I grew up in a home with two abusive neglectful parents. Both were criminals who robbed their families and kids. They damaged my outlook on life for a long time but once I was removed from their custody and saw that police officers and social workers were there to save us. I was taught not to trust anyone outside of the family but when we were saved, I was given a different view of life. My views had changed, I saw that if I was honest from the beginning life would have been safer for me and my siblings. These officers were there to help us, to protect us, and I realized at the age of 13 that I wanted to help and protect others like those officers help me. I believe that I can help the local community like officer Braem did by protecting our communities future, the children. Give them a new view on life. These kids maybe dealt the same deck I was given but I believe you can help them shuttle their hand for a better outcome. Give them a chance to see we will do everything we can to protect them, find them safe places to go, and they will have people to feel safe with outside of their home if need be. There is two people in my life as of now that inspired me to be a protector of those In our community. Both of my ants on my moms side of the family stood by me and my siblings even after what my parents did. They visited us all the time in foster care and helped us believe we will find a safe home one day. My ant eventually was able to adopt me and sister. My adoptive parent now, was in the army and was deployed in desert storm and now works for CDC (center of disease control). She was able to help me get to control and helped me figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to join the army like her, but due to my scoliosis, I was denied the chance. Now, I am fighting to become a police officer and defend like she did and still does. My other ant is the straight forward mother I should have had growing up and helped me move past my issues with trust and being scared of everything outside of our home. She also helped me get through high school and go into college. I wouldn’t be here and applying for this scholarship without my ants.

I grew up in a home with two abusive neglectful parents. Both were criminals who robbed their families and kids. They damaged my outlook on life for a long time but once I was removed from their custody and saw that police officers and social workers were there to save us. I was taught not to trust anyone outside of the family but when we were saved, I was given a different view of life. My views had changed, I saw that if I was honest from the beginning life would have been safer for me and my siblings. These officers were there to help us, to protect us, and I realized at the age of 13 that I wanted to help and protect others like those officers help me. I believe that I can help the local community like officer Braem did by protecting our communities future, the children. Give them a new view on life. These kids maybe dealt the same deck I was given but I believe you can help them shuttle their hand for a better outcome. Give them a chance to see we will do everything we can to protect them, find them safe places to go, and they will have people to feel safe with outside of their home if need be. There is two people in my life as of now that inspired me to be a protector of those In our community. Both of my ants on my moms side of the family stood by me and my siblings even after what my parents did. They visited us all the time in foster care and helped us believe we will find a safe home one day. My ant eventually was able to adopt me and sister. My adoptive parent now, was in the army and was deployed in desert storm and now works for CDC (center of disease control). She was able to help me get to control and helped me figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to join the army like her, but due to my scoliosis, I was denied the chance. Now, I am fighting to become a police officer and defend like she did and still does. My other ant is the straight forward mother I should have had growing up and helped me move past my issues with trust and being scared of everything outside of our home. She also helped me get through high school and go into college. I wouldn’t be here and applying for this scholarship without my ants.