I have always had an affinity for making abstract art from my crochet methods of cakes, people, or hats. I’ve always been drawn to making ‘things’ pretty with my hands. I believe I got that talent from my grandmother. Growing up I spent a tremendous amount of time with my papa and grandma. My grandma owned a hair salon. I spent many summers watching her create masterpieces on other people’s heads. They would show up for their appointments with disheveled ponytails and hats hiding their hair and leave walking, talking and acting like a new person. During those summers I believe my desire to be an artist was cemented. I wanted to make ‘magic’ with my hands or if not, at least make people feel good about what they see. Although I had the goals, determination, and ambition, I never thought about the realistic nature of how to obtain these desires. I didn’t grow up in a financially stable home. My mom had me in her early 20's. It was just me and mom for the first few years of my life. My mom had to drop out of school, and work numerous jobs to do everything in her power to provide for me. From the clothes on my back, a roof over my head, even starving herself just to make sure her baby was fed. I’ve grown a lot since those summers in my grandma’s hair salon. I now create whimsical cupcakes, cakes, and I even made my hobby of crocheting dolls, hats and purses a business endeavor. This passion has always been my dream to one day have my own bakery. When I became a teenager, I really started to utilize my baking skills to the test by making cakes and cookies with the decorating kit my papa gave me for family events, birthday. Even as a side hustle in high school, I would make desserts, set up prices, have a cake carrier, make posters advertising my product. In the fall of 2021 my grandmother was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. She was forced to close down her beauty salon and now has become a shell of herself. I think back on all the missed symptoms of forgetfulness, clumsiness and personality shifts that were summed up as tiredness. My grandma is no longer able to create the ‘magic’ that inspired me. But despite all of my efforts I put in school for good grades, leadership roles, and volunteering experience. I wasn’t given any sort of scholarship or financial expenses to help me pay for my tuition, books, and student loans for college. I was just about ready to drop out of school. But my parents encouraged me to keep trying and pursue further education. Although it saddens me, I believe that my work (with my hands) is a tribute to her and all the people she made happy…I spent my last two summers caring for her and even now sometimes when we make eye contact, I see that young, vibrant and skillful woman I aspired to be in my youth.

I have always had an affinity for making abstract art from my crochet methods of cakes, people, or hats. I’ve always been drawn to making ‘things’ pretty with my hands. I believe I got that talent from my grandmother. Growing up I spent a tremendous amount of time with my papa and grandma. My grandma owned a hair salon. I spent many summers watching her create masterpieces on other people’s heads. They would show up for their appointments with disheveled ponytails and hats hiding their hair and leave walking, talking and acting like a new person. During those summers I believe my desire to be an artist was cemented. I wanted to make ‘magic’ with my hands or if not, at least make people feel good about what they see. Although I had the goals, determination, and ambition, I never thought about the realistic nature of how to obtain these desires. I didn’t grow up in a financially stable home. My mom had me in her early 20's. It was just me and mom for the first few years of my life. My mom had to drop out of school, and work numerous jobs to do everything in her power to provide for me. From the clothes on my back, a roof over my head, even starving herself just to make sure her baby was fed. I’ve grown a lot since those summers in my grandma’s hair salon. I now create whimsical cupcakes, cakes, and I even made my hobby of crocheting dolls, hats and purses a business endeavor. This passion has always been my dream to one day have my own bakery. When I became a teenager, I really started to utilize my baking skills to the test by making cakes and cookies with the decorating kit my papa gave me for family events, birthday. Even as a side hustle in high school, I would make desserts, set up prices, have a cake carrier, make posters advertising my product. In the fall of 2021 my grandmother was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. She was forced to close down her beauty salon and now has become a shell of herself. I think back on all the missed symptoms of forgetfulness, clumsiness and personality shifts that were summed up as tiredness. My grandma is no longer able to create the ‘magic’ that inspired me. But despite all of my efforts I put in school for good grades, leadership roles, and volunteering experience. I wasn’t given any sort of scholarship or financial expenses to help me pay for my tuition and books for college. I was just about ready to drop out of school. But my parents encouraged me to keep trying and pursue further education. Although it saddens me, I believe that my work (with my hands) is a tribute to her and all the people she made happy…I spent my last two summers caring for her and even now sometimes when we make eye contact I see that young, vibrant and skillful women I aspired to be in my youth.

I have always had an affinity for making abstract art from my crochet methods of cakes, people, or hats. I’ve always been drawn to making ‘things’ pretty with my hands. I believe I got that talent from my grandmother. Growing up I spent a tremendous amount of time with my papa and grandma. My grandma owned a hair salon. I spent many summers watching her create masterpieces on other people’s heads. They would show up for their appointments with disheveled ponytails and hats hiding their hair and leave walking, talking and acting like a new person. During those summers I believe my desire to be an artist was cemented. I wanted to make ‘magic’ with my hands or if not, at least make people feel good about what they see. Although I had the goals, determination, and ambition, I never thought about the realistic nature of how to obtain these desires. I didn’t grow up in a financially stable home. My mom had me in her early 20's. It was just me and mom for the first few years of my life. My mom had to drop out of school, and work numerous jobs to do everything in her power to provide for me. From the clothes on my back, a roof over my head, even starving herself just to make sure her baby was fed. I’ve grown a lot since those summers in my grandma’s hair salon. I now create whimsical cupcakes, cakes, and I even made my hobby of crocheting dolls, hats and purses a business endeavor. This passion has always been my dream to one day have my own bakery. When I became a teenager, I really started to utilize my baking skills to the test by making cakes and cookies with the decorating kit my papa gave me for family events, birthday. Even as a side hustle in high school, I would make desserts, set up prices, have a cake carrier, make posters advertising my product. In the fall of 2021 my grandmother was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. She was forced to close down her beauty salon and now has become a shell of herself. I think back on all the missed symptoms of forgetfulness, clumsiness and personality shifts that were summed up as tiredness. My grandma is no longer able to create the ‘magic’ that inspired me. But despite all of my efforts I put in school for good grades, leadership roles, and volunteering experience. I wasn’t given any sort of scholarship or financial expenses to help me pay for my tuition and books for college. I was just about ready to drop out of school. But my parents encouraged me to keep trying and pursue further education. Although it saddens me, I believe that my work (with my hands) is a tribute to her and all the people she made happy…I spent my last two summers caring for her and even now sometimes when we make eye contact I see that young, vibrant and skillful women I aspired to be in my youth.

Ever since I was a little black girl, I’ve always been passionate about baking. From playing computer games on my mom's computer to watching endless cake compilations on YouTube. This has always been my dream to one day have my own bakery and have people enjoy the pastries I make. When I became a teenager, I really started to utilize my baking skills to the test by making cakes and cookies as a side hustle in high school, I would make desserts, set up prices, have a cake carrier, make posters advertising my product etc. Although I had my goals and ambition, I never thought about the realistic nature of how to obtain these desires. My mother told me how important it was for me and my sister to do well in school. But it came at the cost of a lot of tears, struggle, and self-doubt, as my mother knew better for me. In the end, I triumphed and graduated high school with a rank 2 of a class of 111, 3.8 GPA, A’s & B’s, and a full IB student. This was an honorary achievement of Black excellence! Not only did I make my parents proud, but it also set me up as an example for my little sister as well. But despite all of my efforts I put in school for good grades, leadership roles, and volunteering experience. I wasn’t given any sort of scholarship or financial expenses to help me pay for my tuition and books for college. Feeling discouraged, I decided that I would take a gap year to go work out of the fear of being in debt and feeling bad that I didn't have the money to pay it off. But that idea was short lived and unrealistic in the eyes of my parents. They encouraged me to keep trying and motivated me to apply for scholarships and pursue schools that I’m actually interested in and are affordable. As I was a high achieving, hardworking, smart girl and shouldn’t have to live a life of fear. But after finding the school that I was really passionate about. It made me excited about chasing a career in the field that belongs to me. I felt more confident in myself to keep going to school. Along with the encouragement around me with their advice and motivation to pursue higher levels of education. I believe, if I achieve this scholarship, not only would’ve the funds to help pay for my Fall and Winter semester. It can help further reach closer to my associate's degree in baking and pastry arts and help me transfer schools to get my bachelor's degree in business administration. Further pushing into my dream goal of owning a bakery one day. And even moreover than ever, kids aren’t seeking future education either due to the cost, lack of financial aid, or even support. It wouldn’t make people like me, who weren’t motivated or dissatisfied with their achievements, to give up on their life goals. Everyone has dreams too. That can either help people or even themselves boost self-confidence and determination to keep trying. If given the chance and resources provided to set them on the right path. This scholarship will empower me to become a better person not only, for myself but for my community as well. As I want to set a standard for my people, of what it means to be educated and not become another statistic that marginalizes a special few. But evoke, express, and inspire others to make a difference and change the world.

Ever since I was a little black girl, I’ve always been passionate about baking. From playing computer games on my moms computer to watching endless cake compilations on YouTube. This has always been my dream to one day have my own bakery and have people enjoy the pastries I make. When I became a teenager, I really started to utilize my baking skills to the test by making cakes and cookies with the decorating kit my papa gave me for family events, birthday. Even as a side hustle in high school, I would make desserts, set up prices, have a cake carrier, make posters advertising my product ect. Although I had my goals and ambition, I never thought about the realistic nature of how to obtain these desires. Originally, I wanted to take a gap year to go work out of the fear of being in debt and feeling bad that I didn't have the money to pay it off. Despite my efforts I put in school for good grades, leadership roles, volunteering experience. I also graduated high school with a rank 2 of a class of 111, 3.8 GPA, A’s & B’s, and a full IB student. As I was a high achieving, hardworking, smart girl and shouldn’t have to live a life of fear. But after finding the culinary school that I was really passionate about. It made me excited about chasing a career in the field that belongs to me. I felt more confident in myself to keep going to school. Along with the encouragement around me with their advice and motivation to pursue higher levels of education. Which can help me reach closer to my associate's degree in baking and pastry arts, transfer schools to get my bachelor's degree in business administration. Further pushing into my dream goal of owning a bakery one day. Everyone has dreams too. That can either help people or even themselves boost self-confidence and determination to keep trying. If given the chance and resources provided to set them on the right path. As I want to set a standard for my people, of what it means to be educated and not become another statistic that marginalizes a special few. But evoke, express, and inspire others to make a difference and change the world in the fields they love too. Without the harsh reality of their dreams denied for being unrealistic or not achievable.

Ever since I was a little black girl, I’ve always been passionate about baking. From playing computer games on my mom's computer to watching endless cake compilations on YouTube. This has always been my dream to one day have my own bakery and have people enjoy the pastries I make. When I became a teenager, I really started to utilize my baking skills to the test by making cakes and cookies with the decorating kit my papa gave me for family events, birthday. Even as a side hustle in high school, I would make desserts, set up prices, have a cake carrier, make posters advertising my product etc. Although I had my goals and ambition, I never thought about the realistic nature of how to obtain these desires. My mother told me how important it was for me and my sister to do well in school. So, I wouldn't have to succumb to the same fate and preserve. But it came at the cost of a lot of tears, struggle, and self-doubt, as my mother knew better for me. In the end, I triumphed and graduated high school with a rank 2 of a class of 111, 3.8 GPA, A’s & B’s, and a full IB student. This was an honorary achievement of Black excellence! Not only did I make my parents proud, but it also set me up as an example for my little sister as well. My efforts I put in school for good grades, leadership roles, and volunteering experiences. Helped me further reach closer to my associate's degree in baking and pastry arts and help me transfer schools to get my bachelor's degree in business administration. Further pushing into my dream goal of owning a bakery one day, doing the thing I love most, and inspire others of my skills As high achieving, hardworking, smart girl and shouldn’t have to live a life of fear. Of my dreams not coming true because my achievements have empowered me to become a better person not only, for myself but for my community as well. As I want to set a standard for my people, of what it means to be educated and not become another statistic that marginalizes a special few. But evoke, express, and inspire others to make a difference and change the world. It wouldn’t make people like me, who weren’t motivated or dissatisfied with their achievements, to give up on their life goals. Because of it either being too unrealistic or not achievable.

Ever since I was a little black girl, I’ve always been passionate about baking. From playing computer games on my mom's computer to watching endless cake compilations on YouTube. This has always been my dream to one day have my own bakery and have people enjoy the pastries I make. When I became a teenager, I really started to utilize my baking skills to the test by making cakes and cookies with the decorating kit my papa gave me for family events, birthday. Even as a side hustle in high school, I would make desserts, set up prices, have a cake carrier, make posters advertising my product ect. Although I had my goals and ambition, I never thought about the realistic nature of how to obtain these desires. I didn’t grow up in a financially stable home. My mom had me in her early 20's as an adult. It was just me and mom for the first few years. My mom is doing everything in her power to provide for me. From the clothes on my back, a roof over my head, even starving herself just to make sure her baby was fed. My mom did it all. When my sister was born in 2009, my mom went back to school and got her masters degree. My mother told me how important it was for me and my sister to do well in school. So I wouldn't have to succumb to the same fate and preserve. But it came at the cost of a lot of tears, struggle, and self doubt, as my mother knew better for me .In the end, I triumphed and graduated high school with a rank 2 of a class of 111, 3.8 GPA, A’s & B’s, and a full IB student. This was an honorary achievement of Black excellence! Not only did I make my parents proud, it set me up as an example for my little sister as well. But despite all of my efforts I put in school for good grades, leadership roles, and volunteering experience. I wasn’t given any sort of scholarship or financial expenses to help me pay for my tuition and books for college. Feeling discouraged, I decided that I would take a gap year to go work out of the fear of being in debt, and feeling bad that I didn't have the money to pay it off. But that idea was short lived and unrealistic in the eyes of my parents. They encouraged me to keep trying and motivated me to apply for scholarships and pursue schools that I’m actually interested in and are affordable. Everyone has dreams too. That can either help people or even themselves boost self confidence and determination to keep trying. If given the chance and resources provided to set them on the right path. This scholarship will empower me to become a better person not only, for myself but for my community as well. As I want to set a standard for my people, of what it means to be educated and not become another statistic that marginalizes a special few. But evoke, express, and inspire others to make a difference and change the world.