Throughout the majority of my childhood, I had the understanding that if I wanted to get to a different stage in my life, I had to work harder than most. I didn't have the luxury of relying on family to help me succeed in life; It was just me and my mom. I vividly remember walking to the bus stop with her, food stamps and trips to the WIC office, and the anxiety of knowing I couldn’t help. I was only a child but I knew already that it wasn't going to be easy. I struggled with self-esteem for most of my life. I felt that I had to prove I could make it somewhere in life. When my sisters came along, I had to be someone they could rely on. I saw how hard my mom worked to provide for the four of us and it became my job to help with homework, be emotional support, and also manage my trials. Regrettably, I had my first suicidal thought in the sixth grade and my mental health only declined from there. I knew that to get into college, aid was my only hope. I needed scholarships, grants, and a full ride. I couldn't put more financial stress on my mother, so during high school I worked two jobs, participated in Key Club, and joined NJHS and NHS. I also played Varsity Soccer and petitioned for and started the Canton Prep Garden Club. I was able to dual enroll in a community college, took APs and built lasting relationships with my teachers. My junior year was when the stress of it all took its toll and I made an attempt on my life. I spent a month in a treatment facility and I felt so hopeless knowing I was falling behind in school. When I returned two months into the second semester my grades had suffered and my GPA dropped from my previous 3.8. When my family decided to move from Michigan to California, I felt as if my life plan was slipping further away. My internship with Sustainable Solano, a nonprofit dedicated to creating regenerative environments in the community was when my life started to turn around. I felt hope and I expanded on my love for helping the community. My team presented research on key environmental practices such as composting and sustainable habitats. We worked together to introduce a pollinator garden to the Vacaville Boys and Girls Club. We gave the community the stepping stones to healthy living, providing them with the information they needed to grow. I joined the Youth Leadership Council, where I worked with others to volunteer and introduce solutions to environmental and social issues in the community. My time in California helped me solidify my goals in life. I no longer needed to be the best, I just needed to try my best and so I decided to major in Environmental Engineering. Working with the youth allowed me to help the next generation and give back to my community. Following undergraduate school, I plan to pursue my Master's degree by double majoring in Environmental Engineering and Public Health. I want to give back to not only my home but students everywhere and I want to create an internship of my own for students with a love for their community environment. I continue to take small steps day by day to climb the ladder of my dreams and I believe this scholarship will help me to make my way through college, giving me the tools I need to succeed. Not only for myself but for others.

Since I was a child I understood the importance of speaking up and fighting for what is right. Seeing the harsh reality of my world gave me a different perspective on the physical and emotional tolls of life. I understood early on that the best help comes from the heart. Sometimes a person needs a good meal or a shoulder to cry on. In high school, I worked to create a place to call home, both in school and in my community. While there, I also joined Key Club and helped host fundraisers for missions such as Change for Kids. As I explored ways to volunteer in local community gardens and food banks, I found my love for the environment Throughout high school, I contributed to school activities, introducing ways to help in and around the community. In my Junior year, I petitioned for and started the Canton Prep Garden Club. We worked together to find funding and space for a pollinator garden, aiming to expand to a vegetable garden for the community. In my senior year, I interned with Sustainable Solano, a nonprofit aimed to help create sustainable and regenerative environments in Solano. During my internship, I researched green spaces and their benefits, was a key presenter to the community on our findings, and installed a pollinator garden for the Vacaville Boys and Girls Club, instilling core values in the next generation. After my time as an intern, I joined the Youth Leadership Council run by Sustainable Solano. I worked with a group to create fundraisers, come up with new fellowships/internships, and further aid the community. I started my sustainable jewelry business, Serevity Co, to reduce fast fashion and unethical consumption. My involvement in the betterment of the environment ultimately led to my decision to major in Environmental Engineering. Before I knew what I wanted to major in, I was committed to the health of the community and the people in it. I researched zero waste practices and applied a few to my everyday life. I was also able to convince my family to recycle, start a compost bin, and reduce their carbon footprint. I sent my friends articles on the dangers of fast fashion, recommending ethical brands as substitutes. I found myself looking forward to learning more about greenhouse gasses, the responsibility of waste management, and the importance of green and walkable communities. My lifelong goal is to be able to create a successful business that is both helpful to the community and eco-friendly. I plan to use my studies in Environmental Engineering to work as a restoration specialist for a company with values that align with my own and possibly work up to starting my own. I have always had the desire to start a college grant and/or scholarship for other students of color. I understand where life can lead you and the struggles that come with it. I strive to set an example and be like a student like Mohamed. I believe this scholarship would help me to make my way through college and aid me to focus solely on my studies and STEM internships. After I complete my undergraduate studies, I plan to pursue my Master's in Environmental Engineering and/or Science. Additional support from like-minded individuals would help considerably, allowing me to thrive in a college environment. With more time to focus on schooling, I will be able to complete more research, join relevant on-campus groups, and devote time to leadership positions. I believe with both time, hard work, and assistance I can excel.