College is about much more than just a degree for me. College represents hope, opportunity, and a brighter future for me and my family. Despite my enthusiasm for college, I grew up knowing what it is like to have money issues, which sometimes made people pursue certain passions and aspirations more than others. My mom didn't have a chance to go to college, and my dad couldn't pursue college because of family obligations. This has only heightened my desire to pursue college because I know not everyone has the opportunities I have. I want to be that person that changes the future course of my family. I am attending Hinds Community College. I am studying carpentry and have not always known that is what I wanted to do. I have come to learn that I like building, problem solving, and constructing things with my hands. I have learned how to read blue prints, framing walls and floors, and learned some basics on construction. I know I have a lot more to learn and I am willing to give whatever time and effort it takes to be successful, and go on to get my Building Construction Science degree and hopefully go into a career working in construction and engineering. I am a young Black woman new to the construction industry. I am here to show that we are few and far between, and there is definitely space for us. I will not let my circumstances, my financial situation, or the opinions of others limit my expectations of what I can do. I want to learn and grow into a smart, skilled, and financially capable young woman and then use that knowledge to serve others. Giving back is something I want to do the rest of my life. I have volunteered through my church, worked with children, volunteered at a daycare and a library, and volunteered to help shelters and families in need. I have learned that you don't need money or resources to give back, it just takes giving your time and having the willingness to help out another person. As I find success I look forward to giving back to the community that helped to make me. In the end, going to college is my way of leaving a legacy. I want my family and friends to be proud of all their sacrifices and my effort. I want little girls living in the country and of low socioeconomic background to see that they too can become whatever they may have never thought they could be. I know that having a degree is not going to come easily and there will be moments of sacrifice, but I am willing to persist until I reach my goal. I am not just going to college for a job but for a legacy to leave behind and ways to make a way for others, all the while giving the thanks to God.

From low-income family I have been raised up in a low-income family and I have learned that access to great opportunities is not something that a person can expect from their community, but it does not mean that it is an impossible. I have seen how low-income family can have an impact on the opportunities that an individual can have, my mother was not able to go to college and my dad had to manage family. I have learned that to achieve my goals I will need to persevere through difficult times and give up things, even my time. I do not give up my goals because I know I need to strive and persevere through difficult obstacles. Money is an obstacle but not an obstacle in my way. I am currently enrolled at Hinds Community College working on my carpentry degree, I am currently learning blueprint reading, floor wall framing and Construction. Once I get my degree from Hinds I plan to go to the University of Mississippi to study Building Construction Science. My career goals are to enter the workforce in the construction and engineering field and make a difference. I want to inspire young people from impoverished backgrounds and rural areas to believe that their present circumstances do not define their future. I would like to leverage my education, experiences, and career to create opportunities for others. I am committed to honour my family, make a contribution to my community and bring glory to God.

Growing up in Vicksburg, Mississippi, has shaped me into the person I am today. I am Saudia Olivia Stewart. My experiences have taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and making the most of every opportunity. I come from a family where pursuing higher education was not always an easy option. My mother did not have the opportunity to attend college, and my father faced family responsibilities that prevented him from doing so. Knowing this has motivated me to take my education seriously and work toward opportunities that can create a better future for myself and my family. Growing up, I learned that not everything would be handed to me. There have been times when financial limitations made certain opportunities difficult to reach, but I have never wanted my circumstances to determine my future. Instead, I have used them as motivation to work harder. I understand that the path I am taking is not just about earning a degree or getting a good job. It is also about creating opportunities that may not have been available to previous generations of my family. Today, I am a student at Hinds Community College pursuing carpentry. Choosing a career in construction has allowed me to explore my interests in building, problem-solving, and creating things with my own hands. I enjoy learning how structures come together, reading blueprints, and understanding the work that goes into turning an idea into something real. I am also working toward becoming more knowledgeable in the construction industry while balancing my education, work responsibilities, and personal growth. Outside of school, I value giving back to my community. I have volunteered through my church, helped with children, assisted at daycare centers and libraries, and participated in efforts to support shelters and families in need. These experiences have taught me that making a difference does not always require having a lot of money or resources. Sometimes, simply showing up, giving your time, and helping someone else can have a lasting impact. The person I am today is still growing. I am learning to become more patient, confident, disciplined, and independent. I have learned that success is not always about how quickly you reach a goal but about your willingness to keep going when things become difficult. My faith also reminds me to stay humble, remain grateful, and give God the glory throughout my journey. As I look toward the future, I strive to become a woman who is educated, financially independent, successful, and capable of creating opportunities for others. My long-term goal is to continue my education in Building Construction Science and pursue a career that combines construction and engineering. I want to be involved in projects that make a difference in communities and eventually use my knowledge and experience to help others enter the construction industry. Most importantly, I want to become someone my younger self would be proud of. I want my family to see that their sacrifices and my determination were not in vain. I hope to inspire other young people from small communities like mine to understand that their beginnings do not determine their endings. I am proud of where I come from, grateful for who I am becoming, and excited about the person I have yet to be. My journey is still being written, and I intend to make it meaningful.

1. What trade are you pursuing and why are you passionate about it? I have always been interested in seeing how things are built, but starting my education in carpentry has shown me that building is more than just putting materials together—it is turning an idea into something real. I am currently pursuing carpentry at Hinds Community College, where I am learning skills such as blueprint reading, framing, and construction. I am passionate about this trade because I enjoy working with my hands, solving problems, and being able to look at something I helped build and know that my work made it possible. Carpentry has also given me confidence because I entered the program knowing very little about construction, and every new skill I learn reminds me that I am capable of learning something new. 2. What are your future plans after your trade education? My goal is to graduate from Hinds Community College in July 2028 and begin working in the construction industry as soon as possible so I can gain real-world experience. I plan to continue my education and earn a bachelor’s degree in Building Construction Science or a related engineering field. Ultimately, I want to combine my hands-on carpentry experience with higher-level construction and engineering knowledge. I want to become a professional who can understand a project from the blueprint to the actual construction site. My long-term goal is to build a successful career in construction and engineering while creating safe, quality structures that people and communities can depend on. 3. Describe a time in your life when you overcame adversity. How did you work through it? One of the biggest challenges I have faced was learning how to keep moving forward when things did not go the way I expected. There were times when school, personal responsibilities, and uncertainty about my future made me question whether I was on the right path. Instead of allowing those challenges to stop me, I learned to take things one step at a time. I started focusing less on what I could not control and more on what I could do each day to improve myself. I reminded myself why I started and continued showing up even when I felt discouraged. That experience taught me that success is not about never struggling; it is about having the determination to keep going. Now, when I face something difficult in carpentry or in life, I remind myself that I do not have to know everything immediately. I just have to be willing to learn, work hard, and keep building toward my future.

More Than a Financial Opportunity Growing up, I have learned that sometimes you have to work twice as hard to get the same opportunity. I come from a family where money has not always been easy, but I have never wanted my circumstances to decide what I can accomplish. I am currently a carpentry student at Hinds Community College. When I first started, I honestly did not know much about construction or how to use the tools. I could have let that discourage me, but instead, I decided to learn. Every class, blueprint, measurement, and hands-on project has pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I am learning that being successful is not about knowing everything from the beginning; it is about being willing to learn and not giving up when something is difficult. My goal is to graduate in July 2028 and begin working as soon as possible. I want to continue my education and earn a bachelor’s degree in Building Construction Science or a related engineering field. Eventually, I want to combine what I learn in carpentry with engineering and construction knowledge so I can help design and build things that people and communities can depend on. I have also worked to prepare myself beyond the classroom. I have earned certifications in OSHA 10, CPR/First Aid, and forklift operation, and I continue looking for opportunities to gain experience. I have also volunteered in my community through my church, local daycares, libraries, shelters, and with the fire department. These experiences have taught me that success is not only about what you accomplish for yourself, but also about what you can do for others. Scholarships and grants are important to students like me because financial challenges should not be the reason someone has to give up on their goals. Receiving this grant would help me with the costs of college and allow me to focus more on my education and building the skills I need for my future. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I also know how hard I am willing to work. I am not asking for someone to build my future for me. I am asking for the opportunity to keep building it myself.

“Compassion is an action word with no boundaries.” That quote reminds me of a moment I will never forget — a moment that showed me compassion is not just something you feel, but something you do. A few years ago, a close family member of mine was hospitalized unexpectedly. What was supposed to be a routine day turned into fear and uncertainty within hours. Machines were beeping, doctors were speaking in medical terms we did not fully understand, and my family felt overwhelmed. In the middle of all that anxiety, one nurse made all the difference. She did more than check vital signs and administer medication. She slowed down. She explained each procedure in simple terms. She made sure my family member felt heard instead of rushed. I remember her pulling up a chair and holding their hand while explaining what would happen next. She reassured us without giving false hope. She spoke with honesty, but also with warmth. That balance meant everything. At one point, when my family member became discouraged and afraid, the nurse gently reminded them that healing is not just physical, but emotional too. She encouraged them to stay hopeful and celebrate small improvements. I watched the tension in the room shift. The fear did not completely disappear, but it softened. My family member began asking questions instead of shutting down. They started to feel like a person again — not just a patient. Witnessing that interaction changed me. I realized that nursing is more than a career focused on medical skill; it is a calling rooted in compassion. The nurse’s actions showed me that small gestures — a steady voice, eye contact, patience — can transform someone’s darkest moment into something manageable. Compassion does not require grand speeches. Sometimes it is as simple as choosing to stay present. That experience deeply influenced my decision to pursue nursing. I want to be the kind of nurse who treats patients as whole people, not just conditions to be managed. I want to combine clinical excellence with empathy. Patients are often at their most vulnerable in medical settings. They may be scared, in pain, or uncertain about their future. In those moments, compassion can restore dignity and hope. Philippe Forton’s story reminds me that compassionate nurses leave lasting impressions. Even in difficult circumstances, their presence can bring comfort and peace. I understand that nursing requires ambition, discipline, and hard work. I am committed to excelling academically and preparing myself for the responsibility this profession carries. However, I also know that technical skill alone is not enough. Compassion must guide every action. The nurse I witnessed did not just care for a patient — she cared for a person and a family. That is the kind of nurse I aspire to become. Through dedication and empathy, I hope to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, just as she did for mine.

The first time I watched paramedics step out of an ambulance, I realized that real heroes do not wear capes — they wear uniforms and carry medical bags. There was chaos all around them. Sirens echoed. Family members were panicking. Fear was written on every face nearby. But the paramedics moved with calm confidence. They assessed the situation quickly, communicated clearly, and immediately began providing care. In a moment when everything felt uncertain, they were steady. Watching them made something click inside of me. I did not just want to witness that kind of strength — I wanted to become it for someone else. I am Saudia Olivia Stewart a Mississippi high school senior raised in a hardworking family that believes in faith, service, and resilience. My family has always taught me that helping others is not optional; it is a responsibility. We check on neighbors. We support each other through difficult times. We believe that your character is shown by how you respond when others are in need. Those values shaped who I am today. They are the reason I feel called to serve in a way that directly impacts lives during emergencies. I have chosen to pursue a career as a paramedic because paramedics are often the first medical professionals on the scene. They must think critically under pressure, make life-saving decisions within seconds, and provide advanced medical care in unpredictable situations. That level of responsibility requires discipline, emotional control, and dedication — qualities I am actively developing within myself. I am currently in the process of becoming EMT certified and earning my CNA certification. I chose to pursue both because I want to build a strong medical foundation early. Becoming an EMT allows me to gain real-world emergency experience, while earning my CNA certification strengthens my patient care skills and medical knowledge. My long-term goal is to become a firefighter as well, so I can serve my community in multiple capacities — providing emergency medical care and responding to dangerous situations that require courage and teamwork. I understand that this path will demand sacrifice, long hours, and continuous education. However, I am ambitious and driven. I am committed to training hard, studying diligently, and preparing myself mentally and physically for this career. I want to be the calm voice someone hears on the worst day of their life. I want to be the reason a family gets another chance with someone they love. This scholarship honors the memory of Bridgette Rochelle Horn by supporting students who share her calling to help others. I feel that calling deeply. Becoming a first responder is not just my career choice — it is my commitment to making a meaningful and lasting impact in Mississippi. I am ready to answer that call.