My family has always struggled with money. Both my parents worked endlessly, but it was never enough. Going to grocery stores with my mother, we would always have coupons and food stamps in hand. For a long while, I thought that was the way everyones families were, grabbing Great Value products over name-brands in efforts to ease the burden by even a few cents. I would hear my parents sighing over bills before we went another hot summer week without air conditioning. Everything got harder after my father passed away from stage four lung cancer. Without the second income, the money got tighter, and the house felt colder. Then came the pandemic, shutting down my mother’s source of income as the restaurant she worked long hours at closed. I would pull open the fridge, after virtual classes, to bare shelves and half-empty condiments. My primary meals were provided by the school, the free lunch program filling my stomach. Packaged in plastic bags for sanitation, the surplus of school food that would have gone unused went back to the community, those in need. Eventually my older brother found a job to help support the house, and my mother returned to work, as I continued through middle school into my first years of high school. Since sophomore year of high school, I've been finding ways to make my own money, from babysitting to working a job at the same restaurant as my mother. I am saving up as much as possible for my college education, and I can only hope to not press a major financial burden on my family by continuing my education. I have given up my weekend mornings, and some weeknights to my job, and give the rest of my time to my education, working hard on homework assignments. I’ve always done my best to make my parents proud by maintaining high grades. Having immigrant parents, from a town in Greece, I would be going to college not just for myself; but for them as well. Financial difficulties are some of the most difficult challenges to overcome, but our community has been pivotal to helping my family, and I could not be more grateful. I hope that my community scholarships, and even national scholarships, can support my family as I enter the next chapter of my life. The chapter where I learn to give back, support my mother financially so she no longer sighs over bills, so I can give her as much as I can, to reflect the way she gave everything she could. This scholarship is not a charity. It is an investment into the most hardworking students imaginable; those who need to do well to advance. Students like me, who work harder for everything they are given. With the support of this scholarship, I can reach my goals with less weight on my shoulders, achieve financial comfort with a well-paying job after college, continue working hard, and be thankful for everyone who got me there.

As a first-generation student from a low-income, immigrant household, I’ve grown up knowing the value of both perseverance and community. My father passed away from small cell lung cancer when I was 12 years old, and that loss reshaped the way I see the world. It strengthened my empathy, focus, and drive, knowing I would have to work even harder to get the same opportunities as others. Balancing school, part-time work, and relationships with family and friends has taught me the importance of resilience and giving back whenever I can. Community involvement has been a core part of my high school experience. I’m an active member of Key Club and several academic honor societies, but one of my proudest accomplishments has been founding the SAVE Promise Club at my school—Students Against Violence Everywhere. The foundation was formed following the events of Sandy Hook, not far from my hometown, and my community was definitely changed by it. So, for my own peace of mind, and to make my own community a little bit safer, I helped start the club, which now has over fifteen active members. The SAVE Promise Club is dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusion, connection, and safety. We have designed and painted two murals around our school promoting kindness and inclusivity, and participated in one of the most impactful events I can think of. I was given the opportunity to visit local middle schools to give presentations on bullying, the bystander effect, and online safety. The presentation included several virtual warning signs, as well as helpful tools for those who may have also been experiencing any kind of bullying. We emphasized that silence can actually enable cruelty and that one person speaking up can shift a culture. With our slogan of “Say Something” we can make sure younger generations understand their important roles in preventing future bullying, as well as forming a stronger community. In addition to my community service, financial need plays a significant role in my path to higher education. My family’s income is limited, and I’ve worked throughout high school to help support us. Scholarships are essential for me to afford college, as I will be paying for tuition, housing, and supplies with my own savings from working, and the little money we can spare. Despite the financial obstacles, I remain committed to pursuing a degree in a STEM field, with a focus on science, chemistry or physics. My identity as a trilingual, first-generation student has shaped how I move through the world. My parents didn’t have many connections when first moving to the United States from their homes in Greece, but they formed so many lifelong friendships that I feel like I am constantly surrounded by support. This has helped me build my own strong connections, and being able to communicate with as many people as possible will only further my connections with others. Whether it’s advocating for kindness, mentoring younger students, or helping out through volunteering, I believe every effort to build a safer, more compassionate world matters. As I prepare to take the next steps in my education, I carry with me not only my family’s hopes, but also a commitment to continue serving and protecting the youth in my community.