I am looking to improve my life and my children’s lives. Both of my children are also college students. I am married but my husband is substantially older than me, not the father of my children. He is disabled. I love him dearly but he can only help so much. My kids are my responsibility completely. I work as an accountant now, without a degree. I cannot move up in my salary. I love this field. I believe the accounting/financial world needs to be filled with honesty and integrity. Since I have served in many accounting roles, I have found substantial theft by various employees at various levels. It is heartbreaking for everyone involved. I have also seen that business owners do not understand the impact of their decisions until it’s too late. I am currently enrolled in Southern New Hampshire University. I fear the debt I may potentially put myself in. I am already strapped. I would love to show the world that education always broadens your world. The program I am enrolling in teaches a lot about cultural diversity. The field that I am in could use this. There are a lot of Latin American technicians (HVAC) and I want to be sure they are always treated with love and respect. I would also like to add Spanish language to my world. I want to connect and relate to our Latin community. In 2016 I was affected by divorce. I found that my husband was married to another woman in another state. I was quickly displaced, I had not worked outside my home for 12 years, caring for our blended family and doing the books for our family owned Plumbing company. We had six children between the two of us. While some of the group had progressed into adulthood, I was left with the youngest two children. Our girl, my ex-husband’s biological daughter, came with me. I was left with our youngest two children. My ex-husband has not has contact with the children since 2018. Nor has he provided any financial support. My daughter, 23 now, is thriving, in college and is teaching part time. My son, 17, is in high school and is also attending college classes. We are a happy, functional unit. We have survived financial turmoil, emotional pain, and really rebuilding our lives from what felt like ground zero. I want to be the best example I can be. I want to be able to take better financial care of my family. My husband is not in great condition health wise and I know I will eventually be on my own. I have to move my career forward by obtaining my degree. My last college experience was when I turned 40. I obtained a 4.0 in my pre nursing program. I was on my way to becoming a doctor of nurse practice when my divorce happened and I did not feel like I could continue my education financially. I am now 51. I have worked in accounting my whole life and have held contract CFO, controller and various other positions. My business degree will be all encompassing, including Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Ethics, Diversity; organizational and financial health overall. So many companies need this. The way I explain my degree to people is that I will become one of the “Bobs” of Office Space, the movie. I know this gave more information than you were looking for, but I wanted to show who I am, where I come from, and where I am headed. Again, thank you for your consideration.

I am a single parent. I am looking to improve my life and my children’s lives. Both of my children are also college students. I am married but my husband is substantially older than me, not the father of my children. He is disabled. I love him dearly but he can only help so much. My kids are my responsibility completely. I work as an accountant now, without a degree. I cannot move up in my salary. I am currently enrolled in Southern New Hampshire University. I fear the debt I may potentially put myself in. I am already strapped. I would love to honor Anna and show the world that education always broadens your world. The program I am enrolling in teaches a lot about cultural diversity. The field that I am in could use this. There are a lot of Latin American technicians (HVAC) and I want to be sure they are always treated with love and respect. I would also like to add Spanish language to my world. I want to connect and relate to our Latin community. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship. Everything helps. In 2006 I was affected by divorce. I found that my husband was married to another woman in another state. I was quickly displaced, I had not worked outside my home for 12 years, caring for our blended family. We had six children between the two of us. While some of the group had progressed into adulthood, I was left with the youngest two children. Our girl, my ex-husband’s biological daughter, came with me. I was left with our youngest two children. My ex-husband has not has contact with the children since 2018. Nor has he provided any financial support. My daughter, 23 now, is thriving, in college and is teaching part time. My son, 17, is in high school and is also attending college classes. We are a happy, functional unit. We have survived financial turmoil, emotional pain, and really rebuilding our lives from what felt like ground zero. I want to be the best example I can be. I want to be able to take better financial care of my family. My husband is not in great condition health wise and I know I will eventually be on my own. I have to move my career forward by obtaining my degree. I am excited, but I fear what the future holds. Education is never a waste. I am ready. My last college experience was when I turned 40. I obtained a 4.0 in my pre nursing program. I was on my way to becoming a doctor of nurse practice when my divorce happened and I did not feel like I could continue my education financially. I am now 51. I have worked in accounting my whole life and have held contract CFO, controller and various other positions. I really love it. My business degree will be all encompassing, including Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Ethics, Diversity and organizational health overall. So many companies need this. The way I explain my degree to people is that I will become one of the “Bobs” of Office Space, the movie. If you haven’t watched this movie, it is a must; very funny and relatable. Again, thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Shelley Sakamoto