My name is Syrah Javed, and I am a student athlete at the University of Texas at Dallas. Golf has been my passion for years, and it has shaped my identity, my work ethic, and my sense of purpose. Being a student athlete has given me discipline, resilience, and a place where I can express myself freely, even when life outside the course feels complicated. My journey in sports and education has been shaped deeply by my family dynamic and the challenges I have faced growing up as a first-generation Pakistani American woman. My family has never had a traditional or easy path with education. Neither of my parents attended college, and my mother never completed high school. Because of this, I grew up without academic guidance or a clear understanding of how the education system worked. My parents cared about my future, but they could not walk me through applications, scholarship forms, exams, or the stress that comes with choosing a major. I learned early that if I wanted a different life, I would have to push my way through the unknown entirely on my own. This independence was not something I chose. It was something life required of me. At the same time, my household has been difficult emotionally. There were many days when I felt unseen, misunderstood, or unsupported. Arguments, pressure, and cultural expectations often made me feel small. Sports became the one thing that kept me grounded. Golf taught me patience and mental toughness. It gave me a space where I could breathe, focus, and prove to myself that I was capable of building a future beyond what I grew up around. When everything else felt unstable, golf was the one constant in my life. School became another anchor for me. Even though I had to teach myself everything about higher education, it gave me a sense of direction that my home life did not. I am currently pursuing a double major in Marketing and Artificial Intelligence with a focus on business and supply chain. These fields allow me to explore my passion for problem-solving and leadership. I have also taken on leadership roles, such as serving as the Community Service Chair in SAAC, where I learned how to bring people together and make a lasting impact on my campus community. My team’s involvement with Team IMPACT also gave me purpose, reminding me how much joy and confidence can come from simply showing up for someone else. My plans are driven by the desire to break generational cycles and create opportunities that did not exist for my family. I want to build a student centered transportation service that focuses on safety, affordability, and accessibility. My goal is to improve the lives of students who struggle with transportation, financial barriers, or safety concerns. I hope to expand this idea into a model that supports students across Texas and eventually nationwide. Beyond business, I want to mentor young women, especially first-generation students and minorities, who are stepping into higher education with little support. I want to give them the guidance I never had. For me, being a student athlete is not only about competition. It is a commitment to growth, responsibility, and perseverance. I want to use my education, my athletic discipline, and my personal experiences to build a future that uplifts others and honors the people who never got the chance to chase their dreams.

Going to college is more than an academic choice for me. It is a chance to break generational patterns, create a new legacy for my family, and build a future that was never possible for the generations who came before me. As a Pakistani American woman and the first in my family to pursue a college degree, higher education is not just a goal. It is a promise that the sacrifices of my parents will lead somewhere meaningful, and that I can use my opportunities to uplift others who face the same barriers I grew up with. Neither of my parents attended college. My mother did not complete high school, and both of my parents had to work from a young age instead of receiving an education. Because of that, I grew up with very limited guidance about what college required. There were no conversations at home about credits or majors or financial aid. Everything I learned about navigating higher education came from my own research, my own questions, and my own trial and error. At times, the process felt overwhelming, especially when I worried about making mistakes that could impact my future. But facing these challenges alone made me stronger, more determined, and more aware of how powerful education can be. For me, going to college means stepping into a world my parents never had access to. It represents hope, change, and independence. It gives me the opportunity to build generational stability and financial freedom in a way my family has never experienced. I study Marketing and Artificial Intelligence with a focus on business and supply chain because I want my career to be about creating solutions, leading with empathy, and building systems that help others. Education has opened doors that once felt impossible, and it has given me the confidence to dream bigger than the limits placed on women in my culture. Through my education, I hope to build a career that creates real impact. One of my goals is to design a transportation service for college students that focuses on affordability and safety, especially for women and minority students who often feel vulnerable on or near campus. I want to use my knowledge in business and technology to develop smart, community centered systems that make student life safer, more convenient, and more supportive. I also want to become a mentor for young women who feel unsure about their place in higher education, especially first generation and minority students. I understand the fear and confusion they face, and I want to help guide them through it so they do not feel alone. College is teaching me how to lead, how to innovate, and how to build opportunities that uplift others. It is giving me the tools to break barriers not only for myself but for future generations in my family. Most importantly, it is giving me the power to imagine possibilities that were never available to the women who came before me. Going to college means creating a future defined by courage, opportunity, and impact. Through my education, I hope to build a life that honors where I come from while opening doors for others to walk through behind me.

Entering higher education has always felt like stepping into a world I had to learn completely on my own. Neither of my parents went to college, and my mother never even completed high school. Growing up, no one in my home understood what college applications looked like, how financial aid worked, or what it meant to choose a major. Education was talked about as something important, but the details of how to navigate it were a mystery. Because of this, I entered college as an outsider to the system, trying to figure out everything for the first time with no blueprint and no guidance. Being the first in my family to take this path came with moments of pride, but it also came with a lot of fear. While many students had parents who walked them through forms, visited campuses with them, or understood credit hours and deadlines, I had to teach myself all of it. I had to be the one to make calls, schedule appointments, ask questions, and double-check if I was doing things correctly. Every decision felt heavier because I knew I did not have a safety net. If I misunderstood something or made a mistake, I was the only one who could fix it. At the same time, my background came with cultural pressures that made the journey even more complex. As a Pakistani American woman, I balanced two worlds. At home, education was encouraged, but not in the way American colleges operate. My family wanted me to succeed, but they did not always understand my choices. When I chose a double major in Marketing and Artificial Intelligence, or pursued leadership roles, or committed to being a student athlete, these paths did not fit the traditional ideas of what a young woman in my culture should be doing. I often had to explain my decisions and stand strong in them, even when my family did not fully understand why I was making them. Despite these challenges, coming from a family with no college background shaped my goals in powerful and meaningful ways. It taught me resilience. It taught me self-reliance. It taught me how to advocate for myself even when I felt overwhelmed. I became someone who asks questions, seeks opportunities, and refuses to settle. My struggles became a source of motivation rather than something that held me back. My experience also made me deeply aware of how many students are lost in the system simply because they have no one to guide them. That understanding shaped my involvement in leadership roles like SAAC and my dedication to community service. I want to create spaces where students who come from families like mine feel supported and understood. I want to mentor students who are stepping into higher education alone and help them navigate the systems that once confused me. In the future, I hope to develop programs and community-focused initiatives that make college more accessible for first-generation and minority students. I want to use my education to remove some of the fear and uncertainty that I carried on my path. My parents never had the chance to experience higher education, but their sacrifices are the reason I am here today. I want my success to open doors not only for myself but for others who feel the same uncertainty I once felt. Being an outsider to the system shaped me into someone who is determined, courageous, and committed to helping others feel less alone on their path.

My name is Syrah Javed, and I am a Pakistani American student athlete at the University of Texas at Dallas pursuing a double major in Marketing and Artificial Intelligence with a focus on business and supply chain. I come from a background where women are often expected to follow a very traditional path, and choosing to pursue higher education, leadership, athletics, and entrepreneurship has meant constantly pushing past expectations placed on me. These experiences shaped my desire to uplift other women by creating opportunities, support systems, and resources that help them believe in their own strength. Growing up, I rarely saw women around me encouraged to dream boldly. Many were taught to stay quiet, avoid attention, or play small. When I entered spaces like athletics, business, and technology, I realized how often women are underrepresented, unheard, or overlooked. As a brown woman in golf, I learned quickly that I would have to fight twice as hard to be visible and taken seriously. The sport is overwhelmingly white, and being one of the only women of color at tournaments taught me how isolating it can feel when you do not see people who look like you succeeding. These experiences pushed me to become not only stronger but also more aware of how important representation is. In college, I stepped into leadership roles that strengthened my voice. Serving as the Community Service Chair for SAAC allowed me to create volunteer opportunities, lead student athletes, and work directly with communities in need. Through Team IMPACT, my team and I welcomed a young girl with medical challenges into our golf family. Seeing the confidence and joy she gained from feeling included reminded me of the power women have to lift each other up. These experiences shaped my understanding of empathy, leadership, and what it means to create spaces where others feel valued. My long-term career goal is to use my business and technology background to build systems and ventures that support women. I want to create organizations that address safety, accessibility, and economic opportunity for women on college campuses and beyond. One dream I have is to launch a transportation service designed specifically for students, with features that protect women from the safety challenges they face on and off campus. I want to design resources that help women feel safer walking at night, moving across campus, or accessing essential needs without fear. Eventually, I hope to expand this model into broader programs that provide community support, career guidance, and platforms for young women to grow in leadership. Beyond entrepreneurship, I want to mentor young women who come from backgrounds like mine. Women of color, especially those from immigrant families, face unique pressures and expectations. Many feel torn between wanting to chase their dreams and wanting to maintain cultural acceptance. I have lived those conflicts, and I want to help other girls feel supported as they navigate their own paths. I want to show them that they do not have to apologize for being ambitious or strong. My goal is to build a future where women feel heard, safe, and capable of achieving greatness. Through my career, I hope to create opportunities that open doors for women who have been ignored, doubted, or underestimated. I want to uplift women the same way I needed someone to uplift me.

Being a Pakistani American woman in college has shaped every aspect of my journey, especially as a student-athlete in a sport where people who look like me are rarely seen. Golf is not a brown woman’s sport. It is a space historically dominated by white players, families with generational access, and communities that have always been welcomed on golf courses. When I walk onto a course, I am often the only brown woman there. Instead of blending in, I stand out before I even swing a club. This reality has influenced not only my approach to the sport but also my perspective on education and future goals. Growing up in a South Asian household, golf was not a sport that people talked about or invested in. There were no family members to guide me through tournaments, no cultural familiarity with the game, and no examples of people who looked like me succeeding in it. When I chose golf, I chose something far outside my community’s expectations. I had to teach myself how to adapt, how to face spaces where I did not fit the mold, and how to hold my ground even when I felt out of place. That experience taught me resilience, independence, and the courage to take up space in rooms that were not built for girls like me. On the course, I have faced microaggressions, assumptions, and comments that remind me constantly that I am different. I have been underestimated because of my background, questioned because of my skin color, and overlooked in environments where representation is low. These moments can be discouraging, but they are also powerful reminders of why my presence matters. Every time I step onto the course, I am creating visibility for other young brown girls who might one day want to follow a similar path. I am proving that minority students belong anywhere their ambition can take them. As a college student, being a woman of color has taught me to navigate academic systems that were not always designed with minority students in mind. I am often the first in the room to experience something, the one who must balance my culture with my responsibilities, and the one who faces family expectations that many peers do not fully understand. But these challenges have shaped my strength and shaped the leader I am becoming. In SAAC and Team IMPACT, my identity has deepened my commitment to inclusion and advocacy. As Community Service Chair, I work to create opportunities that connect athletes from diverse backgrounds and experiences. I know what it feels like to be overlooked or invisible, so I make it my goal to make others feel seen. My identity drives me to build communities where students feel safe, valued, and supported. In the future, I want to use my education to build student-centered businesses and programs that uplift minority voices. I hope to create spaces in athletics, entrepreneurship, and education where girls who look like me do not have to feel like outsiders. I want to mentor young athletes of color, encourage representation in golf, and help underrepresented students navigate paths that feel unfamiliar or overwhelming. My identity has taught me courage. It has taught me to take paths that are not common for girls like me. And it will continue to guide the way I make a positive impact in the world.

My name is Syrah Javed, and I am a student athlete at the University of Texas at Dallas pursuing a double major in Marketing and Artificial Intelligence with a focus on business and supply chain. As someone who grew up without consistent support or stability, I learned early that education and community involvement would be my path to a better future. Because of this, I have always tried to pour myself into the spaces where I could contribute the most. Whether it was sports, volunteer work, or leadership opportunities, I learned to use every experience as a way to grow and help others. Sports have shaped much of who I am, especially golf. Being part of the UTD women’s golf team taught me discipline, resilience, time management, and how to stay grounded even when life outside the course feels overwhelming. Competing while balancing a double major pushed me to develop mental strength and confidence, which I bring into every area of my life. Golf also introduced me to new communities and friendships and helped me discover my passion for leadership through involvement in campus athletics. One of the most meaningful ways I have been able to give back is through SAAC, where I currently serve as the Community Service Chair. This role has allowed me to organize service events, connect athletes to volunteer opportunities, and help bridge the gap between our athletic programs and the community. I learned how powerful it is to bring people together for a purpose greater than individual success. It helped me find my voice, encouraged me to advocate for others, and taught me that leadership is not about being in front. It is about lifting others up. Another experience that shaped my heart was joining Team IMPACT. Our team was matched with a young child facing medical challenges, and welcoming her into our golf family transformed the way I view compassion and community. Seeing how much joy and confidence she gained by feeling included has inspired me to dedicate my future to creating spaces where people feel supported and valued. These experiences guide my career goals. I hope to build a business that solves real problems students face, especially with transportation and safety on college campuses. My dream is to launch a student centered ride service that is affordable, safe, and structured as a community resource rather than just a business. I want to use my education in Marketing and Artificial Intelligence to design smart, accessible systems that make student life easier and safer. I hope to expand this model across campuses in Texas and eventually nationwide, creating opportunities for employment, connection, and safer environments for students. At the same time, I want to continue empowering young women, especially those who grew up feeling unsupported or underestimated. I want to mentor students who struggle with confidence or balancing academics and athletics, and I hope to become a leader who shows others that you do not have to come from stability to create stability for yourself and your community. My goal is to combine business, technology, and empathy to make a lasting impact. I want to help build a future where students feel safe, connected, and capable of achieving more than they ever thought possible.

My Pie in the Sky goal is to build something that transforms the lives of others, especially young women and students who feel like their dreams are too heavy or too far away to reach. I want to create a community centered transportation and support platform for college students, beginning with the campus where I study and compete. My goal is to build a service that is safe, reliable, affordable, and created entirely with students in mind. But more than a business, I want it to become a community model that helps students feel supported, uplifted, and understood. Growing up without consistent encouragement made me understand how powerful it is when someone finally believes in you. I want to be that source of belief for others. This dream began during my first months as a student athlete at the University of Texas at Dallas. I noticed how often students struggled with transportation, long walks at night, safety concerns, and limited affordable options. Many students silently deal with these barriers, and seeing this reminded me of how invisible struggles can hold people back. At the same time, I was discovering my own voice through SAAC and my leadership roles. Being the Community Service Chair taught me how powerful it is to solve real problems within a community by listening, organizing, and taking initiative. Working with Team IMPACT also showed me how meaningful it is to create spaces where people feel included and cared for. These experiences sparked the idea that I could build something bigger than myself, something that genuinely improves lives. My goal feels inspiring because I can picture the impact. I imagine freshmen feeling safe late at night, athletes getting to practice on time, students saving money, and the UTD community becoming more connected. I hope this dream grows past one campus and expands to other universities, creating a network of student centered systems that bring people together instead of leaving them overwhelmed. At the same time, it feels just out of reach because I am still a young woman building confidence, navigating obstacles, and learning how to trust my own abilities. But this is also what makes the dream special. If it did not scare me a little, it would not be big enough. To achieve this dream, I know I need to keep taking courageous steps. I will continue developing my business knowledge through my marketing and supply chain studies. I will expand my leadership skills in SAAC and stay involved in community focused projects that strengthen my understanding of the people I want to serve. I also plan to work on business planning, research, financial preparation, and mentorship from professionals who can guide me as I grow the idea into a real venture. Most importantly, I want to continue becoming the kind of woman who leads with empathy, courage, and purpose. I want to stay committed to helping others, even on days when I doubt myself. My Pie in the Sky dream is not only to build a successful business. It is to build something that makes people feel safer, supported, and inspired. I want to show young women that they are allowed to dream out loud, even when their dreams feel too bold for the world around them. This is the life I want to grow into and the vision I am ready to chase with heart and courage.

Education has never been something I viewed as a simple requirement. From a very young age, school was the one place that gave me a sense of structure, direction, and possibility even when everything else in my life felt uncertain. As I have grown older, my relationship with education has become deeper and more intentional. It has shaped the way I see myself, the future I want to build, and the impact I hope to make on the people around me. My experiences in school, both academically and personally, have pushed me through challenges that many people never see and have given me a sense of strength that I carry into everything I do. Growing up, I did not come from a home where emotional support or open communication was consistently present. I had to learn very early that my education was not only my responsibility but also my lifeline. School became the one environment where I felt that my effort mattered, where I could control my progress, and where my dreams felt possible. I did not always have people at home who understood my goals or supported the path I wanted to take, but my academic journey taught me how to depend on myself. This independence allowed me to build discipline, resilience, and determination. When I became a student athlete in college, my relationship with education changed again. Competing in women’s golf while pursuing a double major at the University of Texas at Dallas required me to develop a level of time management, accountability, and mental toughness that I never knew I was capable of. Balancing daily practices, tournaments, travel schedules, and assignments felt overwhelming at times, especially when I struggled through periods of anxiety, exhaustion, or personal conflict at home. But despite every challenge, education gave me direction. It reminded me that everything I was working toward had a purpose. One of the biggest turning points in my educational journey happened through my involvement in SAAC. Being part of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee allowed me to discover my voice as a leader. When I became the Community Service Chair, I learned how to organize events, communicate across teams, and represent the values of both athletics and the university. This experience helped me develop confidence that I never had growing up. It showed me that leadership is more than a title. It is the ability to connect, to support others, and to create positive change. Being trusted with this responsibility taught me that my education is not just about personal achievement but also about influence and service. Team IMPACT strengthened that lesson even more. Welcoming a young child with medical challenges into our UTD women’s golf family changed my heart in ways I never expected. Seeing her joy when she spent time with us and watching her confidence grow every time she felt included made me understand the true purpose of community. It taught me that belonging can transform a person’s life. This experience shaped my educational goals by showing me that I want a future where I help build supportive spaces for others, especially young people who need reassurance that they matter. Throughout my academic career, mental health has also been a challenge that I have had to confront. Balancing expectations at home, financial stress, sleep struggles, and personal relationships often took a toll on my well being. There were many days when I felt overwhelmed, misunderstood, or drained. Yet I continued to show up for classes, practices, meetings, and exams. Education gave me structure when my personal life felt chaotic. It helped me stay grounded, reminding me that I had long term goals that were bigger than temporary struggles. Every course I took, every exam I passed, and every project I completed built my confidence and reinforced the belief that I could overcome obstacles with persistence. Because of everything I have been through, my education is not only a path to a career. It is a foundation for the future I want to create. As someone studying Marketing and Artificial Intelligence with a focus on business and supply chain, I want to use my degree to build opportunities for others. My dream is to create businesses that promote accessibility, community connection, and financial independence. I want to start projects that help students, athletes, and young professionals find affordable resources, supportive environments, and pathways to personal growth. My entrepreneurial mindset developed directly from what I learned in school. The more I understood about business, systems, leadership, and communication, the more I felt inspired to solve problems in real communities. I hope to use my education to inspire others who feel lost or unsupported, especially young women who have big dreams but feel like they are carrying their challenges alone. I want to show them that adversity does not define them and that their education can be a powerful tool for transformation. I want to use my skills to build programs, businesses, and community initiatives that uplift people who often feel unseen. My education has taught me that empathy and leadership can go hand in hand, and I intend to bring both into every space I enter. In the future, I also hope to use my story to encourage student athletes who struggle with balancing their responsibilities. I want to mentor younger students, especially those who are navigating difficult home lives or mental health challenges. I want them to know that even when life feels unstable, education can be an anchor. It can provide direction, security, and purpose. It can open doors that once felt impossible to reach. Every challenge I have faced has taught me something valuable. Every setback has shaped my strength. And every success has reaffirmed my belief that my education is a gift that I want to use not only for myself but for others. My goal is to continue growing, learning, and inspiring, using everything I have gained through my academic journey to create a future filled with compassion, opportunity, and impact.

I believe that building a more empathetic and understanding global community starts with choosing, every day, to see people fully, to understand their stories, to listen without judgment, and to create space where they feel valued. My journey as a student-athlete, SAAC leader, and member of Team IMPACT has shaped the way I approach people, challenges, and leadership. My unique talents, communication, compassion, adaptability, and the ability to connect with others have become tools I use intentionally to uplift those around me and foster environments where people feel included. Through SAAC, especially in my role as Community Service Chair, I’ve had the opportunity to lead with empathy on a larger scale. Coordinating service projects, motivating student-athletes to get involved, and collaborating with administrators has shown me the importance of uniting people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. I’ve learned how to listen actively, advocate for others, and create opportunities for athletes to support the community around them. These experiences taught me that empathy isn’t just a personality trait; it’s a responsibility. It means noticing when something or someone is overlooked and using your voice to bring attention, resources, or support to them. It means making decisions with compassion at the center, even when those decisions require extra time, effort, or patience. Working with Team IMPACT strengthened this even more. Welcoming a young child facing medical challenges into our UTD Women’s Golf family has been one of the most transformative experiences of my college career. Through this program, I learned that empathy grows through presence, showing up consistently, celebrating small victories, and being a source of comfort and joy during difficult moments. Seeing the confidence, happiness, and sense of belonging that our matched child gained from being part of our team reminded me why connection matters. It showed me how powerful it can be to make someone feel like they’re not alone. In both SAAC and Team IMPACT, I’ve witnessed how empathy can shift a group’s culture. I’ve watched teammates become more patient, more open-minded, and more willing to support one another. These experiences motivate me to continue building environments on campus and beyond, where people feel safe to express themselves, share their experiences, and seek support. My long-term goal is to use my leadership skills to create more of these inclusive spaces, not just locally but globally. I hope to work on initiatives that promote youth empowerment, mental health awareness, and community connection. I want to use my voice to bridge cultural and social gaps, bringing people together through understanding rather than division. Whether I am organizing community service, mentoring younger students, supporting children with medical challenges, or simply being a reliable friend, I want every interaction I have to leave someone feeling more valued than before. Ultimately, I believe empathy creates a ripple effect. When you lead with kindness, others feel empowered to do the same. If I can help one person feel seen, heard, or supported, then that compassion can spread far beyond me. Through my unique talents, my leadership, and my commitment to understanding others, I hope to help build a global community that is more compassionate, connected, and human.

Mental health is often misunderstood as weakness. In my life, it has been the very reason I am still standing. I did not grow up in a household that nurtured mental wellness. Instead, I was raised by parents who believed that emotions should be buried, that women should be quiet and obedient, and that ambition, especially in a woman, was shameful. I was told daily that I was worthless. That I would never make it. That my dreams were laughable. That I would fail no matter how hard I tried. I lived in a home where the only thing louder than the silence was the weight of being unwanted and constantly doubted. Over time, that belief system started to seep into my own thinking. I began to believe that maybe I was nothing. That maybe the pain I felt, the emptiness, the tears I cried in silence, maybe it was all just part of who I was. I started hiding behind a mask. I smiled on the outside, but inside, I was fighting for my life. I carried anxiety like armor, and I pushed myself harder than anyone else did because I believed that if I achieved more, maybe I would finally feel like I mattered. But nothing was ever enough. I am a first-generation college student, a woman of color, a double major in Marketing and Supply Chain with a focus in Artificial Intelligence, and a full-time student athlete playing golf at the University of Texas at Dallas. I also work two jobs just to survive. My academic journey is not funded by college savings or supportive parents, in fact, my parents made it more difficult by refusing to complete FAFSA, refusing to help with housing, and punishing me emotionally and financially when I did not conform to their expectations. They even took away my dream car and replaced it with a broken one as “discipline” for making decisions they did not approve of, like letting someone drive the car or being home 20 minutes late. But despite that, I kept going. I have no safety net, no backup plan, and no one to fall back on. If I fall, I fall alone. The emotional toll of that kind of life is heavy. It led to isolation, panic attacks, insomnia, and feelings of hopelessness. There were moments when I questioned my worth, even considered if life was worth continuing, but something deep in me kept fighting. I realized that I did not want to die, I just wanted to stop hurting. I wanted peace. I wanted freedom. And I realized that if no one was going to save me, I had to save myself. That was when my relationship with golf became more than a sport. On the course, I was not a disappointment. I was not a burden. I was a player. I was focused. I was free. Golf taught me patience, emotional control, and how to reset under pressure. It gave me strength when I had none left and taught me how to walk with my head high in rooms where I was the only girl. It shaped how I approach life, work, school, and relationships. When I play, I remember that I am not what I came from. I am not the names they called me. I am not the failures they predicted. I am powerful, and I am proving it every day. Mental health has also shaped how I relate to others. I have learned how important it is to show empathy, to listen when someone is silently breaking, and to offer support even if you do not fully understand someone’s pain. I have become the friend I wish I had. I have also had to let go of people who did not respect my boundaries or who triggered the same feelings of inadequacy I grew up with. I have chosen peace over popularity and healing over history, even when it is lonely. My mental health struggles have become my fuel, not my flaw. They have taught me to lead with compassion, to speak up for others who have been silenced, and to build spaces where people, especially women, feel seen and heard. My dream is to use my voice and platform to advocate for mental health in sports, education, and the workplace. I want to show people, especially those raised like I was, that they are not doomed by their beginnings. I want to be a voice for women who were told they should only serve men. For students who are told they are wasting time chasing a degree. For the girls who cried themselves to sleep but still showed up to class. For the athletes who feel like they must always be strong. For anyone who ever thought they were nothing, because I was that person, and now I know I am everything they said I could not be. I am no longer trying to prove my parents wrong. I am proving to myself that I was always right to dream bigger. That I deserve to be here. That surviving was not the end goal, thriving is. This journey has not been easy. I still have hard days. I still hear their voices in my head, but now I drown them out with my own. I choose to believe in myself even when it is hard. I choose growth. I choose healing. I choose to keep going, not in spite of my mental health journey, but because of it. This scholarship would not just support my education. It would validate the years I spent being told I did not belong. It would help lift the financial burden I carry alone and allow me to continue pushing toward a future I am building entirely by myself. And one day, when I am in a position to give back, I will be the one funding scholarships for students like me, because we deserve a chance to be more than what the world expected.

I was raised in a household where girls were constantly reminded of their place, silent, obedient, and in service to others. My parents told me education was pointless for a woman. They openly believed that a woman's only value was in how well she could serve men. I grew up hearing that I was worthless, that I would never amount to anything, and that dreaming beyond the walls of my home was foolish. As a Muslim woman navigating a deeply traditional and emotionally harsh environment, I felt trapped between the values I knew were wrong and the strength I knew I had inside me. That internal conflict nearly destroyed me. There were times when I questioned whether pushing forward was even worth it, times I truly considered giving up altogether. But God gave me signs in those moments, through people, opportunities, and quiet moments of hope. And slowly, I realized I was not meant to shrink myself to fit someone else's expectations. I was meant to grow and help others grow too. Despite every obstacle, I became the first person in my family to attend college. I am now a student at the University of Texas at Dallas, double majoring in Marketing and Supply Chain Management with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence. I am also a student athlete, competing on the collegiate golf team, and I work two jobs just to support myself. I receive no financial help from my family, only constant reminders that they believe I will fail. I do not receive academic scholarships or federal aid, so every tuition payment, textbook, and meal is something I fight for and earn myself. This is not the life my parents imagined for me, but it is the life I chose, and the one I know Allah wants me to pursue. I want to pay it forward by showing young Muslim girls that faith and ambition can coexist. I want to use my career in marketing to uplift women owned businesses and amplify the voices of those who feel silenced in their own homes or communities. One day, I hope to start a nonprofit that provides career mentorship and education resources for Muslim women facing cultural or familial barriers like I have. More than anything, I want to be living proof that we are not limited by where we come from. That we can be strong, educated, Muslim women, full of faith, drive, and purpose. This scholarship would not only lift the heavy financial burden I carry, but it would also affirm that I am not alone, that there are people who believe in women like me, and in the power we have to change this world. My story is painful, but it is not rare. That is why I plan to use every opportunity I am given to open doors for the girls coming after me. Girls who were told to sit down and be quiet. Girls who were taught that their dreams were sins. I want them to know that their strength, their voices, and their minds are gifts from God, and that no one can take that away from them. I will never forget the women who inspired me, even from afar. Now, I hope to become that woman for someone else.

My name is Syrah Javed, and I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Dallas. I am pursuing a double major in Marketing and Supply Chain Management with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence. My reason for choosing this path stems from a deep desire to change the narrative for people like me, people who come from overlooked backgrounds, who are underestimated, and who are often told that they will never succeed. Marketing, to me, is more than promoting a product; it is about understanding people, connecting with their needs, and delivering solutions that matter. Coming from a strict household where I was constantly told that women are meant to serve, not lead, I found my voice through strategy, branding, and storytelling. I was raised hearing that education was pointless, that a career would be useless for someone like me, and that I would never amount to anything. That negativity once crushed me, but it later became the fuel for everything I do. I found inspiration in the very things I was told I could not be: independent, creative, strategic, and influential. Marketing became a space where I could reclaim my voice and turn my ideas into action. It is the perfect blend of psychology, design, innovation, and communication, all things I am deeply passionate about. I thrive in environments where I can think critically, create impact, and build trust with an audience. That is what marketing allows me to do. I have already begun applying these passions in the real world. As a full-time student athlete, I balance golf practices and tournaments while working two jobs to support myself financially. One of those roles involves brand management and customer engagement, giving me hands-on experience with what makes a business thrive. It is a challenging schedule, but it has shown me just how committed I am to this industry. I have learned the importance of storytelling, emotional connection, and value-based selling, and I see how marketing can shape communities, shift perspectives, and elevate voices that have long been silenced. What draws me most to sales and marketing is the opportunity to inspire. I want to represent women of color in spaces that still lack diversity. I want to show the next generation that we can lead, pitch, close deals, and command rooms with confidence. I want to prove that someone who was once told they were too emotional or too different can be the most persuasive voice in the room. My long-term goal is to establish my own marketing consultancy or brand agency that supports minority-owned startups in growing, scaling, and building recognition. I want to work with purpose-driven entrepreneurs who have incredible ideas but lack the resources and representation to share them with the world. I want to apply everything I have learned, both academically and personally, to help others turn their dreams into thriving businesses. Receiving this scholarship would lift some of the financial pressure I carry and allow me to focus more deeply on honing my craft and completing my degree with confidence. More than that, it would affirm that someone believes in the work I want to do and the impact I want to make. Marketing is not just my career choice; it is my mission. I am not entering this field for status or prestige. I am here to lead with empathy, inspire change, and prove that even the most underestimated voices can be the loudest ones in the room when given the chance.

Golf has impacted every part of my life, emotionally, mentally, and professionally. For me, it has never been just a sport. It has been my safe space, my discipline, my purpose, and my lifeline. I grew up in a household where support was nonexistent, and belief in my potential was absent. My family didn’t believe women should pursue careers, go to school, or think independently. I was told daily that I was worthless, that I would fail, and that my dreams were foolish. But golf gave me something that no one else around me did: belief. Every swing, every round, every moment I spent on the course was a quiet rebellion against everything I was told I couldn’t be. It taught me resilience, patience, and focus in a world that felt determined to shake my confidence. Playing golf competitively showed me how to push through discomfort, manage pressure, and control my mindset. It’s where I learned to lead with poise and keep showing up even when I felt like giving up. As a woman of color in a male-dominated sport, I’ve faced countless moments where I felt overlooked or underestimated. But instead of stepping back, I stepped up, and golf gave me the tools to keep doing that every single day. Currently, I am a student-athlete at the University of Texas at Dallas, competing on the collegiate golf team while double-majoring in Marketing and Supply Chain Management with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence. Balancing school, work, and golf is not easy. I work two jobs to support myself and do not receive academic aid because of the transfer portal, but my commitment to this sport and my education has never wavered. I’ve had to fight for every resource, every opportunity, and every moment I spend on the course, and I carry that fight with me into everything I do. I do not plan to stop playing golf. I see this sport as a lifelong commitment, not just to competition but to mentorship and community. My goal is to work in the business side of the sports or golf industry, using my education and experience to improve accessibility, diversity, and opportunity in the game. I want to be part of expanding the golf world for those who come from backgrounds like mine, where playing a sport like this might seem out of reach. This scholarship would not just support my financial journey through college. It would be a reminder that my story matters, that athletes from lower socioeconomic backgrounds belong in golf, and that someone out there believes in my potential — just like I believe in the next generation that I hope to inspire. Golf has already changed my life. I plan to use it to change others’ lives, too.

My name is Syrah Javed, and I am an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Dallas. I am a double major in Marketing and Supply Chain Management with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence. But more than anything, I am a lifelong learner. My love of learning has been my lifeline. It has carried me through some of the darkest moments of my life, and it continues to guide my purpose, shape my resilience, and fuel my future. I did not grow up in a supportive environment. In my household, curiosity was discouraged, independence was punished, and education was viewed as a waste of time, especially for women. I was told that my place was in the background, that I was not smart enough to succeed, and that women did not belong in classrooms, boardrooms, or anywhere outside the home. But something deep inside me refused to accept that. I did not just want to learn, I needed to. Learning became my rebellion, my escape, and my form of healing. Every new topic I studied gave me a piece of myself back. In high school, I would sneak extra books into my room just to study quietly. I fell in love with business because it gave me the power to build, to create, and to imagine a future that was bigger than my circumstances. When I started exploring Artificial Intelligence, it opened my mind to what is possible when curiosity meets innovation. I started seeing learning not just as a path to success but as a tool for transformation, in myself and in my community. Outside the classroom, I kept feeding that curiosity. I volunteered over 150 hours at the North Texas Food Bank, learning about food insecurity and the systems that create inequality. I made handmade jewelry for little girls in homeless shelters, learning how the smallest gestures can restore a sense of dignity and joy. I took on two jobs in college to support myself, learning about financial independence, responsibility, and grit. I have learned not just from lectures and textbooks but from real life, from falling and getting back up, from being doubted and proving people wrong, from living in survival mode and still choosing to dream. That, to me, is what a true love of learning looks like. It is not about getting the best grades or always having the answers, it is about staying curious, staying open, and staying hungry to grow. This passion has completely shaped my outlook on life. I see challenges as opportunities to learn, not reasons to quit. I have developed a growth mindset that helps me see failure as feedback and success as something I define for myself. I no longer measure my worth by other people’s expectations. I know who I am because of what I have learned and what I continue to seek. In the future, I want to use this passion to uplift others. My dream is to create a community-centered business that not only provides services but also educates and empowers underserved communities. I want to host workshops, mentor young women, and use technology to create solutions that make life easier for those struggling to get by. Learning changed my life, and I want to help others discover the same power. This scholarship would help me keep learning, keep leading, and keep building a future where curiosity, compassion, and courage can coexist. Like Ross, I believe life is meant to be explored fully. And I plan to keep exploring, for me and for everyone who was once told they could not.

My name is Syrah Javed, and I’m a first-generation college student currently attending the University of Texas at Dallas. I’m double majoring in Marketing and Supply Chain Management with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence. I’m also a student-athlete on the UTD women’s golf team, and I work two jobs while managing my academic and athletic responsibilities. My journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s shaped me into a strong, disciplined woman who is determined to make a positive impact on the world. Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by negativity. My parents openly believed that women didn’t belong in the workforce or higher education. They would regularly tell me that I wasn’t smart enough, strong enough, or capable of achieving anything on my own. I was reminded almost daily that my future would amount to nothing. I was raised to feel like my worth depended on how well I could serve others — especially men. This emotional burden wasn’t something I could escape, but it was something I chose to fight against. Despite the lack of emotional or financial support at home, I pushed forward. I focused on school, sports, and community service — not because it was expected of me, but because I needed something to believe in. Golf became my safe space. It gave me the emotional discipline, focus, and mental toughness that I didn’t even know I had. On the course, I wasn’t just playing a sport — I was reclaiming control over my life. Throughout high school, I also volunteered over 150 hours at the North Texas Food Bank, packaging and distributing food to families in need. I witnessed firsthand how devastating food insecurity could be — and how something as simple as a box of groceries could restore dignity and hope. I also made handmade jewelry for young girls in homeless shelters. I knew how it felt to grow up unseen and unheard, and I wanted to give those girls a reminder that they mattered — that someone out there cared. These moments helped me understand what leadership really meant: showing up, even when it’s uncomfortable or hard, and giving more than you take. Now in college, I continue to carry that same mindset. I work two jobs to cover living expenses, housing, and school-related costs. I don’t receive academic or need-based aid — only a small portion of athletic support — so every paycheck, every shift, and every hour of practice means something. The pressure can be overwhelming, but I remind myself that I’m not just working for myself — I’m working for the future I want to create. Through my career, I plan to make a meaningful impact in my community. I want to use my degrees in business and AI to launch a community-centered organization focused on job creation, financial literacy, and food security. I want to host charity events and mentorship programs, provide meals for underserved households, and create safe, empowering spaces for young women of color. I believe everyone deserves the right to opportunity — and no one should have to fight as hard as I did just to be seen. This scholarship would not only help ease my financial burden, but it would also serve as a symbol of belief — belief that students like me, who come from hardship but are filled with purpose, deserve the chance to lead and make a difference. I am not asking for a handout. I’m asking for a hand up — so I can keep rising and lifting others with me.

My name is Syrah Javed, and I’m a first-generation college student currently attending the University of Texas at Dallas. I’m double majoring in Marketing and Supply Chain Management with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence. I’m also a student-athlete on the UTD women’s golf team, and I work two jobs while managing my academic and athletic responsibilities. My journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s shaped me into a strong, disciplined woman who is determined to make a positive impact on the world. Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by negativity. My parents openly believed that women didn’t belong in the workforce or higher education. They would regularly tell me that I wasn’t smart enough, strong enough, or capable of achieving anything on my own. I was reminded almost daily that my future would amount to nothing. I was raised to feel like my worth depended on how well I could serve others ,especially men. This emotional burden wasn’t something I could escape, but it was something I chose to fight against. Despite the lack of emotional or financial support at home, I pushed forward. I focused on school, sports, and community service ,not because it was expected of me, but because I needed something to believe in. Golf became my safe space. It gave me the emotional discipline, focus, and mental toughness that I didn’t even know I had. On the course, I wasn’t just playing a sport, I was reclaiming control over my life. Throughout high school, I also volunteered over 150 hours at the North Texas Food Bank, packaging and distributing food to families in need. I witnessed firsthand how devastating food insecurity could be,and how something as simple as a box of groceries could restore dignity and hope. I also made handmade jewelry for young girls in homeless shelters. I knew how it felt to grow up unseen and unheard, and I wanted to give those girls a reminder that they mattered ,that someone out there cared. These moments helped me understand what leadership really meant: showing up, even when it’s uncomfortable or hard, and giving more than you take. Now in college, I continue to carry that same mindset. I work two jobs to cover living expenses, housing, and school-related costs. I don’t receive academic or need-based aid ,only a small portion of athletic support ,so every paycheck, every shift, and every hour of practice means something. The pressure can be overwhelming, but I remind myself that I’m not just working for myself, I’m working for the future I want to create. Through my career, I plan to make a meaningful impact in my community. I want to use my degrees in business and AI to launch a community-centered organization focused on job creation, financial literacy, and food security. I want to host charity events and mentorship programs, provide meals for underserved households, and create safe, empowering spaces for young women of color. I believe everyone deserves the right to opportunity ,and no one should have to fight as hard as I did just to be seen. This scholarship would not only help ease my financial burden, but it would also serve as a symbol of belief — belief that students like me, who come from hardship but are filled with purpose, deserve the chance to lead and make a difference. I am not asking for a handout. I’m asking for a hand up ,so I can keep rising and lifting others with me.

Giving up has never been an option for me, even on the days when it felt easier. I was raised in a home that should have made me feel safe and supported, but instead, it became the first place I had to survive. My parents didn’t believe in education, especially not for women. They believed women only existed to serve men and that my dreams, ambitions, and independence were worthless. Every day I was reminded that I wouldn’t make it, that I would fail, and that I wasn’t enough. They didn’t just discourage me ,they hoped for my failure. That kind of environment didn’t just hurt. It broke me down emotionally, piece by piece. But somewhere deep inside me, something refused to give in. I told myself that I would be the one to break the cycle. That I would prove that girls like me who are constantly told they don’t belong ,can rise and lead. I’m now a first-generation college student at the University of Texas at Dallas. I’m double majoring in Marketing and Supply Chain Management with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence. I am a full-time student-athlete on the golf team and I currently work two jobs to support myself financially. I pay for my own housing, food, and school expenses without help. The pressure is nonstop, and the emotional burden from my past still lingers. But I’ve learned to turn that pain into fuel. Every time I feel like quitting, I remind myself how far I’ve come ,not just academically, but personally. My family struggles were never just financial , they were emotional and mental. Growing up in a home where love felt conditional and dreams were dismissed made me doubt myself constantly. I still struggle with self-worth and anxiety, but I fight it daily with every class I pass, every shift I work, and every challenge I overcome. That is what resilience looks like for me, not pretending to be okay, but choosing to keep going even when I’m not. Leadership, to me, means showing up,especially when no one else does. I’ve completed over 150 volunteer hours at the North Texas Food Bank, where I helped distribute food to struggling families. I’ve made handmade jewelry for little girls in homeless shelters so they could feel special, even just for a moment. I’ve used my own pain to reach others in theirs, and that is the kind of impact I want to continue making. My dream is to lead and serve with purpose. I want to help reduce food insecurity and homelessness in my community. I want to host charity events, build safe spaces, and remind people that they matter ,especially those who feel invisible. I want to be the kind of leader I never had growing up. I may not come from a place of privilege or support, but I come from struggle, and that struggle shaped me into someone who refuses to give up. I will continue to lead, to grow, and to fight for the better world I believe in, one act of service at a time.

Community has never been something I was handed; it’s something I had to build on my own. I grew up in a household where love, support, and encouragement were missing. My parents didn’t believe in education, especially not for women. I was told constantly that I would fail, that my dreams were useless, and that I wasn’t meant to lead or succeed. For a long time, I believed them. But when I stepped into my community, everything started to change. I began volunteering with the North Texas Food Bank in Commerce, Texas, where I’ve completed over 150 hours of service. I packed and distributed food to families who were facing hunger, some of them single mothers, children, and elderly people who reminded me of how easily we overlook those who struggle quietly. It showed me the value of showing up. Sometimes hope is a box of food handed over with dignity and a smile. Another moment that shaped me was when I started making handmade jewelry for little girls in homeless shelters. I knew what it felt like to feel invisible, so I made each piece with the hope that it might make one girl feel special, even just for a moment. I wanted them to know they were seen, that they mattered, and that someone believed in their worth. These acts weren’t about checking boxes. They were about healing, for myself and others. I didn’t grow up with a strong community, but I’ve learned how to create one and how to be part of one. It’s given me hope that even when the people closest to you don’t believe in you, others will. Now, I’m a full-time student-athlete at the University of Texas at Dallas, double-majoring in Marketing and Supply Chain Management with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence. I work two jobs and carry the full weight of my financial and academic journey on my own. But I carry it proudly, because I know who I’m doing it for. In the future, I want to lead efforts that help reduce homelessness, host charity events, and support local shelters and food banks. I believe everyone deserves the basic dignity of a meal and a safe place to sleep. No one should have to wonder where their next meal will come from, especially not in a world with so much potential for kindness and shared responsibility. I believe in what Sweet Hut and Food Terminal stand for. Like them, I want to create safe, welcoming spaces that bring people together and lift them up. I want to continue using kindness, resilience, and community to lead with purpose and make a lasting difference, not just in my own life, but in the lives of others who need hope.

Before I begin, I would like to respectfully acknowledge that I do not come from a single-parent household, and I understand that this essay prompt was intended for those who do. I apologize for stepping outside the exact eligibility, but I felt compelled to write and apply because Iliana Arie Velez’s story moved me deeply. Her strength, light, and resilience reflect everything I’ve fought to build within myself. This is not just an essay — it’s my truth. My name is Syrah Javed. I’m a first-generation college student at the University of Texas at Dallas, double-majoring in Marketing and Supply Chain Management with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence. I’m also a full-time student-athlete on the golf team and currently work two jobs to support myself completely. While I was raised in a two-parent household, I was not raised in love. I grew up in an environment where women were expected to stay silent, serve men, and never pursue education or independence. My parents constantly told me I was worthless. That I would fail. That I would never make it. Every time I took a step forward, I was reminded it wouldn’t matter. They believed women like me should stay home, not chase degrees, careers, or dreams. Their prayers weren’t for my success — they were for my downfall. But I chose to rise. Golf became my freedom. It gave me the strength to keep going when everything else around me felt like it was designed to break me. It taught me how to focus, how to breathe, and how to believe in myself even when no one else did. I carry that strength into every class I take, every shift I work, and every quiet moment when I feel the pressure to give up. Reading about Iliana’s journey made me feel seen. Her drive, her passions, her ability to carry responsibilities beyond her years — I see pieces of her in me. I, too, know what it means to carry burdens that aren’t fair. I, too, have chosen to keep going with fire in my chest and dreams that refuse to die. I want to make a difference in the world by building the future I was never given. I want to use my education to start something of my own, empower other young women, and create space for voices like Iliana’s — and mine — to thrive. I want to show girls who are told they’re too small, too weak, or too broken that they are more than enough. Iliana said, “You got this.” And now, I carry those words with me too.

Golf has never just been a sport for me , it’s been a lifeline. In a life filled with pressure, fear, and emotional pain, golf has been the one space where I feel powerful, in control, and at peace. It’s where I proved to myself that I am more than what I was told I’d be.

I was raised in a household where women are expected to stay silent, serve men, and never think independently. My parents openly believe that women are only valuable for their ability to please men and raise children. They do not think women should work, go to school, or have their own lives. I was told every day that I was worthless. That I would fail. That I wasn’t strong enough, smart enough, or good enough to make anything of myself. Even now, they pray for me to fail. They remind me regularly that I will never succeed without them, that my efforts are pointless, and that my future is already doomed.

But I refused to let their beliefs define me.

I am now a first-generation college student, studying as a double major in Marketing and Supply Chain Management with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Texas at Dallas. I’m a full-time student-athlete on the golf team, and I currently work two jobs to support myself financially. I don’t receive academic or need-based aid – only athletic support. Every textbook, every meal, every night of housing is something I fight for and earn on my own. There is no safety net for me. The pressure is constant, and the mental toll is real. I battle imposter syndrome, burnout, and anxiety almost every day. It’s hard knowing that if I stumble, there’s no one to catch me. My parents don’t cheer me on – they wait for me to fall so they can say, “I told you so.”

And yet, I still rise because golf taught me how.

On the course, I found space to breathe. Golf gave me discipline, emotional control, patience, and the ability to refocus under pressure. I found strength in walking into male-dominated tournaments and holding my own. I found confidence in my swing, in my decisions, in my pace. Golf helped me build mental toughness that I now carry into every classroom, every job, and every confrontation with the people who once told me I’d never make it.

As a woman of color in a traditionally male-dominated sport, I know how rare it is to be seen and supported. That’s why this scholarship means more than just money to me. It’s validation. It’s a reminder that there are people out there who believe women like me do belong, not just in golf, but in the workplace, in leadership, and power.

I want to use my voice and my story to inspire other young women, especially those who are told they’re too emotional, too weak, or too different to succeed. I want them to know that they can walk onto a course, a campus, or a boardroom and claim space confidently. I want to show them that no matter what anyone says, they are not limited by where they came from.

Golf saved my mindset, and my mindset is what’s building my future. This scholarship would help ease the financial burden I carry alone and allow me to keep pushing forward, both on the course and beyond it.