At local events, I kept noticing the same pattern: people were drawn to businesses that felt personal and rooted in the community. It wasn’t just about the product. It was about who was behind it and why it existed. That observation pushed me to start my own business, Pop 7. What began as an idea quickly became a way for me to connect with my community while learning how entrepreneurship can create real impact. I plan to give back to my community through entrepreneurship by building businesses that intentionally invest locally. My goal is to use my ventures to create opportunities for students who want work experience, leadership roles, and exposure to entrepreneurship at a young age. I want my businesses to collaborate with schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to support events, fundraisers, and local initiatives. I believe entrepreneurship should be a tool for strengthening communities, not just generating profit, and I plan to structure my businesses around that belief. Academically, I plan to major in business management to gain a strong foundation in finance, marketing, and leadership. Understanding how to run a business responsibly and sustainably is important to me, especially as I grow my ventures. My career goal is to expand Pop 7 and eventually launch additional businesses that continue to prioritize community involvement. I want to become an entrepreneur who leads with integrity and uses success as a way to open doors for others rather than keeping opportunities to myself. One of the most important lessons entrepreneurship has taught me is accountability. When you run a business, every decision matters, from budgeting to customer experience. I learned quickly that my actions reflected not only on me, but on my community. This responsibility pushed me to operate Pop 7 with honesty, consistency, and respect for the people I serve. By maintaining these values, I aim to set an example of what responsible youth entrepreneurship can look like and inspire other students to pursue their own ideas with confidence. I have already given back to my community through Pop 7 by participating in school events, local festivals, and fundraisers. My business has supported community celebrations and partnered with organizations to help raise money for causes that directly benefit local families and students. These experiences have shown me how small businesses can play a big role in bringing people together and supporting shared goals. Beyond my business, I am actively involved in school clubs, athletics, and service-related activities. Being involved in these areas has taught me the value of teamwork, leadership, and commitment. Balancing school responsibilities with entrepreneurship has challenged me to be disciplined and purposeful with my time. These experiences have reinforced my belief that giving back should be built into everything I do. As I continue my education and career, I plan to use entrepreneurship as a long-term way to serve my community and create meaningful change. Entrepreneurship has also shaped how I view leadership. Instead of leading through authority, I have learned to lead through service. Whether it is supporting a school event, working with local vendors, or responding to customer feedback, I focus on listening and adapting to the needs of others. These experiences have prepared me for a future where my businesses are not only successful, but meaningful. Giving back is not something I plan to do later in life. It is something I am already committed to now and will continue to prioritize as I grow as an entrepreneur.

Growing up, I learned early what strength, responsibility, and determination really mean. I come from a low-income, blended family and I’m the oldest of seven children. My childhood was far from simple—my mom struggled with addiction and passed away when I was eleven. Losing her changed everything. I had to move in with my dad, who I hadn’t seen in years, and adjust to an entirely new life. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through, but it taught me how to adapt, stay focused, and keep moving forward even when life feels unpredictable. My dad raised me on his own for a while, and later he remarried. My step-mom owns a salon that specializes in hair loss solutions for women, especially those living with alopecia or going through cancer treatment. Watching her build and run that business has inspired me more than I can put into words. Her work isn’t just about beauty—it’s about restoring confidence and hope. I’ve seen women walk in feeling defeated and walk out smiling again. Seeing her dedication, her compassion for her clients, and her ability to turn her passion into a successful business has shown me exactly what kind of future I want for myself. That’s why I want to study business in college. I want to learn how to manage and grow a business that makes a real difference in people’s lives, just like hers does. My goal is to one day open a company that empowers women, creates jobs, and supports families who come from backgrounds like mine—where money is tight, but dreams are big. I’ve already seen what a business built on purpose can do for a community, and I want to carry that forward. Financially, college is a challenge for me. With seven kids in the house, my parents work hard just to keep things going, and there isn’t extra income for tuition, housing, or supplies. I know that paying for college will be my responsibility, but I’m determined to make it happen. I plan to work part-time and apply for every scholarship opportunity I can. I’m not afraid of hard work—I’ve been doing it my whole life. My experiences—growing up with loss, adjusting to change, and watching my step-mom create something meaningful out of compassion—have shaped me into someone who sees challenges as motivation. I’ve learned that success isn’t handed to anyone; it’s built, one decision and one act of effort at a time. This scholarship would not only ease my financial burden, but also help me take the next step toward becoming a business leader who uses her knowledge to make life better for others. I want to turn everything I’ve been through into something powerful—a career built on strength, service, and heart.

My name is Ocean Lirette, and I’m a senior at Thibodaux High School. I’ve always believed that being part of a community means showing up—whether it’s cheering for a teammate, organizing a service project, or standing up for someone who feels unseen. I’m involved in seven clubs and one varsity sport, and through these roles, I’ve learned that leadership is less about recognition and more about kindness, consistency, and compassion. One of the most meaningful parts of my high school experience has been forming connections with students who often get overlooked. There’s a younger student at my school who has non-verbal autism. His mom once asked me to look out for him, and ever since, I’ve made a point to say hello to him every day in the hallway. Even though he can’t respond with words, he smiles—and that small moment always reminds me why empathy matters. It breaks my heart when I see other students ignoring or teasing him just because he communicates differently. I want to be someone who shows that inclusion doesn’t require anything complicated—just genuine kindness and a willingness to see people for who they are, not for what they lack. My compassion for others comes from my own experiences. When I was in elementary school, I was bullied by private school kids for the way I looked. At the time, I felt like I’d never fit in anywhere. But that pain became one of my biggest motivators. It taught me to value empathy over popularity and to recognize that everyone fights silent battles we might never see. That’s why I work so hard to make sure no one around me feels alone or unwanted. Beyond my personal experiences, I try to use social media responsibly and encourage younger students to think before they post. I’ve seen how quickly bullying can spread online, and I want to be part of changing that culture. I remind my peers that words have power, both in person and online, and that choosing kindness costs nothing but can mean everything. As I prepare for college, financial need is a significant concern for me. My family works hard, but covering tuition, housing, and other expenses will be difficult. I plan to work part-time and apply for scholarships to help make my education possible. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to focus on my studies and continue the kind of community work that truly matters to me. I’m proud of how far I’ve come—from being the girl who once felt invisible to becoming someone who helps others feel seen. I’ve learned that strength isn’t about how loud your voice is but about how you use it. I want to take that same compassion and drive into college, continuing to build communities where everyone belongs.