resources necessary to thrive. I am particularly interested in serving populations that are often overlooked, including individuals living in rural areas, veterans, and families facing economic hardship. The nonprofit sector appeals to me because it is driven by purpose rather than profit. Success is measured not by financial gain but by the positive impact made in people's lives. That mission aligns closely with my own values and life experiences. Whether through counseling, advocacy, program development, or community outreach, I want my career to be centered on helping others overcome obstacles and achieve greater well-being. As I continue my education and professional development, I am committed to using my knowledge, experience, and passion for service to create meaningful change. My goal is not simply to build a career but to make a lasting difference in the communities I serve. Through social work and nonprofit leadership, I hope to help individuals find hope, access support, and build stronger futures for themselves and their families.

Growing up, I learned that achieving a goal takes more than ambition. It requires a plan, flexibility, and the willingness to keep moving forward even when obstacles arise. As a veteran, mother, and first-generation graduate student, I have built my educational and career path around that philosophy. My long-term goal is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and provide mental health services to underserved individuals and families, particularly in rural communities where access to care is often limited. The first step in my plan has already been accomplished. I recently completed my bachelor's degree in Human Services and was accepted into two Master of Social Work (MSW) programs. After careful consideration, I accepted my position at George Fox University and will begin the MSW program this fall. I have also already secured a practicum placement with Asante, which will allow me to gain direct experience working within healthcare and social service systems while completing my graduate education. My timeline is clear and achievable. Over the next two years, I will complete my MSW coursework while fulfilling practicum requirements. Upon graduation, I plan to obtain my LMSW and begin working under supervision toward clinical licensure. After completing the required supervised hours, I will pursue my LCSW credential. Long term, I hope to provide therapy, crisis intervention, and community-based mental health services while advocating for greater access to behavioral health resources in underserved areas. The resources necessary to accomplish these goals include tuition, textbooks, licensure preparation materials, transportation to practicum sites, and living expenses while balancing graduate school and family responsibilities. I have worked hard to reduce financial barriers by utilizing my military education benefits, applying for scholarships, and carefully budgeting household expenses. However, graduate school still carries significant costs. Scholarships such as this one help reduce financial stress and allow me to focus more fully on my education, professional development, and service to others. I also recognize that success rarely follows a single path. While my primary plan is to become an LCSW, my Human Services and MSW education provide multiple opportunities to serve others through case management, healthcare social work, community outreach, behavioral health programs, and nonprofit leadership. These alternative pathways ensure that I can continue making a positive impact regardless of changing circumstances. Joe Gilroy's motto, "Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan," resonates deeply with me. Every major milestone in my life—from military service to earning my bachelor's degree and gaining admission to graduate school—has been achieved through careful planning and persistent effort. My goal is not simply to earn a degree, but to use my education to improve lives and strengthen communities. With a clear plan, strong work ethic, and commitment to service, I am confident that I can achieve that vision.

I served in the U.S. Army, and my time in the military shaped the way I understand responsibility, resilience, and service. The Army taught me discipline, adaptability, and how to remain steady under pressure, but more importantly, it taught me that service is not just about completing a mission. It is about showing up for others, especially in difficult moments, and understanding that strong communities are built through consistency, sacrifice, and care. My military service shaped not only how I approach challenges, but also the kind of work I feel called to do. I am now pursuing a Master of Social Work at George Fox University with the goal of becoming a medical social worker. My long-term goal is to serve individuals and families navigating medical, mental health, and community systems, particularly those facing crisis, instability, or barriers to care. My interest in social work was shaped by both my military experience and my lived experience navigating caregiving, hardship, and the realities of systems that are often difficult to access when people need them most. I want to build a career helping others navigate those systems with more dignity, clarity, and support. Like many veterans, my path from military service to higher education has not been linear. Transitioning from service into civilian life while balancing family responsibilities, financial strain, and the demands of higher education has required persistence and adaptability. As a student, parent, and veteran, one of the greatest challenges has been balancing long-term educational goals with immediate financial and caregiving responsibilities. Pursuing graduate education while raising a family requires careful sacrifice, strong time management, and constant problem-solving. These challenges have tested me, but they have also strengthened my resolve and deepened my commitment to this work. My service did not end when I left the military. It evolved. Today, I continue to serve through caregiving, advocacy, and my commitment to entering a profession centered on supporting others through vulnerable and often overwhelming moments. I am pursuing social work because I believe service is most meaningful when it helps people feel seen, supported, and empowered in systems that often make them feel invisible. My goal is to serve veterans, families, and underserved communities with the same commitment to service that first led me to enlist. This scholarship would support not only my education, but the work I am building toward. It would help reduce financial barriers as I pursue graduate training and prepare for a career rooted in service, advocacy, and community care. John Acuña’s legacy of service, education, and commitment to veterans reflects the kind of impact I hope to make in my own community, and I would be honored to carry that mission forward.

Natasha Robinson