My name is Shannon Gorham, and my journey toward higher education has not followed a traditional path. At thirty-eight years old, I come to Central New Mexico Community College with a clear sense of purpose shaped by years of overcoming obstacles that might have stopped someone else. Living with dyslexia and ADHD made school extremely challenging, and earning my high school diploma required persistence and determination. When New Mexico changed its laws, preventing adults who needed more than seven credits from finishing locally, I happened to need eight. Even though this setback was discouraging, I refused to give up. Instead, I found an out-of-state online program and completed my diploma through Graduation Alliance. I have three major goals guiding my decision to pursue college. First, I want to create a program that does not currently exist, one designed to support vulnerable youth who have nowhere safe to turn. Second, I hope to advocate for laws that protect homeless teens in New Mexico, many of whom are left without resources or guidance. Third, I want to work on legislation that ensures women at risk of losing their children have access to legal information and representation. These goals come from real experiences and a deep desire to serve my community. As a mother of three children—twin girls and a nineteen-year-old daughter who is in college as well—I understand responsibility, sacrifice, and the importance of education. Supporting my children while pursuing my own goals has required careful balance and dedication. My journey has shown them that it is never too late to chase dreams or build a better future. Their belief in me strengthens my determination to succeed. Although dyslexia presents challenges, I have never allowed it to define me. I read more slowly than most people, and I struggle with spelling, but technology such as spell check has made these difficulties manageable. There are also accommodations available today that did not exist when I was younger, and they give me confidence that I can succeed academically. Despite my struggles, I learn quickly, and I have always loved learning. My passion for learning began when I attended my mother’s college classes at UNM at the age of fourteen. That is where I discovered Shakespeare and learned that I could understand his plays in their original language. My interest grew quickly, and I was invited to travel with the class to Europe, an experience that changed my perspective. While studying abroad, I learned that Shakespeare himself struggled with spelling and relied on a scribe to rewrite his plays. Realizing this helped me accept my dyslexia and understand that needing help does not make me less intelligent. Traveling through Europe strengthened my love for history and literature. I saw performances at the Globe Theatre, visited Stratford-upon-Avon, and explored historic sites across England, Scotland, and France. These experiences taught me that I could understand complex material despite my reading challenges. Later, in eighth grade, the academic skills I gained from attending college classes helped me win a writing competition, earning my first computer and introducing me to tools that improved my success. Today, I am a focused adult student with a clear plan for my future. Receiving a scholarship would allow me to reduce my work hours and dedicate more time to my studies. Without financial help, balancing full-time work and college would be extremely difficult and could threaten my progress and ability to graduate. I have worked too hard to stop now, and I hope for the opportunity to complete what I began so many years ago. Thank you for considering my application and my goals.

My name is Shannon Gorham, and my journey toward higher education has not followed a traditional path. At thirty-eight years old, I come to Central New Mexico Community College with a clear sense of purpose shaped by years of overcoming obstacles that might have stopped someone else. Living with dyslexia and ADHD made school extremely challenging, and earning my high school diploma required persistence and determination. When New Mexico changed its laws, preventing adults who needed more than seven credits from finishing locally, I happened to need eight. Even though this setback was discouraging, I refused to give up. Instead, I found an out-of-state online program and completed my diploma through Graduation Alliance. I have three major goals guiding my decision to pursue college. First, I want to create a program that does not currently exist, one designed to support vulnerable youth who have nowhere safe to turn. Second, I hope to advocate for laws that protect homeless teens in New Mexico, many of whom are left without resources or guidance. Third, I want to work on legislation that ensures women at risk of losing their children have access to legal information and representation. These goals come from real experiences and a deep desire to serve my community. As a mother of three children—twin girls and a nineteen-year-old daughter who is in college as well—I understand responsibility, sacrifice, and the importance of education. Supporting my children while pursuing my own goals has required careful balance and dedication. My journey has shown them that it is never too late to chase dreams or build a better future. Their belief in me strengthens my determination to succeed. Although dyslexia presents challenges, I have never allowed it to define me. I read more slowly than most people, and I struggle with spelling, but technology such as spell check has made these difficulties manageable. There are also accommodations available today that did not exist when I was younger, and they give me confidence that I can succeed academically. Despite my struggles, I learn quickly, and I have always loved learning. My passion for learning began when I attended my mother’s college classes at UNM at the age of fourteen. That is where I discovered Shakespeare and learned that I could understand his plays in their original language. My interest grew quickly, and I was invited to travel with the class to Europe, an experience that changed my perspective. While studying abroad, I learned that Shakespeare himself struggled with spelling and relied on a scribe to rewrite his plays. Realizing this helped me accept my dyslexia and understand that needing help does not make me less intelligent. Traveling through Europe strengthened my love for history and literature. I saw performances at the Globe Theatre, visited Stratford-upon-Avon, and explored historic sites across England, Scotland, and France. These experiences taught me that I could understand complex material despite my reading challenges. Later, in eighth grade, the academic skills I gained from attending college classes helped me win a writing competition, earning my first computer and introducing me to tools that improved my success. I am a focused adult student with a clear plan for my future. Receiving a scholarship would allow me to reduce my work hours and dedicate more time to my studies. Without financial help, balancing full-time work and college would be extremely difficult and could threaten my progress and ability to graduate. I have worked too hard to stop now, and I hope for the opportunity to complete what I began so many years ago. Thank you for considering my application and my goals.

My name is Shannon Gorham, and my journey toward higher education has not followed a traditional path. At thirty-eight years old, I come to Central New Mexico Community College with a clear sense of purpose shaped by years of overcoming obstacles that might have stopped someone else. Living with dyslexia and ADHD made school extremely challenging, and earning my high school diploma required persistence and determination. When New Mexico changed its laws, preventing adults who needed more than seven credits from finishing locally, I happened to need eight. Even though this setback was discouraging, I refused to give up. Instead, I found an out-of-state online program and completed my diploma through Graduation Alliance. I have three major goals guiding my decision to pursue college. First, I want to create a program that does not currently exist, one designed to support vulnerable youth who have nowhere safe to turn. Second, I hope to advocate for laws that protect homeless teens in New Mexico, many of whom are left without resources or guidance. Third, I want to work on legislation that ensures women at risk of losing their children have access to legal information and representation. These goals come from real experiences and a deep desire to serve my community. As a mother of three children—twin girls and a nineteen-year-old daughter who is in college as well—I understand responsibility, sacrifice, and the importance of education. Supporting my children while pursuing my own goals has required careful balance and dedication. My journey has shown them that it is never too late to chase dreams or build a better future. Their belief in me strengthens my determination to succeed. Although dyslexia presents challenges, I have never allowed it to define me. I read more slowly than most people, and I struggle with spelling, but technology such as spell check has made these difficulties manageable. There are also accommodations available today that did not exist when I was younger, and they give me confidence that I can succeed academically. Despite my struggles, I learn quickly, and I have always loved learning. My passion for learning began when I attended my mother’s college classes at UNM at the age of fourteen. That is where I discovered Shakespeare and learned that I could understand his plays in their original language. My interest grew quickly, and I was invited to travel with the class to Europe, an experience that changed my perspective. While studying abroad, I learned that Shakespeare himself struggled with spelling and relied on a scribe to rewrite his plays. Realizing this helped me accept my dyslexia and understand that needing help does not make me less intelligent. Traveling through Europe strengthened my love for history and literature. I saw performances at the Globe Theatre, visited Stratford-upon-Avon, and explored historic sites across England, Scotland, and France. These experiences taught me that I could understand complex material despite my reading challenges. Later, in eighth grade, the academic skills I gained from attending college classes helped me win a writing competition, earning my first computer and introducing me to tools that improved my success. I am a focused adult student with a clear plan for my future. Receiving a scholarship would allow me to reduce my work hours and dedicate more time to my studies. Without financial help, balancing full-time work and college would be extremely difficult and could threaten my progress and ability to graduate. I have worked too hard to stop now, and I hope for the opportunity to complete what I began so many years ago. Thank you for considering my application and my goals.

My name is Shannon Gorham, and my journey toward higher education has not followed a traditional or predictable path. At thirty-eight years old, I come to Central New Mexico Community College with a strong sense of purpose shaped by many years of overcoming obstacles that might have discouraged someone else. Living with dyslexia and ADHD made school extremely challenging, and earning my high school diploma required persistence, patience, and determination. After working for years to finish high school, I was devastated when New Mexico changed its laws, preventing adults who needed more than seven remaining credits from completing their diploma locally. I needed eight. Even though this setback hit me hard, I refused to walk away from my goals. Instead of giving up, I searched for an alternative and eventually enrolled in an out-of-state online program. Graduation Alliance made it possible for me to finally earn my high school diploma and continue toward the future I had worked so hard to build. I pursued my diploma because I have three major goals that guide my educational path. First, I want to create a program that does not yet exist, one that supports vulnerable youth who have nowhere else to turn. Second, I want to help improve laws that protect homeless teens in New Mexico, many of whom are dying on our streets without access to resources. Third, I want to ensure that women at risk of losing their children have access to legal information and the right to an attorney. These goals are not abstract ideas; they come from real experiences and a deep desire to serve my community. Although dyslexia presents challenges, I have never let it define me. I read more slowly than most people and often struggle with spelling, but modern technology, including spell check and other digital tools, has helped make these obstacles much easier to manage. These tools, along with college accommodations that did not exist when I was younger, give me confidence that I can succeed academically. Despite my struggles, I have strong comprehension, learn quickly, and genuinely love learning. My love of reading began at age fourteen, when I used to attend my mother’s college classes at UNM. It was there that I discovered Shakespeare and realized I could understand his plays in their original, older English. My interest in his writing grew so quickly that the instructor invited me to travel with the class to Europe. That trip changed my life. While studying Shakespeare there, I learned something that helped me accept my dyslexia: Shakespeare himself could not spell. He relied on a scribe to rewrite his plays so others could read them. Learning this helped me understand that needing help does not make me less intelligent; it simply means I learn differently. Traveling abroad also deepened my love for literature and history. I saw performances at the Globe Theatre in London, visited Stratford-upon-Avon, and explored historic sites in Scotland, Yorkshire, Nottingham, and Paris. These experiences showed me that I could understand complex material despite my reading challenges. Later, in eighth grade, the skills I learned from attending college classes helped me win a writing competition at Wilson Middle School. While other students used poster boards, I submitted a fully formatted academic paper. Winning that competition earned me my first computer and introduced me to spell check, which became an essential tool for my education. I have worked too hard to stop now, and I hope for the opportunity to continue the path I began so many years ago. Sincerely, Shannon Gorham

My name is Shannon Gorham, and my journey toward higher education has not followed a traditional or predictable path. At thirty-eight years old, I come to Central New Mexico Community College with a strong sense of purpose shaped by many years of overcoming obstacles that might have discouraged someone else. Living with dyslexia and ADHD made school extremely challenging, and earning my high school diploma required persistence, patience, and determination. After working for years to finish high school, I was devastated when New Mexico changed its laws, preventing adults who needed more than seven remaining credits from completing their diplomas locally. I needed eight. Even though this setback hit me hard, I refused to walk away from my goals. Instead of giving up, I searched for an alternative and eventually enrolled in an out-of-state online program. Graduation Alliance made it possible for me to finally earn my high school diploma and continue toward the future I had worked so hard to build. I pursued my diploma because I have three major goals that guide my educational path. First, I want to create a program that does not yet exist, one that supports vulnerable youth who have nowhere else to turn. Second, I want to help improve laws that protect homeless teens in New Mexico, many of whom are dying on our streets without access to resources. Third, I want to ensure that women at risk of losing their children have access to legal information and the right to an attorney. These goals are not abstract ideas; they come from real experiences and a deep desire to serve my community. Although dyslexia presents challenges, I have never let it define me. I read more slowly than most people and often struggle with spelling, but modern technology, including spell check and other digital tools, has helped make these obstacles much easier to manage. These tools, along with college accommodations that did not exist when I was younger, give me confidence that I can succeed academically. Despite my struggles, I have strong comprehension, learn quickly, and genuinely love learning. My love of reading began at age fourteen, when I used to attend my mother’s college classes at UNM. It was there that I discovered Shakespeare and realized I could understand his plays in their original, older English. My interest in his writing grew so quickly that the instructor invited me to travel with the class to Europe. That trip changed my life. While studying Shakespeare there, I learned something that helped me accept my dyslexia: Shakespeare himself could not spell. He relied on a scribe to rewrite his plays so others could read them. Learning this helped me understand that needing help does not make me less intelligent; it simply means I learn differently. Traveling abroad also deepened my love for literature and history. I saw performances at the Globe Theatre in London, visited Stratford-upon-Avon, and explored historic sites in Scotland, Yorkshire, Nottingham, and Paris. These experiences showed me that I could understand complex material despite my reading challenges. Later, in eighth grade, the skills I learned from attending college classes helped me win a writing competition at Wilson Middle School. While other students used poster boards, I submitted a fully formatted academic paper. Winning that competition earned me my first computer and introduced me to spell check, which became an essential tool for my education. I am a focused adult with a clear plan for my future. I have worked too hard to stop now. I hope for the opportunity to continue the path I began so many years ago. Shannon Gorham

My name is Shannon Gorham, and my journey toward higher education has not followed a traditional or predictable path. At thirty-eight years old, I come to Central New Mexico Community College with a strong sense of purpose shaped by many years of overcoming obstacles that might have discouraged someone else. Living with dyslexia and ADHD made school extremely challenging, and earning my high school diploma required persistence, patience, and determination. After working for years to finish high school, I was devastated when New Mexico changed its laws, preventing adults who needed more than seven remaining credits from completing their diploma locally. I needed eight. Even though this setback hit me hard, I refused to walk away from my goals. Instead of giving up, I searched for an alternative and eventually enrolled in an out-of-state online program. Graduation Alliance made it possible for me to finally earn my high school diploma and continue toward the future I had worked so hard to build. I pursued my diploma because I have three major goals that guide my educational path. First, I want to create a program that does not yet exist, one that supports vulnerable youth who have nowhere else to turn. Second, I want to help improve laws that protect homeless teens in New Mexico, many of whom are dying on our streets without access to resources. Third, I want to ensure that women at risk of losing their children have access to legal information and the right to an attorney. These goals are not abstract ideas; they come from real experiences and a deep desire to serve my community. Although dyslexia presents challenges, I have never let it define me. I read more slowly than most people and often struggle with spelling, but modern technology, including spell check and other digital tools, has helped make these obstacles much easier to manage. These tools, along with college accommodations that did not exist when I was younger, give me confidence that I can succeed academically. Despite my struggles, I genuinely love learning. My love of reading began at age fourteen, when I used to attend my mother’s college classes at UNM. It was there that I discovered Shakespeare and realized I could understand his plays in their original, older English. My interest in his writing grew so quickly that the instructor invited me to travel with the class to Europe. That trip changed my life. While studying Shakespeare there, I learned something that helped me accept my dyslexia: Shakespeare himself could not spell. He relied on a scribe to rewrite his plays so others could read them. Learning this helped me understand that needing help does not make me less intelligent; it simply means I learn differently. Traveling abroad also deepened my love for literature and history. I saw performances at the Globe Theatre in London, visited Stratford-upon-Avon, and explored historic sites in Scotland, Yorkshire, Nottingham, and Paris. These experiences showed me that I could understand complex material despite my reading challenges. Later, in eighth grade, the skills I learned from attending college classes helped me win a writing competition at Wilson Middle School. While other students used poster boards, I submitted a fully formatted academic paper. Winning that competition earned me my first computer and introduced me to spell check, which became an essential tool for my education. Today, I am a focused adult student with a clear plan for my future. I have worked too hard to stop now, and I hope for the opportunity to continue the path I began so many years ago. Shannon Gorham

My name is Shannon Gorham, and my journey toward higher education has been shaped by perseverance, personal sacrifice, and a deep commitment to serving vulnerable youth. At 38 years old, I have taken an unconventional path to college, one shaped by the challenges of dyslexia, ADHD, and obstacles that could have stopped me many times. Earning my high school diploma took years of effort, and when I finally reached the last step, New Mexico law changed and prevented adults who needed more than seven credits from finishing through local programs. I had eight credits left. Although I felt devastated, I refused to give up. Instead, I searched for another path and completed my diploma through an out-of-state online program. Graduation Alliance helped me earn what I had fought so long for, but it was my determination that carried me there. My desire to continue my education comes from both my own experiences and the influence of my mother, who is a severely and profoundly disabled special education high school teacher. Growing up, I watched her dedicate her life to students who needed patience, guidance, stability, and someone who believed in them. She cared for teens who came from difficult homes, who had disabilities, and who struggled with challenges far greater than their schoolwork. Seeing her advocate for these students taught me that serving vulnerable young people is not just important—it is necessary. Inspired by her example, I hope to use my education to help runaway youth and homeless minors who too often slip through the cracks. Many of these teens leave home because of abuse, neglect, or fear, and they deserve protection, resources, and legal support. I want to be someone who stands up for them when no one else will. Despite the hurdles I faced, I have always loved learning. My dyslexia means I read more slowly and struggle with spelling, but technology and academic accommodations have made these challenges manageable. What has always set me apart is my strong comprehension and my ability to learn quickly. When I was fourteen, I attended my mother’s classes at UNM and discovered my love for Shakespeare. I could understand his work even in its original language, and my enthusiasm led to the opportunity to travel with the class to Europe. During that trip, I learned something about Shakespeare that changed how I viewed myself: he could not spell and relied on a scribe to rewrite his plays. Realizing that even a literary genius needed help taught me that my dyslexia does not diminish my intelligence. The experiences I gained from that trip—including seeing plays at the Globe Theatre, visiting Shakespeare’s birthplace, and exploring historic sites across England, France, and Scotland—broadened my understanding of literature, culture, and the world. These lessons continue to influence me today. I learned early that with the right tools, I could succeed academically. In eighth grade, I won a writing competition using formatting skills I had learned from attending my mother’s college classes. That competition earned me my first desktop computer, and using spell check opened a new chapter of independence in my education. Today, I have clear goals for my future. I want to create a program dedicated to helping homeless youth and runaway teens, advocate for laws that protect them, and work on legislation that ensures women at risk of losing their children have access to legal information and representation. My career plans come from my life experiences, my mother’s influence, and my desire to give back to my community. I hope you will allow me to complete this journey. Shannon Gorham

My name is Shannon Gorham, and my journey to higher education has been shaped by determination, resilience, and a clear vision for my future. At 38 years old, I have taken an unconventional path to college, one defined by challenges that might have stopped someone else. My struggles with dyslexia and ADHD made traditional schooling difficult, and earning my high school diploma became a long and emotional process. Even after years of effort, I faced an unexpected setback when New Mexico law changed, preventing adults who needed more than seven credits from finishing their diploma through local programs. I had eight credits left. Although this was discouraging, I refused to let it end my progress. Instead, I found an out-of-state online program and completed my diploma through Graduation Alliance, proving to myself that persistence can overcome any barrier. I want to continue my education because I have clear goals for how I will use my degree. I hope to create a program that currently does not exist—one dedicated to helping vulnerable populations who are often overlooked. I want to advocate for homeless youth, many of whom die on our streets without the support or legal protections they deserve. I also want to work on legislation that ensures women at risk of losing their children have access to legal information and representation. These are not abstract ambitions; they are the result of real experiences and observations that have shaped my understanding of the community’s needs. Despite the difficulties caused by dyslexia, I have never lost my love for learning. I read more slowly than most and struggle with spelling, but modern technology and academic accommodations have made these challenges more manageable. What has always set me apart is my strong comprehension and passion for education. When I was fourteen, I attended my mother’s college classes at UNM and discovered my love for Shakespeare. I could understand his works in their original language, and my enthusiasm earned me the opportunity to travel with the class to Europe. On that trip, I learned a fact about Shakespeare that deeply affected me: he could not spell and relied on a scribe to rewrite his plays. This taught me that my dyslexia does not make me less capable or intelligent. My experiences abroad strengthened my interest in history and literature. I attended performances at the Globe Theatre, visited Shakespeare’s birthplace, and explored important cultural sites in England, Scotland, and France. These experiences expanded my worldview and helped me develop the skills I continue to rely on today. I also learned early on that with the right tools, I could succeed academically. In eighth grade, I won a writing competition by creating a well-formatted report using skills I learned from my mother’s college classes. That competition awarded me my first desktop computer, and using spell check became a turning point in my education. Receiving a scholarship is essential for me to achieve my goals. As an adult who supports myself, I cannot stop working, but without financial help, I would need to work so much that I would not have enough time to succeed in my classes. I am committed to my education and to giving back to the community, and I hope for the chance to complete what I have worked so long to begin.

My name is Shannon Gorham, and my journey to higher education has been shaped by determination, resilience, and a clear vision for my future. At 38 years old, I have taken an unconventional path to college, one defined by challenges that might have stopped someone else. My struggles with dyslexia and ADHD made traditional schooling difficult, and earning my high school diploma became a long and emotional process. Even after years of effort, I faced an unexpected setback when New Mexico law changed, preventing adults who needed more than seven credits from finishing their diploma through local programs. I had eight credits left. Although this was discouraging, I refused to let it end my progress. Instead, I found an out-of-state online program and completed my diploma through Graduation Alliance, proving to myself that persistence can overcome any barrier. I want to continue my education because I have clear goals for how I will use my degree. I hope to create a program that currently does not exist—one dedicated to helping vulnerable populations who are often overlooked. I want to advocate for homeless youth, many of whom die on our streets without the support or legal protections they deserve. I also want to work on legislation that ensures women at risk of losing their children have access to legal information and representation. These are not abstract ambitions; they are the result of real experiences and observations that have shaped my understanding of the community’s needs. Despite the difficulties caused by dyslexia, I have never lost my love for learning. I read more slowly than most and struggle with spelling, but modern technology and academic accommodations have made these challenges more manageable. What has always set me apart is my strong comprehension and passion for education. When I was fourteen, I attended my mother’s college classes at UNM and discovered my love for Shakespeare. I could understand his works in their original language, and my enthusiasm earned me the opportunity to travel with the class to Europe. On that trip, I learned a fact about Shakespeare that deeply affected me: he could not spell and relied on a scribe to rewrite his plays. This taught me that my dyslexia does not make me less capable or intelligent. My experiences abroad strengthened my interest in history and literature. I attended performances at the Globe Theatre, visited Shakespeare’s birthplace, and explored important cultural sites in England, Scotland, and France. These experiences expanded my worldview and helped me develop the skills I continue to rely on today. I also learned early on that with the right tools, I could succeed academically. In eighth grade, I won a writing competition by creating a well-formatted report using skills I learned from my mother’s college classes. That competition awarded me my first desktop computer, and using spell check became a turning point in my education. Receiving a scholarship is essential for me to achieve my goals. As an adult who supports myself, I cannot stop working, but without financial help, I would need to work so much that I would not have enough time to succeed in my classes. I am committed to my education and to giving back to the community, and I hope for the chance to complete what I have worked so long to begin. Sincerely, Shannon Gorham

My name is Shannon Gorham, and my path to higher education has been anything but traditional. At 38 years old, I come to Central New Mexico Community College with a clear sense of purpose shaped by years of overcoming obstacles. Living with dyslexia and ADHD made earning my high school diploma a long and difficult process, but I refused to give up. When New Mexico law changed and prevented adults over a certain age who needed more than seven credits from completing their diploma locally, I had only eight credits left. It was devastating, but it did not stop me. Instead, it motivated me to find another way. I eventually earned my diploma through an online program out of state, and Graduation Alliance made it possible for me to achieve what I had worked so hard for. I pursued my diploma with determination because I have three clear academic and career goals. I want to develop a program that does not yet exist, one that will support vulnerable populations in my community. I want to help fix laws that should be protecting homeless youth, many of whom die on our streets without the support or advocacy they desperately need. I want to work on legislation that ensures women at risk of losing their children have access to legal information and the right to an attorney. Many students start college without knowing exactly what they want to study. I fully believe every person deserves the chance to pursue higher education, whether or not they have a clear path. I consider it an advantage that I know exactly what I want to do and how I plan to use my degree. My goals are rooted in service, and receiving a scholarship would allow me to pursue them with the focus and dedication they require. I also understand that I have certain disadvantages because of my dyslexia. I read more slowly than most people and often struggle with spelling. However, modern technology, such as spell check and digital tools built into computers and phones, has made these challenges far more manageable than they once were. In addition, many academic accommodations exist today that were not available when I was younger, giving me greater confidence in my ability to complete college successfully. My struggles have never defined my intelligence or my love of learning. In fact, despite my dyslexia, I have always had exceptional comprehension skills and a genuine enthusiasm for learning. When I was fourteen, I often attended my mother’s college classes at UNM. It was there that I discovered my love for Shakespeare. I was able to read and understand his plays in the original early modern English with surprising ease. I became so passionate about it that the instructor allowed me to join the class on a trip to Europe. During that trip, I learned a fact about Shakespeare that has stayed with me ever since: Shakespeare himself could not spell. He relied on a scribe to rewrite his plays so the actors could read them. Recognizing this helped me understand that my dyslexia does not diminish my intelligence. If someone considered a literary genius needed help with spelling, then I do not need to feel ashamed for needing help too. My European trip deepened my appreciation for history, literature, and culture. I attended performances of King Lear and Macbeth at the Globe Theatre in London, as well as Hamlet and Twelfth Night in Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born and buried. I also visited Yorkshire, Scotland, Nottingham, Paris, the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, and the Eiffel Tower. Experiencing these places firsthand gave me a strong understanding of historical literature at a young age and helped me see the world through a broader lens. My love of learning also helped me succeed despite my challenges. When I was in eighth grade, attending my mother’s college classes taught me how to format a proper academic paper. This skill helped me win a writing competition at Wilson Middle School. While many students used posters for their projects, I submitted a clean, well-formatted written report. Winning that contest earned me my first desktop computer, and it was at that moment that spell check became my greatest tool. This experience reinforced something important to me: even with dyslexia, I could excel. I am not a typical college student; I am an adult with a clear plan for my education and future career. After working so hard for so many years to reach this point, it would be heartbreaking not to finish simply because of financial limitations. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and consider my request. I am deeply committed to my goals, and your support would make a meaningful difference in helping me achieve them. Sincerely, Shannon Gorham