Behind every student is a story. One shaped by struggle, hope, and resilience. Mine begins in a home where faith, sacrifice, and hard work weren't just values, but daily realities. My name is Samitre Roberts and I carry those lessons with me into everything I do. I graduated from the International Leadership of Texas - Keller Saginaw High School in May of 2025, where I ran track on the varsity girls team as co-captain and played on the varsity volleyball team. During the summers I was still in high school, my church would organize a food drive with the Tarrant Area Food Bank to give out baskets of goods to families in need. As a high school graduate of the class of 2025, I’m incredibly excited to begin my college journey at Louisiana State University as a West African first-generation college student. Since I was a little girl, I’ve loved science—especially chemistry—which is why I’m so drawn and fascinated by forensic work and law enforcement. I want to specialize in DNA or trade evidence analysis and work in a crime lab to help solve major criminal cases. In the long run, I hope to work for a police department and be a mentor to other young women of color. It hasn’t been easy getting here, and I know it won’t get easier. I worked very hard to maintain a 3.8 GPA and an A/B average, especially in my math and science classes, throughout high school. To keep my head above the water, that required late-night study sessions, catching up on hard or missed lessons, and sometimes hiring a tutor just to keep up. Buying textbooks and study materials also added a lot of stress for me and my family. I’m aware that the costs will only increase now that I'm enrolled in college; admission tests, application fees, textbooks, and tutoring are all expenses I’ll need to face again. The annual tuition at Louisiana State University is about $54,000 a year. I’ve been blessed to receive $7,395 in scholarships and grants, a $125 Academic Excellence Hardship Fee scholarship, and $5,500 in direct loans per year—but that still leaves around $36,907 for my family and me to cover out of pocket, excluding the $46,536 in student loans I’ve been offered. My family makes just under $50,000 a year and still supports my two older brothers and my younger sister. It’s hard knowing my dream puts more pressure on the people I love. Nevertheless, I’m confident my education will open the door to something much bigger than just a degree. It will prepare me for a career that allows me to serve and protect others through forensic science. By becoming a forensic science technician, I’ll be helping law enforcement solve crimes, bring peace to victims’ families, and reduce crime rates in the community. I believe in using what I learn to make a positive impact in people’s lives, especially those who are often overlooked or forgotten because they don’t have as much as someone in another part of town. This scholarship would help relieve some of the financial burden placed on me and my family and allow me to focus on what truly matters—learning, staying in school, and becoming the best version of myself. I don’t want to spend college worrying about how I’m going to pay off student loans. I want to focus on growing into someone who can give back, create change, and help others do the same. I just pray I align with this organization's morals and I thank you for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.

Behind every student is a story. One shaped by struggle, hope, and resilience. Mine begins in a home where faith, sacrifice, and hard work weren't just values, but daily realities. My name is Samitre Roberts and I carry those lessons with me into everything I do. I graduated from the International Leadership of Texas - Keller Saginaw High School in May of 2025, where I ran track on the varsity girls team as co-captain and played on the varsity volleyball team. During the summers I was still in high school, my church would organize a food drive with the Tarrant Area Food Bank to give out baskets of goods to families in need. As a high school graduate of the class of 2025, I’m incredibly excited to begin my college journey at Louisiana State University as a West African first-generation college student. My dream is to become a forensic science technician so that I can truly be a part of bringing justice to families and truly make a real difference in the community. It hasn’t been easy getting here, and I know it won’t get easier. Growing up in a West African household, getting an education is the most important thing ever. My parents would always say that education is the key to opening doors they never had the chance to walk through. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved science—especially chemistry—which is why I’m so drawn and fascinated by forensic work and law enforcement. With these values in mind, I worked very hard to maintain a 3.8 GPA and an A/B average, especially in my math and science classes, throughout high school. To keep my head above the water, that required late-night study sessions, catching up on hard or missed lessons, and sometimes hiring a tutor just to keep up. Buying textbooks and study materials also added a lot of stress for me and my family. There were countless days and nights where I wanted to give up because of the mental, financial, and physical toll it was taking on me and my family. I remember a time where I needed a specific calculator for my homework which was $100, but my family just didn't have the money at the time. Instead, I borrowed my friend's calculator during school and I had to complete all my home and school work before leaving school, where I would go home to help my younger sister with her homework. However, I reminded myself that there was something bigger than me that I needed to accomplish: that my future could look different, not just for me, but for my entire family. I found fun and creative ways to study and actually obtain the knowledge being pounded into my head, I borrowed textbooks from the library, I made flashcards, and I leaned on my teachers and my friends for extra support. My pre-calculus teacher recognized how hard I was working and began to let me sit in on her 10th period classes to tutor me on the lesson we had learned on b days. That extra support helped prepare me on how to advocate for myself when I may begin to struggle in my college math classes and those extra sessions really helped me stay afloat in her class when I often felt overwhelmed, which I will always be grateful for. That extra support helped prepare me on how to advocate for myself when I may begin to struggle in my college math classes. I’m aware that the costs will only increase now that I'm enrolled in college; admission tests, application fees, textbooks, and tutoring are all expenses I’ll need to face again. The annual tuition at Louisiana State University is about $54,000 a year. I’ve been blessed to receive $7,395 in scholarships and grants, a $125 Academic Excellence Hardship Fee scholarship, and $5,500 in direct loans per year—but that still leaves around $36,907 for my family and me to cover out of pocket, excluding the $46,536 in student loans I’ve been offered. My family makes just under $50,000 a year and still supports my two older brothers and my younger sister. It’s hard knowing my dream puts more pressure on the people I love. Nevertheless, I’m confident my education will open the door to something much bigger than just a degree. It will prepare me for a career that allows me to serve and protect others through forensic science. By becoming a forensic science technician, I’ll be helping law enforcement solve crimes, bring peace to victims’ families, and reduce crime rates in the community; my ultimate drive and goal. I believe in using what I learn to make a positive impact in people’s lives, especially those who are often overlooked or forgotten because they don’t have as much as someone in another part of town. I also hope that my little sister sees how hard I've worked and how hard I will work to achieve my goals, especially as a black, West African, young woman. This scholarship would help relieve some of the financial burden placed on me and my family and allow me to focus on what truly matters—learning, staying in school, and becoming the best version of myself. I don’t want to spend college worrying about how I’m going to pay off student loans. I want to focus on growing into someone who can give back, create change, and help others do the same. I hope my values align with those of the organization, and I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share my journey with you all by applying for this wonderful scholarship.

Hello to everyone who may read this essay. My name is Samitre Roberts. I graduated from the International Leadership of Texas - Keller Saginaw High School in May of 2025, where I ran track on the varsity girls team as co-captain and played on the varsity volleyball team. During the summers I was still in high school, my church would organize a food drive with the Tarrant Area Food Bank to give out baskets of goods to families in need. As a high school graduate of the class of 2025, I’m incredibly excited to begin my college journey at Louisiana State University as a West African first-generation college student. Since I was a little girl, I’ve loved science—especially chemistry—which is why I’m so drawn and fascinated by forensic work and law enforcement. My dream is to become a forensic science technician so that I can truly be a part of bringing justice to families and truly make a real difference in the community. It hasn’t been easy getting here, and I know it won’t get easier. I worked very hard to maintain a 3.8 GPA and an A/B average, especially in my math and science classes, throughout high school. To keep my head above the water, that required late-night study sessions, catching up on hard or missed lessons, and sometimes hiring a tutor just to keep up. Buying textbooks and study materials also added a lot of stress for me and my family. I’m aware that the costs will only increase now that I'm enrolled in college; admission tests, application fees, textbooks, and tutoring are all expenses I’ll need to face again. The annual tuition at Louisiana State University is about $54,000 a year. I’ve been blessed to receive $7,395 in scholarships and grants, a $125 Academic Excellence Hardship Fee scholarship, and $5,500 in direct loans per year—but that still leaves around $36,907 for my family and me to cover out of pocket, excluding the $46,536 in student loans I’ve been offered. My family makes just under $50,000 a year and still supports my two older brothers and my younger sister. It’s hard knowing my dream puts more pressure on the people I love. Nevertheless, I’m confident my education will open the door to something much bigger than just a degree. It will prepare me for a career that allows me to serve and protect others through forensic science. By becoming a forensic science technician, I’ll be helping law enforcement solve crimes, bring peace to victims’ families, and reduce crime rates in the community. I believe in using what I learn to make a positive impact in people’s lives, especially those who are often overlooked or forgotten because they don’t have as much as someone in another part of town. This scholarship would help relieve some of the financial burden placed on me and my family and allow me to focus on what truly matters—learning, staying in school, and becoming the best version of myself. I don’t want to spend college worrying about how I’m going to pay off student loans. I want to focus on growing into someone who can give back, create change, and help others do the same. I just pray I align with this organization's morals and I thank you for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.

Hello to everyone who may read this essay. My name is Samitre Roberts. I graduated from the International Leadership of Texas - Keller Saginaw High School in May of 2025, where I ran track on the varsity girls team as co-captain and played on the varsity volleyball team. During the summers I was still in high school, my church would organize a food drive with the Tarrant Area Food Bank to give out baskets of goods to families in need. As a high school graduate of the class of 2025, I’m incredibly excited to begin my college journey at Louisiana State University as a West African first-generation college student. Since I was a little girl, I’ve loved science—especially chemistry—which is why I’m so drawn and fascinated by forensic work and law enforcement. My dream is to become a forensic science technician so that I can truly be a part of bringing justice to families and truly make a real difference in the community. It hasn’t been easy getting here, and I know it won’t get easier. I worked very hard to maintain a 3.8 GPA and an A/B average, especially in my math and science classes, throughout high school. To keep my head above the water, that required late-night study sessions, catching up on hard or missed lessons, and sometimes hiring a tutor just to keep up. Buying textbooks and study materials also added a lot of stress for me and my family. I’m aware that the costs will only increase now that I'm enrolled in college; admission tests, application fees, textbooks, and tutoring are all expenses I’ll need to face again. The annual tuition at Louisiana State University is about $54,000 a year. I’ve been blessed to receive $7,395 in scholarships and grants, a $125 Academic Excellence Hardship Fee scholarship, and $5,500 in direct loans per year—but that still leaves around $36,907 for my family and me to cover out of pocket, excluding the $46,536 in student loans I’ve been offered. My family makes just under $50,000 a year and still supports my two older brothers and my younger sister. It’s hard knowing my dream puts more pressure on the people I love. Nevertheless, I’m confident my education will open the door to something much bigger than just a degree. It will prepare me for a career that allows me to serve and protect others through forensic science. By becoming a forensic science technician, I’ll be helping law enforcement solve crimes, bring peace to victims’ families, and reduce crime rates in the community. I believe in using what I learn to make a positive impact in people’s lives, especially those who are often overlooked or forgotten because they don’t have as much as someone in another part of town. This scholarship would help relieve some of the financial burden placed on me and my family and allow me to focus on what truly matters—learning, staying in school, and becoming the best version of myself. I don’t want to spend college worrying about how I’m going to pay off student loans. I want to focus on growing into someone who can give back, create change, and help others do the same. I just pray I align with this organization's morals and I thank you for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.

As a high school graduate of the class of 2025, I’m incredibly excited to begin my college journey at Louisiana State University as a West African first-generation college student. Since I was a little girl, I’ve loved science—especially chemistry—which is why I’m so drawn to forensic work and law. My dream is to become a crime scene investigator so I can help bring justice to families and make a real difference in the community. Getting to this point hasn’t been easy, and I know it won’t get easier. Throughout high school, I worked very hard to maintain a 3.8 GPA and an A/B average, especially in my math and science classes. That meant late-night study sessions, catching up on hard lessons, and sometimes paying for tutoring just to keep up. Buying textbooks and study materials also added a lot of stress for me and my family. Now that I’m starting college, I know the costs will only grow—admission tests, application fees, textbooks, and tutoring are all expenses I’ll need to face again. LSU’s tuition is about $54,000 a year. I’ve been blessed to receive $7,395 in scholarships and grants, a $125 Academic Excellence Hardship Fee scholarship, and $5,500 in direct loans per year—but that still leaves around $36,907 for my family and me to cover out of pocket, without even including the $46,536 in student loans I’ve been offered. My family makes just under $50,000 a year and still supports my two older brothers and my younger sister. It’s hard knowing my dream puts more pressure on the people I love. Still, I know my education will open the door to something much bigger than just a degree. It will prepare me for a career that allows me to serve and protect others through forensic science. By becoming a CSI, I’ll be helping law enforcement solve crimes, bring peace to victims’ families, and lower crime rates in the community. I believe in using what I learn to make a positive impact in people’s lives, especially those who are often overlooked or forgotten. This scholarship would help relieve some of the financial burden and allow me to focus on what truly matters—learning, staying in school, and becoming the best version of myself. I don’t want to spend college worrying about how I’m going to pay off student loans. I want to focus on growing into someone who can give back, create change, and help others do the same.

As a high school graduate of the class of 2025, the opportunity to start my college journey at Louisiana State University as a West African first generation college student, I’m very excited! However, I’m also very aware of the obstacles I will face. Since I was a little girl, I’ve loved science, chemistry specifically, which is why I’m so drawn to forensic work and law. But getting to my goal, especially with how competitive STEM is, hasn’t been easy and won’t get easier. But, I do know that having support will help me in this new chapter of my life. Throughout high school, I worked very hard to maintain a 3.8 GPA and an A B average, especially in my math and science classes. That amounted to a lot of late night study sessions for exams, catching up on lessons I didn’t quite grasp. There were even times that I needed tutors to help me even more, and paying for that, along with textbooks and study materials, added a lot of stress on me and my family. And as I get ready for college, I know that the costs will only keep rising and that I will need those extra textbooks, study hours, and tutors. Admission tests, application fees, and materials needed for my classes will add up and even thinking about it is overwhelming. Louisiana State University’s tuition is about $54,000 a year and I’ve been blessed to receive $7,395 in scholarships and grants, a $125 academic excellence hardship fee, and $5,500 in direct loans per year, but that still leaves me and my family with an estimation of $36,907 to pay out of pocket without the $46,536 of student loans being offered to me. My family makes just under $50,000 annually, and my parents still financially support my two older brothers and my younger sister. It is just so hard knowing that chasing my dream will make my family struggle because of the financial burden. Receiving this scholarship would mean so much to me and my family. It would relieve me and my family of some of that pressure and help me focus on what I left home to do, to learn, stay in school, keep my grades up, and earn my degree. I don’t want to spend college constantly worrying about money or how I’m going to pay off the gigantic amount of loans after I graduate. I just want the chance to do my absolute best to reach my goal of becoming a CSI. I believe in giving back to my community, and once I get my degree and start my career, I can actually make a change to such a cruel world we live in and bring justice to families who’ve been wronged. I know it won’t be an easy process, but I’m more than ready to put in the work. This scholarship wouldn’t just help me afford college, but it would give me peace of mind to be able to focus on the more important things. Becoming the best version of myself, so I can one day turn around and help others do the same.

Growing up in a traditional African environment, I’ve constantly been told “that’s a man’s job” “you can’t do that, you’re a woman” “your job is to birth babies and cook for your husband”. My immediate family has been so supportive of my dreams and hasn’t put those stereotypes on my shoulders, however, I hear those words almost everyday. So, that’s only driven me to prove them wrong. I know every woman has heard “That’s a man’s job” or “You belong in the kitchen” in professional settings to daily household tasks and that’s not right. That’s why I’m so driven to make it in a thought to be “male dominated field” or “tasks only males can do” and show every person who’s put down another woman just because of her gender that women can do anything a man can do if they work hard enough. Taking a personal responsibility for these prejudices in daily encounters and making an effort to succeed in areas where women are underrepresented are two ways we, as a state, can fight gender disparity. It involves advocating for equal rights and opposing prejudiced actions that restrict the potential of woman. Even though we can’t control how a man or a woman may treat us, we must do our best to advance the cause of gender equality. So, that is what I will do individually. No matter what obstacles are thrown my way, I will uplift every woman, fight against those bigoted individuals, and prove them wrong. Texas universities I plan on applying to are Texas State University, Prairie View A&M University, Texas Tech University, and The University of Texas at Austin. With a degree in medical science to one day become an Obstetrician, will help me impact women in Texas on a deeper level. The maternal mortality rates are unacceptably high and I believe that I can help. In the U.S., women are more likely to die from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth than other high-income countries. That is just unacceptable. I believe if we can find new ways to keep women healthy and safe during childbirth will really help with the fight for women. The more women there are in this world, the more chances there are to make this world a more equal world. To conclude, gender inequality is still a major problem that restricts women's chances because it is ingrained in family dynamics and society expectations. Male family members' constant insistence that particular jobs or professions are "man's jobs" can be extremely demotivating. Adversity, though, can also fuel a fierce will to destroy these outdated fancies and demonstrate that desires and talents are not gender-specific. Individual encounters with prejudice emphasize the subjective character of gender norms and strengthen the resolve to challenge and eliminate these biases. By debunking these myths, standing up for themselves, and supporting equal chances, anyone can make a significant contribution to the greater push towards gender equality. Every accomplishment along the way validates one's own strengths and motivates coming generations to aim high for a better state and, ultimately, a better world for all.