Although I have never worn a uniform or stepped foot on a battlefield, I have lived through the silent war that continues long after military service ends. A close family member of mine served honorably in the military and returned home physically whole, yet emotionally changed. Through them, I witnessed the devastating effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) a hidden wound that impacts not only the veteran but also those who love and support them. PTSD is often misunderstood by society at large. It’s not simply a mental health diagnosis; it’s a lived experience that affects day-to-day functioning, emotional regulation, and human connection. In our home, I saw how hypervigilance, emotional detachment, and flashbacks became routine. What once was laughter and lightness turned into silence, mood swings, and discomfort in once-familiar spaces. At times, it felt like we had lost a part of the person we once knew, even though they were still physically present. This experience opened my eyes to the broader reality faced by countless families across the country. While attention is often given to veterans’ physical injuries, the psychological aftermath of service can be just as debilitating, yet far less visible. Families often become caregivers, advocates, and emotional anchors, all while dealing with their own confusion, fear, and helplessness. I learned that supporting someone with PTSD requires extraordinary patience, deep empathy, and a willingness to understand trauma from a perspective that is not your own. Through this deeply personal journey, I discovered a profound passion for mental health advocacy and veteran support. I realized how critical it is for families to receive guidance, education, and access to mental health resources not only to help their loved one but also to maintain their own well-being. My experience has motivated me to pursue a degree in [insert your intended field of study here, e.g., psychology, social work, public health], with the long-term goal of becoming a licensed counselor or social worker specializing in trauma and veteran care. I want to be part of reshaping the system that currently leaves too many veterans and their families navigating PTSD alone. My vision includes creating community-based programs that offer trauma-informed care, peer mentorship, and family-inclusive therapy. I want to ensure that seeking help is not seen as weakness but rather as a courageous act of healing. I hope to become a professional who understands both the clinical and emotional nuances of PTSD and who can offer real, tangible support to those in need. The legacy of Bryent Smothermon, a man remembered for his compassion, strength, and dedication to others, is one that speaks deeply to my heart. Though I did not know him personally, his story reminds me of the countless selfless individuals who serve our country and the importance of honoring their sacrifices not only with words, but with action. This scholarship is not just financial support; it is a symbol of purpose, remembrance, and the responsibility we all share in caring for those who have served. While I may not bear the title of veteran, I have walked beside one. I have seen the toll of service etched into everyday life. And I have chosen to transform that experience into a mission that brings healing, understanding, and advocacy to veterans and their families. It is my hope that through my education and future work, I can continue the legacy of compassion and service that this scholarship so powerfully represents.

I am pursuing a career in sales because I genuinely love it. There’s something exciting about the challenge, the communication, and the reward that comes with helping someone make a decision and knowing I played a role in that. Sales gives me the energy I want in a career: fast-paced, people-driven, and performance-based. Most importantly, I’m motivated by the opportunity to make real money based on my own hard work, skills, and dedication. I don’t just want a paycheck I want unlimited earning potential and a career where my hustle truly pays off. I’ve always had a passion for connecting with people. Whether I’m recommending something I believe in, explaining why a product works, or just listening to someone’s needs, I find fulfillment in those moments. I don’t just talk to sell, I listen to solve. That’s the difference between pushing a product and building a real relationship, and I believe that’s where good salespeople shine. I enjoy making people feel heard and helping them walk away with something valuable, something they’re excited about. When I can do that and also meet my goals? That’s the kind of work that excites me. Another major reason I’m choosing sales is the income potential. I’m not afraid to say it: I want to earn good money. Sales is one of the few careers where your income is directly tied to your effort. That motivates me. I don’t want to be stuck waiting for a raise once a year or working twice as hard for the same pay as everyone else. I want a career where I control my own success, where the more I learn, work, and improve, the more I earn. I’m not afraid of targets, I welcome them. They push me to perform, grow, and compete with myself. Beyond money, I also see sales as a long-term path. This isn’t just a job I want to try; this is a career I want to build. I want to master the art of selling, grow into leadership, and eventually help others become successful in this field too. Whether I’m working in retail, real estate, tech, or service-based sales, I want to keep learning and eventually grow into a role where I’m closing bigger deals, leading a team, and building my own brand as a professional. I take pride in what I do, and I want to build a reputation for being trustworthy, effective, and results-driven. What also makes sales and marketing exciting for me is the constant room for growth. I enjoy setting goals and beating them. I enjoy learning about products, markets, and strategies that work. I enjoy working with numbers and people at the same time measuring results, adjusting my approach, and always staying sharp. That’s why I also have a growing interest in marketing. I want to understand how to promote, position, and present something so it speaks directly to the customer. Together, sales and marketing are the perfect fit for my personality, my ambition, and my future. In the end, I’m not just looking for any career, I’m looking for my career. Sales is where I come alive. It gives me purpose, challenge, freedom, and the ability to turn effort into income. I love the work, I respect the grind, and I’m ready to put in whatever it takes to succeed. This isn’t just what I want to do it’s what I’m built for.

My name is Nishara Grant, and my passion for commercial real estate was born from a deep curiosity about how the built environment shapes lives, neighborhoods, and economic outcomes. Growing up, I often found myself intrigued by the contrast between thriving business districts and underdeveloped areas wondering what it would take to bridge that gap. Over time, I realized that commercial real estate holds the power to do just that: transform underutilized spaces into hubs of opportunity, innovation, and community. What inspired my focus within this space is the realization that commercial real estate is more than just buildings and transactions it’s a tool for empowerment. I am especially drawn to development and investment strategy, because they sit at the intersection of vision and execution. I aspire to be a developer who not only understands the numbers, but also listens to the needs of communities and envisions spaces that serve a higher purpose whether it be access to jobs, education, or quality services. It’s about creating long-term value that uplifts people, not just profit margins. Receiving this scholarship would be more than financial assistance it would be a vote of confidence in my journey and a pivotal step toward achieving my long-term career goals. As an aspiring woman of color in a field where diversity is still growing, I recognize that this opportunity would allow me to pursue the education, training, and mentorship necessary to compete and thrive. With your support, I will be able to immerse myself in both academic and experiential learning, take part in real estate investment programs, attend conferences, and build relationships with leaders in the industry. Every dollar would directly contribute to equipping me with the tools and knowledge to one day lead meaningful, large-scale development projects. The most influential person in my life has been my mother. Her resilience, work ethic, and unshakable belief in the power of education have shaped every facet of my character. Despite facing financial and personal challenges, she always emphasized that knowledge was something no one could ever take away from me. Watching her work tirelessly while encouraging me to chase my dreams has given me an unrelenting drive. Her influence is why I approach every opportunity with gratitude and determination. She taught me that success is not just about achieving goals, It’s about creating opportunities for others to rise with you. This belief aligns perfectly with my vision for a future in commercial real estate. I don’t just want to succeed I want to build, mentor, and reinvest in communities that have been historically overlooked. That’s the legacy I strive for. In conclusion, this scholarship represents more than financial support it represents the alignment of purpose, passion, and potential. I am ready to put in the work, face the challenges, and embrace the learning that will shape me into a leader in commercial real estate. Thank you for considering my application.

Among my eight siblings, I am the only one who has advanced this far in the educational system. I'm a Jamaican national presently enrolled in my final year of university here in the United States. For my younger siblings, I have set an example. A major setback in terms of finances was experienced, but I've demonstrated to them that you should never give up on your dreams despite the odds. Studying here has taught me patience, tenacity, and confidence. Despite being threatened by my university that they would financially discharge me for failing to pay my tuition on time, I found a method to raise the funds by working and putting aside my wishes in order to achieve a larger goal. In addition to enabling me to continue my education, this scholarship will allow me to concentrate better in my classes and eliminate anxiety of being expelled from the school in the near future. It would also relieve a great deal of the pressure off my father, who helps out whenever he can, so he can concentrate on my younger siblings who are now enrolled in school. With the support of this scholarship, I will be able to focus on improving myself while also advancing my profession and helping students who may have similar challenges in the near future. As an international student that is studying in the United States of America it can be very challenging because your own family here is not willing to help financially emotionally and physically they want you to struggle just like how they struggled. So, studying here, I had to have a strong mind and being determine to push myself forward despite whatever obstacle may come I must overcome. My dad, who occasionally struggles, also took a big toll on my desire for better education, but the obstacles were too great. There were times when I struggled to balance work and school, which made it difficult for me to stay focused. I was also overwhelmed with stress and felt like no one understood that I was just trying to make the best of a difficult situation. Despite the disadvantage of just being a non citizen studying the United States, I did not allow that to stop my educational journey because my determination to not continue the generation of poverty is my greatest motivation. I can say my journey may not be the prettiest, but it has definitely helped to make me stronger, and this journey of endurance has taught me to never give up.

Social issues have been a major topic within society. Poverty, discrimination, inequality and Student debt being at the top are some of the major reasons why I question the government and learning institutions. I have been doing my research on how to help people with these issues, but the truth be told no matter how hard you try to be a positive influence and educate people on how to tackle theses social issues it still have a stubborn stand within society. Utilizing, a manufacturing approach involving sociology, physiology, economics and political science can comprehensively help to understand social issues. Social issues are important to study because it plays a daily role within everyone’s lives. Studying poverty and getting to the root of poverty can help to understand the root of the problem and help build a more sustainable and effective policy that will help reduce the high rate of poverty. Inequality access to education and healthcare can increase the division between social groups and create a greater challenge for student with disadvantage background when it comes on to funding. In order to avoid such challenge, the school and healthcare system can put in place of free education within all schools and free healthcare within the United States. Doing so cannot only help with the struggling economy, but also promotes good health within the country as a marketing strategy. I am working to address the importance of Social issues, creating a promotion strategy to inform and shed light on struggling matter that the country has been facing through different social media outlet. Although this continues to play a major role, trying to inform both children and adults can be difficult since a lot of people only focus on there daily needs and wants. Spreading awareness within the world about Social issues can be done by going to different schools and universities and spread awareness through a poem, speech, and how to tackle such matter. Starting from your inner circle can also be effective and reduce the struggle of the daily social issue. Although it will be uncomfortable, it is necessary to shed light and erase a repetitive sore of society can keeps on attacking the community. The importance to address social issues is to examine your benefits and habits. Take positive habits within your community. Harness, the power of social media. Attend demonstration and protest. Donate and volunteer within the environment.

I'm delighted to share a tale of a lady who has motivated me. Throughout my life, my mother has served as a continual source of motivation and encouragement. She has always pushed me to go after the things I'm passionate about, even when they seem impossible or challenging. I now have the self-assurance to take chances and try new things because of her everlasting faith in me. I was having trouble in a very difficult course in college. I felt discouraged and overwhelmed, and I wasn't sure whether I could make it. After patiently listening to me vent my annoyances, my mother encouraged me by listing all the occasions I had triumphed over challenges in the past. She assured me she knew I could achieve it if I set my mind to it and that she believed in me. Her words of support provided me with the inspiration I required to press on. I put a lot of effort into the course and asked for assistance when necessary. Eventually, I received an A. When I think back on that moment, I am grateful to have such a kind and motivating woman in my life. Additionally, I do recall one instance during my third semester when I was unable to pay my tuition. I essentially was expelled from school as a result of not being able to pay my tuition. I called my mom we started to pray and ask God for destiny helpers to locate me. After a few days, I was still depressed because nothing had improved despite our prayers. I asked for assistance from other families, but they declined. After that, my mother proposed a three-day fast, which I performed. We prayed, but nothing changed. My mother then said; I quote “The Lord did not bring you this far to leave you”. I read my bible and prayed before retiring to bed, leaving my problems there. About Six days later I got a call from one of my family members that stated they couldn’t help, and ended up paying for my all tuition fees that semester. I called my mom and we celebrated and thanked God. I'm only sharing my experience to show that a mother who prays cannot be beaten; she has been my source of inspiration, encouragement, and my prayer warrior. Love from a mother is a strong energy that influences and motivates us in various ways. It is an enduring, selfless, and unconditional love. We may overcome challenges, achieve our goals, and improve ourselves with a mother's love. As I said earlier, my mother has always been a steady source of strength and inspiration for me. Her love has given me the confidence to follow my passions, the courage to take chances, and the fortitude to endure adversity.

That is a really intriguing query. Choosing just one book from the thousands available is really challenging. But if I had to pick only one, I'd go with The Little Prince written by Antoine de Saint- Exupéry. It is a lovely and timeless tale that instills in us the value of affection, friendship, and creativity. It also serves as a reminder to see past the obvious and value things for what they truly are. I believe that this book has something to teach readers of all ages and educational backgrounds. A little boy leaves his home planet to explore the cosmos in the classic book The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. On many worlds, he encounters various people, each of them has their own peculiarities and shortcomings. They teach him important lessons about friendship, love, and life. A fox in particular shows him the meaning of what is necessary. He also understands how much he loves his rose, whom he left behind on his world, and misses her. A pilot who crashes in the desert and encounters the tiny prince tells the tale. They become friends and exchange stories up until the little prince chooses to use a snake to travel back to his planet. The novel appeals to both youngsters and adults and is full of symbolism, knowledge, and charm. The Little Prince conveys the idea that the things in life that matter most are not those that we can see with our eyes but rather those that we can feel with our hearts. We learn from the book to value the connections we have with people and to see the wonder and beauty of the planet. Additionally, it inspires us to never lose our sense of wonder and to keep our creativity and curiosity alive. The timeless classic has motivated countless readers of all ages and walks of life.

“Don’t count me out yet” by Jermaine Edwards is one of the most touching and up front song I’ve listened to. The line that stated “In my I have so many long seasons a lot of failures without reason”, is basically stating that in this time of life a lot of hardship is going to venture in my present life that will knock me down. But then this verse went on to say “don’t count me out yet I’m still running”, is summarizing that although life hits me down I am still going to get up and continue my journey, although it may seem like everything is hopeless I am still going to take up my struggles and push through life. The song is very encouraging and it gives me hope to continue on my journey although I might not see the end of the road there is a breakthrough waiting on the other side, I just need to push through the pain, the obstacles and the challenges in order to reach my destination.

Facing the fear of being kicked out of college is one of the biggest challenges many international students faces. Being an international student myself, I can say finding solutions to help with the school bills can be very hard, because family ends up drawing away their helping hand and the others, that is left to help me can hardly find any money to put towards tuition fees. Finding a good scholarship is also a difficult situation because most of the available scholarship has limitation especially if you are an international student, and the few that are available for me as a foreign student, it is a five or seven percent (5 or 7%) chance that I might end up in the top ten list and even if I do, there is a three percent (3%) chance I might end up being a winner of that scholarship. Furthermore, even if I won the scholarship that coverage is like fifteen or twenty percentage (15 or 20%) of my tuition fees so, I still have to apply to at least fifty or more scholarships in order to try and win two or one more to cover my tuition. Therefore, work and study are my next option, which is what I am doing, and I can say it is very difficult. My current earnings are six-hundred and sixty dollars every end of the month and paying my tuition out of that earnings, plus buying groceries and school equipment’s are very complicated especially as an international, I cannot go over 20hrs nor can I work off campus and my college only pays 8.25 for the hour. So, trying to get through college is challenging at the moment. Although, minimizing my debt at school is currently one of my number one goals. It is fair to say that being, the first girl to obtain a college education within my family I consider myself to be the trend setter. Despite the many trials and obstacle, I still find time to reset my approach for the next challenges that ventures my way. Strong black, courageous, creative, and quick-witted are few adjectives that suits my character in a short definition. Devoting and dedicating my life to become a better individual, and no matter the challenges are, I will forever stand strong, and that is proven because I was able to accomplish my first year of college and being able to move forward to next is a great accomplishment which was well proven. Lastly, being bless with the opportunity to achieve this scholarship, a major burden would be lifted, and I would be able to move forward with accomplishing my studies and not worry about where the next school fee would be coming from. Gratefulness, would be my portion because this would be a blessing in plain sight and I will forever remember this encounter and spread the great news so other students would be able to get a fair chance, just as how I did.

Being the first female in my family who has made it this far, sacrifices are the primary suspect in my life. There was this one scenario where my family sent me a message stating that things were very rough back home. My mom called and told me that my sisters and brother didn’t have any money to go to school and nothing was in the house to eat; at that specific time I had my last money which was one hundred and fifty USD and I had to choose whether to buy groceries for myself or send it to them. However, coming from that hard life and knowing how it felt wanted to go to school and cannot because of financial difficulties I sent my mom the money to finance my small siblings. Today, that small scenario is my everyday motivation which pushes my inner and outer self to do more and work harder. It is a constant reminder that poverty is not my friend, it is a constant reminder that I have to continue to break generation curses and create generation wealth. So, as I continue to move through life; my impact and drive will forever continue to create and rewrite stories. My hunger for more success has risen, and I will not allow challenges and hardship to stop me from accomplishing greatness. Seeing my people living in poverty is my wake up call because I cannot allow them to die in it. The cycle ends now because I am willing to go on any battle field to make sure that my family lives a happy lifestyle where they do not have to worry about where the next meal is coming from or where the next transportation money is going to come from, is my everyday meditation; weeping and sowing now for a brighter and better future later. The impact of a seeing my family suffer has motive me more to move greater mountains because I refuse to look back and allow my family line to walk that street again so, I will continue to do my best to change the lives of my family members and smile in the future knowing how far God, hard work and dedication has brought us from. Completing my degree now is a sign of motivation for the children of my community and also kids with similar background, just to showcase that it doesn't matter where you are coming from but how plan on writing your story. This is to also show that the ball is in their court so they must always choose wisely.

Facing the fear of being kicked out of college is one of the biggest challenges many international students faces. Being an international student myself, I can say finding solutions to help with the school bills can be very hard, because family ends up drawing away their helping hand and the others, that is left to help me can hardly find any money to put towards tuition fees. Finding a good scholarship is also a difficult situation because most of the available scholarship has limitation especially if you are an international student, and the few that are available for me as a foreign student, it is a five or seven percent (5 or 7%) chance that I might end up in the top ten list and even if I do, there is a three percent (3%) chance I might end up being a winner of that scholarship. Furthermore, even if I won the scholarship that coverage is like fifteen or twenty percentage (15 or 20%) of my tuition fees so, I still have to apply to at least fifty or more scholarships in order to try and win two or one more to cover my tuition. Therefore, work and study are my next option, which is what I am doing, and I can say it is very difficult. My current earnings are six-hundred and sixty dollars every end of the month and paying my tuition out of that earnings, plus buying groceries and school equipment’s are very complicated especially as an international, I cannot go over 20hrs nor can I work off campus and my college only pays 8.25 for the hour. So, trying to get through college is challenging at the moment. Although, minimizing my debt at school is currently one of my number one goals. It is fair to say that being, the first girl to obtain a college education within my family I consider myself to be the trend setter. Despite the many trials and obstacle, I still find time to reset my approach for the next challenges that ventures my way. Strong black, courageous, creative, and quick-witted are few adjectives that suits my character in a short definition. Devoting and dedicating my life to become a better individual, and no matter the challenges are, I will forever stand strong, and that is proven because I was able to accomplish my first year of college and being able to move forward to next is a great accomplishment which was well proven. Lastly, being bless with the opportunity to achieve this scholarship, a major burden would be lifted, and I would be able to move forward with accomplishing my studies and not worry about where the next school fee would be coming from. Gratefulness, would be my portion because this would be a blessing in plain sight and I will forever remember this encounter and spread the great news so other students would be able to get a fair chance, just as how I did.

Being the first female in my family who has made it this far, sacrifices are the primary suspect in my life. There was one scenario where my family sent me a message stating that things were very rough back home. My mom called and told me that my sisters and brother didn’t have any money to go to school and nothing was in the house to eat; at that specific time I had my last money which was one hundred and fifty USD and I had to choose whether to buy groceries for myself or send it to them. However, coming from that hard life and knowing how it felt wanted to go to school and cannot because of financial difficulties I sent my mom the money to finance my small siblings. Today, that small scenario is my everyday motivation which pushes my inner and outer self to do more and work harder. It is a constant reminder that poverty is not my friend, it is a constant reminder that I have to continue to break generation curses and create generation wealth. So, has I continue to move through life; my impact and drive will forever continue to create and rewrite stories. My hunger for more success has risen, and I will not allow challenges and hardship to stop me from accomplishing greatness. Seeing my people living in poverty is my wake up call because I cannot allow them to die in it. The cycle ends now because I am willing to go on any battle field to make sure that my family lives a happy lifestyle where they do not have to worry about where the next meal is coming from or where the next transportation money is going to come from, is my everyday meditation; weeping and sowing now for a brighter and better future later. The impact of a seeing my family suffer has motive me more to move greater mountains because I refuse to look back and allow my family line to walk that street again so, I will continue to do my best to change the lives of my family members and smile in the future knowing how far God, hard work and dedication has brought us from. Completing my degree now is a sign of motivation for the children of my community and also kids similar background, just to showcase that it doesn't matter where you are coming from but how plan on writing your story. This is to also show that the ball is in your court so you must always choose wisely.

To be the first girl to obtain a college education within my family I consider myself to be a the trend setter. Despite the many trails and obstacle, I still find time to enjoy myself and reset my approach for the next challenges that ventures my way. I am very outspoken individual who is also very willing to take corrections and instruction. Strong black, courageous, creative, discerning and quick-witted are few adjectives that suites my character in a short definition. Devoting and dedicating my life to become a better individual is one of my goal which I seek to accomplish in the dear future. My future of becoming a Realtor has began and my journey as been very rocking, but I hold on to faith and hard work. As my mom also says; "The race is not for the swift or strong but for does who can endure it to the end". Remising on such a bold statement with a straight forward message, I hold such motivation dearly to keep me pushing to become greater. Although, being spoken down on by other family members and peers; who stated that I will not come out to anything good is a major block that stands in the way. However on my daily life I use that has a motivation to continuously prove every single one of them wrong. They said I would not make it to study overseas, in less than 3 months I got accepted at the Waldorf University and couple days after my flight was booked so that I would be able to pursue my studies in Business Management, now I am heading into my second year of study. Being an international university student, keeping a monthly schedule and making sure that I keep everything on track by having a proper time management plan is the only stumbling block in my way but I am resolving this situation by making sure all my assignments, work hours and leisure time is balanced. So, as I move forward with applying the solution to create and build a better and brighter future I will stick to good time management plan which will atomically become my daily route venturing into my dream future.

Being the first female in my family who has made it this far, sacrifices are the primary suspect in my life. There was one scenario where my family sent me a message stating that things were very rough back home. My mom called stating that my sisters and brother didn’t have any money to go to school and nothing was in the house to eat; at that specific time I had my last money which was one hundred and fifty USD and I had to choose whether to buy groceries for myself or send it to them. However, coming from that hard life and knowing how it felt wanted to go to school and cannot because of financial difficulties I sent my mom the money to finance my small siblings. Today, that small scenario is my everyday motivation which pushes my inner and outer self to do more and work harder. It is a constant reminder that poverty is not my friend, it is a constant reminder that I have to continue to break generation curses and create generation wealth. So, has I continue to move through life; my impact and drive will forever continue to create and rewrite stories. My hunger for more success has risen, and I will not allow challenges and hardship to stop me from accomplishing greatness. Seeing my people living in poverty is my wake up call because I cannot allow them to die in it. The cycle ends now because I am willing to go on any battle field to make sure that my family lives a happy lifestyle where they do not have to worry about where the next meal is coming from or where the next transportation money is going to come from, is my everyday meditation; weeping and sowing now for a brighter and better future later. The impact of a seeing my family suffer has motive me more to move greater mountains because I refuse to look back and allow my family line to walk that street again so, I will continue to do my best to change the lives of my family members and smile in the future knowing how far God, hard work and dedication has brought us from.