Back in December of 2021, while navigating the hurdles of the COVID-19 pandemic and a grueling, detrimental relationship as a young mother, I was introduced to holistic wellness by a kind neighbor. At a time when I felt completely lost, that mentorship provided me with a foundation in natural health, certified pure therapeutic-grade essential oils, and cellular-level well-being. I was in severe isolation and did not have many networking opportunities to witness results within the multi-level marketing department due to being traumatized. I was fearful of getting out, looking for prospects, and receiving a no. I will say this: I learned that typically with promotion, especially with life-changing wellness products, you will get rejected a thousand times before receiving the needed yes. That just means you are connecting with the right people. Still, it opened my eyes to the flaws of conventional Western medicine and diets, chemical-laden household products, and symptom-managing pharmaceuticals that often ignore the root cause of the ailment. I realized that true healing requires looking deeper at our diets, our environment, and our daily habits. My vision for the future is rooted in changing this narrative through education, land stewardship, and entrepreneurship. I plan to use my education in business administration - specifically focusing on entrepreneurship and small businesses- combined with upcoming studies in horticulture and sustainable agriculture, to build something truly lasting. My dream is to acquire land and establish a sustainable homestead featuring organic gardens, fruit trees, greenhouses, and an on-site apothecary. On this land, I am completely open-minded to exploring diverse ventures centered around the preservation of honey bees, sustainable farming, and natural provision. Beyond creating a sustainable enterprise, I want to use this initiative to give back profoundly to my community. I plan to educate people of all ages and backgrounds on how to reclaim their health, cultivate natural nutrition, and live more intentionally. True freedom is health, and when individuals are empowered with the knowledge of how to nourish their bodies, minds, and surrounding environments, communities begin to thrive. I would like to assist others in breaking free from the cycle of costly, reactive healthcare and instead foster proactive, holistic well-being. Driven by my deep Faith, my son, and my intuition. I am determined to demonstrate through hard work and a strong will that we can step out of survival mode. This education is the stepping stone that will allow me to acquire and preserve a safe space of land, build a successful business, and pass down generational wealth, wisdom, and discernment. Winning this scholarship would provide the crucial support needed to move closer to these goals, finish my education strong, and shape a healthier, more self-sufficient future for my family and any community willing to learn and excel.

Being a first-generation student means breaking negative generational cycles and carving your own path. There is a daily reminder that pursuing holistic wealth, higher education, and true independence is not for the weak. My journey truly accelerated when I became a mother at a young age while navigating an unsupportive environment. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I faced intense external pressure and fear regarding medical mandates and vaccinations for my family. Driven by my deep Faith, my intuition, and my son, relying heavily on my own intuition and research into nutrition, whole foods, and holistic health, I learned early on how to advocate fiercely for my son's well-being and my own. Standing my ground and navigating those high-pressure, isolating circumstances taught me that I could trust my inner voice, even when faced with intense outside pressure and familial friction. That hard-earned resilience directly fuels my academic and professional goals today. As a first-generation college student, I am currently building the foundation for my future through business administration and preparing to transition into horticulture at a 4-year land-grant-based university. My ultimate dream is to achieve complete self-sufficiency through land ownership and preservation, a sustainable homestead, and business ownership centered around a holistic lifestyle. I am actively seeking valuable networking opportunities and will remain open-minded to business ventures involving the preservation of honey bees, fruit tree farming, greenhouses, and sustainable agriculture. Once established, it would be thrilling to have the freedom to indulge in special interest hobbies like bushcraft, foraging, gardening, and artisanal epoxy resin work. Winning this scholarship would remove significant financial roadblocks and alleviate daily stressors, allowing me to focus entirely on my rigorous studies and my son without the constant heavy burden of financial strain. It will provide the crucial support needed to move closer to my goals, finish my education strong, and build a lasting, generational legacy of independence, determination, and purpose.

Native of Columbus, Ohio, and an upcoming senior, I aspire to attend and graduate from The Ohio State University, maintaining the high honor roll to do so. However, life did not go according to plan; my mother remarried the summer of my junior year in high school, and we moved to Charleston, SC, which was a culture shock for me at that stage in my life. Having relocated many places, I have ironically been affected in many positive ways. It taught me the value of minimalism and that my life cannot be measured by material possessions. With that being said, I can easily adapt and roll with the punches. On the flip side, I have lacked true stability because of the survival-driven habits instilled in me at a young age. Now, I have an entrepreneurial spirit and an endless hunger for a well-built foundation so I can preserve generational wealth long-term and break generational curses. In all honesty, this journey is a daily reminder that life is not for the weak, and breaking the unproductive and negative habits is not for the weak. The most challenging aspect of being a full-time student and a single parent is the constant awareness of missing out on one-time life events involving my child. Life is like a slideshow, and it flies by in the blink of an eye. The decisions made during the day are one-chance decisions; there is no turning back time if the most appropriate approach to parenting isn't taken. This scholarship will provide a financial foundation and serve as a resource to invest in the entrepreneurial business I want to launch to generate income from home. There are many creative business ventures to pursue, and this scholarship would allow me to set aside money to invest in the preservation of those ventures via avenues like trusts. My biggest goal is to do it right the first time to protect my assets effectively. While a detailed execution plan is still evolving, my immediate priority is securing funds to pursue my chosen business venture. Until then, I will continue applying for scholarships, investing in decentralized crypto, ETFs, dividends, precious metals, REITs, and private equities, and building my financial literacy to be a prime example for my son. Rather than simply handing him everything. I want to equip him with the tools, resources, and knowledge to encourage the pursuit of his own business ventures. I believe society is intentionally misinformed about the operating systems that perpetuate division in class, resources, and access to knowledge. For the future, I am interested in witnessing firsthand how land ownership, water preservation, an overall holistic lifestyle, and honeybee preservation intersect. To support this vision, I would like to launch an LLC called Forty-Acres Artisan Works, based in Bluffton, SC. I already have a logo and four to five specified design types mapped out, and I want to create an online presence for e-commerce sales. Currently, I need financial support to kickstart this business. Specifically, I need to purchase Grade A epoxy honeycomb molds to craft luxury furniture pieces. I also plan to incorporate ethically sourced butterflies, seashells, and live herbs that reflect the Lowcountry and holistic vibes. Because of epoxy resin fumes, I plan to work outside in the backyard, using necessary equipment including but not limited to woodwork tools, a cutting saw, a proper face mask, and a hazmat suit to safely bring these furniture pieces to life. Once I own land, I intend to keep up my own holistic apothecary long-term. Ultimately, this scholarship is the bridge to financial freedom and stability for my son and me. By building Forty-Acres Artisan Works from the ground up, I am proving to him that with resilience, resourcefulness, and the right tools, we can break generational cycles and build a future entirely our own.

Being a single mother pursuing higher education has numerous rewards alongside heavy challenges. There are moments when I feel like I am in a "Twilight Zone," pondering the reality of reaching my full potential - not due to a lack of self-worth, but because of a simple lack of time. As a single mother, whenever I look at my child, a wave of bittersweet sadness hits me because they deserve to experience the most vibrant, positive, and productive aspects of life. Currently, I live in a household of six after moving from Little Rock, Arkansas. Balancing conflicting schedules can feel overwhelming. I find myself juggling an unwanted job, managing my life as a full-time student around the schedules of my son and niece, and taking care of daily cooking and cleaning. Most days, I feel like a mix between a recluse and Cinderella, leaving virtually zero room for a personal life. The only time I interact with the public is at work, and even then, I have too many responsibilities to get caught up in distractions or false promises of an easy escape. Life threw an even greater hurdle my way when, on August 14, 2026, on the way to take my son to school, we were involved in a vehicular accident. I have to figure out how to pay for a new car completely out of pocket. Buying from a private dealer isn't a safe financial risk right now, but dealerships require months of pay stubs - and I am currently between jobs. Still, I know it will all be worth it in the long run. When I feel sick and tired of being tired, I consciously remind myself how blessed and protected my loved ones are. We all face hardships, but things could always be worse. To build a better future, I am exploring multiple streams of passive income, from ATMS, crypto, and vending machines, to drone technology for land assessments, delivery services, data analysis, and trades. With limited resources and aging parents who parents' best to help us, I often wish I could hire a nanny for a couple of hours a week to give myself breathing room for these entrepreneurial ventures. Beyond learning about financial literacy - including life insurance policies, IULs, common stock, crypto, REITs, ETFs, private equities, dividends, and precious metals - education is an ongoing process. That is why I re-enrolled in school after nine years away, determined to elevate my educational background. Currently, I am pursuing an associate degree in Business Administration with a focus on Entrepreneurship and Small Businesses, with plans to eventually transition those credentials into a Horticulture Program at a 4-year land-grant university. My top choices right now are the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville and Clemson University. Ultimately, my goal centers around land ownership, water preservation, and a holistic lifestyle. In business, I am eager to pursue environmentally friendly avenues such as preserving honey bees and monarch butterflies, hemp cultivation, and sustainable agriculture to restore the land. Although my son has witnessed firsthand the many hardships I face, I pray that one day he will look back and see my accomplishments as proof that he, too, is fully capable of succeeding.

Mental health is essential for me as a student because maintaining a clear and grounded mind gives me a stronger foundation to keep going, even when the demands of college and life feel heavy. Without that mental stability and the commitment to being authentically true to myself, I wouldn't even be a student today. Looking back, I realize I wouldn't have survived if I had acted on destructive decisions I once wanted to make out of sheer lack of self-love and self-care. This journey toward self-preservation starts with our immediate environments. Personally, I notice that even inside my home, if the surrounding environment is poor, unhealthy, or cluttered, I begin to degrade mentally, emotionally, and physically, which directly impacts my academic focus. To combat this, I had to learn to be okay with being alone and looking within to address the root cause of my problems, after experiencing horrific events. I came to the realization that seeking the approval of others, caring about every single opinion, and being a people-pleaser inhibited me from reaching my full potential for many years. It is okay to be empathetic and humble; however, it is a real skill to master productive self-isolation- meaning, using affirmed routines and habits that serve as small steps leading to bigger long-term academic and personal success. In contrast, contemporary society often works against this kind of internal peace. The advancements in social media and technology, although created for some great purposes, have long-term negative effects on human focus. Due to such advancements and the pressure to project an image for social acceptance, people now more than ever display symptoms of a short attention span, a lack of patience, and a decline in social skills. In today's fast-paced world, it is easy to get caught up in external noise, which makes protecting your mental well-being a daily discipline. Protecting that peace also means looking outward to protect the future generation. Although I do not get out much, I still have hope that the innocence of children is safeguarded and that children- being the future- still hold honor and real meaning. As a student and a single mother, I ensure daily to remind my son how loved he is, highlight all the wonderful qualities he possesses, and affirm that he is protected and destined to do great things. It really does come down to being humble and meek. There have been numerous occasions where I have had to bite my tongue, realizing the selfishness in making judgments on others. Collectively, we never know what someone is going through, and it is our duty as human beings to make a daily decision to practice gratitude. To give a summary, I am a survivor of many unsettling circumstances and environments of both little and great magnitude. At different times, I genuinely felt that I didn't have time left and was not going to make it. It has always been interesting to me to interact with others and hear, "Wow, I would have never guessed you have been through that, and you don't look like what you have been through." As painful as this journey of life can be, I've learned to love the yin and yang of life: that pain is mandatory, suffering is optional, and misery is a choice. Small steps matter most. I am overall thankful for not having given up when I was otherwise convinced, because life can get better, and it is what you make it. It is all about perspective, staying true to who you are, and turning negatives into positives.

Reflecting on my years of adolescence, I recall my father emphasizing the importance of an education and that knowledge is true power. He reiterated that other individuals in this journey of life may attempt or succeed in taking away many things from me; however, no one can take away my faith or knowledge that has to be given up by choice. In high school, I remember reading F451 and Beloved; the contents and varying symbolisms of these novels are of much depth. I love looking around at contemporary society and alluding to novels like those previously stated to see the different societal influences overtime. Banned books specifically pique my interest because they correlate to many different conspiracies that the masses (most people) rather turn a blind eye to. For example, in F451, books were banned, and those caught with any book were susceptible to severe, cruel punishments or imprisonment, which in turn, makes me question the lengths that certain worldly corporations and their agendas will go to cover up the truth, all for the purpose of control and power. In my opinion, banned books can be compared to real-life experiences. The real knowledge is in the books, not always in this technologically advanced society with humans that have an attention span shorter than a goldfish. At this point, books are an antique but luxurious asset. To have a passion to search for knowledge in what is now considered the "old-school" way is one of the most intelligent things a person could possibly do in the near future. For those that indulge in this method, it demonstrates their drive, their patience, and strong-will to not be easily conformed by the remaining world. In comparison to short videos or computer learning, books allow us to continuously exercise foundational critical thinking skills. With that being said, there was a time not too long ago (May 2021) when, as a young single mother, I was in a detrimental relationship and, up to this point, I was exposed to many poor environments. While living in the projects, one particular night I became a key witness to a capital murder investigation involving a former partner and his son. I attempted to save the victim. It felt like while my life stopped completely, the rest of the world kept on turning. The situation led to self-isolation, at times substance abuse, and a lack of self-worth. Out of that situation, it felt like I was the only one defending the truth, and I witnessed firsthand what others will do to coverup a lie and drag someone else down in the mud. Through faith, many small steps, and the love of my son, I took the initiative to connect with true passions. I recall the many nights I was hungry and daydreaming in the hood, feeling in my gut that everything happens for a reason. I also, recall sitting outside alone for many hours in an attempt to find some type of peace. I found that peace in nature and holistic wellness. I now have nothing but full intent to continue to learn how to build and obtain generational wealth and preserve it. I desire to be that first generational curse breaker; however, as known with that great power comes great responsibility. I am looking forward to pursuing the blueprint to sustainable agriculture in future land ownership along with an overall holistic approach to my habits in life. Lastly, that incident exposed me to writing. I am hoping to publish my first Memoir one day.

Sadly, in May of 2021, I was in a detrimental relationship. This incident occurred shortly after my 22nd birthday and the day after my son's first birthday. At the time, I had accepted an Assistant Manager position at a HUD/Tax Credit housing community, assisting low-income families with affordable housing. I resided in the projects of Little Rock, Arkansas. I was living with a former partner in condemned housing, which happened to be his childhood home. One particular night, I involuntarily became a key witness to a capital murder investigation involving my former partner's son and a stranger who had knocked on our door late at night. The victim was murdered with a machete, and I attempted to rescue him physically. The story was in the spotlight. Not a day goes by when I do not reflect on the events of that night and the grueling years that followed. I witnessed first-hand the great lengths others will go to protect themselves and their image, even with a lie being the foundation. That reality bothered me. It taught me, that although I may be able to forgive others, I will never put anything past anyone. It led me down a road of self-isolation, survivor's guilt, and at times the overconsumption of substances (alcohol and marijuana). Of all the things I have been exposed to in a lifetime, that incident was the "cherry on top" that made my world completely stop - while the rest of the world kept spinning around. The years following, I have spent time investing in reading, self-care, holistic wellness, investment diversification, and learning new soft and hard skills that benefit my overall growth. Self-isolation was dangerous at first; however, once I was not afraid of being alone. I began taking the time to invest in productive topics that would allow me to positively adapt in the long-term. For many years, the fight for survival, being exposed to poor environments, and fear that stemmed from survival genuinely made me think I was going to die young. The thought and fear alone motivated me to build a blueprint of assets that can be inherited by my son to at least give him financial freedom. I chose this career path of Business Administration - Entrepreneurship & Small Businesses for numerous reasons. In my mind, a "9-5" occupation is a form of systematic slavery. I have so many creative, holistic ideas and even from the perspective I had as a child, I realized that we as humans make everything so complicated, which allows us to easily be distracted from appreciating the simple things - warm meal, clean clothes, shower, peace of mind, great health, fresh air to breathe, etc. I want to use the associate's degree to bridge credentials into a Horticulture program at a 4-year university. I'll never forget the many days I sat outside in the projects, daydreaming and hungry, but somehow, besides my son, the beauty of nature always gave me hope to move forward. Reflecting on what it took in the different circumstances for me to survive another day reminded me of my resilience and determination to break generational curses, build generational wealth, and succeed at preserving that wealth for future generations. Personal research taught me that our perspective and striving to live a holistic lifestyle are what matter most to adapting to change. Most importantly, on the difficult days, it is important to remember that small steps matter. I'm looking forward to these degrees and certifications providing me with hands-on experience to assist the world holistically and change it for the better.