“In my distress, I cried unto the Lord and he answered me.” Psalm 120:1 In 2021, a very elderly man named Norm eagerly asked us where we attended church after nearly colliding with my bouncing toddler in the grocery store. Since my immediate family didn’t have a home church and hadn’t been to a service in a while, Norm said that he’d be looking for us on Sunday, and to look out for him too. Despite always searching for him on Sundays, we never encountered or heard of Norm again. In 2022, tragedy struck when my 18-year-old brother TJ was shot and killed. As my family, primarily living below the poverty line, struggled to gather funds for TJ's funeral expenses through fundraisers, the church offered to cover the cost and continuously reminded us that God was with us through their acts of service. During this time I learned that Norm had passed away a month before TJ. Norm's brief but significant role in my life serves as a testament to Psalm 120:1. Through sermons delivered by Pastor Jeff Manion, I’ve learned the significance of utilizing the unique gifts given to us by God. The pastors at Ada Bible Church apply and cite direct Bible verses, making them applicable to contemporary society. Finding my faith at Ada Bible Church has carried me into a genuine, comfortable relationship with God. A month after losing TJ, I felt like I was being called to go back to college to pursue the BCBA credential. For over five years, I have provided therapy to children with Autism. I quickly found that this ability is one of my most important gifts from God. I have the knowledge, and capabilities to implement change that will significantly increase hundreds of people’s quality of life. I know that my career supporting some of God’s most sensative children is my purpose in life and the strength it’s taken to perservere academically while navigating grief can only come from Him. In addition to pursuing my professional endeavors, I have volunteered extensively at various organizations, including the local children's museum, a community Head Start program, a community center for refugee children, a youth soccer league, and a local environmental non-profit agency. During these experiences, I have spread the love and teachings of God through both verbal discussions and acts of service. Following the completion of my associate's degree from Grand Rapids Community College in April 2024, I will transfer to Purdue University Global, where I aim to earn a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Administration and a Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. These credentials will make a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). As a BCBA I will develop and oversee individualized treatment plans for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in diverse settings. Pursuing my education at Purdue Global comes with a significant financial burden. The cost of higher education often poses a substantial barrier for first-generation college students like myself, who come from low-income minority families in inner-city communities. To be awarded this scholarship would immensely support my academic journey and enable me to give back to an underserved community. My ultimate career goal is to open an Early Childhood Center in West Michigan, where I would also promote an environment where BI-POC professionals can flourish. This scholarship would offer me immense support as I strive to serve my community in honor of Jim Maxwell’s legacy. I will continue to utilize my faith as a guiding force to be a positively impactful figure in the lives of children and professionals from under-served backgrounds in my community. Thank you for your consideration.

Hello Scholarship Committee, My name is Reyna Tejeda. I have a unique cultural and socioeconomic background, which has given me an advantage socially and culturally among underrepresented groups. I am proud of the recent experiences I have had volunteering at the local children's museum, a non-profit organization affiliated with local parks, a youth program at a local community center, and in a 2-year-old classroom at a county headstart. I have also worked with over a dozen families, providing ABA therapy to children with Autism as a Registered Behavior Technician in the last 5 years in a variety of settings. I have crossed paths with many children over the last 5 years, and I can confidently say that I have made a point to go above and beyond for each and every one of them. It is important and personal to me that I treat each of them as an individual and meet them where they are successful. Something as simple as remembering a child's name can make a significant difference in the course of their development and their long-term development. I believe that in this way, I have made an impact in the community. I believe in reminding each individual that they are important. At a local headstart where I was to complete 10 hours of volunteer work for an Academic Service Learning project, I learned and used the names of children who turned towards the door and smiled when I'd come in during their lunchtime. At a daycare where I provided ABA to an early learner 5 days a week, I also paired with the teachers and, more importantly, the other students in the center by being available for a helping hand, a listening ear, or a high five for that small goal that others may not have noticed they were achieving. By practicing patience and being available with a genuine desire to support, I have become a familiar and trusted face in my community. I am eager to continue pursuing my bachelor's degree in early childhood administration and master's degree in applied behavior analysis so that I can serve as a positive role model to the youth in my community in even more ways. Growing up, I didn't realize how important the people who came into our home or "worked" at locally organized family events were to my success. Having come from a low-income family, I always dreamed of being like the people who I'd see volunteering at after-school programs or the mentor who did home visits; they seemed capable of anything, and I admired how every day they worked to be positive. As a first-generation college student, I plan to finish my master's degree in behavior analysis in 2027, after which I will work in a school-like environment, preferably one of the headstart programs in the lower-income areas of Grand Rapids. My dream is to one day open some type of early childhood center, such as an ABA therapy center or a community haven for youth. I want to influence a productive and enjoyable future for children during the early stages of their development while encouraging a nourishing environment for ethnic professionals proud to serve a diverse community. Thank you.

On April 10th, 2002, my family experienced one of the most devastating losses a family can endure. My two-month-old brother, Thomas, passed away from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Thomas's death occurred a month and two days before my second birthday. Growing up, I mourned a normal childhood and met grief face to face early on. When I was three years old, my brother Terrell Jr. (TJ) was born. Being his big sister was one of the best things I ever got to be. For 18 years, I experienced my very best friend, and he is infinite. TJ was the rainbow baby born on New Year’s Day in 2004, and he brought so much light back into my grieving family. When our parents divorced and split custody, we went back and forth together. TJ was my other half, and so much of my childhood was just him and me. When Ricky was born in 2008, and Isaiah in 2009, I felt overwhelming love for them the way I had loved TJ. Being an older sibling is like being a parent and a friend, and it also feels like wearing your heart on your sleeve. We experienced a turbulent and sometimes devastating childhood, the four of us, but we made it because we had each other. July 31st of 2022, TJ was shot and killed. He was only 18 years old, and his murder goes without justice to this day. My family came together more than ever during that time, which is bittersweet, but it changed my life profoundly. My church community held my family close during TJ’s transition of life, and this has been a critical aspect of my testimony. My faith in God has been tested as we've fought tooth and nail for justice, but I work to maintain my faith. God is the biggest explanation I have when my friends with siblings, or others who hear of TJ and Thomas tell me “they don’t know how I do it.’” Growing up, I frequently had nightmares about TJ dying, and I can vividly recall my mom walking me to TJ’s bed and putting my hand on his back or face to feel him breathing, showing me that he was alive. I look back and recognize trauma from having a baby brother, and then not having one so abruptly. I remember my mom telling me to pray, and I can still feel the sleep and tears in my eyes as I crawled into his bed with him those nights and felt my heart rate slow down, grateful it was just a bad dream. Eighteen months ago, when we lost TJ, I thought I was going to die. Some days, I still do when I think of him or admire the necklace I wear every day - a heart charm with a picture of his face in it. It was random and terrifying when a year and a half ago, amidst the smoke, I got a sudden persistent urge to go back to college. Many tears and 40 credits later, I am set to graduate in April 2024, and I know my angels will be there, especially TJ. He wouldn’t have missed my graduation for the world, and I like to believe that not even the dimensions of heaven and earth will stop him. Sometimes the grief is crippling, but I persist, and my angels don’t let me carry it alone. I hope to change the world for the better while I’m here, and in the meantime, I have faith that I’ll see my brothers one day in heaven. Thank you.

Dear Scholarship Committee, I am writing to apply for the José Melendez scholarship as a first-generation Afro-Latina student who is committed to individualized education for all, specifically those with developmental disabilities. My passion for teaching others, especially those with special needs, started at home. My Tia Erma was born with cerebral palsy, a condition that contributes to a multitude of fine and gross motor deficits. My Abuelita modeled patience and maintained dignity for Tia by conversing with her, although she is nonverbal. It makes me feel overcome with joy when I think of Tia Erma first being taught to say two very important words: “no” and "yeah." It’s that feeling that reinforces the fact that I want to be the person who persists in teaching life skills to those whom some may deem “unteachable." This scholarship is so important for all of the driven Latinx kids who have witnessed generations of their loved ones struggle financially, which then creates a ripple effect of adversity. This scholarship aims to bridge the gap between first-generation Mexican-American students and the high costs of education that deter many from attending college. As a first-generation college student, my drive stems from the aspiration to create a stable and peaceful future for myself, my family, and my community. There have been many hiccups and hurdles throughout my college journey, but despite the hardships, I have been galvanized to rise above and not be deterred or intimidated by these challenges. Instead, I am determined to be a leader for generations to come. Coming from a Mexican American family, I am equipped with a unique perspective in the field of special education. Minority families naturally gravitate toward me in educational settings regarding their learners. This can be critical when interacting with learners and the families who support them at home. I know that my experiences and cultural background can create an enhanced environment of diversity and inclusion. In addition to my academic pursuits, I have also gained valuable volunteering experience. In 2019, I volunteered as an usher at the Grand Rapids Civic Theater. Additionally, for the last two years, I have volunteered at the Woodfield Community Center, a haven for refugee kids who live in the Woodfield Apartments Community. I may not have earned a dollar volunteering at WCC, but the experience I’ve gained while playing with and tutoring those kids is priceless. Furthermore, I volunteered at Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, which is a non-profit in my community. I worked on preparing and setting up events held by the organization to raise environmental awareness. Through these experiences, I have developed critical social skills such as communication, unselfishness, and teamwork, which I know will be imperative in my future academic and career endeavors as an educator and mentor for individuals with special needs. Receiving the José Melendez scholarship would be an honor and provide me with financial support to continue towards my Master's degree. It would also give me more time to focus on my studies and pursue further community-based experiences. In conclusion, I am passionate about being a first-generation Mexican-American student because it allows me to overcome barriers, inspire others, and bring a flood of diversity to educational settings. I am dedicated to becoming a first-generation Mexican-American college student because I strive to be a role model of persistence and hard work, as well as a symbol of the possibility of prosperity for everyone, especially the Mexican-American community. By earning a college degree, I will be greatly investing in not only myself but also my community. Thank you for considering my application for the José Melendez scholarship

Hello, My name is Reyna Tejeda-Woodard and I am a Registered Behavior Technician with three years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis. I am currently employed by Positive Behavior Supports Corporation. I believe I am the ideal candidate to receive this scholarship for reasons related to my incredible ability to perform in this field, personal socioeconomic status, and the future of ABA. I am dedicated to using principles of positive behavior support to improve the quality of life for any individual necessary. My career in ABA came to be quite unexpectedly. By unexpectedly, I mean I learned about ABA through a conversation that I wasn't even involved in personally. Soon after graduating high school, I saw that a peer had made a post on social media asking for recommendations for jobs hiring immediately. I also was in the market for new employment after graduation, so I read into the comment section of their post to see if anything appeared to be a good fit for me. None of the frequently-hiring retail jobs people had shared their knowledge of touched my heart, or even piqued my curiosity. That was until I saw that Ms. Cook, a previous Special Ed. teacher whom I'd known from Godwin Heights High School, mentioned that Centria Autism was hiring Behavior Technicians to work with kids on the ASD spectrum- not to mention they'd provide extensive training to new-hires. Having spent numerous hours hanging out with Ms. Karen Rasche, the lead special education teacher at Godwin Heights High School, in her Special Ed. classroom I knew that this was exactly what I needed. I knew that my dreams to be a lawyer had long since started to fall apart and that my heart was longing for a meaningful career elsewhere. I had never realized that the answer was right in front of my eyes sitting in state-funded brown chairs and teacher-made tie-dye bean bags. There had been such an important, sensitive, and broad audience of individuals who'd required various amounts of support right in front of my eyes. My unique ability to support them had been lingering in my life in numerous environments and instances and I hadn't even noticed it until right then. I immediately applied at Centria Autism and following my phone interview where I raved about my experience in the special ed. room and my unique, personal bonds with those in my personal life with developmental disabilities, I was hired to work in-center. Unfortunately, I soon outgrew Centria Autism and chose to leave their place of employment per my own moral compass following an unethical run-in with the company's position on client abuse at the hands of another staff member. I'd witnessed an act of inexcusable violence and reported it, but when there was no action taken I knew I could not work at such an establishment that I felt was willing to even potentially jeopardize the safety of their client population. Soon after leaving Centria, I was hired by MOKA Autism, where I met some of the most outstanding ABA providers I'd ever known and witnessed their mutual and individual roles in life-changing progress for their clients. It was at MOKA's clinic that I learned I wanted to do more than direct care, I wanted to have an even larger role in improving quality of life. It was then that I realized how badly I want, rather NEED, to become a BCBA myself, and ensure ethical, efficient, empathetic services are provided to every client that is enrolled in services wherever my place of employment in ABA may be. In 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic, I moved to Arizona with my immediate family for a few months before coming back to Grand Rapids, Michigan in January 2021 to work for Positive Behavior Supports Corporation. Moving back to Michigan to work for PBS was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Not only have I gained so much knowledge from irreplaceable analysts and program managers, but I have also greatly diversified the population of clients I've worked with. I have worked with clients in countless environments including in-home, and in various places in the community of Grand Rapids. I have received training and opportunities for training that I've utilized countless times and I have even won a limited Professional Development course paid for by PBS after commenting a meaningful and relevant comment on a PBS Facebook Post. My greatest accomplishment at Positive Behavior Supports Corp. thus far is "graduating" a client out of therapy in 6 months and seeing that specific client's quality of life improve so massively following their completion of services in areas such as self-advocacy and socialization with peers. I believe that this scholarship could help me be an asset to the future of ABA by helping me afford to continue my post-secondary education where I am nearly finished with my undergraduate degree in Psychology. Being both a mother and a student as well as a Registered Behavior Technician can be financially taxing when it comes to providing for my own child, my education, and supplies for my clients without reimbursement. Immediately following the completion of my AA. in Psychology at Grand Rapids Community College, I plan to begin pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Applied Behavior analysis from the University of Western Michigan at which time I will also begin working towards meeting the BACB's criteria to obtain the Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst credential. Ultimately and finally, I am working towards obtaining a Master's degree in ABA as well as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst credential. I am certain about my goals in ABA and unmovable in my stance regarding improving the quality of life for families with loved ones on the Autism Spectrum or diagnosis of related disorders. I am eager and thankful for the opportunity to learn from and work under analysts such as BCBAs Kathryn Stone, Rachel Follenweider, and BCaBA Laynie Villeneuve who have shared with me countless means of positive, gentle, effective therapy. Thank you.