Growing up around books, education, and community programs shaped the way I see leadership and service. From a young age, I watched my father use storytelling and literacy programs to inspire children across New York City. Seeing the impact that books and mentorship could have on young people motivated me to become actively involved in my own community instead of simply watching from the sidelines. One experience that had a major impact on me was helping organize and participate in literacy and enrichment events through our family’s publishing company and community initiatives. I assisted with book giveaways, school events, workshops, and activities designed to encourage children to read, write, and believe in themselves. Many of the students we worked with came from underserved communities where access to culturally relatable books and positive role models is limited. I remember meeting young girls who became excited after seeing characters in books who looked like them and shared similar experiences. Moments like that showed me how important representation and encouragement truly are. One event that stood out to me was helping at a community literacy program where children rotated through reading stations, creative writing activities, and motivational discussions. My role included helping younger students feel comfortable participating, reading with them, and encouraging them to share their ideas. At first, some students were shy and hesitant to engage. I understood how they felt because I was once nervous about speaking in front of groups myself. Instead of pushing them, I took time to talk with them individually, encourage their creativity, and make them feel seen and valued. By the end of the event, many of those same students were proudly sharing their stories and participating confidently. One challenge I encountered was learning how to connect with students who had different personalities, backgrounds, and confidence levels. Not every child responds the same way to encouragement. Some needed patience, some needed reassurance, and others simply needed someone willing to listen. I learned that making a positive impact is not always about doing something big or receiving recognition. Sometimes, it is about showing consistency, kindness, and genuine support in small moments that matter to someone else. Through these experiences, I learned the importance of leadership, empathy, communication, and service. I also learned that young people can make a real difference in their communities regardless of their age. Helping others strengthened my confidence and inspired me to continue finding ways to uplift people around me. In the future, I plan to continue contributing to my community through education, literacy, and mentorship. As I begin college at Morgan State University, I hope to participate in community service programs, mentor younger students, and continue promoting literacy and representation through books and educational initiatives. I want to use my experiences, creativity, and education to inspire the next generation to believe in themselves and pursue their goals. Most importantly, I want to continue being someone who encourages others to feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Law enforcement agencies can improve relationships with the African American community by focusing on trust, consistency, and meaningful engagement. As a student who lives in Queens, New York and attends school in Brooklyn, I have seen how everyday interactions between police officers and young people can shape how trust is built over time. In many neighborhoods, students see police officers before and after school, whether they are standing near train stations, outside school buildings, or monitoring busy intersections. These moments are important opportunities to build positive relationships. When officers greet students, speak respectfully, and show genuine concern for their safety, it can change how young people view law enforcement. Small actions, like saying good morning or checking in with students, can help create a sense of comfort and familiarity. Consistent community engagement is also important. Officers should be involved in schools and youth programs in ways that go beyond enforcement. This can include mentoring programs, school visits, or participating in events that allow students to interact with officers in a positive setting. When students see officers as mentors or role models, it helps break down barriers and build trust. Accountability and transparency are also necessary to strengthen relationships. Communities need to feel confident that officers are held to high standards and that their actions are fair. Clear communication about policies and decisions helps people feel informed and respected. When trust is built through honesty and fairness, relationships can improve. Training is another key factor. Officers should be trained in communication, cultural awareness, and conflict resolution. Understanding the experiences of African American communities, especially in urban areas like Queens and Brooklyn, can help officers approach situations with more awareness and respect. This can lead to better interactions and fewer misunderstandings. It is also important for law enforcement agencies to listen to the voices of the community. Creating opportunities for students and families to share their experiences and concerns allows officers to better understand the people they serve. Schools can be a great place for these conversations to happen. Improving relationships between law enforcement and the African American community starts with everyday interactions. As someone who sees police presence around my neighborhood and school daily, I believe those small, consistent moments before and after school can make a big difference. When officers approach their role with respect, communication, and a willingness to connect, it helps build stronger, more positive relationships with the community.

The movie that has had the greatest impact on my life is Akeelah and the Bee. This film stood out to me because it showed the power of believing in yourself, staying committed to your goals, and finding success through education. What made the movie so meaningful to me is that it focused on academic achievement and personal growth, which are values that I strongly connect with in my own life. One of the most powerful parts of the movie is Akeelah’s journey. She comes from a challenging environment where success is not always expected, yet she discovers her talent for spelling and chooses to pursue it despite obstacles. Throughout the film, she struggles with self-doubt and pressure, but she continues to push forward with the help of mentors and her own determination. Watching her grow into someone who believes in herself inspired me to do the same in my own life. I connected with Akeelah’s story because I have also faced challenges while working toward my goals. Growing up with severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia meant that I had to be very careful about my daily routines and environment. There were times when I felt different from others or unsure of myself. However, like Akeelah, I learned that my challenges did not define me. Instead, they became part of what motivated me to grow and succeed. The movie also showed me the importance of pursuing something educational with passion. Akeelah’s dedication to spelling encouraged me to find something that I could be passionate about in a similar way. For me, that became writing and cooking. When I was ten years old, I wrote and published my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. That experience allowed me to take something personal and turn it into something that could help others. Since then, I have continued writing and have now published eight children’s books before graduating from high school. Another important lesson I learned from the movie is the value of support and community. Akeelah did not succeed alone. She had mentors, family members, and people in her community who encouraged her to keep going. That reminded me of the importance of surrounding yourself with people who believe in you and support your goals. Overall, Akeelah and the Bee had a lasting impact on me because it taught me that success comes from hard work, confidence, and perseverance. It showed me that education is powerful and that young people can achieve great things when they believe in themselves. The movie inspired me to stay focused on my goals, continue growing, and use my abilities to create something meaningful in my life and for others.

I plan to make a positive impact on the world by using my experiences, education, and creativity to serve others and improve the health and confidence of my community. I believe that true impact comes from turning personal challenges into opportunities to help others, and that is something I have already begun to do through my work. Growing up, I faced several health challenges, including severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia. These conditions required me to be very careful about what I ate and how food was prepared. Many everyday situations, such as school events or social gatherings, could feel stressful because I had to make sure my food was safe. Through these experiences, I realized that many other children and families face similar challenges but may not always have the knowledge or resources to manage them. When I was ten years old, I decided to turn my experience into something that could help others by writing and publishing my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. This cookbook provides allergy-friendly recipes for children and families, helping them feel more confident and safe when preparing meals. Writing this book was one of my first steps toward making a difference, and it showed me that even at a young age, I could use my voice to support others. Since then, I have continued writing and have now published eight children’s books before graduating from high school. Many of my books focus on empowering young readers, especially girls. Books like Respect My Boundaries and Crystal: My First Period help young girls build confidence, understand their bodies, and feel more comfortable discussing important topics. Through these books, I aim to create resources that educate, uplift, and support young people as they grow. In addition to writing, I have participated in literacy events and school visits where I share my books and speak with students. One of the most meaningful experiences I had was traveling to St. Maarten to visit schools and present my work to students. Being able to connect with young readers and encourage them to believe in themselves reminded me how powerful it is to give back and inspire others. As I prepare to attend Morgan State University, I plan to study nutrition, culinary arts, and business so that I can continue making an impact in a larger way. My goal is to open an allergy-friendly restaurant and create programs that teach families about healthy eating and nutrition, especially in communities that may not have access to safe and nutritious food options. To me, making a positive impact means using my skills and experiences to serve others with compassion and purpose. It means creating opportunities for people to feel supported, informed, and empowered. I am committed to continuing my journey of giving back through education, writing, and community engagement. By turning my challenges into solutions and using my voice to uplift others, I hope to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities.

I plan to study culinary arts, nutrition, and business at Morgan State University, with a focus on developing skills that will allow me to build a career in the culinary field. I consider culinary arts to be a skilled trade because it requires hands-on training, precision, creativity, and the ability to apply knowledge in real-world situations. Cooking is not just about preparing food. It is about understanding ingredients, safety, nutrition, and how to create meals that meet the needs of different people. I chose this path because of my personal experiences growing up with severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia. From a young age, I had to be very careful about what I ate and how food was prepared. Many meals that were easily available to others were not safe for me. Instead of seeing this as a limitation, I became curious about how I could create meals that were both safe and enjoyable. I began learning how to cook and experimenting with ingredients that worked for my needs. When I was ten years old, I turned that experience into something meaningful by writing and publishing my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. The cookbook shares allergy-friendly recipes for children and families who face similar challenges. This experience showed me that culinary skills can be used not only for personal growth but also to help others in practical ways. I plan to pursue a career in this trade because it allows me to combine my passion for cooking with my desire to serve others. My long-term goal is to open a restaurant that specializes in allergy-friendly meals while also educating families about nutrition and healthy eating. Many people with food allergies struggle to find safe options when eating out, and I want to create a space where families feel comfortable, supported, and included. I believe I will be successful in this trade because I have already demonstrated dedication, discipline, and creativity at a young age. Writing and publishing eight children’s books before graduating from high school required commitment, time management, and the ability to follow through on long-term goals. Cooking also requires patience, attention to detail, and the willingness to learn from mistakes, all of which are skills I have developed through my experiences. In addition, I am motivated by a clear purpose. My work is not only about building a career but also about solving a problem that I have personally experienced. That sense of purpose will continue to drive me to improve, learn, and grow within my field. To me, a successful life means more than financial stability. It means using my skills to make a meaningful impact on others. Success means creating opportunities, helping families live healthier lives, and inspiring young people to turn their challenges into strengths. Through culinary arts and entrepreneurship, I believe I can build a future that is both personally fulfilling and beneficial to my community. I am committed to developing my skills in this trade and using them to create solutions that make a lasting difference.

My name is Skylar McBride, and I am a senior at Brooklyn College Academy in New York City. Throughout high school, I have worked hard to maintain strong academic performance as an honor roll student while also pursuing my interests in writing, cooking, and community engagement. I am also a member of my school’s Step Team, which has helped me develop discipline, teamwork, and confidence while celebrating culture and unity through performance. One of my biggest passions is writing. I began writing at a young age and published my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook, when I was ten years old. Growing up with severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia required me to pay close attention to what I ate and how food was prepared. Instead of seeing these challenges as limitations, they inspired me to learn more about nutrition and cooking so that I could create safe and healthy meals. Writing my first book allowed me to share allergy friendly recipes with children and families who may face similar challenges. Since then, I have continued writing and have now published eight children’s books before graduating from high school. Many of my books focus on empowering young readers, particularly girls. For example, my book Respect My Boundaries encourages girls to understand the importance of self respect and personal boundaries. Another book, Crystal: My First Period, helps girls feel informed and confident about an important stage of growing up. Through storytelling, I hope to create books that educate and uplift young people. In addition to writing, I have had the opportunity to participate in literacy events, book signings, and school visits where I share my work with students. One of the most memorable experiences was traveling to St. Maarten, where I visited several schools and presented my books to students. Speaking with young readers from different communities showed me how powerful education and storytelling can be in inspiring young people to believe in themselves. After high school, I will be attending Morgan State University, where I plan to study nutrition, culinary arts, and business. My goal is to combine these interests to create solutions that support families dealing with food allergies while also promoting healthier lifestyles through education and cooking. If I could start my own charity, its mission would be to provide healthier food options and nutrition education for underprivileged children and families. Many communities face challenges when it comes to accessing healthy meals, and children often rely on foods that are inexpensive but not always nutritious. My charity would focus on helping families learn how to prepare affordable, healthy meals while also ensuring that children with food allergies have safe options available. The charity would serve underserved communities, particularly families and children who may not have consistent access to healthy food. Volunteers would help prepare and distribute meals, teach basic cooking and nutrition workshops, and organize community events where families could learn about food safety, meal preparation, and healthy eating habits. My goal would be to create a program that not only provides meals but also teaches families the knowledge and skills they need to make healthier choices for themselves and their children. Through education, service, and compassion, I hope to use my experiences and future career to help build stronger and healthier communities.

I learned compassion by watching my mother and the way she serves the people around her. My mother is a community leader and a cheerleading coach who spends a great deal of her time mentoring young people. Growing up, I saw how much effort she put into supporting and encouraging others, especially young girls who needed guidance and confidence. She often reminds the girls she works with that their voices matter and that they are capable of achieving great things. Watching her lead with patience, kindness, and encouragement taught me that compassion is not just something we talk about. It is something we show through our actions. Through her example, I learned that compassion means paying attention to the needs of others and finding ways to support them. Whether she was coaching, organizing activities, or encouraging young people to believe in themselves, my mother showed me that leadership and compassion go hand in hand. Seeing the positive impact she had on so many young people inspired me to think about how I could use my own talents to help others. One of the ways I have tried to demonstrate compassion is through my writing. Growing up with severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia was not always easy. There were times when I felt different from other children because I had to be careful about what I ate and how food was prepared. Instead of allowing those experiences to discourage me, I decided to use them as motivation to help others who might be facing similar challenges. When I was ten years old, I wrote and published my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. I created the book to help children with food allergies and their families find safe and creative recipes. I wanted children like me to feel confident and included rather than limited by their health conditions. Since then, I have continued writing and have now published eight children’s books before graduating from high school. Some of my books focus on empowering young girls and helping them feel confident about themselves. For example, my book Respect My Boundaries teaches girls about the importance of self respect and personal boundaries. Another book, Crystal: My First Period, helps girls understand an important stage of growing up in a supportive and positive way. In the future, I plan to continue showing compassion through both my education and my career. I will be attending Morgan State University, where I hope to study nutrition, culinary arts, and business. My goal is to use what I learn to help families dealing with food allergies while continuing to write books that educate and empower young readers. The compassion I learned from my mother has shaped the way I approach my life and my goals. She showed me that kindness, service, and encouragement can have a lasting impact. I hope to continue exemplifying compassion by using my creativity, education, and experiences to uplift others and create opportunities that help people feel supported and inspired.

One of the qualities that makes me a “You Got It Girl” is resilience. Throughout my life, I have learned how to face challenges with determination and turn them into opportunities to grow and help others. Growing up, I lived with several health conditions, including severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia. These conditions sometimes made everyday experiences more complicated, especially in school and social situations. Instead of allowing those challenges to discourage me, I chose to use them as motivation to learn, create, and support others who may be facing similar obstacles. At a young age, I discovered that creativity could be a powerful way to express myself and inspire others. I began writing and eventually published my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook, when I was ten years old. The book shares allergy friendly recipes designed to help children and families manage food allergies safely while still enjoying meals together. Since then, I have continued writing and have now published eight children’s books before graduating from high school. Many of my books focus on empowering young readers, especially girls. For example, Respect My Boundaries encourages girls to value their voices and personal space, while Crystal: My First Period helps girls feel informed and confident about an important stage of growing up. In addition to writing, I stay active as a member of my school’s Step Team. Step requires discipline, coordination, strength, and teamwork. Our performances are built on synchronized movements, rhythm, and energy, and every routine requires hours of practice and commitment. Being part of the Step Team has helped me develop confidence and leadership while also teaching me the importance of supporting and uplifting other young women. Step is more than just performance; it represents unity, culture, and empowerment. One of the most meaningful moments in my journey was having the opportunity to share my work with students internationally. I traveled to St. Maarten, where I visited several schools and presented my books to students. Speaking with young readers in different classrooms showed me how powerful stories can be in inspiring confidence and creativity. Hearing students share their own dreams and challenges reminded me that even young voices can make a meaningful impact. As I prepare to attend Morgan State University, I plan to study nutrition, culinary arts, and business. My long term goal is to combine my passion for health, food, and storytelling to create solutions for families dealing with food allergies while continuing to empower young readers through books and community outreach. The YGIG Scholarship would support my educational journey and help me continue building toward my goals. It would allow me to focus on my studies while continuing to use my voice, creativity, and leadership to inspire other girls to believe in themselves. Being a “You Got It Girl” means believing that your challenges do not define your limits. Instead, they can become the very things that push you to grow, lead, and uplift others.

Faith has played an important role in helping me stay hopeful, resilient, and focused on my goals throughout my life. Growing up with several health challenges, including severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia, I often faced situations that required patience, courage, and perseverance. During difficult moments, my faith reminded me that challenges can serve a purpose and that they can help shape who we are becoming. Managing these health conditions was not always easy, especially while balancing school responsibilities and social experiences. Simple situations such as eating lunch at school or attending social events could become stressful because I had to carefully monitor what I ate and how food was prepared. At times, these experiences made me feel different from other students. However, my faith helped me stay positive and reminded me that obstacles can become opportunities for growth. Instead of allowing my challenges to discourage me, I chose to focus on what I could learn from them. I became curious about nutrition, cooking, and how food affects the body. Through this curiosity, I discovered a passion for cooking and eventually writing. At the age of ten, I wrote and published my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook, which shares allergy friendly recipes for children and families. Creating this book allowed me to turn a personal struggle into something that could help others who were facing similar challenges. Since then, I have continued writing and have now published eight children’s books before graduating from high school. Many of my books focus on topics that empower young readers, especially girls. For example, my book Respect My Boundaries teaches young girls about self respect and personal boundaries, while Crystal: My First Period helps girls understand an important stage of growing up in a supportive and encouraging way. Through these books, I hope to create conversations that help young people feel confident and informed. My family has also played a major role in encouraging me to pursue higher education. Their support, guidance, and belief in my potential helped me understand the value of education and the opportunities it can create. My parents consistently encouraged me to work hard, remain curious, and use my talents to help others. In addition to my family, the students and communities I have met through literacy events and school visits have motivated me to continue my educational journey. One of the most meaningful experiences I had was traveling to St. Maarten, where I visited several schools and presented my books to students. Seeing how excited young readers were to learn and share their ideas reminded me how powerful education and storytelling can be. As I prepare to attend Morgan State University, I plan to study nutrition, culinary arts, and business. My goal is to combine my passion for food, health, and writing to create solutions that help families with food allergies and promote healthier lifestyles. I also plan to continue writing books that educate and empower young readers. My faith has taught me that our gifts are meant to be shared with others. Through education, creativity, and service, I hope to continue using my experiences to inspire, uplift, and support others as they pursue their own dreams.

Service means using your experiences, talents, and opportunities to uplift and support others. Throughout my life, I have tried to embody a life of service by turning my personal challenges into ways to educate and empower others, especially young readers and girls who may be facing similar experiences. Growing up, I faced several health challenges, including severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia. These conditions affected many parts of my daily life. Simple things like eating lunch at school or attending social events could become stressful situations because I had to constantly think about ingredients and possible allergic reactions. At times, these experiences made me feel different from other students. Instead of allowing these challenges to limit me, I began learning more about nutrition and safe food preparation. I became curious about how food affects the body and how certain ingredients can either support health or trigger allergic reactions. Cooking eventually became something that empowered me rather than something that restricted me. When I was ten years old, I decided to turn my experiences into something that could help other families. I wrote and published my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook, which provides allergy friendly recipes for children and families. My goal was to create a resource that would help children with food allergies feel more confident in the kitchen and less alone in their experiences. That experience showed me that storytelling could be a powerful way to serve others. Since then, I have continued writing and have now published eight children’s books before graduating from high school. Many of my books focus on topics that support and empower young readers. For example, Respect My Boundaries encourages girls to understand the importance of self respect and personal boundaries. Another book, Crystal: My First Period, helps girls feel more comfortable and informed about an important stage of growing up. Through these stories, I hope to provide education and encouragement to young readers who may need guidance during important moments in their lives. In addition to writing books, I have participated in book signings, literacy events, and school visits where I share my experiences with students. One of the most meaningful opportunities I had was traveling to St. Maarten to visit several schools and present my books to students. Speaking with young readers in another country reminded me that stories can connect people across cultures and inspire confidence in young people everywhere. Education will allow me to continue expanding the ways I serve others. I plan to attend Morgan State University, where I hope to study nutrition, culinary arts, and business. My goal is to combine my interest in nutrition and cooking with my passion for writing. In the future, I hope to create allergy friendly food solutions and continue writing books that educate and empower young readers. Through my education and career, I hope to continue using my experiences to serve others. By sharing knowledge, promoting health awareness, and creating stories that inspire confidence, I want to help young people feel supported and encouraged as they grow and pursue their own dreams.

Education has played a powerful role in shaping my goals and giving me a sense of direction for the future. Through both my academic experiences and the personal challenges I have faced, I have learned that knowledge is one of the most valuable tools we can use to solve problems, grow as individuals, and help others. Education has helped me understand my own experiences while also inspiring me to use what I have learned to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Growing up, I faced several health challenges that affected many parts of my daily life. I have lived with severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia. These conditions required constant attention and careful decision making, particularly when it came to food and nutrition. While many students could eat meals at school or attend social events without much thought, I often had to ask detailed questions about ingredients, avoid certain foods, or bring my own meals to ensure my safety. At times, these experiences made me feel different from other students. Situations that seemed simple for others could be stressful for me because I had to think about the possibility of allergic reactions or other health complications. Managing these challenges while keeping up with school responsibilities was not always easy, and there were moments when I felt anxious or discouraged. However, education helped me begin to see my challenges from a different perspective. As I learned more about science, nutrition, and the way food affects the body, I realized that knowledge could help me take control of my health. Instead of feeling limited by my allergies and dietary restrictions, I began to see them as an opportunity to learn more about food and nutrition. This curiosity led me to the kitchen, where cooking became a way for me to explore solutions and gain confidence. I began experimenting with ingredients and learning how to create meals that were both safe and enjoyable for me to eat. Through this process, I discovered that cooking could be both creative and educational, allowing me to better understand how food interacts with the body. At the age of ten, I decided to turn what I had learned into something that could help others. I wrote and published my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. The purpose of the book was to provide allergy friendly recipes that children and families could prepare safely at home. I wanted to help other children who were dealing with food allergies feel more confident and included when it came to food. Writing and publishing my first book was a meaningful accomplishment that showed me how education can be used beyond the classroom to create real change. Instead of allowing my health challenges to hold me back, I used what I had learned to create something that could support other families. Since that time, I have continued writing and have now published eight children’s books before graduating from high school. Many of my books focus on important topics for young readers, including health awareness, personal boundaries, confidence, and growing up. Through storytelling, I hope to create resources that help children better understand themselves and feel empowered as they navigate different experiences in their lives. My education has also helped me grow as a leader and as a member of my community. I am an honor roll student at Brooklyn College Academy and a member of my school’s Step Team. These experiences have helped me develop discipline, teamwork, and confidence. I have also had opportunities to participate in literacy events, book signings, and school visits where I speak with students about reading, creativity, and perseverance. One of the most meaningful experiences I have had was traveling to St. Maarten to visit several schools and present my books to students. Being able to share my work with students in another country showed me how education and storytelling can bring people together across cultures and backgrounds. Hearing students share their own dreams and challenges reminded me that the knowledge we gain can inspire others to believe in themselves. As I prepare to attend Morgan State University, I plan to study nutrition, culinary arts, and business. My goal is to combine these areas of study to create solutions that support individuals and families who face food allergies and dietary restrictions. I also hope to continue writing books that educate and empower young readers about health, confidence, and personal growth. Education has given me a sense of purpose by showing me that my experiences can become tools for helping others. The challenges I faced growing up helped guide me toward a path where I can use knowledge, creativity, and determination to create meaningful change. By continuing to learn and grow, I hope to build a future where I can support families, inspire young readers, and contribute to a healthier and more informed community.

Art has already played a significant role in shaping my future, and I plan to continue using it as a tool for education, empowerment, and meaningful impact. As a young author, I have written and published eight children’s books before graduating from high school. Through storytelling, I have been able to connect with young readers, share important lessons, and create resources that help children better understand themselves and the world around them. My primary form of art is writing. Storytelling allows me to express ideas creatively while also addressing real issues that young people face. I believe that books can be powerful tools for education and encouragement, especially for children who may be experiencing challenges but do not always have the words to explain them. Through my writing, I try to create stories that help young readers feel seen, supported, and confident. Two of the books that mean the most to me are Respect My Boundaries and Crystal: My First Period. I wrote Respect My Boundaries to help girls understand the importance of self respect, personal space, and confidence in their voices. I wanted young readers to learn that their feelings matter and that they have the right to speak up for themselves. I also wrote Crystal: My First Period to help girls feel more comfortable and informed about an important stage of growing up. Many young girls feel confused or embarrassed about these changes, so I wanted to create a story that presents this experience in a supportive and empowering way. Through my art, I hope to continue creating books that educate and uplift young readers, particularly girls who may need guidance or encouragement during important moments in their lives. Writing has also given me opportunities to participate in book signings, literacy events, and school visits, where I can speak directly with students about creativity, confidence, and pursuing their goals. In the future, I plan to attend Morgan State University, where I hope to study nutrition, culinary arts, and business. I plan to combine my passion for storytelling with my interest in health and nutrition. By writing books and creating educational resources about wellness, food allergies, and personal development, I hope to continue using my creativity to help families make informed choices about their health. Art will continue to sustain my future because it allows me to communicate ideas that can inspire change. Through writing, speaking, and creating meaningful stories, I hope to build a career that not only supports me professionally but also empowers others to learn, grow, and believe in their potential.

I have chosen to pursue a degree connected to healthcare because my life experiences have shown me how important nutrition and food safety are to a person’s well being. Growing up, I lived with several health conditions, including severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia. These conditions required me to pay close attention to what I ate and how food was prepared. While other children could eat freely, I had to constantly ask questions about ingredients, cross contamination, and preparation methods in order to stay safe. At first, these challenges made me feel different from others. However, over time they helped me develop a strong curiosity about nutrition, food science, and how the body responds to different ingredients. I began learning how certain foods could trigger allergic reactions while others could support better health and energy. This curiosity led me to the kitchen, where cooking became a way for me to take control of my health and explore solutions that worked for my body. When I was ten years old, I decided to turn my experiences into something that could help others. I wrote and published my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. The book shares allergy friendly recipes designed to help children and families safely prepare meals at home. My goal was to make cooking less stressful for families dealing with food allergies while helping children feel confident and included in the kitchen. Writing that book helped me realize that food and nutrition can play an important role in supporting health and improving quality of life. Since then, I have continued writing and have now published eight children’s books before graduating from high school. Several of my books focus on health awareness and personal growth, including Crystal: My First Period, which helps young girls understand an important stage of development, and Respect My Boundaries, which teaches girls about confidence and self respect. Through my books, I hope to provide education, encouragement, and support to young readers who may be facing challenges of their own. As a young woman entering the healthcare field, I want to help families better understand the connection between nutrition and overall wellness. Many people underestimate how powerful food can be in preventing illness, managing health conditions, and improving daily life. My goal is to study nutrition, culinary science, and business at Morgan State University so that I can create solutions that support individuals with food allergies and dietary restrictions. In the future, I hope to open a restaurant focused on allergy friendly meals while continuing to write books that educate families about nutrition and health. I also want to use my platform to advocate for greater awareness about food allergies and the importance of safe food preparation. Women have always played an important role in healthcare, not only through medicine but also through education, advocacy, and community leadership. I hope to contribute to this legacy by using my knowledge, creativity, and personal experiences to help others live healthier and safer lives. By combining nutrition, education, and entrepreneurship, I want to make healthcare more accessible, supportive, and empowering for families everywhere.

Growing up with several chronic health conditions had a significant impact on both my physical and mental well being. Throughout my childhood, I lived with severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia. These conditions required constant attention and careful decision making in many areas of my life, including what I ate, where I went, and how I participated in everyday activities. While I learned to manage the physical aspects of these challenges, the emotional and mental impact was something I had to work through over time. As a child, many social situations that seemed simple for others could be stressful for me. School lunches, birthday parties, and eating out with friends often required me to ask questions about ingredients or bring my own meals. At times, this made me feel different from other students. I also worried about the possibility of having an allergic reaction in public. Over time, these experiences contributed to feelings of anxiety and moments of depression, especially when I felt isolated or misunderstood. However, these challenges also became an important part of my personal growth. I began to understand that taking care of my mental health was just as important as managing my physical health. I learned that it was important to talk openly with trusted adults, family members, and mentors about how I was feeling. Having a strong support system helped me build confidence and learn healthier ways to manage stress and anxiety. One of the most important tools that helped me cope was creativity. I discovered that writing allowed me to express my experiences in a positive and productive way. At the age of ten, I wrote and published my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook, which shares allergy friendly recipes for children and families. Writing the book helped me transform something that once made me feel isolated into something that could help others who were facing similar challenges. Since then, I have continued writing and have now published eight children’s books before graduating from high school. Many of my books focus on topics that are important for young people, including health awareness, personal boundaries, confidence, and growing up. Through storytelling, I hope to help children feel understood and empowered when facing their own challenges. In addition to writing, I have worked to stay active in school and my community. I am an honor roll student at Brooklyn College Academy and a member of my school’s Step Team. I have also participated in book signings, literacy events, and even traveled to St. Maarten to present my books to students in several schools. These experiences have helped me connect with young readers and encourage them to express their creativity and believe in their abilities. As I continue my education at Morgan State University, I plan to study nutrition, culinary arts, and business. My goal is to combine my passion for food science, writing, and entrepreneurship to help families who face dietary challenges. I also hope to continue writing books that support young readers and promote mental wellness and self confidence. Moving forward, I plan to continue managing my mental health by maintaining strong support systems, practicing self awareness, and using creative outlets such as writing and cooking. I have learned that challenges do not have to define our future. Instead, they can become opportunities for growth, empathy, and purpose. My experiences have taught me resilience, and I hope to continue using my voice and creativity to inspire others to overcome their own obstacles and pursue their dreams.

My passion for cooking began out of necessity, but it quickly developed into a deeper curiosity about science, nutrition, and how food affects the body. Growing up with severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia meant that I had to be extremely careful about what I ate. While many children could enjoy food without thinking about it, I had to constantly ask questions about ingredients, preparation, and safety. These experiences pushed me to become curious about the science behind food. Instead of seeing my dietary restrictions as limitations, I began learning about how different ingredients interact with the body. I became interested in nutrition, food chemistry, and how certain foods could either trigger allergic reactions or support better health. Cooking became my way of experimenting, learning, and taking control of my health. Every recipe was an opportunity to understand the science behind ingredients and how they could be safely combined to create meals that were both nutritious and enjoyable. This curiosity eventually led me to a major accomplishment at a young age. When I was ten years old, I wrote and published my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. The book was created to help children and families who struggle with food allergies find safe and creative recipes. Through research, recipe testing, and learning about food safety, I was able to turn my personal challenges into something that could help others. Writing this cookbook showed me that cooking is not just an art, but also a science that requires experimentation, precision, and problem solving. Since then, I have continued exploring my passion for food, nutrition, and education. Before graduating from high school, I have published eight children’s books that focus on important topics such as health awareness, confidence, and personal growth. Many of these projects combine creativity with practical knowledge that can help young people better understand their bodies and their choices. Cooking has taught me that STEM fields are not limited to laboratories or traditional scientific careers. The kitchen itself can be a laboratory where science, mathematics, and creativity come together. Measuring ingredients, adjusting temperatures, understanding chemical reactions in baking, and analyzing how food affects the body all require scientific thinking and curiosity. In the future, I plan to attend Morgan State University, where I hope to study nutrition, culinary arts, and business. My goal is to combine my interest in science and cooking by creating allergy friendly food solutions and continuing to educate families through writing and community outreach. I also hope to open a restaurant focused on allergy friendly meals, where families with dietary restrictions can feel safe and included. As a young woman interested in culinary science and nutrition, I want to show other girls that curiosity can lead to innovation. By turning my health challenges into opportunities for learning and discovery, I have been able to explore STEM in a way that is both meaningful and impactful. My hope is to continue using knowledge, creativity, and science to help others live healthier and more confident lives.

One of the greatest challenges I faced growing up was learning how to manage several health conditions while continuing to pursue my goals. I have lived with severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia for most of my life. These conditions made many everyday experiences difficult and sometimes overwhelming, especially during school. Something as simple as eating lunch, attending a birthday party, or participating in social events often required careful planning and constant awareness of my surroundings. When I was younger, my health challenges often made me feel different from other children. I had to avoid certain foods, ask detailed questions about ingredients, and sometimes bring my own meals to school or events. There were moments when I felt isolated or worried about having an allergic reaction in public. Managing frequent doctor visits, treatments, and medications while keeping up with school also added to the difficulty. Despite these hardships, I learned that I could not allow my challenges to limit my goals. Instead, I focused on finding ways to turn my experiences into something positive. One strategy that helped me overcome these obstacles was education. I began learning about nutrition, ingredients, and how food affects the body. Understanding the science behind food allowed me to take control of my health rather than feel controlled by my allergies. Another important strategy I used was creativity. As I became more comfortable in the kitchen, I started experimenting with recipes that were safe for me to eat. Cooking became more than just a necessity; it became a way for me to express myself and regain confidence. Through this process, I realized that many other children were facing similar challenges with food allergies and dietary restrictions. At the age of ten, I set a goal to turn my experiences into something that could help others. I decided to write and publish a book called Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. Creating this book required discipline, patience, and persistence. I researched ingredients, tested recipes, organized my ideas, and worked with others to bring the project to life. The process was not easy, but I remained committed to my goal because I wanted other children with food allergies to feel empowered rather than limited. Publishing my first book was one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. It showed me that the hardships I experienced could become the foundation for something meaningful. Instead of allowing my health challenges to hold me back, I used them as motivation to create something that could support other families. That experience also gave me the confidence to continue pursuing my goals. Since then, I have continued writing and have now published eight children’s books before graduating from high school. My books focus on topics that help young readers build confidence, understand their experiences, and feel empowered. Through perseverance, creativity, and a willingness to learn, I was able to overcome the obstacles that once seemed overwhelming. My journey has taught me that hardship can become a source of strength when we use it to grow and help others. Today, I continue to use the lessons I learned from that experience to pursue my education and future goals. My hope is to keep turning challenges into opportunities that inspire and support others.

Resilience is often built through the challenges we face and the ways we choose to grow from them. Throughout my life, I have learned that resilience is not only about overcoming obstacles for myself, but also about using my experiences to inspire and support others. My journey as a young author has allowed me to transform personal challenges into opportunities to empower other girls. Growing up, I faced several health challenges, including severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia. These conditions often made everyday situations difficult, especially during school and social events that involved food or physical activities. At times, I felt different from other children because I had to take extra precautions to stay safe. Managing doctor visits, treatments, and lifestyle adjustments while keeping up with school required persistence and determination. Instead of allowing these challenges to define me, I learned to view them as opportunities for growth. I became interested in learning about nutrition and cooking so I could better understand how to take care of my health. Through this process, I also discovered my love for writing and storytelling. At the age of ten, I published my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook, which shares allergy friendly recipes for children and families. Writing that book helped me realize that storytelling could be a powerful way to turn my experiences into something that helps others. Since then, I have continued writing and have now published eight children’s books before graduating high school. As I grew older, I realized that many girls face challenges that are not always openly discussed. I wanted to create stories that could educate and empower young girls as they grow and learn about themselves. Two of the books I am most proud of are Respect My Boundaries and Crystal: My First Period. These books address important topics that many girls experience but may feel uncomfortable talking about. Respect My Boundaries encourages girls to understand the importance of self respect, personal space, and confidence in their voices. It teaches young readers that their feelings and boundaries matter and that they have the right to speak up for themselves. Crystal: My First Period helps young girls understand an important stage of growing up in a positive and supportive way. By presenting this topic through a relatable story, I hope to reduce fear, confusion, and embarrassment while helping girls feel confident about their bodies. Through my writing, I aim to create books that help girls feel seen, informed, and empowered. Many young readers have shared that my stories helped them understand experiences they were going through, which reminds me why resilience matters. When we turn our challenges into lessons that uplift others, we create opportunities for growth not only for ourselves but also for those around us. My journey has taught me that resilience is not simply about overcoming difficulties. It is about using those experiences to inspire others to believe in themselves. By writing stories that support and educate young girls, I hope to continue encouraging them to embrace their strength, confidence, and potential.

Throughout my life, I have faced challenges that have helped shape my character, strengthen my faith, and guide my purpose. One of the most significant challenges I experienced during school was learning to navigate life with several health conditions, including severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia. While many students did not have to think twice about everyday activities like eating lunch or attending a birthday party, these situations required careful planning and caution for me. Growing up with these conditions often made me feel different from other children. I had to constantly ask about ingredients, avoid certain foods, or bring my own meals to school and social events. There were moments when I felt isolated or self-conscious because I did not want to be seen as a burden to others. Managing these health challenges also required frequent doctor visits, treatments, and lifestyle adjustments that sometimes made balancing school and personal life difficult. Despite these challenges, I learned an important lesson: difficulties can also become opportunities for growth. My experiences encouraged me to become more aware of the foods I ate and how nutrition affects the body. I became curious about cooking, ingredients, and ways to prepare meals that were safe for me to enjoy. What started as a necessity slowly turned into a passion. With the encouragement of my family, I began exploring my creativity and discovered that writing could be a powerful way to share my experiences with others. At the age of ten, I decided to write and publish my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. I created this book to help children and families who struggle with food allergies like I do. My goal was to provide safe and creative recipes that children could enjoy while also encouraging them to feel confident and included. Writing that book helped me realize that my challenges could become something meaningful. Instead of feeling limited by my health conditions, I was able to transform my experiences into something that could help others. Seeing families and young readers benefit from my work gave me a sense of purpose and showed me that even difficult experiences can lead to opportunities to serve others. Since then, I have continued writing and have now published eight children’s books before graduating from high school. My books focus on topics that are important for young readers, including health awareness, confidence, personal boundaries, and growing up. Through storytelling, I try to create characters and messages that help children understand their emotions, build self-confidence, and recognize their own potential. In addition to my work as a young author, I have remained committed to my academic and personal development. I am an honor roll student at Brooklyn College Academy and a proud member of my school’s Step Team. These activities have helped me develop discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills. I have also participated in book signings, literacy events, and community programs that promote reading and youth empowerment. One of the most meaningful opportunities I have had was traveling to St. Maarten to visit several schools and present my books to students. Speaking with young readers in different classrooms and sharing my journey showed me how stories can connect people across cultures and backgrounds. Many students shared their own dreams and challenges with me, and those conversations reminded me how important it is to create stories that help young people feel encouraged and understood. Throughout this journey, my faith has played an important role in helping me stay hopeful and determined. I believe that God allows us to go through certain challenges so that we can grow stronger and eventually help others who may face similar struggles. The obstacles I experienced growing up have taught me perseverance, compassion, and the importance of using my gifts to serve others. As I prepare to continue my education at Morgan State University, I plan to study nutrition, culinary arts, and business. My long term goal is to combine my passion for food and creativity by opening a restaurant that focuses on allergy friendly meals while continuing to write books that uplift and inspire young readers. Receiving this scholarship would help support my educational journey and allow me to continue using my talents to make a positive impact. My hope is to continue creating opportunities that encourage children and families, reminding them that challenges do not define their future. With faith, determination, and a willingness to serve others, I believe we can turn our struggles into sources of strength and purpose. Thank you for your consideration.

One of the most meaningful relationships in my life is the one I share with my father. His encouragement, mentorship, and belief in my potential have played a major role in shaping who I am today. From a young age, he taught me that our challenges can become opportunities to help others and that creativity and education can be powerful tools for making a difference in the world. Growing up, I faced several health challenges, including severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia. These conditions made everyday situations more complicated than they were for many other children. Simple things like school lunches, birthday parties, or eating out with friends required extra caution because certain foods could trigger serious reactions. At times, I felt different from other children because I had to constantly ask about ingredients or bring my own meals. These moments sometimes made me feel isolated or self-conscious. However, my father consistently reminded me that my experiences could become a source of strength rather than something that limited me. Instead of focusing on what I could not do, he encouraged me to explore what I could create. Through his support, I began to see my challenges as opportunities to help others who might be facing similar struggles. When I was ten years old, I decided to turn my experiences into something positive by writing and publishing my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. I created the book to help children with food allergies feel more confident and included in the kitchen. I wanted families like mine to have safe, creative recipes that children could enjoy without fear. Writing that book helped me realize that storytelling could be a powerful way to support and encourage others. Since then, I have continued writing and have now published eight children’s books before graduating from high school. My books explore topics that are important for young readers, including health awareness, confidence, personal boundaries, and growing up. Through storytelling, I try to create characters and experiences that children can relate to while encouraging them to see their own strength and potential. The relationship I share with my father has also shaped the way I build connections with others. I have had the opportunity to participate in book signings, literacy events, and community programs that promote reading and youth empowerment. One of the most meaningful experiences was traveling to St. Maarten, where I visited several schools and presented my books to students in different classrooms. Sharing my work with students in another country showed me how stories can connect people across cultures and backgrounds. Speaking with students in St. Maarten was incredibly inspiring because many of them shared their own dreams and challenges with me. Seeing their excitement about reading and writing reminded me why it is important to create stories that help young people feel understood and encouraged. This experience reinforced the lesson my father has always taught me: when you use your voice to help others, you create meaningful connections that can inspire change. His support helped me see that relationships built on encouragement and empathy can influence not only individual lives but entire communities. As I continue my education and creative journey, I hope to keep building connections that inspire young people to believe in themselves. Through my writing and outreach, I want to create stories and opportunities that empower children to turn their own challenges into strengths and to use their voices to make a positive impact in the world.

My academic and professional goals are centered around using creativity, education, and entrepreneurship to help others. I plan to attend Morgan State University, where I hope to study nutrition, culinary arts, and business. My goal is to combine these fields with my passion for writing to create resources and spaces that support families and young people, especially those dealing with food allergies and health challenges like I experienced growing up. Throughout my childhood, I faced several health conditions, including severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia. These challenges often made everyday experiences difficult, particularly when it came to food and social activities. Simple things like school lunches, birthday parties, or eating out with friends required extra precautions. At times, I felt different from other children because I had to constantly ask about ingredients or bring my own meals. However, these experiences also inspired me to find ways to help others who might be facing similar struggles. At the age of ten, I decided to turn my experiences into something positive by writing and publishing my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. I created the book to help children with food allergies feel more confident and included when it comes to cooking and eating. By sharing allergy friendly recipes and ideas, I hoped to provide families with a helpful resource and encourage children to feel empowered rather than limited by their dietary restrictions. Since then, I have continued to grow as a young author and have now published eight children’s books. Through my writing, I focus on topics that are important for young readers, including health awareness, confidence, personal boundaries, and growing up. I have also had opportunities to participate in book signings, literacy events, and community programs that promote reading and youth empowerment. These experiences have inspired me to continue using storytelling as a way to give back to my community. Seeing how children and families connect with my books has shown me how powerful stories can be in helping people feel understood and supported. In the future, I hope to expand my impact by opening a restaurant focused on allergy friendly meals while continuing to write books that educate and inspire young readers. My goal is to use both creativity and entrepreneurship to create spaces where families feel safe, included, and empowered. Through my education and future career, I hope to continue turning my personal experiences into opportunities that help others and make a positive difference in the world.

My name is Skylar McBride, and I am an 18 year old author and honor roll student from Queens, New York. I am currently a senior at Brooklyn College Academy, where I balance my academic studies with my creative interests and participation on my school’s Step Team. Throughout my life, I have learned that challenges can become opportunities for growth and purpose. Growing up, I faced several health challenges, including severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia. These conditions made many everyday situations difficult, especially when it came to food and social activities. At times, I felt different from other children because I had to take extra precautions to stay safe. However, these experiences also helped shape my goals and inspired me to find ways to help others facing similar challenges. At the age of ten, I decided to turn my experiences into something positive by writing my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. The book provides allergy friendly recipes and encourages children with dietary restrictions to feel confident and creative in the kitchen. Writing this book helped me realize how powerful storytelling can be in supporting and educating others. Since then, I have continued writing and have now published eight children’s books that focus on topics such as health awareness, confidence, personal boundaries, and growing up. Through my writing, I hope to help young readers feel understood and encouraged. Many children face challenges that can make them feel isolated or unsure of themselves. By creating stories that reflect real experiences, I want to remind young readers that their struggles do not define them and that they have the strength to overcome obstacles. In the future, I plan to attend Morgan State University, where I hope to study nutrition, culinary arts, and business. My long term goal is to combine my passion for food and creativity by opening a restaurant that focuses on allergy friendly meals. I want to create a space where individuals and families with food allergies can enjoy meals without fear or stress. At the same time, I plan to continue writing children’s books that inspire confidence, resilience, and self expression. Through both my career and creative work, I hope to make a positive impact by helping others feel supported and empowered. Whether through storytelling or creating safe and inclusive spaces for people with dietary restrictions, my goal is to use my experiences to improve the lives of others and contribute to a more understanding and inclusive world.

My name is Skylar McBride, and I am an 18 year old author and honor roll student from Queens, New York. I am currently a senior at Brooklyn College Academy, where I balance my academic studies with my passion for creativity, storytelling, and participation on my school’s Step Team. My interest in the arts comes from my love of storytelling and my belief that creative expression can inspire, educate, and empower others. Growing up, I faced several health challenges, including severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia. These conditions often made everyday situations difficult, especially when it came to food and social activities. There were many moments when I felt different from other children because I had to be careful about what I ate or explain my allergies to others. Instead of letting these experiences discourage me, I used them as inspiration for creativity and storytelling. At the age of ten, I wrote and published my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. I created the book to help children with food allergies feel more confident and included when it comes to cooking and eating. Writing that book helped me realize how powerful storytelling can be in helping others feel understood and supported. Through that experience, I discovered my passion for writing and creating children’s books. Since then, I have continued developing my voice as a young artist and storyteller. Before graduating high school, I have published eight children’s books that explore topics such as health awareness, confidence, personal boundaries, and growing up. Through my work, I aim to create stories that help young readers feel seen, encouraged, and empowered. This scholarship would help me continue developing my creative work and pursuing my educational goals. I plan to attend Morgan State University, where I hope to explore the connections between nutrition, culinary arts, and business while continuing to grow as a writer and creative storyteller. Financial support from this scholarship would allow me to focus on my education and continue creating meaningful stories for young readers. My long term goal is to continue writing children’s books that inspire confidence and understanding while also opening a restaurant focused on allergy friendly meals. Through both storytelling and entrepreneurship, I hope to create spaces where young people and families feel safe, supported, and inspired. I believe that art has the power to bring people together and spark important conversations. Through my writing and creative work, I hope to continue using storytelling as a way to uplift others and help young readers realize that their experiences and voices matter.

My passion for the arts comes from my belief that creativity has the power to educate, inspire, and connect people. For me, the arts are not only about self-expression but also about using creativity to make a positive impact on others. Through writing and creating children’s books, I have discovered how storytelling can help young people understand themselves, build confidence, and see the world in new ways. Growing up, I faced several health challenges, including severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia. These conditions often made everyday situations difficult, especially when it came to food and social activities. At times, I felt different from other children because I had to take extra precautions to stay safe. However, those experiences also helped shape my perspective and inspired me to use creativity as a way to turn my challenges into something meaningful. My journey as an artist began when I decided to write my first book at the age of ten. I created Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook to help children who live with food allergies feel confident and included in the kitchen. I wanted other kids who faced similar challenges to know that they were not alone and that they could still enjoy cooking and creativity. Writing that book showed me how storytelling can transform personal struggles into opportunities to help others. Since then, I have continued to grow as a young artist and storyteller. Before graduating high school, I have published eight children’s books that explore topics such as health awareness, personal boundaries, confidence, and growing up. Through these stories, I try to create characters and situations that children can relate to while encouraging them to see their own strengths and possibilities. I believe that art has the ability to spark wonder and curiosity in young minds. Children’s books are often a child’s first introduction to storytelling and imagination. Through colorful illustrations, engaging characters, and meaningful themes, stories can open the door to important conversations about identity, health, kindness, and resilience. My goal is to create books that not only entertain children but also help them understand their emotions and experiences. Through my work, I hope to increase awareness about issues that many children face but do not always see reflected in books. When children see characters who share their struggles or experiences, it helps them feel understood and valued. Stories can also encourage empathy by helping young readers understand perspectives that may be different from their own. In the future, I hope to continue using my creativity to inspire others through both writing and entrepreneurship. I plan to attend Morgan State University, where I hope to study nutrition, culinary arts, and business. My long term vision is to combine my passions by opening a restaurant focused on allergy friendly meals while continuing to write books that empower young readers. My vision for the future is to use art as a tool for positive change. Through storytelling, I want to create a world where children feel seen, supported, and inspired to turn their own challenges into strengths. I believe that when art reflects real experiences and meaningful messages, it has the power to shape a more understanding and compassionate world.

My name is Skylar McBride, and I am an 18 year old author and honor roll student from Queens, New York. Literacy has played an important role in shaping who I am today. Through reading and writing, I have discovered my voice, developed confidence, and found ways to turn my personal experiences into something meaningful that can help others. Growing up, I faced several health challenges, including severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia. These conditions often made everyday situations difficult, especially when it came to food and social activities. There were many times when I felt different from other children because I had to be careful about what I ate or explain my allergies to others. During those moments, reading became a place where I could escape, learn, and imagine possibilities beyond the challenges I faced. Literacy not only helped me learn about the world, but it also helped me understand myself. As I grew older, I began to see writing as a way to share my experiences and support other children who might feel the same way I once did. Writing gave me the opportunity to turn my struggles into stories that could educate and encourage others. Picture books, in particular, have had a powerful impact on my life. As a child, picture books helped me understand complex ideas through engaging stories and illustrations. They made learning enjoyable and showed me how stories could communicate important messages in ways that children could easily understand. The creativity, colors, and characters in picture books inspired me to imagine the kinds of stories I wanted to create myself. At the age of ten, I decided to write my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. I created the book to help children with food allergies feel more confident and included when it comes to cooking and eating. I wanted to show kids that even if they have dietary restrictions, they can still enjoy food and creativity in the kitchen. Writing that book helped me realize that storytelling could be a powerful tool for helping others. Since then, I have continued writing and have now published eight children’s books. My books focus on topics that are important for young readers, including health awareness, confidence, personal boundaries, and growing up. Through my stories, I hope to create characters and situations that children can relate to while also encouraging them to believe in themselves. In the future, I hope to continue writing books that educate, inspire, and empower young readers. I want to create stories that help children feel seen and understood, especially those who may be facing challenges related to health, identity, or confidence. I also plan to attend Morgan State University, where I hope to explore the connections between nutrition, culinary arts, and business while continuing to grow as a writer. Receiving this award would help me continue developing my work as a young author and expand the impact of my stories. It would support my efforts to create meaningful literature for children and encourage me to keep using storytelling as a way to inspire others. Literacy has given me the tools to transform my experiences into something positive. Through reading and writing, I have learned that stories have the power to educate, empower, and bring people together.

My journey as a writer began with a challenge that many children face but do not always talk about openly. Growing up, I lived with severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia. These health conditions affected many parts of my childhood. Simple experiences like birthday parties, school lunches, or family gatherings often made me feel different because I had to be extremely careful about what I ate. While other children could enjoy food without thinking about it, I had to constantly ask questions about ingredients and safety. At times, this made me feel isolated. Instead of allowing those challenges to discourage me, I found a way to turn them into something meaningful. I began learning about ingredients, nutrition, and cooking so that I could better understand how food affects my body. Through that process, I discovered my love for creativity and storytelling. When I was ten years old, I decided to write my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. My goal was to create recipes that children with food allergies could safely enjoy while also encouraging them to feel confident and creative in the kitchen. Writing that book helped me realize that storytelling could be a powerful way to help others feel seen and supported. Since then, I have continued to grow as a young writer. Before graduating high school, I have published eight children’s books. Each book explores important topics for young readers, such as health awareness, confidence, personal boundaries, and growing up. I write stories for children because I believe books can help young people understand their experiences and see that they are not alone. The manuscript I am submitting continues that mission. My story focuses on young characters who face challenges that are often overlooked in children’s literature. Whether it is living with food allergies, navigating important milestones while growing up, or learning how to set personal boundaries, these are real experiences that many children go through but do not always see reflected in books. Through relatable characters and engaging storytelling, my goal is to create stories that help young readers feel understood and empowered. This story connects closely to my own life. Many of the themes I write about are inspired by moments from my childhood and conversations with other young people who have faced similar struggles. I want children who read my books to recognize parts of themselves in the characters and feel encouraged by how those characters overcome challenges. Writing stories that reflect real experiences makes the message more meaningful and authentic. Children’s books play an important role in shaping how young people see themselves and the world around them. When children see characters who share their experiences, identities, or struggles, it helps them feel valued and understood. Diverse stories allow children to learn about different perspectives and develop empathy for others. I believe it is important for children’s books to include voices and experiences that have historically been underrepresented, because every child deserves to see themselves reflected in the stories they read. Through my writing, I hope to create stories that inspire confidence, empathy, and resilience in young readers. I want children to understand that their challenges do not define them, but they can help shape their strength and purpose. In addition to writing, I am currently an honor roll senior at Brooklyn College Academy and a member of my school’s Step Team. I plan to attend Morgan State University, where I hope to continue developing my creative voice while studying nutrition, culinary arts, and business. My long term goal is to continue writing books that uplift and empower young readers while also creating spaces where children and families feel safe, supported, and inspired. Storytelling has given me the opportunity to turn my personal challenges into something positive. Through children’s literature, I hope to continue using my voice to help young readers feel seen, encouraged, and empowered.

Growing up with severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia, I often faced challenges that many other children did not have to think about. Simple experiences like school lunches, birthday parties, and social events could become stressful because I had to be extremely careful about what I ate. Many foods that other children enjoyed freely could cause serious allergic reactions for me. Because of this, I often had to bring my own meals to events or avoid certain foods completely. At times, these situations made me feel different and isolated. When I was younger, I realized that my family and I were constantly searching for safe and creative meals that would not trigger my allergies. Many of the recipes we found were either complicated or did not appeal to children. I began thinking about how helpful it would be if there were simple, allergy friendly recipes specifically designed for kids like me. At the age of ten, I decided to create a solution. I wrote and published my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. The book provides easy and safe recipes for children who have food allergies or dietary restrictions. My goal was to help children feel confident in the kitchen and to give families ideas for meals that were both safe and enjoyable. Writing the cookbook allowed me to turn a personal problem into something that could help other families who were facing similar challenges. Since publishing the cookbook, I have realized that the need for resources for children with food allergies is much larger than I first imagined. If I had the funding and resources, I would expand my idea into a larger project that combines education, cooking, and community support. My plan would be to create a program called Chef Skylar’s Allergy Friendly Kitchen Initiative. This program would include three main parts. First, I would develop a series of children’s cookbooks and digital resources that provide allergy safe recipes and nutrition education for families. These resources would be written in a way that is easy for children to understand and participate in. Second, I would create cooking workshops for children with food allergies where they could learn how to prepare safe meals, understand ingredients, and build confidence in the kitchen. These workshops could take place in schools, community centers, and after school programs. The goal would be to help children feel empowered rather than restricted by their allergies. Finally, I would develop a restaurant and learning space that focuses on allergy friendly meals. This space would not only provide safe dining options but also host educational cooking classes and events for families. It would create a welcoming environment where children with food allergies can enjoy food without fear. Through this initiative, I hope to turn the challenge I faced growing up into a solution that helps many others. My goal is to create opportunities for children with food allergies to feel safe, confident, and included when it comes to food.

Growing up with severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia, I often faced challenges that many other children did not have to think about. Simple experiences like school lunches, birthday parties, and social events could become stressful because I had to be extremely careful about what I ate. Many foods that other children enjoyed freely could cause serious allergic reactions for me. Because of this, I often had to bring my own meals to events or avoid certain foods completely. At times, these situations made me feel different and isolated. When I was younger, I realized that my family and I were constantly searching for safe and creative meals that would not trigger my allergies. Many of the recipes we found were either complicated or did not appeal to children. I began thinking about how helpful it would be if there were simple, allergy friendly recipes specifically designed for kids like me. At the age of ten, I decided to create a solution. I wrote and published my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. The book provides easy and safe recipes for children who have food allergies or dietary restrictions. My goal was to help children feel confident in the kitchen and to give families ideas for meals that were both safe and enjoyable. Writing the cookbook allowed me to turn a personal problem into something that could help other families who were facing similar challenges. Since publishing the cookbook, I have realized that the need for resources for children with food allergies is much larger than I first imagined. If I had the funding and resources, I would expand my idea into a larger project that combines education, cooking, and community support. My plan would be to create a program called Chef Skylar’s Allergy Friendly Kitchen Initiative. This program would include three main parts. First, I would develop a series of children’s cookbooks and digital resources that provide allergy safe recipes and nutrition education for families. These resources would be written in a way that is easy for children to understand and participate in. Second, I would create cooking workshops for children with food allergies where they could learn how to prepare safe meals, understand ingredients, and build confidence in the kitchen. These workshops could take place in schools, community centers, and after school programs. The goal would be to help children feel empowered rather than restricted by their allergies. Finally, I would develop a restaurant and learning space that focuses on allergy friendly meals. This space would not only provide safe dining options but also host educational cooking classes and events for families. It would create a welcoming environment where children with food allergies can enjoy food without fear. Through this initiative, I hope to turn the challenge I faced growing up into a solution that helps many others. My goal is to create opportunities for children with food allergies to feel safe, confident, and included when it comes to food.

My name is Skylar McBride, and I am an 18 year old author, honor roll student, and senior at Brooklyn College Academy in Queens, New York. From a young age, I discovered that storytelling and creativity could be powerful tools for helping others. Through writing and designing children’s books, I have found a way to turn my personal experiences into stories that educate, inspire, and empower young readers. Growing up, I faced several health challenges, including severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia. These conditions often made everyday experiences difficult, especially when it came to food and social activities. There were many moments when I felt different from other children because of the precautions I had to take to stay safe. However, those challenges also helped me discover my purpose. Instead of allowing those experiences to discourage me, I used them as inspiration for my creative work. At the age of ten, I wrote and published my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. The book provides allergy friendly recipes and encourages children with dietary restrictions to feel confident and creative in the kitchen. Writing this book allowed me to turn my personal struggles into something that could help other children and families facing similar challenges. Since then, I have continued to develop my voice as a young author and artist. Before graduating high school, I have published eight children’s books with McBride Stories. My books explore topics such as health awareness, confidence, personal boundaries, and growing up. Through colorful illustrations, relatable characters, and meaningful stories, my goal is to help young readers feel seen, supported, and encouraged. I believe that artistic expression has the power to shape how young people see themselves and the world around them. Many children struggle with issues that are not always openly discussed, and books can provide guidance, comfort, and understanding. Through my writing and creative projects, I hope to create stories that help children develop confidence and learn important life lessons. As I prepare to attend Morgan State University, I plan to continue expanding my creative work by exploring the connections between storytelling, nutrition, and culinary arts. My long term goal is to open my own restaurant that focuses on allergy friendly meals while also continuing to write books that promote health, empowerment, and self confidence for young readers. Through my artistic pursuits, I hope to make a positive impact by using creativity as a tool for education and empowerment. My goal is to create work that helps young people feel understood, supported, and inspired to turn their own challenges into strengths.

One of the most meaningful ways I have helped others grew from a challenge I faced myself. Growing up, I lived with severe food allergies, asthma, eczema, and anemia. These health conditions made everyday situations difficult, especially when it came to food. Simple experiences like school lunches, birthday parties, or family gatherings often made me feel different because I had to avoid many foods that other kids could enjoy freely. At a young age, I realized that I was not the only child facing these struggles. Many families were trying to find safe meals for children with allergies, but it was often confusing and stressful. I wanted to find a way to help other children feel less isolated and more confident about the foods they could eat. When I was ten years old, I decided to write and publish my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. My goal was to create recipes that were safe, simple, and fun for children who live with food allergies like I do. I wanted kids to know that having allergies does not mean they cannot enjoy cooking or delicious meals. Writing the cookbook allowed me to turn my personal experience into something that could help others. I researched ingredients, worked on recipes, and made sure the meals were allergy friendly and easy for families to prepare together. When the book was published, I was excited to share it with families who were going through the same challenges my family had faced. Through book signings and community events, I had the opportunity to meet parents and children who told me how much the cookbook meant to them. Some parents shared that they struggled to find safe recipes for their children, and they appreciated having a resource created by someone who truly understood what their child was experiencing. Hearing those stories made me realize that my work could make a real difference. Helping others through my writing has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. What started as a personal challenge became an opportunity to support other families and encourage children who might feel different because of their health conditions. This experience taught me that helping others does not always require a large organization or program. Sometimes it simply begins with sharing your story and using your voice to create something meaningful for others. By writing my cookbook and continuing to write books for young readers, I hope to keep supporting children who need encouragement, understanding, and confidence.

Growing up, I faced several health challenges that shaped both my identity and my purpose. I have lived with asthma, severe anemia, eczema, and multiple food allergies. These conditions affected many parts of my childhood. Everyday activities such as school lunches, birthday parties, and social events required extra precautions because of the foods I could not eat. At school, I even wore a medical necklace listing my allergies so adults would know how to help me if I had an allergic reaction. While these precautions kept me safe, they also made me feel different from other children. There were times when I felt isolated or self-conscious, especially when I had to explain my allergies or bring my own meals to events. I often worried that my health conditions made me a burden to others. However, these experiences eventually helped me discover my voice and my passion. As I began learning more about food allergies, nutrition, and cooking, I realized that many other children were experiencing the same fears and frustrations that I had. I wanted to create something that could help them feel understood and supported. Writing became the way I could share my story and transform my challenges into something meaningful. At the age of ten, I published my first book, Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook. The book provides allergy-friendly recipes for children and families who struggle with food restrictions like mine. Creating this book allowed me to turn my personal experiences into a resource that helps others feel safe and confident in the kitchen. Since then, I have continued to write stories that address important topics for young people. Before graduating high school, I have published eight children’s books that focus on themes such as health awareness, personal boundaries, confidence, and growing up. Through these stories, I aim to create characters and situations that young readers can relate to and learn from. Writing has become more than just a creative outlet for me. It is a way to give a voice to experiences that many children face but do not always know how to express. My health challenges taught me resilience and empathy, and those lessons influence every story I write. I am passionate about pursuing writing because storytelling has the power to educate, inspire, and empower others. Through my work, I want children to see that their challenges do not define them. Instead, those experiences can become the source of their strength and purpose. My goal is to continue writing books that support young readers, especially those who feel different because of their health, identity, or personal struggles. By sharing my story and creating meaningful literature for young people, I hope to use my voice to uplift others and remind them that their experiences matter.

My artwork reflects my personal experiences, challenges, and the lessons I have learned growing up. Each book I have created is inspired by real moments in my life and the desire to help other young people feel seen, understood, and empowered. Writing and creating children’s books has become a way for me to turn my experiences into stories that can support and encourage others. One of my earliest inspirations came from living with multiple food allergies and health conditions. Because food often caused anxiety and restrictions in my daily life, I began learning about nutrition and cooking so that I could better understand how food affects my body. This experience inspired me to write Chef Skylar’s Allergy Cookbook, which shares safe and creative recipes for children who struggle with food allergies. Through this work, I wanted to show other kids that they can still enjoy cooking, food, and creativity even when they have dietary restrictions. Another inspiration for my work comes from conversations and experiences that many young people face but do not always feel comfortable discussing. My book Crystal: My First Period was created to help young girls understand an important stage of growing up. I wanted to present this topic in a supportive and positive way so that girls can feel confident, informed, and less alone during a time that can sometimes feel confusing or uncomfortable. In Respect My Boundaries, I focus on the importance of self-respect and personal boundaries. This story encourages young readers to understand that their feelings, comfort, and voices matter. Through colorful illustrations and relatable characters, I wanted to create a story that helps children learn how to communicate their boundaries in a healthy and confident way. Through all of my books, my goal is to create stories that educate, inspire, and empower young readers. I want children to see characters who face real challenges and learn how to overcome them. By combining storytelling with bright, engaging illustrations, I hope to make important topics easier for young readers to understand while also encouraging confidence and self-expression. Ultimately, my work is about turning personal experiences into something positive that can help others. Whether it is teaching children about food allergies, helping young girls understand their bodies, or encouraging kids to respect their boundaries, my goal is to create books that make young readers feel supported and inspired. I hope that through my writing and artwork, I can continue to use creativity as a tool to educate, empower, and uplift the next generation.

As a child, I experienced several serious health conditions that shaped both my life and my future goals. I have dealt with asthma, severe anemia, eczema, and multiple food allergies. These challenges affected me physically and emotionally, often making me feel different from other children. Everyday experiences such as birthday parties, school lunches, and social gatherings required extra caution because of the foods I could not eat. At school, I even wore a necklace listing my allergies so adults would know how to help me if I had a reaction. Although these precautions kept me safe, they also made me feel fragile and isolated. Food played a major role in my health struggles, but it also led me to discover my passion. As I learned more about ingredients, nutrition, and how food affects the body, I became fascinated by the science behind it. Instead of seeing food only as a source of anxiety, I began to see it as something I could understand and control. When I was younger, my eczema became particularly severe, and nothing seemed to improve it. I visited doctors frequently and tried different medications and treatments. Eventually, my doctor suggested that changing my diet might help. That recommendation opened the door to a new world for me. I began experimenting in the kitchen, learning which foods helped my body and which ones caused reactions. Cooking became empowering because it allowed me to take control of my health. For my eighth birthday, my aunt enrolled me in cooking classes. From that moment, I fell in love with the culinary arts. The kitchen became a place where I could be creative, confident, and curious. Cooking taught me patience, discipline, and problem solving. It also strengthened my relationship with my body and helped me understand how nutrition affects overall health. My passion for cooking soon expanded into writing. At the age of ten, I published my first book, Chef Skylar's Allergy Cookbook. I created recipes specifically for children who struggle with food allergies like I do. Writing this book allowed me to transform my personal experiences into something meaningful that could help other families. Since then, I have continued writing and sharing my journey to encourage children who may feel different because of their health challenges. My experiences have inspired me to pursue a field that combines nutrition, culinary arts, and business. At Morgan State University, I hope to deepen my understanding of food science, nutrition, and culinary management. Through my education, I want to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to create safe and inclusive dining experiences for people with food allergies and dietary restrictions. In the future, I hope to open my own restaurant that focuses on allergy friendly and nutritious meals. I also plan to continue writing cookbooks and resources that empower children and families to cook safely and confidently. My goal is to transform the challenges I once faced into opportunities that help others live healthier and more inclusive lives.