My selflessness comes from always working hard to assist others, even during difficult times that I may be experiencing myself. Selflessness to me means performing acts of kindness, being sensitive to the needs of others, and providing assistance without any form of reciprocity. This is a virtue that has been cultivated not only because of how I was brought up but also through my own experiences. One act of selflessness that has occurred within my own life has been assisting younger children and relatives with their schooling. Being someone who places great importance on education, I am aware of just how stressful school can be at times, particularly for those who do not receive adequate help from others. Assisting my younger relatives with their studies and keeping them focused on their schooling has been one way that I have done so. Another example occurred during one of the most difficult periods of my life while I was away at college. Another way I show my selflessness is by assisting younger students and family members in their studies. I know how tough it can be for students at times because of the lack of guidance. I have invested some time in assisting younger family members with their assignments and explaining difficult topics to them. Moreover, I always remind them that failing once does not mean they cannot achieve anything because if they keep trying, they will improve in their studies. Although such acts may seem insignificant, they can play a crucial role in motivating the students. One more instance where selflessness played its role concerns the fact that I can be there for others even if I am struggling personally. When studying at college away from home, I went through a rather stressful experience as a shooting took place directly under my apartment building. Despite all my stress and anxiety, I made sure that I would help other people in any way possible. I made sure to check on my friends and classmates, offering words of comfort and assurance. Sometimes people do not require any sort of advice; they simply need someone to care about them and listen to them. To me, selflessness does not always involve great feats; it sometimes entails just being there for other people, giving them a boost of confidence, lending an ear to listen, or helping them out in tough situations. I believe that leading with kindness, compassion, and understanding is important as I know the significance of having a helping hand during tough times. In general, I show my selflessness through supportiveness, compassion, and willingness to help other people in any possible way. Through my experience, I realized that being selfless does not mean anything without helping others in a positive way. In the course of my further studies and development as an individual, I will always remember this quality and try to implement it in order to help my family members, friends, and other people around me.

The benefits of higher education will help me fulfill my future aspirations in that it will provide me with the necessary education and experiences that will ensure my success and stability in the future. As a first generation college student, going to college means much more than just getting an education. Going to college means growing up and having the chance to create opportunities that weren’t necessarily available to me before. Education has the ability to transform lives, and it is my goal to use my education not only to benefit myself but also those around me. One of the toughest things that ever occurred to me occurred while I was schooling away from home. There was an incident where someone had been shot immediately below my apartment at the time when midterms were about to commence, and the bullets hit my apartment as well as my roommate’s apartment windows. The effect of this experience in terms of trauma while being inside the building really changed me emotionally. It opened my eyes to the realities of life and made me more determined to focus on my goals regardless of the situation. This has taught me about resilience, persistence, and the need to have people around who will help you through tough times. It has made me realize why I appreciate higher education so much. Education gives me chances to carve out a new path for myself and helps me keep developing myself despite all the setbacks that I have encountered. I think that college is making me more resilient, disciplined, and ready for the world out there. The experience of being raised in the Alief region of Houston, Texas has allowed me to interact with many different cultures. While I enjoyed the diversity around me, I also longed for an environment that would allow me to connect with my culture and be around individuals who have shared experiences as mine. The experience of going to an HBCU has provided me with the family atmosphere that I have always desired. It encourages me to push myself and strive for greatness due to being surrounded by supportive figures. In the future, I am going to try to make a positive influence on other people’s lives, especially that of young students, particularly those who come from poor families similar to mine. Many young people encounter various challenges, and it seems to be too hard for them to overcome such difficulties, which makes their future seem hopeless. However, I would like to show that there is always a chance to succeed even if a person has been faced with all kinds of problems before. Higher education means a lot to me since it gives me an opportunity to positively influence others’ lives. By using my skills and experience, I will try to create positive environments for people who will feel that they are valued and supported. I choose higher education because it is an excellent way of improving oneself, gaining financial independence, and making changes within my family. Thanks to it, I will be able to transform negative experiences into motivation and succeed in my life.

One of the most traumatizing events that I have ever experienced happened on a Saturday night before midterm week. There was a shooting event taking place below my apartment complex, and the bullets hit two windows in my apartment building; one in the front of my apartment and the other in my roommate's room. Fortunately, my roommate was not at home that night, but I was there during the entire event. I can clearly recall the sound of the gunfire, the screams of people outside, and the entire commotion that took place. Once the commotion was over, I was forced to witness the aftermath of the event that took place just outside my house. That event altered the way I saw safety and security. The house is meant to be a secure environment for us, but after that night, I could no longer consider myself to be safe at home. The distance between me and my family, by four hours, further complicated the matter since I was feeling very alone. My level of anxiety rose dramatically, making it difficult for me to study. In spite of all my fear and emotional exhaustion, I still had to take care of my midterms and go to classes. In those days, I realized the value of perseverance and strength. I turned to my support group, talked openly with my professors, and concentrated on my objectives, regardless of how challenging the task seemed. Even though it was not easy to live in the same apartment right after the shooting, this experience made me understand that I can go through any challenge and keep going forward. Being brought up in the Alief part of Houston, Texas, has made me come into contact with many cultures and societies. Although I had the opportunity to experience diversity all my life, there were times when I felt the need to find myself among my own culture, where I would relate to people who experienced what I was going through. The opportunity to be admitted into an HBCU has made me develop as a person and a professional. This has been due to the fact that an HBCU gives you an environment that is positive and supportive, where you are able to excel academically as well as learn more about your culture and heritage. Being encouraged and supported has motivated me to try even harder to ensure that I succeed not only for my own sake but for the sake of my entire community.

What makes me, Niyelete Barras, a leader is my high school experience. I was involved in various activities during my high school years, but the one that truly defined me was being the varsity cheer captain at Alief Taylor High School. I served as cheer captain during my junior and senior years. It was never easy. Being captain comes with significant responsibility. As a leader, you become a role model for your team and an emblem of the group's success. There were times I felt overwhelmed and considered quitting, but I knew that wasn't what a leader does. A leader remains composed and resilient, even when things fall apart because your team mirrors your attitude. A leader stays prepared for any challenge, adapting and accepting change with grace and readiness. My senior year was the most rewarding yet challenging. Our coach had to transfer to another school, and I had to adapt to a new coach. This transition was difficult because everyone looked to me for guidance. Questions like, "What are we going to do now?" and "Do we have to start all over?" were common. As a leader, I had to put my feelings aside and support my team. I reassured them that we would be fine, reminding them to stay true to what we had learned and continue growing together. Despite the change, I never lost sight of their potential, always pushing them to be their best. Additionally, leadership requires a strong sense of empathy and the ability to connect with each team member on a personal level. I made it a point to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each cheerleader, helping them to build confidence and improve their skills. I believe that a leader should inspire and motivate, not just direct. By fostering a positive and supportive environment, I helped my team members believe in themselves and each other. A pivotal moment for me was organizing and leading our team through a major regional competition. With our new coach and wanting to make the biggest comeback because the last past years haven’t been our best. So much of the planning and execution fell on my and my other captain's shoulders. This experience taught me the importance of meticulous preparation, clear communication, and unwavering determination. We faced several setbacks, but by keeping the team focused and maintaining high spirits, we managed to perform exceptionally well. This achievement was a testament to our hard work and unity. It showed a lot on our end, with having a new coach and all the trials and tribulations everything comes together when you believe in the girls who have to back and you have there's.  Furthermore, I learned as a begin captain that effective leadership involves being a good listener. I made it a priority to listen to my team’s concerns and feedback, ensuring that everyone felt heard and valued. This open line of communication helped to resolve conflicts quickly and kept our team cohesive. Listening to girls' feedback is very important to me because I always wanted everyone to feel important when it came to me and everyone else  In conclusion, my experience as the varsity cheer captain at Alief Taylor High School taught me invaluable lessons about leadership. A leader is someone who fights through struggles, never gives up in the face of challenges, manages emotions for the sake of the team, and shows unwavering support and love. By embodying these qualities, I was able to guide my team through difficult times and help each member realize their potential. That’s what leadership means to me.

Hello, I am Niyelete Barras, a senior in the class of 2024. Throughout my high school years, I have maintained an impressive academic record as an honor roll student, consistently earning A's and B's. However, my achievements extend beyond the classroom, as I have been actively involved in various extracurricular activities and community service projects. For two years now, I have proudly served as the Alief Taylor Varsity cheer captain, fostering a sense of unity and dedication among my teammates. In addition, I am a member of the Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) club, where I have actively participated in a head start program to obtain my Texas teaching certifications. My passion for teaching led me to become a student teacher for 6th-grade math, and I plan to extend this experience to teaching elementary students in the upcoming year. As a student teacher, I have honed my skills by conducting lessons, creating engaging presentations, and developing a comprehensive website to showcase my teaching materials and accomplishments, which will be beneficial when seeking future teaching opportunities. Outside of school, I am an active member of the Top Teens Of America Houston Chapter, where we engage in various community service projects to make a positive impact on society. Moreover, I am enthusiastic about completing my final year as a Girl Scout to achieve the prestigious Golden Award. This award not only opens doors for college admissions but also allows me to contribute further to my community. For my Golden Award project, I decided to create a math website filled with interactive games and problem-solving activities, aiming to help students learn and practice math while having fun. I identified math as a significant challenge for some of the students I encountered during my time as a student teacher, and I wanted to provide them with accessible resources to strengthen their foundational skills and succeed in their academic journey. My journey to becoming a teacher was not initially straightforward. Originally, I aspired to be a photographer, drawn to the idea of capturing meaningful moments through images. However, a life-changing event reshaped my ambitions. When faced with a difficult situation, I confided in my teacher, Ms. Jordan, who provided unwavering support and encouraged me to be open about my struggles. Her guidance led me out of a period of depression, and I realized the profound impact teachers can have on their students' lives. This experience ignited a desire in me to help others just as Ms. Jordan had helped me. From that moment, I knew that I wanted to become a teacher and be a source of support and encouragement for my future students. Becoming a teacher is not merely a personal endeavor for my own happiness; it is driven by a genuine passion to make a positive difference in the lives of my students. My ultimate goal is to create an inclusive and supportive environment where every child feels valued and knows they can turn to me for guidance. I want to assure my students that they are never alone in their struggles and that I will always lend a listening ear and a helping hand.

A dream is a cherished hope and ambition. And if I were allowed to proceed, my goal would be amazing to take advantage of. If all the resources were in my hand, I would use every bit of them to become a teacher. To give a back story, I originally wanted to be a photographer to have something nice, taking someone's pictures all day. One day my life changed because of one stupid mistake. And it was a teacher that I would normally go to to sit and talk to. Her name was Ms.Jordan. At this one moment, I needed her because I would go home, and my life would change how my parents viewed me, but I don't regret telling them anything. With the situation, I was just sick to my stomach, and I couldn't understand why until I said Ms. Jordan, and she told me just to be open about it, which I did, and it was the best decision. At first, it was bad because I went into a depression stage, but things got better over time, all because that one teacher told me to be open about things. And from that day, I knew I couldn't be the only one scared to tell someone something or be honest about things. I knew I wanted to help kids just as that teacher helped me. That day I knew I wanted to become a teacher to be there and support my kids just as my teacher did for me. Becoming a teacher is not just for my happiness. It's also for my future students. I want to make kids smile for a living. I want a child to know that they are never alone. They can always come to me. I was also at a point where I needed someone, and It would be one of my teachers. I respect them for just listening to me. At that moment, I knew I could not be the only one to feel this way and knew I wouldn't be the last to experience what I did; I wanted to help a student just as my teacher helped me. Teaching also comes with the teaching part of it, and I love math and find it amazing how things can add up. What is not better than becoming a math teacher? It's like a two-and-one deal, Get to make kids happy and be there for them and teach them something that I truly love to do. So imagining that I can have all the resources in the palm of my hand to become a teacher, I would take advantage of it every bit of it. I know one day my dream will become a reality, and I can't wait till that comes true, And this is the first step to making my dream come true.