My favorite piece of art I have ever created is one I made only a couple of months ago. I really struggled finding my own art style for a long time because I learned how to draw from my sister when I was five. In middle school, all I wanted to draw was anime since that's where I thought the money was, and to provide for myself and my family it was just what I had to do. However, when I went to an art high school, they said anime was "commercial art" and was not fine art. Not really knowing that there were two kinds of art, I was cornered to do realism for a long time until I came to college. I was inspired by so many people around me to just be myself and convey my truth through the canvas. To not have to worry about my lines being straight or my colors being perfect, but to just enjoy the process of painting and expression, was liberating. I was able to make art enjoyable for myself and learn my truth IS my style. This is why my favorite piece I have created is "Clean and Fresh", and oil painting I created this July. Over the summer, I had so much left-over paint from the painting class I took last spring semester. I wanted to paint for myself and not do a realistic still life or an a plein air painting (because bugs would always get stuck in my paint). I really had no idea what subject matter I wanted to paint for most of my summer, until one day, my mom pulled out the family album. There is this certain feeling one gets from looking into the past or at faces that look a lot like yours. My family, though with many flaws and disfunctions, looked so beautiful in their run down one-bedroom apartments in Bed-Stuy, New York; so together. This is unlike me and my siblings. I have always had a complicated relationship with them. I'm the youngest with an older brother and sister. When we were growing up, they always ganged up to pick on me on literally everything. We've gotten better now, but we still often have our bad arguments with one another. These antagonizing figures popped up in the album, but instead of the feeling discomfort, it was two cute little big-headed babies sharing a bath! It was the cutest little photo I had ever seen. This picture was taken before I was born but seeing the innocent and adorable beginnings of my skinny brother and chubby sister was healing for me. I knew that this was the image I wanted to paint to convey my truth. In this painting, I learned that one part of my style is distortion and abstraction because it is not only more interesting to look at, but it's fun to create! I enlarged both of my siblings' heads and their eyes and warped the tub so it kind of looks like a dream; like I wished I was there enjoying the peace. My brother nowadays is so bougee and has a great fashion sense, and my sister is the most sharp-tongued RUDE individual you could ever meet. Instead of naming my piece their names, because my brother is on the left, I named the piece clean, for my brother, and fresh, for my sister. Not only am I finding my style, but I'm finding peace. The same way I love this painting even with its flaws, is the same way I'll always love my family and theirs.

Being the youngest out of three, I have always had to fight for my share and prove my worthiness to my siblings, and my dad. My dad is a selfish egoist that never listened to what we had to say, and when he did, labeled every plight we had with him as us simply being disrespectful. That man claimed he wanted the best for all of his children, but he brought the worst out of us. Hate, anger, hatred, and misguidance flooded our minds and our household when he abounded. Once he was out of the house, this smog still lingered in our home. My siblings decided to cut him out completely without looking back. However, I felt this pitied obligation to be with my dad and hopefully voice my part on how harmful he was and still is to us during our visitations. I believed my words, my tone, and my actions could change him for the better and us as a family over this time. One whole year and still every word to his mind was disrespectful. He started saying that I was speaking like my mother and that my words were not my own. Not only were my intentions invalidated, but he also started insulting my family vulgarly. He called my brother a habitual liar, my sister a loner, and my mother a pig. That was the first time I told him what I needed; for him to not talk about my family out of their names. That respect is a two-way street regardless of age. The second he cursed at me because of it, was the second I cut him out completely. The arguments we had before shook me to my core, but nothing like this. He showed me his true colors to me the morning of my AP language exam. But not even he can interrupt my studies and my goals. I passed that exam with the motivation of my father's hate. He claimed that staying with my family would make me a loser like them. I will show him that my future has never been determined nor created by him but by my own powerful will. Being educated is not just a degree to me, but a promise. It's a duty. I want to be able to help single moms find closure, daughters that feel they have no voice, and fathers who are egoistic because their father never recognized his talents till the day he died. I do not only want to impact my community. I want to shake the very foundations of the world and erupt an amalgamation of radiance and health. That is because maybe deep down I think I can help my dad find the closure he needs. I hope I can fix many families for the sake of black love by erasing black hate.

One time when I was in middle school, a girl I did not know complimented my outfit. Now, I know that may not seem like a life-changing moment, but it was for me. Growing up, I did not always live in a single-parent household. Half of my childhood was witnessing my mother trying to get my father out and away from the house. The other half was watching the invisible scars upon my sibling's hearts and my mother's soul. I tried to do my best to be the light in the household by doing good in school for my mom and letting my siblings pick on me because they would bond over it and have the biggest smiles on their faces. With this, I was able to mend the patches in my household little by little. Eventually, I found something that made me happy that wasn't making my family happy; I adored holidays! Whenever I went to the store with my mother, there was always some sort of magic in the air when Christmas or Halloween items flourished throughout the entire building. I could feel the excitement of the special day welling up in me more than my birthday. I loved the thought of days when everyone had this shared amount of fun. It wasn't long until my mother realized this passion of mine, and engaged with it. We both loved going all out during the holidays. My mother would decorate every aspect of the house and she even taught me how to sew clothes! I would wear nothing but Halloween attire in the house, and eventually, in school. I never thought much about clothes at school besides, "What can I wear to look cool or not get made fun of?" because we all know kids are so cruel. But for the first time in my life, I got up in the morning and thought "Should I be a witch or a pumpkin today?" My mom was incredibly supportive and I commend her for that. But we all could assume that I faced gossip and rudeness at the hands of my outfits. I was made fun of and laughed at constantly in the hallways. I would lie if I said I did not want to change my outfit some days. The day I wore a devil costume my assistant principal embarrassed me in the biggest part of the hallway to take away my horns. It was rough for me sometimes, and I am surprised I managed to keep going. But I know what did keep me going. "I like your outfit!" I looked up to see a girl I did not know giving me the warmest smile and hope in my heart. I did not know that some people liked seeing me just doing what I loved. Knowing that someone out there was able to speak up and share this positivity, drove me to be confident in myself, my outfit, and my passion. No longer did bullies cut me so deeply because I knew some people were there who supported me. I no longer go as hard with my holiday outfits, but I love wearing extravagant clothes that I make and that I love to this day. I am a strong advocate for fashion. Nowadays, I am the person to compliment others to keep wearing what they love. That girl I did not know passed on this torch of lighting up others' lives each and every day through the power of clothes and self-love.

My family situation has deeply influenced who I am and what I want to do as a career. I am studying psychology to help those troubled single moms, kids affected by a bad divorce, and much more. Being the youngest out of three, I have always had to fight for my share and prove my worthiness to my siblings, and my dad. My dad is a selfish egoist who never listened to what we had to say, and when he did, labeled every plight we had with him as us simply being disrespectful. That man claimed he wanted the best for all of his children, but he brought the worst out of us. Hate, anger, hatred, and misguidance flooded our minds and our household when he abounded. Once he was out of the house, this smog still lingered in our home. My siblings decided to cut him out completely without looking back. However, I felt this pitied obligation to be with my dad and hopefully voice my part on how harmful he was and still is to us during our visitations. I believed my words, my tone, and my actions could change him for the better and us as a family over this time. One whole year and still every word to his mind was disrespectful. He started saying that I was speaking like my mother and that my words were not my own. Not only were my intentions invalidated, but he also started insulting my family vulgarly. He called my brother a habitual liar, my sister a loner, and my mother a pig. That was the first time I told him what I needed; for him to not talk about my family out of their names. That respect is a two-way street regardless of age. The second he cursed at me because of it, was the second I cut him out completely. The arguments we had before shook me to my core, but nothing like this. He showed me his true colors to me the morning of my AP language exam. But not even he can interrupt my studies and my goals. I passed that exam with the motivation of my father's hate. He claimed that staying with my family would make me a loser like them. I will show him that my future has never been determined nor created by him but by my own powerful will. Being educated is not just a degree to me, but a promise. It's a duty. I want to be able to help single moms find closure, daughters who feel they have no voice, and fathers who are egoistic because their father never recognized his talents till the day he died. I do not only want to impact my community. I want to shake the very foundations of the world and erupt an amalgamation of radiance and health. That is because maybe deep down I think I can help my dad find the closure he needs. I hope I can fix many families for the sake of black love by erasing black hate.

Passion, perseverance, and grit define who I am. The obstacles that come my way, monetary or personal, will never stop my goal of helping those around the world. This scholarship will get me one step closer, one pace faster. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. She inspired me to help others because she was the very first person I ever helped. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

Being the youngest out of three, I have always had to fight for my share and prove my worthiness to my siblings, and my dad. My dad is a selfish egoist that never listened to what we had to say, and when he did, labeled every plight we had with him as us simply being disrespectful. That man claimed he wanted the best for all of his children, but he brought the worst out of us. Hate, anger, hatred, and misguidance flooded our minds and our household when he abounded. Once he was out of the house, this smog still lingered in our home. My siblings decided to cut him out completely without looking back. However, I felt this pitied obligation to be with my dad and hopefully voice my part on how harmful he was and still is to us during our visitations. I believed my words, my tone, and my actions could change him for the better and us as a family over this time. One whole year and still every word to his mind was disrespectful. He started saying that I was speaking like my mother and that my words were not my own. Not only were my intentions invalidated, but he also started insulting my family vulgarly. He called my brother a habitual liar, my sister a loner, and my mother a pig. That was the first time I told him what I needed; for him to not talk about my family out of their names. That respect is a two-way street regardless of age. The second he cursed at me because of it, was the second I cut him out completely. The arguments we had before shook me to my core, but nothing like this. He showed me his true colors to me the morning of my AP language exam. But not even he can interrupt my studies and my goals. I passed that exam with the motivation of my father's hate. He claimed that staying with my family would make me a loser like them. I will show him that my future has never been determined nor created by him but by my own powerful will. Being educated is not just a degree to me, but a promise. It's a duty. I want to be able to help single moms find closure, daughters that feel they have no voice, and fathers who are egoistic because their father never recognized his talents till the day he died. I do not only want to impact my community. I want to shake the very foundations of the world and erupt an amalgamation of radiance and health. That is because maybe deep down I think I can help my dad find the closure he needs. I hope I can fix many families for the sake of black love by erasing black hate.

I work so hard on myself so that I can help others. The inspiration that keeps me going is the small wins I can get through school and volunteering. I applied for NJHS (National Junior Honors Society) in 8th grade and made it in. With that organization, I was required to do several volunteer hours. This allowed me to experience finding opportunities, helping out local schools, cleaning up my community, and donating food and clothes to shelters. My favorite volunteer moment was when my troop went to a food packaging center where we spent all day making food bags to give to the homeless in other countries. It was fun, but also heartwarming knowing that I am making a meal for someone that will keep them going. Not only knowing that I am helping an organization in my community make me feel good, but knowing that my actions are influencing the individuals within, and outside, my community to feel happier made me feel connected to them. To prove to my siblings that I have a future, one that I desire, I let this flame grow even bigger to be my best self that can affect those around me for the better. At college, I joined so many clubs my freshman year. I joined Pen Pals to write cute letters to the troubled elementary kids in the area, Food Fighters to send food to local shelters, and Bluebird Gap Farm to help out the animals and the people in charge of them. As of right now, I have 100+ hours of volunteering from my freshman year alone. Recently, my mother’s credit has suffered greatly due to no payments for my brother’s college loans. She is unable to get a loan for my next semester, meaning that I would not be able to go back to school. This situation is breaking her heart because she wants me to succeed and she feels like she is letting me down again. She said that she can’t help me pay for school at all this year, so my dreams are now all in my own hands. I refuse to give up hope. I don’t want to just help my communities, I want to shake their very core and leave them better than I had found them. I need to be smart enough and experienced enough to help the individuals within communities to encourage them that their dreams are possible and that it is okay to ask for help. I want to know their stories and see how far they have come. People need resources to reach their full potential, and if I can get my Doctorate in Psychology, I desire to be like one of you; helping people get the support they need. You are helping your community, and in doing so, you are inspiring me. Now that you know my story, I hope you can see that I want to be able to give people the opportunity to create the futures they want. I just need your help so that I can live my future of continuously helping others change their own stories for the better.

Often, mental illness goes undiagnosed. Whether it's because the participant does not want to admit it or they do not desire to go to a therapist for a multitude of reasons, people can go through all of their lives without being clinically diagnosed for issues that should be known. This is especially the case in my family where everyone has a lot of trauma and issues that are not diagnosed, but very apparent to those who know us. Being the youngest out of three, I have always had to fight for my share and prove my worthiness to my siblings, and my dad. My dad is a selfish egoist who never listened to what we had to say, and when he did, labeled every plight we had with him as us simply being disrespectful. That man claimed he wanted the best for all of his children, but he brought the worst out of us. Hate, anger, hatred, and misguidance flooded our minds and our household when he abounded. Once he was out of the house, this smog still lingered in our home. My siblings decided to cut him out completely without looking back. However, I felt this pitied obligation to be with my dad and hopefully voice my part on how harmful he was and still is to us during our visitations. I believed my words, my tone, and my actions could change him for the better and us as a family over this time. One whole year and still every word to his mind was disrespectful. He started saying that I was speaking like my mother and that my words were not my own. Not only were my intentions invalidated, but he also started insulting my family vulgarly. He called my brother a habitual liar, my sister a loner, and my mother a pig. That was the first time I told him what I needed; for him to not talk about my family out of their names. That respect is a two-way street regardless of age. The second he cursed at me because of it, was the second I cut him out completely. The arguments we had before shook me to my core, but nothing like this. He showed me his true colors to me the morning of my AP language exam. But not even he can interrupt my studies and my goals. I passed that exam with the motivation of my father's hate. He claimed that staying with my family would make me a loser like them. I will show him that my future has never been determined nor created by him but by my own powerful will. Being educated is not just a degree to me, but a promise. It's a duty. I want to be able to help single moms find closure, daughters who feel they have no voice, and fathers who are egoistic because their father never recognized his talents till the day he died. I do not only want to impact my community. I want to shake the very foundations of the world and erupt an amalgamation of radiance and health. That is because maybe deep down I think I can help my dad find the closure he needs. I hope I can fix many families for the sake of black love by erasing black hate.

I work so hard on myself so that I can help others. The inspiration that keeps me going is the small wins I can get through school and volunteering. I applied for NJHS (National Junior Honors Society) in 8th grade and made it in. With that organization, I was required to do several volunteer hours. This allowed me to experience finding opportunities, helping out local schools, cleaning up my community, and donating food and clothes to shelters. My favorite volunteer moment was when my troop went to a food packaging center where we spent all day making these food bags to give to the homeless in other countries. It was fun, but also heartwarming knowing that I am making a meal for someone that will keep them going. Not only knowing that I am helping an organization in my community made me feel good, but knowing that my actions are influencing the individuals within, and outside, my community to feel happier made me feel connected to them. To prove to my siblings that I have a future, one that I desire, I let this flame grow even bigger to be my best self that can affect those around me for the better. At college I joined so many clubs my freshman year. I joined Pen Pals to write cute letters to the troubled elementary kids in the area, Food fighters to send food to local shelters, and Bluebird Gap Farm to help out the animals and the people in charge of them. As of right now, I have 100+ hours in volunteering from my freshman year alone. Recently, my mother’s credit has suffered greatly due to no payments for my brother’s college loans. She is unable to get a loan for my next semester, meaning that I would not be able to go back to school. This situation is breaking her heart because she wants me to succeed and she feels like she is letting me down again. She said that she can’t help me pay for school at all this year, so my dreams are now all in my own hands. I refuse to give up hope. I don’t want to just help my communities, I want to shake their very core and leave them better than I had found them. I need to be smart enough and experienced enough to help the individuals within communities to encourage them that their dreams are possible and that it is okay to ask for help. I want to know their stories and see how far they have come. People need resources to reach their full potential, and if I can get my Doctorate in Psychology, I desire to be like one of you; helping people get the support they need. You are helping your community, and in doing so, you are inspiring me. Now that you know my story, I hope you can see that I want to be able to give people the opportunity to create the futures they want. I just need your help so that I can live my future of continuously helping others change their own stories for the better.

My mother has supported me the most in everything I do in life. When she was at a low point in life it was my good grades that could make her smile after a long day of crying. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. She inspired me to help others because she was the very first person I ever helped. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

Passion, perseverance, and grit are who I am. The obstacles that come my way, monetary or personal, will never stop my goal of helping those around the world. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. She inspired me to help others because she was the very first person I ever helped. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

I was never interested in art as a child. Singing and dancing were my primary interests as a toddler because I was prompted to try gymnastics and ballet and loved them. However, it was my sister that prompted me to learn art and love it to the point that I want to make a career out of it. If I did not decide to learn it from her, I would not have a relationship with my sister. Because of my parent's divorce, my sister locked herself up in her room, not interacting with anyone in the house. She was the child who was born drawn to the arts. Whenever I would knock on her door to hang out with her, she would not answer. I spent many days sitting in front of that door hoping she would want to talk to me. I had a great idea though! I figured if I engaged in what she liked, she would like me to. When I asked her to teach me how to draw, she was apprehensive but found it nice to try to teach her baby sister. Many years later, we are both amazing artists with a wonderful relationship that all stemmed from pencil and notebook paper. Both my sister and mother attempted to sway me away from getting an arts degree. They alluded that it was a useless degree because "You don't need to study art, you just do it". So ultimately, I decided to study my other passion science and the mind. However, when I visited the art building on my campus I fell in love all over again. No longer was my decision based on money or what everyone else thought. For the first time, I felt like this was for me, and it was calling me to pursue what makes me feel fulfilled, creative, and a sense of comfort. That same day I declared Graphic Design as my primary major. Now I am not a tech-savvy person in any way, but I love giving things a try! I downloaded Procreate about a year before my first college semester. It was a very confusing transition from the Sketchbook app, but I eased into it fairly comfortably. Digital art is so fun because you are not limited by your mistakes and there are so many more options. One thing I always aim to do is strengthen my weaknesses, so Graphic Design was the only way to go to improve myself and be happy through learning something new! One of my main goals is to make my webtoon and learn how to animate. I love the idea of story making and I have so many stories I have already made that I want to be able to share and express. I have this webtoon called "Fandom-Flippers" in the works. It's inspired by Persona 5 and it's about a group of college kids that fight monsters representing fandoms and learn a valuable lesson about the fandom at the end of the arc. The main takeaway from the story is that it's okay to like what you like, just don't be toxic about it! For animation I want to run my own animation company that gives animators great pay, time, and recognition for all they do. It always amazes me that I would have never known how to draw or be interested in art at all if it wasn't for my sister. I am so grateful for her and the passion she's instilled in me. I hope that I can go far in this world with art for her.

Passion, perseverance, and grit are who I am. The obstacles that come my way, monetary or personal, will never stop my goal of helping those around the world. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. She inspired me to help others because she was the very first person I ever helped. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

I work so hard on myself so that I can help others. The inspiration that keeps me going is the small wins I can get through school and volunteering. I applied for NJHS (National Junior Honors Society) in 8th grade and made it in. With that organization, I was required to do several volunteer hours. This allowed me to experience finding opportunities, helping out local schools, cleaning up my community, and donating food and clothes to shelters. My favorite volunteer moment was when my troop went to a food packaging center where we spent all day making these food bags to give to the homeless in other countries. It was fun, but also heartwarming knowing that I am making a meal for someone that will keep them going. Not only knowing that I am helping an organization in my community made me feel good, but knowing that my actions are influencing the individuals within, and outside, my community to feel happier made me feel connected to them. To prove to my siblings that I have a future, one that I desire, I let this flame grow even bigger to be my best self that can affect those around me for the better. At college I joined so many clubs my freshman year. I joined Pen Pals to write cute letters to the troubled elementary kids in the area, Food fighters to send food to local shelters, and Bluebird Gap Farm to help out the animals and the people in charge of them. As of right now, I have 100+ hours in volunteering from my freshman year alone. Recently, my mother’s credit has suffered greatly due to no payments for my brother’s college loans. She is unable to get a loan for my next semester, meaning that I would not be able to go back to school. This situation is breaking her heart because she wants me to succeed and she feels like she is letting me down again. She said that she can’t help me pay for school at all this year, so my dreams are now all in my own hands. I refuse to give up hope. I don’t want to just help my communities, I want to shake their very core and leave them better than I had found them. I need to be smart enough and experienced enough to help the individuals within communities to encourage them that their dreams are possible and that it is okay to ask for help. I want to know their stories and see how far they have come. People need resources to reach their full potential, and if I can get my Doctorate in Psychology, I desire to be like one of you; helping people get the support they need. You are helping your community, and in doing so, you are inspiring me. Now that you know my story, I hope you can see that I want to be able to give people the opportunity to create the futures they want. I just need your help so that I can live my future of continuously helping others change their own stories for the better.

Being the youngest out of three, I have always had to fight for my share and prove my worthiness to my siblings, and my dad. My dad is a selfish egoist that never listened to what we had to say, and when he did, labeled every plight we had with him as us simply being disrespectful. That man claimed he wanted the best for all of his children, but he brought the worst out of us. Hate, anger, hatred, and misguidance flooded our minds and our household when he abounded. Once he was out of the house, this smog still lingered in our home. My siblings decided to cut him out completely without looking back. However, I felt this pitied obligation to be with my dad and hopefully voice my part on how harmful he was and still is to us during our visitations. I believed my words, my tone, and my actions could change him for the better and us as a family over this time. One whole year and still every word to his mind was disrespectful. He started saying that I was speaking like my mother and that my words were not my own. Not only were my intentions invalidated, but he also started insulting my family vulgarly. He called my brother a habitual liar, my sister a loner, and my mother a pig. That was the first time I told him what I needed; for him to not talk about my family out of their names. That respect is a two-way street regardless of age. The second he cursed at me because of it, was the second I cut him out completely. The arguments we had before shook me to my core, but nothing like this. He showed me his true colors to me the morning of my AP language exam. But not even he can interrupt my studies and my goals. I passed that exam with the motivation of my father's hate. He claimed that staying with my family would make me a loser like them. I will show him that my future has never been determined nor created by him but by my own powerful will. Being educated is not just a degree to me, but a promise. It's a duty. I want to be able to help single moms find closure, daughters that feel they have no voice, and fathers who are egoistic because their father never recognized his talents till the day he died. I do not only want to impact my community. I want to shake the very foundations of the world and erupt an amalgamation of radiance and health. That is because maybe deep down I think I can help my dad find the closure he needs. I hope I can fix many families for the sake of black love by erasing black hate.

Passion, perseverance, and grit are who I am. The obstacles that come my way, monetary or personal, will never stop my goal of helping those around the world. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. She inspired me to help others because she was the very first person I ever helped. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

Passion, perseverance, and grit are who I am. The obstacles that come my way, monetary or personal, will never stop my goal of helping those around the world. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. She inspired me to help others because she was the very first person I ever helped. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

Passion, perseverance, and grit are who I am. The obstacles that come my way, monetary or personal, will never stop my goal of helping those around the world. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. She inspired me to help others because she was the very first person I ever helped. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

Passion, perseverance, and grit are who I am. The obstacles that come my way, monetary or personal, will never stop my goal of helping those around the world. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. She inspired me to help others because she was the very first person I ever helped. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

Passion, perseverance, and grit are who I am. The obstacles that come my way, monetary or personal, will never stop my goal of helping those around the world, especially children Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. She inspired me to help others because she was the very first person I ever helped. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

Passion, perseverance, and grit are who I am. The obstacles that come my way, monetary or personal, will never stop my goal of helping those around the world. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. She inspired me to help others because she was the very first person I ever helped. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

Passion, perseverance, and grit are who I am. The obstacles that come my way, monetary or personal, will never stop my goal of helping those around the world. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. She inspired me to help others because she was the very first person I ever helped. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

Passion, perseverance, and grit are who I am. The obstacles that come my way, monetary or personal, will never stop my goal of helping those around the world. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. She inspired me to help others because she was the very first person I ever helped. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

Passion, perseverance, and grit are who I am. The obstacles that come my way, monetary or personal, will never stop my goal of helping those around the world. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. She inspired me to help others because she was the very first person I ever helped. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

Passion, perseverance, and grit are who I am. The obstacles that come my way, monetary or personal, will never stop my goal of helping those around the world. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. She inspired me to help others because she was the very first person I ever helped. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

Being the youngest out of three, I have always had to fight for my share and prove my worthiness to my siblings, and my dad. My dad is a selfish egoist that never listened to what we had to say, and when he did, labeled every plight we had with him as us simply being disrespectful. That man claimed he wanted the best for all of his children, but he brought the worst out of us. Hate, anger, hatred, and misguidance flooded our minds and our household when he abounded. Once he was out of the house, this smog still lingered in our home. My siblings decided to cut him out completely without looking back. However, I felt this pitied obligation to be with my dad and hopefully voice my part on how harmful he was and still is to us during our visitations. I believed my words, my tone, and my actions could change him for the better and us as a family over this time. One whole year and still every word to his mind was disrespectful. He started saying that I was speaking like my mother and that my words were not my own. Not only were my intentions invalidated, but he also started insulting my family vulgarly. He called my brother a habitual liar, my sister a loner, and my mother a pig. That was the first time I told him what I needed; for him to not talk about my family out of their names. That respect is a two-way street regardless of age. The second he cursed at me because of it, was the second I cut him out completely. The arguments we had before shook me to my core, but nothing like this. He showed me his true colors to me the morning of my AP language exam. But not even he can interrupt my studies and my goals. I passed that exam with the motivation of my father's hate. He claimed that staying with my family would make me a loser like them. I will show him that my future has never been determined nor created by him but by my own powerful will. Being educated is not just a degree to me, but a promise. It's a duty. I want to be able to help single moms find closure, daughters that feel they have no voice, and fathers who are egoistic because their father never recognized his talents till the day he died. I do not only want to impact my community. I want to shake the very foundations of the world and erupt an amalgamation of radiance and health. That is because maybe deep down I think I can help my dad find the closure he needs. I hope I can fix many families for the sake of black love by erasing black hate.

Passion, perseverance, and grit are who I am. The obstacles that come my way, monetary or personal, will never stop my goal of helping those around the world. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. She inspired me to help others because she was the very first person I ever helped. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

Leadership to me means stepping up for a cause greater than oneself that others desire. It is a valuable quality that can be used anywhere and anywhere. I applied for NJHS (National Junior Honors Society) in 8th grade. With that organization, I was required to do several volunteer hours. This allowed me to experience finding opportunities, helping out local schools, cleaning up my community, and donating food and clothes to shelters. My favorite volunteer moment was when my troop went to a food packaging center where we spent all day making food bags to give to the homeless in other countries. It was fun, but also heartwarming knowing that I am making a meal for someone that will keep them going. Not only knowing that I am helping an organization in my community make me feel good, but knowing that my actions are influencing the individuals within, and outside, my community to feel happier made me feel connected to them. At college, I joined many clubs during my freshman year. I joined Pen Pals to write cute letters to the troubled elementary kids in the area, Food Fighters to send food to local shelters, and Bluebird Gap Farm to help out the animals and the people in charge of them. As of right now, I have 100+ hours of volunteering from my freshman year alone. In the spring of my semester year, I started a baking club on campus that gained a lot of traction. Right now I am the president of a 100-member club dedicated to baking, having fun, and destressing with sweet treats. With this experience alone I am learning how to be a better leader for my executive board, my members, and myself. Recently, my mother’s credit has suffered greatly due to no payments for my brother’s college loans. She is unable to get a loan for my next semester, meaning that I would not be able to go back to school. This situation is breaking her heart because she wants me to succeed and she feels like she is letting me down again. She said that she can’t help me pay for school at all this year, so my dreams are now all in my own hands. I refuse to give up hope. I don’t want to just help my communities, I want to shake their very core and leave them better than I had found them. I need to be smart enough and experienced enough to help the individuals within communities to encourage them that their dreams are possible and that it is okay to ask for help. I want to know their stories and see how far they have come. People need resources to reach their full potential, and if I can get my Doctorate in Psychology, I desire to be like one of you; helping people get the support they need. You are helping your community, and in doing so, you are inspiring me.

I was never interested in art as a child. Singing and dancing were my primary interests as a toddler because I was prompted to try gymnastics and ballet and loved them. However, it was my sister that prompted me to learn art and love it to the point that I want to make a career out of it. If I did not decide to learn it from her, I would not have a relationship with my sister. Because of my parent's divorce, my sister locked herself up in her room, not interacting with anyone in the house. She was the child who was born drawn to the arts. Whenever I would knock on her door to hang out with her, she would not answer. I spent many days sitting in front of that door hoping she would want to talk to me. I had a great idea though! I figured if I engaged in what she liked, she would like me to. When I asked her to teach me how to draw, she was apprehensive but found it nice to try to teach her baby sister. Many years later, we are both amazing artists with a wonderful relationship that all stemmed from pencil and notebook paper. Both my sister and mother attempted to sway me away from getting an arts degree. They alluded that it was a useless degree because "You don't need to study art, you just do it". So ultimately, I decided to study my other passion science and the mind. However, when I visited the art building on my campus I fell in love all over again. No longer was my decision based on money or what everyone else thought. For the first time, I felt like this was for me, and it was calling me to pursue what makes me feel fulfilled, creative, and a sense of comfort. That same day I declared Graphic Design as my primary major. Now I am not a tech-savvy person in any way, but I love giving things a try! I downloaded Procreate about a year before my first college semester. It was a very confusing transition from the Sketchbook app, but I eased into it fairly comfortably. Digital art is so fun because you are not limited by your mistakes and there are so many more options. One thing I always aim to do is strengthen my weaknesses, so Graphic Design was the only way to go to improve myself and be happy through learning something new! One of my main goals is to make my webtoon and learn how to animate. I love the idea of story making and I have so many stories I have already made that I want to be able to share and express. I have this webtoon called "Fandom-Flippers" in the works. It's inspired by Persona 5 and it's about a group of college kids that fight monsters representing fandoms and learn a valuable lesson about the fandom at the end of the arc. The main takeaway from the story is that it's okay to like what you like, just don't be toxic about it! For animation, I want to run my own animation company that gives animators great pay, time, and recognition for all they do. It always amazes me that I would have never known how to draw or be interested in art at all if it wasn't for my sister. I am so grateful for her and the passion she's instilled in me. I hope that I can go far in this world with art for her.

My future self is happy, healthy, and helping those around me through my grit, open mind, and persistent focus in already making this future my reality every day at home and school.

I was never interested in art as a child. Singing and dancing were my primary interests as a toddler because I was prompted to try gymnastics and ballet and loved them. However, it was my sister that prompted me to learn art and love it to the point that I want to make a career out of it. If I did not decide to learn it from her, I would not have a relationship with my sister. Because of my parent's divorce, my sister locked herself up in her room, not interacting with anyone in the house. She was the child who was born drawn to the arts. Whenever I would knock on her door to hang out with her, she would not answer. I spent many days sitting in front of that door hoping she would want to talk to me. I had a great idea though! I figured if I engaged in what she liked, she would like me to. When I asked her to teach me how to draw, she was apprehensive but found it nice to try to teach her baby sister. Many years later, we are both amazing artists with a wonderful relationship that all stemmed from pencil and notebook paper. Both my sister and mother attempted to sway me away from getting an arts degree. They alluded that it was a useless degree because "You don't need to study art, you just do it". So ultimately, I decided to study my other passion science and the mind. However, when I visited the art building on my campus I fell in love all over again. No longer was my decision based on money or what everyone else thought. For the first time, I felt like this was for me, and it was calling me to pursue what makes me feel fulfilled, creative, and a sense of comfort. That same day I declared Graphic Design as my primary major. Now I am not a tech-savvy person in any way, but I love giving things a try! I downloaded Procreate about a year before my first college semester. It was a very confusing transition from the Sketchbook app, but I eased into it fairly comfortably. Digital art is so fun because you are not limited by your mistakes and there are so many more options. One thing I always aim to do is strengthen my weaknesses, so Graphic Design was the only way to go to improve myself and be happy through learning something new! One of my main goals is to make my webtoon and learn how to animate. I love the idea of story making and I have so many stories I have already made that I want to be able to share and express. I have this webtoon called "Fandom-Flippers" in the works. It's inspired by Persona 5 and it's about a group of college kids that fight monsters representing fandoms and learn a valuable lesson about the fandom at the end of the arc. The main takeaway from the story is that it's okay to like what you like, just don't be toxic about it! For animation I want to run my own animation company that gives animators great pay, time, and recognition for all they do. It always amazes me that I would have never known how to draw or be interested in art at all if it wasn't for my sister. I am so grateful for her and the passion she's instilled in me. I hope that I can go far in this world with art for her.

What makes therapy so expensive is that you're paying for professional advice and consolation. Not only that, but the demand for therapy is getting higher with our mental health crisis at an all-time high. How can we help people from any status get the help they need? We need a mental health organization that can get funding from taxes to help pay for expenses that have different levels of payment depending on the patient's status, income, AND debt. Therapists need to get paid, but also for people to get the help they need. This is why I believe that those that cannot afford therapy, should be able to get free assistance from therapy interns learning the field. I would like to implement a system like this so that someone can get transformative training, and someone can get the help they need.

I work so hard on myself so that I can help others. The inspiration that keeps me going is the small wins I can get through school and volunteering. I applied for NJHS (National Junior Honors Society) in 8th grade and made it in. With that organization, I was required to do several volunteer hours. This allowed me to experience finding opportunities, helping out local schools, cleaning up my community, and donating food and clothes to shelters. My favorite volunteer moment was when my troop went to a food packaging center where we spent all day making these food bags to give to the homeless in other countries. It was fun, but also heartwarming knowing that I am making a meal for someone that will keep them going. Not only knowing that I am helping an organization in my community made me feel good, but knowing that my actions are influencing the individuals within, and outside, my community to feel happier made me feel connected to them. To prove to my siblings that I have a future, one that I desire, I let this flame grow even bigger to be my best self that can affect those around me for the better. At college I joined so many clubs my freshman year. I joined Pen Pals to write cute letters to the troubled elementary kids in the area, Food fighters to send food to local shelters, and Bluebird Gap Farm to help out the animals and the people in charge of them. As of right now, I have 100+ hours in volunteering from my freshman year alone. Recently, my mother’s credit has suffered greatly due to no payments for my brother’s college loans. She is unable to get a loan for me next semester, meaning that I would not be able to go back to school. This situation is breaking her heart because she wants me to succeed and she feels like she is letting me down again. She said that she can’t help me pay for school at all this year, so my dreams are now all in my own hands. I refuse to give up hope. I don’t want to just help my communities, I want to shake their very core and leave them better than I had found them. I need to be smart enough and experienced enough to help the individuals within communities to encourage them that their dreams are possible and that it is okay to ask for help. I want to know their stories and see how far they have come. People need resources to reach their full potential, and if I can get my Doctorate in Psychology, I desire to be like one of you; helping people get the support they need. You are helping your community, and in doing so, you are inspiring me. Now that you know my story, I hope you can see that I want to be able to give people the opportunity to create the futures they want. I just need your help so that I can live my future of continuously helping others change their own stories for the better.

Passion, perseverance, and grit are who I am. The obstacles that come my way, monetary or personal, will never stop my goal of helping those around the world. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. She inspired me to help others because she was the very first person I ever helped. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

I applied for NJHS (National Junior Honors Society) in 8th grade. With that organization, I was required to do several volunteer hours. This allowed me to experience finding opportunities, helping out local schools, cleaning up my community, and donating food and clothes to shelters. My favorite volunteer moment was when my troop went to a food packaging center where we spent all day making these food bags to give to the homeless in other countries. It was fun, but also heartwarming knowing that I am making a meal for someone that will keep them going. Not only knowing that I am helping an organization in my community made me feel good, but knowing that my actions are influencing the individuals within, and outside, my community to feel happier made me feel connected to them. At college, I joined so many clubs during my freshman year. I joined Pen Pals to write cute letters to the troubled elementary kids in the area, Food Fighters to send food to local shelters, and Bluebird Gap Farm to help out the animals and the people in charge of them. As of right now, I have 100+ hours of volunteering from my freshman year alone. Recently, my mother’s credit has suffered greatly due to no payments for my brother’s college loans. She is unable to get a loan for my next semester, meaning that I would not be able to go back to school. This situation is breaking her heart because she wants me to succeed and she feels like she is letting me down again. She said that she can’t help me pay for school at all this year, so my dreams are now all in my own hands. I refuse to give up hope. If I am given this scholarship, I will be able to go back to school in the fall and continue learning about ways I can help the area, and those that reside in it. I can’t miss a year of school. It would delay this passion in me that has been burning for so long. This situation I am in has also made me want to help other students like me suffering from an emergency financial crisis that are in great academic standing. Every semester there are countless amounts of students failing their duties for Honors or PLP. Why should our chances at financial help only be determined at the time of freshman admission? If I can go back to school, I want to be able to speak up about implementing this system where students with great academic standing have a chance to join these helpful programs to continue their college careers. Money should not be an issue when it comes to improving the people that can improve our world. I don’t want to just help my communities, I want to shake their very core and leave them better than I had found them. I need to be smart enough and experienced enough to help the individuals within communities to encourage them that their dreams are possible and that it is okay to ask for help. I want to know their stories and see how far they have come. People need resources to reach their full potential, and if I can get my Doctorate in Psychology, I desire to be like one of you; helping people get the support they need. You are helping your community, and in doing so, you are inspiring me.

I am Sanai Williams. An 18-year-old African American woman and psychology major that has big dreams currently out of reach with my small finances. Being the youngest out of three, I have always had to fight for my share and prove my worthiness to my siblings, and my dad. My dad is a selfish egoist that never listened to what we had to say, and when he did, labeled every plight we had with him as us simply being disrespectful. That man claimed he wanted the best for all of his children, but he brought the worst out of us. Hate, anger, hatred, and misguidance flooded our minds and our household when he abounded. Once he was out of the house, this smog still lingered in our home. My siblings decided to cut him out completely without looking back. However, I felt this pitied obligation to be with my dad and hopefully voice my part on how harmful he was and still is to us during our visitations. I believed my words, my tone, and my actions could change him for the better and us as a family over this time. One whole year and still every word to his mind was disrespectful. He started saying that I was speaking like my mother and that my words were not my own. Not only were my intentions invalidated, but he also started insulting my family vulgarly. He called my brother a habitual liar, my sister a loner, and my mother a pig. That was the first time I told him what I needed; for him to not talk about my family out of their names. That respect is a two-way street regardless of age. The second he cursed at me because of it, was the second I cut him out completely. The arguments we had before shook me to my core, but nothing like this. He showed me his true colors to me the morning of my AP language exam. But not even he can interrupt my studies and my goals. I passed that exam with the motivation of my father's hate. He claimed that staying with my family would make me a loser like them. I will show him that my future has never been determined nor created by him but by my own powerful will. My intention behind studying psychology dates back to when I was the kid that sat and listened to my friend's problems when all they needed was such. I love helping and healing people with my words and my ears. I want to do that for the rest of my life. Being educated is not just a degree to me, but a promise. It's a duty. I want to be able to help single moms find closure, daughters that feel they have no voice, and fathers who are egoistic because their father never recognized his talents till the day he died. I do not only want to impact my community. I want to shake the very foundations of the world and erupt an amalgamation of radiance and health. That is because maybe deep down I think I can help my dad find the closure he needs. I hope I can fix many families for the sake of black love by erasing black hate.

Being the youngest out of three, I have always had to fight for my share and prove my worthiness to my siblings, and my dad. My dad is a selfish egoist that never listened to what we had to say, and when he did, labeled every plight we had with him as us simply being disrespectful. That man claimed he wanted the best for all of his children, but he brought the worst out of us. Hate, anger, hatred, and misguidance flooded our minds and our household when he abounded. Once he was out of the house, this smog still lingered in our home. My siblings decided to cut him out completely without looking back. However, I felt this pitied obligation to be with my dad and hopefully voice my part on how harmful he was and still is to us during our visitations. I believed my words, my tone, and my actions could change him for the better and us as a family over this time. One whole year and still every word to his mind was disrespectful. He started saying that I was speaking like my mother and that my words were not my own. Not only were my intentions invalidated, but he also started insulting my family vulgarly. He called my brother a habitual liar, my sister a loner, and my mother a pig. That was the first time I told him what I needed; for him to not talk about my family out of their names. That respect is a two-way street regardless of age. The second he cursed at me because of it, was the second I cut him out completely. The arguments we had before shook me to my core, but nothing like this. He showed me his true colors to me the morning of my AP language exam. But not even he can interrupt my studies and my goals. I passed that exam with the motivation of my father's hate. He claimed that staying with my family would make me a loser like them. I will show him that my future has never been determined nor created by him but by my own powerful will. Being educated is not just a degree to me, but a promise. It's a duty. I want to be able to help single moms find closure, daughters that feel they have no voice, and fathers who are egoistic because their father never recognized his talents till the day he died. I do not only want to impact my community. I want to shake the very foundations of the world and erupt an amalgamation of radiance and health. That is because maybe deep down I think I can help my dad find the closure he needs. I hope I can fix many families for the sake of black love by erasing black hate.

I am an 18-year-old African American woman and psychology double major that has big dreams currently out of reach with my small finances. Being the youngest out of three, I have always had to fight for my share and prove my worthiness to my siblings, and my dad. My dad is a selfish egoist that never listened to what we had to say, and when he did, labeled every plight we had with him as us simply being disrespectful. That man claimed he wanted the best for all of his children, but he brought the worst out of us. Hate, anger, hatred, and misguidance flooded our minds and our household when he abounded. Once he was out of the house, this smog still lingered in our home. My siblings decided to cut him out completely without looking back. However, I felt this pitied obligation to be with my dad and hopefully voice my part on how harmful he was and still is to us during our visitations. I believed my words, my tone, and my actions could change him for the better and us as a family over this time. One whole year and still every word to his mind was disrespectful. He started saying that I was speaking like my mother and that my words were not my own. Not only were my intentions invalidated, but he also started insulting my family vulgarly. He called my brother a habitual liar, my sister a loner, and my mother a pig. That was the first time I told him what I needed; for him to not talk about my family out of their names. That respect is a two-way street regardless of age. The second he cursed at me because of it, was the second I cut him out completely. The arguments we had before shook me to my core, but nothing like this. He showed me his true colors to me the morning of my AP language exam. But not even he can interrupt my studies and my goals. I passed that exam with the motivation of my father's hate. He claimed that staying with my family would make me a loser like them. I will show him that my future has never been determined nor created by him but by my own powerful will. My intention behind studying psychology dates back to when I was the kid that sat and listened to my friend's problems when all they needed was such. I love helping and healing people with my words and my ears. I want to do that for the rest of my life. Being educated is not just a degree to me, but a promise. It's a duty. I want to be able to help single moms find closure, daughters that feel they have no voice, and fathers who are egoistic because their father never recognized his talents till the day he died. I do not only want to impact my community. I want to shake the very foundations of the world and erupt an amalgamation of radiance and health. That is because maybe deep down I think I can help my dad find the closure he needs. I hope I can fix many families for the sake of black love by erasing black hate.

My mother was the first person in her family to be born in the United States. She was born in Brooklyn, New York and faced so many struggles there including poverty, sexual abuse, and violence. For me, it was a pattern she was able to break when raising me. My maternal grandmother was born and raised in Panama. She had my uncles and aunts there by two different men and was pregnant with my mom by a third man. Her relationship with my grandfather was not healthy at all. He hit her when she was pregnant with my mother and because she thought that "if a man hits you once he'll do it again", she left Panama to go to America. When they were in America, my grandmother became a strict devout Jehovah's Witness and met my mom's stepfather. That man would go into my mom's room when she slept, to look under her dress and when she told her mother that, she wouldn't believe her. Eventually, my mom met my dad in high school, she always mentioned how she did not like him at first. They grew to like each other and had three kids, including me, before they were 25 or married. Because of this, my grandmother refused to speak to my mom because of her religion until the day she died. When they moved to Virginia, the same cycle of abuse and hatred between them plagued our household as well as my siblings. She broke the cycle by being a strong figure, divorcing him, and showing me that if I am unhappy, I have the power to do something about it. I work so hard in school because it makes my mother so proud. Because of her, I know I can break this cycle entirely.

Hello! My name is Sanai, a 19-year-old scholar in a single-parent household. I am driven to become a therapist because I love learning about the mind and I feel as though it is something I have always been. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

I have grown to completely change what I think mental health help is. People made me think it was just talking to someone about problems, but I've come to learn that it is so much more. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I have been second-handedly witnessing depression within my mom. She has had to care for three children by herself for so long that the effects are starting to show. Whenever we do something that agitates her even a little, she explodes, listing all of the things piling up on her plate. Bills, mortgage, her worsening car, and her recent bad credit score. She chokes up stating all of these issues, and I feel my heart sink at every syllable. I want to help her, and I cannot do that without an education. I cannot help my own mother's mental health right now as I am, and that alone devastates me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

To create a positive impact, one has to be positive! And I am positive that I can make a difference in the world. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I have been second-handedly witnessing depression within my mom. She has had to care for three children by herself for so long that the effects are starting to show. Whenever we do something that agitates her even a little, she explodes, listing all of the things piling up on her plate. Bills, mortgage, her worsening car, and her recent bad credit score. She chokes up stating all of these issues, and I feel my heart sink at every syllable. I want to help her, and I cannot do that without an education. I cannot help my own mother's mental health right now as I am, and that alone devastates me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

I have grown to completely change what I think mental health help is. People made me think it was just talking to someone about problems, but I've come to learn that it is so much more. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I have been second-handedly witnessing depression within my mom. She has had to care for three children by herself for so long that the effects are starting to show. Whenever we do something that agitates her even a little, she explodes, listing all of the things piling up on her plate. Bills, mortgage, her worsening car, and her recent bad credit score. She chokes up stating all of these issues, and I feel my heart sink at every syllable. I want to help her, and I cannot do that without an education. I cannot help my own mother's mental health right now as I am, and that alone devastates me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

Mental health is important because people are just minds walking around interacting with each other. Our minds are our everything. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. Helping others is what is keeping me sane! I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow. My mental wellness coping device is helping others with theirs.

I have not decided. It has been decided for me since I was gifted life on this earth. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow. This application is not, and will not be the last you hear of me, because the voices of those I will help in and outside of my community after graduation will speak volumes.

I am Sanai Williams. An 18-year-old African American woman and psychology major that has big dreams currently out of reach with my small finances. Being the youngest out of three, I have always had to fight for my share and prove my worthiness to my siblings, and my dad. My dad is a selfish egoist that never listened to what we had to say, and when he did, labeled every plight we had with him as us simply being disrespectful. That man claimed he wanted the best for all of his children, but he brought the worst out of us. Hate, anger, hatred, and misguidance flooded our minds and our household when he abounded. Once he was out of the house, this smog still lingered in our home. My siblings decided to cut him out completely without looking back. However, I felt this pitied obligation to be with my dad and hopefully voice my part on how harmful he was and still is to us during our visitations. I believed my words, my tone, and my actions could change him for the better and us as a family over this time. One whole year and still every word to his mind was disrespectful. He started saying that I was speaking like my mother and that my words were not my own. Not only were my intentions invalidated, but he also started insulting my family vulgarly. He called my brother a habitual liar, my sister a loner, and my mother a pig. That was the first time I told him what I needed; for him to not talk about my family out of their names. That respect is a two-way street regardless of age. The second he cursed at me because of it, was the second I cut him out completely. The arguments we had before shook me to my core, but nothing like this. He showed me his true colors to me the morning of my AP language exam. But not even he can interrupt my studies and my goals. I passed that exam with the motivation of my father's hate. He claimed that staying with my family would make me a loser like them. I will show him that my future has never been determined nor created by him but by my own powerful will. My intention behind studying psychology dates back to when I was the kid that sat and listened to my friend's problems when all they needed was such. I love helping and healing people with my words and my ears. I want to do that for the rest of my life. Being educated is not just a degree to me, but a promise. It's a duty. I want to be able to help single moms find closure, daughters that feel they have no voice, and fathers who are egoistic because their father never recognized his talents till the day he died. I do not only want to impact my community. I want to shake the very foundations of the world and erupt an amalgamation of radiance and health. That is because maybe deep down I think I can help my dad find the closure he needs. I hope I can fix many families for the sake of black love by erasing black hate.

I am passionate about being a mental health specialist because I feel as though it is something I have always been. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. Because everyone is different, it is very necessary to have as many people as possible in this field, so that people can find the right therapist. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. Everyone deserves to feel safe in body and mind, and it is this right, that drives me to help this cause. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

I am passionate about being a therapist because I feel as though it is something I have always been. Growing up, my friends confided in me about their problems, and I sat and listened. Some people assume that therapy includes always giving answers and solutions, but I have grown to know that some people just want someone who will just listen patiently and passionately. Even my mother confided in me as a child. She always stated how “God speaks through children” because of our blunt answers and solutions. And I feel as though, sometimes what you truly feel is what you might need to hear from someone else sometimes. So many people need different outputs to cope. Some want answers, some want guidance, and others just want a friendly ear. That’s why it is so important that there are so many other therapists so that people can get their desired form of consolation. Because everyone is different, it is very necessary to have as many people as possible in this field, so that people can find the right therapist. For me, it is as important to have a therapist as it is any normal doctor. My sister thinks that the idea of having a therapist is pointless and that “paying to talk to someone does not make any sense”, but therapy is so much more than just talking to someone. When you have the right therapist, it’s like you are rightfully paying for the care of your mind. Problems in the mind directly affect the body, which is why I wish more people knew more about therapists’ importance. A career in therapy for me would be so fulfilling, I love learning more about the mind and learning more about people. I deeply care for everyone, and the opportunity to be a helping hand in my community, and even in the world seems so rewarding to me. I desire to help people. It is something I feel like I was put on this earth to do. I want to inspire those to be their best selves and to live happy and fulfilling lives! This scholarship will help me finish my education, as I have been unwillingly changed from a dependent to an independent. I wish to pursue a life of health and wellness for those around me. I promise that this help will allow there to be one more blooming therapist to enter this scarce field of helping millions grow.

This may come as a surprise, but I want to do everything. There are so many things I want to do, and so many things I can do, but all my life I’ve been told I need to choose one thing. I don’t want a job in the future, I desire a career; multiple even. Being busy is something that makes me feel useful, productive, and energized. Filling my time with art projects, or even with summer school ignites this fire in me that makes me feel like I can truly do it all. My drive is so strong because I want to make a living that I love. When my parents divorced, my father went to live his dream of music. He thought that because my siblings and I were left with my mother, we wouldn’t be our best selves. My mom has struggled for so long to provide for us, and as time passes, her wallet gets even thinner. I just want to be able to support her and prove my father wrong for doubting her and all of his children as well. I refuse to settle, however. I refuse to work a 9 to 5 that pays me minimum wage for the rest of my life. I refuse to wake up every morning and loathe the fact that I have to be somewhere I hate more than I am at home. But most importantly, I refuse to let my family down. They have such high expectations of me, and I feel the need to surpass those. Growing up, I taught myself how to draw, knit, paint, and sew. I enjoy all of the arts, and I had fun getting better. I like knowing how to do so much because it makes me feel as though I have many options in case one does not go as planned. But over time, I grew hungry. I want to excel in so many of the things I love! Friends think I'm crazy, and my advisor assumes I have no direction, but I do. I have only one way to go and that is up. This scholarship will help me finish my education. My mom recently is no longer eligible for a loan this semester from my brother’s unpaid ones, and I fear I might have to take a gap year because of it. I want to finish school as soon as I can so I can be the best person I can be in this world. I want to inspire people and let them know that doing most of the things you desire is possible. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be on the dean’s list consecutively, be in my school’s honors program, and be the president of a baking club on campus. I want to show others that more is possible, will you help me achieve my goals?

My entire life I labeled myself as a straight woman. I always feared being seen as a fake member of LGBTQ+, because my former friends often invalidated bi people they witnessed online. Today, in this essay, I am declaring my truth and my identity as a pan-sexual woman majoring in psychology. I have a lifelong goal to learn from my peers as long as within myself, so that I can help other LGBTQ+ members find clarity, comfort, and a community of love. I had an experience with my old best friend as a kid. I loved her so much yet she was adamant on keeping it all a secret from everyone. If I told about us, she said she would ignore me and no longer be friends. If I showed affection in public, she would call me disgusting. It was then embedded within my person to be secretive of what I like because of her, and even my recent former friends. I did not even realize till now that I am keeping a part of me away from my family because of this. I chose psychology, because I am choosing to help people. It is my duty to sit, listen, understand, and even learn from others' experiences with anything they are troubled with. My friends endowed this feeling within me during my years. One of my best friends, was the first openly gay person I had the privilege of knowing. In middle school she made the choice to declare her truth regardless of what we, others, and parents would assume about her. I found her as one of the strongest people I could ever get to know, because her sexuality did not define her. Her actions spoke volumes about her. She publicly spoke and won awards, attended peaceful protests, and is the greatest makeup artist in my life. From her example, I learned grit, strength, and the ability to be open about who you love, because you love yourself. In high school, I met a trans man who's mother was absolutely horrible to him because of it, and a non binary person who prefers he/they because of a traumatic and misogynistic sexual experience. To be able to sit, listen, and bask in their stories is not just an experience, but a privilege. As they taught me more about them, I was able to learn more about myself. In order to better the community, we need to let more of us feel comfortable and honest with who they are. I am still someone that needs to learn about myself, and so are many others. Fear, peers, and so much frightens us. I will aid traumatized members. In fact, after this essay I will come out to my family as my first big step. Because one person at a time, when I am a full fledged therapist, I will let my patients know that no matter what it is truly okay to be gay and that I am free to be me.

My life saving tip is to be prepared for the worst hardships, but instead of crumbling, face them head on with a smile! This may be a pessimistic thing to say at first, but hear me out. When we prepare for the worst outcome, we are more ready to face it! For example, when I first entered college I was expecting to be swamped with homework during the first week. I was assigned a lot of work, but it wasn't NEARLY the amount I was already ready for. So for my first week, I was able to finish assignments early, and started a project 2 months before it is due! I am also a fairly shy person. College is all about making connections! I am aware the worst case scenario is me closing off, so I make sure to be always talking, open, and artistic in public so that I can live my best social college life. Being prepared is a survival skill. Whether it is High School, College, or a brand new job, when you are prepared for the worst, you give it your best!

You can tell a lot about a person based on their favorite characters. If someone likes Cinderella, they're most likely mature and loves classics, and if someone likes Belle, they are a strong independent woman. My favorite character out of all Disney movies has to be the glorious emperor himself; Kuzco. Now before you think I am a stuck up, confident, and gorgeous person like him, you're only HALFWAY right. As a man born with everything like money, power, fame, and amazing songs, he did not have to care about anyone beneath him. He only ever saw himself and his groove. It was not until his image of himself was stripped away, and someone who actually cared about him left, that he truly knew what he was missing; personal connections. I can't imagine how someone constantly surrounded by guards and servants never genuinely had connections with either. With all of the things he had, he's always been alone with only himself as his friend. It's no wonder why he's so egotistical. I know it sounds like I'm excusing his behavior, but I promise you, it's just an analysis of character. Bad situations and isolation can arise some bad decisions, and I would know this myself. My father is an egotistical man like Kuzco was. It was so bad that he would not even listen to what anyone had to say about him. When we had plights with him, he called us disrespectful liars. My dad had a similar situation to Kuzco's, but with opposite wealth. He was poor, had a horrible dad that didn't acknowledge his amazing musical talent, and an awful step dad that beat him because of it. Being alone, all he had was himself and his groove that no one could ever throw off. Not even his family when they left him because of it. I wish all it took was to turn my dad into a llama so he could know how awful he's been to his us, but that's not how life works. And honestly, that's why I love the movie! Not only is the humor incredible, but it shows that people can change. Even if I haven't had the ability to see that in real life, it gives me hope that when I become a therapist, that I can help my father change into a better man. Hopefully with no panthers involved!

I want to see a change in how we all treat everything and anything. How we treat the earth, situations, and each other right now is detrimental to our world as we know it. But we can make a difference little by little. Fortunately, I was a part of Girl Scouts for most of my life. For more than 10 years, I have been volunteering and learning how to be a part of my community. I was involved in food drives, flea markets, and school service. For all of those trips I learned what it meant to be courteous, charitable, and how to do my part for others less fortunate than me. I had to be a part of an organization to be involved in these life changing experiences, but I feel that many more people should yearn for these experiences. One can never really understand how it feels to do good, until you want to do good around their community. We cannot change the world and our actions from charity alone however. We need to educate people on how to be better, and encourage them to do so. Whether it is housework, picking up something someone dropped, holding the door open, saying hi to a stranger, or more, the little things we do genuinely do make a big impact for a community. Focusing on my community is the first step. I plan to go bigger and bigger to help my community and the people who reside in it want to change the world. My college has an amazing program called Days of Service. It is a day when everyone enrolled goes out to sites to volunteer. My first day of it was amazing. Just being able to help out places in giant numbers is such a good feeling. To know that my college is such a great place that aims to change the community and produce better people, is such a good step to the change I want to see in the world. Right now, I am in a farm club to help a local farm near my campus, and a club called Food Fighters that gives food to shelters and the homeless. However, making a change doesn't have to be physical. I have been greeting and complimenting strangers, holding doors open, and saying good morning to passerbys on campus. As this campus community is building me up for the better, I know when I graduate that I can in fact change the world and how others treat it from small steps of community service anywhere and everywhere.

We can't be healthy without being happy. I am excited about college because of all the obstacles ahead. I know that there will be hardships, lows, and mistakes made along the way, but that is exactly what makes me happy! I love challenging myself, and whether those challenges are required or not, I try my best to go above and beyond in academics, health, and soul. When the college major question came up in my senior year, I knew what I wanted to do. Psychology! The more I know about my behaviors and reactions, the better I am at staying mentally well and stable. I could even help others with my knowledge as well. However when I arrived in college everyone assumed that most of us will change our major. But I am determined to excel in psychology. In fact, after a grit mindset presentation, I even decided to double major with neuroscience. I won't know if I can do it if I don't try, so I am ecstatic and ready to see how hard my brain can be exercised and challenged over the course of my college career. I also have to keep in mind balance. The harder I work my brain, the more I have to eat well, work out, relax, and have fun as well. Health is maintaining this balance between academics, mental health, body, and soul. I will achieve this by being in tune with myself. I have to be aware of what I am lacking at the moment and work towards my balance again. If I am feeling a little down, I'll have some fun, and if I am feeling behind in work, I'll study. I am the only person who knows what I need, so I have to listen to myself and my body when it is time to take a break. With my body, I have always had a low body fat ratio. I used to be very skinny. But working out and gaining that muscle made me feel stronger, faster, and better everywhere. My mind was strengthened because I did it, and my soul was happy because I earned it. Working hard will always be the driving force for my happiness. Lately, I've even taken up yoga to work on my flexibility too. The pain I felt stretching is no comparison to the feeling of bliss when I did the split for the first time. College is just like a health journey. You have to be determined and willing to go through hardships with success purely in mind. This is why challenges equate to my happiness. It's because I know there is a purpose and that there is an even greater outcome from it. So just as I challenge myself with these scholarships, I challenge you to love your struggles with growth in mind.

I strive to help people. As an African american pan-sexual woman majoring in psychology and neuroscience, whether it is trauma, discrimination, or some form of closure needed, I know that for the rest of my life I want to aid in people's mental healing. And it is extremely important to me that more minorities and LGBTQ+ people are in this field because currently, they need the most help from people who actually understand them and their struggles. I personally chose this field because of my dad, and my friends. My dad torn apart our family because of generational trauma bestowed upon him from his own father. My father was such a talented musician as a kid, and his dad acknowledged none of it. This made him angry, hateful, and unpersuasive. This egoistic, hard headed, and close to heartless father nearly passed this trait down to my older brother. I fear that if my brother did have me, my sister, and his mother, he would've kept this brash tradition of anger. It is only because we talked, listened, and all experienced that man's hate, is that we all bonded and healed from it together. My friends that I have been blessed to meet along the way, have told me monstrous stories of their families and relationships when they came out or transitioned. Some situations even caused them to change themselves. Some of them went to therapy, but others explained how they were not comfortable with the idea. They felt that therapists don't care to help and that they just want to get paid to sit there, listen, and tell them things they already know. But here I am next to them, listening, and making them feel better by them just getting it out of their system and knowing a person who really cares is listening and understands them. Not only do I understand, but I know the experiences that pain them. I had an experience with my old best friend as a kid in elementary school. I loved her so much yet she was adamant on keeping it all a secret from everyone. If I told about us, she said she would ignore me and no longer be friends. If I showed affection in public, she would call me disgusting. It was then embedded within my person to be secretive of what I like because of her. I did not even realize till now that I am keeping a part of me away from my family because of this. She would insult my body because she was an early bloomer compared to me, and touch me suddenly everywhere. Her actions bestowed hate towards myself and love towards everything about her. Even though I was heart broken when she moved, I needed her to. It was the step I needed to realize I needed help and that I needed and could to help myself. And if I could help myself, I could definitely help others. Pain, knowledge, care, and understanding beyond mentally, but physically because you went through it yourself before, are crucial steps to helping a lot of people today. We need diversity in my field in race, sexuality, gender identity, and more so, experiences. So that no matter what trouble has faced our patients, a therapist around them knows what it takes to heal from it, and grow beyond it.

I am Sanai Williams. An 18 year-old African American woman and psychology major that has big dreams currently out of reach with my small finances. Being the youngest out of three, I have always had to fight for my share and prove my worthiness to my siblings, and my dad. My dad is a selfish egoist that never listened to what we had to say, and when he did, labeled every plight we had with him as us simply being disrespectful. That man claimed he wanted the best for all of his children, but he brought the worst out of us. Hate, anger, hatred, and misguidance flooded our minds and our household when he was abound. Once he was out of the house, this smog still lingered in our home. My siblings made the decision to cut him out completely without looking back. However, I felt this pitied obligation to be with my dad and hopefully voice my part on how harmful he was and still is to us during our visitations . I believed my words, my tone, and my actions could change him for the better and us as a family over this time. One whole year and still every word to his mind was disrespectful. He started saying that I was speaking like my mother and that my words were not my own. Not only were my intentions invalidated, he started insulting my family vulgarly. He called my brother a habitual liar, my sister a loner, and my mother a pig. That was the first time I actually told him what I needed; for him to not talk about my family out of their names. That respect is a two way street regardless of age. The second he cursed at me because of it, was the second I cut him out completely. The arguments we had before shook me to my core, but nothing like this. He showed me his true colors to me the morning of my AP language exam. But not even he can interrupt my studies, and my goals. I passed that exam with the motivation of my fathers hate. He claimed that staying with my family would make me a loser like them. I will show him that my future has never been determined nor created by him, but by my own powerful will. My intention behind studying psychology dates back to when I was the kid that sat and listened to my friends problems when all they needed was such. I love helping and healing people with my words and my ears. I want to do that for the rest of my life. Being educated is not just a degree to me, but a promise. It's a duty. I want to be able to help single moms find closure, daughters that feel they have no voice, and fathers who are egoistic because their own father never recognized his own talents till the day he died. I do not only want to impact my community. I want to shake the very foundations of the world and erupt an amalgamation of radiance and health. That is because maybe deep down I think I can help my own dad find the closure he needs. I hope I can fix many families for the sake of black love by erasing black hate.

My mother's smile was the driving fuel for me working so hard over my academic career. It wasn't grades, money, or work that started my journey; it was her happiness that ignited it. Unfortunately, my mother was in an abusive relationship with my father when we were growing up. Unspeakable actions occurred to her within our family home. My siblings and I always felt something was off with them, but there is no way we could have anticipated the gravity of his destructive nature to her. She always did try to smile around us though. It was her empty, placid, business smile. The kind when you smile with your mouth while your eyes remain strained with pain. My father had negative effects on all of us. He made my mom anxious my brother seething with anger constantly, and my sister disassociate with all of us. That effected my siblings studies in school. My brother got into fights and my sister didn't care to try at all. These results only pained my mother even more. However, when I came home with a report card of A's and stickers in my elementary school, her smile was full of life. As joy welled up within her, pride, accomplishment, and purpose filled within me. I felt that it was a best way to make my mom smile her beautiful real smile again. Even in high school I loved showing her how hard I worked because I know she was doing the same. Living alone with three kids, a big house, and only 500 dollars of child support each month was so difficult for her. So as she supported me and my studies, I supported her with my progress. Currently, I still plan to exceed her already high expectations she has for me. I want to be someone my mom can fall back on so I can worry about stuff while she relaxes. She did the same for us when we were children. I truly just want to return the favor, succeed in my studies, earn scholarships to cover my education expenses, and make sure a transparent smile never lies on her face again.

I simply adore animals and clothes. It was only inevitable that I would think of having a pet clothes business in middle school! Even if that idea has evolved over time, I am driven to have multiple artistic side hustles and a job. I want to be an art commissioner, pet clothes fashion designer, Etsy shop owner, and a therapist who owns a cat cafe. Originally, I've always liked designing clothes. Whether it was dolls or myself, I was all for it! However, when I adopted my two cats, I made clothes for them nonstop and showed my best friend who owns 3 german shepherds. She loved them and wished nice clothes were made for big dogs as well. And that was the problem I aimed to solve. Find a need and fill a need! Over the course of two years, I made pet clothes for my friends and my mom's coworkers in my basement. It was such a great rush of fun, creativity, and service. When I started high school, my clothes business was interrupted by school work. Even so, that did not stop me from starting online commissions and making a profit. It was hard to put myself out there, but that is how you gain clients! Being scared is a step to earning and making millions. In my senior year, I started an Etsy store for crochet patterns when I learned to to crochet two days prior. That is my current work in progress that I want to pour my heart and soul into during college break, as well as making more pet clothes for the market. People say that I can't do everything I want, but I definitely can try. My top dream is to run my own cat cafe and make that my therapy office too. I plan on creating it with the funds of my side jobs because a little will definitely go a long way for me and my big business dream.

My passion is art, and I don't say that lightly. It's not just drawing or painting. I apply myself to any form of art I can, and learn how to create them myself. Knitting, crocheting, composing, acting, sewing, singing, felting, etc; I've learned them all. And this all started because I clung onto this expression as it felt as though it was the only way to break through and have a relationship with my sister as a child. My sister was always the creative, antisocial type. She stayed in her room with her stuffed animals and notebooks all of the time as if they were her family. I used to sit outside her door waiting to come in, and her answer was always silence. However, when she was out of her room, I was able to witness her showing her absolutely beautiful art to my mother. Dragons, dolls, and animals all over those pages. She made her own characters and I found that incredible. That is when it clicked that if I could also draw, maybe she would want to talk to me. It was a rough start at first for her to acknowledge my art. She didn't want to. So I painted on cardboard and drew in my school notebooks for more practice. Finally when I was ready, I built up the courage to knock on her door. I finally had a reason for being there besides just wanting to be with her. I asked her to teach me how to draw. That is what ignited our relationship. She taught me anatomy, how to make and write great characters, and how to create something new. I had this sort of art high from this. I figured if I can learn anything, she would want to talk to me more because of it. I applied myself to making clothes for my dolls, singing, dancing and more. Little did I know that it would break the bridge I just established. She wasn't interested in those things at all. She wasn't even aware of what I was talking about half the time. I was too far along in this art high to stop. From there, I became independent from wanting her attention. I wanted to be acknowledged for all I can do anywhere. Years later, a new art high school was built in my area. I was ecstatic and did not know what to apply for. I chose visual arts because it was my root, and I got in. That school was great for me and my skills. It is sometimes crazy to think that I got in because of my sister. Without her, I wouldn't even know how to draw at all. I closed the gap in between us over time. We are closer than ever now and that is actually because of all I can do. She comes to me asking how to sew plushies, make hats, or anything. Because of my passion created from my sister, I've had the opportunity to become a source of inspiration for her. Because of art, I have a great relationship with my sister. I would not have it any other way.

For my entire life I labeled myself as a straight woman. It was easy for me to live with, and for others to comprehend. I always feared of being seen as a fake member of LGBTQ+, because my former friends often invalidated bi people they witnessed online. Today, in this essay, I am declaring my truth and my identity as a pan-sexual woman majoring in psychology. I have a lifelong goal to learn from my peers as long as within myself, so that I can help other LGBTQ+ members find clarity, comfort, and a community of love. When it comes to my family, they don't really know my sexuality. They suspect something from me, but I haven't felt comfortable enough to tell them yet. I know they would not get rid of me like some families often do, but I know they will think different of me. Being a poc, we have expectations of conformity because we are already exiled from our race alone. However, it is not my family's fault for me not being open and honest. It is my own. I had an experience with my old best friend as a kid. I loved her so much yet she was adamant on keeping it all a secret from everyone. If I told about us, she said she would ignore me and no longer be friends. If I showed affection in public, she would call me disgusting. It was then embedded within my person to be secretive of what I like because of her, and even my recent former friends. I did not even realize till now that I am keeping a part of me away from my family because of this. I chose psychology, because I am choosing to help people. It is my duty to sit, listen, understand, and even learn from others' experiences with anything they are troubled with. My friends endowed this feeling within me along my years. One of my best friends, was the first openly gay person I had the privilege of knowing. In middle school she made the choice to declare her truth regardless of what we, others, and parents would assume about her. I found her as one of the strongest people I could ever get to know, because her sexuality did not define her. Her actions spoke volumes about her. She publicly spoke and won awards, attended peaceful protests, and is the greatest makeup artist in my life. From her example, I learned grit, strength, and the ability to be open about who you love, because you love yourself. In high school, I met a trans man who's mother was absolutely horrible to him because of it, and a non binary person who prefers he/they because of a traumatic and misogynistic sexual experience. To be able to sit, listen, and bask in their stories is not just an experience, but a privilege. As they taught me more about them, I was able to learn more about myself. In order to better the community, we need to let more of us feel comfortable and honest with who they are. I am still someone that needs to learn about myself, and so are many others. Fear, peers, and so much frightens us. I will aid traumatized members. In fact, after this essay I will come out to my family as my first big step. Because one person at a time, when I am a full fledged therapist, I will let my patients know that no matter what it is truly okay to be gay and that I am free to be me.

I am Sanai Williams. An 18 year-old African American woman and psychology major that has big dreams currently out of reach with my small finances. Being the youngest out of three, I have always had to fight for my share and prove my worthiness to my siblings, and my dad. My dad is a selfish egoist that never listened to what we had to say, and when he did, labeled every plight we had with him as us simply being disrespectful. That man claimed he wanted the best for all of his children, but he brought the worst out of us. Hate, anger and misguidance flooded our minds and our household when he was abound. Once he was out of the house, this smog still lingered in our home. My siblings made the decision to cut him out completely without looking back. However, I felt this pitied obligation to be with my dad and hopefully voice my part on how harmful he was and still is to us during our visitations . I believed my words, my tone, and my actions could change him for the better and us as a family over this time. One whole year and still every word to his mind was disrespectful. He started saying that I was speaking like my mother and that my words were not my own. Not only were my intentions invalidated, he started insulting my family vulgarly. He called my brother a habitual liar, my sister a loner, and my mother a pig. That was the first time I actually told him what I needed; for him to not talk about my family out of their names. That respect is a two way street regardless of age. The second he cursed at me because of it, was the second I cut him out completely. The arguments we had before shook me to my core, but nothing like this. He showed me his true colors to me the morning of my AP language exam. But not even he can interrupt my studies, and my goals. I passed that exam with the motivation of my fathers hate. He claimed that staying with my family would make me a loser like them. I will show him that my future has never been determined nor created by him, but by my own powerful will. My intention behind studying psychology dates back to when I was the kid that sat and listened to my friends problems when all they needed was such. I love helping and healing people with my words and my ears. I want to do that for the rest of my life. Being educated is not just a degree to me, but a promise. It's a duty. I want to be able to help single moms find closure, daughters that feel they have no voice, and fathers who are egoistic because their own father never recognized his own talents till the day he died. I do not only want to impact my community. I want to shake the very foundations of the world and erupt an amalgamation of radiance and health. That is because maybe deep down I think I can help my own dad find the closure he needs. I hope I can fix many families for the sake of black love by erasing black hate.