Growing up, I have always believed that success comes from dedication, discipline, and a willingness to work hard even when things become challenging. I am currently pursuing my education with the goal of building a meaningful career and creating a better future for myself and the people around me. My experiences in school, athletics, and community involvement have helped shape who I am today and continue to motivate me to strive for excellence in everything I do. Academically, I have always taken my education seriously. Maintaining strong grades has been important to me because I know that education opens doors to opportunities that can change the course of someone’s life. While school requires commitment and focus, it has also taught me how to manage my time, set goals, and stay motivated even during stressful times. I have learned that persistence and consistency are key to achieving long-term success. Athletics have also played a major role in my life and personal development. Being involved in sports has taught me discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Training, competing, and working toward improvement every day has shown me that success rarely comes easily. Instead, it requires dedication, patience, and the ability to keep pushing forward even when progress feels slow. Sports have also taught me how to support others and work toward a common goal with my teammates. These experiences have helped me grow not only as an athlete but also as a person and a leader. In addition to academics and athletics, I believe strongly in giving back to my community. Through volunteering and community service, I have had the opportunity to support others and contribute to causes that are meaningful to me. These experiences have shown me how powerful even small acts of kindness and service can be. They have inspired me to continue helping others and to use my education in ways that positively impact the world around me. Receiving the Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship would make a meaningful difference in my educational journey. Pursuing higher education comes with many financial challenges, and scholarships help ease that burden so students can focus more fully on their studies and personal growth. This support would allow me to continue working toward my academic goals while remaining involved in athletics and community service without as much financial stress. Kalia D. Davis’s story is incredibly inspiring. Her dedication to academics, athletics, leadership, and service reflects the kind of person I hope to continue becoming. She clearly lived with determination, kindness, and a strong work ethic, and her legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of striving for excellence while also uplifting those around us. I admire the way she balanced so many responsibilities while continuing to pursue her goals. If I am fortunate enough to receive this scholarship, I will honor Kalia’s legacy by continuing to work hard, pursue my ambitions, and support others along the way. I am committed to using my education not only to achieve personal success but also to create a positive impact in my community. This scholarship would help me take another important step toward that future while reminding me to carry forward the values of dedication, leadership, and kindness that Kalia exemplified.

My relationship with Jesus has been a constant foundation in my life and has played a major role in shaping my faith, values, and sense of purpose. Growing up Catholic, I was raised in an environment where faith was woven into everyday life through family, church, and community. As I matured, my faith also grew from something I was taught into something I personally chose. Being confirmed in the Catholic Church was an important milestone for me because it marked a deeper commitment to my relationship with Jesus and a clearer understanding of my faith as my own. My relationship with Jesus has influenced how I view challenges, success, and service. Through prayer and reflection, I have learned to trust God’s plan, even when the path ahead feels uncertain or overwhelming. My faith reminds me that I am never facing obstacles alone and that strength often comes through perseverance, humility, and trust. Jesus’ teachings about love, compassion, and service guide how I treat others and how I strive to live my life. When I feel stressed or discouraged, turning to prayer helps ground me and brings me peace and clarity. Throughout my educational journey, I plan to implement my faith by living out these values in both my actions and attitudes. Whether I am in cosmetology school or pursuing my college degree, I want my faith to be reflected in how I interact with classmates, instructors, and future coworkers. I plan to approach my education with integrity, responsibility, and respect, understanding that my efforts are not only for personal success but also an opportunity to glorify God through hard work and dedication. Staying connected to my faith community will also be important to me as I continue my education. I plan to attend Mass regularly, participate in campus ministry when available, and maintain a consistent prayer life. These practices help keep me grounded and focused, especially during times of stress or transition. The sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, serve as a source of strength and renewal, reminding me of Christ’s presence in my daily life. Additionally, I plan to live out my faith through service. Jesus’ call to love and serve others inspires me to be compassionate, patient, and understanding. In both my education and future career, I want to create welcoming and inclusive environments where people feel valued and supported. My faith encourages me to lead with kindness, listen with empathy, and treat everyone with dignity. Ultimately, my relationship with Jesus gives my life direction and meaning. It shapes the way I learn, lead, and serve, and it will continue to guide me throughout my educational journey and beyond.

I am a driven, creative, and community-focused student who has always been passionate about helping others feel confident and supported. From a young age, I was drawn to the beauty industry. Some of my earliest memories include braiding my friends’ hair at recess and pretending to run my own salon. Even then, I found joy in making others feel good about themselves. What began as a childhood interest has grown into a clear career path and a meaningful goal for my future. I plan to attend Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School and earn a bachelor’s degree in hospitality from Oregon State University–Cascades. By pursuing both cosmetology and higher education, I am preparing myself for long-term success in the beauty industry. While I love working behind the chair, I understand the physical demands of the profession and want to develop leadership and management skills that will allow me to grow over time. My long-term goal is to become a spa or salon manager and eventually open my own salon—one that values creativity, professionalism, and genuine care for others. Throughout high school, I have been deeply involved in my school and community. I balanced three sports, band, student council, and a part-time job while maintaining strong academic performance. One of the biggest adversities I faced was learning how to manage constant pressure and exhaustion while still showing up fully in every role. There were moments when my schedule felt overwhelming and quitting would have been the easier option. Instead, I learned to overcome this challenge by developing strong time management skills, setting priorities, and asking for support when needed. I learned that success does not come from doing everything perfectly, but from staying disciplined, adaptable, and committed. These challenges shaped my resilience and taught me how to lead with empathy. Being stretched thin helped me understand what it feels like to struggle, which has made me more patient and supportive toward others. As a student council member and team leader, I used these lessons to encourage teammates and classmates who were feeling overwhelmed or unsure of themselves. I learned that leadership is not just about being in charge—it is about lifting others up. In my chosen career path, I plan to make a positive impact by creating spaces where people feel welcomed, confident, and valued. Beauty is not just about appearance; it plays a powerful role in self-esteem and self-expression. I want my future salon to be a safe, inclusive environment for clients and employees alike. I also hope to mentor future stylists and promote healthy work-life balance within an industry that can be demanding. By combining creativity, leadership, and resilience, I hope to make a meaningful difference in the world—one client, one conversation, and one act of care at a time.

Kindness in Action One meaningful act of kindness I offered was consistently supporting younger students who felt overwhelmed joining school activities for the first time. As a student involved in multiple sports, band, and student council, I noticed that many underclassmen were excited to participate but felt intimidated by the environment or unsure of where they belonged. I made it a point to check in with them, explain expectations, and encourage them when they doubted themselves. One moment that stands out was helping a younger teammate who considered quitting after struggling to keep up with practices and schoolwork. Instead of letting them walk away, I shared my own experiences balancing busy schedules and reassured them that feeling overwhelmed was normal. I helped them create a simple plan to manage their time and reminded them that progress takes patience. Over time, their confidence grew, and they stayed with the team. This act of kindness was important because it showed me how small gestures—listening, encouraging, and showing up—can make a lasting difference in someone’s life. It reinforced my belief that kindness does not always need to be grand to be meaningful. Simply being present and supportive can help someone feel seen and valued. That experience shaped how I lead and interact with others, reminding me that empathy and understanding are just as powerful as achievement. Creating Connection Creating connection has always been important to me, especially within my school community. Being involved in sports, band, student council, and working a part-time job allowed me to interact with many different groups of people. I often found myself in leadership roles where I helped bring students together who might not normally cross paths. Whether planning school events or team activities, I worked to make sure everyone felt welcome and included. As a student council member, I helped organize events that encouraged participation from a wide range of students. I focused on making activities accessible and engaging so people felt comfortable showing up as themselves. I also made an effort to listen to different perspectives and advocate for ideas that represented more than just one group. I believe a strong community is built when everyone feels their voice matters. Outside of formal leadership roles, I created connection by being approachable and supportive. As an older sister and teammate, I made it a priority to check in on others and offer encouragement. These efforts helped create a sense of belonging and trust among my peers. Through these experiences, I learned that connection is built through consistency, empathy, and inclusion. Helping create an environment where people feel supported and valued has been one of the most rewarding parts of my high school experience, and it is something I plan to continue throughout my future career and community involvement.

I am a driven, creative, and community-oriented individual who has always been passionate about helping others feel confident and supported. From a very young age, I knew that the beauty industry was something I was drawn to. Some of my earliest memories involve braiding my friends’ hair on the playground and pretending I owned my own salon. Even as a child, I loved the idea of making people feel good about themselves, and that passion has only grown stronger as I have gotten older. What started as something fun has turned into a lifelong goal and a meaningful career path. My educational plans include attending Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School and earning a bachelor’s degree in hospitality from Oregon State University–Cascades. By pursuing both cosmetology and higher education, I am preparing myself for long-term success in the beauty industry. While I love doing hair and being creative, I also understand how physically demanding the job can be. Because of this, I want to build skills that will allow me to grow into leadership roles over time. My ultimate goal is to become a spa or salon manager and eventually open my own salon. I want to create a space that is professional, welcoming, and built on trust, creativity, and care. Throughout high school, I have challenged myself by staying involved in multiple activities, including three sports, band, student council, and a part-time job, all while maintaining strong academic performance. Balancing these responsibilities has taught me valuable life skills such as time management, organization, communication, and leadership. There were many long days that started with early practices and ended with late rehearsals or work shifts, but I stayed focused and committed. These experiences helped me learn how to prioritize my responsibilities while still supporting my teammates, classmates, and coworkers. Leadership has played a major role in shaping who I am. As a student council member and older sister, I have learned how important it is to listen to others, bring people together, and create inclusive environments. I often help organize events, encourage participation, and make sure different perspectives are considered. These skills will directly translate into my future career, where building relationships and creating positive experiences are just as important as technical ability. Through my beauty industry career, I plan to make a positive impact by creating an environment where clients feel confident, respected, and truly cared for. Beauty goes beyond appearance; it can influence self-esteem, mental well-being, and personal expression. I want my salon to be a safe, inclusive space where people from all backgrounds feel welcome. In addition, I hope to mentor future stylists, promote healthy work-life balance, and create opportunities for others to grow within the industry. By combining creativity, leadership, and a genuine desire to serve others, I hope to make a lasting, positive impact on the world—one person at a time.

I am a dedicated, motivated individual who believes that making a positive impact starts with service, leadership, and compassion for others. I am passionate about building strong communities where people feel included, supported, and empowered to succeed. Throughout my life, I have learned that leadership is not about recognition, but about responsibility and consistency. These values shape who I am and guide how I plan to make a difference in the world through my career. One of the things I care about most is supporting my family and my school community. As an older sister, I learned early on how important it is to be a role model. I take pride in being someone my siblings can look up to, whether that means offering guidance, encouragement, or simply being present. Helping my family has taught me patience, empathy, and accountability, which have become core parts of who I am. These lessons naturally carried over into my involvement at school, where I strive to support others in meaningful ways. At school, I have taken on leadership roles that bring students together and strengthen our sense of community. As a three-sport athlete, band member, student council representative, and part-time employee, I have learned how to balance demanding responsibilities while staying committed to my goals. I am often the person who helps organize events, assist with planning student activities, and ensure that everyone’s interests and voices are considered. I care deeply about this work because I have seen how powerful connection can be. When students feel heard and included, they are more confident, motivated, and willing to contribute positively to their environment. Through these experiences, I have learned the value of teamwork, communication, and time management. Leading by example has shown me that small actions—listening, encouraging, and stepping up when needed—can create lasting change. These skills have shaped my passion for leadership and service and inspired my vision for the future. As I move forward in my education and career, I plan to continue using my strengths to uplift others and make a positive impact. No matter the field I enter, I want to work in a way that prioritizes collaboration, integrity, and community. I hope to build a career that allows me to serve others, solve problems, and contribute to meaningful change. Ultimately, my goal is to leave every space I am part of stronger, more connected, and more inclusive than I found it.

In being raised in my community, I have found that it is a factor in making me who I am today and in setting the goals that I have for my future. Being in a tight-knit school and community setting has emphasized being a part of a network of people where connection, a sense of responsibility, and working towards helping other people in these communities can be emphasized. Ever since I was a child, it had always been instilled in me to become involved and to make a meaningful contribution. I have been afforded the chance to be involved in many activities, which have influenced my future plans. Being a three-sport athlete, band participant, student council rep, big sister, and part-time employee has given me experience in juggling multiple responsibilities simultaneously. While being involved in all these activities, I have received support from teachers, coaches, and friends, which has motivated me to prioritize and remain self-disciplined despite an overwhelming schedule. Through this, I have learned many important life lessons, including time management, teamwork, and perseverance, which will all prove invaluable in pursuing a career in cosmetology school and furthering a degree in hospitality. Having known that my community believes in me, I am able to dream big. Leadership is a lesson I have considered one of the most important ones in which my community has been a great teacher for me. Student government, leadership positions, and other roles have taught me the significance of listening to people and making them part of a collective goal where each individual feels they matter. Often, this meant being part of an event or activity setup, being a voice for other people in a matter where they would need an advocate in leadership positions. The significance of this influence in leadership roles will make me want to have a managerial role in a spa or perhaps establish a salon where people can come and make them feel valued through creating a space where they can make them confident and valued. Additionally, I am grateful for the support of my community in facilitating my passion for hair and creative pursuits. Even from a young age, playing salon in recess and braiding hair, I have always felt accepted and encouraged to be me and to follow my passion. Having a community where creativity and individuality were not only accepted but valued makes it possible for my passion to grow into a feasible career path. Going to cosmetology school and later getting a bachelor’s degree in hospitality shows the blend of following a passion and a need for a secure future. In summary, the community in which I grew up influenced my personal values, work ethics, and aspirations in a manner in which I learned the significance of leadership, service, and resilience, in addition to understanding that achieving success is achievable through commitment and assistance. As such, these principles will continue to direct me in achieving not only personal but professional ambitions in an attempt to construct a professional life in which I am able to help others make a positive impact.