Soccer has been a major part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started playing when I was around four years old, and growing up with the sport taught me some of my most important lessons about dedication and determination to never stop and to never get comfortable, and to always want for more. Soccer was never just a game to me. It was a place where I could challenge myself, build friendships, and learn how to work toward a goal with others. It was my third place, a place away from school and home, a place where I could focus on the ball, run and let the air fill my lungs, and forget everything except for the ball. I had to step away from soccer during covid, but in 2023 I decided to return to the sport after realizing how unmotivated I had become since covid came, and how stressed I ad felt, losing the very thing that relaxed me, ironically. Coming back reminded me how much I missed being part of a team and having something positive to focus on. Soccer became an important way for me to manage stress, stay active, and maintain a positive mindset while balancing school and other responsibilities. It gave me an outlet where I could clear my mind, push myself physically, and connect with people who shared the same passion. Being a student athlete has taught me that success comes from consistency. You do not improve overnight. you improve by showing up, practicing, learning from mistakes, and continuing even when things are difficult. These lessons have carried over into my academics and personal life. When I faced challenges in high school, I learned to keep moving forward instead of giving up. Soccer has also taught me the importance of teamwork. Every player has a role, and a team can only succeed when everyone supports each other. I have learned how to communicate and understand that helping others succeed is just as important as achieving my own goals. Outside of soccer, I work hard to balance my responsibilities as a student and stay involved in my community. Managing school, work, and personal commitments has made me more disciplined. I have learned that being dedicated means continuing to put in effort and holding yourself accountable. Through soccer, I have become more confident and motivated. It has helped me stay positive during difficult moments and reminded me of the importance of having activities that bring people together. As I continue my education, I hope to carry the lessons soccer has taught me and to continue to value teamwork, determination, and to always keep getting better.

The impact I want to make is to create a future where people feel supported and given the opportunities they need to succeed. Throughout my life, I have seen how much a person can grow when they have someone who believes in them. Because of my own experiences, I want to use my education and future career to give others the support and encouragement they need to reach their goals. I am a first-generation American, and watching my parents work hard to build a life for our family has shaped the way I view perseverance. Their sacrifices taught me that opportunities are valuable and should never be taken for granted. I have also experienced challenges that made me understand how important it is to have people who listen, and push you to see your own potential. One of the biggest ways I hope to give back is through a career in pediatrics. I want to become a doctor who does more than treat illnesses. I want to be someone children and families can trust, especially during moments when they feel scared or uncertain. A doctor has the ability to impact someone's life beyond a medical diagnosis by providing comfort, education, and hope. I want my patients to feel respected and cared for, no matter their background or circumstances. Outside of my future career, I want to continue being involved in my community through service. Volunteering has shown me how meaningful it is to create spaces where people feel welcomed. Whether I am helping children at the library, assisting at church events, or supporting local organizations, I have learned that making a difference does not always require a huge action. It often starts with being present and willing to help. The people who inspire me most are those who continue to give back despite their own challenges. My family has shown me the importance of resilience and hard work, while the people I have met through volunteering have shown me the power of kindness. They remind me that success is not only about personal achievements but also about the positive impact we leave on others. My education will give me the knowledge and skills to turn my desire to help others into action. I hope to use what I learn to improve healthcare and advocate for herbal and other medicinal methods, support families, and encourage young people to believe in themselves. I want to be an example that difficult circumstances do not prevent someone from creating a meaningful future. The change I want to create is a community where people feel like they belong and where support is available to those who need it. Through medicine, service, I hope to build a future centered around compassion, opportunity, and helping others succeed.

Growing up in a low income household taught me that challenges can either limit you or motivate you. My family faced financial struggles after my dad was diagnosed with cancer at a young age, which left him disabled. My mom became his caretaker, and I would help. We relied on social security/ssi and food stamps to help us afford basic necessities and rent and food. Watching my parents continue to push forward despite these challenges taught me the importance of resilience, gratitude, and determination. Because money was often tight, I learned how to be resourceful from a young age. I learned to find affordable alternatives to expensive products, including healthier and lower cost options for hacks and health. Instead of seeing limited resources as only a disadvantage, I learned how to problem solve and make the most of what was available. I shared what I learned with friends and family, showing them cheaper ways to take care of themselves when certain products or medications were too expensive. These experiences showed me that helping others starts with sharing knowledge and finding solutions together. Coming from a low income household has made me more determined to pursue my goals. I understand the importance of opportunities that allow students to succeed, and I want to use my experiences to support others who may face similar challenges. I want to be in pediatrics, where i can help children and families. I'm working toward this by focusing on my education and continuing to develop the skills needed to help others. This scholarship would help me afford important college expenses like textbooks, e-books, and transportation via bus. I hope to use what I have learned from my own experiences to help others feel supported and remind them that their situation does not define their potential.

My interest in medicine comes from understanding how much it matters to have someone who truly listens and cares. Throughout my life, I have experienced moments where I felt overwhelmed, misunderstood, or unsure of how to express what I was going through. Those experiences showed me the importance of having compassionate people who make others feel seen. They inspired me to pursue a career where I can provide that same sense of support and care to others, especially children. I want to become a pediatrician because childhood is one of the most important periods of a person's life. The experiences children have, including their physical and emotional health, can shape their future. I believe that every child deserves to have a healthcare provider who not only treats their symptoms but also takes the time to understand their fears, concerns, and individual needs. My goal is to create an environment where children feel safe, respected, and comfortable asking for help. Growing up as a first-generation American, I have seen how family circumstances, culture, and access to resources can affect a person's ability to receive support. My parents immigrated from Syria, and their experiences shaped the way my family viewed challenges and opportunities. Through my own experiences, I learned that many struggles are not always visible from the outside. Someone may be dealing with difficult circumstances while still showing up every day and trying their best. This has taught me to approach others with patience, empathy, and understanding. My own challenges have strengthened my desire to work in healthcare. There were times when I struggled with my mental health and felt like I had to overcome obstacles on my own. Through those experiences, I learned the importance of kindness and having someone who is willing to listen without judgment. As a future pediatrician, I want to be that person for my patients. I want children to know that their feelings matter and that they deserve care and support. I also hope to make a difference by helping families who may feel uncertain or overlooked when navigating healthcare. I want to provide care that is not only medically effective but also compassionate and inclusive. A doctor has the ability to impact a person's life far beyond a single appointment, and I want to use that opportunity to encourage, educate, and advocate for my patients. Pursuing a career in pediatrics will allow me to combine my passion for science with my desire to serve others. I know that becoming a physician will require dedication, years of education, and continuous growth, but I am prepared to work hard toward that goal. My experiences have taught me resilience, compassion, and the importance of helping others through difficult moments. Through medicine, I hope to give children the support I once wished every person had.

Opportunity should never depend on the circumstances someone is born into. Every student deserves the chance to pursue their goals, but for many, success requires overcoming obstacles that others never have to think about. Scholarships and grants help level the playing field by recognizing determination, not just privilege. They allow students from disadvantaged backgrounds to focus on building their future instead of worrying about whether they can afford it. As a first-generation American, I have experienced those challenges firsthand. My parents immigrated from Syria to give our family a better life, but they carried the effects of trauma with them. Growing up, my home was often emotionally difficult, and because of financial stress and family circumstances, I learned early that nothing would come easily. While other students had parents who could guide them through school, college applications, and career planning, I often had to figure those things out on my own. At the same time, I struggled with depression after years of bullying and feeling isolated. During high school, my grades dropped, and there were moments when I questioned whether I would ever reach my goals. It would have been easy to give up, but I decided that my circumstances would not define my future. Instead, I focused on taking one step at a time. Some days, that meant studying for an exam. Other days, it simply meant getting out of bed and reminding myself that tomorrow could be better. Slowly, I rebuilt my confidence, improved academically, and became more involved in activities that challenged me to grow as a leader. Every obstacle I overcame strengthened my determination to create a future that looked different from my past. Because of my experiences, I understand that success is not measured by how easy someone's journey has been but by how hard they have worked to keep moving forward. Students from underserved backgrounds often develop resilience, adaptability, and perseverance because they have had to earn every opportunity they receive. Those qualities cannot be measured by a test score alone, yet they are some of the strongest indicators of future success. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to continue my education without placing additional financial strain on my family. As a first-generation college student, I know that paying for school will be one of my biggest challenges. This support would allow me to focus more on my education, leadership development, and future career rather than the financial burden of earning a degree. I cannot change where I came from, but I can choose where I am going. My goal is to build a career that allows me to serve others while proving that difficult beginnings do not limit what someone can achieve. This scholarship would not simply help pay for college. It would be an investment in someone who has learned to turn adversity into motivation and who is committed to making the most of every opportunity.

Growing up, I always admired people who dedicated their lives to serving others. As I got older, I realized that I wanted a career where I could make a difference while constantly challenging myself to grow. That is what led me to pursue a military career. I am a first-generation American and a high school senior in California. Being the daughter of Syrian immigrants has shaped who I am in many ways. My parents came to the United States to give our family opportunities they never had, and watching the sacrifices they made has taught me to never take those opportunities for granted. Their resilience inspired me to work hard, even when things became difficult. Joining JROTC has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my high school career. It has taught me discipline, leadership, accountability, and the importance of putting the team before yourself. Whether participating in drill, physical training, or classroom leadership activities, I learned that being a good leader means being dependable, respectful, and willing to help others succeed. Those lessons have strengthened my confidence and confirmed that I want to continue my education through ROTC and eventually serve as a military officer. Outside of JROTC, I have looked for opportunities to continue developing the qualities needed for military service. I have volunteered at school and community events, helping with campus activities and supporting local service projects. These experiences taught me that leadership is often found in small acts of service, whether it is organizing an event, helping younger students, or simply stepping in wherever help is needed. I have also challenged myself academically while balancing extracurricular activities. Learning how to manage my time, meet deadlines, and stay committed to my goals has prepared me for the responsibility and structure that come with military life. In addition, I enjoy staying physically active through regular workouts and running because I know physical fitness is an important part of becoming the best version of myself. The military appeals to me because it represents something bigger than any one individual. It is built on integrity, courage, selfless service, and commitment, values that I try to practice every day. I want to become the kind of leader who earns the trust of those around me and serves with humility and purpose. A military career will allow me to continue growing as a leader while giving back to the country that has given my family so many opportunities. I know the path ahead will not be easy, but I welcome the challenge. I am ready to work hard, continue learning, and dedicate myself to serving others with honor.

One Taylor Swift performance that I find especially moving is her live performances of All too well, but the 10 minute version, particularly during the Eras Tour. What stands out to me is how emotional and honest it feels every single time she performs it. Even though it is a long song, it never feels boring or dragged out because the storytelling is so strong. You can really feel the shift in emotions throughout it, from sadness and nostalgia to frustration and reflection, and she delivers all of that in a very real way on stage. It feels less like a performance and more like she is reliving a memory in front of thousands of people, which makes it really impactful to watch. Another song I’ve been really drawn to recently is Ruin the Friendship from The Life of a Showgirl. What I like about it is how personal and reflective it feels. It connects to the idea of looking back on relationships and wondering about what could have been, which is something a lot of people can relate to. Even though the tone is more subtle compared to something like “All Too Well,” it still carries a lot of emotion in a quieter way. It shows a different side of storytelling where not everything is dramatic, but still meaningful and honest. Both of these songs stand out to me because they show different sides of Taylor Swift as a performer andsongwriter. All Too Well is powerful and intense and insanely sad, its also a good song to let out your feelings, to feel understood, while Ruin the Friendship feels more soft and reflective. Together, they show how she can take personal experiences and turn them into something that connects with a lot of people. That is what makes her performances and music so moving to me.

I see myself as a positive force in society both now and in the future through the way I try to support the people around me and the goals I have for my career. Right now, I try to make a difference in small but meaningful ways. I help my friends when they need advice about school, budgeting, or basic life skills, and I try to be someone they can rely on. Because I grew up in a low-income household, I understand how stressful it can be when resources are limited, so I try to share what I know or encourage others when they are struggling. I also grew up very involved in my family’s health, helping my mother manage diabetes and supporting my father through high blood pressure and heart attacks, so I learned early on how important it is to stay calm, be responsible, and act quickly in serious situations. Those experiences shaped how I respond to pressure and made me more aware of how much people rely on each other in difficult times. In the future, I hope to continue being a positive force in society by becoming a doctor, ideally one who works with low-income families. I want to provide care that is not only medically effective but also compassionate and understanding. I know what it feels like to worry about healthcare access and financial limitations, and I want to be someone who helps reduce that stress for others. I also want to be the kind of doctor patients can trust regardless of their background, identity, or situation. I think being able to make people feel comfortable and respected is just as important as treating their physical health, because people are more likely to seek help and follow care when they feel understood. The way I think about my role in society is also shaped by current social norms and expectations. Growing up, I have seen how important it is to do well in school, pursue higher education, and build a stable career, especially in a society where success is often tied to financial stability and professional achievement. At the same time, there is more awareness now about mental health, inclusivity, and representation, especially in fields like healthcare. As someone who is bisexual, I also recognize how important it is for people to feel accepted in spaces that are supposed to help them. Social norms around acceptance and diversity have influenced my belief that healthcare should be inclusive and judgment free, and that patients should feel safe being themselves. I see my role in society as someone who supports others in practical and emotional ways now, and someone who will continue doing that through medicine in the future. My experiences have taught me that even small actions can make a difference, and I hope to carry that mindset into my career so I can positively impact the communities I serve.

I am currently a high school student planning to pursue a pre-med track in college with the long-term goal of becoming a doctor, ideally one who specializes in working with low-income families. I have always been interested in science and healthcare, but my motivation comes mostly from personal experience and the environment I grew up in. Coming from a low-income household has shaped the way I see the world and has made me more aware of how much access to healthcare can affect a person’s life. From a young age, I was also very involved in my family’s health. I helped my mother manage her diabetes and supported my father through high blood pressure and multiple heart attacks. Because of that, I learned early on how serious medical situations can be and how important it is to stay calm, pay attention, and understand what is going on when someone you love is not feeling well. I also learned basic emergency responses and medication routines, and while those experiences were stressful at times, they taught me responsibility and showed me how important it is for families to have proper medical support and education. These experiences are a big reason I want to go into medicine and focus on helping families who may be going through similar situations, especially those who do not always have easy access to care. I am also bisexual, and being part of the LGBTQ+ community has helped me understand how important it is for people to feel safe, respected, and accepted when they are receiving help, especially in healthcare settings. I know that not everyone feels comfortable being fully open about who they are, and I want to be the kind of doctor that anyone can talk to without fear of judgment. My goal is to create a space where patients feel heard, understood, and cared for regardless of their sexuality, identity, background, or financial situation. I think representation and empathy matter a lot in medicine, and I want to be someone who helps patients feel comfortable enough to be honest so they can get the best possible care. On top of that, I see myself as someone who will continue giving back to my community in the future. Even now, I try to help people around me when I can, whether that is sharing what I know about health, school, or basic life skills. I want to continue that on a larger scale through my career in medicine by serving underserved communities and helping families better understand and manage their health. I believe that being a doctor is not only about treating illness, but also about education, trust, and long-term support. Financially, a scholarship would mean a lot to me because I come from a low-income household and paying for college is a real challenge for my family. Even though I am determined to pursue higher education and willing to work hard for it, the cost of school is still a major source of stress. A scholarship would help relieve some of that financial pressure and allow me to focus more on my education, my goals, and my future career path instead of constantly worrying about how I will afford everything. It would also bring me one step closer to becoming a doctor who can give back, support families like mine, and make a real difference in people’s lives.

I am a high school student who has always been drawn to helping others, especially in ways that feel personal and meaningful. I grew up in a low-income household, and that experience has shaped a lot of who I am today. From a young age, I learned what it means to be responsible and aware of the challenges that come with limited resources. At home, I was also exposed to health challenges very early on, which played a big role in why I want to pursue a career in medicine. Since I was little, I helped my mother manage her diabetes and supported my father with his high blood pressure and multiple heart attacks. Because of this, I grew up learning how to stay calm in serious situations and understand basic medical care in emergencies. I learned how to recognize when something was wrong, how to assist with medication, and what to do when someone fainted or had a medical episode. While these experiences were stressful at times, they also taught me a lot about responsibility, awareness, and the importance of being prepared. They showed me how life-saving proper care and knowledge can be, especially for families who may not always have easy access to medical support. These experiences are a major reason I want to become a doctor who specializes in helping low-income families. I understand what it is like to grow up in a household where healthcare is not always simple or easy to access, and I want to be someone who helps bridge that gap. I want families to feel supported, understood, and not judged based on their financial situation. I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be when multiple health issues are happening at once, and I want to be the kind of doctor who brings comfort and clarity during those moments. My interest in medicine also comes from a genuine desire to care for people, especially children and families who may be struggling. I want to specialize in a field where I can not only treat patients but also educate them, so they feel more confident managing their health at home. I believe that healthcare is not just about treating illness, but also about prevention, understanding, and trust between doctor and patient. Growing up with these responsibilities has made me more mature, more observant, and more motivated to pursue medicine seriously. It has also taught me that I can stay calm under pressure and focus on what needs to be done in difficult situations. These are skills I know will help me in the medical field. In the future, I hope to become a doctor who serves low income communities and makes healthcare more accessible and compassionate. My goal is to use my experiences, both personal and academic, to make a real difference in people’s lives and be someone families can rely on during their hardest moments.

I am Palestinian, and although I was raised in the United States, my identity has always been deeply connected to my heritage. My parents came here as refugees, carrying with them stories, memories, and traditions from a homeland they were forced to leave behind. Growing up in America has given me many opportunities that I am grateful for, especially access to education, safety, and stability. At the same time, I was raised in a household where Palestine was never just a distant place on a map. It was present in our food, our language, our traditions, and the way my family talked about where we come from. Even if I have never fully lived there myself, it has always felt like a part of me. Being raised in this dual reality has shaped my identity in a complicated but meaningful way. I value the life I have here and I do not take it for granted, but I also carry a sense of loss that I cannot ignore. There is a part of me that will always mourn the fact that I may never be able to return to my homeland in the way my parents once knew it, or experience it as it used to be. It is hard knowing that the places I hear about through stories and imagination might not be something I can fully see or experience in my lifetime. That feeling has made me more reflective and aware of how deeply connected identity is to place, memory, and history. At the same time, my background has made me more resilient and more appreciative of what I have. Hearing my parents’ experiences as refugees has taught me the importance of perseverance and holding on to hope, even when things are uncertain. It has also made me more empathetic toward others who have experienced displacement or hardship. I understand, even in a small way, what it means to carry a history that is not always easy, and that has shaped the way I treat people and the way I see the world. Because of these experiences, I have developed a strong desire to help others. I want to pursue a career in medicine, specifically as a doctor or pediatrician. I am drawn to healthcare because it allows me to be there for people during vulnerable moments in their lives, especially children and families. I know that this path will require a lot of hard work, years of education, and financial responsibility, but I am committed to it because I want to make a real difference. In many ways, my Palestinian heritage is not just something I come from, but something that continues to shape who I am becoming. It has given me pride, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose. Even with the sadness I carry about what I may never be able to return to, it has pushed me to move forward with gratitude and determination, holding onto both where I come from and where I am going.

Fitness has become a really important part of my life because I use it as a way to destress and take care of my mental health. In the past, I didn’t always deal with my emotions in the best ways and I had some unhealthy coping habits that weren’t good for me. Over time, I slowly started to realize that those habits weren’t helping me feel any better long term, so I started looking for something healthier that could help me manage stress and emotions in a better way. That’s when I started working out more consistently, and it honestly changed a lot for me, not just physically but mentally too. Now I try to work out at least 10 minutes in the morning and about 10 minutes before I go to bed. It doesn’t always have to be something intense or complicated. Sometimes it’s just stretching, bodyweight exercises, or a short routine I find online, but I make sure I do something every day. In the morning, it helps me wake up and feel more focused instead of starting my day feeling tired or stressed. At night, it helps me slow down and clear my mind so I can relax before sleeping. Even those short workouts have made a noticeable difference in my routine and how I feel throughout the day. One of the biggest things I’ve noticed is how much working out helps me with my emotions. Whenever I feel sad, overwhelmed, angry, or just mentally drained, I use exercise as a way to release that energy instead of keeping it bottled up. It gives me something positive to focus on, even if it’s just for a few minutes. After I work out, I usually feel calmer and more in control of myself. It doesn’t magically fix everything I’m dealing with, but it helps me think more clearly and handle situations in a healthier way. Before I started using fitness as a coping method, I didn’t really have a good outlet for stress. I would either overthink things or turn to habits that didn’t really help me in the long run. Now, working out has replaced those habits with something that actually benefits me. It has helped me build discipline, patience, and a better mindset overall. I also feel more confident in myself because I’m doing something that I know is good for my body and my mental health. Over time, fitness has become more than just a routine for me. It’s something I rely on when I’m going through a lot, and it has helped me grow into someone who handles stress in a healthier way. Even though I’m still learning and improving, I can already see how much of a positive impact it has had on my life, and I plan to keep it as part of my daily routine moving forward.

Growing up in a low income household has had a big impact on the way I think about money. I learned early on that financial decisions matter and that sometimes you have to make sacrifices in order to afford the things you need. Because of this, I have always tried to be responsible with money and pay attention to how its spent and saved. While I have not had a lot of formal financial education, I have learned a lot through personal experience, watching my family manage expenses, and taking the time to learn about finances on my own. Over the past few years, I have become more interested in understanding how money works. I have learned about budgeting, saving, credit cards, and investing, and the importance of planning for the future. Whenever I earn money, I try to think carefully about how I spend it and how I can save for future goals by cutting it 20% and throwing it into saving. I know that financial literacy is a skill that can make a huge difference in someone's life, especially for students like me who are preparing to become financially independent. Something I am proud of is that I have been able to share what I know with my friends. When friends have questions about budgeting, getting a job, or understanding how credit works, I do my best to help them. I am not a financial expert, but I enjoy learning about these topics and passing that knowledge on to others. It feels good to know that something I have learned could help someone else make a better decision or avoid a mistake. Helping others has always been important to me, and I think that is one of the reasons I am interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. After high school, I want to become a doctor, even possibly a pediatrician. I have always wanted a career where I can make a positive difference in people's lives. I know that reaching this goal will require many years of education, hard work, and careful financial planning. College and medical school are major investments, and the financial knowledge I gain now will help me make smart decisions about paying for my education, managing expenses, and preparing for my future career. The lessons I learn about finance will not only help me achieve my own goals but also allow me to continue helping others. Whether it is supporting my family, giving advice to friends, or eventually helping patients and their families, I want to use my knowledge to make a positive impact. Financial education is about creating opportunities and building a stable future. I want to continue learning about personal finance. I know these skills will help me reach my goals and become more confident in my future. Most importantly, they will help me build a life where I can give back to others and make a meaningful difference in my community.

To me, success is being genuinely and whole heartedly satisfied with what you've accomplished and achieved with your goals. Success isn’t about perfection or having everything figured out early in life. It’s about making steady progress, learning from mistakes, and continuing to move forward. One indicator of success to me is knowing that I'll be able to support myself, take responsibility for my choices, and stay going to my education. Receiving this scholarship wouldn't just help me financially, but give me more time to focus on my own goals, my own success. Without the constant stress of financial pressure, I would be able to put more energy into my academic goals and personal growth. Right now, my main short-term goal is to pursue a four-year college in order to complete my general education while also finding a new job near where I plan to attend school. Balancing school, work, and other responsibilities can be challenging, but I see it as an opportunity to build independence and discipline, both of which are important for long-term success My long term goal, however, is that I want to do something in pediatrics. I want to pursue a career where I can make a real difference in children’s lives, whether that means providing care, comfort, or support. Personally, I know what it was like to have a pediatric doctor who didn't focus on me very much, who didn't really listen to my issues or my complaints, and believed my parent over me. I want to make a difference, not just in health, but also by making sure the kid I work with knows they're being listened to. This means that a lot of studying is involved, and its never too early to study. After all, a career in pediatrics requires persistence, patience, and a lot of mental clarity. While I do very well in health classes such as anatomy, physiology, public health, etc, I do very much struggle with things like chemistry as I'm dyslexic and get lost quite quickly. Therefore, I want to make sure I have enough time as possible to focus on my academics and not have to stress about finances as well. I understand that this path involves a lot of studying and preparation, and I believe it’s never too early to start building those habits. This scholarship would help me stay focused on my education and better prepare for the demands of my future career. Success, to me, is not just reaching a goal, but also growing into someone who is capable and committed to their goals. With the support of this scholarship, I would be able to take the necessary steps toward the future I want, and continue working toward a definition of success that I can truly be proud of.

There is always good that can come from bad. My teacher, Mrs.Lawrence, was an English 8th grade teacher for an honors course. Unfortunately, she was infamous for being not mentally the best, yet she still taught many years. As an 8th grader, I was an angry, anxious, and quiet child, coming out of quarantine freshly and overwhelmed. While my name is Nermin, nobody ever referred to me as such, not even my family. My family referred to me as "Nina", while my friends and soccer teammates referred to me as "Seven", a lucky number, my shirt number. Mrs. Lawrence, however, felt entitled to only refer to me by a foreign name, a name rarely anybody ever called me, Nermin. While it wasn't an issue, I became a main target, often enduring being yelled at for opinions on books, resulting in other students also being hated for defending me. After a year of being treated in that way, I finally stood up for myself for once in my life. I didn't argue back with her, I didn't raise my voice. I only asked her what was making her so angry with me, and why she always asked me questions just to berate me. Instead of a response, I was simply yelled at again, told that this was "proof I was a horrible child", that it was proof I will twist her words as I pleased. It didn't take long until after that she began to pick at everything, I wasn't as important because I was a light skinned Arab, that Arabs weren't really oppressed, that I wouldn't possibly be Muslim because I don't wear a hijab, that the name "Nina" or "Seven" was me fitting into society and erasing my culture, an overall exhausting year. It was also that same year that I realized even teachers and authority figures will treat you like you're beneath them if you allow them to, that they will treat you like a laughing stock if left alone. From then on, I began to treat teachers differently. Not bad, though I treated them as equals, like my friends rather than "teachers". After a while, it became easier to stand up for myself, and made me more friendly. To this day, I'm now on casual speaking and friendly terms with all the lunch ladies and men, almost all teachers, many protectors, and most staff everywhere I go. Mrs Lawrence gave me a difficult year, one of the hardest, mentally. But because of that expeirence, highschool became a place where I was able to easily make friends with teachers, standing up for myself against the ones who were rude to me, and immediately stopping the problem before it grew. To Mrs Lawrence, I hope she does leaqnr to be kinder to students, to be more tolerant and understand that as a teacher who is over 30 years old, its incredibly pointless to argue and berrate a 14 year old child.

Many children from disadvantaged home lives often struggle not only with finance, but personal identity and opportunities which other students may easily have accessibility to do or experience. These students such as I could deeply benefit from scholarships and grants as not only would it help with tuition, but it would also ensure that one wouldn't need to slave away at every moment to gather scraps of cash for themselves to save in a college fund. For me personally, I've had to work two jobs since the moment I turned 16, tutoring at just 14 to help my parents when it came to increasing rent. Even now, as I type this, I can understand why many children strive for scholarships. In many situations, it's the only way to avoid burnout and ensure academic success, especially when many students spend hours a day working for a fraction of the grant. In my personal case, my father has been disabled since I was born, unable to walk and miraculously cured of cancer when I was just 6. To this day, he is unable to work due to a metal rod he has in his back. My mother, a severe diabetic before suffering a fall that also injured her back, is his primary caretaker. However, when it comes down to it, my brother and I were raised similarly, taking care of my parents and often working side jobs or baking and cooking, selling them around school to make a profit. Theres only so much we can use from the government or medical aid, just barely enough to cover rent in this economy. Every dollar we make goes to the rent, and now with my brother gone and my cousin living with us instead, almost all the money we have goes to her savings or rent, regardless of who makes the money. For these reasons, I believe that I am one of the few people who could truly say that I can understand what it means to be dealt an unlucky hand and surviving, thriving, with what I have and what I can do, volunteering and using my free meal card at work to bring home food and stay healthy. I am thankful for my parents and my brother, and I won't say I've had the most unfortunate life there is, but I also cannot sit and say that this grant and scholarship wouldn't do me well.