I lost a very important person in my life due to the pandemic in December of 2020, my grandfather. Although the actual event was truly devastating to me and my family, it also opened my eyes to the fact that no one can escape the inevitable. He always wanted the best for me and each day I carry his memory with me and it keeps me positive. When i feel like giving up, I think of him and I keep pushing. It has also pushed me to make changes in my daily life, I no longer want to just sit and let time pass me by, I want to embrace life and enjoy each day as much as i can. So, even though I lost someone very dear to me, I also started living life differently and with a more positive outlook and living each day as if its my last.

I truly believe my talents, goals and achievements can be developed and maintained through hard work, good strategies, an open mind and input from others. Sometimes we have to take all feedback, including negative and learn from it and push forward to grow. As an imperfect person, I try and take the time to acknowledge and ebrace imperfections and view those challenges as opportunities for growth. To learn new and different tactics to work toward my goals and face my challenges bravely. I have learned to ebrace failure at times because I know without it, there wouldnt be the opportunity to learn. What helps me the most is knowing the process of reaching my goals and having the courage to keep trying sometimes matters more than the physical achievement because it teaches us growth. But most importantly, the thing that helps me keep a growth midset is trusting myself. Knowing what works and what doesnt. Being able to figure out things I could change to make things better and to always stay open to possibilities.

What motivates me most in life and on a daily basis is myself, my dreams and my passion. My passion to make a difference in childrens lives and be the best positive influence that I can be. I feel that in the world we live in today, people are sometimes too busy to stop and take the time to truly interact with children, this is something they need for good development. If we as humans do not show each other love and respect then everyone will become cold and that is not the world I want to live in. I strongly feel that positive interaction that starts in childhood will carry on through out life, so for that reason I will always strive to be the best positive influence I can be. This is why my passion to be a shining light is very important to me, because it drives me each day to achieve what I want in life and what I feel is very important. It motivates me to reach for my dreams and my goals. As long as I keep my passion alive, I will never stop reaching to be a little better each day. I am determined, driven by passion which keeps me motivated.

One of the most valuable things I have learned about myself is that I have the ability to stay humble in accomplishments and defeats in my life. I have always tried to stay positive and be positive to every person and or situation in my life and sometimes I dont receive the same treatment and respect in return. In times like this more than others, I am still able to maintain my positive outlook and remain humble. I appreciate every obstacle in my life wether good or bad because it molds me into who I become and for that I am thankful. No matter what other peoples actions are towards me are, I know my strengths and weaknesses. I know how to remain polite towards others and I do not feel I need to boast about things I may or may not be able to do a little better than others. We all have skills and social demands that we are better at and some that we may need some guidance. The best way to handle this is to stay humble and appreciate all aspects of ourselves, including our strengths and weaknesses.

I have many memories that have brought me happiness, the one I will focus on today is the day I received my acceptance letter to the college I had always dreamed of going to since I was a young girl. Even though I believed in myself, it didn't become a reality until I read those words, I will never forget how I felt that day, I cried tears of joy and my confidence in myself only grew.

The one thing I would say to the world that I have found to be most true is the famous words of Forrest Gumps mother. "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get". Day in and day out, things and sutiations change and people grow. You never know, those things can and will also change for you, its best to embrace life and take it day by day. We may seek after and want things that are not meant for us, no matter how hard we fight for them, sometimes it's just not written in the stars for us and we have to learn to accept and be ok with that. We have to be able to take what is given to us and make it ours and make the best out of it and out of every situation. So I say to you, enjoy your life, take that box of chocolates as it is given to you and make thr absolute most out of. We are given one life, it is ours to embrace and enjoy.

The change I would like to see in my community is for people to be more caring and compassionate. I often feel when a tragic event happens, everyone comes together with a purpose to help one another and do good for each other, but as time passes people seem to lose the hope and purpose and yet another thing that has briefly brought everyone together in a loving, caring , compassionate and giving way has slowly slipped away and people forget quickly. The change I would love te see in my country is for people to live with a more open mind, accept people as who they are and what they believ in. Just because someone chooses to do something that is fitting for them or live a certain way that another person doesn't necessarily believe to be right does not give that person the right to shun another human or to belittle them in any way. I feel as a country we need to unite rather than continue to divide. We truly need to agrre to disagree at times. Just because 2 people may choose to do something in a way that is totally opposite does not make either person more right than the other. Instead of trying to argue a point we need to be happy for others for the decisions they make, live and achieve and in turn everyone needs to show the same respect back. I feel there is more than enough division without adding fuel to that fire and pushing our country farther and farther apart. The more we continue to do this, the more blind we can become to what is going on around us and we may miss very important events or signs of the things going on in the world that really needs out attention. Instead at times we are more busy trying to prove the next person wrong. The change I would like to see in the world is the absence of prejudice and the fear or war. I feel that there is so much negativity by the human race toward other country's. My hope is that one day people can look at other races, religions and cultures with a better vision. I hope we can try to have a better understanding to all the differences we are surrounded by and respect each and every differnce in the exact same way as the next. I feel that year after year there is more hate in the world and I feel at times that this is what society wants. I would love to see that hate start trending in the opposite direction and have a postive ending. For me, I try every day to make a difference. As the saying goes, be the change you want to see. I truly believe, even if its just one positive word spoken to another person, that is a step in the right direction. I live my life daily always trying to see the best in people and I try to be the best positive influence that I can be to each and every person I come in contact with. The change starts with us, no more pointing fingers. We need to find a way to unite.

The importance of patience should be recognized by every individual, although some people may take different lessons learned and view them differently. Patience can teach us many things like to value the effort and time it takes to complete something, not just the success in the end. Patience helps us build empathy toward others. Patience helps us to accept others as they are and makes us more tolerant of people and sutuations. Sometimes as humans we are quick to become irritated and defensive and say things that could be hurtful to others when it would be best to take a breath and look for the positives and help the other person if needed. Patience helps to bring inner peace to our lives and that is something that will help keep you healthy. That is why being patient is most important to me, for my physical and mental health. Life today can be hectic and we all need to slow down a little and take time for ourselves and maintain our inner peace.

What makes me happy? Happiness is perceived differently from everyone because no two people are the same, everyone's pursuit to find that happiness is also different. For me, my happiness comes from family, friends, accomplishments and being a positive influence to everyone I can. Each day, time goes by, changes come and we grow but my method of happiness usually always stays the same. First, my family, they accept me and love me for me, Second, my friends, they chose me and together we laugh and make countless memories. Next, my accomplishments. Each time I achieve a goal it makes me very happy, not only for the accomplishment but happy with myself for not giving up and continuing to reach and strive for success. Lastly, each time I am a positive influence I again become happy with myslef, knowing that one gesture from me, no matter how big or small has possibly made a difference in someones life. For that, I smile and continue to try and be the best version of me, all achieved through happiness.

I would like to start by introducing myself, my name is Selena Rios and I am pursuing a career in Family and Consumer Science with a concentration in child studies. Friendship, to me, is a blessing. A true friend is someone who is like family, someone who you can depend on when in need. You may need them to help you through a bad time, laugh with you through some of the best memories you will ever have, be your rock, your motivator and one of your biggest supporters. Friendship is putting your trust in someone, no matter what and loving them unconditionally, friendship is offering them the same in return. I personally have had several aquaintances that I thought were my friends only to find out that was not the case. I was there for them as I should have been but i did not get the same respect in return. Those relationships ended but i still found it in my heart to forgive them and I promised myself to always be there if they truly needed me but to know that I deserved so much more. True friendship is a bond between two people. A bond that connects them so you never have to face anything alone. Finally, to me, friendship means hope, and to have a home and safe place by putting your trust in someone that loves you the same. Thank you for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship Selena Rios

Let me start by introducing myself, my name is Selena Rios and I am a freshman at Western Kentucky University pursuing a career in Family and Consumer Science with a concentration in child studies. One thing I love about myself is the ability to see the good in situations and people when others would not give them a second look. There are too many negative people and events in the world today and I strive to be better. Not only for myself, but for my family, friends, classmates and the general population that I may come in contact with. My mom has always said that I have a special soul and kind heart and want to continue to improve that impact that I may have on others. You never know when others are watching and learning from your behavior or when that one person may need to hear a kind word from either a stranger or someone they know and look up to. For this, I have developed and maintained self love for this quality that I have. Thank you for this opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Selena Rios

Let me start by introducing myself, my name is Selena Rios and I am a freshman at Western Kentucky University studying Family and Consumer Science with a concentration in child studies. To me, being independent means to be able to stand on my own. Not necessarily doing everything completely alone, but being able to use resources and knowing how to locate those resources without depending on someone else to do it for me. Also, to be able to stand and make decisions on my own without being influenced or controlled by others by matters of opinion, conduct, peer pressure or persuasion. Gaining independence is something that is very important to me as I have seen too many people fall to the likes of going with the flow and this is not something I, myself want to become. So I strive every day to learn the behavior of independence. Thank you for the opportunity to apply to this scholarship. Selena Rios

Let me start by introducing myself, my name Is Selena Rios and I am a current Freshman at Western Kentucky University studying Family and Consumer Science with a concentration in Child Studies. I have found as a freshman in college life can be hectic and somewhat overwhelming at times. The first few weeks of this semester I had myself stressed out by only concentrating on school and deadlines and not taking the time to care for myself and my own well being. Since then I have had to step back, take a breath, look at the bigger picture and re focus. I have started taking time for myself to clear my mind. One thing I enjoy is working out, its on my own time and it really helps me to destress. I try and do this when I am alone with no distractions. I have a routine and once I am finished I feel as though I am ready to conquer the next task without being completely overwhelmed. I have also found that that eating the right foods and getting plenty of rest is a big factor in a positive way for my own health and well being as well. I will continue to find ways to improve my self care as situations arise. Thank you for the opportunity to be considered for this scholarship. Selena Rios

Hello, my name is Selena Rios and I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. I come from a small town in Tennessee where everyone knows everyone, sometimes that is good and at other times, not so much. Within my small town there is always a need for child services, may that be childcare, therapy, social interaction, financial assistance or just for someone to make them feel loved. I know that if you can make a difference in someone else's life no matter how big or small the impact, you should always take that opportunity and make the best of it, by being as positive as you can. Which in turn also can make you, yourself a better person and or role model. This is something we should all strive to be better at on a daily basis. I have chosen to pursue a career in Family and Consumer Science with a focus in child studies and to later add a minor in Entrepreneurship. I want to work with children and to possibly be a very positive influence to their daily lives. I know that some children may only receive positivity outside of their home and I truly feel that everyone deserves a safe place. A place that they know, they will always be welcomed with a smile. My long term plan is to own a daycare center of my own that will offer children the opportunity to learn and stay focused on fundamentals of daily routines as well as educational needs. It will be a program that takes the needs of children and puts them first. I want to teach children to know that everyone is the same no matter what they feel may separate them from others. Everyone deserves the same opportunity for happiness and they also deserve someone to help them stay focused on that. I have read several articles that focus on children, although I do not follow any in particular. I have read how to positively impact a child's life when they may be struggling at home or school and how to cope with any negativity that they may be receiving by friends and family or even other adults. I have a better understanding of how to recognize abuse and bullying by the actions of children from a young age to late teens and even early adults. I do know that it is impossible to eliminate this issue entirely but making a change in persons life is a start in the right direction and that is my ultimate goal. Thank you for the opportunity for this scholarship, Selena F. Rios