I grew up with two amazing parents who were not able to attend college because of financial circumstance but they don't want that to stop me! My parents taught and modeled the
importance of God and giving. That’s where my love for serving began. There has been three things growing up that I am passionate about. The first is community service.
One of our graduation requirements is to complete at least 104 community service hours
during your four years of high school. As of date, I have completed over 500 community
service hours and counting. In January 2020, I received The Saigh Foundation Award. This
was presented to me by The St Louis Cardinals for my contributions to The Redbird Rookies
Program. In June 2023, I received The Exceptional Neighbor’s Award. This was presented
to me by The St Louis City Soccer Team for my dedication and service to my community.
This March, I was presented The Archbishop May Award in recognition of my diligence and
commitment of service to my community. Most recently, I was presented The Missouri State
High School Activities Association Sportsmanship Award for my commitment to fair play.
I have volunteered with several organizations at my school and in my community. With The
St Louis Dream Center, I packaged and distributed food, bookbags and school supplies
and wrapped and passed out toys. With The St Louis Cardinals Redbird Rookies program, I
helped coach youths K-8th grade the fundamentals of the game. With The St Louis Surge
Basketball Team, I was a ticket taker, floor mopper and passed out giveaways.
At school, I am the statistician with our football and basketball teams. I am our DJ for
various activities. I work at the concession stand during games. All of this is accomplished
with me holding down a 3.5 gpa along with taking ACC and Honors classes.
I enjoy helping people and serving those who are in need and are not blessed with the
opportunities I have had. I especially love working with the youth by mentoring them
through the love of basketball and baseball. When I see them smile, it puts a smile on my
face. That’s when I know I’ve done my job well and that makes me happy knowing I have
made a difference or impacted someone’s life for the better.
I would love to open a sports complex. It would offer lessons for multiple sports for inner
city youths to learn. I would provide tutoring for various subjects. It would also be a safe place
they can hang out and not get into trouble.
The next is financial literacy. Not having financial literacy in our community can result in
several problems such as struggling to make ends meet, falling into debt, or being unable to save
for important goals like college, raising a family, buying a home or retirement. Additionally,
people who are not financially literate are more likely to fall prey to financial scams and fraud,
which can lead to devastating consequences mentally, physically, and spiritually. My parents had
to learn through trial and error. It wasn’t easy for them but after 20+ years of being on a “roller
coaster” of financial events, they succeeded! They had to get various loans, asks family for
helps or in some cases go without. To help them, they read books, attended financial
literacy classes and went to counseling. Now, my parents have been able to teach my siblings
and I the “ins and outs” along with the “dos and don’ts” of money.
I have always been interested in helping people. I watch my parents give time, money and
other to any and anyone that they can. I enjoy writing and speaking. I am also a great
listener. I can see myself writing a book on financial literacy and insurance. It
would include what they both are and the importance of having them. This will be a book
for all but with emphasis for the African American communities and families. I could be
one of the resources people can use or read to further their education about their
finances.
I have had a love and passion for sports since I was 5 years old. I have played soccer, basketball,
baseball, tennis and ran track. I even participated in The Issac Bruce Football Camps against my
mother’s will lol. I would watch sports with my dad and then watch highlights. I became
intrigued with how they commented on the game, interviewed coaches and players, and later
quarreled over who was right and who was wrong. I was motivated to pursue this field by
becoming fascinated with Steven A. Smith and of course St Louis' own Joe Buck. I have been accepted to MIZZOU and will obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Mass Communication or Broadcasting,
preferably with a concentration in broadcast journalism. Becoming a Sports Broadcaster will be a
dream come true! There'd be nothing like being behind the scenes at a live sporting event,
whether it’s soccer, baseball, basketball, football, or any other option. Sports broadcasters get the
chance to be there in person. Although some sports broadcasters stay up in the news booth with
their colleagues, others get to be on the field or in the locker room, asking the players and
coaches questions before and after the game. You’ll gain fans who like the way that you describe
the action on the field and the ways in which you always have an important fact on hand to share
with the audience. There’s nothing quite like connecting with people that you have things in
common with. Having a college education and not having to worry about how I am going to pay
for it will equip me for this.
Receiving this scholarship will assist me with furthering my education and to continue my
commitment and dedication to the community in a new school and city.