Growing up in a low-income, single-parent household, I experienced firsthand the struggles and challenges that come with financial instability. My father had to worry about the stress of making ends meet and coming up with money for a car and a place to stay, as we had to stay with other family members. Despite these hardships, my father instilled in me the importance of education, community, and helping others get ahead as well. His resilience and determination to provide a better future for my brother and me inspired my passion for social work, as I saw the profound impact that support and advocacy could have on individuals and families in need. One particular experience that sparked my dedication to social work occurred during my high school years. As I was nearing the end of my junior year, my school began to emphasize the importance of volunteering and community service. During a field trip to a local community center, my classmates and I provided resources such as clothes and cans of food to support low-income families. There, I met children with bright imaginations and who were eager to learn, but hindered by their circumstances. This experience sparked my desire to provide a safe space for low-income children to thrive not only socially, but also academically. As a social worker, I aim to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals and communities facing similar challenges that I experienced. My goal is to advocate for policies and programs that provide better access to education, healthcare, and social services for low-income families. I want to work directly with these communities, offering support and resources to help them overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential. By addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality, I hope to create a more equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Receiving this scholarship would be instrumental in helping me achieve my goals. As a low-income student, financing my education has unfortunately been a significant concern. This scholarship would alleviate the financial burden and allow me to focus on my studies and extracurricular activities which are crucial for my development as a social worker. It would also provide me with the opportunity to engage in internships and volunteer work, gaining practical experience and making meaningful connections in the field of social work. With the support of this scholarship, I plan to focus my career on several key issues and groups. First, I want to advocate for children and families living in poverty, ensuring they have access to quality education and healthcare. By working with schools and community organizations, I hope to develop programs that support children's academic and emotional development, breaking the cycle of poverty and setting them on a path to success. Additionally, I am passionate about addressing mental health issues within low-income communities. Financial stress and instability can have severe impacts on mental health, and I want to ensure that individuals and families have access to the necessary mental health resources and support. By promoting mental health awareness and providing counseling services, I hope to improve the overall well-being of these communities. In conclusion, my experiences as a low-income student have shaped my passion for social work and fueled my desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others. This scholarship would provide me with the resources and opportunities to pursue my goals and create meaningful change. I am committed to advocating for and supporting low-income communities, addressing their needs, and working towards a more just and equitable society.

My name is Sydnee Doss, and I am a rising sophomore at the University of Memphis, where I have dedicated myself to my studies and cultivating my self-growth. Growing up in a single-father household and as the eldest daughter in said household, I have faced numerous challenges that have shaped my character and have fueled my determination to succeed. One of the most significant obstacles I have had to overcome is growing up with a single father, who has worked tirelessly to ensure that my brother and I can reach our dreams and goals. Despite his everlasting hard work, there were times when we struggled to pay the bills or keep food on the table, which caused the three of us to live with my grandmother for half of my life. Witnessing my father's dedication and drive to stay focused and determined has instilled a work ethic and a deep appreciation and desire for a post-secondary education. In addition to the financial hardships that my family has faced, I have had to learn how to be a strong, self-sufficient woman despite growing up without a mother. My mother voluntarily left my family at a young age, therefore, she was unable to be there for me and teach me how to successfully grow as a female in today's society, and my grandmother, who had never had a daughter, wasn't capable of teaching me properly how to be a woman. This caused me to become depressed throughout my school journey and develop severe anxiety. Growing up as a girl with no real female role models, I naturally wanted to excel in my schooling. Despite the bullying, stereotypes, and mental health obstacles, I was able to maintain a high GPA throughout my high school career while working to help my family get on its feet and participate in the rigorous International Baccalaureate program in my school. I was also able to grow a love for volunteering in my community, at places like the Nashville Public Library. Receiving this scholarship would be a transformative opportunity for me. It would alleviate the financial burden of my education on my family and would allow me to focus more on my studies and less on finding and working jobs to help pay my tuition. With the support of this scholarship, I plan to continue my studies at the University of Memphis, majoring in Sociology and minoring in Psychology. My future goals are to study the world and society that we all live in today to take what I learn and open my psychiatric and therapy practice, as I believe mental health is the most important when it comes to achieving your goals. I want to help students and younger children with the various mental issues that many adolescents and children face in today's age so that they too get the opportunity to succeed in today's world. In conclusion, this scholarship would not only help me achieve my academic and career goals but also empower me to be a role model for others and girls like me in my community. I want to show young people that no matter what their circumstances may be, they have the potential to achieve greatness in the future. I am committed to using my experiences to make a positive impact on the lives of others. By investing in my education, you are not only supporting my dreams but also contributing to the betterment of our society. Thank you for considering my application and for your investment in the future of students like me.

I was raised by a single father for the first 16 years of my life, which is usually uncommon. For my entire life, my dad has always supported me, not only with school but with my life, period. My dad is one of the main reasons that I love learning new things and working to understand new concepts he is the smartest man I know because he also enjoys learning new things every day. My dad would tell me random facts he learned and I would do the same, and this little habit of ours would soon turn me into the learner I am today. One of the concepts that we both love to learn about is science. My dad would show me videos, pictures and articles about space, natural phenomena, and the human body especially which made me become obsessed with science, especially the functions of the human brain. I'm fascinated with psychology and the way our brains work now because of my dad. My dad also often stressed the importance of education, especially for girls who look like me and come from where I come from. When I started middle school, I had begin to struggle with my grades. I was afraid that if or when my dad found out, I'd disappoint him because he always would tell me about how important an education is and was. After a while of really struggling and getting no help from my teachers, I went to my dad and he helped me with everything. We would spend some nights staying up for hours practicing until I understood my math or science work, and even though I didn't appreciate it truly then, those late nights and random trivia questions from my dad benefitted me even today. I started to pass my tests and get better grades, and I couldn't have been more prouder of myself. When I transitioned to high school, I fell into a shell and I wouldn't apply myself like I knew I potentially could. I was so in my head that I wouldn't even raise my hand in class when I knew the answer, and my teachers would point this out to me. My father would observe this and he would tell me to take that fear and turn it into power and to take risks and show everyone how capable I was. With this advice, I ended up becoming a scholar who shared my knowledge with others and helped when people didn't quite understand a certain thing in class. This year, I ended up graduating with flying colors at the top of my class and getting into one of my dream colleges. Had my dad not pushed me to display my capabilities, I wouldn't be the scholar and learner that I am today. My dad is and has always been my biggest supporter and cheerleader, and I dedicate my entire learning journey and the rest of it to him and his influence on me.

In the modern business world, there is a stigma that higher-ups in companies are often selfish and don't ever help out those in need or who are under their "level." Because I plan to become a higher-up in the business world, there are also a lot of stereotypes and discrimination I will have to face because of that. If I do potentially reach this level, the first thing I want to combat is the negative aspects. Firstly, I'd like to throw out the stereotype that is, unfortunately, more than a century old, which is, women can't properly control a company in a higher-up position. Even though this theory has been disproven many and many times, it still exists amongst women in the business world and everyday life. This undermining stereotype makes it harder for women to be put in authoritative positions, even if they deserve it. Using my abilities and skills, I want to show that my gender is not a factor in what I can do and achieve and that people shouldn't assume things based on my gender. Creating a safe environment for women to excel instead of being pushed to the back will create a positive impact in not only the business world but in the real world as well. Another impact I want to create in my career is one of philanthropy and volunteerism. I want to use my spare time and the money I make to give back to the community I grew up in and communities like it. Most individuals would choose to only benefit themselves with what they are given, but I want to be a part of the few who give back. It is important to me to give back to what I come from so that I won't forget my roots and become wrapped up in myself only. Giving back to my community and those in need will create a positive impact on the world around me because those who need it will have what they need in times when they feel like they don't have what they need to live. This could also inspire business leaders to give back as well. I want to use my privileges to give those who need help the same privileges to get higher in their goals or careers or whatever they would like to do in their lives. It is very important that those who have "made it," be selfless enough to help others.

Violence, especially among teenagers and young adults, is a serious issue in my neighborhood that has persisted for years. Children, teenagers, and young adults are born with the worry that as soon as they leave their homes or even enter them, they will walk into danger and might not survive to see another day. This issue also occurs in local schools, where students frequently carry firearms to class. As a result, lockdowns last for hours as staff works to resolve the issue. Since this issue has never been addressed, I would like to create a nonprofit organization that gives teenagers a secure space to hang out and learn that violence is not always the answer to a situation. Local companies that support the cause of ending violence, particularly gun violence in the community, may donate money to this non-profit. In addition, I'd like to find a way to set up a fund that would enable children and families with limited resources to start saving money for things like secondary education, a better house, or even just dinner for the night. I would start by contacting local businesses and individuals to see if they would be willing to fund and support the development of this firm. I would speak with local building owners to rent or buy a facility that I could renovate for the children and teenagers in my neighborhood once I had enough money to launch my business. After that, I organized neighborhood fundraising events and other occasions to inform residents in the neighborhood. After people start contributing to my planned non-profit, I'll start looking for people who will provide "counselors" to the impacted people without charge so that they feel like they always have someone to turn to if they're struggling or just need someone to talk to. This company will continue to be non-profit and will never demand or compel payment from anyone, especially the children it serves. My company will make sure to contribute back to the community in order to improve and modify the community's way of life. The only thing the establishment asks of the youth it employs and the neighborhood is that we band together to formally put an end to gun violence and other forms of communal violence so that we may advance as a community and overcome the stigma attached to communities like mine. I want to build this business so that it can last for years, even if the problem of violence is eventually solved.

My mother was only 7 years old when she was sentenced to prison, and it was around this time that I had just begun to enjoy going to school and learning new things so that I could run home and share them with my family. I didn't realize it at the time, but it was a life-changing event for not only my mother, but also for me. I was only seven years old and didn't fully comprehend the situation, but I missed her terribly. It began to divert my attention to the point where my once enthusiastic and passionate attitude towards learning had become a dull, insignificant thing to me. I would beg my father to let me stay at home from school everyday because I was afraid my mother would walk in at any moment, and I desperately didn't want to miss it. Even though I hoped and prayed, for the next 5 years of my life, that moment never came. When middle school arrived, I was completely exhausted from my intense emotions from missing my mother, and this made the transition from elementary to middle school difficult. I thought school was a huge waste of time, and my negative feelings toward school caused me to become depressed. Depression and negative feelings toward school lasted until I was 12, when my mother was finally released from prison. My mother enrolled in a local community college and began working toward an associate's degree in Business Management as soon as she was released. Two years later, my mother received her diploma. My mother made me so proud and inspired, and this was around the time I started high school, meaning it was time to start figuring out what I wanted to do in college and my life. I researched and took note of hobbies I enjoyed, but I couldn't figure out what I wanted to pursue. I then spoke with my mother, who had built a successful business, from the ground up. I was so inspired by how she overcame her own personal adversity and came out on top after hard, meaningful work. I'm now a senior in high school, and I'm preparing to attend a 4-year college to study Business Management, just like my mother, and I hope to work in a business management position in the future. My joy and love of learning returned in full force, and I'm now a successful student, earning all A's and about to start college this coming Fall, despite years of dismissing school as a waste of time. The difficulties I encountered throughout elementary school demonstrated to me the importance of education and that no matter how hard life gets, I can still get through the adversity it throws my way.

As IB students for the past two years, we have been shaped to be individuals who not only learn but also live the IB traits that we have been exposed to. I applied each of these learner traits to all of my classes and program requirements. I can't pick just one trait to describe my personality because each of these individual traits has benefited me and has been incorporated into my daily life. Although I have used all traits, some that stand out to me as a person are risk-taking and balance. People from my sophomore class, including me, were chosen to be a part of the school's first-ever International Baccalaureate program, and it was one of the biggest risks I had ever taken. I knew the program would be demanding and difficult to complete, but I enrolled anyway and am on the verge of completing it this coming May. Being a senior in high school in my second year of the IB program while preparing to enroll in college the following fall after graduation was going to be a difficult task; I needed to learn how to balance college applications and scholarship applications with my heavy workload from school, CAS activities, IAs, my extended essay, and maintaining a personal life. Balance was something that I had to implement quickly into my life to keep myself calm during this journey. All of these traits can be applied outside of IB in the day-to-day and hectic events of life. Some of the ways I use IB traits in my daily life include in my everyday school life, in interacting with my classmates or friends, getting ahead in my educational journey, and achieving personal goals to get to where I want to be in life. Compassion, open-mindedness, and communication are important characteristics to have when participating in group activities. These teamwork characteristics enable me to collaborate more effectively with my peers in daily school activities. Communication, being open-minded, and caring about what others have to say are all necessary for completing a group task. Being knowledgeable, inquisitive, and being a thinker are IB characteristics that keep me engaged in my studies and allow me to retain the information that my instructors provide, through using my learned knowledge to help others, asking questions when I don't quite understand a topic, and thinking about and analyzing what is being taught. IB traits like reflectiveness and principled behavior assist me in caring for myself and my journey to achieve my goals, from reflecting on my day as it ends to developing my own set of principles to live and thrive by. If there is one thing I take away from IB, it is that these attributes will serve me well in my post-secondary education and beyond in my life as a working adult. The IB traits have made me more mindful and aware of the events in life, whether it's education, family, friends, or financial burdens. I have become a better learner and a better person during my time in the IB program using the IB Learner traits.

I believe that mental health is an important factor in everyone's life because it can significantly impact all other aspects of one's life. It is critical, especially during adolescence, because your body is undergoing significant changes, particularly mental changes. You start to care more about things that weren't a bother before when you were younger, and you start being more self-conscious about things that didn't matter when you were younger. As you're maturing, you start taking on more tasks, for example, a student deciding to take a more challenging course load, deciding to play a sport for their school, or deciding to get a job to earn money on the side. It isn't It is well known that taking on too much at once is detrimental to one's physical and/or mental health, but as humans, we have the instinct to continue taking on tasks once we realize we can handle one or two at a time. This is known as overestimating our own abilities, and it can have a significant and long-term negative impact on one's mental health. As a senior in high school, I am responsible for a variety of tasks in various areas, including a heavy course load, a job, clubs, and extracurricular activities. With all of these responsibilities vying for my attention in my life, I frequently make the mistake of ignoring what's best for me mentally in favor of doing what's best for everyone else. To avoid doing so, I've eliminated some aspects of my life that I knew were dragging me down. While having my own money was fun and made me feel more independent, I realized it wasn't good for me mentally. I was complaining about my job and not feeling well on some days, so I decided to resign, not only because I didn't like my job, but also to focus on the things in my life that made me happy, such as finishing my senior year strong or participating in sports. I've also learned to take breaks and not try to do everything all at once. As an example, consider my schoolwork. I'd make a schedule so that certain days of the week were designated as work and study days, or days to relax and practice self-care. These two methods have greatly aided me in working on my mental health and learning that no one is perfect and that burning myself out will only harm myself and the quality of the things I do in the long run.