When I was 14 I thought my world was ending and I was in so much pain I thought committing suicide would help and be better for everyone. Before pulling the trigger, I thought about my sisters and how they needed to be protected, and they would not be if I was dead. That is when I realized I needed to be their big sister and protect them. My stepdad is a rapist, and he made everyone turn against me including my mom. He raped me three times and molested me every chance he got for almost three months straight. When I was removed from the home I was diagnosed with severe PTSD. I was so scared to leave the house I did not even want to leave my new room. This was new for me because I was always loud and outgoing but now, I was depressed and having severe anxiety attacks. I want to major in Psychology to help be an advocate or a therapist for teenagers and younger children with severe PTSD. When I got diagnosed, I could not find the right therapist for me and when I finally found the right one, she told me I need to live life to the fullest and stop worrying. This made me very skeptical at first, but she was right. That day was the last day I saw her; we never rescheduled an appointment since, and it's been about two years now. I want to be that therapist and advocate for these young people. My advocate held my hand when I testified, and she even helped me learn how not cry over it. These women are whom I aspire to be. Being able to help young people realize there is more to their future than they realize and help them succeed in life is, so heartwarming and it makes me feel joy. My sister has always wanted to give up especially after I moved out and went into foster care. She is now 16 and looking to take the ACT next year with plans on going to college. I am helping her study and letting her realize you can do so much than hiding from the world because there is more out their than we realize. She has no idea, but she is my motivation and so is my 11-year-old sister for helping people get out of broken and toxic homes. No matter the parent you should always put your children first and sadly our mom did not. Right now, I want to get my degree save money and hopefully get full custody of my youngest sister. She deserves the world just like anyone else. I just wish everyone who has suffered can talk to someone who partially understands them and their situation. For me I can be that person for some people and survivors of sexual abuse, domestic violence, and so much more.

Yes, I was in the foster system and right now I am considered in independent living. I was raped at 14 by my stepdad it happened 3 times 1st time I was drugged and do not remember anything second time same thing but the third time I was awake, but it was like I was paralyzed. I want to let other teenagers and children know that no matter what someone will believe you and it only takes one person to help. I am so grateful I got taken out of my home, but I was scared when they were talking about sending me away from my family especially my sisters. I want to become an advocate or a therapist of some sort to help people like me overcome that obstacle of not trusting people, wanting to give up, and feeling scared. For me I chose to go to college because I could not end up like my parents and I wanted to protect my younger sisters and put my stepdad in prison. Now he is still out there, and it has been almost 4 years I have not received my peace yet. I am also paying for college on my own with no support form family my grandparents are retired and on a fixed income as it is, and I do not talk to my biological parents because they let me suffer especially my mom. Knowing other people have been in a situation like mine makes me want to listen to their story and help them overcome their problems or issues. I have talked four people out of committing suicide due to rape and I would love for others to be more aware about sexual abuse and just domestic violence in general. Now I am not begging for this wonderful opportunity for this scholarship but please take me into consideration I just want to be able to succeed and you can help me. You guys seem like such a lovely family wanting to help people in the foster system I hope I can be that person to someone someday. I wish more children in the foster system realize that they can do more with their lives. In my county in Wisconsin, I am the only one in my age group going to college and even graduating high school. To me this is sad because I received financial aid yes and one other scholarship, but for most of the scholarships in my town are for agriculture and I do not qualify. I hope I can help people and give them the opportunity like you are because this is absolutely amazing and now, I am crying typing this. I did not want to just trauma dump and beg but I want someone to know what my plans are in life so at least someone knows. Thank you so much for reading this and I hope you take me into consideration. my email is itss.paige2@gmail.com and my number is 715-390-1467 if you have any questions. I can even email you my aging out document as well. If someone else has a better story I hope they receive this scholarship because I would rather someone who has nothing go to college and do amazing things later on because no matter what I will be doing the same with or without this scholarship.