I never expected a group of elementary school children to change the way I understood what it means to follow Christ. This past year, I served in Sunday school and volunteered at three church summer camps. At first, I thought my responsibility was simply to supervise activities and keep the children safe. Before long, I realized I had a much greater responsibility. The younger children watched everything the older volunteers did. They copied the way we spoke, treated others, and even how we handled disagreements. That was the moment I understood that Christian leadership isn’t about standing in front of people. It’s about living in a way that reflects Christ, especially when no one seems to be paying attention. Whenever I heard a child making fun of another camper or talking behind a friend’s back, I gently stepped in. I encouraged them to speak directly to one another instead of gossiping and reminded them that kindness, honesty, and forgiveness are choices we make every day. As the week went on, I noticed the children beginning to remind one another to be kind before I even had the chance to step in. They weren’t just listening to what we said. They were learning from what we did. Those moments taught me that leadership isn’t measured by titles or recognition. It’s measured by the example we choose to set each day. Those lessons began long before I became a Sunday school volunteer. Both of my grandparents are pastors, and my grandfather on my dad’s side is a missionary. Ministry has always been part of my family’s life. From a young age, I participated in mission work with my family, traveling to villages where many people had never heard the Gospel before. We shared the message of Christ, served local communities, and helped however we could. Those experiences taught me that following Jesus isn’t something we do only inside a church building. It’s something we live out every day by loving people, meeting practical needs, and serving with humility. Watching my family serve shaped the values that continue to guide my life today. When my family immigrated to the United States, those values became even more important. I had to adjust to a new country, a different school system, and a culture that was completely unfamiliar. Like many immigrants, I had to start over. The transition wasn’t always easy, but it strengthened my dependence on God. During seasons of uncertainty, my faith reminded me that my identity wasn’t found in where I lived or in my circumstances, but in Christ. Instead of allowing challenges to discourage me, I learned to trust that God could use them to help me grow. One experience, however, changed my perspective more than any other. During the war in Ukraine, my family volunteered to help refugees who had lost everything almost overnight. We helped organize transportation for families fleeing the war and served meals through a mobile kitchen. I still remember watching parents comfort frightened children while carrying everything they still owned in just a few bags. That image has never left me. For the first time, I realized how quickly the stability we often take for granted can disappear. It also reminded me that Christ often works through ordinary acts of compassion. A warm meal, a safe ride, or simply treating someone with dignity may seem small, but for someone who has lost everything, it can be a reminder that they have not been forgotten. Those experiences shaped the future I hope to build. This fall, I will begin studying Business Administration because I want to become an entrepreneur who creates opportunities for others. I don’t want to build businesses simply to earn a profit. I want to build businesses where people are treated with dignity, integrity guides every decision, and success is measured not only by financial results but also by the lives that are impacted. Watching families lose their sense of security made me realize that a job is much more than a paycheck. It provides stability, purpose, and hope. I believe my faith should shape the way I do business just as much as it shapes the way I serve in my church. If God blesses me with success, I want to use it to create opportunities for others and to lead in a way that honors Him. Receiving this scholarship would be more than financial assistance. It would be an investment in my education, my calling, and the values that have shaped my life. It would allow me to continue preparing for a career where I can honor God through both my work and my service to others. My goal isn’t simply to build successful businesses. My goal is to build businesses that reflect integrity, compassion, and servant leadership while creating opportunities that positively impact families and communities. Looking back, I realize the children I was teaching were also teaching me. They reminded me that people are always watching and that our everyday actions often speak louder than our words. Whether I am serving in my church, leading a company, or helping someone in need, I want my life to point people to Christ through the way I love others, lead with integrity, and serve with humility. If, years from now, someone is encouraged to follow Christ because of the way I lived, loved, and served, I will consider my life a success.

I’ve loved math for as long as I can remember, and I owe a lot of that to my primary school math teacher. He had a way of making every lesson fun and engaging. Instead of seeing math as something to memorise, I saw it as a puzzle I wanted to solve. Because of him, math quickly became my favourite subject. That interest stayed with me throughout school. In high school, my calculus teacher reinforced that passion in a different way. He was the most organised teacher I ever had. His notes were so clear and well-structured that they’re the only school notebooks I’ve kept. Even now, I can look back through them and understand exactly what we learned. What I love most about math is that it rewards patience and logical thinking. Every problem has a solution if you’re willing to work through it. That mindset has helped me both in and outside the classroom. My love for math is one of the reasons I plan to study finance. I enjoy working with numbers, recognising patterns, and using logic to solve problems. Math has given me confidence, discipline, and a way of thinking that I know will continue to help me throughout my education and future career.

When people ask about my future, I don’t just think about the career I want. I think about the kind of impact I want to leave behind. I plan to study finance because I want to understand how businesses grow, how investments create opportunities, and how thoughtful leadership can improve people’s lives. My goal is to become an entrepreneur who builds businesses that provide stable jobs, strengthen local communities, and give people the opportunity to build better futures for themselves and their families. As a first-generation college student, pursuing higher education means more than earning a degree. It means being the first in my family to navigate a path no one before me has experienced. Every college application, scholarship, and financial aid form has required me to learn through research, persistence, and asking questions. That process has challenged me, but it has also taught me independence and strengthened my determination to succeed. My experiences have shaped the goals I have today. My grandparents played a significant role in raising me while my father was often away on extended business trips. They devoted much of their lives to serving others, and watching them care for people without expecting recognition changed the way I define success. Those lessons stayed with me as I volunteered at my church’s children’s camps, working with children between the ages of two and fourteen, visited elderly members of my church who could no longer attend services, and helped refugees during the war in Ukraine by assisting with transportation and serving meals. Those experiences showed me that meaningful change often begins with simple acts of service. Moving to the United States gave me a new appreciation for education. Adjusting to a different country, school system, and culture wasn’t always easy, but it strengthened my resilience and taught me to embrace unfamiliar situations instead of fearing them. It also showed me how education can open doors that would otherwise remain closed. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to spend more time focusing on my education and professional development instead of worrying about the financial burden of college. It would give me the opportunity to pursue internships, gain practical experience, and develop the skills I need to become the kind of business leader I aspire to be. One day, I hope to build businesses that create stable careers, invest in the communities they serve, and support young entrepreneurs who simply need someone to believe in their potential. I especially hope to mentor students from immigrant and first-generation families because I understand how overwhelming it can feel to navigate an unfamiliar path without someone who has already been there. For me, college is not the destination. It is the starting point. It is where I will gain the knowledge and experience to build something that improves lives. This scholarship would help me take that next step and move closer to a future where my success is measured not only by what I accomplish, but by the opportunities I create for others.

Some of my earliest memories are of my grandparents’ home. Because my father frequently traveled for work, sometimes for months at a time, and my mother was busy caring for our family, my siblings and I spent much of our childhood living with our grandparents. They didn’t simply babysit us. They became the people who shaped many of my daily routines, values, and outlook on life. My grandparents are pastors, and my grandfather is also a missionary. Life in their home revolved around serving others. I watched them visit people who were sick, welcome families into their home, and give their time without expecting anything in return. They never treated kindness as something extraordinary. To them, it was simply the right way to live. Growing up in that environment taught me that success is measured by more than personal achievement. It is also measured by the impact you have on other people’s lives. Living with my grandparents also taught me responsibility. They expected me to help around the house, respect others, and keep my commitments. Looking back, I realize they were teaching me habits that would shape my future long before I understood their importance. Their influence became even more meaningful as my family moved between countries and eventually immigrated to the United States. Starting over meant adapting to a new culture, a different education system, and an unfamiliar environment. The values my grandparents instilled in me gave me stability during that transition. They taught me to work hard, stay resilient, and treat every challenge as an opportunity to grow. Their example continues to influence the choices I make today. I volunteer at my church’s children’s camps every summer, working with children between the ages of two and fourteen, and throughout the year I visit elderly church members who are no longer able to attend services. During the war in Ukraine, I also had the opportunity to help refugees alongside my family by assisting with transportation and serving meals through a mobile kitchen. Those experiences reinforced the lessons my grandparents taught me years earlier: that serving others is not something you do once. It is a way of living. As I prepare to study finance, I hope to carry those lessons into my career. My goal is to build businesses that create opportunities, provide stable jobs, and strengthen the communities they serve. I want to use what I learn to help others build better futures, just as my grandparents invested their time and energy in helping the people around them. Although my parents worked hard to provide for our family, my grandparents played an extraordinary role in raising me. Their home became the place where I learned compassion, responsibility, and perseverance. Those lessons continue to shape the person I am today and the future I hope to build.

Some of my favorite childhood memories begin with a book. My parents were strict about bedtime on school nights because they wanted me to get enough rest. The problem was that I never wanted to stop reading. After they turned off the lights, I would quietly sit by my bedroom window in London and use the light from the streetlamp outside to finish just one more chapter. Looking back, I smile at the memory, but it says a lot about who I was. Reading never felt like homework. It felt like stepping into another world. Books introduced me to people I never would have met and places I never would have seen. They taught me empathy by letting me experience life through someone else’s perspective. Every story left me with a new question, a new idea, or a new way of looking at the world. I think that curiosity has stayed with me ever since. As I got older, the books I reached for began to change. Along with novels, I started reading biographies, history, and books about business and finance. I wanted to understand how people built companies, overcame setbacks, and made decisions that affected thousands of lives. Those books showed me that business can be about much more than profit. It can create jobs, solve problems, and open doors for people who simply need an opportunity. When my family moved to the United States, reading became something familiar in the middle of so much change. Adjusting to a new country, a different school system, and a new culture wasn’t always easy, but books reminded me that learning doesn’t stop because life changes. They helped me continue growing and gave me confidence as I adapted to a new environment. Today, I plan to study finance because I want to build businesses that create opportunities for others. I hope to become an entrepreneur who leads with integrity and uses business as a way to strengthen communities. Reading has played a significant role in shaping that goal. It has taught me to stay curious, keep learning, and think beyond immediate success. I still lose track of time when I’m reading a great book. The only difference is that now I don’t have to rely on the light from a streetlamp outside my window. That little girl in London couldn’t have imagined where books would eventually lead her. They helped shape my character, broaden my perspective, and gave me the confidence to dream beyond the life I could see. For me, books have never been just words on a page. They have been mentors, companions, and reminders that every new chapter has the power to change the course of a life, including my own.

When people ask what I want to do in the future, I usually tell them I want to build businesses. What I don’t always explain is why. To me, business isn’t just about making money. It’s about creating opportunities that can change someone’s life. That perspective comes from the people who have influenced me most. My grandparents have spent their lives serving others through ministry, and I grew up watching them visit families in difficult seasons, care for people who were sick, and give their time without expecting anything in return. They taught me that leadership isn’t measured by titles or recognition. It’s measured by the way you treat people when they need you most. As I got older, I had the chance to live out those lessons myself. During the war in Ukraine, my family volunteered to help refugees by organizing transportation for families escaping the conflict and serving meals through a mobile kitchen. I met parents who had lost nearly everything but were still focused on protecting and comforting their children. Those moments changed my perspective. They reminded me that even a warm meal, a safe ride, or a few words of encouragement can restore hope. Service has continued to shape my life in quieter ways. Every summer, I volunteer at my church’s children’s camp, working with kids between the ages of two and fourteen. Throughout the year, I also visit elderly members of my church who can no longer attend services because of illness or age. Whether I’m helping a child feel included or sitting with someone who simply wants company, I’ve learned that making a difference doesn’t always require solving someone’s problems. Often, it begins with being willing to show up. Moving to the United States also changed my perspective. Starting over meant adjusting to a new school system, learning a different culture, and building a new life from the ground up. That experience taught me resilience and gave me a deep appreciation for the opportunities education can provide. That is why I plan to study finance. I want to understand how businesses are built, how investments create growth, and how responsible leadership creates opportunity. My goal is to become an entrepreneur who builds companies that provide stable jobs, invest in local communities, and create opportunities for people who are willing to work hard but need someone to believe in them. I also hope to mentor young entrepreneurs, especially students from immigrant families, because I understand how overwhelming it can feel to navigate an unfamiliar path alone. The impact I hope to make won’t be measured by the size of a company or the number in a bank account. I want to build something that improves people’s lives long after I’m gone. If the businesses I create give families stability, create opportunities for young people, and strengthen the communities they serve, then I’ll know I used my education for something that truly mattered. ⸻ The biggest improvement is the ending. Rather than saying you want to “build something that outlasts me,” it ends with a clearer picture of what success looks like: creating stability, opportunity, and stronger communities. That leaves the reader with a concrete impression instead of an abstract one.

Faith has never been something I practiced only on Sundays. It has shaped the way I make decisions, treat people, and think about success. I grew up in a family where serving others was simply part of everyday life. My grandparents are pastors, and my grandfather is also a missionary. As a child, I watched them visit people who were sick, encourage families going through difficult seasons, and help anyone who needed it without expecting recognition. Long before I understood what a career would look like, I understood that my life should have a purpose beyond myself. When my family moved to the United States, I had to leave behind everything that was familiar. I was entering a new school system, adapting to a different culture, and trying to build a future in a country that was completely new to me. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed, but my faith gave me stability. It reminded me that my circumstances had changed, but my identity and purpose had not. Instead of focusing on what I had left behind, I learned to focus on the opportunities God had placed in front of me. My faith has also led me to serve in practical ways. Every summer I volunteer at my church’s children’s camp, working with children from two to fourteen years old. Some need someone to comfort them when they miss home. Others need encouragement, guidance, or simply an adult who listens. Throughout the year, I also visit elderly church members who are no longer able to attend services because of illness or age. Spending time with them has taught me that people often need presence more than answers. One experience I will never forget was serving refugees during the war in Ukraine. My family volunteered to help organize transportation for families escaping the conflict and worked with a mobile kitchen that provided meals to refugees. Meeting people who had lost their homes in a matter of days changed the way I think about life. It reminded me that success means very little if it is only used for yourself. Because of those experiences, I plan to study finance and pursue entrepreneurship. I want to understand how businesses grow, how investments create opportunities, and how responsible leadership can improve people’s lives. My goal is not simply to become financially successful. I want to build businesses that create jobs, support families, and allow me to continue giving back to my community. I believe faith and business should not exist separately. Integrity, honesty, and compassion are just as important in a boardroom as they are in a church. Whatever career I pursue, I hope people remember me not only for what I accomplished, but for how I treated others. My faith has taught me that success is measured by more than achievements. It is measured by the lives you influence, the people you serve, and the difference you leave behind. That is the kind of life I want to build.

I have never thought of selflessness as doing one extraordinary thing. To me, it means noticing when someone needs help and choosing to be there, even when no one is watching. That mindset has been shaped by my family, my faith, and the opportunities I’ve had to serve people from very different walks of life. One of the experiences that changed me most was serving refugees during the war in Ukraine. My family volunteered to help people who had been forced to leave everything behind. We helped organize transportation for families fleeing dangerous areas and worked with a mobile kitchen that prepared meals for hundreds of refugees. I remember seeing parents trying to stay strong for their children while carrying the uncertainty of not knowing what would happen next. Watching families lose their homes but still hold onto hope reminded me how quickly life can change. It also taught me that helping someone doesn’t always require having all the answers. Sometimes the greatest gift you can offer is your time, your willingness to serve, and the reassurance that they are not alone. Service has also become part of my everyday life. Every summer, I volunteer at children’s camps, working with kids from two to fourteen years old. Each age group has different needs. Some children need comfort because they’re away from home for the first time, while older kids need encouragement, guidance, and someone who will listen to them. I help lead activities, supervise games, and make sure every child feels included. Watching shy children become confident and seeing friendships grow reminds me that even small acts of kindness can leave a lasting impact. Throughout the year, I also visit elderly members of my church who are no longer able to attend services because of age or illness. Many of our visits are simple. We sit together, talk, pray, and listen to their stories. These moments have taught me that serving others isn’t always about solving problems. Sometimes people simply need someone willing to spend time with them and remind them they haven’t been forgotten. Balancing school, volunteering, and family responsibilities has not always been easy. There are weekends when I could choose to stay home or spend time with friends, but I’ve learned that meaningful service often requires sacrifice. Those experiences have strengthened my perseverance and taught me that compassion is something you practice consistently, not something you do only when it’s convenient. As I pursue a degree in finance, I hope to carry these lessons into my future career. My goal isn’t simply to build successful businesses. I want to create opportunities for others, provide stable jobs, and use what I learn to strengthen the communities around me. I believe success has the greatest value when it allows you to improve someone else’s life. Selflessness has never been about recognition for me. It’s about quietly choosing to help whenever I can, because I’ve learned that even the smallest act of kindness can make a lasting difference.

Growing up, college was never something my parents could explain to me because they never had the opportunity to experience it themselves. They have always encouraged me to dream big, but figuring out how to get there has been something I’ve had to learn on my own. Being a first-generation college student means stepping into unfamiliar territory. There isn’t a guidebook waiting for me at home, so every application, financial aid form, and college decision has required research, persistence, and a willingness to ask questions. My family moved to the United States to build a better future. Starting over in a new country meant adapting to a different school system, a different culture, and a completely different path toward higher education. While those changes weren’t always easy, they taught me how to be resilient. Instead of seeing obstacles as reasons to give up, I’ve learned to see them as opportunities to grow. I want to study finance because I don’t just want a degree, I want practical knowledge that I can use throughout my life. My goal is to become financially successful, invest wisely, and eventually own businesses that create jobs and make a positive impact in my community. I’ve always admired people who build something from the ground up, and I hope to do the same. Success, to me, isn’t just measured by income. It’s measured by the opportunities you’re able to create for other people. What motivates me most is the thought of changing the direction of my family’s future. I want my younger siblings to see college not as something intimidating or out of reach, but as something achievable. I hope that one day they’ll be able to ask me for advice because I was the first person in our family to navigate this path. Receiving this scholarship would ease the financial burden of college and allow me to focus more of my energy on learning, gaining experience, and preparing for my future career. More importantly, it would remind me that people believe in students like me: students who are willing to work hard even when the path isn’t clearly marked. Being first-generation isn’t simply a title I carry. It’s a responsibility. Every step I take is one my family has never had the chance to take before. I know the journey won’t always be easy, but I also know that the opportunities ahead are worth the effort. My goal is not only to succeed for myself, but to open doors for my family and, one day, for others as well.

My definition of the American Dream is the ability to build your own stability, even when nothing is guaranteed. When my family came to the United States, everything changed at once. I had to adapt to a new country, new school system, and a future filled with uncertainty. One of the hardest parts of not being a U.S. citizen is knowing that many opportunities depend on factors outside of your control. You cannot assume that financial aid will be available. You cannot assume that work will be easy to find. You have to think ahead constantly and take responsibility for your future earlier than most students. This reality forced me to become independent. I understood quickly that if I wanted stability, I would have to build it myself. At the same time, my experiences serving others gave me a different perspective on hardship and responsibility. I regularly visit elderly and sick members of my community. Many of them live alone and face daily physical and emotional challenges. Spending time with them taught me patience and awareness. It showed me how important it is to be present and dependable. I also help work with younger children, supporting and guiding them. Being in that position taught me leadership. I understood that people look up to those who are consistent and responsible. One of the most defining experiences in my life happened during the war in Ukraine. I participated in refugee support efforts, helping organize transportation and working with a mobile kitchen that provided daily meals to displaced families. I saw people who lost their homes overnight. Families were forced to leave everything behind without knowing where they would go next. That experience changed the way I think about stability. It made me realize that stability is not something you assume. It is something you build and protect. It also made me realize that opportunity comes with responsibility. When you are in a position to help, you do not wait. You act. As an immigrant, I understand what it means to start over and live with uncertainty. Instead of discouraging me, this strengthened my determination. It forced me to focus on long-term goals and take ownership of my future. My goal is to pursue a degree in finance and entrepreneurship. I want to understand how money, investments, and businesses work at a structural level. Financial knowledge creates independence, and independence creates control over your future. I want to build businesses that provide stability, not only for myself, but for others. I want to create opportunities and contribute to economic growth in the communities I am part of. To me, the American Dream is not about comfort. It is about control over your future. It is the ability to take responsibility, make decisions, and build something meaningful through discipline and effort. My experiences as an immigrant and volunteer taught me that nothing is guaranteed. But they also taught me that progress is possible when you stay consistent and focused. The American Dream is not a promise. It is an opportunity. And I intend to build it.

I grew up in a family where faith was not only something we believed, but something we lived. Both of my grandparents are pastors, and my grandfather on my dad’s side is also a missionary. Their lives were centered on helping others, visiting people in need, and serving wherever they were called. Watching them showed me that serving others was not something reserved for certain people. It was something I was responsible for too. When I moved to the United States as a first-generation immigrant, I had to adapt to a new country, school system, and culture. Everything was unfamiliar at first. I had to learn how to adjust, be independent, and continue working toward my goals without losing the values I was raised with. This experience taught me resilience and helped me understand how important opportunity really is. My church has remained the center of my life. One of my regular responsibilities is visiting elderly and sick members of our church. Many of them cannot leave their homes or are going through difficult health conditions. When we visit, we talk with them, listen to them, and remind them that they are not alone. These visits taught me patience and helped me understand the importance of simply being present for someone. It showed me that helping people is not always about solving problems, but about caring enough to show up. I am also involved in working with children at church. I help guide them, support them, and try to be someone they can trust. Being around them taught me responsibility, because I understand that younger kids look up to older ones. It made me more aware of my actions and how I represent myself. Another commitment I take seriously is being part of the girls choir. Every Saturday, I attend four-hour choir practices. It requires discipline and consistency, especially balancing it with school and other responsibilities. Choir taught me how to commit to something long term and work together with others toward a shared goal. Some of the most impactful experiences in my life came through mission work in Ukraine and Romania with my family. We traveled to serve communities and help wherever we were needed. During the war in Ukraine, I was directly involved in helping refugees. We helped organize transportation for families fleeing the war and worked with a mobile kitchen that provided daily meals to refugees. Many people had lost their homes, their stability, and their sense of security overnight. Seeing this firsthand changed my perspective. It made me realize how quickly life can change and how important it is to help when people are at their lowest point. Being part of that mission work taught me responsibility and awareness. It showed me that helping others requires action, not just intention. It also showed me that leadership is not about being in charge, but about stepping forward when help is needed. These experiences shaped my goals for the future. I plan to pursue a degree in finance and entrepreneurship. I want to understand how businesses operate, how financial systems work, and how to create stability through smart decisions and leadership. My goal is to build businesses that create opportunities for others and provide stability for families. Growing up in a family involved in ministry and mission work showed me that success is not only about personal achievement. It is about what you contribute to others. My immigration journey taught me resilience. My church involvement taught me responsibility. My mission work taught me perspective. I want to use my education to build something meaningful. I want to create opportunities, help people build stability, and continue living out the values I was raised with. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue my education and move closer to these goals. More importantly, it would help me continue using my abilities to contribute to others and make a difference through my work and my actions.

Moving between countries has shaped my identity, my resilience, and my determination to succeed. Like Malgorzata “Maggie” Kwiecien, I understand what it means to leave behind everything familiar and rebuild your life in a new place. I was born in Romania, but when I was young, my family moved to London. For six years, I adapted to a new culture, language, and school system. Just as I began to feel stable, we returned to Romania, where I had to adjust all over again. Four years later, I moved to the United States. Each move forced me to start from the beginning, leaving behind friendships, routines, and the sense of belonging I had worked hard to build. These experiences were emotionally difficult. There were times when I felt alone and uncertain about my future. I often felt like I did not fully belong anywhere. Each transition tested my strength and forced me to grow. I had to learn how to adapt quickly, remain focused, and build confidence in unfamiliar environments. Like Maggie, I understand the courage it takes to step into the unknown and trust that your effort and determination will lead you somewhere meaningful. What inspires me most about Maggie is her independence and intellectual strength. She came to the United States on her own, driven by ambition and belief in her potential. I relate deeply to her determination to build a life through education and perseverance. Moving across countries taught me that stability does not come from a place, but from within. It comes from developing knowledge, discipline, and the ability to stand on your own. Education represents opportunity and freedom to me. I plan to pursue a degree in finance at Arizona State University because I want to build a future where I am independent and capable of creating my own success. My experiences have taught me that circumstances can change at any moment, but knowledge and skills remain with you forever. I am driven to become an expert in my field and to build a stable and meaningful future through my education. Like Maggie, I am determined to continue growing despite uncertainty. Her story reminds me that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to keep moving forward. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue pursuing my education and honor Maggie’s legacy through my ambition, resilience, and commitment to building a life defined not by where I started, but by what I am determined to achieve.