I remember the first time I really understood school. I was sitting in my Honors English class—the first class I attended after the pandemic—and my teacher revolutionized writing for me: she said, to some effect, that writing is both creative and formulaic…figure out the structure, and the rest is all soul. Until then, I had written off all forms of higher education. I had decided to graduate High School and never look back. In fact, I was only in this class because I accidentally tested into it, as English was the only thing I would’ve considered myself good at. This small conversation with my teacher led to much, much more. From this, I was ignited with the pursuit of education, a belief in myself, and a push to keep this motivation going in everyone I met henceforth. Aforementioned, my Sophomore english teachers words propelled me to where I am now, but it wasn't just her that had this impact on me. Truthfully, at the end of that school year, the Advanced Placement English Language teacher visited my class and worked to indoctrinate students into her literary-truth based box: I was captivated. She had a maternal energy that I’d been searching for my whole life and unmoving patience. I signed up for that class immediately. Thus, I took her class. She complimented my writing every time she saw it and sympathized with all my emotions; it felt like she understood every issue I had. Growing up in an abusive household was the main reason I had zero academic motivation. She saw this, and worked with me. She was an educator, a friend, and an advisor: she showed me that I matter, and that I harness the capabilities to do more than naught. She pushed me to do Advanced Placement Literature the next year–which I did, and I passed each test. Then, right before I graduated, I sat in her classroom during lunchtime and she helped me submit a poem I wrote to a publisher. The next week, I got a letter from the publisher saying I would be published in their collective for the spring of ‘25. That was the moment my world changed: this was the moment I knew I wanted my future to be dedicated to education, so I could push the next generation of discouraged students to reach their goals. Education, to me, has always been bigger than grades. I think the biggest point of learning is retention, especially in relation to real-world scenarios. I believe that each student deserves the same push and understanding that I had; nobody ever knows what others are going through, and it is a unique gift to be somebody who can influence people to work hard, feel confident, and earnestly try their best. I hope to be encouraging and aware, just as my AP Language teacher had been for me. In my personal life, too, I work every day to exude compassion and optimism. For my age, I have lived a lot of life, and I’ve dealt with overcoming depression in high scool–something that, if it wasn't caught early enough, I would have sabotaged my entire future before it even started. Because of this rebirth, I know how detrimental poor mental health can be in academic settings; with this knowledge, I’ll be able to better understand and communicate with struggling students. Now, I am the leader of two clubs (one of which, named Vitae Lampada, works to publish young writers in a college-wide magazine, and the other, Rotaract, is entirely service based), the Vice President of Clubs in my student government, which oversees all 30,000 students in my college, and I maintain a strong GPA. None of this would have been possible without that push. Indeed, this exposure to college life has influenced me to want to never leave, and I am now pursuing a Doctorate in English Literature, hoping to become a professor with this degree. I plan to drill into my future students that they are what they work towards, and that the goal of education is exclusively to learn: hopefully, thwarting the “need” of AI usage in their writing while encouraging them to be interactive in their education. I want my future students to leave class knowing that they have fruitful knowledge and the ability to administer change, both within themselves and in the world.

Education has always been the most important thing in my day. From the day that I entered kindergarten, my teachers were guiding figures who helped me navigate a childhood full of uncertainty and “I can't do this.” Each teacher I’ve had not only taught me the necessary things but also taught me a love for learning and motivated me to be a lifelong learner. Learning the power of knowledge from a young age led me to want to be an educator, and I now aspire to someday teach English at a college level. English is more than grammar and composition and that which is taught in elementary and high school classrooms. English is art, communication, self-expression, and the basis on which people exist every second. In classrooms, students dissect complex texts and learn how to think beyond STEM while questioning society critically– this is further exemplified when looking at the increasing number of banned texts today. English, at its core, is important to create a well-read, well-educated, and open-minded generation. I have dreams of withholding a classroom that is a sanctuary for literary growth, educative experiments, and a founder for the love of learning. What is deeper than my love of English is my love of education. I grew up in a mentally and emotionally abusive household, and school was the only place I found joy. Educators were more than teachers, but parental figures that I strive to become. One educator I had that changed my life forever was named Hollis Fennen. Mrs. Fennen taught my AP Language course in high school, and she was the only person who encouraged me to blossom. Because of her, I write often, submit my work to competitions, and pursue English when I was originally thinking of pursuing a STEM career; my parents didn't think English was a worthy major, but she made me feel like I could and should follow my dreams. I still go to her often, be it to read my latest poem or talk about my favorite book series. Her passion for teaching and ability to touch each student's heart profoundly helped me find myself in a world that didn't make that easy for me. While working to achieve my dream career, I have made a myriad of sacrifices. One of the main sacrifices has been my time. As a college student who got kicked out, has no car, and a need for success, I work a lot. This exchange of time has resulted in zero social life and negatively affected my work and school performance. I acknowledge how lucky I am to be able to go to school and work, however, I wish I had more time to experience life; because I am chasing a doctorate, I imagine social stagnancy until I graduate. In addition, I am taking a leap of faith by pursuing education. With the rise of AI, many individuals are seeing less of a need to teach English, or even pay for educators. In my life, I have seen colleges, like Sonoma State, cut their English program when financial trouble arises. While this is a point of worry for me, I still have faith in the power of education and hope such programs will be reinstated. Conclusively, the sacrifices I have made have only inspired me more. I cannot wait to become an English professor someday, and I hope to become the fosterer of an environment that encourages drive, potential, and a love for literature. My future is beyond myself, instead, it’s in the hands of the generation I will shape with my experience and sacrifices.

Education has always been the most important thing in my day. From the day that I entered kindergarten, my teachers were guiding figures who helped me navigate a childhood full of uncertainty and “I can't do this.” Each teacher I’ve had not only taught me the necessary things but also taught me a love for learning and motivated me to be a lifelong learner. Learning the power of knowledge from a young age led me to want to be an educator, and I now aspire to someday teach English at a college level. English is more than grammar and composition and that which is taught in elementary and high school classrooms. English is art, communication, self-expression, and the basis on which people exist every second. In classrooms, students dissect complex texts and learn how to think beyond STEM while questioning society critically– this is further exemplified when looking at the increasing number of banned texts today. English, at its core, is important to create a well-read, well-educated, and open-minded generation. I have dreams of withholding a classroom that is a sanctuary for literary growth, educative experiments, and a founder for the love of learning. What is deeper than my love of English is my love of education. I grew up in a mentally and emotionally abusive household, and school was the only place I found joy. Educators were more than teachers, but parental figures that I mirror today and strive to become. One educator I had that changed my life forever was named Hollis Fennen. Mrs. Fennen taught my AP Language course in high school, and she was the only person who forced me to blossom. Because of her, I write often, submit my work to competitions, and pursue English when I was thinking of pursuing a STEM career; my parents didn't think English was a worthy major, but she made me feel like I could and should follow my dreams. I still go to her often, be it to read my latest poem or revel about my favorite book series. Her passion for teaching and ability to touch each student's heart profoundly helped me find myself in a world that didn't make that easy for me. This scholarship could help me touch the hearts of my future students and provide emotional refuge to young adults who grew up in difficult circumstances like I did. I aspire to educate the underserved and make every person know they matter, as my educators have done for me. Mrs. Fennen made me feel not only skilled and motivated enough to pursue my interests, but she made me feel like a human– I will never forget her or the effect she has had on me.

English teachers have a unique impact on their students, as they have the honor of leading youth through formative years and influencing their educational paths. I chose English, and I aspire to get a doctorate in order to become a professor, with a masters in education; my high school English teachers had a remarkable impact on me during a challenging period of my life and prompted me to become an English educator like them. Through my writing, I hope to show people with similar backgrounds that they are more than their circumstances and influence individuals to write more. I have always excelled in English, but I hadn’t considered it for a career until my sophomore year of high school. My honors English teacher recognized my potential, as well as my hurt, and showed me compassion; her encouragement prompted me to enroll in AP Language, where I had another lovely teacher who further pushed me to pursue writing and teaching. I am now working on my first novel, as well as my first poetry book, and I hope to portray my personal narrative in a way that resonates with all readers and writers. Writing holds a very special ability– the ability to unite people of all backgrounds and tell stories that will never be forgotten. By pursuing both writing and education, I can tell my story and push people to tell theirs as well. I hope to have an impact on the lives of my future students, just as my English teachers have for me. I recognize that students now have very little motivation due to home struggles or the stress of the external world, and they may resort to AI or disengagement. I hope I can create a place where students are encouraged to write for more than a grade, and to create lifelong learners while instilling confidence and knowledge in those who may feel unsupported. To achieve such, I plan to pursue two degrees– English and education– eventually becoming a teacher or a professor. I hope to foster a sense of community by creating study groups for my current peers, learning from the strategies that others may use to interpret them as teaching strategies in the future. I currently run a poetry club on my college campus and tutor students at a nearby high school with the goal of helping them find their love for writing. My motivation for pursuing this path originates in my childhood. I often carried a diary with me to document my thoughts, and my high school English pushed me to become an author despite the challenges I faced at home with an emotionally abusive stepmother and a mother who was largely absent. Writing became my safe space, and with it I was able to navigate my rough upbringing. Through my writing, I hope to inspire others with similar backgrounds to pursue their dreams.

English teachers have a unique impact on their students, as they have the honor of leading youth through formative years and influencing their educational paths. I chose English, and I aspire to get a doctorate in order to become a professor, with a masters in education; my high school English teachers had a remarkable impact on me during a challenging period of my life and prompted me to become an English educator like them. Through my writing, I hope to show people with similar backgrounds that they are more than their circumstances and influence individuals to write more. I have always excelled in English, but I hadn’t considered it for a career until my sophomore year of high school. My honors English teacher recognized my potential, as well as my hurt, and showed me compassion; her encouragement prompted me to enroll in AP Language, where I had another lovely teacher who further pushed me to pursue writing and teaching. I am now working on my first novel, as well as my first poetry book, and I hope to portray my personal narrative in a way that resonates with all readers and writers. Writing holds a very special ability– the ability to unite people of all backgrounds and tell stories that will never be forgotten. By pursuing both writing and education, I can tell my story and push people to tell theirs as well. I hope to have an impact on the lives of my future students, just as my English teachers have for me. I recognize that students now have very little motivation due to home struggles or the stress of the external world, and they may resort to AI or disengagement. I hope I can create a place where students are encouraged to write for more than a grade, and to create lifelong learners while instilling confidence and knowledge in those who may feel unsupported. To achieve such, I plan to pursue two degrees– English and education– eventually becoming a teacher or a professor. I hope to foster a sense of community by creating study groups for my current peers, learning from the strategies that others may use to interpret them as teaching strategies in the future. I currently run a poetry club on my college campus and tutor students at a nearby high school with the goal of helping them find their love for writing. My motivation for pursuing this path originates in my childhood. I often carried a diary with me to document my thoughts, and my high school English pushed me to become an author despite the challenges I faced at home with an emotionally abusive stepmother and a mother who was largely absent. Writing became my safe space, and with it I was able to navigate my rough upbringing. Through my writing, I hope to inspire others with similar backgrounds to pursue their dreams.

Education has always been the most important part of my life. Since the first day I entered kindergarten, my teachers have been guiding figures who helped me navigate a childhood full of uncertainty and “I can't do this.” Each teacher I’ve had not only taught me the necessary things but also taught me a love for learning and motivated me to be a lifelong learner. Learning the power of knowledge from a young age led me to want to be an educator, and I now aspire to someday teach English at a college level. To me, English is more than grammar and composition and that which is taught in elementary classrooms. English is art, communication, self-expression, and the basis on which people exist every second. In classrooms, students dissect complex texts and learn how to critically think while questioning society– this is further exemplified when looking at the increasing number of banned texts today. English, at its core, is important to create a well-read, well-educated, and open-minded generation. I have dreams of withholding a classroom that is a sanctuary for literary growth and educative experiments; furthermore, I live to become a founder of the love of learning. What is deeper than my love of English is my love of education. I grew up in a mentally and emotionally abusive household, and school was the only place I found joy. Educators were more than teachers, but parental figures that I mirror today and strive to become. One educator I had that changed my life forever was named Hollis Fennen. Mrs. Fennen taught my AP Language course at Santa Rosa High and was the only person who allowed me to blossom. Because of her, I write often, submit my work to competitions, and pursue English as a a major when I was thinking of pursuing a STEM career; my parents didn't think English was a worthy major, but she made me feel like I could and should follow my dreams. I still go to her often, be it to read my latest poem or revel about my favorite book series. Her passion for teaching and ability to touch each student's heart profoundly helped me find myself in a world that didn't make that easy for me. Without educators like Mrs. Fennen who work hard to appeal to each student's way of learning, future generations wouldn't be prepared for further education. By working hard to turn my love of learning, education, and English into a career, I can eventually have the same impact on others that my teachers had on me. I am indescribably excited to educate the future and cultivate lifelong learners.

Writing has shaped my life in ways I could never have imagined. In itself, it is a powerful craft that can tell stories and empower individuals from all over the world. The power behind writing and literature pushes me to pursue education in the field and teach it to others someday. When I think back to what got me writing, the first person I need to thank is my high school English teachers, as they guided me through some of the most difficult years of my life. Their unwavering support ignited my passion for writing and showed me that I, too, could be an English educator and do to my future students what they did for me. I am currently a freshman in college, and I’ll be pursuing a doctorate in English, along with a masters in education, so I can share a love for writing with the masses. I have loved writing for as long as I could hold a pencil, but it wasn't until sophomore year of high school that I realized I could turn it into a career. My honors english teacher acknowledged both my skills and my struggles, pushing me to take AP Language and Literature; little did she know that her few encouraging words would inspire me to write for the rest of my life. I am currently working on my first novel, and I have an unpublished poetry collective; I aim to share my life story in a Bronte-esque way to connect with any other young writers who feel abandoned in their creative lonesome. What I love most about writing is its ability to unite people. It tells stories that can be interpreted differently by every set of eyes. I am determined to create an educational environment where future students are inspired to write for more than a grade– for fun– where they can focus on personal experience and foster creativity. In a world where many students face external pressures and disengagement, I hope I can create a space where people are encouraged to explore their voices and narratives through literature and writing. My adoration for writing is both deeply personal and community-centric; I am the president of my college’s poetry club, and I tutor students at a close high school– both of these opportunities allow me to write more, teach those around me, and sink into others' writing. My drive to spread writing to others originates from my past. As a child, I would journal and write several short stories on my old family computer– I used writing as a safety belt while being raised by an emotionally abusive stepmother and an absent mother. I found my voice between Microsoft keys, and I know the same can be possible for others with similar struggles. I hope that through my words, I can show others that they are more than their circumstances. My love for writing prompts my desire to pursue further education. It offers an emotional outlet while helping others connect, get inspired, and find their calling. By embracing English, I aim to transform lives through education and storytelling, ensuring that every voice is heard.

English teachers have a unique impact on their students, as they have the honor of leading youth through formative years and influencing their educational paths. I chose English, and I aspire to get a doctorate in order to become a professor, with a masters in education; my high school English teachers had a remarkable impact on me during a challenging period of my life and prompted me to become an English educator like them. Through my writing, I hope to show people with similar backgrounds that they are more than their circumstances and influence individuals to write more. I have always excelled in English, but I hadn’t considered it for a career until my sophomore year of high school. My honors English teacher recognized my potential, as well as my hurt, and showed me compassion; her encouragement prompted me to enroll in AP Language, where I had another lovely teacher who further pushed me to pursue writing and teaching. I am now working on my first novel, as well as my first poetry book, and I hope to portray my personal narrative in a way that resonates with all readers and writers. Writing holds a very special ability– the ability to unite people of all backgrounds and tell stories that will never be forgotten. By pursuing both writing and education, I can tell my story and push people to tell theirs as well. I hope to have an impact on the lives of my future students, just as my English teachers have for me. I recognize that students now have very little motivation due to home struggles or the stress of the external world, and they may resort to AI or disengagement. I hope I can create a place where students are encouraged to write for more than a grade, and to create lifelong learners while instilling confidence and knowledge in those who may feel unsupported. To achieve such, I plan to pursue two degrees– English and education– eventually becoming a teacher or a professor. I hope to foster a sense of community by creating study groups for my current peers, learning from the strategies that others may use to interpret them as teaching strategies in the future. I currently run a poetry club on my college campus and tutor students at a nearby high school with the goal of helping them find their love for writing. My motivation for pursuing this path originates in my childhood. I often carried a diary with me to document my thoughts, and my high school English pushed me to become an author despite the challenges I faced at home with an emotionally abusive stepmother and a mother who was largely absent. Writing became my safe space, and with it I was able to navigate my rough upbringing. Through my writing, I hope to inspire others with similar backgrounds to pursue their dreams.