My older sister Joslyn was murdered in 2014. Mom didn't want us to harbor hate, so we started to volunteer at a local food pantry. This was a physical outlet allowing us to realize there are less fortunate people. We learned compassion even w/the pain & heartache we were dealing with. We still volunteer. When I was a sophomore in HS my mother took me, my little sister, a bag of clothes & left my dad. Over the next few months, I began to my healing journey & I tried to take my own life. I was so overwhelmed, overcome, and full of despair & hopelessness that there seemed no way out for me. After inpatient, months of outpatient & counseling, I have hope and big goals. In October 2020, my mom & I were involved in a devasting yet life-altering car accident. I remember pushing the glass out of my window & crawling to safety as our SUV was upside down in a tree. I was conscious, but my mother was not, I could not see or hear her. I sustained damaging injuries to my head/brain. I was in Loyola ICU for over a week due to internal bleeding, the incision I took to my forehead alone was ear to ear. It took me over a year & a summer to recoup enough to go to my first semester of college since HS Grad. My mom’s neck/spine was broken, & she had to have emergency surgeries. The surgeons stated she should have died or been a paraplegic. Her left clavicle had to be rebuilt, she had internal bleeding and broken ribs. She spent three weeks at Loyola ICU/Hospital & was transferred to a Rehab center to learn the basics of life. She was away from her job for 11 months w/no finances. Her injuries will never fully heal but she is here, & her strength will stay with me forever. My mom is & has been a single parent/sole provider for me & my sister even before she physically left my dad. In 2020 at a BLM protest following the murder of George Floyd as we chanted “say his name”, my sister & I were beaten with w/a bat in the hands of an old white man selling “Trump 2020” flags. A person videotaped the incident & gave it to the police. The video showed that we did not start the incident, we were not aggressive, only tried to diffuse the situation. At the time my sister was only 16. My mom attempted to press charges for months. The ASA told her because he was a war veteran & he knows people, pressing charges would not be a good thing to do. Thankfully, we weren’t killed. These are only a few examples in my life as a young Black woman that I overcame, am overcoming & will continue to overcome so that I can be successful in my future. Every single obstacle I have watched my mom fight/screame/crawl out to get me where I am today will propel me to be exceptional in the career I select. Every person has a backstory & most likely not a pretty one. However, everyone should be afforded the same chance regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or humble start. I will work to bring change to this disparity. I will always have to work harder than the person next to me however, I promised myself that I will do the work because I am her & she is me: My name is Rhiannon Renae.

My older sister Joslyn was murdered in 2014. Mom didn't want us to harbor hate, so we started to volunteer at a local food pantry. This was a physical outlet allowing us to realize there are less fortunate people. We learned compassion even w/the pain & heartache we were dealing with. We still volunteer. When I was a sophomore in HS my mother took me, my little sister, a bag of clothes & left my dad. Over the next few months, I began to my healing journey & I tried to take my own life. I was so overwhelmed, overcome, and full of despair & hopelessness that there seemed no way out for me. After inpatient, months of outpatient & counseling, I have hope and big goals. In October 2020, my mom & I were involved in a devasting yet life-altering car accident. I remember pushing the glass out of my window & crawling to safety as our SUV was upside down in a tree. I was conscious, but my mother was not, I could not see or hear her. I sustained damaging injuries to my head/brain. I was in Loyola ICU for over a week due to internal bleeding, the incision I took to my forehead alone was ear to ear. It took me over a year & a summer to recoup enough to go to my first semester of college since HS Grad. My mom’s neck/spine was broken, & she had to have emergency surgeries. The surgeons stated she should have died or been a paraplegic. Her left clavicle had to be rebuilt, she had internal bleeding and broken ribs. She spent three weeks at Loyola ICU/Hospital & was transferred to a Rehab center to learn the basics of life. She was away from her job for 11 months w/no finances. Her injuries will never fully heal but she is here, & her strength will stay with me forever. My mom is & has been a single parent/sole provider for me & my sister even before she physically left my dad. In 2020 at a BLM protest following the murder of George Floyd as we chanted “say his name”, my sister & I were beaten with w/a bat in the hands of an old white man selling “Trump 2020” flags. A person videotaped the incident & gave it to the police. The video showed that we did not start the incident, we were not aggressive, only tried to diffuse the situation. At the time my sister was only 16. My mom attempted to press charges for months. The ASA told her because he was a war veteran & he knows people, pressing charges would not be a good thing to do. Thankfully, we weren’t killed. These are only a few examples in my life as a young Black woman that I overcame, am overcoming & will continue to overcome so that I can be successful in my future. Every single obstacle I have watched my mom fight/screame/crawl out to get me where I am today will propel me to be exceptional in the career I select. Every person has a backstory & most likely not a pretty one. However, everyone should be afforded the same chance regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or humble start. I will work to bring change to this disparity. I will always have to work harder than the person next to me however, I promised myself that I will do the work because I am her & she is me: My name is Rhiannon Renae.

My older sister Joslyn was murdered in 2014. Mom didn't want us to harbor hate, so we started to volunteer at a local food pantry. This was a physical outlet allowing us to realize there are less fortunate people. We learned compassion even w/the pain & heartache we were dealing with. We still volunteer. When I was a sophomore in HS my mother took me, my little sister, a bag of clothes & left my dad. Over the next few months, I began to my healing journey & I tried to take my own life. I was so overwhelmed, overcome, and full of despair & hopelessness that there seemed no way out for me. After inpatient, months of outpatient & counseling, I have hope and big goals. In October 2020, my mom & I were involved in a devasting yet life-altering car accident. I remember pushing the glass out of my window & crawling to safety as our SUV was upside down in a tree. I was conscious, but my mother was not, I could not see or hear her. I sustained damaging injuries to my head/brain. I was in Loyola ICU for over a week due to internal bleeding, the incision I took to my forehead alone was ear to ear. It took me over a year & a summer to recoup enough to go to my first semester of college since HS Grad. My mom’s neck/spine was broken, & she had to have emergency surgeries. The surgeons stated she should have died or been a paraplegic. Her left clavicle had to be rebuilt, she had internal bleeding and broken ribs. She spent three weeks at Loyola ICU/Hospital & was transferred to a Rehab center to learn the basics of life. She was away from her job for 11 months w/no finances. Her injuries will never fully heal but she is here, & her strength will stay with me forever. My mom is & has been a single parent/sole provider for me & my sister even before she physically left my dad. In 2020 at a BLM protest following the murder of George Floyd as we chanted “say his name”, my sister & I were beaten with w/a bat in the hands of an old white man selling “Trump 2020” flags. A person videotaped the incident & gave it to the police. The video showed that we did not start the incident, we were not aggressive, only tried to diffuse the situation. At the time my sister was only 16. My mom attempted to press charges for months. The ASA told her because he was a war veteran & he knows people, pressing charges would not be a good thing to do. Thankfully, we weren’t killed. These are only a few examples in my life as a young Black woman that I overcame, am overcoming & will continue to overcome so that I can be successful in my future. Every single obstacle I have watched my mom fight/screame/crawl out to get me where I am today will propel me to be exceptional in the career I select. Every person has a backstory & most likely not a pretty one. However, everyone should be afforded the same chance regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or humble start. I will work to bring change to this disparity. I will always have to work harder than the person next to me however, I promised myself that I will do the work because I am her & she is me: My name is Rhiannon Renae.

My older sister Joslyn was brutally murdered in 2014. Mom didn't want us to harbor hate, so we started to volunteer at a local food pantry. This was a physical outlet allowing us to realize there are less fortunate people. We learned compassion even w/the pain & heartache we were dealing with. We still volunteer. When I was a sophomore in HS my mother took me, my little sister, a bag of clothes & left my dad. Over the next few months, I began the process of healing and I tried to take my own life. I was so overwhelmed, overcome, and full of despair & hopelessness that there seemed no way out for me. After inpatient, months of outpatient & counseling, I cnow have hope & goals, big goals. In October 2020, my mom & I were involved in a devasting yet life-altering car accident. I remember pushing the glass out of my window & crawling to safety as our SUV was upside down in a tree. I was conscious, but my mother was not, I could not see or hear her. I sustained damaging injuries to my head/brain. I was in Loyola ICU for over a week due to internal bleeding, the incision I took to my forehead was ear to ear. It took me over a year & a summer to recoup enough to go to my first semester of college since HS Grad. My mom’s neck/spine was broken, and she had to have emergency surgeries. The surgeons stated she should have died or been a paraplegic. Her left clavicle had to be rebuilt, she had internal bleeding and broken ribs. She spent three weeks at Loyola ICU/Hospital & was transferred to a Rehab center to learn the basics of life. She was away from her job for 11 months w/no finances. Her injuries will never fully heal but she is here, & her strength will stay with me forever. My mom is & has been a single parent/sole provider for me & my sister even before she physically left my dad. In 2020 at a BLM protest following the murder of George Floyd as we chanted “say his name”, my sister & I were both beaten by a bat at the hands of an old white man selling “Trump 2020” flags. A person videotaped the incident & gave it to the police. The video showed that we did not start the incident, we were not aggressive, only tried to diffuse the situation. At the time my sister was only 16. My mom attempted to press charges for months. The ASA told her because he was a war veteran & he knows people, pressing charges would not be a good thing to do. Thankfully, we weren’t killed. These are a few examples in my life as a young Black woman that I overcame, am overcoming & will continue to overcome so that I can be successful in my future. Every single obstacle I have watched my mom fight/scream/crawl out of to get me where I am today will propel me to be exceptional in any final career I select. My mom has supported me in every way! Everyone has a backstory & most likely not a pretty one. However, every person should be afforded the same chance regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or humble beginning. I will always have to work harder than the person next to me however, I promised myself that I will do the work because I am her & she is me: My name is Rhiannon Renae.

My older sister Joslyn was murdered in 2014. Mom didn't want us to hate, so we started to volunteer at a local food pantry. This was a physical outlet allowing us to realize there are less fortunate people. We learned compassion even w/the pain & heartache we were dealing with. We still volunteer. When I was a sophomore in HS my mother took me, my little sister, a bag of clothes & left my dad. Over the next few months, I began to see how much of a horrible person he is let alone a “father”. I tried to take my own life. I was so overwhelmed, overcome, full of despair & hopelessness that there seemed no way out for me. After inpatient, months of outpatient & counseling, I can manage my depression. I still have no contact with my dad. In October 2020, my mom & I were involved in a devasting yet life-altering car accident. I remember pushing the glass out of my window & crawling to safety as our SUV was upside down in a tree. I was conscious, my mother was not, I could not see or hear her. I sustained damaging injuries to my head/brain. I was in Loyola ICU for over a week due to internal bleeding, the incision I took to my forehead alone was ear to ear. It took me over a year & a summer to recoup enough to go to my first semester of college since HS Grad. My mom’s neck/spine was broken, & she had to have emergency surgeries. The surgeons stated she should have died or been a paraplegic. Her left clavicle had to be rebuilt, she had internal bleeding, broken ribs. She spent three weeks at Loyola ICU/Hospital & was transferred to a Rehab center to learn the basics. She was away from her job for 11 months. Her injuries will never fully heal but she is here, & her strength will stay with me forever. My mom is & has been a single parent/sole provider for me & my sister(s) even before she physically left my dad. In 2021 at a BLM protest following the murder of George Floyd as we chanted “say his name”, my sister & I were attacked by a bat in the hands of an older white man selling “Trump 2020” flags. A person video-taped the incident & gave it to the police. The video showed that we did not start the incident, we were not aggressive toward him, only tried to diffuse the situation. At the time my sister was only 16. My mom attempted to press charges for months. The ASA told her because he was a war veteran & he knows people, pressing charges would not be a good thing to do. Thankfully, we weren’t killed. These are a few examples in my life as a young Black woman that I overcame, am overcoming & will continue to overcome so that I can be successful in my future. Every single obstacle I have watched my mom crawl to get me where I am today will aid me to be exceptional in any field of higher learning/career I select. I remember that every person has a backstory & most likely not a pretty one. However, everyone should be afforded the same chance regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or humble start. I will always have to work harder than the person next to me however, I promised myself that I will do the work because I am her & she is me: My name is Rhiannon Renae.

My older sister Joslyn was murdered in 2014. Mom didn't want us to hate, so we started to volunteer at a local food pantry. This was a physical outlet allowing us to realize there are less fortunate people. We learned compassion even w/the pain & heartache we were dealing with. We still volunteer. When I was a sophomore in HS my mother took me, my little sister, a bag of clothes & left my dad. Over the next few months, I began to see how much of a horrible person he is let alone a “father”. I tried to take my own life. I was so overwhelmed, overcome, full of despair & hopelessness that there seemed no way out for me. After inpatient, months of outpatient & counseling, I can manage my depression. I still have no contact with my dad. In October 2020, my mom & I were involved in a devasting yet life-altering car accident. I remember pushing the glass out of my window & crawling to safety as our SUV was upside down in a tree. I was conscious, my mother was not, I could not see or hear her. I sustained damaging injuries to my head/brain. I was in Loyola ICU for over a week due to internal bleeding, the incision I took to my forehead alone was ear to ear. It took me over a year & a summer to recoup enough to go to my first semester of college since HS Grad. My mom’s neck/spine was broken, & she had to have emergency surgeries. The surgeons stated she should have died or been a paraplegic. Her left clavicle had to be rebuilt, she had internal bleeding, broken ribs. She spent three weeks at Loyola ICU/Hospital & was transferred to a Rehab center to learn the basics. She was away from her job for 11 months. Her injuries will never fully heal but she is here, & her strength will stay with me forever. My mom is & has been a single parent/sole provider for me & my sister(s) even before she physically left my dad. In 2021 at a BLM protest following the murder of George Floyd as we chanted “say his name”, my sister & I were attacked by a bat in the hands of an older white man selling “Trump 2020” flags. A person video-taped the incident & gave it to the police. The video showed that we did not start the incident, we were not aggressive toward him, only tried to diffuse the situation. At the time my sister was only 16. My mom attempted to press charges for months. The ASA told her because he was a war veteran & he knows people, pressing charges would not be a good thing to do. Thankfully, we weren’t killed. These are a few examples in my life as a young Black woman that I overcame, am overcoming & will continue to overcome so that I can be successful in my future. Every single obstacle I have watched my mom crawl to get me where I am today will aid me to be exceptional in any field of higher learning/career I select. I remember that every person has a backstory & most likely not a pretty one. However, everyone should be afforded the same chance regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or humble start. I will always have to work harder than the person next to me however, I promised myself that I will do the work because I am her & she is me: My name is Rhiannon Renae.

My older sister Joslyn was murdered in 2014. Mom didn't want us to hate, so we started to volunteer at a local food pantry. This was a physical outlet allowing us to realize there are less fortunate people. We learned compassion even w/the pain & heartache we were dealing with. We still volunteer. When I was a sophomore in HS my mother took me, my little sister, and a bag of clothes & left my dad. I attempted to take my own life. I was so overwhelmed, overcome, and full of despair & hopelessness that there seemed no way out for me. After inpatient, months of outpatient & counseling, I now have hope. In October 2020, my mom & I were involved in a devasting yet life-altering car accident. I remember pushing the glass out of my window & crawling to safety as our SUV was upside down in a tree. I was conscious, but my mother was not, I could not see or hear her. I sustained damaging injuries to my head/brain. I was in Loyola ICU for over a week due to internal bleeding, the incision I took to my forehead alone was ear to ear. It took me over a year & a summer to recoup enough to go to my first semester of college since HS Grad. My mom’s neck/spine was broken, & she had to have emergency surgeries. The surgeons stated she should have died or been a paraplegic. Her left clavicle had to be rebuilt, she had internal bleeding, broken ribs. She spent three weeks at Loyola ICU/Hospital & was transferred to a Rehab center to learn the basics. She was away from her job for 11 months. Her injuries will never fully heal but she is here, & her strength will stay with me forever. My mom is & has been a single parent/sole provider for me & my sister(s) even before she physically left my dad. In 2021 at a BLM protest following the murder of George Floyd as we chanted “say his name”, my sister & I were attacked by a bat in the hands of an old white man selling “Trump” flags. A person videotaped the incident & gave it to the police. The video showed that we did not start the incident, we were not aggressive, yet only tried to diffuse the situation. At the time my sister was only 16. My mom attempted to press charges for months. The ASA told her because he was a war veteran & he knows people, pressing charges would not be a good thing to do. Thankfully, we weren’t killed. These are a few examples in my life as a young Black woman that I overcame, am overcoming & will continue to overcome so that I can be successful in my future. Every single obstacle I have watched my mom fight/crawl to get me where I am today will propel me to be exceptional in any field of higher learning/career I select. Every person has a backstory & most likely not a pretty one. However, everyone should be afforded the same chance at education regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or humble start. I will always have to work harder than the person next to me however, I promised myself that I will do the work because I am her & she is me: My name is Rhiannon Renae.

My older sister Joslyn was murdered in 2014. Mom didn't want us to hate, so we started to volunteer at a local food pantry. We learned compassion even w/the pain & heartache we were dealing with. We still volunteer. When I was a sophomore in HS my mother took me, my little sister, a bag of clothes & left my dad. I attempted to take my own life. I was so overwhelmed, overcome, and full of despair & hopelessness that there seemed no way out for me. After inpatient, months of outpatient & counseling, I can manage my depression. I still have no contact with my dad. In October 2020, my mom & I were involved in a devasting yet life-altering car accident. I remember pushing the glass out of my window & crawling to safety as our SUV was upside down in a tree. I was conscious, my mother was not, I could not see or hear her. I sustained damaging injuries to my head/brain. I was in Loyola ICU for over a week due to internal bleeding, the incision I took to my forehead alone was ear to ear. It took me over a year & a summer to recoup enough to go to my first semester of college since HS Grad. My mom’s neck/spine was broken, & she had to have emergency surgeries. The surgeons stated she should have died or been a paraplegic. Her left clavicle had to be rebuilt, she had internal bleeding, broken ribs. She spent three weeks at Loyola ICU/Hospital & was transferred to a Rehab center to learn the basics. She was away from her job for 11 months. Her injuries will never fully heal but she is here, & her strength will stay with me forever. My mom is & has been a single parent/sole provider for me & my sister(s) even before she physically left my dad. In 2021 at a BLM protest following the murder of George Floyd as we chanted “say his name”, my sister & I were attacked by a bat in the hands of an older white man selling “Trump 2020” flags. A person video-taped the incident & gave it to the police. The video showed that we did not start the incident, we were not aggressive toward him, only tried to diffuse the situation. At the time my sister was only 16. My mom attempted to press charges for months. The ASA told her because he was a war veteran & he knows people, pressing charges would not be a good thing to do. Thankfully, we weren’t killed. These are a few examples in my life as a young Black woman that I overcame, am overcoming & will continue to overcome so that I can be successful in my future. Every single obstacle I have watched my mom crawl to get me where I am today will aid me to be exceptional in any field of higher learning/career I select. I remember that every person has a backstory & most likely not a pretty one. However, everyone should be afforded the same chance regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or humble start. I will always have to work harder than the person next to me however, I promised myself that I will do the work because I am her & she is me: My name is Rhiannon Renae.

My older sister Joslyn was murdered in 2014. Mom didn't want us to hate, so we started to volunteer at a local food pantry. This was a physical outlet allowing us to realize there are less fortunate people. We learned compassion even w/the pain & heartache we were dealing with. We still volunteer. When I was a sophomore in HS my mother took me, my little sister, a bag of clothes & left my dad. Over the next few months, I began to see how much of a horrible person he is let alone a “father”. I tried to take my own life. I was so overwhelmed, overcome, full of despair & hopelessness that there seemed no way out for me. After inpatient, months of outpatient & counseling, I can manage my depression. I still have no contact with my dad. In October 2020, my mom & I were involved in a devasting yet life-altering car accident. I remember pushing the glass out of my window & crawling to safety as our SUV was upside down in a tree. I sustained damaging injuries to my head/brain. I was in Loyola ICU for over a week due to internal bleeding, the incision I had on my forehead was from ear to ear. It took me over a year & a summer to recoup enough to go to my first semester of college since HS Grad. My mom’s neck/spine was broken, & she had to have emergency surgeries. The surgeons stated she should have died or been a paraplegic. Her left clavicle had to be rebuilt, she had internal bleeding and broken ribs. She spent three weeks at Loyola ICU/Hospital & was transferred to a Rehab center to learn the basics. She was away from her job for 11 months/no finances. Her injuries will never fully heal but she is here, her strength will stay with me forever. My mom is & has been a single parent/sole provider for me & my sister even before she physically left my dad. In 2021 at a BLM protest following the murder of George Floyd as we chanted “say his name”, my sister & I were attacked by a bat in the hands of an old white man selling “Trump” flags. A person videotaped the incident & gave it to the police. The video showed that we did not start the incident, we were not aggressive, only tried to diffuse the situation. At the time my sister was only 16. My mom attempted to press charges for months. The ASA told her because he was a war veteran & he knows people, pressing charges would not be a good thing to do. These are a few examples in my life as a young Black woman that I overcame, am overcoming & will continue to overcome so that I can be successful in my future. Every single obstacle I have watched my mom fight/crawl to get me where I am today will propel me to be exceptional in any field of higher learning/career I select. She is my inspiration in every way. Every person has a history & most likely not a pretty one. However, everyone should be afforded the same chance regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or humble start. I will always have to work harder than the person next to me however, I promised myself that I will do the work because I am her & she is me: My name is Rhiannon Renae.

My older sister Joslyn was murdered in 2014. Mom didn't want us to hate, so we started to volunteer at a local food pantry. This was a physical outlet allowing us to realize there are less fortunate people. We learned compassion even w/the pain & heartache we were dealing with. We still volunteer. When I was a sophomore in HS my mother took me, my little sister, a bag of clothes & left my dad. Over the next few months, I began to see how much of a horrible person he is let alone a “father”. I tried to take my own life. I was so overwhelmed, overcome, full of despair & hopelessness that there seemed no way out for me. After inpatient, months of outpatient & counseling, I can manage my depression. I still have no contact with my dad. In October 2020, my mom & I were involved in a devasting yet life-altering car accident. I remember pushing the glass out of my window & crawling to safety as our SUV was upside down in a tree. I was conscious, my mother was not, I could not see or hear her. I sustained damaging injuries to my head/brain. I was in Loyola ICU for over a week due to internal bleeding, the incision I took to my forehead alone was ear to ear. It took me over a year & a summer to recoup enough to go to my first semester of college since HS Grad. My mom’s neck/spine was broken, & she had to have emergency surgeries. The surgeons stated she should have died or been a paraplegic. Her left clavicle had to be rebuilt, she had internal bleeding, broken ribs. She spent three weeks at Loyola ICU/Hospital & was transferred to a Rehab center to learn the basics. She was away from her job for 11 months. Her injuries will never fully heal but she is here, & her strength will stay with me forever. My mom is & has been a single parent/sole provider for me & my sister(s) even before she physically left my dad. In 2021 at a BLM protest following the murder of George Floyd as we chanted “say his name”, my sister & I were attacked by a bat in the hands of an older white man selling “Trump 2020” flags. A person video-taped the incident & gave it to the police. The video showed that we did not start the incident, we were not aggressive toward him, only tried to diffuse the situation. At the time my sister was only 16. My mom attempted to press charges for months. The ASA told her because he was a war veteran & he knows people, pressing charges would not be a good thing to do. Thankfully, we weren’t killed. These are a few examples in my life as a young Black woman that I overcame, am overcoming & will continue to overcome so that I can be successful in my future. Every single obstacle I have watched my mom crawl to get me where I am today will aid me to be exceptional in any field of higher learning/career I select. I remember that every person has a backstory & most likely not a pretty one. However, everyone should be afforded the same chance regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or humble start. I will always have to work harder than the person next to me however, I promised myself that I will do the work because I am her & she is me: My name is Rhiannon Renae.

My older sister Joslyn was murdered in 2014. Mom didn't want us to hate, so we started to volunteer at a local food pantry. We learned compassion even w/the pain & heartache we were dealing with. We still volunteer. When I was a sophomore in HS my mother took me, my little sister, and a bag of clothes & left my dad. Over the next few months, as I began to process, I tried to take my own life. I was so overwhelmed, overcome, full of despair & hopelessness that there seemed no way out for me. After inpatient, months of outpatient & counseling, I have hope for my future. In October 2020, my mom & I were involved in a devasting/life-altering car accident. I was conscious, but my mother was not, I could not see or hear her. I sustained damaging injuries to my head/brain. I was in Loyola ICU for over a week due to internal bleeding, the incision I took to my forehead alone was ear to ear. It took me over a year & a summer to recoup enough to go to my first semester of college since HS Grad. My mom’s neck/spine was broken, & she had to have emergency surgeries. The surgeons stated she should have died or been a paraplegic. Her left clavicle had to be rebuilt, she had internal bleeding and broken ribs. She spent 3 weeks at Loyola ICU/Hospital & was transferred to a Rehab center to learn the basics. She was away from her job for 11 months. Her injuries will never fully heal but she is here, & her strength is with me forever. My mom is & has been a single parent/sole provider for me & my sister(s) even before she physically left my dad. In 2021 at a BLM protest following the murder of George Floyd as we chanted “say his name”, my sister & I were attacked w/a bat in the hands of an older white man selling “Trump 2020” flags. A person videotaped the incident & gave it to the police. The video showed that we did not start the incident, we were not aggressive, only tried to diffuse the situation. At the time my sister was only 16. My mom attempted to press charges for months. The ASA told her because he was a war veteran & he knows people, pressing charges would not be a good thing to do. Thankfully, we weren’t killed. These are a few examples in my life as a young black woman that I overcame, am overcoming & will continue to overcome so that I can be successful in my future. Every single obstacle I have watched my mom fight/crawl to get me where I am today will propel me to be exceptional in any field of higher learning/career I select. I remember that every person has a history & most likely not a pretty one. However, everyone should be afforded the same chance regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or humble start. This scholarship will assist me, the stereotypical - underprivileged POC, from the hood, w/a single mother get further to graduation. I enjoy art, anime, music, video gaming, cooking with w/my gram, and hearing my mom's laugh. I will always have to work harder than the person next to me however, I promised myself that I will do the work because I am her & she is me: My name is Rhiannon Renae.

My older sister Joslyn was murdered in 2014. Mom didn't want us to hate, so we started to volunteer at a local food pantry. This was a physical outlet allowing us to realize there are less fortunate people. We learned compassion even with w/the pain & heartache we were dealing with. We still volunteer. When I was a sophomore in HS my mother took me, my little sister, a bag of clothes & left my dad. Over the next few months, I began to see how much of a horrible person he is let alone a “father”. I tried to take my own life. I was so overwhelmed, overcome, and full of despair & hopelessness that there seemed no way out for me. After inpatient, months of outpatient & counseling, I can manage my depression. I still have no contact with my dad. In October 2020, my mom & I were involved in a devasting yet life-altering car accident. I remember pushing the glass out of my window & crawling to safety as our SUV was upside down in a tree. I was conscious, but my mother was not, I could not see or hear her. I sustained damaging injuries to my head/brain. I was in Loyola ICU for over a week due to internal bleeding, the incision I took to my forehead alone was ear to ear. It took me over a year & a summer to recoup enough to go to my first semester of college since HS Grad. My mom’s neck/spine was broken, & she had to have emergency surgeries. The surgeons stated she should have died or been a paraplegic. Her left clavicle had to be rebuilt, she had internal bleeding, and broken ribs. She spent three weeks at Loyola ICU/Hospital & was transferred to a Rehab center to learn the basics. She was away from her job for 11 months. Her injuries will never fully heal but she is here, & her strength will stay with me forever. My mom is & has been a single parent/sole provider for me & my sister(s) even before she physically left my dad. In 2021 at a BLM protest following the murder of George Floyd as we chanted “say his name”, my sister & I were attacked by a bat in the hands of an old white man selling “Trump 2020” flags. A person videotaped the incident & gave it to the police. The video showed that we did not start the incident, we were not aggressive, only trying to diffuse the situation. At the time my sister was only 16. My mom attempted to press charges for months. The ASA told her because he was a war veteran & he knows people, pressing charges would not be a good thing to do. Thankfully, we weren’t killed. These few examples in my life as a young Black woman that I overcame, am overcoming & will continue to overcome so that I can be successful in my future. Every single setback I have watched my mom crawl to get me where I am today will aid me to be exceptional in any field of higher learning/career I select. Everyone should be afforded the same opportunities regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or humble start. I will always have to work harder than the person next to me however, I promised myself that I will do the work because I am her & she is me: My name & is Rhiannon Renae.

My older sister Joslyn was brutally murdered in 2014. Mom didn't want us to hate, so we started to volunteer at a local food pantry each week. We saw this as a physical outlet also allowing each of us to remember that there are even less fortunate people than us. We learned compassion even with the pain & heartache we were dealing with. She was buried with no life insurance. It was an expense that could not be afforded. When I was a sophomore in HS my mother took me, my little sister, and a bag of clothes & left my dad in the middle of the night to start again. No Money, No place to, literally starting over to save our lives. I began to process how much of a horrible person he was let alone as a “father”. I attempted to take my own life. I was so overwhelmed, overcome with heaviness, despair, and hopelessness that there was no perceived way out for me. After inpatient, months of outpatient & still counseling, I can manage my depression. I have had no contact with him since. No dad in a young girl’s life is a huge loss to grasp. In October 2020, my mom & I were rear-ended & involved in a devasting yet life-altering car accident. I remember pushing out the glass of my window & crawling out to safety as our 7-passenger SUV was upside down in a tree. I was conscious, but my mother was not, I could not see or hear her. I sustained injuries to my head/brain. I was in Loyola ICU for over a week due to internal bleeding, the incision I took to my forehead was ear to ear. I have not been able to go back to work, physically it’s just too exhausting. It took me over a year & stated she should have died or been a paraplegic. Her left clavicle had to be rebuilt, she had internal bleeding, broken ribs etc. She spent three weeks at Loyola in ICU/Hospital & was transferred to a Rehab center to learn to walk/dress/shower etc. She was away from her job for 11 months. The medical bills have been astounding. Her injuries will never fully heal but she is here, & her strength will stay with me forever. My mom is & has been a single parent/sole provider for me & my sister(s) even before she physically left my dad. These are only a few small examples in my life as a young Black woman of color that I overcame, am overcoming & will continue to overcome so that I will be successful in my future. I believe that all the obstacles I have watched my mom overcome to get me where I am today will assist me in being an exceptional & compassionate human in any field of higher learning/career I select. Generational wealth was never an option for any generation of my family. Struggle, hunger hard work & death have been. I dream to finish college as debt free as possible so that I can work, successfully - Set myself & my future family up to not have to crawl, bleed & beg to eat let alone attend college. Everyone should be afforded the same chances regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. I will always have to work harder than the person next to me however, I promised myself that I will work harder & produce exceptional work because I am her & she is me: My name & Legacy is Rhiannon Renae

My older sister Joslyn was brutally murdered in 2014. She was 20 years old. I watched my mom every month, go to court & be her voice. The trial was held in 2017. He was found guilty, & sentenced to life with no parole. My mom didn't want us to bottle up so much hate, so we started to volunteer at a local food pantry each week. We learned compassion even with the pain & heartache we were dealing with. Every year on Joslyn's B-day we complete random acts of kindness in her honor. On the anniversary of her death, we sit & reflect on every bday, graduation, wedding, and our individual accomplishments that she missed. You never get over losing your sibling, you just learn to live with the sadness & loss. SHE MATTERS! When I was a sophomore in HS my mother took me, & my little sister & left my dad. We were victims of Domestic Abuse. Over the next few months, I began to process how much of a horrible person he was let alone never a “father”. I lost my dad, physically. He was never there emotionally, I realized I never had a father figure. I attempted to take my own life. I was so overwhelmed, overcome with heaviness, despair, & hopelessness that there was no perceived way out for me. After inpatient care, months of outpatient care, years of doc appointments, & still counseling, I can manage my depression. No dad in a young girl’s life is a huge loss to grasp. I MATTER! In October 2020, my mom & I were rear-ended & involved in a devasting yet life-altering car accident. I remember pushing out the glass of my window & crawling to safety as our 7-passenger SUV was upside down in a tree. I was conscious, but my mother was not, I could not see or hear her. I sustained damaging injuries to my head/brain. I was in Loyola ICU for over a week due to internal bleeding. The incision to my head alone was ear to ear, with 46 staples. It took me over a year & a summer to recoup to go to my first semester of college since HS Grad. The effects on my body & brain cause frequent setbacks to my mental state of mind. My mom’s neck/spine was broken, & she had to have emergency surgeries. Many surgeons stated she should be dead or been a paraplegic. Her left clavicle had to be rebuilt, she had internal bleeding, broken ribs etc. She spent three weeks at Loyola ICU /Hospital & was transferred to a Rehab center to learn to walk/dress/shower etc. This was the first time I had ever been away from my mom. Her injuries will never fully heal, & she is always in pain, but she is here, & her strength will stay with me forever. My mom is & has been a single parent/sole provider for me & my sister(s) even before she left my dad. MOM MATTERS! In 2021 at a BLM protest after the murder of George Floyd, we chanted “say his name”, and my sister & I were attacked w/a bat at the hands of an older white man. A person videotaped the incident from her car & gave it to the police. The video showed that we did not start the incident, we were not aggressive toward this man, only tried to get away & diffuse the situation. At the time my sister was only 16. My mom attempted to press formal charges for months. The ASA told her that because he was a veteran, & he knows people, pressing charges would not be a good thing to do. Justice in America for POC, or LGBTQ community members. My SISTER MATTERS! These are just a few examples as a young Black woman that caused me to focus on what matters most in my life. I have overcome, am overcoming & will continue to overcome so that I can be successful & achieve my goals. My mom brought my sister & I out of poverty, we are D.A. survivors. We have focused on our Mental Health. Every single obstacle I have watched my mom fight to get me here will aid me in being focused & an exceptional, compassionate human in any field of higher learning/career I select. I remember that every person has a backstory & probably not a pretty one. However, everyone should be afforded the same chance regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or humble start. I will always have to work harder than the person next to me however, I promised myself that I will do the work because I am her & she is me: My name is Rhiannon Renae.

My older sister Joslyn was brutally murdered in 2014. I watched my mom every month go to court until the trial and sentencing of her murderer was complete in May of 2017. Mom didn't want us to hate, so we started to volunteer at a local food pantry each week. We saw this as a physical outlet allowing us to realize there are even less fortunate people than us despite what we were feeling. We learned compassion even with the pain & heartache we were dealing with. We still do this today, volunteer at the food pantry. When I was a sophomore in HS my mother took me, & my little sister a bag of clothes, & left my dad. We were victims of Domestic Abuse. The first night away, I remember waking up thinking it was the best night's sleep I had ever had. Over the next few months, I began to accept how much of a horrible person he was let alone never a “father”. I attempted to take my own life. I was so overwhelmed, overcome with heaviness, despair, & hopelessness that there was no perceived way out for me. After inpatient care, months of outpatient care, years of doc appointments, & still counseling, I can manage my depression. When I struggle now, I use my coping skills, & thankfully have my mom to ground me. Mental Health will always be a struggle for me. Also, because I am a POC access to proper health care is a fight. I have always turned to art as an escape. I love to draw/paint, that was my way of dealing with my mental health. I won awards from middle school to HS. Art therapy is my escape from my home hell. I am currently enrolled in a Digital Media program at my local college. I would like to Intern at Tyler Perry's studio in Georgia. My career aspirations are to draw & create movie & music video sets. In October 2020, my mom & I were rear-ended & involved in a devasting yet life-altering car accident. I remember pushing out the glass of my window & crawling to safety as our 7-passenger SUV was upside down in a tree. I was conscious, but my mother was not, I could not see or hear her. I sustained damaging injuries to my head/brain. I was in Loyola ICU for over a week due to internal bleeding. The incision to my head alone - was ear to ear, 46 staples. I have not been able to go back to work, physically it’s just too exhausting. There is a mental toll, will I ever be “normal” after this accident? It took me over a year & a summer to recoup enough to go to my first semester of college since High School Graduation. My coordination has been affected, I have headaches all the time, and my pituitary gland was affected by the trauma to my head. I must have my nose rebroken if I want to breathe normally. I also have many facial & body scars that will never go away. The effects on my body and brain cause frequent setbacks to my mental state of mind. My mom’s neck/spine was broken, and she had to have emergency surgeries. Many surgeons stated she should have died or been a paraplegic. Her left clavicle had to be rebuilt, she had internal bleeding, broken ribs etc. She spent three weeks at Loyola ICU /Hospital & was transferred to a Rehab center to learn to walk/dress/shower etc. This was the first time I had ever been away from my mom. We couldn’t visit because of Covid, and we were in the same hospital. She was away from her job for 11 months. Her injuries will never fully heal, and she is always in pain, but she is here, & her strength will stay with me forever. My mom is & has been a single parent/sole provider for me & my sister(s) even before she physically left my dad. In 2021 at a BLM protest following the murder of George Floyd as we chanted “say his name”, my sister & I were attacked by a bat at the hands of an older white man selling “Trump 2020” & “Make America Great Again” flags on the side of the road. A person videotaped the incident from her car & turned the footage over to the police. The video showed that we did not start the incident, we were not aggressive toward this man, only tried to get away & diffuse the situation. At the time my sister was only 16. My mom attempted to press formal charges for months. The Assistant States Attorney finally told her that because he was a war veteran, & he knows people, pressing charges would not be a good thing to do. Justice in America for POC, or LGBTQ community members. Thankfully, we weren’t killed. These are just a few small examples already in my life as a young Black woman that I overcame, am overcoming & will continue to overcome so that I can be successful in my future. My mom alone brought my sister(s) & I out of extreme poverty, we are domestic abuse survivors, repeat SURVIVORS. We have put in work for our Mental Health healing. Every single obstacle I have watched my mom crawl out of to get me where I am today will aid me in being an exceptional & compassionate human in any field of higher learning/career I select. I believe that every person has a backstory & most likely not a pretty one. However, everyone should be afforded the same chance at the starting line regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or humble start. I will always have to work harder than the person next to me however, I promised myself that I will do the work because I am her & she is me: My name is Rhiannon Renae.

My older sister Joslyn was murdered in 2014. Mom didn't want us to hate, so we started to volunteer at a local food pantry. This was a physical outlet allowing us to realize there are less fortunate people. We learned compassion even w/the pain & heartache we were dealing with. We still volunteer. When I was a sophomore in HS my mother took me, my little sister, a bag of clothes & left my dad. Over the next few months, I began to see how much of a horrible person he is let alone a “father”. I tried to take my own life. I was so overwhelmed, overcome, full of despair & hopelessness that there seemed no way out for me. After inpatient, months of outpatient & counseling, I can manage my depression. I still have no contact with my dad. In October 2020, my mom & I were involved in a devasting yet life-altering car accident. I remember pushing the glass out of my window & crawling to safety as our SUV was upside down in a tree. I was conscious, my mother was not, I could not see or hear her. I sustained damaging injuries to my head/brain. I was in Loyola ICU for over a week due to internal bleeding, the incision I took to my forehead alone was ear to ear. It took me over a year & a summer to recoup enough to go to my first semester of college since HS Grad. My mom’s neck/spine was broken, & she had to have emergency surgeries. The surgeons stated she should have died or been a paraplegic. Her left clavicle had to be rebuilt, she had internal bleeding, broken ribs. She spent three weeks at Loyola ICU/Hospital & was transferred to a Rehab center to learn the basics. She was away from her job for 11 months. Her injuries will never fully heal but she is here, & her strength will stay with me forever. My mom is & has been a single parent/sole provider for me & my sister(s) even before she physically left my dad. In 2021 at a BLM protest following the murder of George Floyd as we chanted “say his name”, my sister & I were attacked by a bat in the hands of an older white man selling “Trump 2020” flags. A person video-taped the incident & gave it to the police. The video showed that we did not start the incident, we were not aggressive toward him, only tried to diffuse the situation. At the time my sister was only 16. My mom attempted to press charges for months. The ASA told her because he was a war veteran & he knows people, pressing charges would not be a good thing to do. Thankfully, we weren’t killed. These are a few examples in my life as a young Black woman that I overcame, am overcoming & will continue to overcome so that I can be successful in my future. Every single obstacle I have watched my mom crawl to get me where I am today will aid me to be exceptional in any field of higher learning/career I select. I remember that every person has a backstory & most likely not a pretty one. However, everyone should be afforded the same chance regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or humble start. I will always have to work harder than the person next to me however, I promised myself that I will do the work because I am her & she is me: My name is Rhiannon Renae.

My older sister Joslyn was brutally murdered in 2014. Mom didn't want us to bottle up so much hate, so we started to volunteer at a local food pantry each week. We saw this as a physical outlet also allowing us to realize there are even less fortunate people than us. We learned compassion even with the pain & heartache we were dealing with. We still volunteer every week, it's an integral part of our life now. Every year on the anniversary of my sister's passing we do random acts of kindness. We donate to the local women's DV shelter. For major Bdays (16, 18, 21) we ask for any items that can be donated to the DV shelter and drop them off. When I was a sophomore in HS my mother took me, my little sister, and a bag of clothes & left my dad in the middle of the night. We were all victims of Domestic Abuse. The first night away, I remember waking up thinking it was the best night's sleep I had ever had. Over the next few months, I began to accept how much of a horrible person he was let alone a “father”. I attempted to take my own life. I was so overwhelmed, overcome with heaviness, despair, & hopelessness that there was no perceived way out for me. After a bought inpatient, months of outpatient & still counseling, I manage my depression. I have had no contact with him since. I want to draw & design motion movie sets & music videos for a career. In October 2020, my mom & I were rear-ended & involved in a devasting yet life-altering car accident. I remember pushing out the glass of my window & crawling out to safety as our 7-passenger SUV was upside down in a tree. I was conscious, but my mother was not, I could not see or hear her. I sustained damaging injuries to my head/brain. I was in Loyola ICU for over a week due to internal bleeding, the incision I took to my forehead was ear to ear. I have not been able to go back to work, physically it’s just too exhausting. It took me over a year & summer to recoup enough to go to my first semester of college since High School Graduation. Mom was away from her job for 11 months. Her injuries will never fully heal but she is here, & her strength will stay with me forever. My mom is & has been a single parent/sole provider for me & my sister(s) even before she physically left my dad. These are only a few small examples in my life as a young Black woman of color that I overcame, am overcoming & will continue to overcome so that I will be successful in my future. I believe that all the obstacles I have watched my mom overcome to get me where I am today will assist me in being an exceptional & compassionate human in any field of higher learning/career I select. I remember daily to take my personal experiences with Mental Health with me to understand that everyone has a backstory & most likely not a pretty one. However, everyone should be afforded the same chances regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. I will always have to work harder than most people however, I promised myself that I will do the work & produce exceptional work because I am her & she is me: My name is Rhiannon.

My older sister Joslyn was brutally murdered in 2014. Mom didn't want us to bottle up so much hate, so we started to volunteer at a local food pantry each week. We saw this as a physical outlet also allowing each of us to remember that there are even less fortunate people than us. We learned compassion even with the pain & heartache we were dealing with. When I was a sophomore in HS my mother took me, my little sister, and a bag of clothes & left my dad in the middle of the night to start again. We had all been victims of Domestic Abuse. The first night away, I remember waking up thinking it was the best night's sleep I had ever had. Over the next few months, I began to accept how much of a horrible person he was let alone as a “father”. I attempted to take my own life. I was so overwhelmed, overcome with heaviness, despair, and hopelessness that there was no perceived way out for me. After a bought inpatient, months of outpatient & still counseling, I can manage my depression. I have had no contact with him since. No dad in a young girl’s life is a huge loss to grasp. In October 2020, my mom & I were rear-ended & involved in a devasting yet life-altering car accident. I remember pushing out the glass of my window & crawling out to safety as our 7-passenger SUV was upside down in a tree. I was conscious, my mother was not, I could not see or hear her. I sustained damaging injuries to my head/brain. I was in Loyola ICU for over a week due to internal bleeding, the incision I took to my forehead was ear to ear. I have not been able to go back to work, physically it’s just too exhausting. It took me over a year and summer to recoup enough to go to my first semester of college since High School Graduation. My mom’s neck/spine was broken, & she had to have emergency surgeries where many surgeons stated she should have died or been a paraplegic. Her left clavicle had to be rebuilt, she had internal bleeding, broken ribs etc. She spent three weeks at Loyola in ICU/Hospital & was transferred to a Rehab center to learn to walk/dress/shower etc. She was away from her job for 11 months. Her injuries will never fully heal but she is here, & her strength will stay with me forever. My mom is & has been a single parent/sole provider for me & my sister(s) even before she physically left my dad. These are only a few small examples in my life as a young Black woman of color that I overcame, am overcoming & will continue to overcome so that I will be successful in my future. I believe that all the obstacles I have watched my mom overcome to get me where I am today will assist me in being an exceptional & compassionate human in any field of higher learning/career I select. I remember daily to take my personal experiences with Mental Health out there with me to understand that everyone has a backstory & most likely not a pretty one. However, everyone should be afforded the same chances regardless of their skin color, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. I will always have to work harder than the person next to me however, I promised myself that I will work harder & produce exceptional work because I am her & she is me: My name is Rhiannon.